Chapter 18: Seeds of Desire
The next morning, the camp stirred with a faint unease. The forest around them was quiet, too quiet. Birds did not sing, and even the wind seemed heavy with warning.
Arjun opened his eyes before dawn, sensing it already. His bond with Seris pulsed warmly beside him, and when he turned, he saw her sleeping peacefully, curled close to him. She stirred as his hand brushed her hair, her eyes fluttering open.
"Arjun…" she whispered, her lips curving softly.
He smiled faintly. "Stay close today. Something is coming."
Not long after, Lira appeared, her expression sharp but her eyes betraying a restless night. She looked at Seris leaning on Arjun's arm, her heart squeezing. Quickly, she masked it with pride.
"You woke early," she said coldly.
"I never sleep too long," Arjun replied calmly. "And you will need the training."
Her jaw tightened, but before she could speak again, the ground trembled faintly. A sound like a low growl echoed from the forest.
Seris stood instantly, her body glowing faintly with their bond power. "Something is near…"
The trees shivered, and from the shadows emerged three beasts wolf-like, but taller than horses, their eyes burning with red fire. Their fangs dripped with black venom.
Lira drew her blade at once, her pride and anger forgotten. "Darkbeasts. Here?"
Arjun smirked faintly. "Perfect timing. We'll test your limits today."
The first beast lunged with a roar. Lira dashed forward, her blade slicing, but the beast's hide was tougher than steel. Sparks flew as her strike only cut shallowly.
"Tch!" she hissed, dodging a snapping jaw.
The second beast turned toward Seris. But Arjun stepped in front of her, his aura flaring. "With me."
She nodded, her cheeks flushing as his hand brushed her waist. Their bond pulsed, and power surged between them. Together they moved.
Arjun's strike glowed with fire, and Seris's kick cracked the air. Their attacks merged, striking the beast with a force that shattered its ribs. The creature fell with a howl, black blood spraying.
Lira glanced back, eyes widening. She saw the glow around them, the way Seris's face burned with power and devotion when she stood beside him. Jealousy stabbed her chest even as she fought to parry another claw.
They're… glowing together… stronger than me…
The third beast leapt toward Lira, its claws aiming to tear her down. She braced, but her blade could not block the sheer weight. She staggered, her knees nearly buckling.
"Arjun !" she cried before she could stop herself.
In an instant, he was there. He caught the beast's claw with one hand, his eyes burning. His other hand pressed to Lira's back, steadying her. Energy surged from him into her body for just a second, her blade flaring with sudden strength.
She gasped as she swung again this time slicing clean through the beast's neck. The head rolled, black blood spraying.
Breathing heavily, she turned, her eyes wide. "That… that wasn't me…"
Arjun smirked, leaning close, his hand still on her back. "No. That was me. Flowing into you. Just imagine what more you could do if you accepted me fully."
Her body trembled under his touch. She stepped back quickly, hiding her flushed face. "D-Don't… don't say such things while we're fighting!"
But her voice lacked its usual sharpness.
The last beast staggered, wounded by Seris's kick. Arjun finished it with a flaming strike, the ground shaking as it fell silent.
The forest was quiet again, the danger gone.
Seris leaned on Arjun's arm, smiling softly. "With you, nothing can stand."
Lira stood apart, her fists clenched, her heart torn. She had felt his power inside her, just for a second. It had been overwhelming intoxicating. She hated how her body longed for more.
The system's voice echoed in Arjun's mind.
[Eternal Harem System Update]
~ Target Lira has tasted shared resonance.
~ Emotional progress: 42% toward Subjugation.
~ Desire hidden beneath pride: Awakening.
~ Recommendation: Tease her with Seris's devotion. Let her envy grow.
Arjun's eyes narrowed. Good. She's halfway there.
Later, by the campfire, Seris sat close beside him, her hand on his knee, her head tilted with quiet devotion. She spoke softly, only for him. "Arjun, today I felt stronger than ever. I will always fight with you."
Arjun stroked her cheek, his voice deep. "You are mine now. My power is yours, and your body and heart are mine."
Seris's cheeks burned, but she whispered back, "Yes… I belong to you completely."
Her words carried clearly in the still night. Lira, who sat across the fire sharpening her blade, froze. Her hand trembled slightly. She looked up, watching them. The way Seris blushed under his touch, the way her voice carried surrender… it made something twist inside her chest.
Her pride screamed to look away, but her eyes would not obey.
Why does it hurt? Why do I… want that?
Arjun noticed her gaze. He smirked faintly, his hand sliding along Seris's waist deliberately, pulling her closer. Seris gasped softly, her body melting into him, her blush deep.
The sight made Lira's heart pound. She bit her lip hard, hiding the heat rising in her body.
The system's voice whispered again.
[System Hint]
~ Target Lira's jealousy is burning into desire.
~ Resistance weakening.
~ Progress: 61% toward Subjugation.
~ Path forward: Show her the gap. Let her crave the bond she denies.
Arjun leaned back, his arm around Seris, his eyes never leaving Lira's. He spoke smoothly, his tone calm but carrying weight.
"Lira. Today you fought well. But you know it. Alone, you will always fall behind."
Her lips parted, her pride clashing with the truth. "I… I can grow stronger…"
"Not enough," Arjun interrupted. "Seris already proved it. With me, she is unshakable. You saw it with your own eyes. Even you tasted it once, when my power flowed into you."
Her face burned red, her breath quickening at the memory. She clenched her fists. "Tch… you think I'll just surrender?"
Arjun smirked. "You already want to. Your body knows the truth, even if your pride denies it."
Lira froze, her eyes wide, her heart pounding wildly.
Seris leaned against him, her smile soft but her words sharp. "It's true, Lira. I resisted once too. But after I gave in… I found peace. And strength."
Her eyes gleamed, her voice almost teasing. "You should stop fighting yourself. You'll only suffer more."
Lira's teeth clenched. She wanted to shout back, to deny everything. But the memory of his power rushing through her body, the sight of Seris glowing in his arms… it burned too deeply.
She looked away sharply, her voice trembling. "I… I don't need this… not yet…"
Arjun's smirk deepened. Not yet means soon.
The fire crackled, the night stretching around them. But in the silence, the cracks in Lira's heart grew wider, the seeds of desire planted deeper.
And Arjun knew it was only a matter of time before she broke completely.