He loosened his arm, allowing her to step forward. She faced the assembled guild with her hands folded before her, the morning breeze stirring the loose ends of her hair.
"I believe I speak for every person in Japan when I say..."
Her voice caught, and she took a breath before continuing.
"Thank you."
Yunohana bowed deeply to Eclipse's fighters.
The front rows went still. Farther back, conversations stopped as people saw the High Shrine Maiden remain bent before them, thanking them for what they had done for her country.
Vanessa Sloan's mouth softened into a smile. Beside her, a young fighter drew himself straighter, looking overwhelmed by the honor.
They had arrived desperate to be useful. Japan had let them fight, fed them afterward, and sent its own people into danger alongside them. Now the woman who had welcomed their guild was bowing to them before those same comrades.
