Core says "The temple is a gathering point for the elemental power of wind. We don't know much about its purpose other than that the four temples are locks. My people believed that the first ones were the ones who created them. We were created to guard the wind and water temples and what you think of as the dwarves guarded the earth and fire temples."

"Does that mean the elves worshiped the first ones?"

Core says "No, we respected them as our makers, but we worshiped the elements themselves."

"You said the temples are locks, do you know what they are for? Do you know what would happen if the four temples were destroyed?"

Core says "Not exactly. Our legends said that the temples are the locks that keep an ancient evil locked away. If the temples were all destroyed, in theory, something would be freed. Of course these are just legends, I cannot say for sure if there is any truth to them."

"Well, that could be a problem!"

Core says "Why would that be a problem? Ash, what have you done?"

"Well, I sort of destroyed the temple of wind."

Core yells "You what?!?"

"I thought you already knew from my memories. The goddesses have tasked me with destroying the temples."

Core says "The times you have met or spoken with the goddesses are memories I cannot access. Why would you do such a thing? Don't you realize how old the temples are?"

To explain I find myself telling Core about every conversation I have ever had with the goddesses. So that she can understand I tell her what I was told about the pantheon's fall. Then I explain why the goddesses asked me to destroy the temples.

Core says "Now I understand, but destroying the temples may bring about something worse than the demons. At least if our legends are true."

"The problem is that until now we knew nothing about the temples. If I hadn't found this city I wouldn't even know the elves existed."

Core says "Yes, it is disturbing that nothing else remains. I would very much like to know what happened to my people."

"You said the elves guarded the wind and water temples, right? Shouldn't that mean there would be another city near the water temple?"

Core says "There should be. There were dozens of cities on the surface, several larger than this one. I find it hard to believe there is nothing left of them."

"Why is that?"

Core says "Have you noticed that other than the north gate the rest of the city is pristine?"

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"I hadn't really thought about it, but now that you mention it, yeah."

Core says "That is because the city was built with repair spells worked into everything. The explosion at the north gate was enough to destroy the spells, but the rest of the city repaired itself. My point is, the other cities would have been built the same way."

"So, if they aren't around then they must have been totally obliterated?"

Core says "Exactly. Even if they aren't around now, they should have been when humans first came here."

"Is it possible that the elves moved the cities elsewhere?"

Core says "While it would be possible, the amount of effort required wouldn't be worth it. It would be easier just to build new cities if they needed to move."

"So many unanswered questions! It's enough to make me want to rip out my fur!"

Core says "Don't do that! You would look really weird bald!"

"Oh, I won't. It's just an expression."

Core says "Do you think if you explain all this to your goddesses that they will change their minds about the temples?"

"I don't know. Maybe. Do you have any idea why the temples would make the goddesses weaker?"

Core says "Well, if the goddesses use elemental power then the temples absorbing all that power would weaken them. Other than that I can't really be sure, I can't detect divine power so I have no idea how it works."

"Well, I can think of one possible reason, but it isn't a comfortable thought."

Core says "What are you thinking?"

"If the first ones locked away a god, then it would make sense for the temples to weaken gods."

Core says "True, that would make sense. However, we have no way of knowing what the first ones locked away."

"That's not entirely true. If we unlock all the locks we will see what they locked away."

Core says "I meant without freeing whatever it is."

"I know, I was teasing you. Besides, we can make some guesses."

Core says "I don't like being teased! What guesses?"

"Well, the temples took a lot of effort to build, I would guess. Especially the wind temple, considering the location. Not the kind of effort you would take to lock away something harmless."

Core says "So you are saying we should assume it is dangerous just based on the effort they put into locking it up?"

"Basically, yeah."

Core says "Then if that is true, what do we do now?"

"I know you can't leave this room physically, but could you enter a soulscape?"

Core says "I don't know, I've never tried. Why?"

"Well, I just thought it would be easier if you spoke to the goddesses yourself."

Core says "I guess we could try it."

"Okay, take my hand."

'Create Soulscape!'

"Core, I invite you to my soulscape!"

Core quickly appears but the second she does I turn my back since she is naked. It takes me a minute to explain how the soulscape works and for her to create clothes for herself. I could have created them for her but I didn't want to have to worry about them disappearing if I got distracted.

"Krenocia, Seronia, I invite you to my soulscape!"

They appear almost instantly, as if they were expecting and waiting for my call. I quickly sum up what I have learned about the elves and what Core is. Then I let Core explain the legends of her people to the two of them.

Seronia says "Ash, what is with you and picking up cute girls? If you take her home with you I may end up having to resurrect you!"

Krenocia says "I think he likes getting into trouble with his girls!"

"Ugh, please stop with the teasing! This is serious!"

Core says "Well, you did ask how you could free me. What did you plan to do once I was free? Abandon me?"

"Um, no, of course not! That is besides the point! We are here to talk about the temples!"

Seronia says "This is a soulscape, Ash, we have plenty of time! So you should answer her questions!"

Krenocia says "Should I remove his fur so we can see him blushing?"

Core says "Please, no. He would look weird bald. We already discussed that."

"I had no plans, alright? Whenever I see someone trapped or enslaved I instinctively want to free them! That is all there is to it!"

Seronia says "Aw, isn't he just adorable when he gets all flustered?"

Krenocia says "He absolutely is!"

Core says "I agree!"

"Don't make me end this soulscape!"