Seven Beautiful Goddesses Want Me, But I Just Want My Revenge

This chapter is dedicated to the Kulture'D God's Domain Server... thanks guys for being a vibe.

********************

The journey to the manor led Adrian, Medea, Lilith, Zack, and the puppet soldier through winding roads that eventually brought them to a town amid a bustling festival.

The streets were packed with people, their faces painted in vibrant green hues. They wore elaborate masks shaped like cats. Lanterns hung from the buildings, and laughter filled the air as performers danced and musicians played joyful tunes.

There was a lot of excitement at the festival, but Adrian was intrigued by the reverence in the atmosphere.

"Looks like we've stumbled upon a celebration," Lilith observed, raising an eyebrow as she took in the scene.

Though still shaken by their recent battle, Zack managed to find his voice. "This… this is the Festival of Oogie," he explained, gesturing toward the crowd. "The people here pay homage to Oogie, the Ancient Primordial God of Oogies."

Adrian shot Zack a puzzled glance. "Oogie? What kind of god is that?"

Zack's face lit up with a kind of reverence that surprised Adrian. "Oogie is not just a god. He's a form of energy. The people here believe Oogie created everything—what we see, hear, touch, and smell. Oogie is life itself. Every year, they celebrate this festival to honour that energy, believing it sustains them."

Adrian's expression remained neutral, but Lilith's lips curled into a smirk. "Sounds like a bunch of nonsense if you ask me. A god named Oogie? Really?"

Zack looked scandalized at her irreverence, but before he could respond, they passed by a large statue in the town square—a cat, its body shimmering in green paint.

Lilith pointed to it, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Let me guess… that's the grand deity, Oogie?"

Zack nodded, his voice calm with respect. "The cat is the symbol of Oogie. It represents the silent watcher, the guardian of energy and life."

Lilith snorted. "A cat god? Fascinating. I've seen many things in my time, but this takes the cake. Oogie…" she trailed off, shaking her head as if she couldn't quite believe it.

Adrian glanced at her, his expression firm. "Let's focus. We have bigger things to deal with than a festival. The manor's just ahead."

As they pressed on through the lively streets, something unusual caught their attention.

In the centre of the town square, a man in his early twenties stood on a raised platform, gesturing wildly as he addressed the crowd. Unlike the others, his face wasn't painted in green, and his voice rang out over the music and laughter.

"I am Oogie!" the man declared in conviction. "I am the Primordial God you all worship, and yet you refuse to believe me?"

The crowd murmured in disbelief, some looking at him with disdain, others with confusion. An older man near the front spat on the ground and shouted, "Blasphemy! You dare claim to be Oogie?"

Adrian's brows furrowed as he watched the scene unfold. "What's this guy on about?"

The crowd grew more restless, and Lilith's eyes gleamed with interest. "Oh, this could be fun," she whispered. "Let's stick around and see what happens."

Medea, however, seemed unimpressed. "We have no time for this sideshow," she muttered. But Lilith's curiosity was piqued, and Adrian found himself reluctantly agreeing to stay, sensing that something more was brewing.

The man on the platform spread his arms wide, his voice taking on an almost ethereal quality. "You all believe in Oogie, the great primordial force, and yet here I am before you, and you doubt? That is not very Oogie of you. Oogie is life. Everything you see, smell, and feel was created by Oogie. I am Oogie, and Oogie is me."

The people jeered at him, shaking their fists, their earlier joy from the festival quickly turning to anger. "Liar!" someone shouted. "Get down from there!"

The man remained unfazed, even as several people began to hurl insults and objects at him. "You disrespect the god you claim to worship," he said, his voice growing louder. "This is not the way of Oogie!"

Adrian sighed, folding his arms as he turned to Lilith. "We're wasting time. This isn't why we came here."

But before they could leave, the situation escalated.

Now fully enraged, the crowd surged forward, grabbing sticks and clubs from nearby stalls. They rushed at the man, striking him with blows that echoed through the square.

"Stop!" the man begged, blood trickling down his face as he raised his arms in defense. "You're desecrating the name of Oogie!"

Adrian had seen enough. He stepped forward, grabbing Lilith's arm. "Let's go. This isn't our fight."

Just as they turned to leave, a sudden blast of energy erupted from the man on the platform.

Green light shot out in all directions, sending his assaulters flying back like an invisible force slammed into them. The energy swirled around the man, crackling like electricity, and his eyes began to glow an intense, eerie green.

The crowd, who moments ago had been ready to tear him apart, now stared in shock and fear.

The air grew heavy with the hum of power and one by one, the people dropped to their knees, compelled to bow before him.

Lilith clapped her hands, clearly impressed. "Now that's more like it," she said with a grin. "I knew he wasn't lying."

Adrian's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene, the man now standing tall, his entire form glowing with green energy. "What the hell is this?" he muttered.

Zack, who had been watching in wide-eyed horror, whispered, "Is it really him? Is that Oogie?"

Lilith chuckled, nudging Zack playfully. "I was doubting him at first but then I remembered. Oogie was a lower god, a minor primordial force given dominion over this little town. He's been gone for centuries, reincarnating over and over again. And now… well, it seems he's back."

Zack's eyes widened. "You mean this is really... Oogie?"

Lilith shrugged. "Looks that way. The energy doesn't lie." She turned to Medea, her expression playful. "Am I right?"

Medea, who had remained distant throughout the spectacle, barely spared Lilith a glance. Her expression was cold, indifferent. "The show's over," she said, her voice cutting through the tension. "Let's move."

Adrian nodded, recognizing the finality in her tone. He grabbed Zack by the arm, pulling him along as they continued toward the manor. Lilith lingered for a moment longer, watching as the townspeople cowered before the glowing figure.

"Have fun, Oogie," she said with a smirk before turning to catch up with the others.

The strange festival continued as they left the square behind, though its mood had changed. The people, now filled with awe and fear, whispered reverently about the return of Oogie, their god.