The ten court Lunas advanced with divine weapons raised.
But before they could strike, Luna raised her hand from the throne.
A simple gesture. Just her palm lifting slightly.
But the entire palace froze.
The court Lunas stopped mid-step, weapons halting in the air. The stars outside ceased spinning. Even the air itself went still, like reality had been paused by divine command.
Everything except us. We could still move. Still breathe. Still feel terror at what was about to happen.
Luna stood from her throne, and the frozen palace seemed to brighten just from her presence becoming more focused. More concentrated. More here.
She walked forward through the space between her throne and where we stood. Each step made the glass floor ring like bells. Made the frozen stars pulse with light. Made divinity itself more tangible.
I'd seen her before. Heard her voice. Felt her presence through trials and creatures and channeled power.
But this was different.
