Eros' Game

Daniel stared cluelessly at the stranger sitting across from him but Eros could not make out the complete picture of Daniel's face because of his mask.

The climber wondered why this boy would, out of the blue, ask him to play a game. Why? Was it because he had helped him out earlier?

As Daniel thought about it, what he had done was not a big deal. 

He didn't answer immediately but Eros' impatient self wanted a quick response.

"So… what says you?" Eros asked.

Daniel was sceptical but then what was the worst that could happen at this stage? He had practically nothing of value to offer.

Even the very power that distinguished him from the majority of the climbers was not his and considering how he inherited it, Daniel had some confidence that it couldn't be stolen easily.

Right now, his instincts told him that winning Eros over was of more benefits than it had disadvantages. There was just something different about the boy in front of him even though he couldn't pinpoint what it was exactly.

Daniel dropped his hand on the table, staying a straight gaze at the young lord of the first floor.

He needed allies and he knew it. That was an important factor for him to consider but at the same time, he was uncertain because he didn't want to share his goals with anyone.

But the more he thought about the events that led up to this point, he understood why he needed them.

The short fused wannabe bunch of climbers that claimed to belong to the Crimson Cross Order proved that to him. Even if they were fakes, they were easily united under Kastro to do his bidding for some promises that may not even be fulfilled. Yet, that way, Kastro didn't have to bother himself over many things.

Allies served to make things easier.

"What game?" Daniel asked.

Eros scratched his cheek. "Come on, what a killjoy! What's the fun in that if I tell you? Kills the suspense."

Daniel said nothing.

Seeing that the young man was not willing to give in, Eros exhaled with frustration. "Okay… fine! What a buzzkill!"

Tap–! Tap–!

Eros tapped his finger on the table rhythmically, and in the twinkle of an eye, Daniel found himself in another realm.

He looked around the place and it differed greatly, in appearance, from the cafeteria where he was a second ago.

'Just like what the rabbit had done.'

Eros extended his arms to Daniel and tried to explain in order to calm him down since he was expecting the human to be shocked and scared by what he had just done.

Seeing how Daniel was unfazed, he felt a bit relieved and impressed, and at the same time, curious about why.

"Something tells me you've experienced this before."

Daniel nodded in agreement. "Yes. With the rabbit down at floor 0."

"Hmm. Karnickel, huh?"

"Yes. Also, by doing this, I believe my body is safe on the first floor, am I right?"

Eros narrowed his eyes, and then a smile followed. 'A smart one, huh?'

"How can you tell that I didn't drag your body into this place?"

A chuckle escaped Daniel's lips as he shook his head. "For someone trying to not reveal so much of themselves, much like me, you wouldn't do that. Wouldn't it draw undue attention?"

Clap–! Clap–!

"Fabulous!" Eros screamed excitedly as he bounced his head, expressing the astute correctness of Daniel's assertion.

"You are right, Thanatos."

Reading the room, Daniel saw it as an opportunity to find out more about this person.

"Who are you?" he asked. "And what is this game of yours about?"

*********

Creak–!

Adonisa pushed open, the gigantic, wooden and well-adorned doors of a large hall that was decorated to appear somewhat like a temple. 

It was so large that the pillars that held it in place dwarfed the high priestess so many times over.

Adonisa walked around with familiarity, her steps not strangers to the paths within the temple as she soon approached the doors into another chamber.

Creak–!

She opened it and then another after that before heading up a floating stairway to a room that was simply divine.

Before she neared the room she could hear the soothing, enchanting voices of several priestesses singing in honour of their divine matron — Venus.

This put a smile on the high priestess' face as she sang along in her heart and climbed the steps until she reached the top of it, ushering herself into the divine presence of the goddess that ruled over the first floor.

An epitome of shimmering beauty.

The deity whose eyes are enough to captivate and enchant other gods and even goddesses.

Her silky white hair flowed down and over her shoulders in their glory.

…The Goddess of Love — Venus.

She dangled her head slowly but with rhythm while her humble priestesses blessed her divine ears with their melodies.

Noticing Adonisa's presence, the goddess' eyes came open and her lips curled up.

Venus lifted a hand and silence instantly took over as the maiden priestess, in unison, stopped singing.

"Adonisa, dear. What brings you here?"

Adonisa fell on her knees and bowed with her face touching the ground of the room.

"My lady, I have come with respect to the new climbers on our floor."

The goddess let out a hearty chuckle, her eyes fixed on Adonisa with a motherly expression on her face.

Venus looked at the high priestess in the way a mother would look at a daughter trying to overcome a major task.

"Is that all?" she asked, trying to get more information out of Adonisa. "You know that I very well know about everything you will likely report to me, right?"

Adonisa bobbed her head. "Yes, my lady. I know that. There is also another reason why I am here."

"What is it then?"

Adonisa raised herself to look up while still on her knees. "I have come to ask what manner of challenge you would like for them to be assigned."

The goddess' lips parted. "Well, about that…"