The girls looked with amazement as Sophia created a variety of dresses, much like her own, out of thin air.
These were technically holy weapons as far as the skill was concerned.
She hadn't expected the skill to actually work, but she was not complaining.
Sophia moved with grace towards the girls, a spark of hope flaring as they saw the white winged harpy kneel before them and give them each simple clothing to cover themselves.
"You... will repent; I do not wish you to suffer in this life." She spoke softly while smiling with a comfortable warmth.
"Who..." Fallen looked at her with confusion, before her eyes filled with tears.
In a moment, the fallen burst into tears.
"I was so scared... I was... I lost hope. I... was ready to... become nothing but a toy..." As she cried, Sophia wrapped her hands around her, letting the distressed fallen cry to her heart's content.
Other fallen had tears streaming down their faces, their faces relieved and yet they were scared.
"I am Virtue, I go by the name of Sophia. You have been given a chance by Father." Her harmonic voice relaxed them. Sophia's voice made their tense muscles relax as the other fallen's expressions gained relieved looks.
"You are safe now. Cry. Let it all out." Sophia hugged the girl tightly as the harpy wept.
"We just wanted to help... What happened to the child... I hope she is fine..." Her tears were wiped by Sophia's wing.
'Even after everything, she cared more about the fate of the little girl that tricked them...' Sophia sighed. Ariel was too cruel.
"She is fine. We have taken care of the slavers." Her hands gently caressed Harpy's back.
"We?" The girl asked inquisitively.
"Yes... We are children of Cedric. The greatest Paladin that ever lived." She praised her father with a proud tone.
She released the girl from her embrace, her hand wiping the tear running down the face.
"Such a pretty girl shouldn't cry. You are safe with me." Sophia smiled as she comforted the young harpy, her warm embrace tightening and pushing Harpy's head into her chest.
"What... happened to other races they captured?" Harpy asked with a teary expression; she worried too much.
"They are safe... You were all being transported in one convoy. I have healed you all." Sophia's embrace tightened gently.
As harpy's tears finally ran out, she released her. Sophia's gaze wandered down to the heavy chains they all still wore.
'Let's get these off.' She wrapped her gentle fingers around the heavy iron collar before it cracked under Sophia's strength.
Harpy gasped as the collar was effortlessly removed.
She touched her neck before tears swelled up again.
"Thank you so much, Lady Sophia..."
"Please... Do not mention it... Accept my... Love... Accept the salvation." Sophia smiled as she approached each girl, removing their shackles with ease.
After finishing the first cage, she walked out towards the second, she snapped the bars before consoling and releasing rest of the Harpies.
Only Cage containing Minotaur and Siren girls remained.
She approached the cage before releasing the girls.
The siren looked with distrust, and yet gratitude beamed from her.
Sophia had given them all clothes, nothing too fancy or elaborate.
Merely something to cover themselves.
It took moments of crying and relief before they finally dressed themselves and stood before Sophia.
"Lady Sophia. I cannot possibly thank you enough for rescuing us... We..." Harpy sighed as she remembered her possible fate.
"There is no need to thank me... You... Must know peace... Only then may you truly know justice in kingdom of God and Father." Sophia placed her hands on her chest as her melodic voice reached everyone.
"I wish to... extend grace... and allow you to serve a greater purpose."
They looked at her with a worried expression.
"So that is the plan? Making us serve you instead of some corrupt noble!?" Siren shouted.
Her blue scales shined beautifully in the sun, devoid of bruising and signs of abuse experienced by Blackwater, Her long oceanic blue hair gave her truly ethereal beauty.
Sirens truly looked humanoid, other than scales covering their limbs and most of their body.
Sher furrowed her blue eyes at the harpy.
"No. You may refuse my salvation. But I urge you to not do so." She answered.
"I want to go back home!" Siren shouted, followed by quiet murmurs of others.
Sophia sighed,"Your... home is long gone."
"What do you mean gone?!" Siren shouted in disbelief.
She wasn't the only one, even the Harpies agreed that they wished to return home.
"I will... Show it to you..." Sophia bowed.
Sophia agreed so quickly, they felt guilty for doubting their savior so quickly."We... are sorry, Lady Sophia... It's just that... wounds of the whole event are still fresh."
"It is no matter... Allow me to show you your home... However, use the slaver carriage, as some of you cannot fly..." Sophia spoke with consideration.
"It is fine! It will get us home quicker." Siren spoke, stopping anyone else from even uttering a word.
Sophia approached the weary horses, they too were forced to drag the carriages without rest.
"Poor souls...Please... Endure one more trip..." Sophia gently petted the animal, which was fortunately healed and restored by her song.
The former slaves boarded and were ready to depart once again, this time back to their homes.
Sophia took the position next to the Harpy that cried on her shoulder, she felt that the girl needed even more support than others.
"Forgive us for sounding so ungrateful, Lady Sophia." She spoke sheepishly.
"You are forgiven... I understand you must see with your own eyes that your home is no more. Your city was... obliterated." She spoke softly.
Harpy looked with confusion before shaking her head.
"My name is Elise. It is truly an honor to meet you, Lady Sophia." She put on a wide and warm smile, pushing down her worries.
She couldn't look ungrateful to her savior.
She was mere days away from being some monster's pleasure toy.
She had abandoned hope quickly after being tortured and put under unimaginably painful treatment.
They even cut off her horns, something that was sacred to Harpies almost as much as their wings.
Her own screams still rang in her ears, it hurt so much that she winced at the mere thought.
She had bled so much when they were cut, she thought she was gonna die.
After they were done breaking her, she was given a forceful wash, removing all the blood and dirt, making her presentable for auction. Her hands slid over her newly healed horns, the curve she used to have had changed, but it did not matter. They now curved forward instead to the sides; other than that, they looked like they were never forcefully removed.
It was a terrifying day, and Elise truly hoped nobody ever had to experience it again.