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Chapter Text

“What is it this time…”

The sacred land of Telamon was no stranger to visitors. After all, the winged god who watched over these lands was always partial to a sword fight with the mortals who found their way here. And in spite of it, its most frequent visitor was neither mortal nor divine.

It was the former manifestation of Telamon’s own hatred.

Telamon’s only “child”, freed from hate, since sealing your emotions into a crown was far easier and more morally ethical than sealing them into a sentient being. Now, 1x1x1x1 was just a regular human, as regular as one can be with an immortal lifespan and eagle wings coming from his back.

“We have phones. You can stop with the carrier pigeons.” Once again, the first words from their mouth was a complaint. They were known for this by now. Their father would summon them via a message from a pigeon and 1x1x1x1 would complain about it. It was a consistent routine.

“You came here nonetheless.” Was Telamon’s response, a rather ridiculous grin coming from his face with how regal and composed he would appear to mortals.

“Thats not the point. I’d have been here hours ago if you texted me, but you have to stay all ominous and mysterious…” Yet another complaint. One that they had echoed several times before to no improvement from their father. They’d be lying if they claimed it wasn’t an absolute nightmare.

“What is it this time?”

“You’ll see. Get me the Firebrand, won’t you?”

Another chore for 1x1x1x1. At least he could claim to have good chores, fetching legendary swords from their pedestals and creating new additions to a holy ground.

But chores were still chores.

But in a few mere minutes, the Firebrand was in the hands of Telamon. His eyes could not be seen, but his smile told everything 1x1x1x1 needed to know.

His father was about to do something drastic.

“Since I’m going away in a few days, and you so sadly declined my request to watch the Heights on my behalf, I’ll just make a new creation.” Telamon spoke, plucking a golden feather from his wings.

1x1x1x1 didn’t even have a reason to deny their father’s wishes. They just didn’t feel like it. No amount of fatherly guilt tripping would make them change their mind.

The two walked to the centre of the Heights, where the Heights Ring of Fire lay, etched into the ground. The symbol that defined the region. The symbol where a new life would be formed.

“You made me fly all the way out here to watch you do this?” 1x1x1x1 crossed his arms, a sigh escaping his lips. Of course Telamon would do this.

Telamon, for once, kept his mouth closed.

Approaching his feather, he held the Firebrand out and touched it with the tip of the blade, muttering phrases incomprehensible to 1x1x1x1.

And within seconds, it erupted into a pillar of fire tall enough to stretch the entirety of the Heights. From the embers of the flames lay a humanoid figure wrapped in an exact copy of Telamon’s robes, wings of flames sprouting from their back.

“Do we always have to come into existence copying your fashion?” Asked 1x1x1x1. After all, he too came into existence wearing a replica of Telamon’s robes.

“It’s easier than coming up with something myself. Now 1x1x1x1. Meet your new little sibling.” Telamon said with a grin.

And yet said little sibling was still asleep on the floor.

“Did you think of a name for them?” 1x1x1x1 asked.

“Two Time. You know, since phoenixes tend to reincarnate?”

“…You do realise they do that an infinite number of times, don’t you.”

“Eh. Two Time sounds best.”

Another case of her father being stupid. Everyone always revered Telamon as a wise, powerful figure, if only they saw his true nature.

1x1x1x1 made the decision to ignore him. He sat next to his unconscious new sibling, awaiting their awakening. That was a strange thought, it was no longer just him.

“Where are you going that’s so crucial you need someone to guard the Heights?” It was a question that had been weighing on 1x1x1x1’s mind since the messenger pigeon arrived. Anything Telamon wanted done was as easy as willing it to be so. This was a strange divergence in his usual methods…

“That I cannot tell you. It’s secret.” Was their father’s only response.

If anything was a cause for concern, it would be Telamon being secretive around 1x1x1x1.

“Fine. Whatever…”

Maybe 1x1x1x1 dressed inappropriately for the creation of their younger sibling. It was a thought that randomly crossed their mind, but it’s not like they had anything else to wear other than the same green and white hoodie. Their replica of Telamon’s robes were long gone by now, and those things were uncomfortable anyway…

“1x1x1x1. Make sure you visit Two Time on occasion. I wouldn’t want them getting lonely.”

“…Will do, dad.”

Chapter Text

It had been three days since Two Time’s creation at the heart of the Heights.

In that time, they had been taught all sorts of things by their creator. Mainly sword fighting techniques, as much as Telamon loved the sport.

1x1x1x1 took it upon himself to teach Two Time everything else they may need to know. Communication skills, the most advantageous positions in the Heights in case of an ambush, anything along that sort. The skills a guardian may need.

And now came the time for Telamon’s departure.

“Still not telling us where you’re going?” 1x1x1x1 complained yet again. No matter what, Telamon refused to speak of his trip. Still as secretive as ever…

“…Got it.”

A sigh escaped 1x1x1x1‘s lips. What did he expect, truthfully.

“Two Time.” Telamon stated, looking over at his newest child. The same lack of visible eyes that Telamon possessed, the same robes, they looked more like his child than 1x1x1x1 did.

“Yes, Lord Telamon?” Spoke the Phoenix, facing their godly creator.

“You do not need to call me that… Ah, no matter. You understand you’re here to guard the Heights in my absence, yes?”

Two Time nodded. This was the reason they were created after all.

“Good. Take this. If anything goes wrong, burn it and make a wish to it.”

In Two Time’s hand was a golden feather, exactly alike the one used to bring them into existence. Radiant gold, shimmering with light reflected off the firey wings that the Phoenix possessed.

“Take care of yourself and the Heights, kid. 1x1x1x1, get along with your sibling, okay? No fighting unless it’s a friendly spar.”

And with those final words, Telamon soared away on his wings.

“That’s it, huh. Didn’t even say how long he’d be away…” 1x1x1x1 muttered, looking over at their new sibling. Watching them stare in awe at their creator flying away. Did Telamon really have to make them so devoted to him?

“…Eh, I’m already here. Hey Time, wanna see a cool place on the Heights?”

Chapter Text

It’s been three years.

Telamon departed from the Heights three years ago, and never returned. Not for a hello, not for anything.

The disappearance of the god has left many exploiters to come to the Heights, aiming to steal the Swords he once held so dear to him. The Phoenix Guardian could never allow that to happen. Every exploiter and hacker was sent away by the swordsman skills they had been taught.

But it couldn’t continue like this.

“Time. You called?”

Once again, 1x1x1x1 had made the several hour flight towards the Heights. In the circle where they had been born, Two Time stood still, holding the Venomshank in their arms.

“1x1x1x1. Thank you for coming.” They turned to face their older sibling, not that Two Time exactly considered them siblings.

“Due to Lord Telamon’s absence, the Swords have been at risk of theft for years. I have employed mortals to hide them amongst Robloxia, and I would like to request that you take care of the Venomshank.” Before 1x1x1x1 could protest, the Sword was already in their hand. But could they bring themselves to refuse their little sibling?

“…Sure, I can keep a Sword safe. Hold on- You just gave the others away?!”

He’d yet to process that piece of information. All the other Swords, in the hands of mortals who may not understand their power?

“Except for the Illumina, yes. I judged each mortal individually, they are all trustworthy, I assure you.”

Yet their smile was anything but. 1x1x1x1 always found it a little creepy during her monthly visits to the Heights…

Luckily, that was as serious as the conversation got. The rest was the typical conversations they’d always have, 1x1x1x1 would tell Two Time what was going on down in Robloxia, and Two Time would tell 1x1x1x1 about the exploiters they chased away from the Heights. Nothing that significant had happened this month, Robloxia was rather normal, the most interesting thing being that some casino owner had won one of the biggest gambling prizes of the entire year. As for Two Time, the most interesting exploiter they found had a sort of sandwich hat they couldn’t quite describe.

It was a nice return to the usual conversations for them. But as always, 1x1x1x1 returned to the world below the Heights, and Two Time was left alone.

Or they would have been alone, if not for the rustling of leaves from the entrance way.