Divine Intervention

As the two entered the realm, they noticed how distinctly balanced and organized everything was. Two walls were black, two walls were white, and rather than a realm, it looked like a meeting space. The floor also shared the black and white pattern, split perfectly down the middle.

On the black walls, swords and shields hung from the walls, each pair matching, with a unique design pattern. The white walls held ornate armor, headgear, leg gear and boots, in perfect sets, perfectly organized. 

A giant balance existed in the center, and the twins noticed a human on one side and an elf on the other side. The balance heavily tipped towards humans, which disheartened the twins. 

"I see you've come across my balance, something that rarely worries me, now causes me grave concern," Themis said. 

She appeared out of thin air, stunningly beautiful, but didn't look human. Her pale skin, golden hair and silver eyes screamed immortality. 

"Hello, it's nice to meet you. What did you mean when you said you were expecting us?" Mina asked. 

"Ah, so eager. I am an oracle, I have visions, not all of them come true, but the way the balance tips, and with your eye colors, I knew this would come to fruition," Themis said. 

"That's really cool. I see you value balance and order, I don't think I've seen anyone or any god this organized, not that I've met a lot of them," Sora said. 

"That's my duty. To restore law, order and balance to the world, and currently, I'm in need of aid. I will not give elves the advantage, simply balance the playing field," Themis said. 

<><><><>

After taking a second, the twins noticed she appeared here; meaning she was not here when they entered. 

"This isn't your actual realm, is it?" Mina asked. 

"Chronos said you were a bright child, no, this is a special meeting place I created 500 years ago, when I met King William Dingsdale and King Igancius Fang. The human and the elf, both with a unique eye pattern. One green, one blue, juxtaposed and balanced. Perfection," Themis said. 

"So the elven line stayed intact, and are the rumors of the current emperor starting this war true?" Sora asked.

"Elven relationships with humans deteriorated after the second King, James Dingsdale fell. The third King, Isaac, buried the relic, after stealing it from Sanctuary. The god of Wrath never bestowed the Hammer of Justice on humankind, William stole it," Themis said. 

"If he drove for elven peace, why steal the hammer from you?" Sora asked. 

"Because his eldest son, Prince William II fell in love with an elven princess, Xiona Fang. The two moved and married in Sanctuary, despite King William's disapproval. 

They had a child, hidden from humankind. If things ever got sour between the elves, William had the means to take over," Themis said. 

<><><><>

"So the history elves know isn't true?" Mina asked. 

"Truth, lies, it all balances the universe. What one believes is true, another believes false. Some are good, some are evil." 

"So William's second son, James took over, and Isaac stole and hid your relic. But what happened to the half human, half elven baby?"

"She lived a very happy life in Sanctuary. She married an elf and eventually, 8 generations of Fangs later, a bitter elven princess left for human lands and married Prince Johnathan Dingsdale, and they had a child."

"Is that child Rina?" Mina asked. 

"Indeed, and rather than obtain peace, she hated her elven blood and married Hanzo Yen. That's when the imbalance of power started. It took 30 years to take over all Elven lands, aside from Sanctuary. Because Rina Fang held the Fang bloodlines magic, she blessed Hanzo to age slowly and live longer." 

"Ok, that makes sense, but what does that have to do with us?" Sora asked, confused. 

"In your era, elves exist, far away from humankind and unbothered by the war between humans and demons. You are descendants of Prince William II, the son of William Dingsdale who married Xiona Fang."

"Wait, what?!" 

"It may be hard to believe, but you two share the same eye color pattern as King William and King Igancious."

"So how do you plan to balance the current landscape?"

"I prepared gifts for you to balance this war. I will not give one side an advantage."

"First, I will provide you with two barriers of justice." Themis placed a unique circle object on the scale, which caused the elven side to move up, slightly. 

"The barrier of justice, when placed, will surround and protect a Kingdom for three months. Impenetrable, even to the Hammer of Justice. This allows elves time to establish themselves within a Kingdom, granted you manage to take it over." 

With the wave of her hand, two circular objects, half black and half white were on each of the twins' backs, in a backpack. 

"Woah, that's cool!" Sora said. 

"Remember these have a one time use, so choose wisely." 

"As you can see, that does not balance the human and elves, so I bestow gifts for the two of you, as well as Xavier and Stefania."

Themis grabbed four sets of ornate armor, two sets of shields, two blades: one, lightweight rapier, the other, a long sword. 

The balance almost leveled, but the humans still held a slight advantage. 

"Hmmmm. I thought that would balance the scales. Humans are more powerful than I thought." Themis stated until she arrived at another long sword. 

As she placed it on the balance, it finally leveled. 

"Perfect," Themis said while waving her hands. 

<><><><>

Mina and Sora looked at one another, shocked to see what they were wearing. 

They both wore lightweight, ornate armor, green in color, with golden embroidery, with the Fang Family Crest across the middle of the chest piece. The leg pieces were golden, with green embroidery and the boots were black, tall, and lightweight. Their helmets, crowned with green and golden feathers, were lighter than their elven helmets and fit perfectly. 

"This armor feels like it's alive," Mina said. 

"Alive? No, but, I infused them with my magic. Each piece can take strikes from the Hammer of Justice, without taking a single scratch. No matter how many times the hammer strikes, it will simply do no damage to this armor." Themis explained. 

"Thank you for these amazing gifts. We are grateful!" Sora exclaimed, as he examined his new long swords. 

Like his eyes, his right longsword illuminated a vibrant blue, down to the hilt, with perfect balance. He held the sword from the hilt of the blade, with one finger, and it maintained perfect balance. 

His left longsword balanced at the hilt as well, illuminating a vibrant green. Both of them were much lighter than typical longswords. The hilt and handle on the green sword were blue, with a black grip. The hilt and handle on the blue sword were green, sharing the same black grip. 

He swung them a few times and couldn't believe longswords swung so lightly and balanced. 

"I see you like the swords. They are also infused with magic. The blue, once you master water magic, will cast water magic and can even turn into water. The green, once you master wind magic, will cast wind magic and defends like a shield. 

"As for the shields, those are for Mina and Stefania. Also embedded with my magic, they can expand, withstanding any blow, from any enemy. The damage inflicted will repel against the attacker." 

Mina grabbed the shiny, dark blue shield and asked her brother to strike her. 

Sora charged in, swung both longswords, one towards her legs, one towards her head. The shield expanded and as the blades struck, Sora flew backwards, uncontrollably, until Themis allowed him to stand normally. 

"Amazing. So the rapier is for Xavier?"

"Indeed. It's made with my magic as well, and he will enjoy the benefits. It's the unbreakable sword." 

The rapier's blade illuminated silver, and the guard, shoulder, pommel and button featured the Fang family colors. Green and gold. 

"Thank you for your generosity, shall we return your relic and gateway to Sanctuary?" 

"I would appreciate that. Feel free to come at any time, but know, I am here to ensure balance, not to give you the edge." 

<><><><>

"Thank you Themis," the twins said with a bow. 

"You're welcome, the rest depends on you. Let me make Xavier and Stefania's armor, shield and weapon easier to carry. Check in, any time, and next time feel free to bring Xavier and Stefania."

Themis neatly wrapped up the armor into a luggage bag, which Sora picked up with a smile. 

"We will," the twins stated as they walked through the gate. 

Dumbfounded by their return, Xavier and Stefania stood, staring. 

"Did you two see a ghost?" 

"No, it's your armor, sword and shields. We've never seen anything like them. You were only gone for five minutes," Xavier said, with a confused look on his face. 

"Really, I guess time flows differently in each realm a god calls home?" Mina asked. 

"Now for the good news," Sora said as he handed the luggage bag to Xavier. 

They unpacked the weapons neatly, and the beauty of the ornate armor, as well as the rapier and shield took their breath away. 

"Blessings from the goddess?" Stefania asked. 

"Yes, but they are merely tools to balance the war. We have much to discuss, but first, let's make sure we transport this relic to a safe place in the castle," Sora said, with a big grin. 

Sora and Stefania trotted off to grab a carriage and wrappings to secure the device, leaving Xavier and Mina behind. 

"I think your brother and my sister have eyes for each other, what do you think?" 

"I think you're right, and the news from Themis will change the way all elves look at this world."

"Shall we call another council meeting then?" Xavier asked politely.

"Yes, and quickly."

Meanwhile, Sora and Stefania made small talk while trotting on their horses. Stefania prodded into Sora's human past.

"Aside from my sister and the armies we commanded, her and I were loners with one mission: avenge our parents. We never knew peace."

"I have never known peace as well, which is why I hope you and your sister can help restore the elven race."

As they arrived to a carriage, at the entrance to the underground network, Sora dismounted Blaze and ran over to Stefania, and extended his hand to help her off Belladeon.

Belladeon then licked Sora several times and nestled her head on Sora's head. Sora petted her and admires her beauty, talking to the horse and giving her praise.

"There's something different about him. I like different." Stefania thought.