The facts

Real name: Secret
Aliases: Miko Tsukinami, Gloom, Moon Sorceress, Wishmaster
Age: Around 25
Place of birth: Yuedo, Japan
Birthday: Secret
Hair color: Black
Eye color: Chestnut (reddish)
Height: 6'0"
Religion: Shinto/Mystic
Zodiac sign: Cancer

The looks

Gloom is a mysterious person, right down to her appearance. She has a Hime cut, meaning that her straight, black hair reaches her lower back, except for eye-level bangs and cheek-length sidelocks. Her pale skin contrasts sharply with her dark hair, and her unusual height makes her stand out. Although very tall, Miko is also very thin, giving the impression that she is quite fragile. Her eyes are a rich chestnut color with red hues, which grow more intense when she is using magic. It has been said several times that her eyes are piercing, and that her gaze feels as though she is staring right at your soul. If she is not wearing her ceremonial Japanese robes, Gloom will most likely be dressed like the modern fashionista that she is, always changing and updating her wardrobe. Most of the time she carries a long, thin, silver smoking pipe, whose gray fumes add to Miko's aura of mystery.

The attitude

Miko's personality is composed of a surprising number of different and subtle facets, the majority of which people are not even aware of. The most prominent aspect of her personality is her serious side. When dealing with clients or magical threats, for instance, Gloom is always calm, composed and in control. Her immense wisdom and mystical knowledge make her a confident sorceress and a desirable ally. This aspect of Miko makes no jokes, pulls no punches and little to nothing escapes her notice. The other dominant facet of Gloom's personality, however, is radically different. When she is off-duty or with friends, Miko is actually a very fun, enthusiastic and wild person. She loves humor, especially sarcasm, and sometimes even borders on immaturity and silliness. This unusual combination of down-to-earth and free-spirited qualities makes Gloom seems mysterious and hard to pin down, but one thing about her is certain: once she gets attached to someone, she very deeply cares for them and will go out of her way to protect them... Finally, it should be noted that Miko likes to act behind the scenes, her intelligence and cleverness having led her to sometimes take the role of someone playing chess when it comes to the great scheme of things.

The story

No smoke without fire

Very little is known about Gloom, not even her real name or birthday (both of which grant magical power over a person). The girl who came to be known as Miko Tsukinami was nonetheless born a little over 20 years ago in the small town of Yuedo, Japan, with a Shinto priest as a father and a silk-weaver as a mother. The family lived in a small house by a forest, near the town's Shinto temple. As a little girl, Miko spent a lot of time at the shrine, watching her father meditate, invoke gods or try to decipher the future. Her father's advice taught her to always be in tune with nature and her environment, to respect the kami (Japanese gods/spirits) and to trust fate.

Unfortunately for her, fate had a sinister happening in store for young Miko, who came home at the age of five to find her house and most of the forest around it burned to the ground. Both of her parents had perished in the suspicious fire, leaving Gloom an orphan. Her deceased father's fellow priests took her in at the temple, making her an apprentice priestess to justify their housing and feeding her. For several years, Miko was taught the ways of the Shinto religion, and the young girl dealt with her loss by devoting herself completely to her new destiny. The priests eventually discovered that the young girl had considerable innate abilities, and that she could even perceive future events through traditional smoke readings. Feeling that even her raw potential outclassed their level of teaching, the priests sent Gloom on a pilgrimage which, if successful, would lead her to the most powerful witch in all of Japan: the Moon Sorceress. And so did young Miko leave her native town of Yuedo to find the one woman capable of teaching her to master her burgeoning powers...

Witch's apprentice

It was months later that Gloom, now 15 years old, finally discovered the location of the Moon Sorceress' lair, hidden high up in the Japanese Alps. The woman looked barely older than Miko, her hair long and purple and her amethyst eyes aglow with intelligence and wit, but her words betrayed her wisdom and her true age, which the young orphan estimated to be at least around 70. Although the witch had clearly expected Gloom's arrival and seemed to know things about her already, she nevertheless listened quietly as the young girl told her story. Even though she judged Miko to be a little young to be trained in the mystical arts, the sorceress agreed to teach her everything she knew about Lunar Magic in exchange for five years of servitude. Considering the value of such wisdom and power, along with the rarity of such an offer, Gloom accepted immediately. Thus began Miko's training under the Moon Sorceress.

For five whole years, the young girl cooked, cleaned and ran errands at the witch's whim, in exchange for the latter teaching the former the ways of Lunar Magic. Although for several months Gloom's lessons consisted mostly of channeling the moon's magicks and getting in tune with its energies (which necessitated considerable amounts of patience), the apprentice eventually began to unleash her true potential. Under the sorceress' counsel, she learned to weave potent spells, from practical tasks such as displacing objects to the more subtle arts, like reading minds. Miko quickly grew very attached to the elder witch, her opinion and advice being very important to her. Although the aloof sorceress wouldn't admit it, she, too, was growing fond of her pupil, by whose growth she was positively impressed. As the young girl did not have her parents anymore, the witch eventually helped her become a mature woman and a confident sorceress herself, taking the role of a parental figure in Miko's life.

When the now 20-years-old Miko's years of servitude came to an end, the Moon Sorceress convoked her former apprentice to a final lesson. Under the new moon, the witch explained to her pupil that they were both powerless at that very instant, the new moon short-circuiting any attempt at weaving spells. Just as Gloom was being told of the danger that threatened them due to the state of their magic, the Moon Sorceress informed her that Oni, mythical Japanese demons, were gathering around the lair at that very moment, and that their only defense against them were the wards that the witch had placed around them in prevision of such an event. The Oni gathered by the hundreds, and, curiously enough, most of them were fire demons. Panicked and scarily reminded of the fire that had taken her parents' lives, Miko used an enchanted bow to attack the Oni that made it through the witch's barrier. Unfortunately, the demons were too numerous and the wards began to give out. Suddenly looking shockingly old and exhausted, the Sorceress grabbed a blessed blade and announced to her pupil that she would give up her life to make the barrier last until the new moon was over and Gloom regained her powers. Ignoring her student's cries, the witch stabbed herself and died an honorable death, a resolute look upon her face. Her spiritual energy strengthening the magical protection, the wards were fortified tenfold and easily repelled the Oni. At sunrise, the shattered Miko felt her mystical powers come back to her, but everything was sickeningly different. Her life had been preserved, but it had cost her the life of a person whom she had come to see as not only a mentor, but as a mother.

New Moon

The loss of another parental figure threw Miko into a state of deep depression. The young woman began to question all aspects of her life, including magic. Clearly lost, she decided to set off on a spiritual journey through the Spirit Planes. Leaving her body in a state of magical coma, Gloom's astral form began her quest for a new purpose. Her travels led her across several of the spirit realms, in which she made several encounters that gradually made her regain her confidence and and faith. She traveled across worlds and eras in her ethereal form, and her journey finally led her to a huge temple which she felt compelled to enter. Once inside, she realized she was inside the Shinto moon god Tsukuyomi's palace, and Miko met the lunar deity himself. Exactly what the two discussed is and will always remain unknown, but Gloom exited the temple several hours later with a clear idea of what she needed to do, of what her destiny was... She would become an agent of fate.

Miko's spirit returned to its body after seven earthly days of absence, and the young witch immediately sprang into action. Taking the mantle of the Moon Sorceress and becoming the first witch under the moon, Gloom used her magicks, which had been fortified since her encounter with the moon god, to dispose of her deceased mentor's body and lair properly, giving her a short funeral and reluctantly setting fire to the entire area. Barely able to keep her composure, the new Moon Sorceress promised to herself that she would never let flames burn away any more parts of her life. Resolute and determined, she tapped into her increased magical powers to create a new lair for herself in the form of a Victorian-esque house that would double as a shop. Indeed, Gloom would now be in the business of desires: she would sell wishes. Placing a considerable amount of wards and protective enchantments around the shop, she put the final touch to her creation by banishing it and placing it between dimensions. Her task finished, the Moon Sorceress entered her new lair finally relaxed, ready to begin her new life as a wishmaster...

The shop

Gloom's wish-granting shop is a magical creation made entirely by Gloom herself. The shop, which is also Miko's home, is, in appearance, a regular wooden house with two stories and numerous windows. In actuality, however, the shop is a magical construct situated in between dimensions. Due to its unusual location, the shop can appear anywhere, should someone require its services. Fueled chiefly by fate, the shop will appear to people who have strong wishes and disappear as suddenly as it appeared. Although it can appear in our world, the shop isn't really there and, once one has crossed the archway that leads to the building's front yard, they have changed planes without even realizing it. A stone path leads from the archway to the front door, with grass and an ancient well around it. Once inside, a small lantern-lit hallway leads to a vast waiting room with two wooden chairs and a table, large windows and decorated with a butterfly motif (the butterflies symbolize change). One of the waiting room's walls is actually a sliding panel, which opens to double the size of the room once Miko is ready to meet her client. When she is, she will sit at the table with them and discuss their desires (and their associated costs) until a compromise is reached. The price that comes with a wish being granted is of the utmost importance, since compensation is what allows for the cosmic balance not to be disturbed. The shop is filled with burning incense and candles, their constantly fluctuating smoke allowing Gloom to perform her traditional smoke readings whenever she desires. The waiting room is the only room that clients ever see, the rest of the house being Miko's private quarters. Once a wish-contract is done and the client leaves, the shop usually vanishes until it is needed again.

The guardian

As payment for a particularly expensive wish, Gloom was given a baby kitsune, Japanese fox spirits (spirit here means supernatural and not ghostly). Kitsune are fox-like mythical creatures with great magical abilities. Their power increases with wisdom and age, which is reflected in the number of tails they have (nine tails being the highest point they can reach). Since the young animal had black fur, Miko named him Eclipse. Eclipse is now about one year old and has two tails, indicating that he still hasn't reached the peak of his abilities or wisdom. Nevertheless, at his current level, he is a force to be reckoned with. In addition to having human-level intellect and being able to communicate with Gloom psionically, Eclipse can transform into a shadow form in which he can travel through shadows or pass through matter. Also, he can project blue electricity and lightning from the crystals that are on his upper legs and forehead. Since Eclipse is very loyal and protective, he will always be there to defend Miko and sometimes has a hard time accepting some strangers into the shop. For the same reason, Gloom leaves him the task of protecting the shop whenever she has to leave, something that he takes very much to heart.

The ravens

The triad that came to be known as "The Ravens" is composed of three sorceresses, all of which have raven hair (hence the nickname). The three witches, one from each alignment, are all among the most prominent of the magical spheres. From time to time, when an extreme magical crisis occurs, the three will put their differences aside and unite for the very survival of our world or the magic within it. The nickname of the "Ravens" also fits because witnessing the three sorceresses together has come to be seen as an ill omen, seeing as they only team up in dire times. The triad is composed of Gloom, the neutral Moon Sorceress whose temperance acts like the glue that keeps the team together; Arcana, an idealistic, noble and free-spirited witch who owns a blessed deck of Tarot cards; and Hecate, a cold, ruthless and cynical woman who gained sorcerous and demonic powers after making a deal with an evil goddess. The Ravens are really about balance, taking unbiased action to preserve and protect magic, and, together, represent a true force to be reckoned with. So far, no threat has resisted to the union of these three strong-willed women, and the triad are extremely well respected within the mystical community.

The gifts

Divination

The first magical ability that Miko developed, divination was taught to her by the Shinto priests that raised her. Thanks to their teachings, Gloom can now interpret the shapes that appear in smoke to obtain answers to her questions. Called smoke-reading, this ability is now almost instinctual to her, and her predictions and prophecies are almost never wrong. This is the reason why there is always incense or candles burning in Gloom's shop, and why she smokes herbal fruits in her pipe: that way, she always has quick access to smoke, should she require fast answers. Since she learned the ways of lunar magic, however, Miko has also developed another way to gather information mystically: a magical 6th sense. Indeed, the Moon Sorceress can now see spirits and otherwise-invisible creatures, perceive auras and sense as well as track magic, supernatural phenomena or psychic emanations. 

Lunar magic

Lunar magic differs from other types of magic, rather obviously, because of its source. Indeed, it draws its power from the magical energies of the moon, which are "softer" than the sun's. Much like solar magic is very straightforward and direct, moon magic is subtle and indirect. Lunar magic works according to "Yin" aspects and principles, meaning that it is a mystical art that focuses upon the spheres of manipulation, illusion, alteration and creation rather than their opposites (which fall under the jurisdiction of the Sun). Since she took over the mantle of "Moon Sorceress", Miko became the first and most powerful user of lunar magic. This means that she constantly channels moon magicks, which she can use to achieve a number of effects. Indeed, Gloom can tap into the moon's energies to weave spells that can affect the elements, summon or enchant matter, alter the flow of time, warp space, create illusions, bewitch minds and more. To cast spells, the Moon Sorceress must first summon a pocket of lunar magic, which typically manifests itself in what Miko calls a "moonsphere". One moonsphere contains sufficient magical energy to perform one magical action (one moonsphere can only be used for one spell), and Gloom must summon another one to cast another spell. For simple tasks, she needs not even speak for the magic to happen. For more complex spells, however, a few words need to be spoken to give the raw magic a "focus". When well rested, in good health, and mentally and emotionally alert, Miko can cast numerous moonspheres in rapid succession and attain desirable results for almost an hour, after which their efficiency is greatly decreased.

Wish-Granting

This ability is different from Gloom's other abilities in that she was blessed with it by Tsukuyomi, the Shinto moon god. It is independent of the sorceress' magic and works in a completely different manner. After her spiritual journey, Miko gained the ability to grant any wish that is expressed to her. For this to happen, she needs to form a sort of "contract": the client needs to speak his or her wish aloud and agree to the price for which Gloom asks in compensation. Without compensation, nature itself would act out to achieve balance (e.g. a wish to cure a disease would cause someone else to catch the illness). For this reason, the Moon Sorceress always asks for a price that is equal in value to the wish she is granting, no more, no less. Obviously enough, Miko cannot grant her own wishes. The only other limitation to this ability is the cost that comes with a wish. Indeed, Gloom could grant any wish that anybody could think of, but the price of unrealistic wishes such as world domination is often more than the client's life itself, so such wishes do not get granted.

Weaknesses

Although Gloom has acquired great power over the years, she is not without weakness. Indeed, like all lunar witches, she loses all of her powers during the night of a new moon or a solar eclipse. For this reason, she relies on Eclipse, her pet kitsune, to protect her while she is powerless. Contrary to popular belief, the abilities of lunar witches do not decrease as the moon wanes, however. Although Gloom's power peak during a full moon and disappear during a new moon, they are not otherwise affected by moon cycles. Secondly, ever since losing her parents to fire when she was five, Miko suffers from pyrophobia, or the fear of fire. Although she tolerates tiny flames such as that of candles, large fires scare the sorceress more than she would ever admit. For this reason, she often loses her composure and self-control when fire is used against her. Thirdly, extended use of her spellcasting abilities render them less efficient, and even uncontrollable if they are overused. Very well aware of this, Gloom tries not to cast too many moonspheres in rapid succession, for fear of them becoming unreliable once she tires, which can take up to one hour to happen. Finally, ever since her meeting with the moon god and becoming an agent of fate through her shop, Miko has lost some of her freedom of action. Indeed, although Tsukuyomi strengthened her abilities considerably, by doing so he also forbade her to enter certain conflicts and Gloom is now forced to follow certain rules. Exactly what these rules consists of is unsure, but what is known is that the Moon Sorceress must now sometimes act according to what fate dictates rather than her will alone.