The sensation of something wet rouses Kali to her senses; she opens her eyes to see Fore over her, licking her face.

“I’m okay,” she tells Fore as she shoos him away to get some space.

The sound of the ocean’s waves causes Kali to turn around and see the vast water behind her, clearer than any other beach she has been upon.

“Where are we?” She questions, mostly to herself but also to Fore.

Fore ignores Kali’s question, choosing to run into the ocean and swim around in the crystal blue water.

“I guess it’s just us,” she observes as she looks up and down the beach for others.

Tears fall silently from her eyes as she watches Fore play around among the waves, thinking about the last image she can remember, all of her friends being pushed apart by the pressure exerted by that creature.

She doesn’t even realize that Fore has come back up from the water and laid down in her lap until she feels the wet fur on her legs.

“Thanks, buddy,” she pets him as he stares up at the tears running down her face.

The two of them remain like this until Kali hears rustling behind her. She immediately gets up, turns around, and draws her sword all in one swift motion. Her eyes catch a figure bolt to hide behind the nearest tree.

“I saw you. Come on out!” Kali orders, ready to take on whoever is behind that palm tree. A kid with blonde hair and tan skin walks out, his hands up to signalize he means no harm.

“Who are you?” Kali inquires; easing up on her sword now that she realizes it’s a mere child.

“I’m a soldier of God,” the child responds, his eyes curiously studying the foreign woman before him.

“What religion do you follow?” Kali asks; trying to determine which God he serves.

The boy’s face turns to confusion as he responds with another question, “I don’t understand, what’s religion”.

Kali sighs, deciding to put her sword back in its sheath as she changes her course of questioning, “Never mind, do you know where we are?”

“We are in the kingdom of God,” the boy explains.

“And this God is a person you have met? Or is the kingdom just called that?” Kali looks for clarification, this odd boy’s words perplexing her, as she has never heard of a place called God’s kingdom.

“Yeah, I’ve met him,” the kid nods. Kali takes a second to think, concluding that if this God person is in charge he might have a better idea of where and when she is.

“Can you take me to him?” She requests, watching as the boy smiles and grabs her by the hand.

“Hey, kid what’s your name?” Kali asks as he leads her into the jungle.

“Cyprien,” the child responds, his boyish grin widening at her question.

“It’s nice to meet you Cyprien, my name is Kali and this is Fore,” she reciprocates.

He leads her out of the jungle and into a city; they head towards the middle before coming upon a golden building.

“He should be in here,” Cyprien notes as he pulls her forward by the hand.

A fully armored man blocks their path once they enter the building.

“Who is she?” He asks Cyprien as he tries to go past him.

“This is Kali, she wants to talk to God,” Cyprien is glad to explain.

The armored man thinks for a second before concluding, “Okay, he would want to talk to a strange woman who showed up here”.

“Hold on, what’s up with the wolf,” he thinks to ask before letting the three of them by.

“Oh, that’s just Fore, he’s… he’s my friend,” Kali explains, almost admitting to herself that after all this time she has forgiven Fore for drinking from the fountain and ruining her life.

“Okay, follow me,” the armored man tells them, turning to lead them into the next room.

“A word of advice, this place can become difficult for some people, best give in to his whims. Good luck,” the man warns Kali before opening the door.

Inside Kali sees a long red carpet leading up to a throne. Sitting atop it is a man with black hair and piercing red eyes biting into what looks like some sort of orange fruit. He puts it down as his eyes fixate on the unfamiliar face that just entered.

Kali looks back to see that the armored man closed the door, choosing not to join them.

“God I presume,” Kali notes, walking forward to get closer to the intimidating but also beautiful man.

A pleased grin creeps onto God’s face as he replies, “Yes, I am him”.

“May I ask what this place is?” She inquires, changing her tone to be slightly more polite given this person’s standing.

“It would seem you are disoriented, this place is my kingdom, no more no less, but I sense bigger questions on your mind,” God smugly responds, reading her thoughts, aware of all the concerns going through her head.

His words confuse Kali further, sure she doesn’t know where she is but she thought she kept her composure to the point where one wouldn’t be able to tell how shaken she is.

“Sure, I have more questions. Do you know what day and year it is?” She starts by asking, trying to determine if that portal caused her to travel through time as well as space.

God knows exactly what date Kali wishes for it to be, he grins wickedly as he begins to tell her, “It is the one hundred and third day,” he pauses giving her a second to think she might not have traveled through time before finishing, “of the year nine hundred and twenty-nine”.

Kali’s heart drops as she realizes that she is one hundred years in the past. God takes pleasure in her worrying, finishing his fruit as he watches her collapse to the ground in despair.

“It would seem you have been sent one hundred years into the past,” he comments once he has tossed the core of the fruit to the side. It takes a couple of seconds for Kali to realize that there is no way he should be able to know that.

“How? How did you know?” She asks him, hoping he would admit he is joking and that it is actually the year she expects it to be.

“Oh, it’s simple. I can read your mind,” God responds, taking joy in telling her this. Whether she believes him or not, Kali immediately starts to suppress her thoughts, trying to think of nothing.

“A natural reaction to learning this information,” God notes as he reads her mind again. She is too focused on trying not to contemplate her worries that she doesn’t notice God rise and try and pet Fore.

As he gets closer Fore starts to growl at him, his natural intuition telling him this black-haired man with unnaturally red eyes is a threat.

“This wolf does not seem fond of me,” God notes as a golden hilted sword appears in his hand out of nowhere.

God swings at Fore, trying to exterminate the adverse pest that has found itself in front of him. Fore ducks underneath the blade and skitters across the room, putting space between himself and God.

“What are you doing?” Kali gets up and yells at him angrily, drawing her own sword to defend her wolf friend.

“This wolf doesn’t have the common sense to treat me with veneration like others, therefore it is a senseless mongrel that must be put down,” God preaches as more weapons are summoned into his hands and thrown at Fore.

The wolf dodges attack after attack, causing God to become more irritated, continuing to litter the floor with steel that misses Fore.

“What is up with this wolf?” God screams out in frustration.

God abruptly turns around to face Kali, asking in genuine curiosity, “What do you mean when you think luck? How can a wolf be the luckiest being in the universe?” Kali’s expression changes to shock at how quickly he could read her thoughts.

“I could just remain silent but that would be pointless. I used to guard a fountain, drinking the waters within it would imbue one with luck. I no longer have to guard that fountain because this wolf drank all of it,” Kali explains, not able to hide things from God.

“Well then, I cannot fell this mutt,” God admits, he waves his hand and every weapon that lies on the floor around the room vanishes.

He returns to his chair and begins to think out loud, “Now how are you supposed to entertain me?”

“Excuse me, what?” Kali doesn’t have the slightest clue of what he could mean by that.

“Sorry, I guess you would not understand. You see, I have lived for many lifetimes and as such, things can become boring. To remedy this, I have ways of entertaining myself with those who come to my island. The only problem is how to use you? Despite your toned body, you are not particularly attractive,” God starts to think.

Kali responds to this harassment by drawing her sword and pointing it at God.

“So you think of yourself as a mighty warrior?” He starts to chuckle. Kali doesn’t respond, her face holding the look of determination as she continues to point her sword at God.

“I don’t put women in the Pits. The others will take every chance to take advantage of you and we can’t have that,” God ponders what to do with her.

“I know, the thing you want most desperately is to return to your time is it not?” God asks her, having something in mind for what she can do for him.

“It is,” Kali replies, her sword remaining at the ready.

“Then I will be able to help you, but in return, you will need to do something for me. But first, you will need to be tested,” God notes, standing up from his throne.

“Whatever it is I will pass the test, as long as I can return to my time,” Kali confidently declares, not afraid of what this man can do.

“Your pluck is intriguing. Follow me,” God tells her.

They walk out the back of the building into a courtyard where a bunch of men with different types of weapons are training. Kali spots the boy she met on the beach, Cyprien, among them.

“Gather round!” God calls out, interrupting their training.

“This here is Kali, I am hoping she will be able to teach you all to improve your skills but first we need to test her to be sure she is truly superior to all of you,” God informs the others.

Hearing God’s words spark animosity between those listening and this new young woman who claims to be stronger than all of them.

“Pick your best ten and try to defeat this woman if you believe yourselves superior. If you fail she shall become your teacher,” God finally explains his intentions.

The others clear out of the center of the courtyard, leaving Kali across from ten men. She holds her sword up in front of her and waits. As predicted a few of them begin to run at her. As their blades get closer she dodges the first one, catching the second with her sword before wresting it from the man’s hand by twisting her sword around his.

The last strikes vertically, missing Kali as she effortlessly spins to the side and knocks him out with the hilt of the stolen sword as he goes by. The first man tries to attack her from behind but she knows he is coming and kicks him back, causing him to land on his ass.

“What about the rest of you?” Kali asks the other seven as she throws aside the man’s blade she stole. She gracefully dodges every single one of their attacks, impressing God with her prowess in battle. In mere moments all ten of them are on the ground looking up at the Goddess of war above them.

“Well, I think I win,” Kali notes as she stows her sword walking back over to God to discuss terms.

“So how can you get me back to my time?” She asks, her confidence regained after realizing how weak those around her are.

“I have a way but first you will need to train these men to wield their swords as you do. I do not expect them to be as strong as you but before you depart I must ensure that you at least impart your knowledge upon them. You see despite my overwhelming power my men are somewhat lacking. Once you complete your job as their teacher, I will tell you how you can return to your time,” God proposes, explaining his problem to her.

“Alright, I accept your deal,” Kali agrees, turning around to face the many men that are now watching her.

“Okay everyone drop your swords, you don’t deserve to hold such a weapon yet,” she orders, a sense of authority slowly becoming more and more present in her voice.

All the men listen and drop their weapons, waiting to hear what Kali has to say next.

“Now, while watching you guys and fighting you I noticed you all lack finesse. Your attacks are all rigid and predictable; there is no fluidity to your movements. So, before you all can pick up your sword again you must learn to dance,” Kali tells them, imparting the same lesson her father did onto her many years ago.

All of the men look around at each other before breaking out into laughter.

“Of course a woman would try and get us to dance instead of fight,” one of the more boisterous ones starts to laugh.

“The only thing laughable is your use of that sword. You know what pick it up and come over here,” she tells him, giving him a chance to prove himself. The man grins as he does; excited to prove this woman isn’t all she claims to be.

“Now, try to hit me even once. I won’t even use my sword. The rest of you, watch my movements if you expect to master the art of dance or the sword this will teach you much,” Kali orders, getting ready to show these fools how ignorant they truly are.

The man confidently swings his sword at the seemingly defenseless woman in front of him. He watches as she dances around his blade, dodging it at the narrowest of margins each time he attempts to strike her.

“See how his form becomes sloppy as he gets tired? Learning to dance will increase your endurance and sharpen your form,” she explains as she spins to dodge another of his attacks.

Eventually, the man’s arms tire, his sword clatters to the floor as he breathlessly stares at the object of his anger in front of him, unable to prove her wrong.

“I think that is enough for today, tomorrow you will all be taught to dance,” Kali notes before walking out of the courtyard.

In the coming months, Kali slowly teaches the men serving under God to dance, despite the resistance, in the beginning, they all begin to listen to her teachings. It isn’t long before they all begin to dance up to Kali’s standards and are allowed to pick their swords back up.

Kali teaches each of them the finer points of her movements, imparting her style onto each of them, doing her best to make sure they know what to do when they are in any combat situation.

God watches from time to time, truly impressed at Kali’s efforts, knowing it won’t be long before he has to uphold his end of their bargain.

During her time training all of these hopeless fighters, one stood out to her. He wasn’t the strongest but he mastered her techniques faster than any of the others. That person was the very same boy she found on the beach, Cyprien.

He would commonly ask her to eat dinner with his family after training, she accepted a couple of times but tried to keep her distance from those she is training because she knew that eventually, she would leave them behind to return to her time.

After one such day of training, Cyprien approaches Kali as he has done many times, “Hey Kali, tonight there are going to be shiny jellyfish in the water. Did you want to go look at them with me?”

“Hey Cyprien, that sounds nice but…” Kali is interrupted as God enters the courtyard.

“Kali, it’s time. I am satisfied with your efforts in training my men. I believe it is now that I should let you in on how I can return you to your time,” he gives her the news she has been waiting so long to hear.

“Of course, I’m ready,” Kali ignores Cyprien to listen to God.

“Cyprien, do you mind leaving us?” God asks, knowing the boy does not want to.

“I’m not leaving,” he declares, not wanting her to leave.

“It’s fine, he can stay just tell me how you can return me to my time,” Kali’s curiosity gets the best of her, not caring if it is a secret or not.

“If you wish. The way is risky but it is your only chance. In my travels, I have come across an item that is cursed. I haven’t tested it but the legend around it states that if one touches the item they will turn to gold,” God begins to explain.

“How will turning me into gold return me to my time?” Kali interjects, not letting God finish.

“I do not have anything that will allow you to travel through time like that portal you came here through. What I am suggesting is that you will be frozen for one hundred years and then the curse will be removed and you will be back in your time,” God clarifies what he meant.

“Okay, I think I can be fine with that. Do you just lift the curse once one hundred years have passed?” Kali asks, knowing God is immortal.

“Not exactly, the curse can only be lifted if you are kissed by someone who is truly in love with you,” God tells her.

Kali immediately freezes, not knowing if someone like that really exists. She knows Drakthar has some sort of feelings for her but she isn’t confident it is the sort of love that would be needed to lift this curse.

“You are doubting that there is anyone who can lift that curse,” God notes, having read her mind.

“No, it will work. Even if it doesn't, the alternative is growing old and dying in this time. I wouldn’t be able to see any of them again. I accept... you can turn me to gold,” she decides, a shaky resolve easily observed from listening to her.

“Tomorrow morning I will show you the cursed item. Take one last night before then,” God tells her before exiting the courtyard. Kali stands there thinking about how Drakthar will even find her body here even if he could set her free.

“Hey, Kali,” Cyprien tries to get her attention.

“Oh, yeah. What were you asking me again?” She asks him, not remembering what he said after hearing how she will return to her time.

“I… I wanted to watch the shining jellyfish with you… but I understand if you didn’t want to anymore,” Cyprien reiterates, his voice devoid of its usual excitement.

“Let’s go, maybe it’ll keep my mind off things,” Kali surprises him by responding.

Cyprien leads her to the beach, the same stretch of sand where he found her in the first place. They stand at the edge of the water, watching as glowing jellyfish float by in the moonlight.

Cyprien’s mouth widens in awe, the beauty of the jellyfish overwhelming him. It causes him to think of whom he came here with. He looks over at Kali to see that she is crying.

“Are you okay?” He asks her, taking her hand.

“I’m just so afraid. He’s never even kissed me before. How can I expect him to even love me enough to break the curse?” Kali questions, confusing Cyprien as she has never mentioned Drakthar before.

“Who are you talking about?” Cyprien asks, curious as to what she means.

“Back in my time, I’m in love with a man named Drakthar. He’s an amazing fighter, probably even better than me… I know that I love him but… I’ve never been sure if the opposite is true. So even if I accept God’s deal and become cursed how can I be sure that he truly loves me and that the curse will be broken?” Kali starts to cry harder as she sits down in the shallow water.

“You don’t need him. If he can’t break the curse I will,” Cyprien boldly declares. Kali looks up at the boy’s face, realizing what he is insinuating.

She rubs his hair with a smile, “Thanks, but that’ll be one hundred years from now. You’ll be one hundred and fourteen. I don’t think many people live that long”.

“I will! I’ll live that long and kiss you. I’ll break the curse if he can’t!” Cyprien stands up and declares.

Kali smiles again, not believing him as she tells him, “Thank you, I appreciate it”.

Cyprien jumps into her arms, holding onto her in the water. She looks down at him and notices he is crying.

“Hey, don’t cry. It’ll be okay,” she tells him, thinking to herself that he’ll probably forget about her in a year or two.

After a while, she notices that he has fallen asleep. She carries him back to his home before getting herself ready to be turned into gold for one hundred years.

The next morning she meets God in a room inside the arena. Before her is a giant emerald sitting upon a pedestal.

“This is the cursed item, once you touch it you will be turned to gold until the one you love can break you out. You can touch it whenever you are ready,” God tells her, taking a step back to watch her.

She doesn’t hesitate, reaching out her hand; her finger touches the emerald, the skin turning cold against the gem. Nothing happens for a couple of seconds before slowly her fingers turn to gold, she watches as it spreads up her arm until eventually, she can no longer think, her head now turned to gold.

Fore watches as this is happening, wrapping himself around Kali’s legs just as they are both turned to gold. God smirks at the newly created statue of the two of them before leaving the room never to return for one hundred years.

One Hundred Years Later

Cyprien, now an old withered man, watches as Drakthar reaches out to touch Kali who is made of gold.

“The only way you can lift the spell is kissing her,” God informs him, leaving out the part where he must truly be in love with her as to not influence his feelings.

Cyprien watches as Drakthar leans towards the woman he is in love with, ready to step in and lift the curse if needed as he promised Kali one hundred years ago. Drakthar’s lips press up against the cold golden lips.

His eyes remain closed as the cold sensation becomes warmer, eventually opening his eyes to see Kali, her body not made of gold, holding onto him and kissing him back. Cyprien smiles, his job is done even though he was never needed.

Fore barks up at them as well, also freed from the same curse.

“You love me,” Kali ignores Fore as she holds onto the side of Drakthar’s face.

“I don’t get it,” he responds, not sure what that has to do with anything.

“I forgot to mention that the curse could only be lifted by one who is truly in love with the one trapped in gold. Whether you want to admit it or not you are in love with this woman,” God informs him.

Drakthar scowls, not wanting to admit it no matter how true it is.

Kali leans down to pet Fore, “We did it! We got back to our time”. Fore barks back up at her, conveying the same joy she is feeling.

Kali looks up to look at the elderly man approaching her. She stands, the familiarity in his face barely noticeable.

“Cyprien?” She asks, unsure if it is really him. He nods; his hand shaking at it reaches out towards her.

“So you really waited for me like you said you would? Thanks, I appreciate it,” she messes up his hair like she used to.

“It’s kind of funny you used to be so small and now you’re old. I’m sorry you didn’t find peace sooner because of me,” she laughs a little before apologizing.

“No, it’s okay. It was all worth it,” he smiles before turning around.

“Hey Cyprien, where are you going?” Kali asks him, not sure why he would leave.

“I’m tired, I should rest,” he notes before disappearing behind the door. He makes it back to his bed where he finally can sleep, his purpose being complete.