The true stakes of a divine war

A former soldier, a nymph and a goddess walked into the living room of a suburban house. One of them was covered in cum, and it wasn't the nymph. One of them was glowing, and it wasn't the goddess. And one of them was thinking of war, and it wasn't the soldier.

Jack, Aphrodite and Millia were sitting in the living room, the two divine creatures both directed at him. The lights were off, and the room was lit only by the dim glow of the streetlight outside and the faint, shimmering light emanating from Aphrodite’s body. Jack was still trying to wrap his mind around everything that had just happened, but it wasn't easy. He kept replaying the events in his head, wondering how he had gone from a washed-up has-been to deepthroating a goddess in the span of a few hours.

Millia was sitting next to him on the couch, her hand on his thigh. She was looking up at him with tender affection, her fingers tracing small circles on his leg. Jack felt a rush of emotion wash over him as he met her adorable face and deep, green eyes. It had only been a day, yet he knew he was stuck in her spell, the colors of his world wholly dependent on the existence of this little nymph of his.

Aphrodite was facing him, sitting on the opposite side of the couch from her daughter. Her hair was still disheveled from their earlier activities, and her makeup was smeared across her face. But despite her disheveled appearance, she was still radiant, still oozing sensuality and power. She was watching him with a knowing glint in her eye, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips. Jack felt a twinge of embarrassment at the sight of her, remembering how he had treated her just a few moments ago. How she had reveled in it.

He was still trying to process the situation when Aphrodite spoke, her voice low.

“So, Jack, my Champion, tell me…” she said, sipping the wine he’d offered her. “How does it feel to be a warrior once more? To have a beautiful nymph at your command, and a powerful goddess at your side?” She leaned forward slightly, her eyes locked on his.

Jack swallowed hard, trying to find the words to express what he was feeling. It wasn't easy, especially with the two most beautiful women he had ever seen staring at him from two directions. But he tried his best to articulate his thoughts, to put into words the mix of emotions swirling inside him.

“It feels… like freedom," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. “Like I’m finally alive again, after so many years of just going through the motions.” He shook his head, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “It feels like coming home, I guess.”

Aphrodite nodded, her eyes gleaming with understanding. “I see,” she said softly. “And tell me, Jack… what is that purpose? What drives you now?” She leaned back in her seat, crossing her legs gracefully. “What do you want to achieve, my Champion?”

Jack hesitated, unsure of how to answer. He hadn't really had time to think about his goals yet, beyond the immediate desire to get **** on his wife and boss. But as he sat there on the couch with Millia and Aphrodite, he realized that there was so much more at play here. And it irked him that he didn’t know what, exactly, that was at stake.

“I feel that honesty is the only true path forward,” he finally said, meeting Aphrodite's gaze steadily. “And with that in mind, I have to speak my mind. I don't know yet, beyond the selfish goals of **** on my wife and boss, what I’m hoping to achieve. I have a plan, a way forward, that could possibly lead the way to victory for you. But truth be told, I don't know enough about this war to answer what I personally hope to achieve. And I think I need to know more.”

Aphrodite smiled, nodding approvingly. “A wise answer, my Champion. Honesty is indeed the best policy, especially when dealing with a Goddess.” She laughed softly, the sound like tinkling bells. “And you are right, of course. You do need to know more about the coming war if you are to plan for success.” She uncrossed her legs and leaned forward again, her eyes locked on Jack’s. “So, let me enlighten you, my dear Jack. Let me tell you what you need to know about this conflict, and what it is that we’re fighting for.”

Jack nodded slowly, his curiosity piqued. He had so many questions, so much he wanted to know. And it seemed like Aphrodite was finally ready to give him some answers.

“The war between the gods is nothing new, Jack,” Aphrodite began, her voice serious. “It has been raging for millennia, ebbing and flowing like the tides of the sea. Each pantheon has its own agenda, its own goals and desires. And we often find ourselves at odds with one another, vying for power and influence in the mortal realm.” She sighed, shaking her head slightly. “But this time, it is different. This time, the stakes are much higher.”

“What makes this time different?” he asked, feeling a sense of trepidation building. He knew that he should probably just let Aphrodite tell him what she wanted to tell him, in her own time. But he couldn't help himself. She was leading towards something grave.

Aphrodite smiled wryly, nodding slightly. “A good question, my Champion. And the answer is… complicated.” She sighed again, running a hand through her hair. Her bare foot rocked back and forth on her crossed leg, and Jack's eyes followed the movement of her ankle, mesmerized by the glimmer of gold from the bracelet surrounding it. “You see, the pantheons are not what they once were. We have grown weaker over time, our powers waning as the mortal world moves on from us.” Her expression turned sad, her eyes distant. “Many of the old gods have faded away completely, forgotten by the mortals who once worshipped them so fervently.” She shook her head, coming back to herself. “At the same time, the ancient barriers between the worlds are beginning to weaken. Soon, they will collapse entirely, allowing invaders from other realms to enter this one. And the only way for the pantheons to regain our former strength, to save ourselves and our realms, is to take control of the mortal world once more.”

Jack’s eyes widened as he listened to Aphrodite’s words. He had known that the gods were real, of course, but he had never realized just how much was at stake. The fate of the world, of all the worlds, rested on the outcome of this war. And somehow, he had become a part of it.

“But why?” he asked, confused. “Why do you need to control the mortal world? Can't you just… I don't know, coexist peacefully or something?”

The goddess raised her eyebrows. “You were never much of a student of ancient mythology, were you Jack? Have you ever heard of my kin?”

“Ah,” Jack said, getting her point.

“Oh, my dear Jack,” she said, though she gave him a wink. “If only it were that simple. But alas, it is not. You see, as gods, we need worship to survive. We need the belief and devotion of mortals to sustain us, to give us strength. And in this modern age, that is becoming increasingly difficult to find.” Her eyes locked on his, filled with a deep sadness.

"But most of the world are still believers... maybe not in your pantheon, but in... well God, or Allah, or Brahman and... well, others. Why isn't that enough to protect our realm? If it is through divine intervention that we’re safe from these invaders, why can't ‘God’ just smite them? Or his angels?"

Aphrodite's hand squeezed his knee, and he saw a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Think it through, Jack. If you ask any devout Christian how many gods he worships, what do you imagine his answer being?"

Jack blinked in confusion, unsure where Aphrodite was going with this. "He'd probably say one," he said slowly. "That there’s only one god."

"Exactly," Aphrodite agreed, a triumphant smile on her face. "They believe that the God they worship is the one and only. Which, of course, grants old JHVH a lot of power, but enough to compete against the combined might of thousands? Millions of other gods?" Her expression turned serious again, her eyes clouded with worry. "Not even the God of the desert peoples would be able to protect all of Earth from an invasion. And what of the millions, hundreds of millions even, that don't believe at all?"

Jack nodded slowly, beginning to understand. "I see," he said quietly. "It's about polytheism versus monotheism? The worship of Aphrodite doesn't exclude the worship of Ares, granting power to two gods without any diminished returns?" Jack was aware that he was speaking of her and the other gods as if they were a resource, but considering what his goddess had just sprung on him, he figured she wouldn’t mind.

Aphrodite's eyes lit up with satisfaction. "I knew I chose well when I picked you to be my Champion." She sat back again, a proud smile on her face. "Yes, that is exactly it. Polytheism allows for multiple gods to gain power from a single worshiper, whereas monotheism does not. It is why, in the ancient world, that was indeed the norm." She laughed softly. "Why do you think the Romans had no problem taking over the Greek pantheon when they conquered Greece? It wasn't just about subjugating the people, you see. It was about gaining their gods, and the protection that came with them."

Jack nodded again, his mind racing as he processed everything Aphrodite was telling him. It was a lot to take in, but he was determined to understand as much as he could. He had a feeling that his life, and the lives of everyone he loved, depended on it.

"And what of the invaders?" he asked, remembering the other part of Aphrodite's explanation. "What exactly are they? Demons? Aliens?"

Aphrodite's expression turned grave. "That's semantics, Jack. The scientist may call them aliens, as they aren't native to this planet they call Terra, while a theologist may name them demons since they aren't creations of their native gods. But they are neither, and both." She sighed. "The realms number in infinity, Jack. And so do the gods that inhabit them, and the spawn they have created." Her face twisted in disgust. "Some of them are monsters beyond imagination. Of course, some are also quite pleasant, but unfortunately, they aren't the ones prone to invasion of strange realms. That honor falls to the monsters and more dislikable of our distant cousins."

"I see. So it really is a battle for mankind."

"And nymphkind," Millia interjected, her face resting against his thigh. "And dryadkind, and every other kind, really."

"And all the other kinds," Aphrodite agreed. "This is not a battle that we can afford to lose." Her eyes locked on his again, burning with intensity. "We need to win this war, Jack. We need to take control of the mortal world, and restore the old ways of worship. And that is where you come in."

Jack swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Aphrodite's words settling on his shoulders. Of course, he noticed the part she’d left out. The fact that it wasn’t necessarily Aphrodite who had to win this first war, not if its main purpose was to spread their combined influence over the modern world. However, Jack didn’t need to be a genius to understand why that mattered to her. It was the same reason it would matter to a human. Power.

"What do you need me to do?" he asked finally. One way or another, an ancient divinity would end up at the top of the hierarchy. And Jack was determined to make it his chosen seductive piece of divine ass sitting on that throne.

Aphrodite's face lit up with a brilliant smile, her eyes shining as if reading his thoughts. "I knew you were the right choice for this.” She leaned in close, her breath hot against his ear. “I swear, my dear Jack, that I will make it worth your while.” She leaned back again, giving him a kiss through the air before continuing. "What I need you to do, my Champion, is to help me spread my influence across the mortal world. I need you to find me new followers, to bring them into my fold and increase my power. And in due time, I would have you as the commander of Earth's forces when the invasion finally comes."

Jack felt a shiver run down his spine at her words, a mixture of excitement and trepidation coursing through his veins. "I was never a General, goddess," he said, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "I led men in battle, yes. But I never commanded an army. I'm not sure I'm the right person for that role."

Aphrodite pulled back, looking him in the eye. "Don't sell yourself short, Jack," she said firmly. "You have the potential to be a great leader, a true commander of men. I can feel it all through the throbbing of my loins. With my help, I have no doubt that you will rise to the challenge." She smiled again, her eyes gleaming with confidence. "Besides, you have Millia by your side, and your array of aides will only expand as your powers grow.”

Jack nodded slowly, feeling a sense of determination rising within him. It wouldn't be easy, but she seemed so sure he could do this. A goddess believed he could help save the world. He’d have put some value in that.

"I will fight for you. I will do all in my power to protect my world, and I will do it in your name. And with your guidance, I'll do my best to spread your influence in a way that would be pleasing to you," he vowed, looking Aphrodite straight in the eyes.

Aphrodite's smile widened, her eyes flashing with excitement. "Good," she purred, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "I know I can count on you, Jack Temple. You are indeed the perfect Champion for me." She sat back in her seat again, crossing her arms over her chest. "Now, let us discuss the details of your rewards. I imagine you haven't had the time to open my app these last few hours?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, goddess, I haven't," Jack admitted.

"That's to be expected, of course," Aphrodite said, waving her hand dismissively. "So, why don't you open it now? I've got a few gifts for you, my Champion."

Jack reached for his phone, which somehow lay on the table in front of him, though he could’ve sworn he’d left it upstairs. He unlocked it and opened the app, his eyes widening as he read the information on the screen.

"Well, shit," he said.