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The crossroads thrummed with life, letting only shimmers of Selene’s light pass through thick canopies of dense foliage. The pathways that litter the clearing scattered with mosaics of leaves. Glittering lanterns were placed artfully along dirt paths, and around the Headmistress’ cauldron. Shades lazed around, comfortable in their afterlife, under the protection of the princess of Hades and her ward.
The princess, Melinoë, had a storied history with her childhood rival, Nemesis. The princess knew that behind her elegantly crafted plate-mail, Nemesis was hiding deeper feelings about their bond. She always seemed to have something to say about Melinoë, snide remarks bleeding into some sort of game between them. Despite the surface looking choppy for them, and Nemesis’ repeated denials at the idea, it was made clear that there was an unspoken current between the two.
Melinoë appeared suddenly, cursing under her breath, as she walked out of her cluttered but dutifully maintained tent. Her skin shone in the moonlight, pale and beautiful, contrasting against the autumnal, burnt orange of her dress. Her silver gleamed as she passed Hecate, with a simple, “Headmistress.”
Her flame-footed trail led directly to the nook that Nemesis always stood at, ready for anything, and leaning on the Stygian blade. She took a moment, and gave a private smile to her rival.
“Hello, Nemesis!” Her tone was hopeful, kind, and as inviting as ever. She had to look up, ogling her muscular sparring partner.
“Hello, Princess ,” Nemesis scowled back at her. Her tone was sharp, and sarcastic, as she loomed over her meek competition.
Melinoë dug through her cleanly organized, and seemingly bottomless satchel, and pulled out a sachet of aromatic herbs and bathing salts. “I was wondering- if it would be alright with you, if we could perhaps unwind in the springs once more? That is.. unless you have something better to do,” her voice trailed off, seeing Nemesis' eyebrow raise, at such a forward proposition.
“Fine. I could use a moment without this armor weighing me down,” Nemesis' face was unreadable, with a tinge of a blush, as she followed her petite guide to the newly refurbished baths.
Marble bricks were laid in a circle, reminding Melinoë of the gaudy uninvited remodel of her father's realm. The intricately meshed golden gears clashing with marble automatons and piles of sand.
The bathhouse, however, was different. There were strands of twisting ivy clinging to the eroded brick, the structure much more storied than her, likely used by the Headmistress in her younger years. The forest's all consuming canopy thinned out considerably, and ushered the way for the elegantly rustic bath. Melinoë and Dora had spruced the place up significantly, adding atmospheric lighting, a changing screen, and a rack for towels.
Melinoë knelt down, her knees nestled in the rough gravel path, as she gently untied the sachet, and poured the salts into the bath. She whispered a small incantation, and the quiet water swirled, glowing softly and being removed of all toxins.
“Well, the water is fine. Shall we?” Melinoë had a soft blush on her face, as she offered her childhood rival a relaxing bath.
“Sure, but I'll need some help with this damned chest plate.” Nemesis' voice was deep and velvety, with an almost ethereal quality. Impatience and desire tinged her tone as she asked Melinoë to remove her armor.
The princess stood up, and gently sauntered behind the imposing guardian of the crossroads. Her hands hovered sheepishly above a clasp Nemesis was having trouble reaching.
After a beat, Nemesis started, “I don't have all day, Princess, just take it off already.” She sounded impatient, and soft, as though this wasn't a private enough moment. She took off her gauntlets, and laid them down gruffly at her side.
“R-right, sorry Nem,” Melinoë’s slender hands began to move briskly. She grabbed the leather strap gently, and threaded it against the metal that bound it. Nemesis took a deep breath as the armor began to loosen against her abdomen.
“One more, I don't have all day,” Nemesis grumbled, with a yearning quality that Melinoë had only heard a scant few times. With the last strap removed, the plate clanged unceremoniously to the ground with a shrill sound.
Nemesis' calloused hands started to peel off the dense layer of chain-mail from her chest, as Melinoë watched in awe. Melinoë was jealous of her musculature, but she watched shamelessly with different thoughts as her rival took off the metal undershirt.
“Are you having fun there, Princess?” Nemesis drawled, honeyed and gruff, throwing her chain-mail to the floor. Her expression suggested an embarrassment that she wished to hide, her literal and figurative armor being chipped away slowly.
Melinoë worked swiftly against the lacing of Nemesis' gambeson, pulling taut cord loose, and allowed the final part of her armor to be taken off, leaving her in a form fitting bra and cloth trousers. The princess looked one beat too long at her rival's chest, glimmering in the radiant moonlight.
“...I don't need you to help me take these off. Just... get in the spring already.” Nemesis pulled her head away, tinged with a soft blush.
“Yes– sorry, I'll get to it.” The princess was flustered, as she took the other side of the privacy screen. She took off her belt, bracer and necklace swiftly, letting them clatter against the gravel around the bath. Her dress was very simple to take off, just a button and it came off over her head. She was left in a form fitting bra and panties.
Nemesis walked into the baths, revealing her entire back to her rival. Melinoë drank the sight in like the finest ambrosia, from her deeply defined calves to her gently curved ass and her toned back. Melinoë gently took off her panties and bra, and covered herself with a towel.
“You know you don't need that, right?” Nemesis chided. “You're about to get into this bath with me, and the water doesn't exactly leave much room for interpretation, if... you haven't noticed.” Her voice wavered at the implication.
“I.. I suppose you're right.” Melinoë dropped the towel, exposing herself to the night, as she slowly walked into the bath’s steaming waters.
“I was so upset, you know, when the Headmistress gave you the task, our task.” Nemesis seemed to have a tinge of regret as she spoke, like she revealed something she meant to keep secret.
“Nem, we've talked about this. I don't think what we're doing should be at odds, not really,” Melinoë's tone was soft, as she looked her rival in the eyes, her mismatched eyes a hallmark of her heritage.
“No. You don't understand.. what I was saying.” The guardian turned her head away, embarrassed.
“What is it, then, do you think I'm not qualified? Even after all I've done?” Her tone shifted, annoyed and upset at the implication.
“That's not– ugh. Fine, you want the real answer? I don't think it was fair to put this… burden on you. You deserved better. I've trained all my life for this kind of ordeal, you didn't deserve to not have a childhood.”
“I could just as easily say the same to you, Nem. You didn't deserve to be treated as nothing more than a weapon. You should be allowed to have agency.”
“Do you even hear yourself? That applies more to you than it does to me.” Nemesis seemed annoyed at how little the princess was affected by her upbringing. She gazed aimlessly up and down her rival's body, soaking the sight in. “You and I both know how much you do for other people, without expecting so much as a drop of affection in return. I… don't understand how you're able to do it.”
“I've.. never really thought about it. It's very natural to me, I just do things for people, even when they don't ask for it.”
“Yeah. I've noticed. You shouldn't have to do everything for people, you should be free to do whatever you want.”
“Have you considered that what I want to do is help people?” Melinoë stared deeply into Nemesis’ guarded eyes, with a soft blush on her face. “Maybe, I just like to be there for people, like you, Nem.”
Nemesis was blushing back at Melinoë, taken aback at how much of herself she had revealed in the conversation. “Whatever, I guess it can be nice to have someone there sometimes.” She turned her face away, her cheeks tinged red with an embarrassed flush.
“You know, I've always appreciated how you manage to have a physique like you do. I've tried, but I never manage to get close to yours, even when I wield Zorophet.” Melinoë was capitalizing on Nemesis' embarrassment, finding it cute how such a guarded person folds so easily.
“Tch, it just takes time and practice that you haven't cared to put in. Besides, sometimes I think it would be nice to have a slender body type like yours.” Nemesis began staring very clearly at Melinoë's exposed neck, and the top of her chest.
“Really? I find that I'm rather envious of you, Nem. Í wish I had more musculature, and here you are, absolutely littered with it.” Melinoë began to stare back at Nemesis, with the same unabashed confidence that her rival stared at her with. "So then, why did you agree to come to the springs with me, anyway?" She leaned in, examining Nemesis' face.
“You've gotten into my head, and I want you out of it. You keep… distracting me with these stupid trips and talks, and now they're all I can think about.” Nemesis' armor was shattering, as she approached her rival with a serious expression on her face.
“Nemesis, what do you– What did I do? Do you mean that you.. think about me often?” Melinoë stared hopefully into her rival's eyes, a furious blush raging across her face.
“I… hmgh. I just… I like having a break from my solitude sometimes.” Nemesis matched Melinoë's blush, and shied away.
“Shall we… break that solitude of yours, Nem?” Melinoë read the expression on Nemesis' face as she propositioned her.
“I… could be… amenable to that, if you... have the time.” Nemesis’ eyes were locked in with her rival's, cautiously optimistic.
Melinoë got closer to Nemesis, moving slowly and carefully. “Is this… alright with you?” Her voice faltered, as Nemesis' stare grew more intense, a blush creeping harder into her features.
“I… Yes. I suppose I like it.”
The two stood, face to face, staring deeply into one another's eyes.
“What, have you done this with some other rival of yours, Princess?” Nemesis began to bring her hand up gently.
“I can't say I have, no.” Melinoë stared intensely back at Nemesis.
“Do you want this, Melinoë?” Her husky voice faltered, as her hand grazed Melinoë's cheek and jaw.
“Y-yes. I do.”
Nemesis began to creep closer, her lips locking in with Melinoë's gently. Melinoë deepened their kiss, and pulled her closer, with her hand on her rival's back. The two shared a moment together, of their passion finally colliding.
“I… don't suppose we could.. take this back to my tent, could we?” Melinoë stared softly down, at the top of Nemesis' chest.
“I- Yes, I would like that.” Nemesis' heart was beating out of her chest, as she softly hugged Melinoë.
The two began to gently get out of the springs, covering themselves loosely with towels as they sauntered over to Melinoë's tent. The sound of rustling leaves like a chorus against their soft steps.
Melinoë opened her tent, with a sharp sound as the cloth yielded to her. Dora was nowhere to be seen, as the two lovebirds were staring at one another.
“Shall we use my bedroll?” Melinoë suggested, propositioning her childhood friend and rival.
“Whatever works for you, Princess .” Nemesis' cheeks were still warmed with a blush, as the two laid gently on Melinoë's cozy sleeping quarters.
“Would you like to… um… continue what we started?”
“Why do you think I followed you to your tent?”
“Right, right. Just… making sure. Should we take these towels off?” Nemesis laughed, and took her towel off in front of the meek goddess, revealing her naked chest and body to the princess.
“What, do you like what you see? Don't think I didn't notice you ogling me every time we bathed.” Nemesis was blushing, but with a confidence that took Melinoë aback. “Now then, I've shown you myself, do you mind showing me yourself, Princess?”
Melinoë squeaked softly, and slowly took off the towel that covered herself, revealing her chest to her rival, as well as her genitalia. “I'm sorry, Nem, I don't know if you knew I was… like this.” Melinoë offered, shyly covering her excited dick from Nem’s view.
“I didn't, but I'm more than willing to entertain it. I'll have you however you are.” Nem stepped closer to Melinoë, her chest pressing against Nemesis', the two warm against one another.
“I- really?” Melinoë looked Nemesis in the eye, cautious for any discomfort.
Nemesis simply kissed Melinoë, grabbing her head with her hands, and pulling her towards herself.
Melinoë's tip twitched anxiously against Nemesis' thigh, as Nemesis let out a soft chuckle. The two pulled away, and Nemesis grabbed Melinoë's chin, and whispered in her ear. “You're cute when you're desperate like this, Princess. How long have you been wanting this?”
Melinoë whined in response, rutting slightly against Nemesis.
“Have you really been needing this for this long? How cute.” Nemesis taunted Melinoë, her voice dripping with desire, in a deep tone. She pulled Melinoë's head back, and nipped softly at her neck, eliciting a sharp moan from her.
“N-Nem! People will see if you leave a mark, be more careful…” her voice dripped with lust as she reprimanded Nemesis.
“So? I thought it was pretty obvious what we were doing, waltzing out of the springs over to your tent.” Nemesis teased Melinoë, as she began stroking her back softly.
“Y-yeah, but what about my mission? What if Arachne, Echo, or god forbid Scylla see me with marks on my neck? I don't want a song written about it, Nem.”
“I still find it so curious how you managed to have an issue with a siren and her band, what is the deal with that, hm?” Nemesis teased her partner further, moving her hands up to her neck, releasing all of her tension.
“Ugh- they.. mmph.. started it!” Melinoë began to rut harder against Nemesis' leg, and looked at her with a pleading gaze.
“What, did you want something more?” Nemesis chuckled, guiding Melinoë to lie down.
Ever obedient, Melinoë laid softly in her bedroll, across from Nemesis, and stared at her chest.
Nemesis guided one of Melinoë's hands to her own chest, and one to Melinoë’s desperate cock. “Go ahead,” she beckoned.
Melinoë began stroking herself, while gently massaging Nemesis' breast. Nemesis moved her own hands to herself, as well as Melinoë's breast.
The two were locked together, heavy breathing and fierce eye contact, as they stared one another down. Their moans overlapped, a competition all to itself.
“P-please, Nem” Melinoë cried, whimpering against her own hand.
“Hm? What is it?” Nemesis' own moans obscured and muffled, as she responded.
“Can I- be… inside of you?” Melinoë was blushing furiously, as she asked for Nemesis' consent.
“Oh? You want to fuck me? How adorable.” Nemesis got closer to Melinoë, and guided her tip towards herself.
Melinoë was thrumming with excitement, as her tip glided gently across Nemesis. Her moans strained against Nemesis' chest. Her hauntingly green hand was pressed tightly against her partner’s back, as the princess began to slowly penetrate her.
“Come on then, fuck me already. You were so desperate for this, just do it.” Nemesis taunted her, and pressed her hips against Melinoë’s, eliciting a sharp whimper from her.
Melinoë fervently began to thrust into Nemesis, penetrating her deeply and passionately. Nemesis cupped Melinoë’s breast into her hand, and began to knead gently. Her other hand caressed the small of her partner's back, and wandered aimlessly, as though she was giving an animal a pet.
Nemesis felt herself unravel with every thrust into her, as she began moaning louder and louder. Her mask was shattering, as she told Melinoë to keep fucking her.
“Just– fuck, gods, whatever you do, don't stop, just keep fucking me.” Nemesis' voice was husky as she pleaded with Melinoë, pushing her deeper inside of herself. Their breaths laid heavy against one another, as they kissed passionately.
Melinoë was an utter wreck, moaning and fucking her rival like an animal. Her own moans were only drowned out by the weight of her breath. Nemesis shifted on top of her partner, keeping their hips pinned together, as she started moving more aggressively.
“Come on, Princess, is that all you've got? Don't tell me you've gone soft. I've seen how you spar, keep fighting.” Nemesis sped up their pace, slamming herself onto Melinoë, and locking eyes with her partner. “I know you can do better than this, so be a good girl for me, and keep going,” her tone was lethal, as she chided her rival. Nemesis moved her hand, and placed it softly onto her rival’s collarbone, splaying her fingers onto Melinoë's neck.
Nemesis bared her teeth, and combed her fingers through Melinoë's soft hair. She tugged gently at her rival's hair, and pulled her head back. Leaning down, Nemesis planted a soft kiss on Melinoë's neck, followed by a brutal bite, as she pulled her hair.
Melinoë whined, as Nemesis ground against her hip, with an utterly feral demeanor. The look on her face was like a wild animal’s, as she rode. Melinoë whimpered loudly, as she twitched inside Nemesis.
“You can come, Princess, but don't expect to be spared so easily.” With little more than a few words, Melinoë began to climax, pressed deep inside of her rival. Nemesis groaned loudly, as she was being filled. “Do you only have one round in you, Princess? Or should I ride you until I break you?” Nemesis' grin widened, as she kept riding her rival, overstimulating her, and eliciting a broken whine.
After several more minutes, and climaxes worth of mindnumbing and feral sex, Nemesis finally climaxed, embracing Melinoë fully. The two sat, dazed and transfixed on one another, before either of them dared speak.
“Well… that was… wow. I take it you'd like to… spar again.. sometime?” Melinoë broke the silence, speaking softly and staring Nemesis in the eye.
“I… Yes, Melinoë. Don't think I'll go easier on you in the field because of this, though.” Nemesis' tone was warmer than Melinoë had ever heard, like she finally cracked her rival's shell.
Much later, on another trek to the wretched Titan’s stolen throne, Melinoë ran into a familiar Goddess. “My my, Gorgeous, it looks like someone took a bite out of you! You two have had the most adorable tension for some time now, it's so cute that you've finally acted on it!” Aphrodite teased, as Melinoë covered a large bandage on her neck,with a massive blush across her face.