The worship hall fell into a steep and cold silence. Those who remained faithful to Eternia had gone completely pale in the face. All the vibrancy of their skin was as if it had never been there to begin with. This wasn't the first time they had heard of Eternia's death. Even still they kept their faith. Even now, they bowed in Vitaliana's direction, towards the one closest to their beloved goddess.
Vitaliana was furious. Because in front of her stood a man with no convictions. A man who spewed nothing but lies and excuses. At least he said the quiet part aloud. I'll have to really toy with him for this one. Humans the Superior race? Utterly laughable. It's no wonder why they are so stupid.
"Superior race you say? And tell me, what exactly about humans is superior, the thing that makes them better than all others." Vitaliana asked, in as calm a tone as she could.
"Heh, quivering huh? Ahahaha! Stupid bird, I don't have to answer." The idiot man laughed triumphantly.
"No, you don't have to, but if you want your son to live… You'll have to start speaking the truth. I can forgive a child's affronts if they have been led astray by their parents. But I can not forgive the parents of the same. Right now, regardless of what you do, you're going to die. However, you can be a man and save your son's life, or you can condemn him to a permanent death." Vitaliana said, as her patience was starting to reach the limit.
"Don't be stupid you pathetic bird." The man said, wrapping his hands around Vitaliana, in an attempt to squeeze her to death.
"Stop it! You heathen! You'll suffer a terrible fate for this." The Priestess shouted, ready to go on the attack.
"Don't worry, priestess, this man of the so-called superior race is nothing more than a weakling that thinks he is strong. Even if he was a hundred times stronger I wouldn't be hurt by such a thing. Let him continue to damn his and his son's soul if he so chooses." Vitaliana said, ordering the priestess to stop. "He isn't worth the blood on your hands. Mother will surely give him a truly wicked punishment for laying his hands on me. I do appreciate your thoughts though. And my mother does as well." She continued.
"I knew it! I haven't lost my connection so I had hope that I was right. But Lady Eternia is still alive, that is some most welcome news." The Priestess cried, tears of joy.
The man who was attempting to strangle Vitaliana went into a fit of confusion. "No! We killed that trashy goddess! And good riddance too! Praising a monster as a god, nothing but foolishness. Stop your lying, you pathetic lifeform! RAGH" He yelled, squeezing as hard as he could.
The squeezing didn't do anything aside from turn some of the other children back to the side of light. And then the rest of them well, all but one. The boy broke free of his mother's hold.
"NO! Son, don't go…" The mother cried out reaching for her boy. But it was too late, he had jumped up onto the arm rest and slammed a double fist down on top of Vitaliana's head. "You're…" The mother cried, knowing there was no longer anything she could do to save her boy. He was no longer protected under Eternia's rules. And the blood would soon be spilt.
"Heh, see that. You're nothing more than a weak little… WHAT!" The boy smugly said, and then shouted in pain as both of his hands were throbbing. "What happened?" He cried.
"Pfft, you're not superior in the slightest. But since you're so stupid, I'll explain. All I did was duck down just a little bit. And then sprung right back up making contact. I wasn't really trying because I'd rather not kill a previous believer. Much less a kid. But your own actions have not only made it necessary but have also proven that it was the humans who attacked us first. Killing all but 5 of my sisters. I never got to meet any of them. My family was taken from me before I even got to know them." Vitaliana explained, spreading her wings breaking free from the grapple in the process. "Yet you call us monsters. How about taking a look in the mirror, all I see from you is a monster and his spawn. Now, I'm going to send your souls to my mother. You faithless heathens. Boil Away." She continued.
The man and his son both started turning into a steaming pile of goop. No one else was targeted by Vitaliana's spell. Which was a bit of a surprise to some. Vitaliana had spared the boy's mother.
"As for the mother. Death is not the punishment you deserve. But to be quite frank with you. I'd rather not focus anymore on this issue. But I'll allow you to speak." Vitaliana said, landing on top of another bench. One that wasn't melting under the intense heat.
The boy's mother looked at the puddle that used to be her son and wept. "I… I'm sorry. I'm sorry I could teach him to respect Goddess Eternia. He was granted life by her blessing and then he went and did that…" The woman cried, as a few others tried their best to console her. "I won't fail any children ever again. Please, I beg for forgiveness. I was a horrible mother that allowed her husband to fill her son's head with lies. Please punish me, so I may atone for such a sinful crime." She continued, crying all the way.
"You seem to be mistaken, you've already been punished. Make sure to never make this mistake again. And I should tell you this as well, My mother doesn't blame you for what just happened. She can see the hue of your soul. And knows that you would never willingly create such a terrible problem. You'll be able to see her again once all of her believers have been evacuated. For she will appear from the ashes of this city." Vitaliana explained, in a gentle and reassuring tone. "Now then. Let's get these precious little ones to safety." She continued, just before vanishing along with a large group of children.