The night was quiet, almost eerily so, as Kalki moved through the narrow alleyways of Sangrashtra. The city felt alive, but not in a way that offered comfort. It was the kind of life that lurked in the shadows, waiting to pounce on anyone careless enough to wander without caution. Every corner, every dimly lit street seemed to hold its own secrets.
The relic Arya had given him was tucked safely inside his cloak, its weight a constant reminder of the path ahead. Kalki didn't yet know the full power of the artifact, but he could sense its energy—old, ancient, and powerful. Whatever lay at the end of this journey would not be easily overcome.
As he made his way through the labyrinth of streets, Kalki's thoughts returned to the temple Arya had spoken of. A place where the veil between worlds was thin, where darkness fed on the fears of men. It seemed as though every step he took in this city was leading him deeper into the heart of something far more dangerous than he had initially realized.
He stopped abruptly as a sound echoed through the silence—a soft shuffle of footsteps, quick and calculated. His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword as he turned, scanning the darkened alleyway behind him.
A figure emerged from the shadows, moving with quiet grace. She was cloaked in black, her face hidden beneath a hood. Kalki's grip on his sword tightened, but he didn't draw it. Not yet.
"You move like someone on a mission," the figure said, her voice low and hushed. "But you are being watched, Kalki."
Kalki's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"
The woman stepped closer, her features still obscured by the darkness. "An ally, perhaps. Or an enemy. It depends on your next move."
Kalki felt a twinge of impatience but kept his composure. "If you have something to say, say it. I don't have time for games."
A soft laugh escaped the woman's lips, though there was no warmth in it. "This city is full of eyes. There are those who would see you fail, who fear what you might uncover. The darkness that surrounds you... it is not just in the temple you seek. It's everywhere, woven into the very fabric of Sangrashtra."
Kalki's pulse quickened. "What do you know of the temple?"
The woman's expression darkened beneath her hood. "I know it is guarded by more than just men. The temple is a gateway, a prison, and a tomb. Those who enter rarely return. But you—" she paused, studying him intently, "you are not like the others."
"And why is that?" Kalki asked, his voice calm but firm.
"Because the darkness has already marked you."
Kalki felt a chill run down his spine, but he kept his composure. "Marked or not, I have a mission to complete."
The woman stepped closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "Then you'll need more than just a sword and courage. The forces guarding that place—they will not fall easily. There are powers at play that bend the rules of life and death itself. The relic you carry will help, but it alone will not be enough."
Kalki's gaze hardened. "What do you suggest?"
The woman hesitated for a moment, as if weighing her words carefully. "There is a man in the eastern quarter of the city. An old sage, who lives in a rundown house at the edge of the slums. He knows more about the temple than anyone still alive. If you truly wish to face what lies ahead, seek him out."
Kalki took a step forward, his eyes never leaving the mysterious figure. "Why are you helping me?"
The woman's lips curled into a faint smile. "Because I, too, seek to see Sangrashtra free of its chains. But be warned, Kalki. Not all who claim to help are allies. Trust is a rare commodity here."
Before Kalki could respond, the woman turned and melted back into the shadows, leaving him standing alone in the darkened alleyway. The city around him seemed to pulse with hidden energy, as if it were alive, watching his every move.
He stood there for a moment, considering her words. An old sage, living in the eastern quarter. A man who knew the secrets of the temple, secrets that might help him in the battles to come. Kalki's instincts told him the journey ahead would be fraught with danger, but there was no turning back now.
With a final glance at the alleyway where the woman had disappeared, Kalki turned and continued his way through the streets, his steps quicker and more purposeful. His destination was clear—the eastern quarter. But as he walked, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. The shadows seemed to cling to him, as if alive with dark intent.
As he approached the eastern edge of the city, the streets became narrower, the buildings more dilapidated. The air smelled of decay, and the people here moved with an air of quiet desperation. This part of the city had long been forgotten by those in power, left to rot in its own misery.
Kalki reached the rundown house the woman had spoken of. It was a small, unassuming structure, its walls cracked and weathered by time. A faint light flickered from within, casting an eerie glow on the street outside.
He approached the door and knocked, the sound echoing through the empty streets. For a moment, there was silence. Then, the door creaked open, revealing a hunched figure draped in ragged robes. The old man's eyes were sharp, though his body looked frail. He studied Kalki for a long moment before speaking.
"You've come seeking answers," the old man rasped, his voice dry like sandpaper. "But the answers you seek will cost you more than you know."
Kalki met the man's gaze, unflinching. "I'm prepared for whatever it takes."
The old sage stepped aside, allowing Kalki to enter the dimly lit room. The air inside was thick with the scent of incense and age. Scrolls and ancient relics were scattered across the floor, much like Arya's sanctuary but older, more chaotic.
"Sit," the sage commanded, gesturing to a low stool by the fire. Kalki obeyed, lowering himself onto the worn seat.
The sage sat across from him, his eyes gleaming in the firelight. "The temple you seek is no ordinary place. It is a threshold between this world and the next. Those who enter must be prepared to face not only death but what lies beyond it."
Kalki's jaw clenched. "Tell me what I need to know."
The sage leaned closer, his voice barely a whisper. "You'll need more than just strength and resolve, Kalki. You'll need to confront the very darkness within yourself."