We all knew the story.
When Man was born the gods granted him the power to control all of the Earth. They granted him the power of compassion, the power of understanding, the power of creativity.
They granted him the power to destroy himself.
For a hundred thousand years Man grew stronger. He raised himself up from hulking savages that scurried across the land grunting and killing like animals, mating reserved only for the strongest, battling and ripping each other apart for dominance.
Man discovered fire, and learned to talk, and write, and build simple machines. Man blossomed, and spread himself across the face of the earth, surviving the harshest winters, the hottest summers, the cataclysm of the Earth's crust breaking apart and drifting across the sea.
And all the while he multiplied, until man rose up so high that even the Gods didn't recognize their creation anymore. Sprawling metropolises littered the world. Resources were stripped and squandered until they were all but gone. Wars were fought and peace was made. Man left the Earth and visited the moon. He became smug and arrogant in his mastery of science and technology.
He wallowed in his own selfishness.
But man failed his first basic duty.
All around him, the Earth was dying. The demands of man weighed too much on her, and soon the precious energy that Man used to fuel his empire had faded.
War broke out. Man fought himself savagely for what precious mineral was left. In the end, Man threw down his proudest achievement and scorched the Earth with its destruction.
Millions burned in the fire. Millions more burned in the aftermath.
The Earth split itself apart, isolating its diseased face, protecting what was left of her fertility.
Years passed, and Man started over at almost the beginning of his journey. The Earth begged the Gods to release her from her duty to suckle the creatures she had come to know only as a pest - a disease. A virus. But the Gods still believed that man could be great. That he could master all that he needed to pave his own destiny.
And so the Gods took away the first power they had given their pets. No longer was science the key to Man's survival. In its stead they gave him power over the elements, so that man could never again poison the earth so.
But even the Gods are not infallible. The Earth has a stake to play as well.
And on a grassy hill, two students training to become Wizard Warriors face each other with swords drawn.
One is pure. But perhaps not in the way you think.
The other... is a cauldron of sadness. Self doubt and loathing battle for his soul every minute he's awake, and every moment he sleeps. Power runs through him frantically, and pushes to the edge of control.
But if he can shed his fears and face the terror of the truth that's standing in front of him, maybe he'll have a chance to save the world.
Or maybe he'll just die.
This is the story of Taylon Hawk and Lucian Lechante'.
Brothers. Enemies. Saviors.
Coming Soon.
This is the first part of their story in print. I'll be editing/revising the whole week while in Mexico, then sending it to The Sodomize Ultimate for his revisions/edits.
And then part II, the battle for man, will begin...
