Eris took his hand in hers, her skin warm and smooth.

"Embrace the chaos, Adrian," she whispered, her voice like silk. "Embrace the envy and desire that burns within you. It's who you are. It's what you are."

Adrian took a steadying breath, his eyes fixed on Eris as she stretched, her pale, slender form graceful yet unnervingly powerful. Her gaze was wild and flirtatious, a spark of mischief dancing in her emerald eyes.

He could feel the barely contained chaos in her presence, like a storm barely held in check, and he knew he would need to tread carefully.

He had come to free her, but he wasn't naïve; Eris was the goddess of envy and discord, and nothing about this encounter would be simple.

He took a breath, focusing his thoughts.

"I'm not here for chaos, Eris," he said in a steady voice despite the nerves fluttering in his stomach. "I'm here to free you."

She tilted her head, studying him with an amused expression. "Is that what they told you to do? To free me?"

Adrian cocked his head, confused for a brief moment. "They?"

Eris gave him a knowing smile. "My dear sisters. They were always the ones in charge, the ones to tell you what to do. They sent you here, didn't they?"

He frowned, feeling an uneasy shift in her tone. "Of course not. We had a deal in the underworld, remember?"

Eris's gaze grew cold, her smile fading.

"I remember," she said, her voice taking on a harder edge. "But they sent you, didn't they?"

Adrian shook his head. "No, they didn't."

Her hand grazed his cheek, her touch sending a shiver through him. As she did, she felt the aura of her sisters, pulsing faintly in his chest, the faint, distant presence of their powers.

Eris's eyes narrowed before returning to a neutral expression.

"Well, well," she murmured, her voice like silk as it echoed off the cold stone walls of the tomb. "You must be something special for my sisters to have given you their powers." She tilted her head, examining him, her lips curling into a teasing smile. "It's almost flattering."

"Let's keep things straightforward, Eris," Adrian replied firmly. "We had a deal. All of you agreed to assist me on my quest if I release you. Your sisters are only keeping their end of the bargain. So let's sign the contract and get this over—"

"Oh, Adrian," she interrupted with a soft laugh, trailing a fingertip down his chest, letting her energy spark faintly against the metal. "Why spoil the fun with all this talk of contracts and deals? Isn't the chase more thrilling?"

Adrian tensed, meeting her gaze steadily. "A promise is a promise. I didn't come here for tricks."

She pouted, feigning disappointment. "So serious! Fine, we'll get to it… eventually." Her eyes sparkled, challenging him to argue further. "Let's get out here first, then we talk about the contract."

She didn't wait for his response as she sauntered toward the way Adrian had come, her hips swaying with each step. Adrian stared after her, torn between annoyance and admiration, unable to look away.

The sight of her bare ass and boobs did nothing to calm him, either.

"Uhmm, Eris...," he called after her, eyeing her bare form as she stood before him with unselfconscious ease, "aren't you forgetting something?"

She raised an eyebrow, mockingly curious. "Forgetting something?"

"Clothes," he said bluntly, gesturing to her naked form. "I assume you'd want something on before we leave here."

Eris shrugged nonchalantly, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Why would I want that? I enjoy stirring a bit of confusion." She walked back to him, leaning in closer as she whispered. "Imagine the looks on their faces when I step out like this. The chaos… the envy… it would be delightful."

Adrian resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I don't think all that is necessary. I'm sure you can conjure up something appropriate. The last thing I need is to be associated with whatever mayhem you cause parading around like that."

Eris's laughter filled the chamber, rich and wicked. "Oh, you're no fun at all. But if it puts your mind at ease…" She gave a theatrical sigh, snapping her fingers.

A pulse of green energy surged from her fingertips, swirling around her in a cloud of ethereal mist. When it cleared, she stood clothed—though 'clothed' was a generous term.

Her outfit clung to her form like a second skin, crafted from dark fabric interwoven with shimmering green runes. The high collar framed her face, while the form-fitting bodice and long sleeves hugged her lithe figure. A split in her skirt revealed one slender leg, adorned with intricate markings that glowed faintly, echoing the patterns on her outfit.

Eris noticed Adrian's appraising look and smirked. "Does this meet with your approval, oh virtuous knight?"

"It'll do," Adrian replied dryly. He turned away to mask his reaction, reminding himself of the real reason he was here. Eris might be beautiful and dangerous, but he needed her cooperation, not her distractions.

They stepped out of the sarcophagus chamber, the stale air of the tomb giving way to a faint breeze from outside. Eris took a deep breath, stretching her arms over her head as she walked, a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips.

"Gods, it feels good to be out of that prison," she murmured, her voice carrying a trace of genuine relief. A surge of energy rippled from her body, sending a faint pulse through the air that Adrian felt vibrate in his bones. The stone walls around them hummed, echoing her release.

"Careful," Adrian warned, feeling a shiver as her power licked across his skin. "You might bring the whole tomb down on us."

"Oh, relax," she said with a grin, her eyes flashing. "It's just a little… expression of freedom." She winked at him, clearly savoring her first moments of liberty. "After all, it's been a few thousand years. I'm allowed a little celebration."

Adrian shook his head but didn't respond, focusing instead on guiding her toward the exit.

The tomb's corridors twisted and turned, lined with ancient symbols that seemed to whisper as they passed, and the faint smell of dust and old magic lingered in the air.

"Tell me, Adrian," Eris said after a moment, her tone casual, "what did ask my sisters ask as signature for their contracts? What did you sign with?"

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