Thalia watched the Guardian's believers straighten slightly. Watched hope kindle in their eyes. Watched them look at Finn not as a stranger defending their faith, but as something more.
Clever, Thalia thought despite her anger. By not answering, he lets them believe whatever they need to believe.
The Honored One observed this shift. His serene expression didn't change, but something flickered in those eclipse eyes. Recognition, perhaps. Or respect for the tactical brilliance.
"I see," he said softly. "You will not answer. Very well. I suppose I shall find out for myself."
He took a single step forward.
The air pressure changed instantly. What had been merely oppressive became crushing. Divine authority made manifest, pressing down on everyone in the square except the Honored One himself.
Thalia felt it like a physical weight. Her knees wanted to buckle. Her body demanded she kneel.
But Order rose within her. Structure imposed on chaos. Law written against divine authority.
