“Special guests.” The Arbiter expressed with a subtle smile. “This will be the first time our new members will be joining us.”

Her eyes fell upon the gathering beyond, everyone demanding the attention of all. But there was one who dominated the rest, for he possessed a giant card for a head. He stared intently with non-existent eyes at the Arbiter, awed to have finally seen another oddly familiar face; and the person the Beholders revered.

He stabbed the floor with his diamond-encrusted cane. It bounced and he caught before tipping his hat to his fellow party.

“Shall we, Evergreen? Promised Oath?”

“Please.” Evergreen nodded.

“Lead the way, O’ Hope.” A low-pitched echo spoke from the pink-suited man, whose face was that of a dark void.

He responded with an elegant, gentlemanly bow, the scent of the bundled cypresses and clovers along his top hat perfuming along the entryway.

Not a single inch of his skin was allowed to be revealed. He was a man of few words, for her was a keeper of them. The glorious card-headed man dusted his golden suit, twisting the cane as he strode into the room with exaggerated swagger.

“Now, this is the first time we’ve all met, haven’t we?” He began, clasping his hands together briefly where a deck of cards began to gush out like a fountain. “It’s an honour of mine to finally reach this esteemed place! Riveting to see us all gathered here. I would recite the opening statement, but alas, I’ve come as a member today. An equal! Rejoice, for Hope has arrived!”

The cards burst into thousands of golden particles, more plentiful than the stars of the night sky. The dazzling spectacle left the stoic and docile Moons to unexpectedly stare wondrously at them, as Stars pondered on the power of this light.

The Beholder on the other hand couldn’t care less.

“Quite the tough crowd. Ahem. Magus, the Magician! Of our golden friends, the Golden Index!” He cleared his throat, announcing his name as he made his way towards the Golden Index’ insignia.

The tapping of his cane became hypnotic. They matched the heartbeats of all as his face transformed into the symbol of infinity, with a golden background where a faceless man stood holding a cane like his.

This Tarot Card was the Magician, and Galia recognized this immediately and grinned to herself.

But what did this all mean? He had captured the attention of all. It became clear that he was no ordinary person. As he passed by the Beholders, each slowly began to sense a presence similar to that of the Arbiter’s emanating from him. It was weak, dull, but enough to finally convince them of who this person was before he could even announce it.

With one last tap of his cane, he stood behind the desk, erecting his posture.

“But you may also call me the Archetype of Hope.”

The declaration caused a disturbance to stir amongst the Moons and Stars, all positively responding to the existence of yet another Archetype. The Beholders expressed a mixture of surprise, shock, and glee.

The Arbiter carefully examined them.

Had one expressed anything but this, then there would have been a problem.

“Affiliated with Beholder Carpalis. She is my oh so humorous partner. Recognized intrinsically by the Blessing of the Nexus. I imagine in the same manner that the Arbiter is with Justica Arms.”

Hearing this caused Galia to proudly grin, exuding superiority over all Beholders present.

“Friends! Do introduce yourself on this paramount council.” He tapped the backs of the flanking Underbosses.

“Evergreen, of the Golden Index. Underboss of the Golden Thumb.”

“Promised Oath, of the Golden Index. Underboss of the Golden Pinky.”

The commotion amongst the observers quelled in an instant when the Arbiter rose a single tail to the sky. The Beholders had not spoken a word outside of their introductions, for there were strict rules in place to ensure that all members could be heard.

They had heard of the Amalgam, and some of the Director, but only so few were aware of the Archetype of Hope’s existence. If only they knew that the child hiding behind the Arbiter was yet another Archetype. The reason why she was there was not yet understood, but it wouldn’t be odd if she was just there for the sake of it.

Next was a woman in a relatively normal suit, with long, black, straight hair and crimson eyes. She wore a perpetually sinister smile. Fixing her tie, she walked into the Council, breathing in the respect air like it would be her last.

“Enoch, of ImpulseWorks. T-4 Artificer – Artificer of Rupturing.” She introduced herself, representing the Abyssal Mother for this Council. “Our Abyssal Mother extends her apologies from beyond the Sites. As such, I’ve taken her place…”

She devoured the scenery with her eyes, elated to have the honour of being here.

“So this is what it’s like to be amongst the Gods and Goddesses. To walk into the heavens alive.” She spoke cryptically, assuming ImpulseWorks spot. “Paradeisos. The prison of the stars, and the host of the heaven.”

She was human as far as one was concerned, with no notable features that hinted at an Aquatid background, as Aquatids comprised almost entirely of the higher ups in ImpulseWorks, aside from Overseers and Navigators.

Her character was as enigmatic as the Beholders and was par for the course for many of the higher positioning figures across the Ateliers.

Next was finally Oboros Infinitas.

“To be called into these heights… are you not ashamed?” A woman spoke with a dreaded tone.

Her hair black with streaks of white, cut short and appearing like a fluffy bowl. She was dressed in a black two-piece suit, with a red, buttoned shirt underneath. Her trousers were a blend of black and red, bearing shiny red inscriptions of a snake devouring itself, as a long, thin tail protruded from behind her back.

“Of course you’re not. Pretend however much you have changed. Lament however much we will remain who we are.” She uttered, her voice burrowing into the ears of all.

Her tail contrasted the ones of the Angels, and her eyes were dyed a deep black. It was normal for all demons, and she even possessed a golden pupil. However, after one blink, her eyes transformed to a crimson pair of snake-like eyes. Atop her head were the black, angular horns of a beast.

This person carried a similar presence to that of Beholder Umbra, but one could easily tell that this person was perhaps stronger. Far fiercer, for her eyes carried wrath only seen from the Crowned.

“Satania, of Oboros Infinitas. The Primordial Demon of Wrath.”

She took her place upon an empty spot. Moments later, the ground erupted with light as the symbol of a snake devouring itself appeared underneath her, drawing the secret that was Oboros Infinitas into the light.

“… Magus.” Satania unexpectedly called out to the card-headed man. “Do you remember the day the stars fell?”

“I recall nothing.” Magus bluntly replied.

“Neither do I.” Satania grumbled.

It did not occur to the Moons and Stars how significant this was. All they could wonder was why they were kept a secret, and how long for. Of course, there were Stars that knew this already. It was always the Moons who were left in the dark.

But today would change that forever.

And finally, it was time for the main event.

The last person standing at the archway was Jury, dressed in her fantastical grey mantle and a dress perfect for the occasion. They instantly recognized her as a Beholder, and many eyes were drawn to a certain blue gem along her chest.

Finally, as she took a step forward, the insignia of her promised Atelier appeared on the ground right beside Galia’s; where the Scarlet Logic’s once was. And as she entered the room with her head held high, she introduced herself to the Arbiter’s Council.

“Beholder Jury, of Time Reverberation. Affiliated with the Archetype of Amalgamation.”