And the mortal quietly raised his head, showing his attitude, responding silently.
The Sun was silent.
The mortal said nothing.
["..."]
"..."
Proudly, the mortal and the divine held their stand-off, neither willing to lower their head first.
No one knows how much time has passed.
In the agony, the measure of time started becoming blurred.
A minute, ten minutes, half an hour…
Gradually, Herbert felt he lost the sensation of his body, his consciousness retracting from it.
No longer feeling pain, no longer experiencing the scorching heat of the Holy Light.
Herbert didn't know what temperature he was at now, but he could "perceive" his body's temperature was soaring.
Like an iron block buried in the fire by a craftsman, slowly becoming red-hot, waiting to be changed by the Iron Hammer.
Then...
Bang!
A soul-stirring loud noise shattered all silence.
Not feeling the pain of being hammered, but sensing an ineffable ease.
