A/N:
Have I ever said how much I hated titling these chapters? Seriously, hardest part of this damn fic. I usually just pick some bs vaguely pertaining to the chapter. Feel free to ignore the chapter titles, they suck.
That's just something I've been wanting to say for a while. I don't have any other notes. *Shrug.*
With King perched upon Luz's shoulder, a vial of abomination goo at Amity's waist, and the bulk of their luggage in a backpack on Phillip's shoulders - they set off! The Journey to the Knee took several days, as they had no teleport spells at their disposal. As well, they had to take an extremely inefficient route to make sure they avoided any populated areas or towns.
Though, it wasn't like the entire journey was on foot. The group figured it was a good opportunity to help Phillip practice riding his Palisman, and he caught the hang of it pretty quickly. Although, it was fairly difficult trying to keep his balance and comfort on a staff that was extremely thin. Unfortunately, that was just something he had to get used to.
On the dawn of the trip's third day, they once again dismantled the makeshift campsite. They'd managed to reach the outskirts of a town called Ligmis - at the knee's base. Collectively, they braced themselves for the day ahead - knowing scaling to the peak was going to be extremely difficult.
Unfortunately, They'd decided it was best they make as much of the hike as they could on foot. This was done to not over-stress their palismen - keep them for when they really needed 'em.
The red grass was quickly covered in a blanket of fluffy white snow. The higher they got, ironically, the lower the temperature dropped - so much so that even fully bundled up they were shivering.
But, the entire day - they were unable to shake a peculiar feeling… that someone was following them. They all just had a bad feeling in their gut, and they kept hearing squeaks in the distance. But they didn't exactly want to come to a stop and investigate - they wanted to get to the summit as fast as they could.
As soon as they did, Phillip couldn't help but notice the ruins in the distance. "Luz…What is this place?" He asked. It looked like it was once…A town? Though it was basically unrecognizable, due to the presumable toll nature had taken on it.
No, it wasn't just nature. Luz knew the answer, but she wished she didn't. "A long time ago, this used to be a bustling town, but…Then Emperor Oberon came along."
"Emperor Obron?" King questioned, with a confused eyebrow. Amity just put a finger over his mouth and went "Shh!"
"He and his right-hand man laid siege to this town, and then blamed the attack on 'wild witches'...Then, he made a big show of 'rescuing' the townsfold, and when they looked to him for support…He branded them with an early version of his coven spell. That ended up killing them." Luz explained, a heavy face. Sour memories of the time she had to go into his hollow mind.
Phillip just stared at the wreckage in awe. He could make out the ashes of lives once lived. What looked to be family homes, market stalls, and restaurants…The flame long since sniffed out. He solemnly shook his head…Before turning around.
"Where are you going?" Amity asked.
"I saw a wild flower garden a few minutes back, and I feel it respectful to pay my dues." Phillip replied, as he continued on his way.
King just scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"Oh, Currant." Phillip said, holding his staff in the air - which transformed back into a crow and let out a curious click. "While I do that, would you kindly go and sniff out our pursuer?" Confidently, she flapped her wings and flew off.
–
Only a minute later, Currant came back - carrying their little stalker by their comically large collar. It was a little red demon, named…
"Kikimora!" Amity, Luz, and King shouted in unison. "What are you doing here?" Amity asked, as she stepped forward. Kiki was wearing her old Emperor's Coven attire - a white tunic with gold trim, a black undershirt, and an extremely high collar that covered half her face. It looked like it was nearly pristine, too.
She let out a wicked laugh. "All this time, I knew it…I knew that it couldn't be true!" She pointed at them. "I knew Emperor Belos was too strong to die to your lowly hands!" She sounded like a woman possessed.
"Listen." Amity said, as she squatted down to eye-level with the little goblin. "Kikimora…Ugh, please, just keep it quiet?!" A dozen different choices ran through her mind. Trying to be menacing, trying to gaslight, trying to be honest. Eventually she just decided to ask nicely.
"Why? Scared that he's going to rise again, and finish what he started?" Kiki said, with a wicked grin.
"No, because people will think you've finally gone off your rocker." Amity said, twirling her finger - a hand made of abomination goop forming around Kikimora and tossing her farrrrr into the sky. "I know where to find you two, and I know where to find hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimmmm!~" She squealed, as she blasted off.
Luz had stars in her eyes, squeaking "That was amazing!" Towards her awesome girlfriend.
A minute later, Phillip arrived with a bouquet of freshly-picked flowers in his hand. "What in the devil was that?" He asked, as he'd vaguely heard the commotion going on. Currant gave a triumphant 'Caw!', telepathically explaining what'd happened…but mostly bragging.
"Is that true?" He asked, an eyebrow raised. "In that case…Amity, on the way home, please remind me to pick up a packet of sunflower seeds." He looked over at the bird perched on his shoulder, and gave her neck a small scratch. "They're her favorite snack."
Amity and Luz both looked into each-other's eyes, concerned about tying up the loose end that was Kikimora…But King just shrugged. "Nothin' to worry about, I'm sure!"
