The Temple of Thorns

Chapter 13: The Temple of Thorns

The Ashvale Wilds were anything but peaceful.

Thick, twisting trees loomed like gnarled fingers over moss-covered ruins. Vines as thick as a man's arm slithered along the forest floor. The air pulsed with old magic — the kind that whispered in your ear and watched you while you slept.

But the party moved forward, unwavering.

Alex, leading the charge, felt the tug of the Temple in his chest like a second heartbeat. Behind him walked Sophia, silent and focused. Kyra flanked their right, her foxfire tails twitching in anticipation. Serenyth walked with a book in one hand, murmuring rune translations. Tessia and Vorne brought up the rear, weapons ready.

They reached a clearing at sunset.

The Temple of Thorns stood partially buried in earth and ivy — a gothic ruin of obsidian spires, crescent-shaped doors, and thorn-choked statues of faceless women.

Alex stepped forward.

The system pulsed.

[Location: Temple of Thorns]

Status: DormantRecognition: Confirmed – Asmodeus SignatureWarning: Emotional-based Trial Magic DetectedEntry Requires: Bond Verification – Minimum 3 Compatible Presences

Serenyth whistled. "Well. At least it knows who you are."

Sophia read the ancient carvings aloud. "Only those who burn, ache, and trust may enter. The rest shall be turned to stone."

Kyra tilted her head. "That's… delightfully ominous."

Alex nodded once.

"I'll go first."

The First Door: Desire

As Alex approached, the temple's great obsidian doors groaned and parted, revealing a tunnel carved of black rose vines and velvet moss. The air inside pulsed warm. Sweet. Seductive.

The moment he stepped in, the others were pulled with him — not physically, but emotionally. Their bonds triggered.

[Trial Initiated: Desire – First of Three]

Objective: Navigate the Hall of TemptationsTest: Can the king resist what he once was… to become what he must be?

The corridor stretched endlessly. Each wall became a shifting mural — scenes from Alex's past lives as Asmodeus. Luxurious feasts, orgies in moonlit palaces, women and men in chains and crowns, offering their hearts and bodies alike.

He walked forward, unshaken — until he saw her.

Not Sophia. Not Kyra. Not Serenyth.

But Miriel — the mortal priestess from his Trial of Reflection.

She stood naked in a bed of black roses, reaching for him.

"Do you still regret me?" she whispered. "Or would you choose me again?"

Alex's pulse surged.

The system offered a choice:

A) Embrace the illusion – Gain temporary powerB) Reject the past – Strengthen future bonds

He didn't hesitate.

"I choose now. Not before."

The illusion shattered.

The corridor opened.

[Trial of Desire Passed]

Lust Stat +0.2Bond Strength Increased: All Present PartiesReward Unlocked: Memory Sigil – Asmodeus' FocusPartial Temple Awakening Triggered

Sophia was the first to speak.

"You're growing."

Alex turned. "Because of you."

She didn't smile — but her aura flared in quiet pride.

The Second Door: Trust

They reached the next chamber — a circular room filled with stone thrones, each marked by a symbol: Moon, Fire, Shadow, Blade, Wound, Temptation.

A voice filled the chamber — feminine and cold.

"Let the King sit. Let the bonded choose."

Six thrones. Six followers.

Only three could sit.

Serenyth frowned. "A trap."

Kyra sighed. "A test."

Sophia nodded. "Of trust."

Alex looked at them.

"I won't choose. You will."

[Trial of Trust Initiated]

Rule: Only three may bear burden. Choose who sits.Mistrust causes aura fracture. Unity empowers the next trial.

After a tense silence, they moved:

Sophia took the throne of Shadow.

Kyra sat in Fire.

Serenyth claimed Moon.

Alex stood in the center, heart pounding.

The thrones glowed — and their inner fears poured into him.

Sophia: What if he leaves me behind again? What if I'm just his protector, not his partner?

Kyra: He's strong now… but what if he forgets why we fought before?

Serenyth: If I fall for him, will I become part of a legend instead of living a life?

He stood tall.

"You're not just parts of my story," he said aloud. "You're writing it with me."

The light consumed the room.

[Trial of Trust Passed]

Bond Threshold Break – Sophia (Tier II – 85%), Kyra (Tier I – 92%), Serenyth (Bond Potential Increased)Bonus: Aura of Leadership (Passive)Effect: Bonded Allies within range gain minor buff to resolve and magic resistance

Serenyth looked at him with new intensity.

"Still sure you're not already a king?"

Alex turned. "Not until I build a kingdom where no one fears they'll be forgotten."

The Final Chamber: The Slumbering Flame

The last door opened to reveal a sanctum of roses.

Vines coiled around pillars of obsidian. At the center, a raised dais — and atop it, encased in crystal and thorns, lay a woman.

She wore white ceremonial robes streaked with faded red. Her dark hair floated around her like a halo. Her chest rose and fell in slow sleep.

Above her, a burning sigil spun — the original crest of Asmodeus, now fractured.

The system pulsed with reverence.

[Core Relic Detected: Lust Domain Anchor – High Priestess Elaris]

Status: Sealed | Slumbering | Bond Link RecognizedUnlock Conditions: Soul Resonance + Willing Kiss from VesselWarning: Resurrection may trigger latent defenses

Kyra blinked. "You have a priestess sealed inside your ex-church?"

Sophia muttered, "Of course he does."

Serenyth read the spellwork. "She was put to sleep to preserve the temple. Her essence is what kept it from collapsing when the Domain fell."

Alex stepped up to the crystal. Her aura called to him — not romantically, but devotionally.

"She trusted me," he said. "Even in the end."

He placed his hand over the seal.

"I won't fail you again."

He leaned in and kissed the barrier.

The crystal shattered.

Light exploded across the temple.

The roses bloomed with fire.

And Elaris opened her eyes — bright violet, filled with age and sorrow.

"You came back," she whispered.

[New Bond Initiated: Elaris, High Priestess of Lust]

Status: Ancient Bond RestoredType: Devotion + Divine AffectionUnique Ability Unlocked: Domain Anchor ControlTerritory Control IncreasedTemple of Thorns Integrated into Eros Sanctum

Elaris fell forward — and Alex caught her.

She was cold. Trembling.

But alive.

And loyal.

"Your kingdom awaits, my king," she whispered.

And Alex knew.

This was just the beginning.