Ashton started to circle the grounds, birds didn't follow their kings like humans did. They bowed to his power, to his racial superiority, to the fact that he was considered the pinnacle of reachable power.
They understood that he was a king. Perhaps not theirs, but a king none the less. Of the birds circling in welcome, most were beasts, more than half had cores.
Zane was almost horrified… some of those beasts he'd never even heard of… but what he did recognize was terrifying enough. Death birds, Rarogs or falcons of flames, thunderbirds, a roc large enough to for all the lions and gryphons to fit on one wing. A pamola, a moose with eagle wings and claws.
Rommel's mouth was dry as he stared at the thousands of beasts circling the sky… for the first time he really felt that Young Song was a beast of sin… but not even Alaina boasted such a court. He just watched as the Roc accidentally knocked others from the sky as it flew along. Several guards were sent flying just from the gusts its flapping created.
Alexei watched as the spiral of birds and beasts grew into a tornado that reached so far into the sky even the Roc was barely visible. Then after a burst of red light, silver and red flames came raining down. Unexpectedly, the birds went into a frenzy swallowing them before flying off. Smaller birds and lesser beasts caught the flames in beaks or claws before trying to escape into the surrounding forest or over the mountains.
Jantje's heart was racing as several higher class beasts started to land, all the while their group was still riding toward the chaos. The guards had basically given up, escaping the perimeter walls, while a few daring mercenaries were attempting to catch some of the lesser beats.
A group of seven mercenaries saw a seven foot flame falcon, or Rarog land close by. It had to at least have a red core but judging from its size… it might already be leader class with an orange core. If they caught the leader the flock would submit easier.
They readied an earth trap and as soon as it would have been activated a burst of flames sent them flying several feet. When the leader of the mercenaries looked up a fifteen-foot bird of silver flames was standing over him. It cocked its head to the side, then stepped on his chest as he tried to back away.
Zane could just barely see past the Inago as they stopped at the edges of the hunting grounds. Young Song had appeared on the ground without warning while more and more beasts landed bowing in his direction. Zane was almost relieved when the Roc just circled overhead.
Soon the screams of the man caught everyone's attention. Not because he was screaming, but because he was screaming for everyone to attack.
Ashton let the flames die out, but he kept his foot on the man's chest. The chest plate was now red hot as he leaned down with an unamused smile, "Begone." Ashton then just kicked the man away.
Zane paled, the man had been sent easily a hundred yards with that light kicked.
"There will not be a second time." Ashton stated as he finally removed his mask. Then he tilted his head at the avian beasts with a slight smile, "Is this how you greet your king?"
The beasts then took to the sky with a great cacophony as feathers started to rain down. Several regular birds started to gather the feathers, piling them according to color as Ashton started to walk to the palace.
Ashton tilted his head while he held his chin. The Roc shrank its size just enough to land behind him like a large hill instead of a mountain. It ruffled its feathers while giving soft screeches of discontent. "I agree… just seeing it sours the air."
While the palace wasn't anything special, the damned were cursed to watch over it were. Only priests and children of the dragon souls were bound here. The silhouettes of the priests were bloated from the dragons blessings, one was on its knees right before Ashton. It resembled a giant slime more than a human.
"Save them, please save them." The haunted voices echoed pleadingly.
Zane watched as several raven beasts circled around Young Song, all screeching threateningly. The Roc was lifting one wing as several smaller beasts flew in to tug at a feather, then when the beasts pulled it free, they placed in just in front of Young Song.
While rocs weren't inherently beasts that could command mana, they were close enough relatives to be used as a proxy. "Take them far, this mercy for the innocent."
The ground started to rumble as mana started to swirl, gathering around Ashton. Soon silver flames rose up from Ashton's skin, each quickly taken by the several raven beasts. The Roc feather was burned to ash… as the dozen children were suddenly bound to the leader class ravens. The ravens immediately took to the skies with mournful screeches.
Ashton glanced down at the three remaining souls… "May you suffer for all the innocents you claimed." A fire engulfed the two stone dragon statues at the entrance of the palace doors. Within moments the stone had melted away to reveal human bones underneath, the molten stone pooled into a spell circle.
Devlin watched as he activated a recording stone without hesitation, unfortunately the roc spread its wings a moment later so they couldn't see anything. After a breath a spiral of silver and red fire reached the skies, then crashed like waves over the palace.
Ashton continued to watch the souls absorb the blessing, then all three burst. Ashton closed his eyes. Their pleas to save the empire… were not his to answer. Ashton opened his eyes to look into the cloudless sky, the warmth… the sunlight… truly, one does not appreciate until they have lost.
Ashton turned to walk toward the pride, "See the younger ones off, I will call if I have need."
The Roc eyed the tiny form for a moment, bowed its head to the side, then shot up with a screech that reverberated throughout the mountains. Thousands rose up following the roc north, less than a dozen remained.
Neolani patted the lion, then they moved forward quickly as Ash walked toward them. "So many answered in so short a time." Neolani saw that with each step Ashton left small pools of sweat, his gait unsteady.
"They came with much news," Ashton stated as Agapi flew over after gathering his nest. Truth be told, he may have overexerted himself.
Agapi dropped the nest then used a gust of wind to scoop the young one into the nest.
Zane dismounted quickly as Young Song all but collapsed in the nest, for the first time he saw his full face… and the resemblance to the Seibel royal family was astonishing, to mage Alphonse in particular. The theory he might be a hidden son… almost seemed reasonable.
Ashton just enjoyed the sun as he drew in several breaths, soon several beasts had perched on his nest pecking at him lightly. Ashton opened one eye, the falcons of flame were increasing their heat so they were like small torches.
Neolani cast a three-layer spell of water and wind to ward off the worst of the heat. "Will they be staying with us?"
"No," Ashton then urged them to depart, while their warmth was welcome… it would be a pity to ground them even for a short period of time. They cooed at him, but Ashton only nodded. The half dozen falcons left in streams of fire, the rest soon followed behind.
Neolani sent a gust of wind to cool the air as Ashton continued breath heavily. "Should we set up in the palace, or do you want us to make our own accommodations?" Neolani asked gauging how tired Ash was.
Ashton opened one eye to peer at the palace, "I prefer the sun and stars."