Celibacy

"What do you mean I should celibate?!" Yelled Argider in her mind.

"Just as the task requires, you must refrain from engaging anything with any women."

Argider grumbled, a glare of reluctance on her face.

Just a day ago, she recalled vividly the stubborn tug of the chains, her shaking hands, and the exhaustion that had sunken her and emaciated her body. The allure of indulgence threatened to overpower her, but she was never one to fight it. Not until this moment arrived. 

Deep down, however, she knew rebellion was fruitless. This system, entity, whatever that held her captive and bounded towards redemption was proving more effective than any slap to the face from her mother. It gave her chances, lessons, and almost everything that everyone failed to give in such a short amount of time. Whereas others wanted to maneuver her into a puppet of power, this system was pushing her to a path that even herself never provided for her own sake.

A path to redemption. 

'Tomorrow is not promised' was a statement one could often hear, but too late to realize.

On the verge of her death, she finally felt her mortality and her little time in this world. Yet, she arose from her ashes not to escape war, but for her to have the chance to escape from herself.

She moved to the edge of the bed and faced away from Callista, her need evident yet restrained. Being defiant were her usual trademarks, and she would gladly mock the council and even stand up to the gods if need be. Behind her stupidity, there was a calculated choice; she chose to be a fool to insult the other fools who appeared more smartly than she ever did.

With a deep breath, Argider redirected her attention to Callista. "I have... forgotten," she paused, struggling to find the right words. She didn't want the woman to feel undesired or abandoned. It'd be lie if she said she was not in the mood. Spitting out falsehoods from her tongue was bitter enough to release. "Denzelle has stated that I have somewhere to be. I'm sure you are aware of his tendencies to be quite controlling of my.... movements, but I assure you, his intentions are well-meaning, of course."

— [Personality Trait: Oppenness ▪︎ + 5 EXP!]

— [Personality Trait: Neuroticism ▪︎ + 10 EXP!]

— [Personality Trait: Agreeableness ▪︎ + 10 EXP!]

<Neutoricism 10 20 Level One: EXP>

<Openness 15 Level One: 20EXP>

<Agreeableness 20 Level One:>

[Processing...]

[Loading....]

— [You have reached Level Two of Agreeableness!]

— [Reach Level Two for Neuroticism and Openness To Finally Unlock Stage Two of Psyhosexual, Moral, and Psychosocial Stage!]

— [Reach Level Two for Neuroticism and Openness To Advance Empath and Empathic Inundation Skill!]

'Oh...' Argider felt an unusual sense of solace in the knowledge that with each small step, she had the potential to advance further, to better herself. The notion of returning to her previous life seemed like an insignificant afterthought, as her thoughts and focus shifted towards the road ahead, rather than the path she had left behind like a weary traveler who no longer glanced at the distant mountains she had already traversed.

However, Callista was not convinced. "Right... but why did you scream?"

"His criticism... and remonstrations are beginning to affect me," she conceded. "After all, I have caused quite a bit of worry with my extended absence. There have even been whispers suggesting that I have finally revealed just how pitiful I truly am and perhaps I ran away from the throne."

Alvator was still flying above, and pointed his paws to a floating screen that appeared, displaying the mission objective on its surface. 'Mission: Kill Denzelle Arctera,' it read.

Argider's gaze flicked towards it, momentarily jarred out of the conversation. She had almost forgotten about the task at hand, or perhaps she had deliberately chosen to overlook it.

Revenge seemed an insignificant endeavor; the pain of anger burned more of herself than those who she wished to burn. The day she realized the pointlessness of it all was when she fully fell into a hole of numbness, wishing her mind was a void instead. Unfeeling, blank, and empty to deflect any emotion.

"You're lying," Callista frowned. "I'm sure you can fool others, but I've felt you entirely. Any changes in your expression, even an inch, I am immediately aware. The way you can't look at me and the clear shame in your eyes. It'd hurt less if you told the truth. Tell me, truthly, did Denzelle threaten you?"

Argider's thoughts became cloudy. She couldn't find any words that could refute any of the accusations while her lips were parted, wanting to defend herself. She'd always been slow if questioned, and fast if truthful. This was the takeaway that the emperor was truly speaking of falsehood. 

"H-How did you know?..."

"You are always so slow, aren't you? You might have considered him your friend, but there is a blur between friendship and alliance in this palace."

"So which one are you?"

There was silence afterwards. 

"How could you even ask such a thing?" Callista's voice trembled, but it wasn't a tremor of pain; it was the tremors of terror. This was the first time that the normally defeatist Argider had ever dared to question her.

Argider snatched up her clothes and quickly donned them as she turned to face Callista. "Because I realized I don't know you..." she finally admitted. Callista has been acting strange since moments ago. Why did she always look afraid than hurt? Normally, she wouldn't have spotted such a subtle sign, but her awareness became more painfully sensitive ever since she received her skills.

"I realized I don't know anyone at all," she continued.

"I've given you my body, my all!" Callista protested.

"But your body is not everything that you are," Argider shot back. "I don't even know your history, your feelings. What are you truly here for?!" Her voice rose in a frustrated roar.

"What has come over you? Is it because you have transformed into a woman now? Have I ceased to be appealing to you? Is that why you resist involving yourself with me at this moment?"

Argider's response was swift and fierce. "No, that is not the issue!"

"Then what?! Ever since you were gone, you've changed. Inside and out!"

Alvator observed passively from his vantage point above, his gaze cool and detached. This was Argider's predicament, and it was a problem she had to learn to confront and overcome instead of running away like a coward for once.

"And why is it so difficult for you to respond? Are you troubled by my lack of acquiescence to your desires?!" Argider yelled for the first time.

Clank!

Before she could process, it cut into a wail of pain as Callista sank her teeth into the girl's bottom lip. Her attempts of escape were proven futile under their impenetrable pull, the former courtesan licking the bruised ribbon of flesh, tasting the bloody iron of the bleeding mark.

Her lips were then locked by a possessive kiss, Callista's tongue demanding entrance into the tightening mouth of Argider. She was shaking involuntarily from her own frailty, until she returned her "affection" and bit the courtesan's tongue.

Flinching, Callista loosened their strength, one eye narrowing from the throbbing pain.

Inhaling a gasp, the emperor coughed, cupping a hand over her lips. "W-What are you doing?!" She turned to the broken vase that fell on the floor with a loud glass-like melody.

As Argider turned her gaze towards Callista, she was struck by an uncanny sight. Callista stood motionless, her eyes fixed and dilated, an air of otherworldly stillness surrounding her.

"I can't do this anymore..." Argider breathed, her eyes shining with sudden power.

— [Command: The User is Using Empath Skill!]