CHAPTER 86: THE LUST OFFERING

The temple air hums with age and sacred magic.

Moss carpets the stone floors in delicate patches, and vines drape down like sleepy curtains from archways above. Ancient murals stretch across the walls, depicting forest spirits twirling through groves and rising from rivers with arms full of flowers and songbirds.

Zora floats ahead, casting gentle balls of golden light from his palms. They bounce through the halls like lazy fireflies, illuminating the path. "This place is... exquisite," he says in awe, eyes wide as he drifts forward like a moth to a museum.

The three witches follow behind him in silence, their bare feet padding soundlessly on the stone. Each one stops at various statues or carvings to bow reverently or whisper a quiet prayer. Their faces glow in the enchanted light, lips moving with chants passed down for generations.

The rest of the team trails behind at a slower pace.

Sera squints at a carving of a woman with twelve arms wrapping a man in vines. "Kinky," she mutters.

Veena nods. "Looks like someone weaponized cuddling."

Penelo flutters beside Pip, pointing at each mural with childlike wonder. "Do you think these were real spirits?" she asks.

Pip beeps contemplatively.

"I’ll take that as a maybe," she says, hugging his arm tightly.

Eventually, they reach a massive chamber. The room is circular, ringed with tall archways and crowned with a dome that lets in strands of filtered sunlight. At the far end stood a set of huge doors overgrown with emerald vines and glowing sigils.

Zora drifts toward the door, humming with curiosity. "Let’s see what’s behind—"

"NO!"

All three witches lunge at once, grabbing his cloak and yanking him back like a naughty child approaching the cookie jar.

"You mustn’t!" the eldest scolds, eyes wide. "That room is sacred!"

Zora blinks. "I wasn’t going to touch anything... just open it."

"That is touching," the youngest mutters.

The middle witch crosses her arms. "No one passes beyond those doors without the Seedmother’s blessing."

Zora flails back, bowing midair. "Apologies! Apologies!"

The witches gather in front of the door and kneel together, bowing their heads. Their hands meet in a circle as they begin to sing a soft, melodic chant.

The team shifts awkwardly.

"So..." Vuvi breaks the silence, taking a swig from her flask. "We hiked for hours, fought our way through mosquito-thick magic and talking mushrooms, just to stare at a door?"

The witches respond in harmony. "We offer song, prayer, and love. That is all we can do."

Veena lifts an eyebrow. "Love?"

The witches smile in unison and gesture toward a wide stone platform in the center of the chamber, raised slightly with carvings swirling up the sides like blooming vines.

"That," says the eldest, "is the Altar of Affection. Couples would offer their love to the Seedmother there in hopes of receiving her blessing."

Vuvi squints at it, then at the witches. "Wait... are you telling me people used to boink on that thing for divine favor?"

The youngest claps her hands. "Oh, absolutely! It’s a beautiful tradition!"

Vuvi groans. "Of course it is." She turns to Pip and slaps him on the shoulder. "Alright, lover boy. You’re up."

Penelo, Ka’Lula, and all three witches leap forward like pouncing cats.

"I volunteer!" Penelo says, hand up like she’s in school.

"I haven’t had Pip all day!" Ka’Lula whines.

The eldest witch places a hand over her heart. "It would be an honor for our coven to offer one of us for the sacred duty."

"Calm your cleavage, girls." Sera steps forward, arms folded across her armor-clad chest.

The others freeze. Even Pip straightens.

Sera tilts her head toward the altar. "Pip’s given everyone

a taste here. Even our sweet little Penelo. That altar’s for a warrior queen."

The team collectively turns toward Vuvi.

Vuvi chuckles and her claps once. "Sera wins!"

The rest of the contenders groan.

Penelo pouts dramatically.

Ka’Lula stomps the ground.

"You already got to ride him like a wyvern yesterday!" Sera protests, nudging Lula playfully in her chest.

"Let the woman work," Vuvi mutters, slumping into a mossy corner.

Sera smirks triumphantly, then blinks. "W-Wait... do I have to do this with an audience?"

The witches nod fervently.

"The more witnesses, the stronger the ritual!" the middle sister chirps.

Sera’s eyes widen. "Uh, like... everyone’s staying here?!"

"Of course!" The youngest witch waves her hand. "You want the Seedmother to notice, don’t you?"

Sera gulps, Ka’Lula grins like she’s watching the best show on stage and Penelo twirls a lock of hair and settles in like she’s about to whip out some popcorn.

"I’m not shy," Ka’Lula offers smugly. "I’ll do it with pleasure."

Sera elbows her aside. "Back off, dragonbreath. I once had to crawl naked through a battlefield. This is nothing."

She turns toward the pedestal where the witches have already begun to dance around it, singing and scattering leaves and petals like it’s a wedding and a rave all in one.

The team takes their seats in a semi-circle. Veena and Vuvi share a flask. Penelo and Ka’Lula lounge on a mossy pillow and Zora floats up near the ceiling, notebook already open.

Pip stands beside the altar, gleaming softly, eyes bright with uncertain anticipation.

Sera clears her throat and glances at the group. "So... uh. Do I need to chant or something?"

"Just feel the love," the eldest witch replies. "And make sure it’s... satisfying."

Sera bites her lip and turns back to the team. Everyone gives her an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

She sighs, unbuckling her top.

As her armor drops away, her muscular figure glows in the golden light. Flawless skin, taut curves, battle-earned scars all combine into a form usually reserved for a warrior goddess.

Lula whistles.

Penelo claps.

Veena tilts her head. "Gods, she’s ripped."

Vuvi mutters, "If this doesn’t summon the Seedmother, I don’t know what will."

Sera steps onto the altar and turns slowly. "Any preferred positions?"

"Dealer’s choice," the middle witch says brightly.

Sera takes a deep breath, kneels... then bends forward, bracing her hands on the altar and arching her back.

)

Pip gives a sharp, delighted beep.

Zora’s quill scratches furiously.

"Let’s do this, golden boy," Sera says over her shoulder.

He steps forward with reverent grace.

Vuvi raises her flask in salute. "To your heroic service. Both of you!"

Veena sighs and fans herself. "This is getting oddly spiritual."

The altar begins to glow.

The witches chant faster.

And the Seedmother... listens.