Chapter 3 rejected heroism

Content Warning: This chapter contains themes of emotional manipulation, coercion, body shaming, and intense psychological pressure. It also depicts characters making difficult moral choices under duress. Reader discretion is advised.

"So you're denying my quest?" The goddess's voice thundered through the air, her ethereal glow intensifying. "Well, that will not do. Let's see if you still wish to deny me after this."

With a heavy sigh, she waved her hand, and a cascade of visions flooded the minds of the students. Lily, one of the more free-spirited girls, found herself trapped in a mundane life, working a dead-end job, raising children she never wanted. The despair in her future self's eyes was gut-wrenching. Rosar and his delinquent friends saw themselves in prison-lives, their freedom stripped away, their futures ruined. Omara, the hardworking student, saw her grandfather's final moments slipping away, dying alone and missed the chance to say goodbye.

"This... this isn't just a choice-it's a curse!" Carlos, normally the class clown, shouted, his voice cracking with anger. He clenched his fists, the weight of it all boiling over. "You think you can just trap us in this nightmare?"

"Silence!" The goddess's command boomed through their bodies, but it wasn't just a sound-it was in their minds, echoing in their memories, reverberating through their souls. Rosar recoiled, eyes wide with terror. He could feel her word "silence" coursing through his entire existence. He looked around at his classmates-some vomiting on the ground, others pale, shaking. They all felt it. They had all heard her-inside them.

"You may return home," the goddess continued, her voice softening yet dripping with menace, "but it will come at an unimaginable cost."

Panic rippled through the group. Omara, always the level-headed class rep, tried to gather her wits. "You'll bless our futures if we help you, right?" Her voice trembled, but there was a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "When it's all over... you can send us back?"

The goddess smirked, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Of course I can. Just as easily as I brought you here." The smile was cold, calculated.

Omara's brow furrowed. "What kind of abilities are we talking about? We're not fighters, we don't even know where to begin. Can you at least give us more details? What exactly are we up against?"

The goddess's smirk deepened, a predatory glint in her gaze. "I could, but I won't."

Omara felt her stomach drop. Why is she toying with us? She glanced at her peers. Why would she refuse to give us information? She opened her mouth to retort, but paused. Devin, one of the quieter students, caught her eye. Omara almost said something to reassure him, but stopped.

Something about this place-this goddess-she can't lie. At least... not yet. She clenched her fists, trying to calm her racing thoughts. I have to protect them. I can't fall apart now.

But her mind raced, every idea feeling more futile than the last. The goddess's voice crept into her thoughts again, soft, sinister. "There is no escape from this. Just join me. It's simple. Even beings as primitive as you should understand that."

Omara gasped, falling to her knees as the weight of the goddess's words crushed her resolve. We're not even safe in our own minds.

"Why the hell not?!" Carlos suddenly shouted, his frustration boiling over again. "Why won't you just tell us what we're getting into?" His anger, raw and desperate, pierced the tension.

The goddess's aura flared, and a wave of pressure forced the students to their knees. Some retched, others bled from their noses. "Watch your tone when speaking to me," she hissed, her voice a blade cutting through the air. "And stop using that foul language. You are still lower beings. Be grateful I haven't wiped you out already."

Fear spread like wildfire through the group as they gasped for breath. Then, just as quickly, the goddess's aura receded. "Oops," she said with a mocking laugh. "I got a little carried away. My bad."

She continued, "As I said, the people of this world will guide you. You will be summoned into their realm, and they will train you. They'll show you how to defeat the demon lord who is about to be reborn."

Two students who had remained quiet until now, Noah and Lamar, exchanged glances before speaking in unison. "We're not doing this. No matter what you say or do, it's a no."

Noah, stood awkwardly beside Lamar, who often defended him. Noah's face was pale, but her voice was firm. Lamar's hand rested on his shoulder, steadying him.

The goddess's eyes narrowed. "You? A fat pig who doesn't even know your place or gender, dares to defy me?" She smiled, a devious, cold smile. "Fine. You win. You two may go home... but the curse on your futures will remain."

Omara rushed toward them. "Are you two sure about this? If you go, she'll ruin your lives! I know it's unfair she brought us here, but maybe we should stay. We have to think this through."

Lamar shook his head. "We have families. We can't just abandon them for this."

The goddess interrupted, her voice dripping with disdain. "And what about the families in this world? When the demon lord is reborn, there will be a massacre. Whole families wiped out."

Noah's voice wavered, but she stood her ground. "That's not our problem. We're not from here. Why should we be responsible?"

"You'll regret this," the goddess warned, her smile never faltering. "It will take years of training, but I can manipulate time. When you return, no time will have passed, and you'll be stronger than you've ever been. This is a once-in-a-lifetime offer."

Noah and Lamar didn't hesitate this time. "No."

The goddess sighed, then with a flick of her wrist, opened a portal. "As you wish." The rest of the class watched as the portal shimmered, bidding their final farewells.

Noah's face contorted with anger. now you care?"

Omara stepped back, shocked by his outburst.

Before Noah could say more, Lamar gently pulled her toward the portal. "It's not worth it. Let's go."

As the portal closed behind them, the goddess turned back to the remaining students, her eyes gleaming with malicious amusement. "Now," she purred, "let's talk about your abilities."