Both adventurers followed the path to the city of Oulars. Juanita walked confidently behind Sarah as they moved through the vast forest. The journey was becoming somewhat tedious, and there was too much silence for Juanita’s liking, so she decided to start a conversation.

—So... Sarah? Tell me about yourself.

—About me? There’s not much to tell. —she replied coldly while the guide moved forward without looking at her.

The young braided girl was caught off guard by such sudden hostility. —Sorry, did I ask something I shouldn’t have?

Sarah didn’t seem to realize she had sounded so cold. Regretting the way she had responded, she decided to stop for a moment in her walk and bowed while apologizing. —The apologies are mine; I didn’t mean to respond so aggressively. — Juanita was simply surprised to see this act. After that polite gesture, Sarah continued guiding the way and talking. —My past is unknown to me; I really have no idea who my mother is. I just know that my mission in this world is to guide those who are lost.

Juanita felt touched by Sarah’s story, sensing that she might have a connection with her through the things they had both experienced. —I lost my parents too; they lost their lives in an accident a year ago. Don’t feel ashamed of your story; everyone has painful things we’ve been through. — after she said this, she moved next to Sarah instead of behind her so that the young guide could see her big supportive smile.

—Thank you; you’re very understanding. I just wish I knew what happened to my mother and who she is. —Sarah said while looking into Juanita’s eyes, continuing straight ahead, ignoring the fact that where she was walking.

—I understand... that must be a recurring question, but let me ask you. Is it just your mother? What about your father?

The girl with the patch felt completely confused upon hearing that word —Father? What is that?

Juanita didn’t understand what confused Sarah as they walked into nothingness at that point. They both stopped a bit to discuss this conflict of different worlds. —You don’t know what a father is? Don’t tell me they don’t exist here! Do you know what men are? —the young girl asked, completely surprised, her mouth agape in shock as if a whale could fit inside.

—... Men?...

Juanita managed the impossible, she opened her mouth in even greater surprise than before. —Men! You know, the ones who usually have— I mean, the ones who are missing! —Juanita said, interrupting herself, so confused that birds might fly out of her head at any moment. She didn’t know how to explain the concept of a “man” to someone who apparently had never heard of one. At that point, Juanita tried to accept that this wouldn’t lead her anywhere, so she continued saying, —Well then, are there only women here?

By that point, Sarah was also about to see birds in her head with this conversation filled with doubts on both sides. —... Women? ...if by women you mean what we both are, then yes, there are only our kind and no other type of person who would have or lack something compared to our anatomy.

The peasant girl was taken by surprise, and as always, she had a thousand doubts about it. —Wait, wait, then how do you have daughters? I know it sounds very childish, but anyone from my world would ask the same!

The girl with the patch found this situation funny; Juanita was really very lost in this world, so she kindly explained. —It’s simple; you have to schedule an appointment with the Goddess to make this request. You give an offering of her liking, and after that, if the Goddess feels you are “worthy” or “fit” to have a baby, she simply places your daughter in your womb, for example. Normally, they don’t allow people over fifty to have daughters or under twenty-one to have daughters. —

Intrigued, Juanita asked aloud, —What?! Well, that sounds quite convenient, it really makes it more enjoyable to have children, with fewer steps, so to speak.

Some time passed, and Sarah seemed lost regarding the path, looking around and doubting herself. Apparently, the interesting conversation had caused the young guide to completely lose her planned route.

The young girl following her noticed this, so she decided to kindly ask her guide. —Are we lost?

To which the guide quickly replied, —I'm afraid we are, but let’s keep going straight! —she pointed.

Juanita laughed despise being worried, and decided to follow her words since she really had no other choice.

A few minutes passed, and the straight path seemed to have changed, which was very good; there were many more flowers, the trees had more colors, and the whole forest was becoming more beautiful than it had been before. This time, feeling a slight breeze, it was as if you were being enveloped by the most expensive perfume. Any flower there made Juanita very happy, but it brought her memories of the flower that had brought her here in the first place.

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—Wait, Sarah, where are we? It seems we’re in a different area; it’s quite beautiful, but it resembles the place that made me wake up here. —just as she finished that sentence, she saw exactly the same flower that had lulled her to sleep in her backyard.

—Apparently, we’re near the area of Cordelia, the Goddess of Hearts. Do you remember her? Her mineral is rose quartz, the same mineral as that rose... What are you doing!? —Sarah said loudly while watching Juanita approach a rose.

—please, please, please work, spray me your pollen! —Juanita implored as she brought her face closer to the poor flower, which clearly gave no response.

Sarah, between a slight laugh and a look of surprise, gave Juanita a response regarding the flower. —It won’t do anything; those flowers only act if the Goddess wants, and I doubt she wants them to do anything. At least that means she is very close. —she mentioned, looking around for the Goddess somewhere.

The braided adventurer was surprised and embarrassed to hear that, so she decided to regain her composure and continued following Sarah. —Sorry! I just wanted to try.

They walked a few more minutes and saw a large tree with an imposing trunk. On one of its thick branches lay a woman with beautiful red, sleepy eyes, whose pupils were heart-shaped. She was giant, measuring at least eight meters, and wore a beautiful large crown adorned with precious rose quartz stones shaped like hearts. Without a doubt, she was the Goddess of Breiak, Cordelia.

—...Welcome...—the deep and sweet tone of the Goddess’s voice was heard, sounding as clear as if she were speaking directly into your ear.

Both adventurers were perplexed and frozen, only babbling indistinguishable words until Juanita managed to form a coherent word.

—C-Cordelia!... My name is Juanita del Valle... and this is Sarah.

Sarah was still in shock.

Cordelia

image [https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExc2pscWJnYWNnOHdwYzYyYmJmeG5waTU0dTR1dWhoemEyaXlkdWRuaCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/y5vli8pNmFL2RdFZLi/giphy.gif]

—...Ha, ha, ha, yes, I am the Goddess of Breiak, Cordelia. A pleasure, Juanita and Sarah. I know you need to discuss some things with me, don’t you? Especially you, little green-dressed friend... —the beautiful Cordelia continued speaking as if she were an ordinary person, her tone remaining dreamy, always very casual and close.

—Eh, yes...—Juanita still couldn't handle her nerves, feeling even smaller than usual seeing such a giant woman high atop a beautiful trunk. After hesitating, she finally found the courage to hold a conversation. —I-I have powers... in my corn... How can I get your gem? According to what I was told, I have to obtain it after your d-defunction...—she finally expressed one of her many doubts, swallowing hard as a reward.

—... My gem?... —the Goddess inquired, widening her eyes in surprise. Then she continued. —... I knew you would ask something related to it, but I didn’t expect you to be so direct regarding my death...

Sarah was still in shock.

The peasant girl felt embarrassed for having asked that way, correcting her words. —W-Well! That’s precisely what I wanted to ask; I would like to get it another way. I wouldn’t be able to harm anyone, much less a Goddess like you...—she said, shivering. The young girl still couldn’t believe that this had become her reality; she briefly pinched her arm, which made Sarah wake from the shock and gently tug on Juanita's ear to make her lose that habit.

The Goddess of Hearts laughed lightly at the situation and then said firmly—... I have bad news for you, Juanita. Consequently, that also means bad news for me. The only way you could obtain my gem is if I die... but don’t worry; you don’t need my gem now. Everything in its own time... —she indicated while slowly blinking, as if becoming sleepier with each blink.

Juanita thanked her for the answer and felt a little calmer, although somewhat disturbed by the Goddess’s mysterious response. Still filled with doubts, the young girl timidly asked.

—Why was I brought here? Sarah mentioned to me that those rose quartz flowers belong to you, and one of them made me wake up here.

Cordelia was surprised by Juanita’s cleverness and the amount of information Sarah had stored, which made her respond in a much more serious tone than before.

—Juanita, you are “The Kernel” and yes, exactly, I brought you to this world so you can fix it. You, more than anyone, can achieve this; all the nations and nymphs are currently going through various crises, and there is no one more suited than you to accomplish this. But don’t worry; in the end, you will have your extra rewards and be able to return to your world, but I shouldn’t go into more details; with this information, it’s enough. —She recited this as if she had practiced for this moment while her eyelids grew heavier.

The young girl who seemed to be “The Kernel” was completely shocked to hear that word again. The responsibility that came with such a beloved nickname was enormous; she felt as if the world were playing a sick joke on her.

—How do you know that nickname? Who are you really? Do I really have to do this, “Goddess Cordelia”? —she said, then sighed deeply and continued her sentence. —I appreciate the help if this is all real, Goddess of Hearts. I’m very scared, and I don’t like that nickname at all, so with all due respect, please don’t call me that. I’ll say it just this once: if I am “The Kernel,” as you say, I’ll do my best, and I hope our paths cross again positively. —Juanita affirmed while awkwardly bowing, trying to mimic what she had seen from Sarah before, attempting to hide the mental turmoil she still felt after hearing that nickname from a complete stranger.

Amidst a elegant yawn enough for a goddess herself, Cordelia said while clearly showing signs of drowsiness:

—...Thank you, dear. I will remember your wishes; I trust you completely. By the way, speaking of trust, I would be a little cautious with your guide, named Sarah. Something about her gives me negative energies...—

Juanita glanced quickly at Sarah.

The young guide felt completely offended and, for the first time during this entire time, decided to speak. —Hey! It’s not very nice to judge someone without really knowing them. I don’t want to fall out with a potential friend.

Sarah waited for a response from the goddess lying on that trunk; apparently, she was already falling deeply asleep. The deity decided to completely ignore what Sarah said, but she still chose to help them, pointing and saying between murmurs while indicating to the left:

—...Over there is Oulars...—

Both looked at the Goddess’s finger and decided to head in the direction she pointed while thanking her. Still, the young Sarah felt somewhat offended by what had been said earlier.