The Shadow Knight
The celestial alignment responded immediately, crimson light intensifying into concentrated beam that connected moon to transformed figure below.
The Grand Inquisitor backed away from this manifestation, genuine theological terror displacing confident authority. Everything his carefully constructed worldview promised about light's inevitable triumph over darkness collapsed before practical demonstration of shadow illuminated from within.
"What are you doing?" he demanded, though question emerged with none of his customary command. "This alignment belongs to the Council's authority. The ritual remains incomplete."
"The alignment belongs to no one," the Shadow Knight replied, harmonic voice ca