No Moon dared to speak. No Star attempted to voice their puzzlement. Standing guard at the sacred gates of the Arbiter’s Council were once the Jesters of the Nexus. The triplets with a knack of tainting the distinguished image of the Moons and dabbled in foolish conspiracies.

Combined with the fact that they had slapped down every offer and hand an Atelier had given them, they had become a main source of resentment amongst the Moons. Others laughed at their antics, believing them to be lower than themselves.

To find them appointed to a position above their own by the Amalgam of all people left many dumbfounded. Cer proudly placed her hands on her hip, her tail wagging as she basked in their disarray.

Ber gave the Council a toothy grin, gathering the most eyes. They could have sworn Ber was the same pipsqueak as the rest of her pitiful sisters only four months ago and yet, standing there with the same name and face was a woman with unparalleled beauty.

It was only on this occasion that Ber allowed herself to return to a suit. Her face appeared serious, but deep down she considered getting a dress-like Atelier Item. Her ears waved side by side casually. As usual, her mind strayed off even in the presence of a paramount event.

Res was the most stoic of them all, her eyes emitting a powerful glimmer as she swept her gaze along the spectator gallery above. Unlike her sisters, she did not display joy as though waiting for something to spark her unlit heart. Still, it didn’t change that she finally had the unanimously stunned gazes of the Moons.

For once they weren’t being stared at for being fools.

Frost couldn’t be prouder of the triplets. It was only natural that she would come to trust them with her life, and in extension, the protection of the Nexus. For now, their title was only in name, but Frost had an idea on how to bellow life into their roles. Regardless, Frost internally grinned at the title of ‘Eye, Fang and Claw’.

It was too cool to not at least appreciate.

Frost, with radiant eyes, finally spoke.

“It should not be a surprise to anyone that my three Moons will serve to oversee all security within the Nexus. Whilst you all lingered behind the safety of these pale walls, they came to my direct aid. When the Star fell and brought me down; when he betrayed the Nexus, why was it only they who responded?” She began with a powerful rhetoric, setting the stage and casting a vindicating light upon the triplets.

Of course, the truth was far more complex. But she’d rather decorate the events in a light where it was obvious who her allies were.

“Before the opening statement can be given, I am compelled to express my thanks to my Moons. I’ve journeyed through this world and learned of the good and bad. The abhorrence that litters this world, the festering that lurks deep underneath, and the atrocities that hang within arms reach have morphed my perspective of the Ateliers, the Impuritas, and the greater part of this world. Through my Moons, I was not only guided, but offered insight into the truth, as well as the lies.”

The Archivist transcribed every word, every breath, and every blink that was made within the Arbiter’s Council as she stood on the other side of Michaela. Frost’s eyes never left the vacant center of the round table, and yet, it felt as though her gaze was cast in every direction. One thousand invisible eyes watched all with equal scrutiny.

Her presence was ubiquitous. Res’ face lit up slightly as she heard these words, her tail tapping the back of her leg as a mellow look formed.

“Therefore, beginning from this very moment, Cer, Ber and Res are the highest ranking of Moons, for they are mine. To humiliate Cer is to ridicule my tongue. To ignore Ber is to cast away my hands. And to turn your gaze away from Res is to turn your back against mine.”

Cer’s hands trembled. She yearned to celebrate on the spot, but instead offered a cheeky smile. Ber was the same, wanting to throw her fists into the air. Res on the otherhand wanted to walk up to Frost and thank her from the bottom of her heart. Her face further mellowed, her eyes narrowing as she mentally thanked Frost, the same time Nav carried Ber’s words of thanks.

“Together, they are the Three Heads of Security. However, I have not come here to merely introduce my Moons on this respected Council. I am here to gather the truth. To cut away the lies and to cast light into the undergrowth of the Ateliers.”

Frost’s voice continued to flourish with power. The longer she spoke, the more confident she became, the flaws of her voice nonexistent. Her voice rang in their chests and was amplified by the shape of the chamber.

“I am a separate entity from the Arbiter in this Council. My judgement is one of my own. Therefore, I’d tread carefully and consider what you believe is worth hiding from me.” Frost ended on a foreboding note.

It served as a warning as she allowed the Arbiter to retract her wings from their heights, the falling feathers sweeping away to the sides of the chamber by an invisible force.

Then, she brought her hands together and clapped once, a pair of wings, and her tail following suit.

“The Amalgam has spoken. O Archivist. Do you have any introductory words to offer?” She asked.

“I hope you can consider what your enemies are doing now. The technology you possess is not infallible. Remember where you started from.” Was all she could muster after briefly lifting the tip of her quill from the book.

She referenced the fact that the Impuritas were working together now, therefore, it would be wise for the Ateliers to consider this as well rather than to fracture off. Before the Arbiter’s Council had even begun, Frost and Anna had thrown in a major part of their agenda.

“Thank you.” The Arbiter wrapped a tail around Anna’s waist, offering her additional support as she would be seated for a long time to come. “O Magician. Do you have any words to spare?”

“My words are one with Beholder Carpalis’ sentiments. Therefore, I will play by the Council’s rules and await my turn. We are all fellow members.” Magus politely postponed.

“I see. O Star Child. Do you offer them an equation?”

The child peered her head from behind the Arbiter, drawing a tiny galaxy with one swipe of her hand.

“Indeed. This does feel like a meeting of the cosmos.” The Arbiter brushed the hair of the child before she went back into hiding.

Then, she extended her arms out, both palms facing outwards as she prepared to give the opening statement. With everything now in motion, and with all members present – it was time to begin the Arbiter’s Council.

However, not without mentioning Beholder Jury.

“Before we begin, I must ask Beholder Jury a favor.” She smiled fondly as Jury began reaching into the air for a strange, rectangular object.

It was pale, resembling a thick pole roughly the size of her arm. Various black lines ran through it like cracks, creating a beautiful pattern. She placed it on the table. Immediately, a familiar ticking began to ring from within like a bell.

“Will you extend the time of my Council? We will be here for quite some time. Beholders. Allow Time Reverberation to demonstrate their first Aspect – The Isolation Sphere.”