Ridgeline City Battle (Vitaliana 2)

"Grandmother, there are a lot of people I need to transport. I was thinking of taking some extra protection back there to ensure the followers safety while we move. The priestess is there, but she's weaker than I am. I don't think it would be safe to leave it up to chance." Vitaliana explained, flying over to Solaria's shoulder. 

"Oh, if vampires attack the places of worship, that could prove dangerous. Unfortunately I can't go there. And… Oh, that one there, Ralond might be able to do something about a couple of the weaker variety vampires." Solaria pointed out. 

"If grandmother says it then it must be true." Vitaliana giggled, with a cute tilt of her head. That man doesn't seem like he is all that strong… But comparing him to the priestess, he is definitely more sturdy. Oh, I know. "Grandmother, would it be easier if he could use the holy magic of the family? All he'd have to do is profess a deep faith in order to use it, right?" She asked, curiously.

Solaria giggled for a moment. And then took a deep breath and laughed a little more. "Sorry sweetie, but men aren't allowed that privilege. The method to instill magic in the priestesses, can not be done on men. It's an intimate relationship between a follower and their deity. We have to give them a part of us for their faith to blossom strong enough to use such magic." Solaria explained. "Eternia will teach you all about it someday in the future. For now, just remain innocently ignorant. I'll grant Ralond a bit of protection. But that's all that can be done." She giggled. 

"Oh… Hmm, between the garbs and this I think I might understand. It must be some kind of sacred ritual. There's also no male monsters. So I guess it makes sense a man wouldn't be given the power." Vitaliana sighed, coming to a few different conclusions about what it could be. 

Solaria gently pet Vitaliana's head with her finger, comfortingly. Such things you'll understand in time. For now please remain the cutie you are now. My last young grandchild. The other 5 are so close to growing up. Time has flown by, hasn't. I bet this is what my mother felt like when I became a phoenix. It's a good and bad feeling. I just want to dote on them. So many are gone now. Gone, forever. 

"Ralond! Come here." Solaria announced, pointing directly at Ralond. 

Ralond didn't miss a beat, he smiled at his family. "I'll return soon." He said, and then ran up to present himself to Solaria. "Lady Solaria, how may this humble one serve you?" He said, prostrating before Solaria. 

"You're quick, that's good." Solaria nodded with a smile. "You're going back to the city with my precious granddaughter. You'll be helping to protect your fellow believers those who would be enemies and do them harm. This place, you call it the forward base? It will be safe from everything so long as I am here, so you may go without worries. And I'll give you this." She said, waving her hand over Roland's head, several brilliant sparks fell and clung to Ralond before disappearing. "You can consider that my blessing, I'm expecting you to defend against something worse than monsters so it's only fair to give you this much." She explained. 

Ralond on the other hand was stunned, he felt empowered beyond belief. I've been blessed by the priestesses before. Even with their most powerful blessing they can grant. Yet they might as well have been child's play compared to this one. Such power. A blessing from a true phoenix… A Goddess, is nothing if not mighty. 

"My Lady Goddess Solaria, I will use all of my skills throughout the many years I've slain monsters, to the fullest. Any who would harm my fellow believers will suffer divine justice." Ralond replied after he snapped out of the shock of just how strong he felt now. 

"Good, protect our believers." Solaria smiled, patting Ralond on the head a couple of times, making Ralond blush as if he was a little kid. "Kill the vampires with no mercy, none of them can be turned back to normal." She whispered to Ralond. "Alright, Vitaliana, he's ready to go." She continued, standing up straight with a confident look on her face and then noticed something else. "Oh, it seems some of the women you brought are about to give birth. Too bad, I wish you'd get exposed to this right away. But I guess it's not the time. Go on, and bring back the others." She finished saying. 

Vitaliana flew up and floated above Roland's head. "Grandmother, I'll be bringing more people shortly. Love you!" She said, before a spatial surge began. "Rapid Teleport!" She called out, she and Ralond then vanished in the blink of an eye. 

"Alright, ladies, you know what to do, get everything prepared for the delivery. Men, don't bother looking this way if you want to keep your sight." Solaria said with a cheerful smile, one that comforted the women but made shivers go down the men's spines. Yet no one complained even the slightest bit.

~ Inside The Worship Hall ~

Vitaliana appeared with Ralond in tow. Ralond was a bit dizzy but snapped out of it quickly and got an estimate of the number of people remaining. His face went cold. 

"Young Lady Vitaliana… Was the number of believers you brought back before, your limit?" Ralond asked, not meaning to sound worried or disrespectful. 

"Of course it was. Why else would I bother bringing you back here? There are many more trips to come in the future." Vitaliana answered, opting to ignore the disrespect. 

"Young lady, while you were gone, we gathered the children to be taken next. There are five groups… Please I beg you to start taking them first." The Priestess asked. 

"Hmm, Did the parents do everything they should before entrusting such a thing?" Vitaliana asked, looking at the kids, some of them were crying. Clearly having a hard time with what was happening. 

"About that, some of the children's parents were… On the city's walls… Apparently their parents had very different opinions and split up. Each thinking they were right. But, in the end the children are the ones who will lose." The Priestess explained, rubbing the heads of a couple of the children.