The silence after the goddess's departure lingered like smoke in the chamber.
The dim glow of the statue faded into nothing, leaving behind the faint scent of incense and the pounding of anxious hearts.
High Priestess Jenna exhaled slowly, her expression hardening with resolve.
She turned toward the remaining elders who still lingered near the back, shaken and pale.
"Call for a meeting. We will gather the representatives of the other species. If we are to face this danger, we must stand united."
Jenna commanded.
But the elders stiffened, hesitation written clearly across their faces. One of them fumbled with his sleeves before shaking his head.
"High Priestess… to involve ourselves with the affairs of others—it is dangerous. If the goddess speaks of war, perhaps we should shield our own temple first. It is not our duty to carry the burdens of outsiders."
Another elder nodded nervously.
"Yes, yes. To meddle is to invite destruction. Let us preserve what we can."
