I arrived at the cave where the kingdom of Chiropteria stands, giddy and waiting for news that they had successfully captured the vessel of the Goddess of Abundance. The loud, irritating bats welcomed me with hoots and hollers.
"Vera, being a bird looks great on you!"
"Oh, does it?" I teased. "Well, perhaps you can all have a piece of this—after I speak with Kairo."
I walked toward the Bat King's throne, surrounded by glacial crystals that reflected images like mirrors. The image staring back at me was that of a beautiful green harpy—one I had coveted when I came with the bats to ambush the birds. Such pretty feathers. I wanted them, so I took them.
Kairo, ever eccentric, preferred solitude despite his obnoxious subjects. He was hanging upside down from the ceiling of the cave.
"Are you asleep?" I called lazily. "Am I bothering you?"
He didn't respond.
I smirked and sat on his throne.
In an instant, he reacted—dropping from the ceiling and landing in front of me, circling slowly.
"A bird," he said coldly, "no matter how sultry and attractive, does not deserve to sit on my throne."
He grabbed me roughly and dragged me away, pinning me to the ground as he licked my neck. Kairo was one of my faithful admirers. I soaked in his adulation and obsession. As he devoured this borrowed body—one that was never truly mine—a sudden, damning energy shot through me, sending chills down my spine.
I shoved him away.
"Where is your army?" I demanded sharply. "Did they successfully capture the vessel?!"
Did I feel her presence?
She's back.
How is this possible? How could that weak vessel unlock her?
"Why are you so tense?" Kairo murmured, licking my arms. "The Goddess of Abundance won't return to her full form. That means she's still nothing compared to you."
He was right.
Eriu will never regain her complete goddess form—she is bound to her vessel forever.
I laughed, loud and unrestrained.
She will never be rid of me now.
Eriu and I have a long-standing rivalry. We are both greedy beyond measure, yet they glorify her power as benevolent while condemning mine as chaos. I give just as much as she does—pleasure, happiness, power, luck.
So why is she worshipped while I am shamed?
When she sacrificed herself for this world, I seized the opportunity. Now this world no longer understands the difference between what we offer—and I will ensure only one of us remains.
Hide behind your kings, Vessel. I will watch them fall one by one.
I crawled back into Kairo's arms. He knew exactly how to please me—worshipping, indulging, lusting after me in whatever form delighted me most. The pleasure fed my ego, my power, my hunger. This world's desperation, immorality, and decay make me indestructible. Every ill intention, every cry of suffering, and every greedy heart in Bestia was sweet music to my ears.
Then I noticed him.
Watching from the shadows.
Vesper—the infamous reptilian king. Wicked. Dangerous. Neutral.
"Are you enjoying what you see?" I moaned deliberately. "Why don't you join us instead of watching?"
"No," Vesper's voice was like ice cracking. "I don't stoop so low. I despise the spoils of others."
"Oh?" I taunted. "Don't you want to know how an avian tastes? She's rare—one of Avion's finest."
I was enjoying myself when a loud crash echoed outside the cave.
Then silence.
Then a scream.
A lone bat staggered inside—his body decayed, blackened, barely alive. My eyes widened. That energy I felt earlier—it was hers.
I screamed in fury and disbelief.
"Where is the vessel?! Where is the rest of your colony?!"
"She—she awakened," he croaked. "The Goddess of Abundance returned. She destroyed them all. Turned them to dust."
Fire.
That forbidden element—the one the vessel brought with her.
I clenched my fists.
So she is dangerous after all. A vessel of abundance capable of destruction.
Interesting.
"What else did she say?" I asked coldly.
"She said to spite her all you want—but never let her get close."
My ears burned.
With one swift strike, I beheaded him.
Whispers rippled through the cave as his body fell.
My mood was ruined.
But my hunger only sharpened.
"None of you will rest," I roared, "until we destroy her for all eternity!"
From the darkness crawled every vile, corrupted, monstrous soul of this world—kneeling before me.
All but one.
Vesper let out a short, mocking breath and began to walk away toward the exit. Vesper brushed past me.
"Where are you going?" I snapped. "Fight for me!"
He stopped, turning his head just enough for me to see his cold, reptilian smirk. "Enjoy your little tantrum, Vera. Celebrate your ruins. Do not count on me; I have no interest in your petty wars. If I have something to gain, perhaps I will return. But remember... I was never yours to command."
He vanished into the dark, leaving me fuming.
Foolish serpent.
I looked down at the harpy's body I was wearing. It felt tight now. Soiled. I didn't want it anymore. It already serves its purpose.
"My faithful underlings," I announced, my voice sweet and toxic, "forget what you saw. As a reward for your loyalty—take this."
With a sickening wrench, I tore my spirit out of the harpy's form. The girl's soul was long gone, leaving only the beautiful, living shell. I threw the body toward the ravenous crowd of bats. Their shrieks of joy drowned out the wet, tearing sounds that followed.
The screams echoed through the cave as I walked away into the shadows, a formless shadow of malice.
You have started a war you will never win, Eriu, Goddess of Abundance.
And I will enjoy watching you fall.