Straight home

Feeling tired now that the adrenaline rush from the afternoon subsided, Jerry decides to head home. The lights are on, which meant his mother is home from work already. Well, not surprising considering the time, he thinks.

"Mom, I'm home," says Jerry entering the living room. His mom, Janet, comes from the kitchen with a stern expression on her face.

"Where were you, young man? I thought I told you to call if you're going to be late," says Janet with her hands on her hips.

Janet is a woman in her early 40s, with light olive skin and auburn hair. Her beautiful features show some signs of time, her skin not being as glossy and her face showing expression wrinkles here and there, but still an attractive woman nonetheless. Once a bombshell with a full hourglass figure, now she had a bit more meat to her waist (but by no means fat), and the supple features her ample chest acquired over time had a mature charm of its own. Her ass hadn't sagged a bit and remained firm, as did her thick thighs.

Jerry never really looked at his mother that way before. But it suddenly hits him as soon as she shows up on the door. He doesn't know how to feel. A mix of shame and confusion of seeing his mother as a woman combined with a swelling desire for her battle inside him. "Is this some kind of collateral effect of the brands?" he thinks.

While he is absorbed in his own internal battle, Janet crosses her arms in annoyance. "So Jerry? Are you gonna tell me what you were doing?"

"I-I was at Gillian's house. Science project," he manages to blurt out.

"Until this late?"

"I also had dinner there. Ka- Ms. Smith invited me," Jerry tried to fake sincerity and innocence the best he could, which, to his surprise, came naturally. It seems draining George Smith not only gave him added physical features, but also some of the acting and bullshit skills his salesman career required.

"Hm. Alright, you get a pass this time," Janet says, her expression softening a bit, "but don't let that happen again, am I clear? Always call."

"Yes, mom."

Jerry goes straight to the bath to cool his head off. While immersed in the tub, something occurs to him.

"Wait... Mom didn't seem to notice the changes in my appearance at all. Neither did Karen, for that matter."

Using the Cross Brand on Chris had made him grow taller, George affected his jawline and teeth a bit. Yet his mother apparently doesn't see anything different about him, despite welcoming a son who looks very different from the one she saw off in the morning. Maybe it had something to do with the Branding Irons of Eros too? Jerry has no way of knowing for sure.

And anyway, he can figure that out later. Tomorrow is a brand new day. And he already made plans to scout the three new **** candidates Gillian talked about at school.

With that in mind, Jerry goes to bed early.

When he comes to, he is back in that empty space, with only a large chair where Eros sitting on. The large man turns his rosy face to Jerry and smiles.

"So my boy, how do you like your new powers? I see you made two concubines and two servants using it already. Not bad, not bad..."

"Eros... What exactly are you?"

"Hoho, don't expect to understand what I am, boy. You may think of me as a God, a spirit, or even as a manifestation of your own twisted psyche," he sneers at Jerry while also showing a playful smile.

Seeing that pursuing that conversation would lead nowhere, Jerry decides to change the subject.

"What I did to them... Is it permanent?"

"Yes. The brand's bound is eternal, 'till **** part you... Or something happens to the Theos Brand" he says that last part in a warning tone, unlike his careless demeanor from before. Then, he smiles again and continues his speech: "Many have used my Branding Irons in the past to build harems and amass followers. Some kept it low, like old Stan before you. He had a rather sizable harem but kept a low profile. And stopped taking new ones after a certain point in his life. Others though, chose to go the high-risk high reward route and do outrageous things like taking over cities, building cults around their person and getting into politics" he lets out a laugh like he's recalling a funny story from long ago. "What you do with the branding irons is entirely up to you. I am merely a spectator, not a judge. Just try to keep my advice about the Theos Brand in mind."

"I'll take good care of it."

"Good!" he let out a boisterous laugh once again, "I think you'll be a fun one to watch over. Don't worry though, I don't plan to call you every night or anything. It may not seem like it, but I do have other things to do," he took a chalice resting in the arm of his chair a took a big sip before continuing, "I called you here tonight because I sense you feel particularly conflicted about something."

"...You mean my mother." Jerry unconsciously averts his eyes. Just how much can this overweight Christmas tree adornment peer into his thoughts?

"Well, every era and society has its own taboos and societal rules. I don't intend to judge how your society views ****, and frankly, I have no interest in doing so," he waves his right hand in a dismissive manner, "but know that the power you've been granted isn't restrained by this. If you so wish, any blood relative of yours will become your adoring plaything just like your neighbors did. You noticing your matriarch as a member of the opposite sex is an effect of the increased libido and sexual drive of the Branding Iron's usage. You became more sexually aware of all the women around you. But I daresay your newfound Oedipal impulses are merely the result of this higher awareness unearthing some long-buried inclinations," once again he punctuates his speech with a light laugh.

Jerry falls into silence while he thinks. That would be crossing a line, definitely. But he took away the free will of two - four, if you count the men he branded with the cross - people and had his way with them under a condition where consent is... Questionable. So in the end, society's moral code has already been broken, and if he wants to take that step further come entirely to whether he has the desire for it or not.

"Yes boy, I can see in your face you understand," Eros smiles approvingly, "but, if you do not wish to take your matriarch as a concubine, you can always use the cross on her. If only to make handling your harem easier."

Jerry's eyebrows shot up at that. Yes, he hadn't thought about it. For now, Karen's house was his basis of operation, but there was only so long he could go hiding the truth from his mom. So using the Cross Brand to make her compliant was also an option. Only one problem though.

"But if I use the Cross Brand on a woman... Won't I grow tits or something?"

"BWAHAHAHAHAHA," Eros threw his head back in a fit of laughter, "Oh boy, if you so wish. Pff... Hahaha."

Jerry looks displeased at the so-called god in front of him, slapping his knee and laughing until the air left his lungs. He is definitely being made fun of. Seeing the look on the boy's face, Eros regains his composure a little.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just did not expect such a question. I think by now you understand the Cross Brand doesn't take just physical traits from the people you use it on. It takes positive characteristics, be it physical or mental. You didn't grow any fatter when you used it on your neighbor lady's poor spouse, and instead, you inherited some of his wit and quick thinking. Conversely, if you were to use the Cross on a woman, you would take in her best qualities according to your desires. So unless you intentionally want to grow a more feminine figure, that won't be happening. You can stop the brand from transferring any qualities to you, in case you want your servant's personality and physique to remain the same. They will be completely subservient regardless."

"I get it. And since you brought it up: how come no one notices the changes in my appearance?"

"The Branding Irons wouldn't be very useful if the changes they cause could be perceived that easily would they? I'll tell you, there have been people who've used them to become towering giants of muscle over 9 feet tall. The Theos Brand prevents others from noticing changes in you as long as they are not too abrupt. They may think something is amiss but soon they will accept that your appearance was always that. The human brain has a tendency to fool itself in order to preserve an illusion of normality. And before you ask, the Cross Brand does something similar to your servants. No one is going to notice your sportsman friend became shorter, they'll only see he suddenly became bad at his ball game."

Jerry nods in understanding. So as long as the Theos Brand is safely protected, his powers have little to no limitations. He decides to try his best to keep his advice in mind.

"So, I guess it's almost time for you to get up. We'll meet again, once you've done enough to be worth talking about over a drink. Part of the reason I created these Irons is because I like hearing your kind's tales of love, power, and tragedy."

Jerry doesn't like the ring of that last word Eros chose, but didn't comment on it, instead parting with a smile and thanks for all the advice. Right after, he feels drowsy and his consciousness fades away.

Light peers through the blinds he forgot to close last night. Jerry stretches and reaches for his phone to check the hours. It's a bit early, but he gets up regardless. Today is the big day. While he created some slaves the day before, that felt like testing the waters of what the irons could do. Today, Jerry feels like a hunter out to observe his prey.

He takes a quick bath and heads to the kitchen where Janet is already making breakfast. Jerry is still not sure which way he wants to go with her, and today his head is clear enough to face her normally - even if his eyes now linger on his mother's attractive features a bit more. But for the time being, focusing on the three girls Gillian so eagerly offered him - cute and perky Lisa, hot bitch Tiffanny and this mysterious Lucia girl. He decides to postpone the decision about his mother until after he guides these three to their new lives.

"I won't need a ride today, mom. The stuff for the science project is at Gillian's house so Ms. Smith will drive us together." Jerry said over breakfast.

"Alright. Don't forget to thank her for her generosity," replied Janet, none the wiser. She and Karen got along well enough, and she is obviously aware of the crush Jerry harbors for Gillian, though she doesn't like how the girl leads him along. She kind of wants her son to stand his ground and ask her out, and move on if she isn't interested, instead of this stalemate they reached. She had no way of knowing that the stalemate had ended, and the ground her son stands is now the same Gillian and Karen grovel on in worship of him.

Jerry leaves the house and headed to the neighbor's, not hiding his excitement. He rings the doorbell and soon enough the door opens, Gillian embracing and kissing him welcome.

As they entered, Karen emerges from the kitchen smiling broadly.

"Good morning Master, we weren't expecting you so early."

"Always expect me, ****." Jerry grabs her left breast and fondles it strongly "Always be ready to serve."

"Yees, Master!" coos Karen, lightly orgasming at the rough treatment.

Jerry sits on the couch while he waits for them to get ready to go. If George is still in the house, he's doing a damn good job of keeping himself out of their way.

Soon the Smiths return, and after a quick making out session, they go to the garage and soon are out on their way to school. Both Jerry and Gillian are on the back seat, Gillian discreetly caressing his member over his trousers. On one hand, getting to school with a boner could be a problem. On the other, he didn't really want her to stop. From the front seat, Karen steals glances at them while licking her lips and rubbing her thighs together.

Recalling everything that happened the day before and all Eros told him, this is the moment that the scope of his power REALLY hits. These two are no longer his girl next door crush and her hot mom. They are his slaves, concerned only with pleasing him. And they would remain that way forever. Along with many other women who would soon join them.

Turns out Jerry couldn't avoid getting to school with an erection after all. At least there's some time left before class to recollect himself. And maybe do something else.