Small clouds of smoke filled the training grounds, Azrail standing tall without even breaking a sweat, while Kia fell to the ground, her complete protection from the earth having withered away as she fell panting on the ground, small several dark spots of burns all over her body, yet her eyes stayed to the sky, several conflicting emotions passing through her as Azrail walked up to her and stood above his little aunt.
"How did it feel Aunt?"
To Azrail's question, Kia didn't directly reply, she kept panting on the floor, several emotions passing through her as she asked.
"Huff.....Is everyone...huff.....huff...above...huff....?"
Her question was asked with difficulty to which Azrail spoke, looking down into her eyes.
A simple yet direct answer, that only went forth to increase the despair in Kia's mind, Azrail could sense his grandfather wanting to intervene, not having the desire to see Kia's spirit break and wither but Azrail's mother blocked it, keeping Guo Ai at bay as Kia asked another question.
"Huff.....how much....huff.....did you.....huff.....put in?"
To this, Azrail bore deeply into those black eyes of Kia's and he could see Kia going into a certain gaze from his eyes but he pulled his charm in as he spoke.
"Not enough to even lose 5% of my Qi."
This answer now fully blooming the despair in Kia's eyes and Azrail doesn't plan on stopping it at all, either this swallows her up or she breaks it all apart and walk her own life, it will be her own mind that will be the decider of that, perhaps Azrail might just give her some push here and there to reach that train of thought.
Thus with a smile, Azrail bent down, he going forth to help his aunt sit up straight as he spoke.
"Well, look at the bright side aunt, you at least get to play with my cheeks."
The light wordings of Azrail went forth to settle down the dark atmosphere that had formed, small chuckles leaving Kia's mouth, her gaze going forth to hide all her inner thoughts as she responded with her cheery tone.
"Humph! you better be prepared for your cheeks to fall off!"
Her words made Azrail smile as he responded.
After which the family went forth together, Guo Ai helping his daughter up and she being taken away by Azrail's grandmother to freshen up, the family group now soon with small talks kept heading towards the dining area, a well-lavish feast already prepared for Azrail's group that had landed.
"Hahah....I always knew the powers of legendary geniuses lay in my blood!"
Guo Ai shouted out as he placed Azrail back on his shoulder, the man's pride basically oozing out of him as he kept walking forth.
"Let's now have a good feast!"
With that shout, the group trudged forth.
The group quickly settled in the dining area which was a sight to behold, a grand hall adorned with scenes of ancient battles and mythical creatures. The long table at the center was covered in luxurious silk tablecloths. Each place setting was meticulously arranged with gilded plates, sparkling silverware, and delicate crystal glasses.
As the family settled into their seats, servants bustled about, serving platter after platter of decadent delicacies. Roast meats glistened with succulent juices, surrounded by mounds of fragrant herbs and spices. Exotic fruits adorned the table, their vibrant colors enticing the eye and tempting the palate. Bowls of steaming soups and rich sauces filled the air with tantalizing aromas, while baskets of freshly baked bread perfumed the room with their warm, buttery scent.
Guo Ai's booming laughter echoed through the hall as he raised a glass of fine wine, his eyes twinkling with pride and merriment. "To our family!" he exclaimed, gesturing towards Azrail and his companions. "Let this happiness last till the end of all time!"
The family cheered in agreement, clinking their glasses together in a toast. Azrail sat beside the head of the table, his expression serene yet observant as he watched the lively interactions around him. The right side of his seat was covered up by Valencia, and right next to her sat his sister Xuanyin to which sat Yun, Azrail sat facing Kia, her earlier exhaustion forgotten, she engaged in animated conversation with her Xuanyin, her laughter ringing out like music in the air.
Meanwhile, Azrail's grandmother presided over the feast with regal grace, her elegant gestures commanding the attention of all who gathered. She exchanged playful banter with Guo Ai, their affectionate teasing drawing smiles from everyone present. Even Azrail's mother, usually reserved and stoic, seemed to relax in the warmth of her family's embrace, her eyes softening with unspoken emotion.
Raena took a seat beside Yun, while she gazed at all this with a calm gaze, Azrail'd grandfather Guo Ai, went froth to sit at the head seat, while still having a happy goofy smile on his face
As the feast continued, lively conversations filled the air, weaving a tapestry of laughter, stories, and shared memories. Azrail found himself drawn into the spirited banter, his heart light and his mind at ease in the company of his beloved family, one he never thought he would have or ever get again.
"Remember the time when we went on that adventure in the mountains?" Yun exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "We thought we were going for some family adventure time, but ended up getting chased by a pack of wild Qi boars instead!"
The memory brought a chorus of laughter from the group, each member chiming in with their own recollections of the misadventure. Azrail chuckled along with them.
"And who could forget the time when Mother accidentally turned Father's hair bright pink?" Kia added with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "I don't think he's ever lived that down!"
Azrail's grandfather, sitting beside his grandmother, rolled his eyes playfully, a fond smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "It was a small price to pay for a good laugh," he conceded, raising his glass in mock surrender.
The conversation flowed effortlessly, weaving through tales of triumphs and trials, triumphs and tribulations. Azrail's aunt Kia shared stories from her own adventures, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she recounted her encounters with many different people and beasts. Azrail listened with rapt attention, hanging on her every word as if hearing them for the first time.
Meanwhile, Valencia who sat beside him spoke into his mind, she lightly ate the food while the veil still covered over her face.
'This is a nice family'
'It's your family too'
Azrail replied back, he gazing through the happy atmosphere within the dining room, several memories of the past trying to push into his mind, the broken castle, the dead bodies of his grandparents and his uncle, the falling blood, and more, those memories just being the reminder to Azrail on what he should never give up on.
And it was then that Azrail asked.
"Where is uncle, he hasn't come back yet?"
And before any reply could be given the door to the room blasted open, and a heavy weighty man, bearing the resemblance to Guo Ai appeared in the room, the man looked to be in his 20s with sharp features, along with black hair and eyes, his body being more of a very well built bodybuilder as the man could say to be handsome, his voice filling the room as he spoke.
"Where are my cute nephew and niece?"