The roc, in all its majestic splendor, soared with wings that glimmered like a solar flare streaking across this wondrous realm. It carried Roy, Leora, and of course the White One who accompanied them, toward the enigmatic Kandra. A sight unseen before—an entity pulsing with a strange energy that stirred awe and fear at once, impossible to describe fully until the moment it revealed itself before them.
With every flap of its wings, winds swept through the trees and whispered ancient secrets, producing faint sounds like old murmurs, while light seeds drifted through the air in a gentle dance. Leora's and the White One's hearts throbbed with a mix of fear and admiration, realizing that this journey would be more than a mere trip—it marked the beginning of discovering the unknown. Roy remained calm and collected, as though he were familiar with the place, while sunlight shimmered over the roc's wings, scattering through its feathers like golden sparks.
Leora: "Where are we heading this time? You didn't explain like you usually do."
Roy: "I told you already. There's no need to repeat the question."
White One: "Simply, we are heading to the center of the world and the source of its stability. We're close to the Kingdom of Anastasia."
Roy (angrily): "Damn you, you fool! You revealed the secret too early! I'll throw you into the abyss!"
White One (trembling): "No, sir, forgive me, I didn't mean it."
Leora (laughing): "Looks like your plan to hide the truth failed this time. From now on, stop pretending to be mysterious—I've grown tired of it."
Roy (regretfully): "This is all your fault… you embarrassed me in front of Leora… the Hashash will welcome you warmly."
White One: "I don't want that… I'll be careful next time."
Moments later, during their flight, they encountered a radiant rift shimmering with iridescent colors, glimmering like a flow of reflected light over mysterious waters. It emitted faint rings like whispers from another world, while wavering beams of light flickered around it.
Leora: "What is that? It looks like a gateway to another world!"
Roy: "Hold your breath… we're going through it."
Leora: "What are you saying?!"
And indeed, they pierced through the luminous rift, greeted by rays of shimmering light dancing across the roc's wings and over their features in a magical, rippling glow. Luminous dust particles floated around them, and before them appeared the flourishing kingdom… Anastasia.
The overall appearance was a blend of strangeness and majesty. A gray sky filled with orbital rings like miniature galaxies; colossal golden pillars spread across every inch of the land, reflecting light on every corner, creating a play of shadows and shimmering reflections on the ground. But what drew attention most was the towering palace wedged between two mountains. Two grand waterfalls cascaded beside it, producing a harmonious murmur that merged with the whisper of wind between the rocks, forming a sacred melody for the place. The structure itself was built of pure white marble, adorned with intricate carvings telling the kingdom's history, while the crystal-like windows reflected the waterfalls' light, creating a mesh of dancing patterns over the ground.
Beneath the palace, the land overflowed with life. The inhabitants here were entirely different, their skin violet, wearing shimmering silk garments under the sun. Their hair was jet-black, their eyes golden, moving gracefully across markets, shops, and sacred rituals. The sounds of footsteps, flowing water, and children's laughter intertwined into a symphony of life.
Inside the palace, in the throne hall, the floor was a glossy mirror reflecting pillars of light. Golden ornaments graced the walls alongside garlands of bizarre plants in the corners, while every traveling beam of light created a radiant glow that filled the hall with a sense of awe and sanctity.
A woman of snowy whiteness sat upon a sapphire-encrusted throne. Her eyes were golden like the sun, clothed in a full golden garment, with a long crown resting above her violet hair like a blooming amethyst. Light gleamed over the ornaments and gems, shifting shadows and glimmers around her, as though she radiated a mysterious power guarding the cosmic core of the kingdom.
Yes… she was the Kandra, the center of the world, the one who maintains its balance. And if it were ever disturbed… everything would be destroyed.
Leora (whispering): "I almost stopped breathing… the grandeur of this place steals the heart."
Roy (calmly): "As expected… the weight of responsibility on my shoulders is greater than I imagined."
End of Chapter