The Crucible was not announced. It was recognized.
Zephyr had been building it for months — placing people in roles, establishing hierarchies, creating the institutional skeleton of a religious organization that could function independently of his direct attention. The Chapel was the physical center. The Iron Devotion was the spiritual core. What remained was the structure between.
Krug stood at the altar. Evening service had ended an hour ago. The Chapel was empty except for the gold flame and the six people Zephyr had chosen.
Krug himself — Acting High Priest of Ashenveil. The title was new. The role was not. He'd been doing this work since the first month, translating the Voice's will into action. The title formalized what everyone already knew.
