Greed's welcoming smile lingered in the air as a comfortable silence settled over the room. It was a welcome respite from the usual chaos, a sentiment that even Envy couldn't deny. A hint of a smile played on her lips as she watched Sylvana stir on her back.
Daniel, his eyes twinkling with affection, scooped their daughter up with a gentle chuckle. "Looks like someone's awake," he teased, earning a sleepy grin from the little troublemaker.
Michaela, ever vigilant, scanned the room with sharp eyes. Only after a moment did her rigid posture ease, her gaze finally relaxing. Still, her focus remained unwavering as she placed the iguana cage on the central table, the disgruntled reptile a silent observer of the unfolding scene.
Laughter and lively conversation soon filled the air, a tapestry woven with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the occasional chirp from Sylvana. Greed, unable to resist the child's infectious excitement, offered to personally show her around the cozy mansion. Sylvana, eyes sparkling with delight, accepted the invitation with a mischievous grin.
Half an hour of lively conversation melted away, leaving a warm contentment in its wake. Sylvana, her exploration complete, returned to Envy, a determined glint in her eyes. "Aunt Envy! You promised ice cream!" she declared, tugging playfully at Envy's hand.
Envy, a smile blossoming on her face, stroked Sylvana's red hair with a touch of indulgence. "Of course, my little adventurer. We wouldn't want to break a promise, now would we?" With a hand on Sylvana's, she stood, ready to embark on their ice cream adventure.
"Michaela," Daniel's voice cut through the air, "accompany them. Ensure their safety."
The archangel, her posture instantly alert, bowed her head. "As you command, my lord."
The archangel goes out of the mansion, following the two not far behind with appropriate distance, not too close to intrude on their privacy and not too far to be unable to ensure their safety.
With a sigh, Daniel watched Envy, Sylvana, and Michaela disappear out the mansion door. Silence settled in the room, broken only by the rhythmic crunch of something munching on fruits and vegetables. His gaze landed on the cage where a rather smug-looking yellow iguana sat amidst its colorful feast.
Greed's delight overflowed like an overflowing treasure chest. The sight of Mammon, the once magnificent Demonic Golden Dragon, reduced to a scrawny yellow iguana with a perpetually grumpy expression, sent her into cackling convulsions.
"Haaaaa! HAHAHAHAHA! Is that REALLY you, Mammon? You look like a grumpy old avocado that sprouted legs and lost its luster!" Greed shrieked, tears welling up in her eyes from laughter.
Mammon's tiny chest puffed up like a deflated balloon trying to regain its former glory. His beady eyes narrowed into angry slits, but the effect was somewhat diminished by his comically short iguana arms crossed in a huff.
Every fiber of his being screamed to unleash a torrent of infernal flames and roast Greed into a pile of ash, but alas, he was currently a glorified lizard with limited fire-breathing capabilities. It was no different than trying to light a birthday candle with a damp matchstick.
Greed, ever the sadistic show woman, decided to poke the metaphorical lizard with a metaphorical stick. "Aww, poor widdle Mammon," she cooed, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. "Did someone lose their little fiery temper? Perhaps you need a tiny juice box? Regular sized ones might be a bit too much for your little iguana gullet, wouldn't they?"
Mammon wanted to roar, to unleash a tirade that would make Dante rewrite Inferno. Instead, a frustrated squeak escaped his tiny reptilian throat. The indignity! The sheer AUDACITY! He fantasized about the day he'd get his powers back and transform into his glorious Golden Dragon form, breathing fire so intense it would melt Greed's every ill-gotten treasure.
Daniel, ever the pragmatist, saw his chance. He cleared his throat, the sound breaking the flood of Greed's amusement. "Alright, Greed, that's enough fun for now," he said, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Mammon," he continued, his gaze shifting to the fuming iguana, "let's get down to business."
"Now, do it!" Daniel barked, his voice sharp as a shard of obsidian. He jabbed a finger towards the parchment, the paper crinkling under the force.
Mammon's beady eyes darted across the document, his heart hammering a frantic tattoo against his ribs.
"This... This!" Mammon wanted to protest, the terms were a viper's nest of disadvantage, practically enslaving him as Greed's glorified guard dog. A hot spark of rebellion flared in his chest, quickly extinguished by the sight Daniel produced next.
With a flourish, Daniel unveiled a golden apple from the depths of his trench coat. The celestial fruit pulsed with an otherworldly glow, its sweet aroma a siren song that flooded Mammon's senses. This was no ordinary apple; it was a prize from the legendary Garden of Hesperides. While immortality might elude him, a mere taste promised to amplify his already formidable power.
Daniel dangled the apple tantalizingly close, just out of reach. Mammon lunged for it with a desperate snap, only to be met with empty air. A cruel glint flickered in Daniel's eyes as he snatched the apple back, the smirk on his lips widening.
"Now, are you interested?" Daniel purred, his voice dripping with amusement.
Mammon, his throat parched with both frustration and desire, could only manage a fervent nod. The contract's shackles seemed insignificant compared to the power coursing within that golden sphere. This was a deal he couldn't refuse.
"Excellent!" Daniel boomed, a hint of theatrical flourish in his voice. "Let's amend this little agreement, shall we?" He gestured towards the parchment, and Mammon dove into the revisions, his feverish scribbling afraid that this damn human would regret offering the Golden apple to him.
As for Daniel, the golden apple held little significance beyond its gameplay function. It was merely a token generated by one of his cards, devoid of any special meaning or value outside of the game mechanics. While it granted temporary true immortality to mortals, for a hell lord like Mammon, who was already immortal, it wouldn't bring about any significant change.
Card: Golden Apple Tree
Picture: A majestic tree bearing fruit of gleaming golden apples stands tall in a garden adorned with similar trees, all bathed in a golden hue. A fearsome serpent, Ladon, coils around the base of the tree, ever watchful and guarding its precious bounty.
Rarity: Rare
Type: Artifact - Enchantment
Mana Cost: 1 Light, 1 Wood, 1 Non-Element
Description:
Ability: Tap, Pay 2 Non-Elemental mana: Create 1 Golden Apple token with the ability to Tap and sacrifice this token. Place 3 Immortality counters on a target non-god creature. Remove 1 Immortality counter at the end of your turn. Creatures with Immortality counters are treated as having Indestructible.
Flavor Text: While a sweet indulgence for the Olympian gods, these golden apples hold unparalleled value for mortals, granting them the coveted gift of immortality.