"Are you lost?" asked Ratella, deeming the conflict to be unavoidable.
"Don't talk down to me, flightless bird." spat the one in the middle, his center wings flapping slightly. An obvious attempt at intimidation.
His third wing attached to his left foot covering it whole. Flapping it slightly trying to bring his attention to it attempting to sway Ratella's mind into servitude just at the sight of his superior power.
The basic premise of Kathoros was the amount of wings you had symbolized the latent potential and power deep within you.
An angel with one or two wings would be considerably weaker than one with three or four as more wings allow for more divinity to be stored in their body.
Divinity a golden liquid holding an aspect of God's power. Those with five wings have been said to bleed golden due to the high quantity coursing through their body.
"You are nothing but a wingless freak, I have three wings meaning I am superior. Bow and kiss my feet, freak!"
The boy of at least twelve summers stood arms crossed awaiting Ratella to submit to his power. His followers copied his stance and chuckled slightly.
Their blatant attempts to appease the boy were revolting. Ratella wouldn't submit just because he was told.
His values clear with his mind, never letting himself be humiliated even in the face of an overwhelming foe.
"Never!" shouted Ratella, causing scowls to appear on the boy's faces. "Whats the point in a third wing anyway, you can't even use it to speed your flight speed. It'll only slow you down."
Ratella wasn't sure whether this was true, only speaking whatever he thought would anger the boy. Looking for an opening to escape using their seething anger against them.
His shouts did indeed anger the boy causing his face to flush scarlet seething from the ears. His followers pondered his point forgetting about their supposed aversion to Ratella.
The leader of the three approached Ratella swiftly using his wings to close the gap in a matter of seconds. Ratella, unable to react, was helpless to the boy grabbing the scuff of his shirt.
The other snapped out of their thoughts filling in their leader's flanks, closing all escape opportunities.
"I'm Derek Elwood, you can't speak to me like that. I'm going to be one of the virtues!" barked Derek, lifting Ratella upwards, locking eyes with him. "Filthy bird, I'll teach you a lesson!"
Unbridled fury burned in his eyes, followed by a dangerous intensity that seemed to radiate from him like a raging inferno.
Unquenchable bloodlust.
His fist planted itself in between Ratella's eyes knocking all sense out of him, his vision blurred and a ringing sound bounced around his eardrums.
Derek released his grip, dropping Ratella to the ground. Unable to catch himself he smashed into the earth below further bruising his body.
"I don't think you've learned your lesson yet."
Derek's voice now cold and detached from any sign of humanity.
Before he could regather his senses, Derek's left leg launched itself towards his head striking him at an alarming speed.
His brain rattled with his skull, removing all sense of awareness from Ratella.
He crumbled into a ball trying his best to guard his body from any further damage as the boys repeatedly kicked at his small frame.
"I think he's had enough, Derek."
"Shut up! I'll say when he's had enough."
Eventually Ratella succumbed to the ever growing darkness obstructing his vision of the rising sun in the distance. The boys' kicks and punches not slowing for a moment despite his lack of consciousness.
Ratella's eyes flickered open revealing the sun retreating back into the darkness of the night sky. Stars twinkling and casting their gaze upon him.
He picked himself up, his breath laboured and the bones within his body screaming for mercy. A seething pain being inflicted with every movement.
A wet sensation ran down his mouth and nose, a warm feeling encompassing the flowing liquid.
He reached up with trembling fingers. Even hurt, he managed to swipe the liquid away, keeping it from moving any farther.
Looking down, its colour wasn't the usual crimson but a sparkling gold shimmering in the starlight.
Thoughts raced through his head at the unknown substance leaking from his nose and mouth but he dismissed them all. His goal is clear to reach the orphanage and find Tila.
All though in no condition to walk he still pushed onwards towards the village, the road would be arduous to the boy but he had made up his mind and nothing would deter him from reaching that goal.
Pushing forth, he eventually got into view of the village but its visage wasn't the same as before.
A six winged figure hovering high above the village, two swords clenched in between its fist.
Ratella as fast as he could managed to reach the entrance of the village, hobbling towards it.
A serene buzzing bounced around in his ear before being followed by an angelic feminine voice. Its tone embodied peace and tranquility but Ratella knew better than to expect anything good from it.
"Under the Seraphic Ruler's decree, Nova has been deemed an undesirable civilization. All inhabitants are to be purged and its precise burned to ash. For crimes against Choir and attempts at inciting a rebellion. I, Luna, the Radiances' blade will deliver this verdict personally."
After her declaration, she disappeared from view turning into thousands of particles gliding through the air at a terrifying pace. Delivering only death to the citizens slicing through their forms with precision and efficiency.
Not wasting a single strike, extinguishing all traces of life. Ratella's eyes shook with confusion and panic. An insurmountable terror briefly overcompassing all over emotions swelling within his mind.
A sea of crimson swiftly painted the town's cobble, turning the once peaceful village into a warning to all traitorous mongrels lurking in the shadows.