The word fell like a stone into still water. Everything stopped. Even Arthur's breathing seemed to pause.
"What did you say?" Arthur asked, his voice dangerously quiet.
One lowered his extended hand slowly. The bubble remained active, holding everyone frozen, but the boy's full attention was on Arthur now. "I said no."
Arthur's expression shifted through several emotions rapidly. Surprise first then confusion. Then anger, cold and controlled anger. "You don't refuse me. I made you. I gave you everything. Every ability you possess came from my work, my planning, my sacrifice."
"You told us about gods," One said, his voice still quiet but gaining strength. "How humans invented them because they were too weak to face their problems. How they created stories about beings with ultimate power because the real world was too hard to accept." He tilted his head slightly. "You told us gods were lies weak people told themselves."
