The gatekeeper's pupils constricted to the size of pinpricks.
A single drop of sweat slid down the side of his face.
His chest tightened as though a mountain had settled on it, and his fingers gripped the token with reverence and fear.
The whispers of the crowd dimmed in his ears, drowned out by the pounding of his own heartbeat.
And then—
Bang!
The Gatekeeper collapsed to one knee with such force that the ground beneath him cracked, the sharp sound startling those closest into silence.
The giant of a man, whose mere presence had made others lower their eyes, now bowed so deeply his forehead nearly touched the stone.
Gasps spread like wildfire.
The same people who had just mocked Riley and his wives now stared wide-eyed, their expressions twisted between disbelief and awe.
"P–please… come inside, Honored Guest." The Gatekeeper's voice shook, each word laced with urgency and humility.
