It was finally time to venture into Ramiris' Labyrinth, and both Kiana and Bianca were buzzing with excitement. This was the final step before their evolution into true heroes.
Velzard didn't waste time, using her spatial manipulation to instantly transport Kevin, Kiana, and Bianca to the entrance of Ramiris' Labyrinth. The sisters looked around, taking in the vast, foreboding entrance.
Kevin stepped forward and placed his palms on the large door before them, pushing it open without much effort. As the gate swung wide, they found themselves standing in a spacious hall, with nothing particularly noticeable inside. However, Kevin could sense traces of spatial magic lingering in the air.
Suddenly, a childish voice echoed from every corner of the hall. "Oh, what's this? Visitors? I see you're strong... but you have to pass a test if you want to meet the Great Spirit Queen!"
Velzard's eyebrow twitched. Not one for games, she immediately released a wave of her Dragon Haki that sent shivers through the entire Labyrinth. "Come out, Ramiris, unless you want me to destroy this place." Velzard's voice was calm, but the threat was palpable.
Every fairy hiding in the labyrinth could feel the sheer power behind her words.
Almost instantly, a tiny orb of light floated toward them, quickly materializing into a small pixie, who gave a shaky salute, "R-Ramiris at your service!"
Kevin rolled his eyes while Kiana whispered to Bianca, "Is this the almighty spirit queen? She looks like she'd blow away in a gentle breeze."
Velzard narrowed her eyes. "Good. Bless these girls, now."
Ramiris hesitated, floating around the Kaslana sisters as if inspecting them. "Hmm… so, you two are saints? And you want to meet me, the Great Spirit Queen, huh?" She grinned smugly, puffing out her tiny chest, trying to look imposing.
But Kiana, unimpressed, flicked the tiny fairy with her finger, sending Ramiris flying. "Is this really the Spirit Queen? She looks so weak! I thought the queen would be... y'know, more fierce!" Kiana's face scrunched up in confusion, her tuna-like imagination running wild.
Ramiris, recovering from the flick, flew back into the air, furious. "Weak? Weak?! I'll have you know I can take down a True Dragon with one punch!"
The hall went silent. Kiana blinked. Bianca raised an eyebrow. Kevin looked on with mild interest.
The room fell silent as Velzard's lips curled into a dangerous smile. "Oh? Is that so? You can defeat a true dragon with one punch?"
Ramiris froze, realizing her mistake too late, froze in mid-air, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. "I-I mean... hypothetically? In my dreams?"
Before she could finish, Velzard took a single step forward, her mere presence sending Ramiris into a panic. The pixie immediately fainted, leaving Kevin, Kiana, and Bianca staring at the tiny unconscious figure in stunned silence.
Kevin, shaking his head in disbelief, conjured a small ball of water and splashed it on Ramiris. She shot up with a high-pitched scream, "Help! Help! I'm drowning!"
Kiana burst into uncontrollable laughter, clutching her stomach, while even the usually composed Bianca let out a giggle.
Kevin raised an eyebrow. "How exactly are you drowning when you can fly?"
Ramiris blinked, floating back up into the air sheepishly, realizing the absurdity of her panic. "Oh...right. I knew that."
Still chuckling, Kiana smirked, "Some spirit queen. You're sure you're not just a glorified firefly?"
Ramiris puffed out her cheeks, her face turning red with embarrassment, but before she could retort, Kevin stepped in.
"Alright, enough teasing. We're here for your blessing so that Bianca and Kiana can evolve."
Ramiris crossed her arms, nodding seriously, though her pride was clearly bruised. "I could give you my blessings... but there are conditions!"
Kiana arched an eyebrow. "What kind of conditions? We're not here for some fairy deal."
Ramiris cleared her throat, trying to look important again. "No using your new powers to rampage around like a certain..." She didn't name the friend, but the way she glanced nervously at Velzard gave a pretty strong hint.
Kevin, seeing an opportunity, smirked. "You mean Veldora, right? The guy who broke your Labyrinth like it was a cheap toy?"
Ramiris' face reddened again, but she didn't deny it. "Y-Yes...but anyway! Do you agree to my condition?"
Kevin and the Kaslana sisters nodded, the condition was reasonable enough. Ramiris, regaining some of her composure, flew over to hover in front of Kiana and Bianca. She placed her tiny hands on their foreheads, her wings fluttering as she invoked her authority.
A glow surrounded the sisters as Ramiris' voice echoed through the room, "<Confirmed. Individual Bianca and individual Kiana are granted the Spirit Queen's blessings.>"
Both Kiana and Bianca felt a surge of power course through their bodies, and within moments, they entered a deep evolutionary slumber. Kevin carefully lowered them to the ground, ensuring they were comfortable.
A system notification chimed in Kevin's mind, "<Evolution of individuals Bianca and Kiana from saint to true hero successful.>"
As they slept, their parameters increased, new resistances and skills developing. Kevin could see that even their physical appearance became more radiant and powerful.
"Wow," Ramiris said, wiping the sweat from her brow. "That took a lot out of me."
Kevin glanced over at her with a wry smile. "Maybe you're not as weak as Kiana thought."
Ramiris beamed at the compliment, floating proudly. "Of course not! I'm the great Ramiris, after all!"
"Yeah, yeah," Kevin waved her off. "Now let's just hope they don't wake up and immediately pick another fight with someone."
Velzard chuckled softly, watching the Kaslana sisters evolve. "Let's just hope they don't start rampaging like a certain dragon we know."
Ramiris stiffened, but Velzard's teasing tone showed that this was all in good fun. Even she was a bit softer after spending so much time around Kevin.
With that, the group left the labyrinth, leaving behind a still-recovering Ramiris, who muttered to herself, "Why do I always attract the scary ones?"