The people and nobles of Kavatua instinctively took a few steps forward, wanting to see who would emerge from within in the end.
Some people felt as though they were being pushed forward.
Yet only a ray of light leaking from the rift shone down through the temple gates. Looking along the Avenue of Ten Thousand Spirits and at the temples on either side, everything was still a dazzling blur, and nothing could be seen clearly.
All they could hear was the fervent drumming within the temple. By now, however, it had become steady and forceful, each beat seeming to strike against their hearts. Their breathing quickened slightly, and many faces turned tense.
At that moment, a startled cry suddenly rose from the crowd.
Most people followed the gazes of those around them and looked upward, only to see Ikuss's figure faintly visible amid the clouds. He poked his head out from above and looked toward the Hatikan Divine Temple.
No matter their status, the people along the avenue and beside the temple all knelt down. Some were so excited that they could scarcely contain themselves.
Since relocating to Kavatua, the older generation had still occasionally seen Ikuss appear, but young people rarely saw him now.
As Kavatua's guardian deity, Ikuss was sincerely revered and adored by most of the First People. Even someone like Beta had no choice but to follow the crowd, lowering himself from where he stood and dropping to one knee.
After waiting a while longer, the light above the temple weakened and gradually vanished. At that very moment, however, the last glow of the setting sun replaced it, casting down from behind the crowd onto the platform above and dyeing it a deep crimson.
Three people gradually emerged from the light. The Great Priest and