Chapter 7 - A Gift Bestowed

Jason inked his signature on the contract, passing it over to Amber, who welcomed him with a hearty cheer, sealing the details of their agreement that would set Jason on a new career path starting that upcoming Monday. With the weekend beckoning, there was no sense in him commencing work on this particular Friday afternoon.

"Thank you!" Jason responded with a broad smile, embracing the relief of securing a well-paying job fresh out of school.

"Now, let's discuss your housing situation. Your belongings are currently at my place. You have the option to stay with me or take an advance on your first paycheck and book a hotel," she offered, ensuring he felt no pressure to choose either option.

He weighed his choices briefly. Why opt for a hotel when he could live with her? After all, she was not just a professional, but a stunningly beautiful woman as well.

"Sure, I'll stay with you," he agreed, his grin deepening.

"Great! I have a spare room. I just need to attend to a few matters, and then we can head home," Amber replied, her enthusiasm undiminished.

An hour slipped by, and they found themselves in Amber's apartment, situated in the heart of the city, not too far from the office. Their home was perched high in the building, offering a view almost touching the clouds. As Jason explored the apartment, he was astounded. It was a luxurious, fully automated space. The kitchen had a robotic chef, ready to prepare meals at his command. The laundry practically ran itself. His room, nearly the size of the dorm he'd shared with twenty others, boasted a holographic computer and state-of-the-art clothing printing facilities. In one corner, he spotted a few bags containing his belongings.

"How can you afford to live here?" he inquired, as Amber guided him through the marvels of her apartment.

"This line of work can be quite lucrative. I solved a long lasting high-profile case that brought in substantial rewards. That's also why I was dismissed from the military—they didn't appreciate my side gigs," she explained with a sigh.

"With your ability this feels like what you were born to do, so I'm sure you're better off now," Jason remarked, not really having anything to base his comment off.

"My quality of living has definitely gone up significantly, yes," she replied, her face not matching her tone.

Jason sensed a complex mix of emotions behind her words, as if she had found something valuable but lost something else. Unsure how to respond, he didn't probe further, feeling it was a sensitive topic. An awkward silence hung between them until Amber broke it.

"Well, make yourself at home. I'll be in my study if you need anything," she said with a warm smile.

Jason thanked her and retreated to his room. As he settled onto his new bed, he pondered the uncertainty of his life. He was adrift, uncertain of his likes and dislikes, and what he truly wanted. Lost in thought, he was surprised when his gods began to manifest one by one. Malcolm, Talon, and Liz stood in the forefront, while Diana and Sarah watched from behind. The professor and Xanthie remained distant, choosing not to engage.

"We believe you're now strong enough to begin unlocking more of your powers. It appears that before we lost our memories, Liz bestowed a strength buff upon you, Sarah found a note in her notebook, and this may have saved you during the attack. But in order to confirm this, Malcolm is up first to give you a power up," explained Talon.

"I don't feel strong," he replied, referring to his perpetual weakened state."But alright I am ready, let's do this."

"Could you lie down, please?" Malcolm asked.

Jason complied. Malcolm placed his rough hand on Jason's forehead and it soon began to illuminate. Jason began to feel dizzy as his vision blurred, yet, he persevered. When the light subsided and his vision cleared, Jason didn't feel any different, but he realised he knew more about the objects around him than he should.

"I've given you one of my more potent abilities, which I like to call 'Origins,'" Malcolm proudly declared.

Jason glanced at his hospital clothes and instantly knew they were printed in the hospital's basement by a mass-production clothing printer. He examined his bed frame and somehow understood that it was made from Australian tree farm wood, assembled locally in Cloud City. Finally, he looked at Liz and gained insight into the buff she had given him – a strength buff named "Second Life (expired)."

"I now understand how we lived and why Liz's buff doesn't seem to be working anymore," Jason marvelled.

They all nodded and smiled at Liz, with Diana even thanking her. He didn't need to explain what had happened; they had all seen what he had seen. Liz's face went purple with embarrassment, feeling everyone's emotions.

"Awe thanks everyone, kisses all around," she cheered, trying to draw Malcolm in for a smooch, who resisted staunchly, and withdrew back into Jason's head to get away.

With the power-up complete, the remaining gods gradually disappeared, leaving Jason alone. It was only the afternoon but suddenly Jason was feeling very tired, so no doubt they were too. This was likely due to him gaining a new power while still in recovery. Still lying down he closed his eyes and soon drifted into sleep.

~~~~

Jason woke up to his stomach rumbling, a soft weight on his chest and pressure in his groin. As he slowly opened his eyes, a sense of astonishment coursed through him like a quiet electric jolt. There, nestled in the embrace of the sheets, was Liz. A serene stillness enveloped her, yet, as he peered closer, an unmistakable uneasiness began to gnaw at the edges of his consciousness, something was off. Then it dawned on him, she was naked. She lay on her stomach, pressing her breasts against his chest and her head on his arm. The pressure in his groin increased, as he began to pitch a tent with the sheets. It appeared that Liz could just sense arousal as this instantly caused her to stir from her slumber. She looked straight at the tent and then back at Jason's face, a cheeky grin gripping her mouth.

"Such a naughty boy," she teased, plucking the top of the tent like a guitar string. "I am honoured you would feel that way towards me."

"It's," Jason began, his words trailing off, swiftly silenced by the gentle interjection of Liz.

"Shhh," she whispered, her voice as velvety as a moonlit night. "You know you can't deceive me." Her black eyes, pools of unfathomable depth, locked onto his. "Would you like to see them?"

Her lithe form slid upward, bringing her face level with his, weaving a spell of irresistible allure.

"Uh…" Jason stammered, his voice wavering in the face of her beguiling presence.

"We both understand your desires," she purred, her words a gentle caress against his ear, reigniting the pulsing tension. "But to fulfil them," she whispered, her warm breath dancing over his earlobe, "you must speak your desire aloud."

Jason struggled, lost in the labyrinth of his inexperience, his memories a blank canvas in the realm of women's mysteries.

"You know," she began with a calm, mischievous glint in her eyes, "for me to have granted you that power, we would have had to share a kiss. Who's to say what other naughty adventures we might have embarked upon? So, don't let those nerves consume you; embrace this moment." She leaned in slightly, a hint of playfulness in her voice. "So do you want to see them?"

Jason responded with an eager nod, his anticipation palpable.

"No, no. I need you to say it," she teased further, her hands straying from above the sheets to below, and heading south rapidly, stopping just before its target.

"Yes, I want to see them," he said softly.

"I can't hear you," she whispered, softly biting his ear and grabbing onto the tent pole.

Jason paused for a moment, his mind focused elsewhere as pleasure flowed through his torso.

"I still can't hear you," repeated Liz, moving her hand up and down the pole slowly.

"I want to see them!" yelled Jason with passion.

"Good Boy," replied Liz, arching her back to reveal her breasts to Jason, still stroking his pole. Her breasts were larger than expected and as a god should be, perfect in every way. They were the perfect size for her body, perky and had perfect red nipples, keeping to her devilish skin tone. Jason was awestruck, until suddenly he felt a pressure welling up in his abdomen as Liz increased the speed of her stroking. The force continued to build as Liz continued to stroke, until suddenly the pressure of two months asleep released in a wave of ecstasy, making him and his sheets warm and sticky. Liz removed her hand and laid back down, quivering slightly as if she had just climaxed as well. Suddenly, the door burst open, and Amber stormed into the room, brandishing a gun and her eyes darting about in a frantic search.

"Jason, are you alright?" she exclaimed in a panicked tone. "I heard you yelling, and I thought you were under attack."

Jason's heart raced as he tried to find words to explain the sticky situation he found himself in.