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Oracle of Hope


Raise the Alarm
“ Raise the Alarm ”
by John Matson © Wizards of the Coast

Behind you!”
Selka turned at once, slashing the air around him with his sword. The nim who was about to dig his claws in his back didn’t stand a chance. His head rolled on the ground before he even knew what hit him. Selka sidestepped to avoid the headless body and parried another attack with his bronze shield.
“There are too many of them!” said Renok.
“So what?” answered Selka, crushing the skull armor of another nim.
Even if the Aurioks tried escaping, the nims would still follow them. They always did.
“Tomorrow’s another day! For now, surviving is more important, young fool!”

Dross Prowler
“ Dross Prowler ”
by Michael Sutfin © Wizards of the Coast

Selka knew that the old wizard was right, of course. The Aurioks were badly outnumbered by the zombies, and a lot of humans had already fallen under the claws of those monsters…
Suddenly, the warrior heard Renok scream. He turned just in time to see the elder fall, a victim of three nims. But the old wizard made sure his death wasn’t in vain, and he used his last breath to cast a retaliate spell. A wave of golden light suddenly burst from Renok’s body, destroying the half-dozen zombies that surrounded him. Selka’s fury threatened to submerge him for an instant, but Renok’s last words echoed in his mind: “For now, surviving is most important.”
“Fall back, all of you!” he commanded.
But it was already too late. The humans were completely surrounded by the nims. Now without hope of survival, Selka resigned himself to die. But he would die as a warrior, taking with him as many enemies as he could.

Etched Oracle
“Etched Oracle”
by Matt Cavotta © Wizards of the Coast

He was cutting a zombie in halves when an iridescent light seemed to bathe the village. Turning around, the hero saw a strange metallic creature, with a copper body marked with runes. The multicolored light was coming from a glass globe attached to his arm, casting eerie lights on the fighting Aurioks and nims.
After a short moment of stillness, the metal being suddenly sprang into action. His arms and head, covered with long blades, were spinning in a complex and graceful dance, slashing the nims while miraculously avoiding the humans.
The arrival of this unexpected ally brought back hope in the heart of Selka and the other Aurioks, who started fighting back against the nims with a vengeance. The winds of victory had changed, and the nims were defeated in a few minutes.
Tired, wounded, the surviving Aurioks raised their swords to the suns and cried victory. Emotionless, the metal being turned to Selka, his body glistening with the corrupt blood of the nims.
“Thank you, friend,” said Selka, bowing slightly to him.
All the Aurioks then heard a voice in their heads.
“Be patient. Resist. The day will come when all five suns rise at the same moment and line up in the sky. Memnarch will then be defeated and all of Mirrodin’s inhabitants will finally find peace.”
The runes on the metal oracle started to glow, and the being disappeared as mysteriously as he had appeared. Like waking from a dream, the Aurioks looked at each other, finally realizing fully that a miracle had just occurred. The words of the prophecy etched into his mind, Selka raised his weapon towards the sky once more.
“By gold and steel, we will resist!”



Glossary (click on the chosen word to return to the text)
Nims: Evil putrid zombies who live in the Mephidross, the dark swamp of Mirrodin. Their heads are covered with armor of rusted metal and their fingers are equipped with dangerous claws.
Aurioks: Humans from the plains of Mirrodin, with bodies partly covered in gold. They are expert blacksmiths and cunning warriors, and must defend themselves against constant attacks by the nims.

Text © P.O. Barome

Illustration © Wizards of the Coast

This story was inspired by the Magic: the Gathering™ cards from the Mirrodin™ block.

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