Ten minutes passed.
His breath came in shallow bursts, not from pain, but from the crushing pressure of the Divine Aura that saturated the chamber. It pressed into his bones, invaded his soul-space, and clawed through his thoughts like divine fire. His divine veins pulsed erratically, struggling to circulate power that refused to flow.
Above him, the sea of eternal lanterns flickered, their soul-bound flames responding to his suffering. They shimmered like stars drowned in repentance, acknowledging his penance with quiet reverence.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed into the hall but Han Xin didn't move. He didn't need to. He knew the rhythm of that stride. It was most definitely his father.
Outside, muffled through the sealed doors, his mother's voice rose in reprimand. But Han Jun was resolute. This time, he would not bend. With a wave of his hand, the doors shut, sealing the hall and barring her entry. Han Xin remained kneeling, the light above burning deeper into his spirit.
