Lunan

Lunan, the God of the Moon, stepped on the cool marble floor of the open ceiling moon temple, his silver eyes studying his surroundings. Moonlight bouncing off the marble illuminated the area and revealed seven columns that were scattered in a circular pattern, reaching up to the empty air. Around Lunan, about a hundred people were knelt in a circle, keeping their heads bowed in respect.

"Rise," Lunan said, his voice comforting like the gentle lapping of the waves on the shore but booming with ancient power.

The group slowly stood and raised their heads, but none of them met his eyes.

"What have you summoned me?" Lunan asked.

From the group, one woman stepped forward. She was dressed in silver robes and wore a pendant around her neck bearing the symbol of Lunan, a circle with two outside-facing crescent moon on either side. "Our people have been going missing, and we have no one else to turn to," she said without meeting the god's gaze.

"Be at ease, moon sage." Lunan comforted his follower. "I have been keeping watch every night, and my sister, Solaris, every day. We haven't seen any atrocities befall your village."

"That is because the monster attacks under a moonless sky," the moon sage said, her voice soft yet slightly strained with emotion.

Lunan furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "What has been happening?"

"Our people go missing on moonless nights. It doesn't matter what we do or where we are. When the moon disappears from the night sky, someone vanishes, never to be seen again."

Lunan pondered for a moment. Had someone truly been slipping under the watchful gaze of the moon and the sun to harm simple villagers? It certainly couldn't be a mortal. It had to be a celestial being. But what would a celestial being want from simple villagers? "Then, upon the next moonless night, I shall walk the earth," Lunan promised the moon sage. "If someone dares attack your village, I shall protect you."

The moon sage fell to her knees. "Thank you! You are our true god and protector."

Lunan smiled as moonlight started flowing out from his skin. Soon, every inch of his skin glowed until the light expanded, blinding all the followers. Then, the light faded, and Lunan was gone.

                                              .                .             .             .

As the sun began to set, Lunan appeared in the moon temple, showering his surrounding with blinding light as he stepped into the physical plane. The moon sage was there waiting for him. The last time he had appeared, he'd come wearing simple, silver robes, but this time, he was here to protect his followers; he was here to fight. This time, he was dressed in a white combat suit that looked as soft as cotton but was stronger than any metal that humans could forge. His silver hair was spiked, and wisps of air trailed along his back, hiding something that was fastened there.

"Thank you for gracing us with your presence!" The moon sage greeted Lunan, bowing before him and the godly power he wielded.

"Rise," Lunan said.

The moon sage and the other followers slowly stood up. "Tonight, we shall sleep in peace. For no night is safer than a night under your holy gaze."

Lunan nodded in acknowledgement. "Go to your quarters," he ordered them, and in a few moments, all the followers dissipated, leaving the God of the Moon alone in the temple.

Lunan stepped to the wide window and looked out. Since the temple sat at the top of the hill, it offered a view to the entire village that sat on the shore and was bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. Most of the architecture was simple, with symbols of the moon god incorporated into the structures or carved into the wood. People walked about, heading to their homes, and soon, as the sun dipped past the sea line and a moonless sky filled the horizon, the village was left empty. The streets were quiet and serene, but Lunan was alert. His spectral gaze pierced the darkest shadows and studied every corner of the village.