Altar and stone

They stood opposite the temple, the forest was quiet, the semi-ruined temple towered over them, patterns already covered with cracks that destroyed the ancient architecture. Lar approached the temple and touched the cold stone wall with his pale hand.

"Sera, I don't know why, but I feel something, like a kinship with this structure..."

"What are you babbling about? That's nonsense, or did you also once escape from cultists?"

"Well, maybe there are some memories of the temple in my head, but they don't seem to be mine... Forget what I said, it's really nonsense, actually I don't remember, only moments from my childhood when I was on the city streets and then when Lady Lyla took me under her wing."

"Nothing useful then, so what are we going to do?"

Lar remained silent in response. He ran his hand over the patterns and opened the door. It was dark inside, although holes in the ceiling made the room more illuminated. Everything was overgrown with greenery, and the air was filled with the smell of dampness and antiquity. Sera and Lar didn't even notice how they were already walking through the ancient temple, exploring. At the end of one of the rooms, there was an altar carved from a solid piece of black marble, a beautiful sight. Sera approached the altar and, picking up a large stone, hit it with all his might, then again, and again. Eventually, Sera managed to break the ancient relic.

"Sera, why did you do that? That's..."

"That's what? Do you want me to remind you that it's because of the gods that I suffer, everyone suffers because of them, besides, it pissed me off, and what's wrong with your face?"

Lar touched his face and was surprised to feel something wet; it was a tear. Lar wondered why he had suddenly shed a tear; he definitely didn't know that god, and besides, Sera was right to some extent, or so it seemed to Lar.

"Sera, I don't feel well, we'd better get out of here before something happens."

"I'm tired of being here, let's go."

They hastily left the temple and headed towards the diner. Sera somehow felt someone's gaze on him but didn't dare to turn back. A mysterious, tall figure approached the temple, touched the door, and then looked in the direction Sera and Lar had gone.

"This boy is interesting... And that 'shadow' that was with him, this will indeed be an interesting spectacle."

Sera and Lar were already in their rooms. Lar lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Sera sat on the windowsill, contemplating the forest filled with warm colors and shades. Various thoughts ran through his mind, the only thing that bothered him was what would be for lunch.

***

In almost every kingdom, there were at least three gods; these institutions almost never changed, except for the "Kingdom of Red Roses and Forests." The red-haired king was on his knees, bowing low, his crown fallen to the floor. A statue of gold and white marble towered above him.

"Tell me... The Only One... What am I doing wrong? Heretics continue their rituals, mentioning the unholy, the people are no longer happy, Ajax, show me the right path."

***

Lar continued to stare at the ceiling, his black strands falling over his face, his gaze confused.

"A lot has changed with Sera's arrival, although, I'm glad we have him now."