"By the way, the illusionary technique you created is truly remarkable! I can feel it with almost all my senses. It's as if I really have returned to my original world," I said, shifting the conversation and adding a tone and expression of admiration to weaken her guard.
Goddess Allina immediately burst into laughter. The girl placed her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest with pride. "Finally, someone understands the greatness of this technique. All my siblings said it was useless; they think it's just a waste of time. You're the first person to praise my technique."
"Is that so? They should realize how useful an illusionary technique can be in satisfying everyone's desires."
"Exactly," Goddess Allina responded with a light chuckle. "They are so foolish!"
I looked around. The altar was floating in the sky, like a fairytale kingdom above the clouds. As I looked further, I realized this altar rested on the highest plateau of a floating island. Beneath this plateau stretched hills, forests, rivers, and large lakes. Animals such as birds, deer, sheep, and squirrels roamed along the mountain slopes. Truly, this view was breathtaking compared to the narrow alleys I used to walk through in the slums of Glafelden.
"How do you like it? Isn't it beautiful?" the Goddess asked.
I nodded. "It's beautiful. But... where is this? Is there a place like this in the real world?"
"Of course not. We're not even in the real world."
"Then, where are we?"
"As I said, this is the Realm of the Gods, a universe separate from the mortal world. You won't find it anywhere in your world."
"Then how did I end up here?"
"Because before Siti could touch you, I brought you here."
"Siti?" I asked curiously, raising an eyebrow.
"Siti is my pet. Her full name is Strigifavorus, but I call her Siti."
That was when I froze. If I were made of rubber, my jaw would have hit the floor. I must have looked like a fool in her eyes.
"S-S-So that foolish bird is your pet?! What were you thinking keeping such a bird as a pet? That monster killed so many people!!" I shouted, my voice high and harsh, causing Goddess Allina to flinch and step back. I could see a hint of fear on her face.
"I-I know! And don't call Siti a foolish bird! She's my true friend, you know. She used to follow me everywhere I went. My shoulder was her favorite perch. Siti was so adorable," Goddess Allina replied softly. Her face slowly grew somber, as though holding back a long-buried pain. "Before 'that event' happened and the curse turned her into the huge, ferocious monster she is now."
The girl cast her gaze to the side, lowering her head. Her face was full of sorrow. I could see tears almost spilling from the corners of her eyes. I didn't know how to protest her choice of a pet that had burned an entire city to the ground.
One thing I now knew was that Strigifavorus was cursed, though I didn't know by whom. It had turned into a bloodthirsty, violent monster. Up until now, Goddess Allina still mourned the change in her pet. This meant she didn't have the ability to turn it back to its docile form. If she could, she would have done so a long time ago.
Then, this girl brought up 'that event' again. It seemed to be a super important incident that could become historical if it were documented.
"Sorry, what exactly is 'that event'?" I asked softly, trying to snap Goddess Allina from her melancholic reverie.
She glanced at me and stared deeply. Though she tried to forget the painful event, I could still see the remnants of sorrow on her face. But she didn't immediately respond. Her lips were perhaps paralyzed and heavy. I could feel the hesitation in her eyes.
After a moment of silence, Goddess Allina gathered the courage to speak. "It's an event I will never forget. 'That event'..."
She fell silent again. There was no longer sadness on her face, only an expression as if she had just realized something.
"Ah, hey! Why am I telling you all this?" she exclaimed in a high-pitched voice. She shifted back into her mischievous mode, placing her hands on her hips and glaring at me. Her eyebrows furrowed and rose like the wings of an eagle flying high, scouting its prey on the grasslands.
"Sorry?"
"I told you I would only answer one of your questions. Why am I telling you everything you want to know?" Goddess Allina pointed her index finger at my nose, and I had to step back because she was too close. "You think you can fool me?"
"Isn't it you who decided to tell the story? I remind you once again, I've only been listening to your tale."
"Mmmm..."
The girl looked so annoyed. She ground her teeth and clenched her hands tightly. If it were Dimas, he would have probably slapped me hard by now.
Ah...!
Suddenly, I remembered him. Just before I entered the illusionary world, I had seen Dimas's figure faintly, seemingly heading toward me, ready to run and protect me. That was how he always tried to protect me, right? Somehow, I found myself missing him.
"Goddess, there's something else I want to tell you."
"I've already told you, just one question. This time, I won't answer anything else, no matter what!" The girl turned her face away, clearly annoyed.
Her expression was so amusing! If she weren't a goddess, I might have hugged her and teased her some more.
"This isn't a question, but a request."
"A request? What is it? Let me hear it."
I took a deep breath. "As you know, right now, I'm facing your pet, who has turned into a ferocious monster. That monster kills without mercy. I have friends that I deeply care for. If I'm not there after that monster's attack, my friends might think I'm dead. Could you send me back there?"
Goddess Allina fell silent for a moment, then stared at me, though her arms were still crossed, showing she was still upset with me. She took a deep breath and exhaled.
"Alright, I'll send you back there."
"Really? Thank you!" I responded joyfully. I even grabbed her hand and shook it up and down, as if I were deeply grateful.
Honestly, I was afraid she would keep me here forever. It was still unclear why Goddess Allina brought me to the Realm of the Gods. I wasn't planning to dig deeper into it. The most important thing right now was to return to my friends' side.
The last thing I remembered was the blast of fire from Strigifavorus's mouth. I was sure I hadn't been hit by it yet, so when I returned, I would need to avoid it. I also couldn't forget my exhausted state, unable to move. At that moment, my mind was completely blank, and I couldn't do anything.
However, after being brought to the Realm of the Gods, my thoughts were now much calmer. If I thought back, I could have taken the Viglet of Hope from my pocket and cast a massive Esze wind spell. The Viglet of Hope could amplify the Esze flow from my body, many times more powerful. Though it wouldn't kill Strigifavorus, it would at least counteract its fiery breath.
Now that I remembered, I had never unleashed the full power of the Viglet of Hope, because I was afraid it would drain all my energy. For this time, it seemed acceptable to do so. Using up all my energy to injure that monster would be worth it. If Strigifavorus was wounded, the Elvian forces should be able to take it down quickly.
"You know, Anggi! I think I'll give you a little help," Goddess Allina suddenly interrupted my thoughts.
"Help? What do you mean?"
"I'll give you some of my power."
I fell silent, unable to believe what I had just heard.
"You mean the supreme power of the gods?" I stuttered.
The girl nodded. "Since I'm currently restrained, I can't give you all of my power. But it will be enough to help you defeat Siti."
"But isn't that okay with you? To defeat him, I might have to kill your pet."
"That's exactly my goal!" she replied, smiling widely. "Right now, Siti is no longer herself. Her form is the result of the curse placed upon her. By killing her physical body, her soul will return to the Realm of the Gods with me. You know? I've been waiting a long time for someone to help bring her back to me. When I saw you, I was sure you were the right person."
"Wait, how can you see me?"
"You must already know about elemental spirits, right? They've existed since the creation of this world. Though they're invisible, they're actually everywhere. Through the elemental spirits, I can observe the mortal world. And the one who asked me to save you was her!" she said, pointing at me. I was left confused.
"Her? Who?" I asked, shrugging my shoulders, feeling a little heavier than before.
"Look on your shoulder!"
As soon as I looked at my right shoulder, I saw a ball of water joyfully jumping. Its face looked so adorable, like an innocent child running around in a playground. Its cuteness made my heart ache, and I couldn't resist pampering it.
Was this the water elemental spirit that appeared before me just before Strigifavorus's attack hit me?
"So, you're the one who saved me! Thank you," I said, reaching out to poke its chubby, adorable cheek. The water spirit giggled, though it made no sound.
"It seems he very fond of you. Don't forget about the others."
For a moment, I was again confused by her words. But as I followed the direction of her gaze, I understood. On my left shoulder, there was a swirling ball of wind. Though it didn't have a physical form like air, it also had a face like the water spirit. Seeing its cute face, I couldn't resist touching its cheek. As soon as my finger touched it, the sensation of wind flowing through my hand was palpable. However, I couldn't touch it any further, as my skin hit an invisible membrane. The wind spirit also giggled as my finger tickled it.
"Ah, its the wind spirit who's merged with my circuits. I never imagined I'd meet her again after that."
"You've formed a contract with that little wind spirit, right? How did you form a contract with the water spirit as well?" Goddess Allina suggested.
"Of course, I agreed."