Sael looked around wildly, saw everyone kneeling, and—despite his confusion—dropped to one knee as well.
Some habits ran deep.
Only Eisha remained standing, though her hand was still pressed over her mouth and tears continued their silent descent down her cheeks.
"Reincarnation of the Constellation," Anike said, her voice thick with something between awe and reverence. "El Fach, returned. The Awakener made flesh. We are honored beyond—"
"I'm going to stop you right there," Northern interrupted, his voice flat as stone. "I'm not a reincarnation of anything. I'm not El Fach. I'm not divine. I'm not whatever mystical explanation you're currently constructing in your head to make sense of what just happened."
