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ERIN
The sound of Jake clearing his throat rocked them out of their reverie as the car came to a full stop. “We’ve arrived at the Confluence Park remediation location, sir,” he said.
At the reminder that they weren’t alone, and the look of embarrassment from Blaine, Erin peeled herself off him and moved back to the other seat. Blaine ran a quick hand through his hair and straightened his tie, looking as dazed as Erin felt. Who’d been playing whom just now? Erin felt a pang of guilt for giving in to her desires with Blaine, knowing that their mutual attraction was a distraction from her bigger picture.
Determined to keep her focus on Dionysos’ demands, Erin took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure as she distracted herself by looking out the window.
The park was a desolate wasteland of rubble and debris, a reminder of the council’s neglect and corruption. The once pristine grass was patchy, littered with trash and debris. An emaciated trickle of a river wound its way around one side of the plot, as aimless as the fallen concrete structures that had once been bridge pilings. Erin couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of sadness at the current state of the lot. It was a stark reminder of what Blaine and his cronies were capable of—neglecting the beauty of the land in order to line their pockets.
“I know it’s not an ideal location, but it meets your location requirement to be central and after a period of remediation and some improvements, I trust you can transform it into a fitting temple to Dionysos.”
Erin fumed in his general direction. “It looks little better than a dung heap, Blaine,” she replied, saying his name like a curse. “Do you treat all the god-touched with such disrespect?”
There was a long pause before he answered, during which Erin didn’t even look in his direction. “Although I serve Zeus, I respect all gods and would never seek to deny them appropriate tribute. If you give me some more time, I’m sure I can compile a comprehensive list of options suitable for your god’s needs.”
Erin paused, almost swayed by Blaine’s sincerity. But she knew how the mayor and his cronies on the council treated those they deemed inferior.
As they surveyed the damaged park, despair washed over Erin. The people of this city deserved so much better. If she waited for the slow wheels of government, it could be years before progress was made.
The people needed food, clean water, and safe shelters now. Kids suffered daily in the decrepit schools, while their parents waste away in unsafe factories. It can’t continue.
Erin dreamed of a new society where people supported each other, living in prospering, self-sustaining communities. She envisioned communal centers providing education, healthcare, childcare, and recreation. Everyone would contribute what they could and take what they needed.
She wanted to create an oasis here in this broken place. A sanctuary where people could gather, share ideas and resources. A beacon of hope, reminding them that, through cooperation and compassion, a better world was possible.
Erin knew the current system was rotten, propping up the elite while the rest toiled and suffered. She would tear it down and build anew, a society founded on justice, equity and care for one’s fellow beings. It would not come easily, but she had faith in the people, once awakened.
The club she planned was just the beginning, a place for Dionysian ecstasy, yes, but also strategizing the revolution ahead. The people would rise up and a new day would dawn.
Erin opened the door and jumped out of the Bentley, striding confidently across the broken sidewalk and up onto a mound of trash, weeds, and broken dreams.
Erin’s anger surged within her, a fiery torrent fueled by the injustices she had witnessed and the knowledge that Blaine’s hollow promises would only delay her god-given mission. The maenad magic blossomed within her, as though Dionysos himself was calling upon her to act. Her heart pounded as she stood atop the mound, the wind whipping her hair around her face like a tempest.
Blaine stepped out of the car, annoyance etched across his features as he watched Erin. His man, Jake, was right there by his side, determination in every movement. “Erin, what are you doing?” Blaine called out, his voice barely audible over the wind. “Crime is horrible in this part of town at night. You’re not safe out here.”
Erin didn’t respond to him. Instead, she raised her arms to the sky, an instinctive resonance, the call of the gods guiding her movements, as she called upon the power of Dionysos to transform the desolation before her into a place of beauty and worship. She could feel the raw energy coursing through her veins, igniting her soul with the divine power of the god.
“Erin, stop!” Blaine’s shout reached her ears, but it was too late. She could feel the ground beneath her feet trembling, a deep rumble that grew louder and stronger with each passing second. Mesmerized, she watched as the ground cracked open, and twisted, green vines emerged from beneath it. Ivy crawled its way up from each split in the earth. The vines rapidly consumed the trash and debris, weaving them together with the unstoppable force of nature. She could sense Dionysos’ presence and power in the transformation, and knew that she was an instrument of his will.
As the vines continued their relentless growth, they began to take shape, forming the foundation of a temple that seemed to rise out of the very ground itself. Majestic columns emerged, adorned with intricate carvings that depicted the revelries and ceremonies of Dionysos. The walls of the temple were formed from a combination of earth, stone, and the remnants of the trash, magically transmuted into an ornate and stunning structure.
The desolate, abandoned landscape was transformed into a lush oasis as plants and flowers sprouted from the ground, filling the air with a heady perfume. The once-pitiful river swelled and surged, its waters crystal clear and teeming with life.
As the temple took shape before her, Erin glanced at Blaine and saw him standing dumbstruck. The awe and fear in his eyes were a testament to the power she had just unleashed. She couldn’t help but wonder if she was the only one who had ever seen fear lurking behind the mask of power he wore. Her maenad magic had proven to be an unstoppable force, and she reveled knowing that she had defied the mayor and his underhanded tactics.
When the transformation was complete, she lowered her arms, her chest heaving from the effort. Turning to face Blaine, her eyes blazed with determination. “This is what the people deserve, Blaine,” she said, her voice unwavering. “A place to worship Dionysos, free from the corruption and greed that has plagued this city for far too long.”
For once, Blaine was at a loss for words. She could see in his expression that he had underestimated her and the power she possessed. In that moment, she knew that he finally understood he could no longer stand in her way.
Blaine swallowed hard, the fear in his eyes giving way to grudging respect for her display of power. “I must admit, Erin, that was impressive,” he said, though his voice held a note of warning. “But you should know that neither I nor the council will not take kindly to such willful acts.”
Erin felt a surge of satisfaction. Her actions had earned her the respect her words never could. She knew that the balance of power between them had shifted, and she could see that Blaine recognized it too. His expression hardened as he seemed to view her actions as a direct challenge to his authority as mayor.
“I understand the risks,” Erin replied, her voice resolute. “But sometimes, we need to take a stand for what is right, even if it means going against the established order.”
Blaine clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing. “Don’t think that your newfound power gives you free rein to challenge me, Erin,” he warned. “As mayor, it’s my duty to maintain order in this city, and I won’t let anyone undermine that, not even you.”
Erin met his gaze, unflinching. “My only intention is to serve Dionysos and create a better future for the people of this city,” she said, her voice strong and unwavering. “If that means challenging those who stand in the way of progress, then so be it.”
