David's mind whirled with questions. The titanic system notification, the opulent chamber, the revelation that this legendary figure knew his original name—it was too much to process. Yet of all the important questions he could have asked, what tumbled from his lips was:
"You're a woman."
The chamber fell silent. Even the handmaidens froze in their positions, eyes widening at his blunt observation. The only sound came from the gentle wind that swept across the open skyscape beyond the columns. For a moment, time itself seemed to pause.
Then Solomon broke into melodious laughter, the sound echoing through the chamber like silver bells. Behind David, one of the handmaidens twirled her finger near her temple, giving her companion a knowing look that clearly said: This is the chosen one?
"Did you imagine me as a man?" Solomon's form dissolved into a mist of blue motes of light, only to reappear directly before David.
