Snippet #2780303

King Neodin and his brother, Archmage Sheodin, walked together in the bustling colony of New Ketajhi. Many things had changed in the few short years since its founding. Fields had been sown, houses and businesses built, and a fresh community had taken root. The birdlike rokin and leonid aryites walked together through the streets along with scattered natives of the alien world. Foreign goods were traded, ideas were shared, and friendships were forged.

Then the storms came.

Sheodin felt the flow of magic shift through the Weave. It was like the threads were fraying as if the fabric of the world had begun to rot. He felt it like a wound in his soul, and he clenched Stormquake tightly. The earth tensed at the presence of the war-hammer, and the raging storms themselves would feel the shadow of a presence looming in a challenge to their dominance. Stormquake, forged with the unified will, heart, spirit, and fury of its world’s elemental spirits, seethed.

“This world faces a similar threat as our own.” Sheodin pointed towards the world’s star. “Different, yet very much the same.”

King Neodin reached for the hilt of his greatsword. The jagged blade was formed from porous metal with the texture of ancient stone. Runes, ancient beyond reckoning, glowed with eldritch power. Magan-Hakhereb, The Guardian Blade in the common tongue, was a comforting weight to the old priestly monarch. Not because of the steel or primordial magic that was hidden within, but because of who filled it with power.

“None of our other colony sites have been viable enough,” Neodin turned to Sheodin, “and the terraforming experiments have been slow. Too slow. Do you know how much time we have, brother?”

“Too little.” Sheodin sighed.

“This world is our best chance at survival. I will not allow it to slip away.” Neodin growled.

“I have felt a large presence awaken some distance away.” Sheodin pointed off to the horizon. “I do not know if it is related, but I am confident I can deal with it, if necessary. Do not hesitate to call for my aid if it is required.”

King Neodin turned to the retinue that had been following them. “Magistrate. Issue a yellow alert and arm the militia. Activate the emergency wards and prep for possible evacuation through the portal if necessary.”

“Y-y-yes, my lord!” The rokin magistrate saluted and flew away.

Neodin sighed and stared up at the sky. He drew Magan-Hakhereb, and gold tongues of fire seeped from the runes. His eyes glowed with the same holy fire.

“Holy Father of Fathers,” he prayed, “King of Kings, Maker of Heaven and Earth. I beseech You. Remember us in our time of trial. Grant me strength and perseverance, and use me as Your vessel. May Your light flow through me, Leolik Ha’Ari, who establishes order to all things.”

Neodin released a deep breath, and then he disappeared like a mirage.

Sheodin smiled and returned his attention to the horizon, where he felt the ancient titan awaken.

“Now let us see what’s going on over there.”

Sheodin stepped to the left, but he also stepped to the right. A wrinkle in space-time, folded by the plucking of a few threads in the Weave, and two Sheodins stood side-by-side. They both vanished in flashes of light.