The woman in the slate-gray suit stepped down, offering a crisp, robotic bow to the assembly. The screen behind her flickered, transitioning from economic maps to a stark, hierarchical list. The Leader of Celestial reclaimed the podium, his presence expanding to fill the room like a rising tide.
"With the state of our union addressed," he began, his voice echoing with practiced gravity, "we shall proceed to the next item on the agenda: the ratification of new powers. It is time to recognize the organizations and groups that have risen to shape the future of this nation."
The screen illuminated a new chart. At the bottom, a long column of names glowed in dull Bronze. Above them, a shorter list shimmered in Silver. There were no names in Gold. But at the very top, set against a background of matte Obsidian, the name ROYAL burned in brilliant gold lettering, shining like a lone star atop a winter tree.
