Amoria looked different from the inside than Kimoko had imagined. The houses of the residents were built on trees and hollowed out inside them, and the clothes of the locals were made of silk, colorful materials, decorated with flowers, leaves, and long strands of grass. Children ran barefoot, playing with kites and wooden figurines. The streets were bustling with life.
Kimoko felt as if she had entered another world, beautiful as a dream. She forgot to breathe in her delight, until Kigami reminded her.
' Hey, don't you have to breathe?' he asked in a calm tone.
The girl turned to him, her face reddening. She nodded and took a deep breath before finally blurting out the words:
'Am I still in Zonrumi?'
' Yes, it's still the Zonrumi you know. Gosh, if you're already drowning in delight at the sight of Amoria, what's next?'
' This is only the first of four countries we will visit.'
Kigami walked forward and Kimoko quickly followed him, not wanting to get lost. Although she still did not like him, she knew that she would never find her way in this place without him. She hesitantly reached out her hand to him. She felt his fingers tighten around hers.
' Oho... What is this sudden change in you, that you willingly take my hand?' he asked with a noticeable note of excitement.
Kimoko rolled her eyes.
' I don't want to get away from you while I admire the view... that's all, don't get your hopes up.' she replied, irritation in her voice. She quickly turned her embarrassed face away.
Kigami smiled, pulling her gently closer.
'' She's stubborn. She has a temper... I like it.''
In the meantime, Kimoko greeted every resident she passed, unable to stop smiling. For the first time in a long time, she felt free and happy, like a princess from her most beautiful dreams. For a moment, she even forgot about Kigami's existence, as he let go of her hand and approached one of the merchants holding a bouquet of flowers. Among them, an intensely purple rose stood out, a flower symbolizing both love and death.
The man pulled the rose out of the bouquet and approached Kimoko. He put one arm around her waist, handing her the flower at the same time.
The girl looked into his eyes. She hesitantly accepted the rose and buried her face in it, then braided it into her long, blond hair.
For a brief moment, the whole world ceased to exist for Kigami, there was only Kimoko and no one else. However, this moment did not last long.
The angry shouts of the residents tore them back to reality.
Kimoko pushed the man away and turned her gaze towards the crowd. People were shouting something she could not understand, but anger was clearly heard in their voices. To her surprise, they were not directed at her or Kigami, but towards a huge tree that resembled a castle.
' That tree... If my suspicions are correct, that's where the White Lady of Amori is.' he said, staring at the structure.
Kimoko frowned.
' If their goddess is there, why are they shouting so hateful?' she wondered aloud, only realizing it when Kigami walked up to her.
' I have no idea, but this prevents us from accessing the castle doors... unless ...'
' Unless?' she asked anxiously.
Refining, to search his thoughts. She had a feeling what his idea was and didn't like it.
' Unless we break in from the side.' he stated without a shadow of a doubt.
Before she could protest, she pulled herself behind her, pushing through the angry crowd. Kimoko let go, receiving the stares of the people, but to her surprise no one delayed them.
They reached the back of the castle. Their eyes are met by a huge Stained Glass window depicting a young woman with pearly white hair and rabbit ears. Her eyes were closed, and a crowd of people were visible beneath her.
Kimoko extended her hand towards the glass, unaware that Kigami had picked up a rock behind her and was threatening to throw it.
' Bend down!'
She fell to the ground in panic, hearing the crash of shattered glass and a frightened scream.
' Are you crazy?! You'll only draw attention to us like this!'
Kigami shrugged and walked towards the broken Stained Glass window.
' I don't think so, they don't seem to worry about it that much.' the ban carelessly, then deftly made his way inside.
Already inside, he extended his hand to Kimoko.
' So? Are you coming in, or do you just want to stand there?'
Kimoko grabbed his hand and was pulled inside.
The room was gloomy and sad, nothing like the colorful and vibrant Amori. The heavy atmosphere oppressed her, and her head began to spin.
A tall throne stood in the middle of the room. A petite woman with pearl hair and rabbit ears sat on it. Her light blue dress was decorated with silver flowers, and rabbit legs peeked out from under it.
Kimoko eliminated Kigami, surprising, like her.
' I beg you... Don't hurt me...' the woman whispered in a high, squeaky voice.
Kimoko could hear the fear in it. She cautiously approached.
' We have no bad intentions.'
The woman on the throne slowly straightened up and only then looked at the newcomers. Then she slid off the throne and walked towards them, her steps quiet and cautious. Kimoko instinctively took a step back. She looked at Kigami, hoping he would do something, but he stood still, staring at the goddess. She wasn't sure if he was surprised by her appearance or if he wondered how she was even climbing onto her throne.
' If you don't want my head, then what brings you here?'
' Eh... Um...'
Kimoko felt a cold sweat run down her back. Luckily, Kigami spoke first:
' Dear lady, we have come to ask you for your crystal.'
His voice was calm, exactly the same as when she first heard it, inspiring trust. However, instead of answering, the goddess began to laugh.
' Tell me, demon, why should I give it to you?'
Kigami just looked at her, his expression showing that he was not satisfied with the answer he was given.
' What stops me from cutting off your head?' his voice was quiet, and its sound was distant, as if coming from another world.
The goddess's laughter suddenly stopped, turning into a quiet, fear-filled squeak. Kimoko looked at Kigami and felt anxiety take hold of her. His figure suddenly seemed even taller, and his fingers were like sharp, black razors. But it was his face... His eyes were empty, his lips twisted into a terrifying smile, and a black, sticky substance was running down his cheeks. Kimoko saw the demon standing in front of her preparing to attack.
' Kigami, no! Leave her alone!'
The girl quickly jumped in front of the goddess, holding out her hands in a defensive gesture. She looked into his eyes, not looking away, although she was shaking inside. To her surprise, her voice echoed in the room, firm and calm.
' You're only making things worse.'
Kigami tilted his head, his face getting dangerously close to hers.
' So what else are you suggesting...?'
Their tension was interrupted by the goddess, who leaned out behind Kimoko.
' How about this, you help me solve my problem, and I'll give you the crystal?'
Kimoko noticed out of the corner of her eye that Kigami had returned to his "normal" form.
' And what exactly would you mean?' he asked, his voice still tense.
The goddess approached him, keeping a safe distance. She was still trembling, but despite her fear she looked him straight in the eye.
'Help me regain my rightful place.'
Kigami burst out laughing.
' If you weren't so weak, your people wouldn't want to get rid of you.'
The goddess closed her eyes. Maintaining her calm and safe distance.
' Think... In exchange for your help, I will give you not only a crystal, but also information that may prove valuable to you. Think, isn't this what you desire... Koschei?'
A sly smile appeared on her face as she uttered this last word.
Kimoko saw Kigami's muscles tense up, and his eyes flashed with anger.
' So? Will you help?'
The goddess extended her hands to them. Kimoko hesitantly took it, her gaze still fixed on Kigami. The girl saw his face express pure hatred, but she saw him clench his fists, and then offer the goddess his hand.
The woman smiled.
' I'm glad you thought about it.'
Kigami interrupted her.
' If I find out you've deceived us, I won't forgive you .'
The goddess just smiled. Pretending she hadn't heard his words.
' I am Estella, the goddes of life.'
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