"Huh? This core was given to my master many years ago, by a child prodigy. I had never seen such powerful magic come from such a young boy before then. I wonder if he made it to High Magus yet?" Ralond answered, giving praise to the Aven he knew from back then.
Vitaliana let out a sigh. The Nagath core floated up and into Vitaliana's beak. Crushing the core as her beak clamped down on the core. The energy remaining in the core was enough to fill Vitaliana full, and then some. Causing her to grow double her size and reaching level 80.
"Hmm, it seems there wasn't much left in that orb after all. Thank you for returning that core to me, Ralond. When I gave it to the baker many years ago…" Vitaliana said, solemnly thanking Ralond. "In exchange I'll make sure that your family lives in the finest of the protected villages within and beyond the forest." She continued.
"Thank you, wait… Young Aven? Is that… That you?" Ralond asked, stammering.
"Ahahaha!" Vitaliana laughed, chirping all along. "Indeed, the cause of this change isn't one I regret. So no need to worry. But safe to say all the High Magus were attacked in a similar way. Though, some of us were able to save ourselves before death. I wasn't able to out of stubbornness. And now I'm a free bird! Free to fly the skies as I please." She continued.
Roland's face grew saddened for a moment and then into an expression as if he was recalling something. Aven's Master that had come with him at that time… If I remember correctly, Aven was an orphan boy. Abandoned by his parents. Ralond looked around, half hesitatingly, but still calmly. And then a warm smile came on his face. He has a family now.
"I see. You have a truly loving family now. It may not be my place to say this but, I shall nonetheless. I know your Master would be happy to know that you've found a family." Ralond said, bowing again.
"I don't even know if he is still alive. Even if he was… It might not be the best time to meet him again. He might mistake me for an attacker." Vitaliana chirped.
"Little Vitaliana, this man here, you seem to know him from when you were human." Solaria said, in a half sideways tone and half curious.
"That's right grandma, he didn't help me, or anything like that. But he is the adopted son of one of my master's old friends. I do hope they won't be mistreated." Vitaliana said, looking at Solaria confidently.
There was a moment of silence where Solaria stared into Vitaliana's soul. Then she turned and stared at Roland's soul. And she found a few things that made her upset. However, instead of getting angry she thought of a way to get back at Ralond for his part in the attack on her family.
"So, I have determined you have some small sins against my family, young man. You'll be forgiven at the village your family is being sent to. For there is only one way to remedy your crimes and it will be far easier for you over there. And then secondly. The boy you knew as Aven is dead. He died several days ago, his body was recovered by the demons and given a respectful burial. My granddaughter here is Vitaliana. Not, Aven." Solaria said, with a commanding voice.
"I understand, Lady Solaria. I will accept any punishment you see fit. I only ask that the newest generation of my family is spared…" Ralond said in a reverent voice.
"Then address my granddaughter with her real name!" Solaria grumbled.
"Vitaliana, Daughter of our Lady Eternia." Ralond quickly replied.
"Good, very good. Now then, since I'm here I'll be judging your souls and figuring out which villages are best for you. They are all similar enough that it won't really matter too much. However, you may experience some shock once you arrive. But, you'll get used to it in time." Solaria announced. Then turning towards Vitaliana, she smiled. "As for you, I think you can handle a ghoul or two. But take this with you just in case. It will keep you safe in the event you evolve in the middle of combat." Solaria said, tying a small fiber of a feather around one of Vitaliana's feathers.
"Oh, Grandmother… This, this feels amazing! Thank you!" Vitaliana said, nuzzling up to Solaria's cheek.
Solaria giggled with a smile. "Good, with that, I'll let you and your sisters take care of business. If I went it would be overkill. And unless there is a high ranking Noble Vampire… You'll do just fine. I can't wait to hear the screams of the unfaithful, hateful wretches who side with the killer of my grand babies. They will pay dearly for this." Solaria explained.
The 6 sisters nodded their heads and took to the sky. They flew in a formation with Acialia at the center, Aieria to the right and rear of Acialia, Fulgiana to the left and rear or Acialia, Flairiana to the right and rear of Aieria, Fernia to the left and rear of Fulgiana. And Vitaliana flew in the middle, protected by her elder sisters.
At that moment, the sky filled with the streaks of several different colors. A testament to the elements that the 5 elder sisters all but commanded. Vitaliana on the other hand made all the elements twist together with a spatial manipulation of sorts.
"""Beautiful…"""
"Alright Sisters! This is where we claim vengeance for the sisters we lost. The ones we will never see again. All their charm and cheer, lost from this world forever." Acialia called out with her heart. "And more than that, for our little sister who never got the chance to know her whole family… Kill these foolish humans!" She continued.
What resulted in Acialia's words was a single cry that rang out through the sky. One with 6 voices in unison. All filled with a righteous bloodlust, anger and also… Love. Following the cry was the sound of knees and palms hitting the ground.
Solaria smiled, with a tear coming to her eye. Realizing this, she quickly bottled her tears. Phoenix tears were, after all, a highly powerful medicinal ingredient. And she wasn't foolish enough to waste something so important. After, she turned and began her part, in deciding which villages would best fit the humans that had been gathered.