Chapter 38 - Understanding

"Want you?" Questioned Trev, hoping Elena would elaborate further.

"Do you not want my body?" She questioned again, her face uncomfortably close to his.

She shifted her weight on his lap, reminding Trev of her naked body that was sitting on him. She was positioned sideways over both his legs, one arm wrapped around his neck, one breast pressed against his chest. Trev's hands were pinned by his side, there was no way to release them without touching Elena's naked body. Regarding the question she had just posed, his body was beginning to give her an answer as the pressure on her legs must have been increasing.

"Of course I do," replied Trev.

"Then what are you waiting for, take me!" she said with conviction.

Trev sighed loudly. Elena's face looked as if she was about to cry, he needed to fix the situation before she began to resent him. Though, He was saved as Elena looked down, finally noticing the pressure on her leg, her facial expression changing as she realised what it was.

"Your body obviously wants this, you say you want this and you don't need to worry about me getting pregnant. What is the hold up?" she questioned.

She was right, he didn't know what the hold up was. He had no reason not to ravish her right now. She had given him permission and silenced all his doubts, aside from one.

"You're right, I have no reason not to, I just have one question," commented Trev.

"Sure," she smiled, knowing she had made some ground with him.

"This is real right? I am not one of your marks?" questioned Trev.

"This is real, and besides I could have killed you many times over," she grinned mischievously.

"Okay, tough guy," Trev laughed.

Without notice he lifted his hands, picking Elena up. She squealed slightly at the unexpected move, before kissing him passionately as he carried her to the bed.

~~~~

She had done it. Elena had finally captured the attention she longed for from Trev. As she lay naked on his side after their intimate encounter, she watched him drift off to sleep. His warm body against hers made her feel safe and cherished. Unbeknownst to him, he had symbolically committed himself to her by placing an ability ring on her ring finger. Though she wasn't sure if he understood the significance of that moment, to her, it felt special.

Since their initial morning kiss, Elena had yearned for this connection throughout the day, and now her heart was content. Feeling comforted, she began to drift off to sleep as well. However, just as sleep began to claim her, an unexpected voice pierced through the silence, jolting her awake.

[Elena, come to me], it called.

Elena glanced at Trev, who was sound asleep; he hadn't spoken a word. Her heart pounded as she whispered, "Who's said that?"

[Elena, now you have fulfilled both our desires, we need to talk,] the voice persisted.

The voice seemed familiar, but she couldn't recall why. Reluctantly, Elena got up and grabbed her blade, prepared to defend herself against any intruders.

"Show yourself," she whispered again, a slight hint of fear in her voice.

She was drawn to her golf bag, where she stored her gear, including her wolf helm and the goblin chieftain skull. A red light emanated from within, gradually intensifying. Curious and cautious, she peered into the bag and noticed the eyes of the wolf helm glowing red. Was the wolf helm talking to her? She decided to take it into the bathroom so as not to disturb Trev.

[Elena, put me on], the voice insisted.

"No, then I won't be able to get you off," she replied, attempting to hide her fear.

[I won't, I just want to talk,] the voice reassured her.

Elena looked at the helm, she had no reason not to trust it, but she was still sceptical.

"If you do, I will cut your nose off," she replied, putting the wolf helm on.

The world around her turned a familiar red, and the helm constricted slightly, but not enough to trap her, but enough for her to see.

[Elena, I am Vash, the wolf spirit and god of desire, and I have come to assist you in fulfilling all your desires], said the voice.

Suddenly, through the eyes of the helm, a wolf appeared before her, causing her to startle. She took off the helm to confirm reality, but there was nothing there. Placing it back on her head, she continued the conversation.

"I thought that was Eros or Cupid or something," commented Elena.

[Those are human gods. No, I am a god created by the Architects to help guide the players,] Vash explained with pride, showing his teeth to her as if to portray his strength.

Recalling Spruce's words about the Architects, Elena understood they must be the beings responsible for designing the game. Curiosity brimming, she asked.

"So what do you want?"

Vash laid down on the bathroom floor, getting himself comfortable.

[As I said, to fulfil your desires,] Vash replied.

"Which desires are you referring to?" questioned Elena.

[To kill the six board members, I will give you the power to do so,] Vash said with passion.

"I doubt you will give me power for free, what's the catch?" Elena inquired, aware that nothing in this game came without a price.

[There is no catch. You keep wearing me for battles, filling me with blood, and I will no longer restrict you. Then, when the time is right, we will be strong enough to kill anyone, regardless of the situation. It is a win/win relationship,] Vash promised.

Though sceptical that this was the extent of the deal, the idea of gaining the ability to defeat the board members was too enticing to resist. After weighing the pros and cons, Elena decided to trust Vash, at least for now.

"I can do that," she replied.

[Excellent, we will talk soon,] said Vash, disappearing from sight and causing the helm's eyes to extinguish.

Elena now faced a dilemma. Should she tell Trev about this encounter? Would he think she was losing her mind? Determined to be open with him and trusting he would believe her, she tucked the helm and blade back into their respective places and returned to bed, seeking comfort in Trev's warmth.