The crowd held its collective breath, the tense silence was a physical weight in the air.
All eyes were on Selene, standing alone on the platform. The Alpha, Zephyr, had made his position clear and there was nothing that could be done about it. Now, it was up to the goddess.
Otsanna, her arms still outstretched, closed her eyes and began to chant, her voice a low, melodic hum that resonated through the temple.
It wasn't a language anyone spoke, but its meaning was understood by all. She was weaving a plea to the goddess of their people. The air grew thick with a palpable energy, a mixture of hope and fear.
Selene felt a shiver run down her spine, but it was not from cold. It was the presence of something unfamiliar.
