On the 23rd of the 9th month on the 350th year following the day the First Advent arrived in their world an exalted event was hosted within the heights of the Nexus.

The sun rose like any ordinary day, the warm, pink hue cascading across the world as its light slowly crept along the pale Nexus. Brandar’s nights no longer knew of the infestations ever since the disappearance of the bright object.

Stories became rumors. Rumors spread faster than the wildfires that devastated countless homes. The light appeared like birds to some, wealth to many, and dreams to those that aspired. There was no one consensus on what the light’s true form was, for it conformed to the desires on an individual basis.

The object and the events of the Nex Megalopolis rose beyond legends and became history. No one could forget what they saw and what was done. Many could return to the normalcy. To them, today was just another day.

But the Inhabitants of the City of Clubs, and largely the City of Spades had no place to call home anymore. To them, today and every following day would be marred with struggle and despair. Magical artillery left what were grand sprawls of civilization into nothing but smoldering ruins. The Scarlet Logic swallowed everything in their path like swarms of locusts.

Everyone came to the realization that the Nex Megalopolis was not as secure as they believed it to be. Entities roamed amongst them. Whilst many had been felled or captured by relevant personnel and Adventurers, many more were still at large. The dynamics of the Nex Megalopolis forever changed that day, as well as the larger part of the world.

But amid this despair was a beacon of hope that rose to the sky like a great spear.

Because today marked the beginning of a new dawn.

One figure took it upon themselves to wield that spear – the Nexus – to pave the way to a brighter future.

The Arbiter’s Council resided within the Upper Sanctum of the Nexus. If one took a turn before they reached the Floors of the Archetypes and followed an arbitrary number of steps along a pale hall, one may find themselves on the right path towards the Council.

The pale hall slowly transitioned over to gold, accepting only those approved by the Arbiter, like how the Floors of the Archetypes and the Eternal Library functioned. A golden Central Relay sat at the archways which led into the fated Council, where holy lights shone in every direction.

From the beautiful murals of faceless Angels to the sculpted mosaics of Atelier insignias, and to the golden pillars and mirrored floors; the chamber preceding the Arbiter’s Council was one that never failed to evoke majesty.

A sense of honor permeated from the Moons and Stars who moved through like one large entity. The 55 Moons of the Nexus were dressed in two-piece black suits like those of the Receptionists to differentiate them from those who were associated with an Atelier. Their ties were white, their suits were trimmed with gold at the end of their sleeves and collar.

Stars expressed larger variety, some dressed in ceremonial robes, and others in armor or donned Atelier Items. Tension existed between the Stars, particularly among those who wore the robes, who silently judged the armor-wearing Stars as though they had committed blasphemy for daring to arm themselves in neutral grounds.

There were 30 Stars of the Nexus, a number far smaller than what one would have expected. This was because the majority of them were tied to Ateliers, as were the Moons and Exalted. Those individuals were disallowed from attending the Arbiter’s Council aside from those explicitly brought along by a Beholder as an attendee or, in very rare instances, as a spokesperson much like Carpalis and her Underbosses.

Several Moons studied the marching mass as if searching for someone. Soon, they entered a vast, spherical chamber that overlooked the lobby far underneath. Their spectator stands were shaped like a ring, and Moons stood the closest to the balcony where they could see the entirety of the Arbiter’s Council below.

Stars positioned themselves behind them in a ring-like formation. Their combined duty was to not just observe, but to also protect the Council. Not that it was required when Beholders were amongst them.

A warm, golden light shone from above them, purging all shadows. A chest-height, ring-shaped table sat in the center of the floor underneath, where exactly 9 Atelier insignias were etched into the ground, each colored vibrantly to mark where the Beholders would stand.

The table floated, and it spun clockwise as a single figure, who stood on an elevated stand observed with her golden eyes. The Arbiter patiently waited for the members to arrive and fill the vacant places.

Her stand was made solely out of her 12 wings and 7 tails, creating a beautiful, pale nest that oversaw all within her Council. A separate entryway was located at the opposite end of the chamber; a double door shaped like giant, pale feathers which opened like raised halberds.

Beholders trickled in one by one in a respectable manner, none sharing a word or glance at another as the world fell silent. Their presence alone demanded it, as they stood there gathered in an ensemble, each of their eyes emitting a subtle glow that cut through the light of the Council.

“Beholder Galia, of Justica Arms.” Galia was the first to enter, the sound of her clapping boots ceasing as stood atop the engraved insignia, her eyes sealed shut as she pointed her nose to the vacant spot beside her.

It was where Scarlet Logic’s insignia used to be.

A grin formed on her face as the next Beholder made their entry.

“Beholder Marionette, of Act X.” A hollow, rackety voice announced as the multi-armed Beholder swept past Galia.

She was dressed in a blue robe, with a mantle that followed like a scorpion’s tail. Her body was totally enshrouded by the robes, which hid her many artificial arms. She had long, sky blue, ethereal hair that dangled like silk.

Her golden eyes stared vehemently at a space behind the Arbiter, sensing… no, predicting the presence of another Archetype.

A child with pale hair stood behind the Arbiter, curiously watching the spectacle through a tiny gap amongst the tails and wings with sparkling eyes.

“Beholder E., of Inflow Direct.” A 3-meter humanoid machine with brain in a vat marched forward, his stomps threatening to shatter the floor. A mechanical wheeze left his artificial lungs with each step, subsiding as liquid bubbled into the clear vat once he assumed his rightful place, standing there like a statue.

Tiny tubes invaded his brain like parasites, injecting all manners of colorful fluid, all the while his body was constantly pumped with pale-like liquid through the largest tubes – the same used for healing Serums.

All flesh was replaced with steel, blood with artificial fluids, and his heart vibrating like an engine rather than a biological organ. A blue, glass cavity resided in the center of his chest, revealing what little of his organs remained within his iron body, the remnants of his humanity.

“Beholder Umbra, of our Chained Theocracy.” A dark-skinned woman clad in a black, hooded suit entered as shadowy wings followed. It was dispelled in the light, and her black sclera glistened as she smiled to herself, revealing teeth like that of a bear trap.

Her apparel closely resembled a straight jacket, as straps and chains wrapped her tightly as though to contain an ancient danger. Her long, grey hair was strapped down too, reaching as far as her ankles.

“Beholder Descartes 3, of CogitO.” A relatively normal woman walked in. If one recalled, Descartes was a man. However, the ‘3’ was an important distinction. “1,2, 4 and 5 could not attend.”

She was dressed in a blue suit baring exactly 3 green stripes across her chest. Of all the Beholders, she was the most normal looking. Her hair was a dark blue, cut just above her shoulders.

Beholder Descartes was not one Beholder, but 5 that made up one whole. To put it simply – ‘he’ was 5 distinct, detached personalities. 3 was the usual, diligent attendee to the Arbiter’s. She was seemingly out of place but looks undoubtedly deceiving.

“Beholder Knalzark, of Caldera Industries.” The last of the visible members of the Arbiter’s Council made himself known as he strode through, wearing a suit far too tight for his monstrously built body.

Light distorted around his body, but not nearly as much as outside of the Nexus. The tall, Dwarven man folded his arms and observed the other participants, raising a brow when he noticed that several others were absent.

Before he could voice his concerns, the Arbiter interjected by allowing a tail to brush by the back of his head.

“The Golden Index, ImpulseWorks, Oboros Infinitas and a special guest will be arriving shortly.”

The mention of Oboros Infinitas caused many Moons to exchange looks, never having heard of such an Atelier. The highlight of the Arbiter’s Council was not this however, but of a certain other Archetype who would be soon making their entrance.

Eventually, multiple individuals arrived at the entrance.

And amongst them was a certain white-haired Beholder with a clock for a heart.