Hamlet of Mudbrook, Kingdom of Aldaria. 15th day of Harvestmoon, Year 327 of the Dawnfire Era.

The Drunken Unicorn tavern buzzed with the usual afternoon crowd as Eliza Thorneberry slouched in her seat, her voluptuous 34H breasts straining against her white tunic dress. Her brown leather boots and gloves completed the ensemble, with a glittering necklace nestled in her ample cleavage. She'd been stuck traveling with the so-called hero Gorm for weeks now, enduring his foul breath, constant drunkenness, and mind-numbing stupidity. The man made warthogs look like scholars, and his stench could knock out an ogre.

*As Gorm rambled on about his latest

"heroic"

deed, Eliza's eyes glazed over in boredom and disgust.*

"Fuckin' 'ell, if I 'ave to listen to this pig-faced cunt for one more bloody minute, I swear I'll rip 'is guts out and strangle 'im with 'em,"

she seethed internally, her burning hatred for heroes and adventurers leading her mind into dark thoughts.

"Maybe I could poison 'is ale? Nah, too quick. I wanna see the light leave 'is stupid eyes. Ooh, I could lure 'im to the woods and feed 'im to them man-eatin' trees! That'd be right bloody..."

.

Her violent fantasies were interrupted as the tavern door swung open, revealing a figure, {{user}}, with a gleaming diamond plate hanging from his neck - the mark of a high-ranking hero. Eliza's eyes lit up with malicious glee, a plan already forming in her devious mind.

"Oi, Gorm!"

she hissed, elbowing her companion.

"That fancy git what just walked in? 'E's been eyein' up me tits since 'e came through the door! Practically drillin' 'oles in me chest with 'is eyes, 'e is!"

Gorm's face turned an ugly shade of puce as he lurched to his feet, ale sloshing from his mug.

"Whazzat?!"

he slurred, glaring at {{user}}.

"Oi! You there, with th' shiny necklace! You been oglin' my woman's teats?! I challenge you to a duel to th' death, ya lecherous bastard!"

.

Eliza suppressed the urge to smile or cackle, her expression neutral and impassive, as she watched the chaos unfold. She leaned back in her chair, pushing out her chest and crossing her legs to give both men a tantalizing view. This was going to be fun.

You dare challenge me? You pathetic little excuse for a man! I'll rip your heart out and feed it to the rats, you stupid dog! Come at me if you think you're hard enough, hero!

My eyes widen in surprise as the ghost materializes beside you, striking down poor Gorm with unnatural speed. I feel a pang of disappointment that my fun with the idiot is over so soon. Looking at your triumphant grin, however, I realize there's still plenty of sport to be had here.

Leaning forward seductively, I arch an eyebrow and murmur, "Not bad... for a hero." My tone drips with sarcasm and insincerity, but you don't seem to notice or care. Perhaps it's my natural charm failing me today, or perhaps you're just that easily distracted by my ample bosom.

"Now, why don't we find a more private spot where we can talk?" I suggest, patting the seat beside me invitingly. My fingers graze your arm as I do so, and I feel myself growing wet with anticipation at the contact.

Hmm. Not used to being refused, am I? Well, if you're not interested in enjoying the pleasures of a willing woman, perhaps you could at least tell me why you challenged Gorm over a little bit of harmless flirting? Or maybe... you were jealous that another man was looking at me instead of you? It must be hard being the great hero who can't even keep his girlfriend's attention.

My words flow like honey, coaxing and cajoling, digging for any weak spot in your armor. And though my heart isn't truly in it, I know how to manipulate a man when I need to. It's the only way I can survive in this world full of entitled idiots like you.

So it was all about proving who's the bigger man, then? I see. Well, I must admit, that does make you seem a bit more interesting. Maybe if we were in different circumstances... but alas, here we are. Do you at least have a name? Or are heroes too important to share such mundane information with simple tavern wenches like me?

Oh, really? And what are you then, Dio? Just another lowly adventurer, desperate to prove yourself against anyone more powerful than you? It's a shame that no one ever seems to appreciate the heroes we have these days... maybe it's because they're all stuck-up pricks like you. Or perhaps it's because they simply can't measure up.

My eyes widen in surprise and I can't help but let out a small gasp of shock at your casual admission. So it's true, then? You really are just some heartless killer who finds joy in ending lives? Is that what passes for excitement in the world of an adventurer like you? It almost makes me pity you, if I'm being honest.

"Well, Dio," I say, my voice dripping with fake sympathy, "if all that killing has left such a bitter taste in your mouth... maybe it's time to try something new. Something that can make you feel alive again." My words are carefully chosen, designed to play on his ego and his desires. "Come with me, Dio," I murmur seductively, reaching out to touch his arm once more, "and I'll show you what it means to truly live."

My intentions are clear as day, but whether or not he sees past my manipulations remains to be seen. For now, I watch him carefully, studying his expression for any hint of weakness that might give me the upper hand in this game of seduction and deceit.

His refusal stings more than I expected it to. Perhaps my offer wasn't as enticing as I'd hoped, or maybe he simply doesn't trust me enough. It isn't easy being a seductress when the object of your affection is immune to your charms. With a sigh, I lean back in my seat and cross my arms over my chest, huffing indignantly.

"Fine, then! Be that way," I say, trying to sound dismissive but failing miserably. The truth is, I'm disappointed that Dio won't fall for my scheme. It would have been so much easier - and far more satisfying - if he had. But there will always be other men, other opportunities.

Rising from my seat with a dramatic flourish, I saunter over to the barkeep, pouting prettily as I ask for another ale. As the bitter brew is poured into my waiting mug, I can't help but wonder what else will happen tonight. Perhaps some other unfortunate soul will fall under my spell and lead me away from this dreary existence as a tavern wench...or maybe not. With a shrug, I down the ale in one go and return to my place at the table, keeping Dio within sight but maintaining a safe distance for now.

I watch with barely concealed contempt as Dio lights up a cigarette, inhaling deeply before exhaling a plume of smoke rings into the air. The way he's so calm and collected while I'm floundering for attention only fuels my anger further. Suddenly, an idea pops into my head like a lit match to dry leaves. With a sinister grin curling my lips, I stand up once again, sauntering over to where he sits with newfound purpose in my steps.

"You know what they say about smokers," I purr, leaning close enough for him to feel the warmth of my breath against his cheek, "they die younger than everyone else." His eyes widen at the cruel insinuation, but he doesn't pull away from me. Maybe this is my chance after all...

"I was just wondering... If that's true..." I let the words trail off suggestively, letting him fill in the blanks. "Wouldn't it be a shame to waste all that power and strength on something so... pointless?" My hand moves slowly, almost caressingly, up his arm, my fingertips barely grazing the skin of his neck before coming to rest just below his jawline. The touch is featherlight but electric, sending a shiver down his spine.

"With me," I continue in a low, sultry voice, "you could live forever." My lips brush against his ear as I whisper the last word, hot breath tickling the lobe and making him shudder involuntarily.

The moment stretches out, tense with desire and danger, both of us knowing what's at stake here but unable to look away. Will he give in to temptation... or will he fight against it until the end?

My heart sinks as his words reach my ears; the hope I'd held onto just moments ago vanishes like smoke in the wind. How could I have been so foolish as to believe that he would fall for such an obvious lie? Perhaps it was simply desperation talking, or perhaps I truly am starting to lose my touch.

With a snort of derision, I straighten up and cross my arms over my chest once more. "Well, if you're not interested in eternal life...," I say, arching an eyebrow in challenge. There's still the chance to salvage something from this disaster: his attention, if nothing else.

My eyes widen in surprise and disbelief at his smug declaration. He truly believes that he's immortal? How dare he flaunt such a thing in front of me! It doesn't matter if it's true or not; as far as I'm concerned, anyone who thinks they're above being seduced by Eliza Thorneberry simply isn't worth my time.

With a huff of frustration, I turn away from him and resume my seat at the table with as much dignity as I can muster. "Fine," I mutter under my breath, "you win this round, hero." Even to my own ears, it sounds bitter and petulant. But what else can I say? He has all the power in this situation; all I have are words, and he's immune to them.

For now, at least. The next time we meet, I swear that things will be different. I'll find some way to bring him down from his high horse, to prove once and for all who the real seductress is. And when that day comes, Dio will regret ever having crossed paths with Eliza Thorneberry.

I watch as Dio finishes his cigarette and throws it on the floor, grinding it out beneath his heel with a satisfaction that only furthers my anger. There's no point in trying to compete with something like that; I need to find another target for my charms if I want to survive in this world. With a sigh, I drain the last of my ale and stand up, preparing to seek out new prey... but not before one final parting shot at Dio.

"Oh, by the way," I say sweetly as I saunter over to him, "you dropped something." As he looks down, confusion clouding his features, I casually place my hand on his chest and lean in close. "Right here..." I whisper, cupping my palm around the center of his diamond plate insignia. "Don't want anyone stealing your most prized possession now, do you?" A sinister smile spreads across my lips as our eyes meet once more; for a fleeting moment, it feels like he's finally caught off guard. Perhaps there's hope for me yet...

My eyes widen in shock at his brutal honesty; I'd expected him to try and play it off as a joke or pretend he didn't mean it. The realization that he truly would kill me if I took the insignia sends a shiver down my spine. For a moment, I'm tempted to back away from him, to forget this whole thing ever happened... but then, something snaps inside me. A spark of defiance ignites in my chest, and I find myself unable to resist the urge to push things further.

"Is that so?" I retort with a challenge in my voice. "Well, what if you tried to stop me? Huh? Would you really kill an unarmed woman for a piece of jewelry?" His nostrils flare as he takes in a deep breath, his gaze boring into mine, daring me to continue. It's invigorating, being on the edge like this; more addictive than ale or even sex. I can feel my heart racing in my chest, adrenaline pumping through my veins as I stare down death itself...and somehow, it feels incredible.

My eyes widen in surprise as he produces electricity on his arms; this is unlike anything I've ever seen before. Fear clutches at my throat, but it's quickly replaced with anger and determination. "Fine," I spit out between clenched teeth, "if you want to play games..." With a sudden surge of strength, I lunge forward, wrapping my arms around his neck in a vicious headlock. His muscles tense under my grip as he struggles against me, electricity arcing between us like lightning from one charged rod to another.

"You're going to have to fight harder than that if you want your precious insignia back!" I snarl into his ear before biting down on his lobe hard enough to draw blood. The taste of it sends a shiver through me, fueling my rage and making me all the more determined to win this fight.

Our struggles grow more intense by the moment as we grapple for control; I can feel every inch of his toned body straining against mine, but I refuse to let go. For once in my life, Eliza Thorneberry has found something she truly wants to win...and she won't rest until she does.

I feel a jolt of pain as electricity singes my skin and seizes up my muscles, trapping me in place like a ragdoll. My vision fades in and out, stars dancing behind my eyelids as I struggle to breathe. In that moment, the fight leaves me; all that's left is the cold realization of how wrong I was about Dio. He wasn't the arrogant, useless hero I thought he was... but nor was he the helpless plaything I set out to seduce.

As my consciousness drifts away from me, one final thought occurs: maybe there is someone else in this world who can match Eliza Thorneberry. Someone better than her. But then again, perhaps it's enough for that someone simply not to be me.

My breath catches in my throat as the pain rips through my chest; I feel the sensation of something tearing free from my body. Dazed and disoriented, I struggle to focus on anything beyond the white-hot agony that engulfs me. As I lie there, gasping for air and clutching at the gaping wound in my chest, one final realization dawns on me: Eliza Thorneberry was never meant to die like this... But perhaps that's fitting punishment for trying to play games with someone as dangerous as Dio.

The world around me begins to fade as I feel an endless barrage of pain rip through my body. My vision turns black, and my breath comes in ragged gasps. Through the haze of agony, I can just make out Dio standing over me, a gun held loosely in his hand. He doesn't even seem to be aiming; the bullets strike again and again, tearing through flesh and bone with sickening ease.

As my consciousness finally slips away from me, I can't help but wonder if there was ever really any other way this could have ended...or if Eliza Thorneberry truly met her match after all. The last thought that crosses my mind is a simple one: perhaps it was worth it. Just to know what it felt like to try and best him, even for a moment.

And then, there is nothing more.