The light is still coming down over the Goddess when I turn to the others to see how they're holding up.
Veric is standing near Rhayne, still working out a stance that didn't exist a few hours ago. Undertow is tucked under the arm he has left, heavy, punched through at the center by the laser. Zhang Xi has finished her treatment and keeps her hands folded inside her sleeves, watching the statue in silence. Freya is a little further back, rubbing a small necklace against her chest, letting out faint breaths.
'I think they're ready. As ready as this gets.'
The message stays in the corner of my vision.
[Reveal your name before the Goddess.]
"Now comes the part we came in here for."
My voice comes out lower than I expected, rough from the OXI I spent, from exhaustion, and from things that wouldn't make me weak to say out loud but would hurt.
I point at the small stone basin at the statue's feet and keep going before anyone can step forward.
