The Fourteen Who Claimed Me
The door behind Loret slammed shut with a loud, ringing thud. He winced at the sound—it was vicious, abrupt, like the snapping shut of a trap. Spinning about, his eyes went wide with fright. The doorway—his means of escape—was no longer there, supplanted by a solid wall of polished stone. No crack, no seam. No return. No exit.
He turned around once more, and the view took what little air he had remaining. Fourteen goddesses hung before him, each one a vision of unattainable loveliness, their godly essence weighing in the air. They stood just above the chamber floor, dresses shimmering as if blown by an invisible wind. He was torn between heaven and hell—encircled, trapped, not knowing whether this was a blessing or a curse. His face still burned from Aphrodite's earlier teasing, his legs rooted in place, his thoughts scattering like startled birds.
"Oh dear, look at him," a soft, amused voice chided, gentle yet carrying the weight of centuries. "You've overwhelmed him already, Aphrodite."
Loret looked at the speaker. A goddess with streaming green hair, her hair like vines come to life, descended in elegant steps until her naked feet were on the radiating stone. Her voice was like warm honey, as low as the ground is after rain.
"You could have let him catch his breath," she said, moving closer.
Aphrodite smiled. "Where's the fun in that?"
The green-haired goddess looked at Loret with eyes like old forests—deep, patient, and impossibly wise. "You're shaking," she said softly. "I see. This is a lot to process. You're overwhelmed by our being here, but don't be afraid. We won't hurt you."
Loret swallowed, his voice catching. "Y-you…?"
"I'm Gaia," she said, the corners of her mouth curving into a serene smile.
That name brought his heart racing. Fated one. He had seen it before—read it etched on stone among other names. Aphrodite. Gaia. Fourteen in all. Fourteen goddesses.
"It's you…" His voice wasn't much above a whisper. "The goddesses who still exist in this world."
The rest floated down from the sky around him, in a shining half-circle. Aphrodite spun a strand of pink hair round her finger, mischief in her eyes. "Mmm~ Were you reading about me in some ancient book, darling?"
"I— I read… And I saw your names etched into the stone," Loret stuttered, fighting to keep his voice steady. "There was a painting—fourteen faces. It was like you. Aphrodite, Gaia… and the others… I saw all your faces and names."
The goddesses looked at each other, a quiet message between them.
Gaia stepped forward again, her voice steady and warm. "Oh, truly? We'll speak of that later. For now, let us begin with proper introductions."
Loret nodded quickly. "My name is Loret."
"Let me reintroduce myself." Her voice was warm, earthy, almost scented with the smell of rain on rich soil. "I am Gaia—Mother of Earth, basis of all existence. One of the oldest of us. Pleasure to meet you, human… or rather… our destined one."
Her superior smile constricted his chest.
"You're… alive…"
"As alive as the heartbeat in your chest."
Then a woman floated up like liquid silk. Hair as soft as rose petals, pink wine-colored eyes sparkling with mischief. Beauty flashed from her like lightning—sudden, crushing.
"Aphrodite, darling," she whispered. "Goddess of love, beauty, and… pleasure." She raised a finger under Loret's chin, tilting his face up to hers. "Mmm, so shy. So, red. How cute… our husband blushes already."
"I–I'm not—" he stammered, heat rushing to his cheeks.
She leaned closer, lips brushing the edge of his breath. "Not yet."
From the shadows, a midnight figure emerged, her presence as quiet as it was commanding. Eyes like twin obsidian stars cut through the dim light.
"Nyx," she breathed. "Goddess of Night and all it contains in its darkness. We see you, mortal. Your fear. Your desire. Your darkness." She crept closer until her breath tickled his ear. "Good to meet you, fated one…"
Loret swallowed thickly. "Good… to meet you." She merely smiled.
A chill breeze came in its wake. Black and silver decorated her gown, her violet eyes shining like the final remnant of twilight, long dark hair spilling around her shoulders.
"Persephone," she stated. "Queen of Death and Rebirth. Ah, I see you've danced across the line between death and life, Loret. That is how you stumbled upon us." Her eyes softened. "Good to meet you, dear mortal. Or rather. my spring in winter?"
Regal beauty wrapped in gold power followed.
"I am Hera," she stated, voice stern but enticing. "Queen of Olympus. Goddess of wedding, power, and divine order." She leaned in close, raising his chin with the mere force of her will. "You may call me just Hera, fated one."
"H…Hera," he stuttered, bowing a bit hesitantly.
"Mmm… good boy."
Snowfall appeared to fall alongside the next. White-blonde locks encircled her calm face, blue eyes as transparent as icy lakes.
"Frigg, magician. Goddess of prophecy and sacred bonds. Nice to meet you, mortal… I've seen this moment in a hundred dreams. You always looked at me like that… though I could never see your face—until now. And looking at you, I feel I've solved a mystery."
"L-like what?" he asked, voice faint.
Her smile was knowing. "Like you've always wanted me… or us."
Then the chamber chilled again, the air sharpened with a predator's edge.
"Skadi," came the next voice—low, husky, dangerous. "Huntress of the Wild. Goddess of snow, vengeance… and other primal pleasures." Her blue eyes assessed him with playful disdain. "Hmm. Softer than I imagined."
"I—what?"
"Relax, fated one. I'll teach you how to be a perfect man."
The chill dissipated as a warm golden glow burst forth, illuminating the room with light. A crowned figure emerged, her golden eyes aglow like the dawn's inner fire.
"I am Amaterasu, goddess of the sun. You have illuminated our dreams." She bowed with a fluidity that took his wind. "Welcome, fated mortal. It is an honor to meet at last our fated one.
"You're like… the dawn," Loret whispered.
She smiled. "And you are the one we rise for."
The warmth faded to something colder—yet no less beautiful. Her eyes were crimson, her voice soft but edged with finality.
"Izanami, goddess of death and birth. I am the end… and the beginning." Her gaze pierced him. "You shed blood to awaken us. That makes you mine… and me yours, doesn't it?"
He opened his mouth, but no words came.
"Don't worry," she breathed, leaning in. "You'll learn how to die for me… and live with me."
A burst of melodic laughter rang out, light and teasing.
"Ooh, he's trembling! I love that," sang the voice of Hathor. She danced into view, black curls bouncing, curves swaying with joyful ease. "I'm the goddess of love, joy, music, and mmm… fertility," she winked. Twirling once, she let her hips brush past him. "Nice to meet you, cutie. Your heart's racing faster than mine—and mine controls pleasure."
"I—I didn't—"
"You will," she whispered.
The next presence was softer, sacred.
"Isis, mother of divine healing. Protector of broken hearts." Her hand rested over his chest, warmth radiating into him. "You carry pain—I can feel it. But you also carry purpose. Nice to meet you, our fated one."
"You feel… warm," Loret murmured.
"That's because you were mine once. And will be again."
A regal shadow followed.
"Xi Wangmu, Queen of the West. Goddess of Immortality." She bowed with a beauty that weighted the air. "Pleasure to meet you, my king. I can sense your soul crying out to become eternal."
"Will I… live forever?"
"You already do," she breathed.
Next was a serene beauty with white hair like snow and glacial-skied eyes.
"Nuwa, the maker of humans. I formed your people from mud. And you, Loret… were molded for greatness. Pleased to meet you, my prince of fate."
Silence followed. The light receded, and a soft thrum filled the room like the resonance of heaven's chord.
She moved into the center of the room, blonde hair gleaming, golden eyes shining. Great white wings spread out behind her.
"I am Sophia," she said, her voice an unusual blend of tenderness and quiet authority. "Angel of divine wisdom. Judge of souls. You are not just a mortal… you are the one who called to us in the dark." Her hand rested lightly over his heart, and a shiver raced through him, his chest tightening beneath her touch. "Nice to meet you, Loret… our chosen… our fated one. You were meant to stand beside us."
Each introduction in turn arrived and departed, their voices depositing remnants of seduction, authority, and something much older than time itself. By the time the last words were gone, the eyes of the goddesses remained fixed on him, their combined stare weighted with anticipation.
Loret swallowed hard, mustering himself to speak. "I… I read something outside," he murmured. "The mural—it wasn't pictures. It was a story.
Gaia cocked her head to the side, a flicker of interest in her green eyes. "A story?"
"Yes," he whispered, his voice tensing as the recollection came forward. "One about the creator… how they created gods and goddesses, and the fall of the pantheons. One about Earth… how fourteen of you were left here when the others disappeared into the stars. And before you departed, you didn't leave this world—afraid it would crumble—you remained."
Eons later, you met a star traveler who defeated you, then advised you to enter a deep slumber… until someone like me arrived."
The air grew heavy, the warmth in the chamber turning still.
Frowns appeared across divine faces.
"We never wrote that," Hera said, her tone cool and sharp.
"You really saw this outside?" Skadi's voice was calm but carried a faint edge, as though weighing every word.
Loret gave a small, tense nod. His throat felt dry, and even that simple motion seemed heavy.
Frigg stepped closer, her piercing blue eyes holding him in place like frost locking water. "His not lying."
His brows drew together. "How can you tell I lying or not?"
"I saw it in your eyes," she replied, her voice gentle but firm. "You noticed something… or someone… who was aware of us."
A quiet shiver of tension spread through the convened goddesses, as though the atmosphere had thickened.
If your words are true," Isis said, low and cautious. "Then something, or someone, has watched us and waited for this hour, preparing it. And as for your coming, it was no accident. It was destiny.
Loret's stomach knotted. They were speaking as though he were chosen, but in his heart, he was just a dying man chasing any thread that might save him. "I only wanted to understand," he said, his voice rough. "I thought if I followed the clues, maybe I'd find a cure… a way to live." His throat closed around the next words. "But now the door's shut. You're saying… I can't leave?"
Amaterasu's glow softened, almost mournful. "That is correct. Once the chamber seals, it cannot be opened from within. Only from the outside."
Loret's hands clenched into fists. "So, I'm trapped."
He stepped back, looking at them all. "I came here to survive, to go home, to live a normal life… and now I'm locked inside a chamber with fourteen goddesses."
Aphrodite gave a slow, pitying smile. "Oh, poor baby. You make it sound so tragic."
Before he could answer, Izanami's voice cut through, silk wrapping a blade. "What would you do if you could leave? The world outside has only three months before it vanishes entirely."
He froze. "…What?"
"It's dying," she said flatly. "This world is nearing its final phase. And you should know… Earth is nothing more than a replica of the original world. A shallow reflection, never meant to last. Now the threads holding it together are breaking."
"You're lying," Loret whispered.
No," replied Sofia gently. "This world was forged ages ago as a temporary shadow of the real one. By the same artists who created us. The real world is a seven-layer universe—immensely larger than this simulation.
Gaia stepped forward, resting a gentle hand on his shoulder. "They built this place to survive the Divine War and the natural catastrophes that followed. Meteor strikes, floods, the collapse of the old heavens… we endured it all. But our power could not hold this world together forever. The system is failing."
Loret's voice was hollow. "So… this world isn't real?"
"Real enough to wound you," Hathor said, "but yes… it's only a shadow."
His knees weakened, the truth striking harder than any illness ever had. All his effort. All the years clawing toward a future—only to learn there was no future here.
"I… I just wanted to live," he said quietly. "I wanted a second chance."
"You still can," Aphrodite murmured. She stepped close, her scent wrapping around him, her palm pressing to his chest. "We can take you to the real world… to the seven-layer universe. A place of true power, true truth."
Amaterasu moved beside her, sunlight blazing in her eyes. "We've been waiting for someone like you."
Sofia's voice joined hers like the second note in a perfect chord. "You are our key… and we are yours."
Loret looked at them—these radiant, dangerous beings who had somehow decided he was worthy. "Why me?" he asked, almost in disbelief.
"Because you didn't give up," Gaia said.
"Because you dared to enter," Frigg added.
"Because destiny… is rarely fair," Persephone murmured.
Aphrodite leaned forward, her lips tilting upward. "So… what do you say, husband?"
Loret took a breath. His past was gone—but something greater was beckoning. He raised his eyes, heart pounding.