15 parts Ongoing MatureIn the low visibility of the dark, winter night, Caelia ran her left hand along a section of the frozen cliff face in front of her, searching. Her hand paused over an invisible spot on the surface and she pressed her palm against the stone, feeling its icy touch. Several moments passed, until finally a mirrored arch twice her height flickered in and out then appeared before her.
It still works, but barely, she thought to herself.
As she was about to step through, she caught her reflection in the dark rippling mirror and stood still, transfixed before it.
Has it come to this?
What she saw was not how she appeared to others. She had grown comfortable in her adopted native skin and had almost forgotten the ancient woman staring vacantly back at her with deep red, translucent eyes.
"Hello Aletheia, ancient queen of a dead race," she said to herself, contemplating the weariness of the woman in the mirror - the only mirror in all of Eos that did not lie to her.
Why do I keep coming here?
Touching her hand to her reflection caused ripples across its surface as if it were water. She stood still, lost in thought.
Because they're here.