Mass Prayer

The room that had recently been a buzz with novel chatter between the two families, fell silent at once upon hearing Ralond's words. And that was when Ralond realized that he probably should have spoken quieter. However, the elderly man near him simply sighed as he took a seat. The rest of the room looked at him, seemingly waiting for him to speak. 

"So then... It seems there is no point in attempting to escape then. And since this is the case I can only wonder about why we haven't been attacked already." The elderly man mused, looking at the faces of his extended family.

"Perhaps it's a test for us to prove our loyalty to Lady Eternia. Perhaps if we worship her, her children will spare our family from the attack." The elderly woman suggested, in a hopeful tone.

"That... hmm, the gates... I wonder..." Donath murmured. 

"What are you thinking about, Donath?" The elderly man asked, raising his brow. 

"Is the gate that leads directly to their territory sealed as well? If this is a test, and they truly wish for us to put our faith in Lady Eternia, then wouldn't the test be to head to a place of worship or a holy site?" Donath asked. 

"And the most holy site of them all is the home of the very goddess herself." The elderly man thought as his eyes widened. Donath really is a good young man. With a head like that on his shoulders the future of the family is bright... provided we can get out of this predicament unscathed that is.

"I don't know about that gate. But if I use my blitz steed on its own, I could get there and check the situation out for myself. A round trip in this chaos would take no less than 3 quarters of an hour... closer to an hour. But then, the carriage will be difficult to move with only the lower horse pulling it." Ralond said, while also laying all the problems with this plan. Ideally there would be a method to check from afar.

However, the women in the room were on their knees facing the fireplace. This fireplace was decorated with a stone sculpture of Lady Eternia, perched upon the center of the ledge, while the fire was flickering. They were murmuring their prayers towards the fire. This action once again made the room fall silent, except for the crying of the one baby. 

"""Lady Eternia, our glorious and most holy of guardians. We, humble believers and followers of your countenance, pray to you now, please guide us through this hardship.""" The women prayed, then waited for a response.

~ Outside The City ~

"Wow, there are quite a lot of prayer's today." Acialia mentioned, seemingly out of nowhere. 

"Prayer's? What do you mean? I don't feel anything different?" Vitaliana asked, tilting her head with a squirming lesser worm monster in her beak. 

"Pfft, of course you wouldn't feel it little sis. You're far too weak for it." Flairiana said, giggling at the cute look on Vitaliana's face. 

"You're still a Tori, and won't be able to feel these things until you evolve into a Lesser Elemental Falcon, like us." Aieria explained simply.

"Oh, that makes sense. I do have to make up for some time after all." Vitaliana said, goggling the worm down. Oh, that worm gave me more experience points than a couple of those guards did... Just what was that worm?

"Don't worry about it too much. This empire is not going to last much longer. And besides, even though I have also evolved into a Lesser Elemental Falcon... I don't feel nearly as many of the prayers as Eldest Sister, Acialia does. It's all about closeness to the one of worship. Vitaliana, you may be able to feel one or two of these prayers, given you've been given a name by mother. But even if you do, I don't think it will be easy for you to understand them." Fernia explained further. 

"I see, so then... Sisters, what are the prayers saying?" Vitaliana asked.

"There are quite a few different ones... Ranging from begging for a merciful death, to those professing a change of heart and throwing down their arms. As well as those who desire their family to be spared, to those who wish for guidance on how to profess their faith in hopes that they might continue to follow Mother's faith." Fulgiana said, plainly. 

"Oh, Tell them to look for places of worship or they look for the path that leads one to the most sacred of holy spots. For there they shall be spared. Anywhere else, they must face the flames of judgment. Rending their flesh to burn away their sins for the next life." Vitaliana suggested. 

"Hmm, I'll change it a little in my responses, just so they have to really work for it, but that's not bad. I like it little sis." Acialia commented, as she glowed. 

The other Lesser Elemental Falcons all followed suit and began glowing as well. What they were doing was simple. They were acting as the mediary between the goddess that the people worshiped and their Mother, the goddess. 

My sisters... I'll grow strong enough to make sure that no one harms us ever again. 

Test the faithful, should they pass they will be spared. 

Should they fail, they shall be shown mercy. 

Should one not be faithful, they will feel the wrath of holy flames. 

May this city, a city I once defended, burn to ashes. 

Let Ridgeline City be the example of what happens when one raises a hand against the gods. 

All throughout Ridgeline City, worshipers were receiving their own responses from Vitaliana's five elder sisters. Meanwhile, the City Guard was reorganizing. Warehouses full of weapons were now on the move. A weapon in each guard's hand. Progress was slow at first... 

The Butler to the City Lord had finally finished the next speech. A vicious smile came across his face. This is sure to destroy the image of that bitch of a monster that thinks herself a goddess. 

"Sickening..." The Butler murmured. Damn, all this has made me a bit thirsty... But, how did any of those birds survive? Much less the weakest kind of bird monster... Did they revive the birds?