An elder's voice broke the silence, deep and resolute.
"No."
Nolan frowned slightly, but the elder stepped forward, staff trembling as he spoke.
"You may feel human," the elder said, "but the world responds to you."
The torches flickered violently.
"Time obeys you."
"Life listens to you."
"Fate bends when you act."
The elder bowed deeply.
"A normal human cannot do such things."
Nolan fell silent.
Linda looked at him—not as a god, not as a legend—but as the man who trained her, protected her, and trusted her.
"Maybe…" she said softly, "…being human is exactly why you're like this."
Celia nodded.
"A god who understands weakness," she said. "Who values effort. Who walks beside others instead of above them."
Nolan closed his eyes briefly.
"…If that's the case," he said, opening them again, "then I'll stay this way."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Meanwhile, deep within the elven castle, Prince Zohar remained alone in his chamber.
