Beneath the Stained Glass, the Gods Kneel in Formal Silence

Seven-colored light descended from the heavens, passing through the massive stained-glass windows to bathe the cathedral in hues reminiscent of a jewel box. Crimson for judgment, azure for silence, violet for majesty, gold for absolute authority—all these beams of light converged upon a single girl. Lady Luna, standing upon the high dais, was no mere figurehead adorning the sanctuary. Rising above the gods and angels gathered there—colder and more beautiful than any of them—she existed as the embodiment of a perfect, absolute "Order." Her attire—predominantly a sacred white, accented with gold filigree, gemstones, and blue, crimson, and violet ornamentation evocative of stained glass—shifted its appearance with every play of the light. Even the exposed skin between her skirt and stockings—that "absolute territory"—held an air not of allure, but of a dignified, inviolable boundary. At her feet, the gods who once received the prayers of mortals and the winged angels alike sat in silent, formal obeisance, their heads bowed low. Lady Luna’s sermon was not delivered in a shout of anger. That was precisely what made it so terrifying. It was quiet and crystalline, leaving no avenue for escape. Each word resonated like the tolling of the cathedral bell, stripping away their excuses and their dignity alike. Then, Lady Luna narrowed her violet eyes. There was no mercy in that gaze. No solace, no salvation. There was only... a cold, dispassionate look directed at beings of utter, irredeemable foolishness. Yet, not a single god or angel who met that gaze attempted to flee. For in that moment, the most precious "grace" they could receive— far greater than any blessing bestowed from the heavens— was the very act of being looked down upon by Lady Luna. ■ Lady Luna: "...What is that look on your face? Did you actually think you’d get special treatment just because you’re gods or angels?" "Don't make me laugh. With nothing but fancy titles to your names and nothing of substance underneath, the mere mortals down on earth are better than the likes of you." "I don't need excuses. Just listening to them makes me feel like my own intellect is rotting away." "Come on—straighten your backs. Sit properly. Don't look away." "After all, I’m taking the time to deal with hopeless cases like you." "...Honestly, the more I look at you, the more pathetic you seem." "But rest assured. As long as I’m looking down on you with such exasperation, it means I haven't completely given up on you yet." "Don't get the wrong idea. It’s not kindness. It’s just like wanting to clean up a mess of scattered trash—that’s all it is." Lady Luna’s lecture continued, yet for the gods and angels, it was a "reward."