Vel and Suzieen continued to happily live together atop of the mountain in the cottage. Suzieen taught Vel all sorts of spells and other pieces of potentially useful information. However, Vel still was unable to pick where her portal would lead so she never went through it. She was afraid of never seeing Suzieen again. After living together for around four years. Vel was now 16 years of age. She got taller in the last four years and more proficient at magic. She also learned some close combat from Suzieen as even if she is running low on mana she should never be out of options. Through the combination of her innate physical ability and training she was becoming a fine mage. One day, while they were sitting in the main area of the house.
“Vel do you know what a bucket list is?” Suzieen asked Vel.
“A bucket, what?” Vel said, confused, looking over at Suzieen.
“A bucket list. It's basically a list of all the things you want to do before you die. At the top of my list is drinking that special alcohol with you once you are old enough to handle it. Even if I have to fake my death, come back from the dead, destroy nations, or fight a god.” Suzieen explained, with a forced evil sounding laugh. “I promise I’ll be around to get that drink with you.” She sweetly said.
“Thanks mom, knowing you, you probably could do all of that. A bucket list, I wonder what I want to do. I’ll get that drink with you when I’m older. Also.” Vel was attempting to say something, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Who could that be? I wasn’t expecting anyone and in the past several years we’ve never had anyone come and visit.” Suzieen headed over to the door and opened it. On the other side of the door was a pair of blonde haired siblings around Vel’s age. The girl was holding her brother’s arm on her shoulder. The brother’s leg was completely shriveled and seemed to be decaying as well.
“Oh dear, that doesn’t look good.” Suzieen said, putting her hand in front of her mouth. Vel was also shocked but she tried to not show it.
“Please, Oh great witch of Valentis, Suzieen. Help my brother. He has been cursed; the village doctor said he was a lost cause, you’re my only hope.” The girl panicked. The girl passed out from exhaustion, but before she could hit the floor.
“Woah, I got you.” Vel caught her with wind magic then moved her onto a chair. The boy had also passed out, but the nearest civilization was quite far so it’s impressive they both made it.
“Vel, can you grab a chair for this boy to sit on and also get me a cold wet rag. The boy is burning up.” Suzieen said. Vel immediately complied and got everything in place. Despite her initial shock, she was remaining calm as that was the best thing to do. Suzieen began to perform healing magic on the boy’s leg and she used water magic to remove the venom.
“This is from the bite of an emerald snake. They are quite rare but their venom causes serious effects. I’ll have to tell that young lady that it isn’t a curse. However, to manage to make it here without anything to numb the pain is quite impressive. It’s not a very pleasant experience.” Suzieen chuckled while continuing to heal the boy. After some time the boy’s leg began to return to normal. The girl also woke up from being unconscious.
“My brother is he okay!?” She shouted, concerned.
“Don’t be so loud, it’s late now so lower your voice. Your brother is going to be okay. It was not a curse, but a bite from an emerald snake.” Suzieen explained.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Thank you for helping him. You aren’t as scary as the rumors suggest. They say you slew a horde of dragons and monsters by yourself.” The girl lowered her voice and calmed down.
“Oh, that? Yeah I did that. Rumors of how powerful I am aren’t exaggerations.” Suzieen said with a smug smile. “Your brother is in the guest room over there.” Suzieen points toward a door. The girl bolts over to check on her brother. She opens the door and looks over and sees her brother and sighed a breath of relief. She spots his restored leg and starts crying happy tears.
“Thank the gods, you’re okay Monty.” She cries, while holding his arm. She ends up passing out with her head on the side of the bed. Vel and Suzieen sit on chairs across from each other. Suzieen has a glass of alcohol in her hand.
“That was unexpected, I assume the brother should be fine. It’s pretty unfortunate that he got bit by an emerald snake.” Vel said.
“To think it’s been so long since the last known encounter with an emerald snake that people believe that it was a curse that caused those symptoms.” Suzieen sighed. “I’m getting old.” She took a sip of her drink.
“You don’t look your age at all though.” Vel laughed. “You look like you are in your late twenties. When you're really.”
“Ahem, enough about that. I really hope that there aren’t any more surprises.” Suzieen interrupted. The two after talking some more get ready to go to their rooms and sleep. Suzieen finished her glass and washed the glass using water magic.
“Good night little bird.” Suzieen yawned.
“Good night mom.” Vel replied. Both passed out on their beds. On Suzieen’s bed stand was a cute plush in the shape of an alcohol bottle sewn by Vel. On Vel’s bed stand was a wooden carving of a little bird.
The next morning Vel and Suzieen woke up early to prepare an extra big breakfast for everyone. The delicious smell from the food awoke the two sleeping siblings. The two got out of the guest room and into the dining area where a delicious breakfast awaited them. The two sat next to each other at the table. Just before they were about to start eating, Vel and Suzieen sensed something outside.
“Little bird, can you take care of it?” Asked Suzieen.
“I’ve got it mom.” Vel headed outside and awaiting her were four dragons. “Dragons this early in the morning. Please leave.” She sighed. The dragons were massive with tough scales surrounding their body. Though these dragons looked to only be a couple hundred years old which is basically a teen for the dragons in this world. “I just want to eat breakfast in peace.” She sighed.
“Will she be okay? Dragons are a lot for a human army to handle, let alone one girl.” Monty said, worried, while looking out of the window.
“She’ll be fine, she’s my daughter after all.” Suzieen smiled with pride, casually sipping some alcohol. The moment Suzieen put down her glass all four of the dragons were decapitated with a wind elemental strike. Vel moved the corpses to an empty area in the yard. She returned back inside to the shocked faces of the two siblings.
“Mom, do you need those dragons as ingredients for anything?” Vel casually asked.
“Now that I think about it, I do. Because those are teen dragons I can use their blood to make something. Also their meat is delicious.” Suzieen replied. “For now just leave them in the yard. And come back to the table before your food gets cold.” Afterwards, Vel got back to the table and they continued eating the delicious breakfast. “Vel I’d like you to escort those two home.” Suzieen said with a smile.
My daughter could be making friends her own age thank the stars. Suzieen gleefully thought, while her imagination went wild.
“Thanks for healing my leg, and I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Monty.” Monty gave a little bow.
“Thanks for the food, and healing my brother’s leg.” Fiona said.
“Monty, Fiona, I would like the two of you to keep it secret that it was me that helped you. I wouldn’t want to paint a target on your back. Just say you encountered a random witch or doctor.” Suzieen winked.
The two siblings along with Vel headed out the door and Vel flew all three of them down the mountain. After landing on the ground they began to walk.
“We’ll walk, as to not draw suspicion while going to your village.” Vel said, while they walked through the woods.
“So why does Miss Suzieen call you little bird?” Asked a curious Monty.
“It’s a nickname she came up with because of my two magic specialities. Which are wind magic and portal magic.” Vel explained, as she helped the two through the path. “It’s hard to believe you both made it to our home in the shape Monty’s leg was in. Adrenaline is one hell of a drug.” Vel commented, noting how rough the path was to their village. The forest did a great job of preventing people from finding Suzieen and Vel.
“Adrena- what?” Fiona asks, very confused.
“Don’t worry about it, it’s a phrase I picked up from Suzieen.” Vel replied, shrugging it off.
“So who is your father?” Monty asked Vel.
“Well I was adopted by Suzieen, I'm not her biological child. My biological family is somewhere far away. I don’t miss them though, she is my family.” Vel casually replied. Blurry depictions of her biological family flashed through her mind. However, they were quickly replaced by Suzieen’s warm smile. Which caused her to smile while they traversed the forest. Eventually after crossing through the forest they saw the road to go to the village. Vel stopped and let the two siblings go ahead while she stayed in the forest. The two look back and see Vel smile with her pointer finger covering her lip to remind them to keep quiet about the events. She also waved them goodbye with her other hand. They wave back as well. The siblings walk forward and they try to look back once more, but Vel had disappeared. They look at eachother confused but they laugh it off as they head back to their village.
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Vel flies quickly through the forest and returns home and gives Suzieen a hug. The surprising but not unwelcome hug confused her.
“Welcome back little bird.” Suzieen says with a smile, returning the hug.
“I’m home.” Vel replies, hugging Suzieen.
“Let’s head inside and eat lunch, then I’ll use the dragons for the thing I was planning.” Suzieen says, leading Vel inside. Suzieen had already separated the dragons into different parts. The meat was separated from the bones and the blood was stored into bottles. Suzieen brought out some meat and was grilling it. She had seasoned it prior and now was only grilling it. Once the meat had cooled down from being grilled the two dug in.
“It’s so good.” Vel happily dug into the food.
“Another success, dragon meat really is so good.” Suzieen happily said, whilst eating and drinking her booze. “Oh yeah, after we eat I’ve got something special for you. Though it may be a little risky, you should be strong enough to handle it.” Suzieen said.
“Handle what?” Vel tilted her head, confused.
“I’ve made a little potion using some special ingredients. If all goes well, then your mana levels will increase, you’ll be able to use more potent magic, also your body will be able to adapt to many things. You’ll have my blood flowing through your veins.” Suzieen explained with a smile.
“I think I figured out two of the ingredients. One being something from a dragon and the other being your blood.” Vel sighed.
“My blood is special because of all the things I’ve done to it, which make me transcend human levels. After drinking the potion you’ll be able to go beyond human levels and gain a multitude of nice extras. Should it go well, I’m hoping your body can handle my blood because my blood is extremely potent and you could very well die of mana poisoning. It would be very good for your journey through dimensions.” Suzieen explained the risks. “We could delay you consuming it till you are older as well, or not even do it. It’s your body and your decision.” Suzieen continued, she was worried but confident.
“Well, all of that sounds pretty risky. There is a chance I may never reopen my eyes. However, if I never took any risks how could I ever fly. I’ll drink it mom, I trust you.” Vel said, which made a nervous Suzieen breathe a sigh of relief. Her anxious face turned into a typical smile. She brought out the elixir which glowed, a golden amber color. Vel took a deep breath as she held the bottle in her hand. She released the cork, the potion began to glow due to being exposed to open air. She then pressed the bottle to her lips and then looked at Suzieen’s confident face. She swung her head back and began to drink. The liquid tasted sweet, not at all what she was expecting. However, the moment she drank the last drop, her vision began blurring. The liquid seemed to rewrite her very blood, which burned and caused Vel to burn up. Vel looked weakly at Suzieen. Instead of a fearful expression she only saw confidence.
Mom believes in me. Not an ounce of doubt is in her heart. I will not betray that trust by losing to her blood. Vel thought, she forced a smile. She focused her breathing, her body hurt but that did not matter. Her mother was watching and waiting for her to succeed.
“Mom, can you open the door? I need to go outside.” Vel said she felt something building within. Suzieen immediately complied. Vel went outside and she began to glow, magic was releasing out of every pore on her body. It was shaking the very forest around them. The house was protected by a barrier so it was untouched.
“You must contain it, focus on bringing it in. Do not lose to the magic power!” Suzieen shouted.
The magic building feeling seemed like it was ready to explode in every direction very soon. Vel’s very body was beginning to split apart. Vel focused on her breathing and began to move the magical energy inward. Her body was slowly beginning to not feel like it was tearing itself apart.
“One more push!” Vel cried out. The energy that radiated around her compressed inside of her body. All the energy which had glowed nearly as bright as the sun disappeared into her body. Vel’s hair glowed an amber color and her eyes were glowing as well. Suzieen immediately ran towards Vel and hugged her.
“I’m proud of you.” She whispered, hugging Vel tightly. Vel's amber eyes were glowing brilliantly.
“Thanks mom.” Vel said, as she passed out. Her eyes stopped glowing.
“Vel, you did great, my little bird.” Suzieen muttered, after seeing Vel sleep soundly. Suzieen carried Vel to her bed. Vel was sleeping soundly, her body was adjusting to the new blood in her body. Suzieen opened a bottle of booze and drank on her chair. “Congrats my child.” She raised her bottle up and started to drink. After a while Vel woke up from her slumber. Her body felt lighter, her mana felt stronger.
“So this is what it feels like to have mom’s blood flowing through your veins. It feels powerful, but also nice and warm like she’s always with me.” Vel got out of bed and opened her door and saw Suzieen waiting for her.
“How do you feel?” Suzieen asked her.
“I feel great, better than ever.” Vel replied happily.
“That’s good, it seems the effects have already kicked in.” Suzieen smiled. “My child, did you realize we’ve been talking in an ancient language?”
“What are you talking about?” Vel was confused.
“Read this.” Suzieen showed an old book page written in a weird looking language.
“I see the symbols, but I can understand it even though I’ve never seen that language before.” Vel was surprised, she was reading it as if it was her first language.
“Due to some sort of ancient magic I used in my youth, I've been able to read and speak in any language. It seems that ability has been granted to you as well. That book was said to be written by a god in the god’s language. So congrats on reading something written by a god. It’ll probably take a couple years before you can fully get used to the new levels of magic.” Suzieen happily explained. Vel was mystified that she was reading something in the language of the gods.
“So how do I change what language I speak in. Or is it only automatic in responding?” Vel asked.
“Nah you just have to speak and think what language you want to speak in. You also have to hear or see the language once in order to read or speak in it.” Suzieen further explained. “It will be very useful when you travel to dimensions unknown.” The two then went to eat dinner, while they ate, Vel played around with her new linguistic capabilities. Vel learned that what she drank gave her several things: increased lifespan, increased mana supply, increased her mana quality, better mana control capabilities, improved resistance to all sorts of magic, and the language ability.
Over the next two years Vel would spend her time practicing her new magical capabilities. With the occasional visit from Fiona and Monty. One time while she was seventeen she had opened a massive portal that stretched high into the sky. Out of the portal came a massive demonic beast king. He claimed to be immune to all magic. The king was larger than the portal which he attempted to squeeze through. He promised to take revenge on the puny human who made the portal. However, Suzieen instantly obliterated him with her magic. While telling him that she doesn’t care what he wants. Vel’s magic had become only tapped into the tip of her potential. Suzieen believed that she could become stronger than her if she continued to train for a long time.
Unfortunately, while she was seventeen she killed a person for the first time. At first it was a normal day of just practicing magic. Monty and Fiona were hanging out at Vel’s place. Suzieen was away on some business. Monty had taken up a musical instrument and was playing while sitting in the front of the house. He and Fiona performed music together with Fiona as the vocalist. A suspicious man had come, he snuck behind Fiona and took her hostage with a knife.
“Give me all of your valuables or this one dies.” He threatened. Monty froze with fear, while Vel quickly attempted to blast him away with wind magic. However, it was stronger than she thought, and it tore right through him. It also went partially through Fiona’s shoulder. It tore through her shoulder. The man’s body hit the floor as he bled out.
“I didn’t mean to, I only meant to shake him off.” Vel panicked, her breathing was becoming erratic.
“It’s okay Vel, you only grazed my shoulder. You can just heal it with your magic. Just breathe, I'm okay.” Fiona calmly explained. Vel listened and healed Fiona’s shoulder.
“You only killed him to protect me, he threatened my life and you took his. The world is survival of the fittest.” Fiona explained, attempting to calm Vel down. Suzieen arrived back home, seeing the corpse of the man. She realizes what happened and sighed.
“What happened, my child?” She calmly asked.
“I-I didn’t mean to. Fiona was being threatened and I used stronger magic than I meant to.” Vel tried to explain.
“It’s okay, come inside. For today you two can go home.” Suzieen said. The two siblings left and returned home.
“Listen, Vel people who are not among your close circle. Their lives aren’t worth fretting over, it’s a dangerous world and likely other worlds will have the same dangers. So don’t fret about that man you just killed.” Suzieen explained. “It’s a messed up mentality, but the world never cares about your feelings.” This mentality of protecting those you care about and not letting the deaths of those you don’t, would be adopted by Vel from that point forward. She wanted to protect those she cared about at all costs. She got over the man’s death because everyone she knew never made a big deal out of it. Her thoughts on human life would become twisted as a result.
On the day of Vel’s eighteenth birthday. Vel had physically grown up a lot. Her hair was longer than it used to be. Her hair changed from a plain brown to brown with amber colored under hair highlights. The amber colored hair glowed along with her eyes whenever she used absurdly powerful magic. She could make her appearance look normal when she wasn’t using powerful magic though. The surrounding forest began to rumble, trees separated and paths on all four sides appeared. On the end of those paths were massive human armies. The armies were filled with armored knights on horseback, mages, and archers. With a fancier armored horse mounted person in the front. Which were the leaders of the armies.
“I didn’t know the kingdoms and queendoms had all gotten mages powerful enough to move these forests. Vel this shouldn’t be too big of a deal. Even if all the armies around in the world were to attempt to fight us they wouldn’t win. They should know that though, so I wonder where this sudden burst of confidence came from.” Suzieen was confused by the sudden action from the armies. She looked around then she noticed the sky had begun to crack. “Vel I think I know where their confidence came from. They have the gods backing them up. If it’s one then it’ll be fine.”
The sky continued to crack till an opening formed and out came a giant head that seemed to stretch as it escaped the hole in the sky. After each body part escaped the being shrunk to only the size of a giant. However, that was not the end, as more and more beings escaped from the hole. Some could not be described in human manner as the only description that fit was god. Six beings in total went through the hole. They all had shifted into forms more manageable to understand for humans but still were massive.
“Little bird, it's time to fly. Grab that bag in the closet of my bedroom and fly away. I'll hold them off. Don’t worry we’ll still get that drink, come back when you’ve had a grand adventure. Once you’ve decided to come home I’ll be waiting to listen to your story. We can talk about it over some drinks, okay.” Suzieen motioned Vel to leave and begin her journey. Vel ran and grabbed the bag in Suzieen’s closet labeled “for Vel’s grand adventure.”
“Okay mom, I’ll see you after I’ve had my adventure.” She smiled and looked at Suzieen through the window. Suzieen smiled back. Vel opened a portal and breathed in and out then jumped through it.
Meanwhile, Suzieen asked the gods. “Why now? After all this time?”
“You’re far too powerful, humanity has no need for someone as powerful as you. Your mistake was letting another inherit your blood. We will get rid of both you and your successor.” The lead god echoed.
“I'm touched that the gods think so highly of me, I’m afraid my little bird has flown away.” Suzieen smiled at Vel entering her portal. “She has already left the nest like I raised her to.” Suzieen happily smirked at the gods. “Don’t think I’ll go down without a fight!” Suzieen let out.
“Even you would struggle against the great four human armies, and six gods.” The lead god echoed.
“I won’t know until I try.” Suzieen smiled, brimming with confidence.