Chapter 8 New World

Pan's vision had just returned to normal. He raised his eyes and saw a world that one could see only in fantasy movies. 

The downhill view was of an exotic land brimming with life, with such diverse and outlandish flora and fauna, that he was transfixed for an entire minute.

Birds and animals of different shapes, sizes, and colors. Dancing and swaying trees. Walking seedlings. An aura of red and blue fog. Tiny creatures which looked like fairies or pixies. The more Pan looked at the world below him, the more he was convinced that he was dead.

"If you are done sightseeing, I have some business to talk about," a voice interrupted his thoughts.

Pan gave a start and almost fell off the edge. He snapped around and looked for the voice's source. The boy looked, and he looked again. He scanned the entire area, squinted his eyes, and waved his hands. However, he could find nobody there.

"Down here!" the voice said with irritation.

Pan lowered his gaze and saw a frog by the pond's edge. It wore a small hat, and its mouth moved as it said, "Yes! Finally! Don't be alarmed, Pan. I am just a standard-issue liaison. I've been asked to prepare you for the journey ahead."

The boy looked utterly puzzled. "Am I dreaming? Or is this toad really talking?"

The creature's eyes bulged for a moment. "Ahem. I am a frog and not a toad. And it is not surprising that you are skeptical of what you see and hear in this world. Because it is magic."

"Magic? This place has magic?"

"Yes, powerful magic. Much more potent than other worlds. Magic allowed me to bring you from your world to ours. It is magic that helps me communicate with you through words."

Pan scratched his head and sat down before the talking frog.

"Is this heaven, then?" he asked gingerly.

The frog leaped onto a large leaf and turned towards Pan. "I assure you, it is not. More importantly, you are not dead. So, the question of heaven or hell does not arise."

"Then why am I here? What world is this?"

"Good. I like direct questions. First, let me introduce myself. I am Jewel—an official liaison of this project. Now, as far as your second question is concerned, you are on the planet Erode. It is a few light-years away from Earth. This world is so small that your astronomers could never spot it behind all the space dust." 

Pan kept scratching his head, digesting the new information.

"Anyway, let us address your other question," the frog continued. "Why are you here? The answer is simple. You are one of the offspring of the Great Conqueror, the Almighty King Eros. He is the god of lust and desire."

"Eros?"

"Yes. His Majesty had made seven childlings and sent them to be nurtured and raised on earth. Now, it is time to harvest the eggs; hence, all the brats have been summoned to Erode to be tested." 

"Tested for what?"

Jewel flipped out his tongue and caught a fly. He took a few seconds to gulp it down. "For divinity, of course. We are to judge who actually has inherited his power."

"Wait, do you mean I am not an Osbourne? Rather, I am the son of the god of sex?"

"Don't put words in my mouth, silly kid. He’s the god of desire. But yeah, why not? The King likes to fuck. I mean, who doesn't? He helps others get laid, so yeah…  God of sex is not an inappropriate title. Tell me, have you been feeling horny over the past few weeks?"

Pan nodded. "Why, yes? It's as if I have lost control, even though I have developed restraint over my thoughts."

"Don't worry. Nothing's wrong with you. It's just that you have come of age, and Eros' spirit in you has come alive. 

"I see. That makes sense."

"And you are right about not belonging to the Osbourne family. I can confidently say that you are the son of Eros and Karina, both incarnations of the god of desire."

Pan's eyes widened. "Whoa. Can I meet them? My real mom and dad?"

Jewel croaked loudly. "Of course, you cannot, boy! First, we must determine your divinity, and then the final three contenders will be chosen. They will get to meet King Eros and his harem. The King shall name his successor after the ultimate test. Do you agree to these conditions?"