Vivian's confidence took a major hit as she stared back at the massive golden eye. She could feel that its mere presence was pressing down on her.
The eye did not blink or shift. It simply observed, unyielding, as if it were measuring the weight of her defiance. Every fiber of her body screamed for her to lower herself, to kneel, to give in, yet she refused. She clenched her fists, trying to anchor herself against the invisible pull, forcing her gaze to meet the golden sphere with every ounce of strength she could summon.
Time seemed to stretch. Her legs shook and her vision blurred at the edges, but still she held her ground. The eye seemed to pierce deeper with every passing heartbeat, like it was looking into her very essence. She could feel it sifting throughlayers she had never dared show anyone.