Early on the morning of the 7th of Juliary, 163 years after the Coming of
Estarra, I was sitting pensively in the Eye of Twilight, the glorious chamber
at the north end of the Twilight Cathedral, when several of my kinsmen arrived
at once. From my guild, Brother Neraka and Postulant Genevieve were following
Father Talkan, with Sir Barendur Dekoven and Forren Glacielle along with them.
Close behind were Lady Malicia La'Saet who was speaking earnestly with Sir
Livictus as they entered. We soon established that we were all there in
response to similar feelings, a "tugging by Twilight" as Genevieve put it.

Shamarah, Hope's Defender teleported in, the motes of light heralding his
arrival spooking Livictus into drawing his weapons until he realized that it
wasn't an enemy. We all chuckled a bit nervously, bathed in the soft
luminescence of the deep blue light radiating from the floor; the Gods had
obviously touched this place. And just then we received a more direct
confirmation of the Divine sacredness of the place, as a sonorous voice
emanated from the aether, saying in multiple simultaneous tones, "Greetings,
little cousins."

A shimmering manifestation had appeared, twisting strands of power and wind
forming a form somewhat like a mortal but constantly shifting; all we could
focus upon were two brilliant, expressive silver eyes. We bowed and curtseyed,
Livictus removing his silver helm. It was obvious to all of us that the form,
and the discorporeal voice, were those of Lord Elostian the Enigma.

"I am glad My summons has been heard," the voice said. "If more are willing to
come, I shall await them." Even at that moment Sir Ruiku Dekoven, attended by
Squire Tragmar, teleported to the scene, showing that the news of the Divine's
call was still spreading.

"Lord Elostian requires the presence of the Basin, it seems," Lady Malicia
announced to the city at large. "If any wish to come, please teleport to me."
And several did so, including Lord Zacc, two Postulants, Parker and Yevah, from
the Celestines, and Glia, Harmonic String. Others who answered Malicia's
announcement were Kurame, who was then a citizen of New Celest, and Shulamit
Vryce, who was not a kinswoman despite being a known friend of the city. I
joked that the rest of Lusternia probably thought we were staging a raid from
some very unusual gathering point.

"Are all of New Celest that wish to be present arrived?" the voice asked, and
we answered in the affirmative, although Squire Snaithy arrived from the aether
even then. My guildmates Neraka and Genevieve made a final call to the city for
those wanting to attend.

In fact, these calls were cast a bit too widely for our Lord's taste: "This
only concerns the citizens of Celest," the voice declared, the twin eyes
swinging from Shulamit to Father Talkan. "No, dear Talkan, I did not ask for
all the Basin."

"Oh?" Talkan exclaimed quizzically. "My mistake then, Sir."

"I'll leave, I'll leave," Shulamit reassured us, one eye on Elostian's wavering
form, perhaps worrying about a bolt of Divine energy from the blue. I told her
that I would give her directions out of the Cathedral, which she gratefully
followed, although the arrival of another Celestine, Meliana, meant that the
gathering had not diminished.

"Very well then," the voice said in a satisfied tone. "For those of you who are
not aware of this, I shall explain." All side conversation ceased at once, and
we listened attentively to the Divine voice.

"About one year ago," it began, "Vesar, on behalf of the Star Council of
Celest, extended to Me the hospitality of Celest and invited Me to join the
city. I have since been pondering all aspects and consequences of this
invitation and I have nearly reached a conclusion.

"There is but one thing I would still witness, and this is why I have called
you all here. My experience with the citizens of Celest comes from My memories
of one of My predecessors, Lacostian. These are old and contradicted by some of
the observations made by My other predecessor, Elcyrion.

"As such, I wish to observe and understand your way of reasoning and thinking
before I make My decision, and at the same time also allow you to learn."

"In what way would you wish to observe us, Lord?" Genevieve interjected.

"I shall explain this, little cousin," Elostian's voice replied, "be patient."
Genevieve fell back into silence, blushing a bit.

"First," the voice continued after a short pause, "I shall allow you, as a
group, to ask Me three questions. These questions you must decide between
yourselves and when you agree, I shall answer them. What questions you ask Me
will teach Me about you. After this we shall continue." It took us a moment to
digest this; then a discussion exploded onto New Celest's city aether.

Forren Glacielle first asked whether we knew Lord Elostian's thoughts of the
Taint. I answered with a definite yes, since (as it happened) I had been
discussing that very topic with Him before the gathering in the Eye of Twilight
had been called. I summarized my understanding in this way:

"Lord Elostian recalls that Estarra the Eternal has proved beyond doubt that
the Taint is no longer explicitly connected with Kuthuru. However, He says that
the physical Taint is perhaps the most dangerous substance in Lusternia. He will
not dedicate Himself to its destruction, I will say; but He allows all people to
hold their beliefs and chose their actions, as long as they are willing to
defend their choices."

"So the Taint and Tainted are not evil in and of themselves," Genevieve
paraphrased, "but rather through the actions they choose to take." By now our
kinsmen were satisfied that we should choose other questions, and proposals
were not in short supply.

Talkan suggested we could ask the Enigma how He thinks of Life itself, that of
the animals and people, and how life is prioritized in relation to knowledge
and self-understanding. Parker proposed we ask how best to grow life in the
Basin, which Forren countered with the question of how to better ourselves. Our
onetime prince Shamarah put forward the notion of asking whether Elostian
believed in innocence, while Squire Snaithy advised we request clarification on
the manner in which His two predecessors were fused. Ahndie Dekoven even
advocated asking the Divine Lord what the best questions would be!

I almost gasped then as I felt Elostian extend gently into my mind to use my
senses. When He learned from my hearing and recent memories that the city was
engaged in earnest discussion, He withdrew His reach with satisfaction, leaving
me in silent awe at His power.

At first the sensible nomination of Lady Malicia as speaker for New Celest was
made; but then I blinked as I realized that Malicia was expressing her
preference that I ask the questions for the city. Having been smoothly ceded
this responsibility, I gathered my fire within me (using Postulant Creslin's
arrival to compose myself for a moment) and stepped forward towards the patient
God.

"Lord Elostian, we have chosen one question already," I reported, as those in
the discussion had all liked a recommendation of Brother Neraka. "Shall we ask
it now?"

"Please do so," the voice responded.

I nodded in understanding and spoke up: "Very simply, we wish to know ... what
do You expect of New Celest as a city?"

In one of many occasions where conversing with Lord Elostian has made me aware
of my lack of clarity, His voice answered, "How do you wish Me to interpret
this question: as it concerns Me, or what I expect the city to do?"

Feeling like a hatchling, I quickly polled those listening over our city's
aether that the former was what we meant. "As it concerns You, Lord," I
clarified.

After a thoughtful pause, the Enigma gave His response. "There is no simple
answer to this question, as the question is not a simple one. It depends on My
understanding of the city as well as what the city might possibly know about
Me. I expect to find those in Celest who would benefit from My teachings, and I
hope that My presence would be an asset.

"My goal, if such a thing I can be said to have, would be to provide My
experience and wisdom and as such assist others in achieving progress in the
way of understanding, for this is something I feel many would profit from, and
as such create the symbiosis between shards and elders that exists elsewhere in
the Basin."

A quick session of elucidation followed within our city, as Neraka reminded the
less experienced that "shards" referred to mortalkind, the fragmented pieces of
the Elder Gods (most of the races, at least). We also explained that
"symbiosis" meant a mutually beneficial relationship.

"Did this answer your question?" the voice asked, and we nodded emphatically in
agreement.

"We are pondering the second question now, my Lord," I said, and there was some
stirring from the congregation. My kinswoman Saryn arrived tardily from the
aether, and Sir Ruiku departed, although he returned later with food for those
who answered the Divine summons while already hungry.

As a city we reviewed the better-received proposals for questions. "So
Shamarah's question," I summarized, "was does He believe in innocence. Yevah's
question was, does He see value in loving without being loved, in sacrifice
without reward. We also have what His opinion of Lady Terentia is, or what in
His memories of Lord Elcyrion He finds off-putting." The sentiments of the
congregation seemed to lie with some variant of this last topic.

At this time we were inspired as to our final question. "I think our last
question," Neraka offered, "should be if He has anything that He wants to tell
the Basin that might help us in our struggles."

"The struggles of New Celest, or all Lusternians?" I asked.

"The struggles of New Celest," Malicia put in. "The burden we bear, due to the
actions of Emperor Ladantine."

With my attention turned to my city's aether, I jumped a little to hear the
Divine voice seemingly just a tail away: "Has a second question been decided
upon yet?"

"Almost," Talkan smoothly covered for me. "We're just trying to decide between
a last few ideas."

"Good, that would mean that the third one is close to being selected as well,"
the voice hinted.

"Aye - if we can only decide on this one we'll be complete." This seemed to
amuse Lord Elostian a bit, as a quiet chuckling emanated from the aether. As
Shamarah had just walked in from the east Transept at that moment, he was
understandably unnerved at the sourceless mirth.

Clearing my throat, I spoke up again: "Lord Enigma, our second question is ...
what are Your opinions of the other Divine associated to New Celest, namely our
Patron and Consulate?"

The drifting figure's eyes fixed upon the distance for a moment. "With the
consideration that I do not believe many wish to be here for an extended amount
of time, I shall keep this answer short." Indeed, as the voice spoke, we
realized that it was probably past midnight by then and that the 8th of Juliary
had begun.

"I have always had a friendly relationship with all Elders of New Celest in My
short time here," Lord Elostian began. "I also do not recall either of My
predecessors having a negative opinion on any of them. Except perhaps the vague
dislike Elcyrion held for Hajamin after His demise in the Elder Wars.

"I do not necessarily agree with all that They teach, but I understand that all
must find their own answers, and as such there is a place for all these beliefs
and teachings; and with the proper respect of the intelligence and ideas of
others, it is possible for all of these to exist in balance and harmony.

"Has that answered your question, little cousin?" the voice finished, those
silver eyes locking my gaze. With a gulp I nodded mutely, and others indicated
their assent as well.

Since we were satisfied, by and large, with our choice of the third question, I
quickly asked it then: "Lord Elostian, is there anything you would like to tell
New Celest that You believe will help us with our struggles?" I was a bit too
quick, it seems, as others took issue with the way I had worded the question -
although the topic was indeed our city's struggles, they said that I should
have asked about what He could tell Lusternia as a whole. By then it was too
late (or I was too nervous) to change it, and I just kept my steam to myself.

"I have My own opinions on many things, little cousins," the voice said,
superposed upon an equally disembodied laugh of amusement, "but I am afraid
there is no easy solution to many things, including the imminent danger of the
Taint, which I am sure you are referring to when you speak of struggles."

Talkan held up a polite hand to speak then. "Well, lately we have have even had
struggles with those who aren't Tainted," he said, referring primarily to the
traitors Narsrim and Thoros; "those who were once considered our allies began
slaying our angels."

"They're Tainted, believe you me," I retorted to Talkan, who nodded back to
accept my view. "Another conversation for another time though," he chided me
gently.

Since it seemed I remained our city's spokesman, I recomposed myself and broke
the quiet that followed. "Still, even if there is no easy solution," I asked
the Divine shape, "we hope that You can provide some of Your insight."

"Indeed," His voice responded simply. "Then perhaps you should specify a
specific conflict that I shall give you My opinion on."

Lady Malicia accepted our Lord's offer. "New Celest is firmly against the
Taint, and we have been fighting it with every fiber of our strength. We wish
to know if You feel that we have been going about it in the proper manner.
Divine encouragement, if You would ... or, disapproval. Whichever is fitting."

"I would always be happy to provide My opinion on things," came the answer,
"though one should keep in mind that I am not omniscient and I may be mistaken
as well." With this we waited in eager silence as the God gathered His wise
thoughts.

"I personally believe," Elostian avowed, "that it is impossible to completely
remove or destroy the Taint. It is something that will have to be lived with,
like we have accepted the presence of water and fire. However, this does not
mean that the Taint is not dangerous and must not be opposed. I believe the
Taint is very dangerous to those that attempt to use it.

"As I told the others who asked Me this, if I would have to draw a comparison I
would compare it to a poison, or perhaps to a wildfire: it is very dangerous if
left unchecked and uncontrolled, with a potential to do an incredible amount of
damage. However, I can not see all ends, and all things have a use. A poison, in
low quantities, may be used to cure those who are ill, if used in the correct
way.

"I believe that opposing the spread of the Taint is something that has to
happen, lest the entire Basin be covered in the spread of its poisonous
clutches, like shrouded in an uncontrolled wildfire that devours all within its
path.

"Did this answer your question, little cousins?" He finished, and respectful
answers of "Indeed, my Lord" rose from the congregation.

"Pardon us," Lady Malicia apologized, "if our questions seemed simplistic. Had
we time, I am certain we would have come up with mind-boggling ones." This
caused some mixed reactions from the Celestians present, some laughing while
others edged warily away. It was debated briefly whether it was even possible
to boggle the mind of a Divine.

"Well then," the Enigma's voice said, rising over the hubbub, "these questions
have taught Me about you, and now we shall turn this around for the second out
of the three objects. Now I shall ask you three questions which I want you to
discuss amongst yourself before answering to Me."

We readied ourselves to answer His wise questions. At my request I was relieved
of the position of spokesperson for the city, it being agreed that Lady Malicia
would present our answers to the God.

"First of all," His voice began, "what do you hope to gain from My joining of
the city of New Celest?"

A few people offered possibilities upon the city's aether, and a quick
consensus was reached. Lady Malicia stepped forward and said, "I will answer on
behalf of the city of New Celest. We hope that You will allow us access to the
reservoir of knowledge You possess, as well as Your point of view on subject
matter we might miss, given our collective mindset."

"Indeed," the voice approved. "And for the second question, what might I gain
from being a member of its Divine consulate?"

Here the city's debating was slightly longer, as first we thought about what
rewards any member of a Divine consulate might expect, and what might be
special about this collaboration. Still, our answer was not controversial and
quick to congeal.

"You would gain the loyalty and respect of many shards, especially those within
the walls of our city," Malicia said. "Through us, Your teachings may be spread.
Also, we could possibly offer You insight on our ways, for the good or bad."

"Indeed," He agreed again. "Well then, the last question is more abstract. How
do you see Me, what am I?"

At this there were again many suggested answers, but it took longer for us to
hear ones we felt confident in presenting to Lord Elostian. Eventually two
answers, from Brother Neraka and myself, were selected to merge. As I
congratulated my fellow Celestine for his fine contributions to this endeavor
and he thanked me in turn for my training in the Path of Japhiel, Malicia
stepped forward to present the final answer:

"To us, You would represent a symbol that we should look long and hard at our
goals and aspirations, because we need to choose our battles in an informed
way. Knowledge is key. Once we have gained a knowledgeable understanding of the
world and the things we care about, You would be like a beacon to us, letting us
know that we are then free to pursue our goals.

"You are a Divine who wishes to use Your knowledge in a positive fashion, to
help us shards. You are the antithesis of Lord Morgfyre in that you represent a
collection of experiences that wishes to help us, not destroy us."

A quick eddy of wind formed beneath Lord Elostian's eyes, turning upward into
the shape of a smile before dissipating. "That answer pleases Me," His voice
complimented us, and Malicia stepped back proudly. Kinsmen congratulated one
another on the city's aether, and it was remarked that to make the Enigmatic
Lord smile was a fine feat indeed.

After a few moments in which He let us experience our satisfaction, His voice
sounded again: "Let us proceed. I have one last task.

"I wish for you to find three items, bring them to Me and explain to Me why you
have selected them. This is the full extend of My instruction; you may select
anything you desire, as long as you can bring it here to show it to Me."

Once we had assimilated His last instruction, the suggestions started streaming
in like lava from an active volcano!

Recommendations included: a bit of light essence, or a piece of stone from the
city; a dawn tulip, or an herb such as a bunch of pennyroyal; a book or scroll,
perhaps a book of history, or the Covenant of New Celest; the pearl that Lanikai
releases from Roberto; the three guild champion artifacts, or the Handmaiden of
Shakiniel; a squid, a golden retriever, or a Celestine's angel.

Genevieve suggested to lead a wandering scholar to Him, a proposal I
particularly liked. It was unclear whether we should have limited ourselves to
inanimate objects, although the corpse of a Demon Lord was suggested (as was,
as a joke I'm sure, the corpse of a scholar!). In any case, Genevieve left to
convince a scholar to join us, soon returning with one following her, in case
that was one of our choices.

Of course all this debate took time, and even the patience of the Divine can
wear thin. After a while the sourceless voice said, "Debate cannot continue
eternal. Please make some decisions so the items may be collected. I would like
to have them all present here within one sixth of a day."

I gave Lord Elostian an understanding nod and told him that we had already
chosen two of three items, a claim my fellow Celestines confirmed to Him.
"Excellent." His voice replied, "I thought debate was still raging."

With an impish smile, I said, "Well, that is not untrue." Our own chuckling was
echoed by the Divine voice's.

At that point Malicia stepped forward and, with little ceremony other than a
polite nod, gave a decorative seashell and a glass globe to the Enigma. "There
are our first two, Lord," she said, humming a happy tune.

"Uh, when I said a globe, I was thinking of a globe with Elohora's light put it
in or something...." Shamarah pointed out to our city.

"Argh, I forgot!" Malicia cried over the same aether.

"Well, too late," Genevieve mused. "We should bring nothing for our third item.
Signifying our forgetfulness."

Fortunately the Supernals' inspiration was with me that evening, and I
reassured my kinsmen that we could turn this accident into an advantage. After
a brief discussion I volunteered to speak in support of these first two choices
of items. And none too soon, as the Divine voice spoke at that moment: "Well
then, perhaps someone would like to start explaining the first two choices
while the third item is gathered?"

I approached His shape with my tail respectfully pointing forwards, hopefully
not shaking visibly.

"First, the seashell," I began. "New Celest is, first and foremost, a city of
the sea. We were founded as a rebuilt Celest, the finest merian city in
history. Even now we derive so much of our identity from that race's heritage
and from the Inner Sea.

"The seashell, physically, is present in the very design of the city streets,
with the winding Nautilus Pompilus leading down from the Pool of Stars at its
apex to the harbor. All the streets are named for shells as well, and it is a
prominent motif in our architecture." The shifting form nodded its head
emphatically.

As I was about to go on, I heard my kinsmen make the decision on our third
item, a choice we hadn't considered before. Because it was Shamarah's idea, he
accepted the responsibility of speaking in support of it when I was done with
the first two.

"Second, the glass globe," I went on. "As You undoubtedly know, these globes
crafted by Jethri are perfect vessels for the Light of the Supernals. Even
Their statues can channel this energy into the globes, making them glow with
Light of Their distinctive color. This represents our city's mission to support
the Light and spread its benefit to everyone who wishes it.

"But the glass globe itself, in its present form, represents New Celest's
potential. Just as the globe can eventually be associated with a particular
Supernal ... so too can we can benefit from all of the Supernals' paths, and we
each can develop our strengths and goals. But it begins as a transparent vessel,
open to view and open to growth."

Lord Elostian nodded His head again, and I stepped back, relieved that I hadn't
made a hatchling of myself again.

Shamarah, looking much more confident than I felt, took my place and handed his
holy symbol of the light to Him.

"Our last item is a Celestine symbol," he said. "This symbol, in particular, is
the symbol of Elohora, the greatest of the Supernals, and the Supernal that all
of us seek to follow in following the Light.

"The symbol itself represents our devotion to the Light's cause as a city. It
represents also how we, like Elohora, seek a balance of all virtues -
compassion, justice, protection, and zeal - within ourselves and within the
actions of our city as a whole.

"Our city follows the Light in all things; this is the most essential of our
principles and the foundation upon which we are built. The symbol, ah,
symbolizes all of this." This last comment was said with a wry smile, which
again seemed to find favor with the Divine before us.

It was then I learned firsthand how great the perceptions of a God really are.
Heated by the success of our responses, I joked to Shamarah mentally, "Plus,
it's shiny and sparkly and oooo, look at it glow."

An instant later, the God's eyes turned to twinkle at me, and a quiet chuckle
emanated from the aether. "Yes, dear Neerth, it is indeed quite sparkly," the
voice said! Shamarah, understandably, burst out laughing at this, and the
others of course joined in.

For my part, I felt like fainting, and I think I did even lose my senses for a
moment, as I found myself lying on my back with smoke drifting up out of my
mouth. The Enigmatic Lord was chiding me with words I didn't quite catch, but I
hurriedly stood up and smoothed the wrinkles from my robes, halfway to the
decision to abjure cosmic magic until I had diminished out of sight. "Lord
Elostian is trying to see how much shock I can take...." I murmured on my
kinsmen's aether.

"Whispers of asking a scholar to come here reached My ears, which amused Me
greatly," the voice went on.

"I'm a fledgeling bookbinder, do I count?" Ahndie asked Him.

"Let Me think. No," was the amused reply, and Ahndie pouted for show.

By this time midnight had passed once more, and it was the beginning of the 9th
of Juliary. Knowing that we would stay in His cathedral as long as we were
needed, Lord Elostian moved the conversation forward again. "Yes, what was I
saying?" his voice asked rhetorically. "Oh yes. I have seen much about how you
think and reason, and I hope you have learned something about the essence of My
being as well.

"Now that I know this, I am capable of accepting the invitation extended to Me
by Vesar on behalf of the Star Council and impose upon the hospitality of the
City of Light."

We cheered in unison, and at least one gout of flame rose towards the vaulted
ceiling. Our city's notables pressed in gladly, ready to welcome Him personally
one by one.

"However," the voice went on unexpectedly, "to do this, I will need to change
Myself." This took us aback, and I was not the only one to blink in confusion.

"You do? Why, Lord?" Ahndie asked.

"I consist of two Elder gods," explained His voice, "both of whom scattered
Their essence before releasing Themselves so that They might mingle and form a
new entity.

"Because of this and other reasons not even I pretend to understand, part of My
essence is dormant. It is scattered across reality, an extension of Me, but not
an active part of My consciousness. I do not exist as the other Elders.

"What you see before you is a manifestation of My power, but it is not Me - I
am so much more than that, which is why I might not appear as real as most of
the other Elders.

"To move, I will have to balance out the two aspects of My being by awakening
certain strands of My continuous essence and add these to Me, while letting go
of other aspects and having those slip into dormancy until I shall require
them.

"I do this because to awake it all at once would have effects not even I could
predict. I would hope this will never be necessary, but we shall see." With a
note of resignation, the voice concluded, "I shall return shortly, slightly
changed from who I am now."

Everyone in the congregation had some trouble digesting all of this. "Hrm...."
Talkan spoke first. "We can do nothing to help, Sir?" The manifested form
merely shook its head gently.

"Lord," asked Genevieve, "does this mean that those of us who knew You before
You joined the city will see You act differently?"

"Not at all," came the reassuring reply. "Many of you might not even notice the
change."

With that, the form of Elostian grew still, a deep energy building within it.
Talkan evoked the high magic to form a cobalt blue pentagram of protection
around himself, mostly to try to lighten the tension I suppose, although his
expression wasn't completely devoid of alarm.

The shape of Lord Elostian closed its eyes and seemed to sink into a trance,
shining motes of light and darkness shimmering in the air around it.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to witness exactly what happened next, as the
fabric of the realm registered the death of Zanoku, a Dean in the Aquamancers.
Announcing that I would return after performing the sacrificial sacrament for
his soul, I hastily tugged on the aether strands around me to find one that
would led me to the Pool of Stars.

Once there, I steadied my resolve and sipped from a precious sapphire vial. The
powerful vitae elixir contained therein coursed through my thick blood. The
effect was so all-consuming that I knew I had to rest many precious breaths
before I would be ready to sacrifice myself for Zanoku.

During those breaths, I was startled to see motes of brilliant light sparkling
around me momentarily, lasting only a moment before disappearing once more.
Those wandering by our nexus stopped in their tracks, marveling at this
unexplained phenomenon. From a comment that Saryn made to our city's aether, I
realized that all citizens of New Celest, regardless of location, must have
experienced the same. The changing of Lord Enigma was affecting us all.

Regardless, I was still at the Pool of Stars for a reason, and the bodiless
soul of Zanoku looked at me pleading me. I cried out to the glorious Light to
take my soul instead of his; and the Supernals sensed my pure love and mercy
for my kinsmen and restored his soul at the expense of my own. For a long,
painful, absolutely unnerving moment, I physically felt my soul seep out
through my scales. Then, the elixir vitae coursing through my spirit suddenly
burst into a bright light, forming a new dracnari body around my soul.

Out of breath despite knowing, at least intellectually, what would transpire, I
was still curious enough to want to hurry back. Pulling on the aether strands
again, I found a connection to Malicia and, inclining my head to the grateful
Zanoku as I left, teleported back to the Eye of Twilight.

There was no Divine to be seen, and the congregation was abuzz with speculative
conversation, of which I heard only unrelated snatches: "Indeed...." "Got any
better ideas?" "Well, at least it was, um, sparkly...." "With baited
breath...." "Yes. We wait and watch."

Then....

Reality ... quivered. I can find no other words to describe the sensation.

Reality quivered, and then reality shattered like splintering glass. The shards
of the realm's fabric twirled in scintillating patterns, mesmerizing us all.
When the unprecedented experience had passed, we saw that the splinters of
reality had merged, coalescing into Lord Elostian's evanescent form.

Allowing us our startled exclamations, the same aetheric voice intoned, "It is
done." One by one we bowed, curtseyed, knelt before Him, paying homage to His
awe-inspiring power, which He was willing to put to use as a member of our
Divine Consulate.

Never one to be shy, Ahndie commented, "That didn't take overly long, Lord."

"Why would I take longer than necessary?" the voice teased, and we all felt our
tension ease.

At this, the Enigma affirmed that it was appropriate to invite Him formally
into New Celest, and Shamarah did so at once. A cascade of Celestian voices
exclaimed "Welcome, Lord Elostian!" upon the aether which now felt the presence
of this new Divine.

"Thank you, little cousins," Lord Elostian said graciously in the same manner,
and I released another joyous gout of flame in celebration.

With the ceremony having reached its successful conclusion, the members of the
congregation became to take their leaves. "Once Prince Vesar is present, I am
certain he will wish to greet You properly," Lady Malicia told our Lord,
referring in part to a formal induction into the Star Council. "Excuse me,
Lord!" she enthused, joining the wave of departures.

"Fair journeys, little cousin," Lord Enigma repeated kindly to each and every
mortal who had come.

With a proud smile, I took my own leave of Him. "Warm welcome again, my Lord. I
hope to feel Your call again soon."

"I shall call you again, little cousin," His voice confirmed. "I hope you will
have your troubles worked out by that time."

"Meh," I said, surprisingly nonchalantly given the audience. "Little trouble,
my Lord, simply a point of etiquette and a matter of finding Doman." For while
I respected the order of Lord Lyreth and was equally glad that He was part of
our Divine Consulate, I had made a great and life-changing decision: I would
follow Lord Elostian's path, pledging myself to the investigation and inquiry
of untold worlds of knowledge. I knew my kinsman Doman, the Sidereal Muse,
would understand, but I could hardly act without speaking to him first.

"I have full confidence in your abilities, little cousin," said my Lord in
soothing tones, and I doffed the hood of my flowing white greatrobes in cordial
farewell.

As I readied myself to return once more through the aether to New Celest, my
perception of time momentarily slowed. The Fates were repairing their Tapestry,
as they did at least once a month, lest Its errant threads cause the fabric of
Lusternia to unweave. WIth Clotho's work done, time rushes forward again with
the future's myriad paths. I whispered a solemn prayer to the Supernals that
this future would lead the Light's servants to countless days as noble as the
ones we had just witnessed.

When I opened my eyes again, the familiar nine towers of New Celest surrounded
me, and my kinsmen were beginning their daily tasks, walking with purpose on
all sides of the Pool of Stars ... each with the knowledge that they were, for
the first of many mornings, setting to their labors under the benevolent eye of
Elostian, the Enigmatic God.