When Ethan woke up, he knew something was off.
For one, he wasn't in his room. He was lying on silk sheets, surrounded by rose petals.
"...Oh no."
Venelith's voice echoed softly from nowhere and everywhere at once.
"Congratulations, mortal. You passed the first trial. Now, it's time for the second: The Desire Test."
"Define 'desire,'" Ethan said warily.
Venelith chuckled. "Simple. Each of your companions must face their inner desires. If they can resist — or accept them truthfully — they pass. But if they fall too deep… well, I'll get to keep you as my personal toy."
"Wait WHAT—?!"
Before Ethan could react, light enveloped him, and the world split into four glowing doors. Each marked with a familiar emblem:
Ayaka's cherry blossom.
Luna's crescent moon.
Hana's flame.
Subject M's crimson mark.
Venelith's voice purred. "Choose wisely, mortal. Each door hides what they want most… and you are the key."
Door One – Ayaka's Desire
The moment Ethan stepped through the first door, he found himself in a cozy, moonlit apartment.Soft piano music played in the background.
Ayaka stood by the window, wearing nothing but one of Ethan's hoodies.
"Oh. You're home early," she said, blushing slightly. "Dinner's ready."
Ethan blinked. "Wait—are we—married?"
Ayaka smiled shyly, walking over to him. "Not yet. But in this world, we could be."
Every little gesture — the way she tucked her hair behind her ear, the soft hum in her voice — felt too real.
When she leaned close, Ethan's heartbeat went berserk.Then the air shimmered, and Venelith's voice teased:
"Careful, mortal. If you return her affection here, the trial ends — and you stay with her forever."
Ethan froze. Ayaka looked up at him, clearly torn between affection and awareness.
Her eyes softened. "You're… not really here, are you?"
He smiled sadly. "Not yet."
Ayaka kissed his cheek and stepped back, her illusion fading into light.
[Ayaka's Desire Acknowledged – Trial Passed]
Door Two – Luna's Desire
The next room was filled with stars.Literal stars — glowing constellations swirling around a floating bed.
Luna stood there in a flowing nightgown, her hair down, eyes glowing faintly.
She whispered, "In this world, I can finally say it."
"Say what?" Ethan asked.
"That I love you… without fearing anyone taking you away."
She wrapped her arms around him gently, head against his chest.He hesitated — then hugged her back, careful not to break the illusion.
Venelith whispered again:
"Such tender hearts… yet so fragile. Can they share one soul?"
Luna smiled faintly, fading into starlight.
[Luna's Desire Acknowledged – Trial Passed]
Door Three – Hana's Desire
This one was chaos.
Ethan opened the door to find Hana wearing a frilly maid outfit, standing in front of a massive banquet table.
"W-Why are you dressed like that?" he asked.
She stomped her foot. "Don't ask stupid questions! You're the master, aren't you?!"
Venelith cackled faintly in the background. "Oh, she has that fantasy, I see."
Hana's face turned red. "SHUT UP, GODDESS!"
The scene turned into a whirlwind of comedic disaster — Hana tripping over trays, spilling tea on Ethan, and accidentally ripping her skirt in panic.
By the end of it, Ethan was covered in cake, Hana was half-laughing and half-crying, and both were blushing uncontrollably.
She muttered, "I just… wanted a world where I could make you smile."
Ethan gently wiped frosting off her cheek. "You already do."
[Hana's Desire Acknowledged – Trial Passed]
Door Four – Subject M's Desire
This one was… different.
Ethan stepped into a void — pure darkness.Then came her voice, soft and low:
"You really want to see what I desire?"
The darkness peeled away to reveal Subject M lounging on a throne, wearing black lace and a crown of crimson light.
Ethan blinked. "You… as a goddess?"
She smiled faintly. "Not a goddess. A ruler. A woman in control of her fate… and yours."
The room pulsed with dark temptation.Venelith's voice whispered in awe, "Oh my. She's not afraid of desire — she owns it."
Subject M stood, brushing past Ethan — her eyes meeting his in dangerous amusement."But even I know," she whispered, "my control ends with you."
Her lips hovered close, then stopped."I'll wait till the real you earns this moment."
The illusion faded into black light.
[Subject M's Desire Acknowledged – Trial Passed]
Aftermath – The Goddess Appears
Ethan reappeared in the central arena, panting like he'd just run a marathon through emotions.
Venelith floated down, clapping slowly.
"Well, well… not bad. You resisted every temptation and gave each of them what they truly wanted — acknowledgment."
Ethan crossed his arms. "You call that a test? That was emotional warfare."
Venelith grinned. "Oh, darling, that was foreplay. The next trial will show you their darkest fears."
"Can't it be another pillow fight instead?" Ethan groaned.
Venelith winked. "Maybe… if you survive the next one."
The girls reappeared one by one — all flushed, confused, and awkwardly avoiding Ethan's gaze.
Ayaka: "So… about what happened in my illusion—"Luna: "Mine was very sweet, right?"Hana: "I told you not to laugh about the maid outfit!"Subject M: "...I'll admit, my throne looked good."
Ethan sighed. "We're doomed."
Venelith's laughter echoed as the divine realm faded, leaving them all mentally exhausted — but closer than ever.
[Bond Level Maxed: Desire Arc Complete][Next Trial Unlocked: Fear Test]