The priest still had no idea what to say.
He hadn't merely witnessed stone moving. He had seen enormous hands of shimmering light touching the statue.
He had watched pulsing power surge through it.
And even now, though the figure appeared frozen once more, he could still see golden veins running through the wings, carrying something that looked like pure magic.
'Goddess... what is this supposed to mean?'
he asked silently.
This time, no answer came. Instead, her presence withdrew.
As suddenly as it had arrived...
It vanished.
Only the lingering divinity the temple had absorbed remained behind, pulsing gently through the ancient walls.
The air still carried the faint scent of warm incense and sun-heated stone. Somewhere high beneath the dome, tiny fragments of dust drifted lazily through darkening shadows.
Even their breathing sounded strangely loud in the sacred silence.
