Kalies reached the Thernys sacred temple of ice kingdom , the place where souls were kept before salvation and rebirth. Here, he would learn the truths of the afterlife and the cycles of rebirth.
The temple looked ancient and haunted. Countless doomed souls drifted around its walls of the temple, ready to torment anyone who dared enter—god or human it won't matter .
Their sorrow was so deep it threatened to swallow all who stepped inside the temple.
"Lord… are you sure we have to go inside that temple"the little demon asked cautiously.
Kalies hesitated, a flicker of doubt crossing his features.
"I'm not sure I have the courage to face a demon more powerful than me," what if ran ?he admitted softly.
"Shut up," Kalies snapped. He straightened, his eyes burning with determination. "I will never stop
If you want to go go back"
He was not sure how he will find Gretchen, the reasons for his death were lost to Kalies, blurred by time. All he could see were vivid images—war, Gretchen's fall, and the little demon always at his side.
They approached the temple door, but it would not budge. He tried every spell he knew, every trick he had ever learned, yet the door remained sealed.
"See? I told you, Lord. We can't enter. This place is terrible let's go back and it looks like you might lose me here," the little demon warned.
Kalies ignored him. His hand went to his belt, where his flute lay safely. He drew it, and as he began to play, the air around them shimmered Slowly, the temple door creaked open, unlocking on its own.
The little demon's eyes widened. A smile spread across his face, revealing sharp fangs he looks funny when he smiles. "So… this is how it works," he murmured.
Kalies stepped inside and little demon followed him. Almost immediately, a giant, haunted monster surged from the shadows. Its skin was sickly yellow, its eyes wild with malice a . It lunged at them, and in a terrifying instant, it clamped one of its massive hands around the little demon's neck and lifted him into the air he couldn't do anything his hands are weak to do any trick.
Kalies froze for only a heartbeat. Then, with lightning speed, he grabbed a sharp spike from a nearby statue and hurled it at the creature's face. The monster roared in pain and collapsed to the ground loosening its grip on the little demon.
"Astromius! Are you alright?" Kalies asked, concern flashing across his features.
"I… I am alright ....he said A... As .. Astromius ...that's how you used to call me," the little demon said, his voice strained but alive. "I almost forgot my name, because no one was there to call me that. Now that you remember… call me that again."
Kalies smiled at his his face filled with love and care for him.
Kalies nodded, gripping his flute tightly. No matter what, I will not stop. I will find him, even if the entire temple tries to swallow me whole.The inside of the temple was dark and mysterious.
No sane man want to have experience like this.Ancient statues of deities and fallen lords lined the halls their stone faces worn by time but never lost the stories.
Before each statue lay swords and weapons, placed there as offerings—symbols of honor and remembrance of their conquests.
Behind one particular deity stood an entire army of stone soldiers, frozen in eternal loyalty. Kalies paused before her statue. Her name was carved in an ancient script, almost erased by time.
Wanzha.
Kalies heard her stories when he was little..
A warrior queen who had conquered all realms.
She sat upon a winged serpent, fierce and terrifying, her presence overwhelming even in stone. Kalies did not linger. He continued down the corridor.
Behind him, Astromius walked carefully, fear and doubt clear in his eyes. He searched for the right moment to convince Kalies to turn back.
At the heart of the temple stood the Spirit Tree.
Its roots stretched endlessly across the floor, thick and ancient. It towered above them—gigantic, proud, alive. The tree sensed everything within the temple. It was not merely a tree.
It was life itself it contains the answers kalies needed.
Kalies stepped forward.
The Spirit Tree rejected him instantly.
A powerful force threw him back, slamming his body against the stone floor. He tried again. And again. Each attempt failed. Finally, Kalies collapsed, blood spilling from his mouth.
"lord kalies Astromius rushed to him, helping him up.
Rage ignited within the little demon. His eyes glowed ,he roared, and the temple walls trembled, cracks spreading across the stone.
"Why are you tormenting him?" Astromius shouted in pain.
"Hasn't he suffered enough? He lost his soulmate. His life. His kingdom. Why do you test him again and again?"
He stepped forward, eyes blazing.
"Take my life instead! Give him what he seeks!"
As Astromius approached the tree, a divine yellow light filled the air. The atmosphere around them shifted, becoming heavy and sacred.
From within the Spirit Tree emerged a seven-headed serpent.
Its presence was overwhelming.
It hissed softly, its tone mocking, almost amused, as it slowly lowered itself before them.
"Ha… ha… ha…"
Astromius froze.
"Your life is not something I desire," the serpent said. "I have more souls than I can count."
It turned its many eyes toward Kalies.
"But your loyalty… that is what makes him worthy today.
Any man who possesses even one truly loyal companion is allowed to stand before the Soul Tree."
Astromius lowered his head in respect.
Kalies gathered his remaining strength and stood.
The serpent's gaze sharpened.
"What is it that you seek, Kalies, after all these years?" she asked in a seductive voice.
Kalies' voice trembled.
he said quietly. "I only wish to know where his soul is .....where Gretchen's soul and how he died.
The serpent studied him, then laughed softly.
"A worthy question… for one who has lost a soulmate."
She circled him slowly.
"You desire answers—but you must learn to ask the right questions."
Her voices echoed together.
"I will grant your wish. But when the time comes, you will repay me. If you fail… I will take what is most precious to you."
The serpent vanished and the Spirit Tree glowed briefly. Before it appeared a blue-colored fruit, resting in the air.
Kalies reached out and took it. He bit into a small portion of the fruit.
Instantly, his vision blurred.
He collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
The fruit slipped from his hand—and disappeared.