The Achievement Junkie

The setting filled with petals and thorns was spectacular. So many eye-catching colors filled the party's view, showing from vibrant green to neon yellow and from ruby red to sapphire blue. And with the flowers recreating the vines and undergrowth of a jungle, the party was amazed to find such a hidden oasis of beauty.

"So, you're with Daruun?" A full and mature feminine voice caressed each party member's ears.

Everyone looked around to eventually find a woman only a few meters away, leaning against one of the larger flowers. Her seductive attire was fitting her curvacious figure perfectly. Though her dress was simple, the classic slit down the side of the leg showed just enough skin to make a man's heart pound. And the hint of her cleavage being revealed could attract any man's eye. But her face was the most distracting of the woman's features. It was round, yet cut to perfection, as if her skull was hand crafted and her skin was a masterpiece of the gods, which in a way was true.

Seeing Dragas in real life was entirely different than meeting the goddess in person. The air about her felt different and Jack couldn't help but stare into her soft brown eyes. Also, Jack wasn't the only one lost in her gaze.

Lina, being the youngest and most pure, was the first to say something. "Wow… You're really pretty…"

Dragas lifted a hand to her mouth, giggling. She stood up straight and carefully walked toward the party, stating, "Are you supposed to be Daruun's champion? I must say, you're quite handsome compared to most men. Have you come to pledge to me?"

"N-no…" Jack stammered, regaining his composure. "I've come so that my wife can pledge to you."

"Oh… that's interesting." Dragas smiled, intrigued. "Which of these lovely ladies is youre wife? Or are you so lucky to have all three of these beauties for yourself?"

"I'm that lucky," Jack replied with a nervous chuckle. "But one is already pledged to Lunara and the other is already Eedaj's daughter."

"Oh… Oh?! Really?"

Noticing Dragas's surprise, Jack was glad to gain an edge in the conversation and not be led along by the Goddess of Seduction. He stated, "Eedaj has relocated to Trodar already, being the first of the Neutral Gods to do so. Soon, Sterfen and Lunara will be joining him. Also, Daruun made an appearance to the public, stating that the Leisure Guild will be standing up against the other godly factions."

"I missed that much?" Dragas tilted her head teasingly, looking away from the party in thought. "Then, where do you fall into play? What's your name?"

"I'm Jack, but everyone knows me as the Legend of Trodar."

"Oh! It's you!" Stepping even closer to Jack, Dragas entered his personal space with passionate eyes. "I finally get to meet you!"

"Hey!" As Dragas tried to lean further toward Jack and grab his hand, Eliza stepped in and stood between the goddess and her husband. "Excuse me, but that's my man you're trying to seduce."

"Well… It's not like you're unwilling to share…" teased Dragas, startling the party. "I've always wanted to meet him more than any other hero. Has he told you about all the times he stole my lingerie or my--"

"No need for that!" Jack interjected. "That was always for a mission, not for myself. There's no need to mention that now."

Dragas frowned slightly, pouting, "No fair! Out of every hero, you've stolen from me the most. Doesn't that mean you love me more than even my own followers? You're just too afraid to admit it to your wives, aren't you?"

"Nope! I'm a devout follower of Daruun and I'm also the son of Sterfen and Lunara, so I'm already your nephew," retorted Jack, not daring to look Dragas in the eye.

"Oh… I see… Lunara again…"

Noticing some tension in the goddess's voice, Maura asked, "Please, excuse our impoliteness as your guests, but is there possibly something between you and Lunara?"

"Of course there is," Dragas answered in a very matter-of-fact way. "When two women pursue the same man, there's bound to be some hostility left behind after the clash of our intentions."

Looking to Jack, Dragas smiled seductively. "But as Lunara's son, I think that gives me all the more reason to make you mine, Jack. Is that so wrong of me to ask? It's not like you don't already have your own harem, so what's wrong with adding one more wife to that list?"

"I'm sorry, Dragas, but I've already promised them that--"

"Why would they reject me? I wouldn't mind getting to know each of them personally, as well," added Dragas, staring tenderly at Jack's wives. "However, who is she? I'd imagine she's too young to be your wife, unless you--"

"She's my sister!" Jack shouted, not letting Dragas assume anything else for even a second.

"Sister…" The seductress's gaze shifted, focusing on Lina's smile and the girl's crystal clear blue eyes. "I see… So they succeeded after all, did they?"

With Dragas's eyes no longer trying to seduce the entire party, Jack turned to her and stated, "After being summoned to this time, I managed to come across Lina's egg. When I returned it to my mom and dad, they officially made me there son. So, yes, Lina is the first ever natural born demigod."

"Jack…" Dragas's gaze slowly tilted back towards Jack. "Please, let me bear your children."

"I can't--"

"Excuse me," again, Eliza cut into the conversation, carefully eyeing Dragas. "If you want his child, then answer me this. Why do you love Jack?"

"Because he the most stunning hero to ever live, even more so then Sterfen was before his ascendance," answered Dragas. "What else is there to say?"

"Would you lay down your life for Jack?" questioned Eliza.

Amazed to see Eliza remain calm yet speak so passionately, Dragas smiled at her. "Maybe… Then again, maybe not… That would depend on the situation."

"I'll always been willing to give up my life for Jack's, that's why he's still here today."

"Then why are you still here?" asked Dragas.

Eliza sighed. "That's… only because someone else laid down their life for me."

"Oh…" Seeing through Eliza's softened gaze, Dragas reasoned, "So you had a secret admirer and he saved your life."

"You have no right to talk about Keela like that," stated Eliza.

Dragas's smile widened. "A woman? Maybe I don't have the right… But I'm sure you must understand how it feels to compete with another women for the man you love. Given your situation, you might feel that everyday, at least a little. Don't deny it. I'm sure you understand why I don't want to lose to Lunara and long to also have a child of my own."

Since Eliza kept quiet, Dragas continued, "The greatest hero of my time has already married and had a child with a different beauty instead of me. Who else can I turn to for that?"

Unable to answer, Eliza kept her mouth closed. She didn't want Jack to just give into this goddess but she could also relate to Dragas, apart from the goddess having endured that feeling for countless years.

"If you're not going to argue with me, then why not share him with just one more person? Is that so hard?" asked Dragas.

"I'm sorry, but I can't do that," Jack stated, startling the goddess and his wives. "I've already promised them that I won't have any more wives."

"Then make me your concubine," Dragas replied nonchalantly with a shrug.

Scratching his head and trying not to meet Dragas's tempting gaze, Jack added, "That won't work either. But…"

"But what, Jack?" Dragas asked, keping her seductive eyes on him in case he glances back at her.

Jack took a deep breath and looked to Eliza. He struggled to reply, "I… do think we can fulfill that great desire of yours."

"Oh? But how, since you must think of me as ugly given your unwilllingness."

"You're extravagant beauty is why I'm not looking you in the eyes. I've made my promise as a man and I don't want to be tempted to break that promise," reasoned Jack, making sure to compliment the goddess. "But… what if you could… raise a child without that?"

"Impossible," stated Dragas. "How could I raise my own child without your help?"

Swallowing some of his nerves, Jack took a moment before finally stating, "I… I can help you raise a granddaughter, can't I?"