Chapter 261: The Black Cocoon

**Thelma Zane’s POV** Three days passed in a blur, each moment marked by a whirlwind of reunions and reflections. I met all my old friends, one by one, during this time. On the night I woke up, Dorothy wanted to stick to the original plan of having her family come to pray for me. I stopped her immediately. There was no point in them making the trip, as I was already awake, with my body and soul intact. Besides, the divine fragment—the very thing they relied on for their rituals—was a finite resource. Although the energy lost wouldn’t kill them outright, it wasn’t something to take lightly. Who knew when it might become crucial? Prudence seemed the wiser course. Yet, I couldn’t ignore the emotions their actions stirred in me. I was touched by their sincerity and grateful for their unwavering dedication. Anyone would be moved by such genuine gestures. But at the same time, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy. It wasn’t a matter of status but of identity. I wasn’t the exalted god