C136 THE DAY THE VILLAGE CHOSE ITS GOD

The sky over Aethervale Village broke open.

Not with thunder.

Not with flame.

With light—an ancient, swirling beam of raw power that descended like a pillar from the heavens, splitting the earth with a pulse that shook every hut, every stone, every terrified heartbeat.

The villagers screamed and went to their knees as the ground convulsed. Mothers shielded their children