As the mountain air crackled with tension, Aaron, flanked by Seraphina, stepped forward to address the villagers. The king's eyes, a volatile mix of fury and fervor, met Aaron's unwavering gaze.
"There's a better way to honor Shaodon, a path that doesn't demand the sacrifice of innocent lives," Aaron asserted, his voice cutting through the stillness that lingered after the aborted ritual. "We can find a solution that respects your traditions while preserving life."
The villagers, their devotion to Shaodon ingrained through generations, exchanged uneasy glances. The king, however, remained resolute. "You defile the sacred pact, outsider. Your words carry the stench of blasphemy. Shaodon demands sacrifice, and we shall not waver in our loyalty."
