"I certainly can."
The Goddess replied calmly. After another long pause the air shifted once more. A blinding light appeared in front of the couple. Its presence lasted a minute as they covered their eyes.
"I will grant your wish..."
Flora's eyes filled with tears upon hearing her words. She opened her mouth to thank the Goddess but she spoke once again.
"However, there will be consequences. For such acts cannot be done easily."
"I am willing to do anything, my lady. Just name it, and it will be done."
"Very well. Place the child on the altar without the blankets."
For the first time since they arrived there, Flora felt true terror. Not for her own safety, but for her child as she was afraid that the Goddess would harm her while the baby was on the altar. But she did as commanded.
As she placed her baby on the altar, she noticed that every single drop of blood that previously spilled on it was now gone. Which only increased her worry. After all, she was being called Goddess of Blood for nothing...
"Listen well, both of you. I will heal your child by bestowing her with my blood. In return, your family shall become my followers. You will repair my statues and build my churches. You will gather more believers under my name, and you will do all this in secret."
Both Claude and Flora stayed silently, nodding along as they listened the price they needed to pay. For them, as Silford Duchy, this was a simple request that they can comply with. But then, the next words froze them in place.
"And when the time comes, I shall come for this little girl. For her fate will be intertwined with mine."
Flora raised her head in a panicked way, looking up at the Goddess that was standing between her statue and her stone altar without thinking.
The Goddess resembled the beauty and power incarnate. Her skin was pale but it didn't looked sickly. She had long, straight hair as white as freshly fallen snow. Her eyes did not had whites nor irises. Instead, they reminded pools of blood, leaving a soft red mist as her lips had the same colour.
She wore a black crown, decorated with a single big ruby in the middle. Its sharp and long ends pointing the ceiling as her head held high. Her wings were a combination of a bat's and dragon's. The upper parts had a single sharp claw on each while the lower ends looked like a freshly sharpened spear. The outer layer of its skin was black while the inner part was blood-red. Her ruby necklace was her only accessory aside from her crown. She was wearing a black strapless dress that hugged her body, showing her curves. Upon closer look, it was clear that her dress had some sort of armor on it, protecting her.
"But she is just a baby! How can sh-"
"SILENCE!"
The building shook with the single command from the powerful figure as Flora realised what she has done. She grew pale and immediately lowered her head. She tried to utter any kind of apology and beg for forgiveness but all she managed to do was to cry silently.
"For looking at me without my permission, I would normally end your insignificant existence..."
Flora lowered her head more and waited for the blow to come while Claude looked at her helplessly.
"However, I still need your house. For that, I will only give you a punishment."
A relaxed sigh escaped from the mother. "O-of course. I apologise for my arrogance. Tell me what I need to do."
"You shall restore this building and offer me sacrifices every full moon until your child reaches the age of twelve."
"It shall be done, my lady."
"Good. You may watch."
The Goddess sounded pleased as she focused back on the sleeping child. Flora gingerly raised her head and started to watch as the Goddess used one of her long red nails to cut her wrist.
"I, Goddess of Chaos and Blood, Mother of Monsters, Embodiment of Pain and Beauty, bestow this child with my blood, taking her as my own."
First few drops of her blood fell on the child's forehead while the rest started to cover the altar. The Goddess' burning gaze turned to the couple.
"Do you, the mortal parents of this mortal child, willingly accept my blessing and swore to protect her at all costs as she grows? Provide her with the best care you can muster?"
The couple hold each other's hand and spoke at the same time, determination evident in their voice.
"We do."
"And so it shall be."
With that, the Goddess pulled her hand back, her wound healing immediately. The altar was now covered with a thin layer of blood as the baby laid in the middle, still. The Goddess gently swiped her hand from one side to the other, her nails leaving a red mist. As the rain stopped, her echoing words filled the building before pouring out.
"Hear my words, awaken from your slumber. Your name shall be known as Lilith, Child of the Goddess of Chaos."
The blood on the altar slowly moved and gathered under the sleeping baby. First, the little drops on her forehead, then the remaining blood found their way under her skin as she absorbed them like a sponge while her hair turned white.
Lilith opened her eyes and started to cry. Her eyes resembled a pair of one of the most vibrant rubies. The Goddess lightly leaned forward and made a little cut on the baby's cheek, causing Flora to instinctively move forward but Claude was there to stop her from doing anything rash.
The Goddess grabbed the single droplet of blood with the tip of her finger and raised it up. The blood levitated from her finger and stayed still. Goddess spoke in an ancient language, causing the blood to glow. Soon it turned into a shiny ruby.
The Goddess turned and looked down at the two mortal parents. She then pointed them, causing the ruby to levitate and land into the father's open palm.
"This ruby is enchanted to suppress Lilith's abilities. Make sure she wears it all the times until she comes of age and learns to control them."
"As you command." Claude closed his fist and lightly bowed his head. Then Goddess turned to look at Flora.
"When she is five years old, one of my servants will be at your door. Follow their instructions as they will be there to train her on how to control her powers."
"As you wish." Flora spoke lightly.
"I have fulfilled your request. Now it is your turn. I will be watching."
And with that, a blood storm appeared out of nowhere, surrounding the Goddess. Once the storm settled, they turned into red rose petals and she was gone.
Flora immediately rushed forward to hold her crying child. And as soon as she saw how healthy her baby was, she also started crying, letting out tears of joy.
"Claude, listen to her crying... She sounds so alive and well. I cannot believe it."
Claude moved to hold his wife and daughter, hugging them close.
"Yes, my love. She is alive and healthy now, thanks to our Goddess."
They stayed there for a few long minutes before turning to leave. They now had so much work to do...