"KWAA!"
Following the soft cry, a light flurry of snow began to drift down into the courtyard. Under the entranced gazes of those below, a gorgeous Blue Luan flew down through the clouds.
Its blue feathers glittered with a transcendent shine, the crown-like plume on its head flowing with a sacred grace. Its wide eyes sparkled with a profound wisdom and intellect.
The scene as it descended was ethereal, the only stain being the cursing, raving woman clutched tightly within its talons.
"YOU DAMN BLUE CHICKEN! LET ME GO, I SWEAR I'LL KILL HER! IF YOU DON'T LET ME GO, YOU'RE NEXT, BIRD-BRAIN!"
Everyone in the courtyard, except for a radiant, unbothered Aelshira and a confused Chayrith and Marek, simultaneously smacked their hands to their foreheads. As the majestic beast landed, it merely rolled its eyes at Kaelira's screams and unceremoniously dropped her flat on her throbbing ass.
"Owww! I swear one of these days I'm gonna spit-roast you over a fire!"
The Blue Luan merely shook its head in contempt, its eyes curling into a mocking smirk as it looked down at her rubbing her reddened butt in pain.
Aelshira momentarily paused her affectionate coddling of Chayrith, shooting her disciple a disdainful glance before ignoring her entirely. Kaelira's eyes brimmed with tears of frustration and pain as she slowly stood up, the ache shooting through her hips causing her to wince.
Vairon walked over to her with an expression of mock sympathy as he consoled her.
"My love, does it hurt?"
If looks could kill, Vairon wouldn't even have a corpse left with the number of holes burned through him. Ignoring her murderous gaze, he sighed in pity.
"Wife, we can never forget those who raised us. In this case, you were in the wrong. It is only right for your master to be disgruntled."
Kaelira's eyes narrowed sharply.
'You think this is over. This is just the start. Better watch your back, bitch.'
'Takes one to know one~'
'VAIRON AETHERION!!'
Listening to his wife bombard his mind with bloody threats, the slight smile on Vairon's face never left.
"Glad to see you two still as in love as ever."
At this moment, everyone noticed the small group standing on the back of the beautiful bird. With a jump, a figure leapt to the ground with a graceful landing. The others followed closely behind her.
Kaelira's internal ravings instantly ceased at the voice. Her head whipped around and locked onto the approaching figure. Her eyes filled with tears once again as she leapt into the figure's soft embrace, her face a mask of grievance.
"Aunt Karliah, you have to seek justice for me. Your sweet niece is being bullied!"
The newly arrived woman shook her head with a wry smile, but her eyes filled with a doting light as she stroked Kaelira's smooth hair, as if comforting a child.
Before she could respond, a cold snort cut her off.
"Sister Karliah, stop spoiling that brat! It's because of your doting that she grew up to be so willful in the first place!"
Aelshira's dismissive gaze turned accusatory as she voiced her own grievances.
Karliah, the leader of the new group of guests, looked from her sworn sister to her martial niece. She rolled her eyes and let out a dramatic sigh.
"You two, master and disciple—why can't you ever get along?"
"BECAUSE SHE'S A STUBBORN OLD HAG!"
"Because she's nothing but a spoiled brat."
"THE HELL'D YOU SAY!?"
Seeing the situation about to devolve once again, Karliah hurriedly interrupted them.
"Alright, alright! Gods, you two truly must be mother and daughter. One more stubborn than the last!"
Kaelira and Aelshira glared at each other briefly before turning their heads away and huffing angrily in unison. Though the telltale reddening of their eyes gave away their clear happiness at the comparison.
Karliah shook her head in exasperation before turning to Vairon, displaying an elegant smile and nod.
"Lord Vairon, it is good to see you in good health."
Vairon returned her nod solemnly.
"Guardian Karliah, it is an honor to see you again."
Karliah was a guest elder of Snow Heart Palace, one of the hegemonic powers of the Northern Realm, and the sworn sister of Palace Mistress Aelshira Glacelion. While her official title was guest elder, unofficially, all of Genara knew her as the Palace Guardian.
She was not well known to the broader cultivation world, but those in seats of power knew her very well—or at least had been trying to learn about her for centuries. Rumors of the past claimed she had suddenly appeared one day in the Northern Realm alongside a young Aelshira.
When she delivered her to Snow Heart Palace, it sent the entire cultivation world into a frenzy. Aelshira possessed a very ancient bloodline—the Eternal Frost Lion—thought to have gone extinct eons ago during the Primordial Era.
The appearance of a young girl with such a powerful and desirable bloodline sparked curiosity and greed in many. At the time, Snow Heart Palace had only just begun consolidating its power, and with the pressure of countless clans and powerhouses seeking Aelshira's bloodline, it nearly collapsed.
Until Karliah made herself known to all of Genara.
The legends of what followed were sparse. Few were still alive who remembered the events clearly. But those standing at the highest peaks of power remembered—and they remembered the cost of provoking the sleeping dragon within Snow Heart Palace.
Vairon had heard those stories from his mother. The memory was vivid, for it was the first time he had ever seen admiration in her prideful eyes.
Because of this, he had always shown great respect and reverence toward the mysterious woman.
Seeing his deference, Karliah's eyes glinted with amusement and approval.
"There is no need for such gestures between family, little Vairon. You are married to my martial niece, and as her husband, you are family to me as well."
Vairon's back straightened slightly as a smug sense of pride bloomed within him. Just then, his senses sent him a sharp warning.
Turning his head, he locked eyes with his mother-in-law and son. Both of their eyes were narrowed slightly as they studied him carefully.
"My dear son-in-law. Is there a reason you show your aunt such respect and awe, yet not me?"
"Dabuuu?"
Seeing the judgment in their gazes, Vairon broke into a cold sweat.
"W-Well, I—I, u-uhhh…"
Karliah observed the scene with amusement, letting out a tinkling laugh that fell like spring rain.
"Alright, alright. Let me introduce you all to our new company."
Vairon shot her a grateful look, silently thanking her for the rescue. She merely winked slyly before continuing.
When she reached the final member of their party, her smile brightened.
"And this is my personal disciple!"
Shock rippled through the courtyard. Even Kaelira—still nursing her aching bottom with Meilan's help—whipped her head around, mouth hanging open.
Karliah had never taken a disciple since her arrival at Snow Heart Palace. No matter how monstrous the talent, illustrious the name, or powerful the background, she had always refused.
Seeing her accept someone—especially a girl so young—left everyone reeling.
Kaelira's expression turned somber, her gaze burning with intensity.
Under the scrutiny of countless powerful gazes, the young girl did not flinch. Her expression was like a calm lake, utterly undisturbed.
Her eyes were icy mirrors, reflecting their faces back at them. Guards and maids alike felt an inexplicable unease upon meeting her gaze, many forced to look away.
But Vairon reacted differently.
His brows knit tightly, his expression grave as a complex light filled his eyes.
He turned to Karliah, silent for a moment as countless questions churned within him, before choosing one.
"Her name?"
Karliah met his gaze knowingly, then answered softly.
"Her name is Nyssara. Nyssara Vale."