The Golden Stars Must Shine With Muted Light

These times have not befriended us, the children of the Unconquered Sun. We are seen as monsters and killed for being who we are.

Yet the light and fire that infuse our souls seek always to break through and bathe Creation in its beauty. The twins Star Song and Heart of Ocean are creatures of exquisite beauty, yet their performance transcended their appearance. Undoubtedly, they channeled the glory of the First Age that Creation has so achingly been longing for. Regardless of this, I did not detect any use of essence during their show, apart from the presence of the summoned demon that augmented it.

This fact makes their performance even more impressive. It is natural for Solars to augment their natural gifts with essence to enact marvels beyond the ken of mortals. The sisters nevertheless chose otherwise--and they were wise to do so. To have channeled their divine gifts would threaten their safety, as even Nexus is unsafe to the Anathema.

I observe this with no little sadness, and no little anger. The dragon-blooded have forced us to dim our light, and their sin is not just against us but to the entirety of Creation.

This must change, and soon.

Introduction: Clouded Mirror

I am Clouded Mirror, among many other things.

I am also the hand of the Emissary, the ineffable being who rules the city of Nexus with an iron grip that sizzles with power and absolution. I am his servant, but perhaps the same can be said of anyone within the walls of his great city. He means to preserve Nexus, and for what reason I cannot begin to guess. Beings as old and mighty as he are not happy to have their motives questioned. Love for his city is a simple assumption that the naive would bring forward--love is a simple emotion, after all. The Emissary, unfortunately, is far from simple.

I am companion to Tomorrow, the errant god of Knowledge Forsaken. He knows my thoughts, and perhaps delights in them. His goals and mine coincide, for the moment, and the rewards are as dangerous as they are desirable.

I am a Twilight, a child of the Unconquered Sun who walks the razor's edge between light and darkness, and a sorcerer. We Solars pride ourselves for our excellence and as a Copper Spider, I am blessed with divine gifts of mind and understanding. If knowledge is power, then I hold a weapon that can make Creation tremble.

Perhaps this is another foolish assumption, for I have learned that there are things still hidden from the gaze of the sun. I study these shadows--as is my nature--only to find puzzles within puzzles. I do not find this disturbing in itself, as it is my place to flit between the borders of fact and the unthinkable--so much like the twilight that is my name and birthright.

When I find my answers, I am unsure if they would be for the good of Creation. I think I do not care.

Creation has fallen, and far. To recreate the glory that was lost, I am willing to tear down the world and build from its ashes. That power lies in sorcery and its secrets. I will have it.