"No."
The word left Kael's mouth with difficulty.
Not because his throat was trapped, but because the Choir itself tried to prevent the intention from reaching it. The pressure crossed his channels the instant the refusal took shape, seeking to remove the link between thought and language.
Kael kept his body synchronized.
The word finished.
The monks stopped.
Not all at once. The first hesitated. Then the second. After that, a strange movement passed through the entire group, as though a single mind were trying to understand why that answer still existed.
Kael climbed another step.
"Stop," they repeated.
Another step.
"No."
The wall to his right cracked.
Umbra appeared through the stone, still carrying the clapper of the first bell inside the shadow.
"You're irritating the house."
"Good."
The monks advanced.
They did not draw weapons.
The first woman simply extended her hand.
"Give me your sword."
Kael's fingers relaxed.
He let them.
The sword began to fall.
