Family system

Ela nodded, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Not the kind of trouble that requires immediate action, but the kind that lingers, watching, waiting for an opportunity. We've caught the eye of more than just ambitious merchants or rival factions. Some of the attention is... different."

Jack leaned back slightly, folding his arms. "Different, how?"

Ela tapped her fingers on the desk, choosing her words carefully. "Gods, Master. Lesser ones, but gods nonetheless. I've started noticing small shifts—small blessings here and there, whispers of prayers reaching ears that shouldn't be listening. They're watching Lunaris, Goldspire, and the world. At first, I thought it was minor, just some forgotten deities clinging to scraps of faith. But then I realized—this world is still young in the grand scheme of things. And with each passing day, it becomes more... interesting."

Jack frowned slightly, his usual easygoing demeanor slipping as he considered her words. "Lesser gods, you say. The kind that don't influence to act but want to?"

Ela nodded. "Exactly. They don't have the connections or the power to move freely. But if the world continues to develop, if civilizations continue to expand, their influence will grow alongside it. It's only a matter of time before they find ways to reach higher-tier gods, who have the power to interfere."

Jack clicked his tongue. "And once that happens, things get complicated."

Ela sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's inevitable. Right now, they're like vultures circling, waiting for something to tip the scales in their favor. Some might be curious, looking to stake a claim before anyone else. Others might have more dangerous intentions that could pose a real threat if left unchecked."

Jack exhaled through his nose, glancing out the window at the city below. "So we're on a ticking clock. The stronger this world gets, the more gods will start paying attention. And when they do, we either control the situation... or someone else will."

Ela smiled though there was little amusement in it. "Exactly, Master. And right now, we still have the advantage. These lesser gods are isolated and without real power. But that won't last forever. They'll climb the ranks if they find ways to gather faith to carve out their domains. Then we won't just deal with mortals and politics—we'll deal with divine power plays."

Jack sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "As if we didn't have enough on our plate."

Ela chuckled, shaking her head. "That's what happens when you make moves in unclaimed territory. We put ourselves on their radar the moment we stepped in and started shaping this world."

Jack smirked. "Well, if they're watching, we might give them a show."

Ela arched an eyebrow. "You have a plan?"

Jack leaned forward, his grin widening. "I always do."

Ela smirked at Jack's confidence, but her eyes still held a hint of caution. "Master, even if you have a plan, you should know that these lesser gods can't directly influence this world, at least not yet. The presence of beings like you, Freya, Amaterasu, Tyche, Kali, and the others—your sheer divine weight—keeps them at bay. They don't have the strength to challenge even the weakest among you. For now, they're stuck as nothing more than spectators."

Jack leaned back slightly, nodding. "So, they're watching, scheming, but unable to act because we exist."

Ela exhaled, pushing off her desk and walking toward the window. Her gaze swept across Lunaris. "Exactly. It's like a natural barrier. Your presence alone deters them from trying anything reckless. None of them would dare act against you directly because even if one somehow managed to slip through, they wouldn't last long once someone like Amaterasu or Kali noticed. And I don't need to tell you how... unpleasant their retribution would be."

Jack chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, I don't think any lesser god wants to get on their bad side." He crossed his arms, thinking for a moment. "Still, if they're watching, they're waiting for an opportunity. We don't want them getting bold, finding a way to latch onto something before we even realize it."

Ela nodded. "That's the concern. The moment something shifts, whether an unexplained surge of faith or a gap in our presence, they'll try to slip in and stake a claim. They don't have the power to move freely but are patient. And some of them are more cunning than they look."

Jack narrowed his eyes. "So, you're saying they can't act because we hold dominion here. But if the world keeps developing, something—anything—weakens that balance, they'll jump at the chance."

Ela turned back to him, arms crossed. "That's the risk. You've created a world that's growing stronger, attracting attention from all corners. As long as the status quo remains, those lesser gods are little more than flies on the wall. But if they find an opening—if a mortal starts praying to them, or if a faction forms that secretly revere them—that could change."

Jack rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So, we need to make sure that never happens."

Ela smirked. "Which is why I brought it up, Master. You always think ahead."

Jack flashed a grin. "And here I thought you just wanted an excuse to keep me here longer."

Ela laughed softly, stepping closer. "That too." Her teasing gaze softened slightly. "But in all seriousness, we're in a position of power right now. We should make sure we keep it that way."

Jack cracked his neck, stretching. "Then I'll ensure those lesser gods don't get any ideas. If they can't act now, I'll ensure they never get the chance to."

Ela nodded in approval. "Good. Because while they might not be a threat today, there's no telling what could happen in the future. And I'd rather not deal with some upstart god thinking they can play in your domain."

Jack smirked. "Neither would I."

Jack smirked as he leaned against the lavish desk in Ela's office, his eyes drinking at the sight of his priestess standing before him, arms crossed, her fiery red dress hugging every curve of her perfectly sculpted body. Ela was breathtaking, her transformation making her look more like an ethereal goddess than a mere mortal, even though she now possessed divine essence.

"Master, you're staring," she teased, tilting her head slightly. The flickering candlelight in the room cast a warm glow on her sharp, elegant features.

Jack chuckled, unashamed. "Can you blame me?" His voice was smooth, playful, and laced with a teasing arrogance that only made Ela's cheeks flush slightly. "You dressed like that for me, after all. And you look divine."

Ela smirked and stepped closer, her heels clicking against the marble floor. "Divine, huh?" she mused, running a single finger along the edge of his coat. "I do try my best to please my Master."

Jack's smirk grew. "And you do a fantastic job of it."

She hummed in amusement but didn't move away. Her golden-red eyes locked onto his, waiting, playing the same game of dominance they often indulged in. She knew her place as his devoted priestess, but she also knew Jack enjoyed the chase, the teasing, and the tension that built before he finally claimed what was his.

Jack reached out, taking a strand of her silken hair and twirling it between his fingers. "Ela, I expected our talk to be a bit more formal. Instead, you seem to be tempting me into something far less... professional."@@novelbin@@

Ela gave a faux-innocent look, her lips curving into a wicked smile. "Oh? And here I thought I was just standing here, discussing business with my Master."

Jack let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Liar."

She bit her lower lip slightly, clearly enjoying herself. "Fine, you caught me," she admitted, stepping closer, her body pressing lightly against his. "But can you blame me? You show up out of nowhere, looking like you just walked out of one of my fantasies, and expect me to behave?"

Jack ran a hand down her waist, feeling her dress's smooth, luxurious fabric. "Behaving was never your strong suit," he murmured, his fingers tracing slow, deliberate circles against her side.

She shivered slightly at his touch but didn't back away. If anything, she leaned into it. "And yet, it's exactly what you trained me to do," she countered playfully. "I always follow your commands, Master."

Jack hummed, his eyes narrowing with amusement. "Oh? Then what if I told you to stop teasing me and get to work?"

Ela pouted dramatically. "How cruel. You show up, make me feel warm, and then demand I behave?" She sighed, her fingers trailing up his chest, tracing the patterns on his shirt. "I suppose I have no choice but to obey."

Jack's hands slid down her back, resting firmly on her hips. "That depends. Do you want to be good right now, Ela? Or do you want to keep testing your Master's patience?"

Ela grinned, her voice dropping into a whisper. "I do love pushing your patience, Master."

Jack exhaled through his nose, shaking his head with a knowing smirk. "You don't know when to quit, do you?"

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"Never." Ela's smile widened, her hand sliding further up to cup his jaw, her thumb grazing his bottom lip.

Jack studied her for a moment, then suddenly, he spun them both around, pinning her against the edge of the desk. Ela gasped, a mix of surprise and anticipation flashing in her eyes as Jack leaned down, his mouth inches from hers.

"Then I suppose," he murmured, his breath hot against her lips, "I'll have to remind you who you belong to."

Ela's lips parted slightly, her breath hitching as she gazed up at him, her pupils blown wide with hunger. "Please do, Master," she whispered.

Jack smirked before closing the distance, capturing her lips in a heated, possessive kiss. Ela melted into him instantly, her hands gripping his shoulders as she pressed herself against him, needing more. The heat between them burned bright, intense, a fire that neither of them wanted to extinguish just yet.

The desk creaked slightly under the pressure as Jack deepened the kiss, one hand tangling in her hair while the other roamed lower, exploring the curves he had so often admired. Ela moaned softly against his lips, her body arching into his touch.

But just as things were about to escalate further, Jack suddenly pulled away, leaving Ela panting, flushed, and visibly frustrated.

She blinked up at him, her lips still slightly parted. "Master...?"

Jack smirked, his thumb brushing against her lower lip. "You wanted to push my patience, didn't you? Consider this payback."

Ela groaned dramatically. "You are cruel, Master."

Jack chuckled, taking a step back. "And yet, you love it."

Ela huffed but didn't argue. Instead, she composed herself, smoothing down her dress as she shot him a look filled with longing and unspoken promises. "Fine. Have it your way... for now."

Jack grinned. "Good girl."

Ela shivered at his praise but turned away, clearly trying to focus on something other than the heat still coursing through her. "You know," she said, glancing back at him, "one of these days, I'm going to get you back for that."

Jack arched an eyebrow. "Oh? Looking forward to it."

Ela smirked. "You should."

With that, she straightened her posture and walked towards the window as if trying to regain her composure. Jack watched her, amused, knowing full well that she was still burning with desire.

For now, though, they had business to attend to.

But later? Later, he would ensure that Ela got exactly what she wanted.