Dusty white light / blinding darkness is a good, vivid contrast.

Curse those religious leaders and their nefarious manipulations (this is almost like something I might write!)

The dialogue is convincing and well done, and I like the character of the almost sympathetic, and eventually resigned, interrogator.

Glad you enjoyed it. It’s part of a fictive universe that has been developing for some time. I would like to write more pieces of this story.

I can tell some world-making has gone on behind the scenes here – lots of potential, you should definitely expand.