By the Hand of Light

Luna was raised in the Elysian faith to believe that maiaaks are monsters that threaten humanity and must be destroyed. When she is ordered to escort a maiaak prisoner named Lyzal to Athanasia to face judgement, she obeys. But early in the journey, Luna encounters another maiaak, named Saros, and hesitates to kill him. Her compassion leads to a reluctant alliance, bringing him into their already tense group.

As the three travel across the countryside, they notice shadows moving and strange light that feels more like judgment than safety. These haunting forces seem drawn to conflict and fear, stalking their every step and complicating the already dangerous mission. They also learn that these forces aren't the only things that haunt the living and that there are darker secrets in the world that even maiaaks fear.

By the time they reach Athanasia, Luna's purpose has changed. She carries the truth she has witnessed and seeks answers from the Solarch himself. But the closer she gets to the heart of her faith, the darker things become. She questions whether Elysian is truly guiding humanity, or if the Solarch's vision for humanity may be far more monstrous than the maiaaks she was taught to fear.