Varen walked back to the podium. Held up a sealed vial containing liquid so diluted it was barely visible.
"Guess what this is," he said, pausing to survey the room with that maddening smile. "Yes, you're all intelligent people. You've already made the connection."
His deliberate pacing commanded absolute attention.
"This substance right here... "
He gestured toward the hole in the wall, the shattered concrete, the impossible demonstration. "This is the very thing responsible for that."
The room's tension was palpable.
"I've named it Golden Catalyst. Made from the same golden liquid we discovered in Aethros Valley. Or more accurately..." He held the vial up to the light, watching the barely-visible shimmer. "Made from the blood of those seven gods."
Silence.
Everyone stared at that tiny vial. Because Varen had just confirmed what they'd feared... he'd integrated divine blood into his body. Successfully.
Then his smile turned mischievous.
