I, the slave boy, awaken with the most potent seed!!

The room shimmered and dissolved, fading like smoke on the wind, leaving Zafron standing alone in Aphrodite's vast library. He blinked, his breath hitching as he glanced around. Shelves stretched endlessly, filled with tomes that practically hummed with ancient energy. Yet, for all their power and presence, Aphrodite herself was conspicuously absent.

'What the hell just happened?' he thought, his body still tingling from their last encounter. 'She said we had time. Why pull the plug now?'

He called out her name, his voice echoing in the cavernous space, but no answer came. A faint draft ruffled his hair, urging him toward the towering double doors at the far end of the library. Unease prickled along his spine, but he moved forward, pushing the doors open with both hands.

The sunlight outside was almost blinding, and it took a moment for his eyes to adjust. When they did, he saw them—Aphrodite and Eros. The latter stood impossibly tall and radiant, his golden locks shimmering like flames. Even from a distance, his confidence was palpable, as if the world itself bowed to his whim. The two were deep in conversation, their faces drawn with concern.

'Great. Of course it's him,' Zafron thought bitterly, stepping forward but stopping short when he caught sight of Thera, Aurelia, and Calista. The trio stood at the edge of the temple courtyard, their arms crossed, their faces etched with barely concealed irritation.

"Done wasting everyone's time, are we?" Thera's tone was sharp, her eyes narrowing as she stepped forward. Even the nice one wasn't nice anymore.

Aurelia sniffed disdainfully, brushing an invisible speck off her sleeve. "We were all waiting for results, Zafron. Not... recreational activities."

Calista didn't say a word at first, but her glare spoke volumes. When she did open her mouth, it was with a scathing edge. "I hope the goddess found your... talents as useful as we've been told they are." Her words dripped with sarcasm. Well, it wasn't particularly surprising hearing that come from her.

Zafron raised his hands in mock surrender, forcing a sheepish smile. "Look, I get it. You're mad, but—"

"Mad?" Thera interrupted, her voice rising. "We're beyond mad. While you've been playing house with Aphrodite, the rest of us have been working. There's a realm falling apart out here, in case you forgot."

'I didn't forget,' Zafron thought but wisely kept it to himself. He glanced at Aurelia, hoping for a glimmer of support, but her scowl deepened.

"I'm just saying," he tried again, "it's not like I wasn't doing something useful. Aphrodite and I were—"

"Don't," Calista cut him off coldly. "Just don't."

The tension was suffocating, and Zafron fumbled for words, desperate to diffuse it. "You know, maybe we're all just a little stressed. A few deep breaths, maybe some wine—"

"Zafron," Aurelia hissed. "Stop talking."

Before he could dig himself any deeper, Aphrodite emerged from her conversation with Eros, her expression unusually somber. The warm smile he'd grown used to was gone, replaced by something heavier. Although she had gone back to her normal radiant and heaven defying beauty, there was something that seemed to be on her face that wasn't before. Worry.

"We need to talk," she said, her voice quiet but firm.

"What's going on?" Zafron asked, his humor draining away.

Aphrodite glanced over her shoulder at Eros, who was watching them with a faint, knowing smirk. Her lips pressed into a thin line. "The future of limbo... it's worse than we thought."

Aphrodite ran a hand through her golden locks, her usually radiant face clouded with unease. "I need to take a trip out of limbo," she said, her voice measured but carrying a weight that silenced the group.

Zafron blinked, trying to process the sudden shift in tone. 'Out of limbo? She can leave? What does that even mean?'

Before he could voice his thoughts, Eros sauntered forward, his every step radiating an effortless arrogance. His golden eyes gleamed as he shot Aphrodite a knowing smirk. "Ah, yes. The council finally caved," he drawled, his voice smooth and rich like honeyed wine. "They've realized they can't run the show without their star attraction." He spread his arms dramatically. "Congratulations, Aphrodite. They're calling you back to your chair. About time, wouldn't you say?"

Aphrodite sighed, her gaze hardening as she glanced at him. "It's not permanent, Eros," she corrected. "They're asking for my... insight. That's all."

Zafron frowned, holding up a hand to halt the conversation. "Wait a second. Chair? Council? What council? And why aren't you already part of it? You're a god, right?" His voice carried a mix of confusion and irritation. 'How the hell am I just now hearing about this?'

Aphrodite closed her eyes, her shoulders slumping slightly. "It's... a long story, Zafron," she said, her tone heavy with regret.

Eros, ever the showman, stepped forward with a glint in his eye, clearly enjoying the moment. He turned his attention to Calista, Thera, and Aurelia, flashing them a dazzling smile. "Oh, but it's a good story," he said, winking.

Aurelia, normally composed, visibly faltered, her cheeks tinging pink. Thera's stern expression wavered, and Calista, despite her usual sharp tongue, seemed to swallow hard, her lips parting as if words had suddenly escaped her.

'What the hell is his deal?' Zafron thought, glancing between the three women and Eros. The air around him felt charged, almost electric, and he had to fight the urge to roll his eyes at Eros's theatrics.

Eros turned back to Zafron, his hand landing heavily on Zafron's shoulder. The casual clap made Zafron wince—not because of the weight, but because of the overwhelming presence Eros exuded. And, to Zafron's growing discomfort, the god's completely naked body wasn't doing much to hide... anything.

'Seriously? Does he have to let it all hang out like that?' Zafron thought, forcing his gaze to stay locked on Eros's face.

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"Let me clue you in, mortal," Eros said, his smirk widening as he leaned closer. "Your goddess, as perfect as she may seem, isn't quite the untouchable deity you think she is." His voice dropped, oozing with a mix of condescension and intrigue. "There are... reasons she's not on the council. Reasons you might find... enlightening."

Aphrodite's jaw tightened, but she didn't interrupt.

Zafron stared up at Eros, his mind racing. 'What the hell is he talking about? And why does it feel like everyone but me knows what's going on?'

"Careful, Zafron," Eros added, his grip tightening slightly before he released him. "There's a lot you don't know about your goddess. A lot." He chuckled, stepping back and gesturing grandly. "But don't worry. I'm sure she'll fill you in—eventually."

Zafron scowled, feeling more out of the loop than ever, while Aphrodite sighed again, looking suddenly older, as though the weight of eons rested on her shoulders.

"It's complicated," she finally said, her voice soft but tinged with a sadness that made Zafron's chest tighten.