Family system

After resisting her body's temptation again, we made our way toward the grand hall of her temple. The structure was built for her and her alone, an extension of her divinity, where only those she permitted to could step foot.

The walls were not filled with paintings or needless gold but with weapons, each mounted with care and carrying its legacy.

At first glance, it looked like an armory, a collection of masterfully crafted weapons spanning ages. But as I walked further in, I noticed the nameplates beneath each one. Intrigued, I moved closer, feeling a familiar pulse of mana from the inscriptions. When I focused, the names revealed themselves, not just etched but infused into the metal with power, ensuring their stories would never be forgotten.

"These…" I murmured, trailing my fingers just above the hilt of a battle-worn spear.

Kali stepped beside me, her expression reverent. "They belonged to the warriors of my people in my past life," she said, her voice softer than usual. "Each one fought for me, our cause, and our survival. I gathered their weapons and enshrined them here—to honor them, to make sure their sacrifice wasn't lost to time."

I let my eyes drift across the display, each weapon unique and carrying its own weight. Some were pristine and carefully maintained, while others bore the scars of their final battles—cracks, dents, and dried blood that had never been wiped away.

My gaze landed on a curved dagger with a darkened silver blade. The grip was wrapped in faded red cloth, and the name beneath it glowed faintly.

Rava the Shadowblade

"None saw his blade until it was already buried in their throat. His final breath was spent laughing at the gods who tried to break him."

I turned to Kali. "Tell me about him."

She smiled a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Rava was our best assassin. He wasn't the strongest but the fastest, the smartest. He once infiltrated an enemy camp, killed their leader, and walked out with a full meal and a bottle of their best wine. Said it was too good to let it go to waste."

I chuckled. "Sounds like someone I would've liked."

Kali nodded. "He was a legend. Until one day, he was caught during a mission. The enemy thought they'd broken him. They chained him and tortured him, but he never stopped laughing in their faces. When they finally let their guard down, he used his last bit of strength to slip free and slit their general's throat before bleeding out. We found his body still grinning."

I exhaled sharply. "A warrior to the end."

Kali nodded. "They all were."

I moved down the hall, stopping before another weapon—a heavy war axe with jagged edges and a hilt wrapped in thick, worn leather. The inscription beneath it read:

Gorrak the Unyielding

"He fell, he rose, he fell again, but never once did he yield. The ground shook with his final roar."

Kali's eyes softened as she followed my gaze. "Gorrak… was a monster in battle, not in cruelty, but in sheer will. He never stopped fighting, no matter how many times he was knocked down. He'd break his bones and still use them to kill his enemies."

"Did he ever fall for good?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Not until the very end. He held a bridge against an entire army so we could escape. He kept standing and fighting, even when he had more arrows in him than armor. His last words were to tell us to hurry up because he didn't know how much longer he could keep them entertained."

I let out a low whistle. "Damn."

Kali reached out, brushing her fingers along the axe handle. "His spirit still lingers here, in this weapon. I can feel it."

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of these stories, these lives—the warriors who had given everything for Kali, for their people, and now rested in her eternal memory. This was no simple collection—it was a shrine, a tribute to those who had made her who she was.

As we continued walking, I saw more names and weapons. Each had a story and a sacrifice behind it. Some belonged to warriors who had fought against impossible odds, others to leaders who inspired armies. There were blades wielded by mothers protecting their children and spears thrown by brothers avenging their kin. Every weapon here had drawn blood in the name of their goddess.

I looked at Kali, admiration swelling in my chest. "You remember all of them."

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"I do," she said firmly. "They live on through me."

I reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "They would be proud of you."

Kali met my gaze, and for a brief moment, the ever-present fierceness in her eyes softened into something deeply vulnerable. She squeezed my hand back before smirking. "They'd also be pissed that I let you get away with ogling me for so long."

I laughed, shaking my head. "It's hard not to. You did this to yourself, wearing that bikini."

She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You say that like you don't enjoy it."

I pulled her in, my lips brushing against hers. "Oh, I do. But let's just say I have a newfound appreciation for you in more ways than one."

She grinned. "Good. Now, let's talk about why you came here before you get too distracted again."

I sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. But later, I'm claiming my distraction time."

"Looking forward to it," she teased, leading me further into the hall.

She led me towards the end of the hall, where four couches faced each other, arranged symmetrically within a square. On either side stood towering pillars, each etched with intricate carvings of Kali's people. It was a sacred space, but more than that, it served a deeper function. Even though we were in our own Pantheon, where only those with permission could enter, this area had an added layer of protection.

The pillars weren't just decorations—they were part of a formation that rendered this space completely silent to the outside world. No sound, no energy could escape. It was a place of solitude, a sanctuary where Kali could meditate, scheme, or simply exist without interruption. Whatever was spoken here stayed here.

She led me to one of the couches and sat down, the soft cushions molding to her form. She patted the space beside her with a teasing smile, silently urging me to join her. I smirked, already expecting something, but complied, settling beside her.

We simply sat there momentarily, and the atmosphere between us was calm. Kali rested an arm along the back of the couch, her fingers brushing lightly against my shoulder as she turned to me, waiting. I took a deep breath and cleared my throat before speaking.

"I wanted to know if you needed anything for the new base we're building in that universe," I said, my voice steady. "I don't know your plan, but if you want to come and stay permanently, just say the word, and I'll have everything set up for you. Or… are you planning to stay here and only visit when you feel like it—or when I need you?"

Kali tilted her head slightly, considering my words. Her emerald-green eyes gleamed with amusement, but I could see the careful thought behind them. For all her teasing, Kali always made decisions with precision.

After a moment, her lips curled into a knowing smile. "I will stay here," she answered, her voice soft but certain. "My people still need me for a little while longer. They're strong but still adapting to the peace I've given them. I want to ensure they thrive before I leave them too often."

She leaned in slightly, her fingers tracing small circles against my shoulder. "But don't worry," she added, her tone shifting to something more playful. "If I miss your company too much, I'll come find you."

I felt a shiver roll down my spine at how she said that. There was a promise in her words that carried a mixture of warmth and something far more dangerous. I knew Kali well enough to understand that when she wanted something—or someone—she would take it, no matter the distance between us.

Despite the small chill of anticipation running through me, I smiled, satisfied with her answer. "That's fair," I admitted. "Though I must say, the idea of you randomly showing up unannounced could be either a blessing or a curse."

Kali chuckled, the sound rich and sultry. "That depends entirely on what I find when I get there."

I exhaled sharply, shaking my head before focusing on why I had come here. "Do you not want me to bring anything for you?" I asked. "It's no trouble, and you know I'd do it in a heartbeat."@@novelbin@@

She leaned back against the couch, her fingers tapping against her thigh as she thought it over. "I don't need anything physical," she mused, her voice carrying a rare softness. "But I wouldn't mind an altar built for me in the new stronghold. Nothing grand, just a space for my influence to reach there if needed."

An altar. Simple, yet deeply symbolic.

I nodded. "Consider it done. I'll make sure it's placed somewhere meaningful."

Kali smiled at that. "Good. And one more thing."

I raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"