Epiphany Two — the sequel

"Me — three words. I AM LOVE." — Eros

'By Gaia's great teats, I must be dreaming.' You think as you stare at the book in your shaky hands. How else would a book be able to know your name if it's not a delusion of some sort. Movements on the page catches your eye — the tome is writing itself again, in pitch black ink.

It says, "oh, but in a dream you are not, Jakob, this is all very real. Also, I will ask for you to refrain from mentioning my mother's boobies lest she smites you. She's terribly sensitive about them."

Your mind blanks out again — Not a dream? Mother? Boobies — wait a minute, it can't be... too incredulous. "Are you Eros? Are you reading my thoughts?" Restraint flees you as you exclaim those questions loud enough to echo through the silent archives.

"Both I am." The page writes back.

If only your eyes could widen any further. "Which means I'm holding a —"

"Grail. One of the many, yes."

Your mind momentarily scrambles for reasoning once more. You are really not going insane here, right? Are you truly holding a Grail, a legendary artifact that knights and wizards had quested for all their lives? How did your father get his hands on this?

"Oh, poor boy, your father didn't own me. I'm here because you need me."

You arc a brow at the assumption. "Need you?"

"Yes. Or are you not the bastard of the Holloway fold, who doesn't remember the last time he had ate a three square meal a day? Whose mother had been slurred as a gold digging whore?"

You bristle at this. "How do you—?"

"How do I know that?" The words — the page writes them so fast that you can barely follow. "I am a god, Jakob. A god that has seen your pain and merely wish to lend a hand. Now, if you would kindly stay your mouth, so that we can begin." At this, your body freezes up, and your thoughts, try as you may, wouldn't come forth.

The words continue to appear in scrawls. "Alright then, let's do this again. I am Eros, the god of Love blah, blah, now, may I meet the wielder of my Grail?"

Your mouth regains its functions, but unlike before you take care not to spout any question. "I am Jakob Holloway. "

"And?" the book write.

You sigh and relent, "and I'm a bastard." You finish, scrunching up your face like you just had a cup of lime juice.

"Great. Oh, cheer up Jakob. I once learned from Sol that a shame borne with pride is a shame vanquished. Just because, you are a bastard or whatever it's called doesn't mean you can't be so much more."

"So much more?" Your eyes are starting to sting. "I don't know where you have been, but here, I'm filth to these people. They despise me."

"No, Jakob, you are not filth. You are flesh and bones like all the rest of them. Dry those tears." Your hand moves to do so even though you do not will it. "I am here to help you show them that a bastard they might call you, but you are one like no other."

"How?" You ask.

"Well, while the easiest way to do this may be asking mother to smite these curmudgeons, we are not looking to **** half of your kingdom. So instead, we are going to change their stupid beliefs. So tell me, Jakob, what is the purpose of the Affection Multiplier?

"To wax love and adoration," you recite.

"Yes, now imagine this. All of those silly interactions you make everyday, every act you commit. The waves, the greeting, the smiles. Imagine them multiplied by five."

You are positively gobsmacked. "I don't think I follow..."

"..." Did you seriously just hear the book sigh? Because it sounds like it did. "Take this for example; when you wave at someone in the streets, you get 1 point with them, now imagine that 1 added with a 5+ from me. It's like —"

A ding goes off in your head. "Increasing the rate at which my relationship grows."

The book brims with warmth in your hands. "Attaboy! I knew you'd get it!"

You laugh. So this is what talking with others feels like. It feels nice. Although you aren't sure of what people will say of you if they see you talking with a book. 'Insane bastard' doesn't really have a nice ring to it. Then something occurs to you.

"If you are the god of Love, why can't you—?"

"— Can't just make everybody love you wishy woshy. Oh Jakob, that I really wish I could make happen. See, the gods are becoming terribly limited in their influence. The heart of men grows colder to the truth each day and we can rarely speak to them like the days of old..." The writing trails off.

"Oh." is all you could say as you taste the melancholy in the air. You now feel bad for bringing that up.

"But, don't you worry Jack. you and me are going to spread the Love. I have taken care to represent the values in numbers for better understanding. The three mode of relationships we would be dealing with, will be:

REPUTATION SCORE

The social sphere. It measures in digit, your relationship with people in a civil standing.
0: Neutral. This person doesn't give a crud about you.
10-20: A mere acquaintance. Perhaps someone you hail in the streets.
30-40: A friend but not a friend indeed. You know each other's name, but not your intentions.
51-70: Good friend
80-100: Be it the gates of hell or something far terrible, a person with this score will follow you, even at the cost of their own lives. You are that important.

LOVE SCORE
The Circle of Romance and Intrigue
At 50 Reputation score with a person, a question will be asked of you, of whether you wish to pursue an amorous path. The choice is yours.
0: Neutral
10-20: Nothing but mild attraction here.
30-40: Young Love. Deep but still susceptible to change.
55-70: Like wedded couples.
80-100: Even in ****, love goes on.

LUST SCORE
The Arc of Eroticism and Arousal
Lust is a wild thing that cannot be kept down. It falls and rises depending on the sexual desire that someone feels for you. You may need to tread lightly with one, for who knows when desire may become desperation.
0: Neutral
10-20: Perhaps if there is no other alternative
30-40: If the circumstances are favorable
55-70: Any time any day, My body is yours.
80-100: A rabid dog has a lot more dignity. You better take this person fast.

The information mystifies you. "This is amazing, Lord Eros."

"Call me Eros, boy. And sure, I know, Everything I do is amazing. What is even better is my blessings."

"Blessings?"

"Yes. If you are able to reach a milestone in your relationship with someone, you get something called Erocoins. Think of it as a currency for you to purchase my blessings. My blessings allows me to influence and improve you in many ways. All part of the good stuff."

"Wow, I don't know what to say, Eros, thank you."

"Don't worry about it, kid. Want to see something cool?"

"Of course," comes your excited reply. Why won't you? You are practically so giddy at this point that going to sleep seems unattainable.

"Think of a name, any name and the Tome shall make the true feeling of the bearer towards you appear."

Any name... uh.