The Oracle Paths

As Jake's mind raced, he noticed a subtle change in Lucia's expression. Her eyes, once full of expectation and hope, began to narrow and darken, and her lips, once so inviting, now turned down in a slight frown.

"Jake," she said, her voice tinged with disappointment, "you made me a promise. I've been waiting for an answer. Do you have one for me now?"

In that moment, Jake felt like he was caught in a trap. He could see the hurt in her eyes, and it cut him to the core. He knew he couldn't keep avoiding this conversation, but the thought of giving her an answer he knew she didn't want to hear made him feel sick to his stomach.

Finally, he took a deep breath and looked into her eyes, the weight of his decision heavy on his shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Lucia," He said softly. "I don't have the answer you want."

Lucia's expression fell even further, and for a moment, Jake thought she might cry. But then, to his surprise, she straightened her shoulders and looked at him with a newfound determination.

As Jake stood there, his heart pounding in his chest, he watched as Lucia took a step closer to him. He could feel the heat emanating from her body, and he could smell the sweet fragrance of her perfume. For a moment, he was completely captivated.

Ignoring the presence of the Oracle Guardian, Lucia leaned in even closer, closing the gap between them until there were only a few inches separating their faces. Her breath was warm on his skin, and he could feel her chest pressing against his.

"Jake," She whispered, her voice low and seductive. "Don't you feel it too? This attraction between us. The way our bodies fit together perfectly. You can't deny that you want me, that you crave my touch."

Jake's mind was in turmoil. He knew he shouldn't give in to her, that it would only complicate things further. But as he looked into her eyes, he felt a familiar ache in his chest. He couldn't deny that he was attracted to her, that he wanted her in ways he shouldn't.

He had never seen this side of Lucia before, and he didn't know how to react. Back then, Sarah had unsettled him in the same way, but unlike her, the Myrmidian princess had the subtlety and self-respect not to cross a certain line.

For a moment, he considered giving in to her, letting his body take over and ignoring the consequences. After all, he was a young man in his prime. It was impossible for him not to have any reaction or emotion in the face of such beauty.

Then his rational mind, constantly scrambling for excuses and pretexts to avoid emotional entanglements, caught up with him, and he replied with a conviction that was a little shaky, "Building a relationship together isn't-"

Not wanting to hear the rest, she suddenly pressed her finger against his lips, silencing him.

"Shhh. Don't say it." She chided him, rolling her eyes in exasperation at his hard-to-get attitude. "I know what you're worried about. You're afraid that by getting attached to me, you'll suffer even more if I perish in the next Ordeal."

"Not exactly..." Jake muttered, feeling as if he were standing on the edge of a cliff.

"I'm not finished," She declared, cutting him off. "You're also afraid that our potential romantic relationship will distract you from your goals, making you less productive and more complacent. You may be the most powerful Evolver in our faction, and put on a confident facade, but I see through you. Deep down, you're riddled with insecurity. You fear not being good enough, and every failure or loss of your comrades, you take it all on yourself to the point where you can't sleep. Your endless training is a way to escape your emotions and keep your mind occupied, but trust me, it won't work. If you had feelings for someone, but they died before you could confess, would you really have no regrets?"

Her fierce expression softened, and she spoke with a gentler voice. "Life is short, Jake. You don't have to force yourself to love me or go against your desires. But can you at least open your heart a crack, so we can slip in?"

What could Jake say to that? It was as if Lucia had struck him with a thunderbolt of truth, leaving him with no retort to offer except the lie of feigning indifference.

Yet Jake was many things, but not a liar. Though they had known each other for over a year, their time together was scarce. His feelings for her had yet to burgeon into a consuming passion, but objectively speaking, Lucia was a goddess among women, outshining even the most renowned starlets from his former planet. And if one were to overlook her Myrmidian fixation on triumph and the toxic competition that was endemic to her people, Lucia was virtually faultless - a woman of exceptional qualities and few flaws.

She was disciplined, gentle, caring, adorable, friendly, witty, reliable, responsible, and sharp-witted... Ahem. Suffice it to say, it was nearly impossible not to adore her. Especially if one happened to be a man. And a man, Jake certainly was.

As his heart and mind grappled with a satisfying solution to this quandary, Lucia found the answer she sought in the frenzied dance of his eyes, and seized the bull by its horns.

Ignoring the Oracle Guardian standing on the side less than a meter away from them with the same composure as a priest officiating yet another wedding ceremony, Lucia abruptly seized his cheeks with both hands and pulled his face towards hers.<novelsnext></novelsnext>

As Jake stood there frozen, he could feel the warmth of Lucia's body against his own as she leaned in and kissed him fiercely, taking him completely by surprise. For a moment, he was paralyzed, unable to move, think, or even breathe.

But just as suddenly as it had started, the kiss was over, and Lucia pulled away with a sly smile on her lips. Jake could still feel the faint fragrance and the moisture of her saliva on his lips.

"I think that answers my question." She said, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "You can't deny that you feel something for me, Jake. I can see it in your eyes."

Before he could even muster a response, she pressed her palm against the Yellow Cube just behind them and vanished into thin air. Jake stood there, dumbstruck, watching her disappear helplessly.

Had he just been assaulted by a woman? On Earth, perhaps it could be perceived that way, but here in the Mirror Universe, with his current strength and reaction time, if Jake didn't want to be kissed, it was impossible for Lucia to succeed.

He had to face the truth. Deep down, he wasn't opposed to it at all. Lost in thought, he absentmindedly brushed his lips as if to remember the sensation. He could have stood there motionless like that for a long time until a suspicious throat clearing brought him back to reality.

"It's good to be young." the Oracle Guardian commented admiringly. "In my time, women weren't as assertive, but it may be a species difference."

Jake opened his mouth to retort, but no sound came out. He was speechless.

'No, no. Most women on Earth aren't as assertive either.' He wanted to shout out loud, but he only said those words in his head.

[Hmmph.] Xi snorted raucously, making him jump. [I can be bold too. Lucia isn't one of those submissive girls, but a winner in life. Have you forgotten that her Soul Class is Divine Princess of Victory? Whether it's in combat or in intimate life, Lucia is a go-getter who doesn't give up until she emerges triumphant.]

With a teasing tone more fitting of her personality, she jested, [Hehe, it appears that the indomitable Jake Wilderth has been conquered by a woman today.]

"I wish I had the same confidence as Lucia." Jeanie's envious and falsetto voice chimed in unprompted in his head.

As for Trash Runt, although he remained silent, he had silently witnessed the entire scene from inside the Spirit Dimension. All he was missing was popcorn.

"..."

At that moment, Jake finally remembered why he didn't want relationships. He was never alone. Two Evolvers in love had to deal with their respective Oracle AIs, which meant that a monogamous relationship automatically became a foursome...

And in Jake's case, with Xi, Jeanie, and Trash... They were already four in his head. As long as his skin wasn't thick enough, proceeding further in their relationship would be complicated.

[...]

If Xi had her own body at that moment, she would have probably pinched his hip vigorously. Registering the dead silence in his mind, Jake finally realized that he had made a mistake. Grimacing, he stumbled over his words, eager to make amends, but was interrupted by his Oracle AI, who whispered in his ear, her voice as soft as a feather,

[If I had a real body, and it was me who kissed you like that, how would you react?]

Jake's heart skipped a beat, but he managed to answer without pause, "What's the point of this hypothetical question? You know my deepest desires better than I do."

[Hmmm. Good answer.]