-A/N: This is actually the first half of the first real session for this story. It was supposed to have taken the whole four-hour session that we had, but only took two and a half. But I don't have the rest written up yet (it should be quite amusing though, as my players decided that the rest of the session would be concerned with completely screwing over Venerable Silk, the Sidereal in charge of the Sequestered Tabernacle). I'll get that part out as soon as I'm able.

The next day at sunset, the novices, acolytes, young Solars, and a smattering of others were gathered in front of an altar that looked rather like a theatrical stage. The younger mortals had been drinking water laced with hallucinogens (though of course they didn't know that) and were ripe to be awed. Hissing of Black Serpents and Huro Tsin stood behind the doors that led to the alter. Amaya, patron Solar saint of the Tabernacle, and the apparent leader, announced that two Shining Ones would be demonstrating two Immaculate styles so that they might better recognize them and thus avoid Dragon-Blooded users of them. To loud cheers from the crowd, Hissing of Black Serpents activated his anima and walked out. A smoke-like serpent twined around his body, sparkling with purple and green, while the black circle within a ring on his forehead split open and began to bleed. He assumed the flowing movements of the Water Dragon Style. Huro activated his anima and came out as well, using the acrobatic Air Dragon Style. The two began demonstrating the forms flawlessly in a perfect dance such that they never made actual contact. The mortals were thrilled, most passing out or going into ecstatic seizures. The younger Solars stared in open-mouthed awe. An Elder Solar sorceress in the back smiled slightly, recognizing the pair to be masters of their art.

The Twilight Caste, known as Khan, rose and made her way to the area behind the altar, catching up with the other two Shining Ones. "I was not expecting such a display. It was...impressive. What was the occasion?"

Huro smiled wryly. "I'm here," was his reply.

Khan returned the smile in kind and turned to the Abyssal. "I have heard of your presence here but never actually seen you. I'm Khan, and you are...?"

He grimaced as he answered, "Hissing of Black Serpents. My apologies, that is what I am called."

Khan continued, "I hear you desire to become a Solar." Hissing of Black Serpents nodded.

Moments later, a gold streak zoomed into the room and rapidly circled each Exalt, finally landing on Huro's hand. It was a gilded mechanical bird. Huro peered at it in confusion. Hissing of Black Serpents recognized the bird as an Artifact messenger. "It has a message for you, apparently," he said quietly.

Huro held the bird up to his ear. A woman's voice whispered into his ear, "We have a new Shining One about five miles south of the Tabernacle. We've been attacked by the Wyld Hunt. We can't hold out much longer." Huro looked at the bird, murmured, "We're coming," and tossed it into the air. The gold bird zipped away again.

"What was the message?" Hissing of Black Serpents asked.

"A new Solar and its escorts from the Cult have been attacked by the Wyld Hunt," Huro responded.

"How far?" was Khan's question.

The Sidereal answered, "Five miles south of here. So you're coming?"

"Of course," Khan said haughtily, "I cannot let a new Shining One be killed by those filthy Dragon-Bloods. And I can get us there more quickly than you can. Unless you can beat six seconds?"

"No, running might take a little longer than that," Huro conceded grudgingly.

Khan turned to Hissing of Black Serpents again. "Would you like to come and see just what a Solar is capable of?"

Hissing of Black Serpents replied, "I will come, and perhaps you will see just what an Abyssal is capable of."

The trio prepared for battle, activating various Charms. Khan cringed as blood came from Hissing of Black Serpents's pores and formed glistening dark red armor. The Abyssal and Huro placed their hands on Khan's shoulders and she activated her spell Travel Without Distance. She glowed bright gold and whirling Essence clouds formed around the three Exalts. With a loud whooshing noise, they vanished from the Tabernacle and appeared on a hill overlooking a scene of battle. In front of the smoking remains of a safe house, the new Solar was surrounded by dead mortals from the Cult and a dozen living mortals from the Wyld Hunt. A Dragon-Blood with the Cult fell before the onslaught as the Circle arrived. Their appearance drew the attention of the three Immaculate monks there, an Earth-Aspected male, a Fire-Aspected male, and a Wood-Aspected female. Flames rose from the second of the three. At the arrival of the Celestial Exalts, the Dragon-Bloods screamed "Anathema!" and charged toward them, the Earth and Wood Immaculates flinging chakrams which were easily dodged by Huro and Hissing of Black Serpents.

Huro immediately moved in on the Wood Aspect, dodging another chakram as he did. Khan swung her orichalcum fighting chains, entangling the Fire Aspect. She sustained a minor burn from his flames in the process. Hissing of Black Serpents advanced on the remaining Dragon-Blood, contemptuously avoiding the jade chakram he threw. Not even bothering with his nunchucks, Huro engaged the Wood Aspect in hand-to-hand combat. Her strike flew wide and his hands glowed red as he hit her twice in succession. Khan pulled out her sword, intending to lop off the Fire Aspect's head, but only nicked his shoulder a bit. Hissing of Black Serpents dodged a punch from the Earth Aspect and grazed him with his soulsteel razor claws. Meanwhile the new Solar had killed several of her attackers.

The Sidereal continued to beat the Wood Aspect into unconsciousness. Khan wrapped her chains around the Fire Aspect's neck and snapped it as Huro activated a Charm. The incapacitated Dragon-Bloods and all of the dying mortals, save for the six still attacking the new Solar, sank into the ground. Hissing of Black Serpents continued to inflict only minor damage on his opponent. While Huro went to kill the remaining mortals harassing the young one, Khan decided to try and steal the Abyssal's kill. She fired off a flaming arrow that somehow only slightly singed the Earth Aspect. She put away the bow and used her fighting chains again, pulling him over to her easily. Hissing of Black Serpents scowled and raised a hand. A bolt of pure darkness shot from his palm and vaporized the Dragon-Blood. Khan's chains fell limp and empty.

Hissing of Black Serpents dragged the six dying mortals aside to discreetly feed on their blood. Khan, very carefully not looking the Abyssal's way, hurried to the distraught Zenith Caste Solar (Her Caste Mark was blazing almost as brightly as Khan's own). She knelt where the young one had fallen to her knees (just after Huro had killed her attackers) and murmured "You fought well today."

When Hissing of Black Serpents was finished, he discreetly wiped his mouth and deactivated his Crimson Petal Armor, walking over to join the others. "You can do your little clean-up trick again, if you like," he told Huro.

Huro grimaced slightly at being reduced to a janitor, but he was the only one who had such a Charm, so he used it without complaint.