This room was familiar to Retvik. The throne room that once belonged to a deranged leader, the throne room that had been sealed away. The throne room that had been completely gutted and reopened. The throne room in which his brother now sat.
If one thought that Retvik Rethianos was a menacing, powerful Rethan, then they clearly had never met Rethais Rethianos. Rethais was older, bulkier and much more powerful than Retvik. He was the Elder Brother of the current Rethianos generation, he was meant for greatness. Retvik was powerful as well, but he knew he was just a backup in case Rethais was incapable of bearing children. Normally, Rethais didn’t need Retvik in any way, so the invitation to his office today was worrying Retvik greatly.
“Sit down, please.”
Retvik did as he was told. He found it interesting how Rethais didn’t have any guards inside his office. They were all outside. Then again, Rethais was far stronger than most Rethans, only a mob could ever threaten him and most Rethans were too… single-minded to actually revolt against their new High General.
“I assume you are wondering why I summoned you.”
Retvik nodded.
“Good. Because I do have a very interesting little tale for you.”
Rethais leaned back in his massive, leather chair. It may have been called a throne room but there was no true throne in there. Retvik leaned forward slightly, anticipating Rethais’s words.
“Remember your little adventure on that little planet? Your tussle with an angry death god? The one you ended up babysitting for?”
Again, Retvik nodded. “Yes, General. What about it?”
A toothy smile appeared across Rethais’s face. “Well, something happened to that world after your tussle. The world faded from existence, forgotten by all. Then it returned, twisted and broken into something else. Many claim that the blood of the Thantophor was spilled on the planet’s surface, turning it into a peculiar landscape filled with bizarre creatures. But the truth is, as always, much stranger.”
“How so?”
“We have evidence that the Panelix reclaimed that world and remade it into a landscape of her own imagining. An arena. Beckoning mortals to face it. A miraculous landscape, begging to be explored and claimed.”
Retvik took a long, drawn out breath. “I was worried you would say something like that…”
Rethais nodded. “I think you can also come to a conclusion as to what I am about to say next.”
“You want me to go back to that planet?”
Another nod. “And..?”
“And you… want me to explore it?”
“I want you and your team to discover its secrets. Learn all you can. How hospitable is this world? How worthy is it? Find out as much as possible. Then send what you know back home.”
Retvik tilted his head to one side. “And what is stopping you from sending a normal exploration team to this world? Surely a team of experts would be better suited for such an adventure?”
“That is true, but there is no one in this universe that has the capacity to deal with deities like you and your team have.”
The two brothers stared at each other. Finally, Retvik relented and sighed loudly.
“When are we leaving?”
“We will give you 24 hours to prepare yourselves. Equipment will be supplied by the Reth-Vrekan Union.”
Retvik tutted, then got up, sighing some more.
“Good luck, brother!” Rethais smiled as he watched Retvik walk away. “We may not believe in luck, but I think you will need it.”