Scanning the horizon, Noxsol observed the numerous beautiful and harsh landscapes. Ahead of him lay a seemingly uncountable number of mountains, each with its own different ecosystems. Beyond the mountains lay the great plains where many of the sentient races flourished and sought shelter from the monsters he and his siblings had brought to this world. And much further beyond that, dozens of planets of varying color and size orbited the massive titan of a planet on which he stood. From his position on the highest plateau, many of the planets passing appeared so close that he felt as if he could reach out and touch them right here and now.

His gaze narrowed in on a small mountain as a poor soul unknowingly marched into the domain of a dragon. The battle, if it could be called that, ended decisively as the young warrior died quickly and needlessly. His head shook as his heart filled with sorrow. It was just one of the many thousands that died every day in the world, he and his siblings, had created where the weak became the foundation for the strong.

Behind him, a crack in space appeared. The spell was perfect and under normal circumstances would have been impossible to detect. But it was his job to stand and observe, as it had been for the last thousand years. Widening, the crack in space unveiled a scene of the darkness and unknown white dots beyond, which he knew to be far-off stars. Closer was a curious green and blue planet similar to some that orbited close overhead.

He was reminded of how long it had been since he had last cleaned this plateau as stones, pebbles, and other debris soared through the portal and out into space never to be seen again.

His clothes remained unruffled by the vacuum as he watched a familiar face appear on the other side, one he had not seen in nearly a thousand years. Climbing through the being brushed some non-existent dirt off her pristine outfit.

“Welcome back sister. It has been far too long.” His face took on a stoic expression, not willing to show how much he actually did miss his sister.

Giving her a once over, he noticed Adara’s appearance had not changed in the time she had been away. As always, she had a single intricate braid of golden flax hair flowing down her back. Her ears extended into sharp points like the High Elves whom she favored. She wore a summer dress that matched her hair and eyes. Noxsol wasn’t a man of fashion, but her clothing seemed unsuited for traveling through deep space. All even bothering with the fact that all of the gold colorings were a little gaudy in his opinion, but he wasn’t going to make that known again; for that was one argument he would never win.

“Indeed, it has. I see you haven’t changed much. I thought perhaps you would have a smile for your favorite sister.” She replied with a sweet loving smile.

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“Favorite? Bah. You know my favorite has always been Dalia. She bothers me the least,” Noxsol replied, a slight smile forming on his face. “You weren’t supposed to return for another few hundred years. Now tell me what has brought you back home so soon?”

Silence took over their reunion. She didn’t have to say anything. Her early presence here could only mean foreboding news.

Adara stared at her brother as her smile turned grim. “I’ve found more life out there, yet to be scoured by them. There won’t be much time before they find them, so I had to rush back. I could sense them following behind me as I traveled through space.”

“Your outfit is so bright, it must have been like a beacon to them,” Noxsol muttered. The knowing glare he received quieted any further comments. Laying his palm out, he gestured for her to continue.

“Along my journey, I found a small planet, third from a star. The inhabitants call it Earth. Yes, just like the ground,” she shrugged. “Humans are what they call their species. Think themselves the center of the universe.” Adara rolled her eyes exaggeratedly. “Like most species we’ve found, they thrive on conflict. Their conflict has brought innovation, however. Technological advancement has taken them into space, only barely. They are a species still in their infancy. Except for a few, they have yet to discover magic. The mana density being as sparse as it is where their planet is located has made them and the creatures on their planet very mundane.”

Noxsol remained silent for a moment as he walked to the center of the plateau where ten chairs rested. He sat down on the cold hard stone chair with a grimace. Shifting about he tried to get comfortable. “So, what do you propose? That we call upon our brothers and sisters to bring these humans to our Myriad of Worlds? How do you even know if they would be worth the effort of saving?”

With a heavy sigh, Adara sat upon a chair of green transparent crystal jade. She drummed her fingers on the arm of the chair. Pulsing energy illuminated the frame at every touch. “You are measuring them as they are now, and not their potential.”

Closing his eyes Noxsol grumbled, “Stop. I am tired and do not wish to have this discussion with you again.”

“Then you will help?” asked Adara.

“You know I will. I would simply like to know if our investment will be worth it,” Noxsol grumbled.

“Only time will tell,” she said with a twinkle in her eyes. “Now, come. Time is money or so they say on Earth. And they don’t have much time remaining.” Adara jumped out of her chair and clapped once. A spherical wave of energy released from the clap and flowed out into the expanse.

Noxsol watched the energy move, visible only to him and his siblings. It had passed through him instantly. He could feel the message come to his mind in Adara’s voice saying “meeting.” He followed it with his eyes as it passed through the orbiting planets harmlessly. The wave of energy was a beacon that his brothers and sisters would surely answer no matter wherever they be in the Myriad of Worlds.

Eyes still on the beacon of energy that had now passed through half the planets, Noxsol consulted his sister. “We will have to construct a planet or two for them and give the humans sanctuary. It will have to have a mundane environment. The way you make out the humans, they might be the weakest species to ever grace our Myriad of Worlds on their arrival.”

“Just have faith little brother.”

“Faith? I’m a god.”