Every single person in the chamber paled.
Even Wendelina, with three centuries of experience and with power enough to level cities, felt ice water pour through her veins.
Because she recognized what stood before them.
Not who—that knowledge was beyond her.
But what? The nature of the being that had manifested in their most protected space was as easy as walking through an open door.
This was Ascended.
One of the divine beings who existed beyond mortal comprehension, who governed fundamental laws of reality itself.
Wendelina's hand released her focus crystal. Fighting would be pointless. Worse than pointless—suicidal and absurd. This being could unmake her with a thought, could erase the entire tower from existence without effort.
Instead, she stood carefully.
Then, after only a moment's hesitation, she stepped down from her chair.
And knelt.
The action shocked everyone present.
