Seeing Alex accept the offer, Hephaestus finally released a deep breath, as though a boulder had been lifted off his chest.
He rose from his kneeling position with dignity, though his shoulders remained heavy with the burden of mortality that even gods feared.
Meanwhile, Lina stood rooted in place, her entire form frozen. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Her expression was a mix of disbelief and utter confusion.
A god—her god—had just knelt before a human.
That image alone shattered every fragment of reverence she had for divine hierarchy.
Snapping out of her daze, Lina rushed forward.
"My Lord! What are you doing?!" she cried out, voice nearly trembling. "Why are you kneeling in front of this human?"
Then, turning sharply to Alex, she added with narrowed eyes, "I get that he's strong—too strong for a mortal, honestly. It's hard to believe a human could wield such power… but that's exactly why we shouldn't trust him so easily."
