Amoria looked different from the inside than Kimoko had imagined. The houses of the residents were built on trees and hollowed out inside them. The clothes of the locals were made of silk, colorful materials, decorated with flowers, leaves, and long strands of dried 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 kindly reminded her.
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“Hey, don’t you have to breathe?” he asked in a calm tone.
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The girl turned to him, her face reddening. She nodded and took a deep breath before finally blurting out the words:
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“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.’
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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.
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‘She’s stubborn. She has a temper… I like that.’
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Meanwhile Kimoko greeted every resident she passed, unable to stop smiling. Her laughter rang out lightly, like a melody floating in the warm air. 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. He let go of her hand and watched her in silence. He looked at her carefully, her each step looked as if she was dancing. He sight as he stopped at one of the merchants, his eyes caught a bouquet of roses. Among the flowers, an intensely purple rose stood out, a rare and beautiful symbol of both love and death. Kigami silently reached for the flower, rolled it between his fingers, and then looked at Kimoko. The sight of her carefree joy made something in his heart squeeze painfully.
Before he could think about what he was doing, he moved towards her.
When he was close enough, he gently put his arm around her waist. It was a natural gesture, as if he would always hold her like this - not too tightly, but securely enough for her to feel his presence.
Kimoko froze, feeling his hand on her waist, then looked at him in surprise. Kigami lifted the hand he held the rose in and slowly handed it to her.
The girl hesitantly accepted the rose, then immersed her face in it, inhaling its delicate scent. For a brief moment there was nothing but her and this moment , the warmth of his hand, the scent of the flower, and the strange softness that appeared in his gaze.
With a slight smile, she wove the rose into her long, blond hair, her fingers skillfully intertwining the strands with the thin stem. Kigami watched in absolute silence, feeling something unknown, almost disturbing, fill his chest.
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For a brief moment the entire world ceased to exist.
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There was no city, no people. There was no past, no future.
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There was only Kimoko.
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But the moment did not last long.
The angry screams of the townspeople tore them back to reality.
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Kimoko pushed the man away and turned her gaze towards the crowd. People were shouting something she couldn’t understand, but there was anger in their voices. To her surprise, they weren’t directed at her or Kigami, but at a huge tree that resembled a castle.
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Kigami took a few steps forward.
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“That tree… If my suspicions are correct, that’s where we should find the White Lady of Amoria.” he said, staring at the structure.
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Kimoko frowned.
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“If their goddess is there, then why the hatred towards her?” she thought out loud, only realizing it when Kigami looked at her closely.
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“I have no idea, but this crowd is effectively preventing us from getting in… Unless…”
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“Unless?” she repeated anxiously.
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She knew exactly where his thoughts were heading. And she didn’t like it at all.
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“Unless we break in from the side.” he stated without a shadow of a doubt.
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Before she could protest, he pulled her along, pushing through the angry crowd. Kimoko lowered her head, feeling the stares of people on her, but to her surprise, no one tried to stop them.
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They reached the back of the castle. A large stained glass window appeared before their eyes, depicting a young woman with pearly white hair and rabbit ears. Her eyes were closed, and beneath her was a crowd of people.
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Kimoko reached out towards the glass, unaware that Kigami had picked up a rock behind her and was preparing to throw it.
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‘ Bend down!’
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She fell to the ground in panic, hearing the crash of broken glass and a terrified scream.
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‘ Are you crazy?! You’ll only draw attention to us like that!’
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Kigami shrugged and walked over to the broken stained glass window.
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‘ I don’t think they’ll care about that much.’ he replied carelessly, then deftly made his way inside.
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Once inside, he extended his hand to Kimoko.
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‘ So what? Are you coming in or are you just going to stand there?’
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Kimoko grabbed his hand and let herself be pulled inside.
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The room was gloomy and sad, nothing like the colorful and vibrant Amoria. The heavy atmosphere overwhelmed her, making her head spin. She felt Kigami supporting her from behind.
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A tall throne stood in the middle of the room. A petite woman with pearl hair and rabbit ears was sitting on it. Her light blue dress was decorated with silver flowers and rabbit legs were sticking out from underneath.
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Kimoko looked at Kigami, he seemed just as surprised as she was.
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‘I beg you… Don’t hurt me…’ the woman whispered in a high, squeaky voice.
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Kimoko could hear the fear in it. She cautiously stepped closer.
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‘We mean no harm.’
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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 was wondering 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.
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‘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 had been given.
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‘What stops me from cutting off your head?’ His voice was quiet, and its sound distant, as if coming from another world.
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The goddess’s laughter suddenly stopped, turning into a quiet, fear-filled squeak. Kimoko looked at Kigami and felt anxiety creep up on her. His figure suddenly seemed even taller, and his fingers resembled sharp, black razors. But it was his face… His eyes were empty, his mouth 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.
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‘ Kigami, no! Leave her alone!’
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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 firmly and calmly.
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‘ You’re only making things worse this way.’
Kigami tilted his head, and his face came dangerously close to hers.
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‘ So what else are you suggesting…?’
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Their tension was interrupted by the goddess, who leaned out behind Kimoko.
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‘ How about this, you help me solve my problem, and I’ll give you the crystal?’
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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.
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The goddess approached him, keeping a safe distance. She was still trembling, but despite her fear she looked him straight in the eye.
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‘Help me regain my rightful place.’
Kigami burst out laughing.
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‘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.
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‘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… Koshei?’
A sly smile appeared on her face as she uttered that last word.
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Kimoko saw Kigami’s muscles tense up, and his eyes flashed with anger.
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‘So? Will you help?’
The goddess extended her hands to them. Kimoko hesitantly took them, her gaze still on Kigami. The girl saw his face was pure hatred, but she saw him clench his fists and then offer his hand to the goddess.
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The woman smiled.
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‘I’m glad you thought about it.’
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Kigami interrupted her.
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‘If I find out you’ve deceived us, I won’t forgive you then.’
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The goddess just smiled. pretending she didn’t hear his words.
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‘I am Estella, Vorthakai of creation and life.’
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