“You awake?”
“Well, I was…”
Kayel rolled over, sighing. He was tired. So much worrying had made him exhausted, and now he was trying to get some sleep before their flying lessons tomorrow. This though was the second time Veeyel had woken him up.
“Sorry…”
“No, it’s fine. What do you want?”
“I’m just… I’ve been thinking…”
“About what?”
Veeyel took a deep breath, but didn’t say anything.
“Dear, you can’t wake me up and then go silent on me.”
“It’s awkward…”
“How is it awkward? You’re the one who woke me up.” Kayel rolled back over, then sat up. He suddenly realised that Veeyel was sitting right there, staring at him. “And you’re staring at me.”
“Sorry…” Veeyel didn’t move. Something was clearly bothering him.
“Come on, dear, what’s the problem?”
“Well…” Veeyel was hesitant. “We’re…”
“Yes?”
“We’re not really Rethans any more…”
Kayel blinked. Veeyel had a good point. They weren’t really Rethans. They were Rethan-like. Then again, apart from Psivee-En, they’d all been Threan-type Rethans, smaller than normal, blessed with telepathic abilities and much more nimble than their bulky brethren. Plus, they were all Ksa, which basically meant they were super soldiers. As far as Kayel was concerned, not much had changed.
“We never really were Rethans.”
“Yeah, but we were part of Rethan society. One would look at me and call me a Rethan. When I was in Hertany, everyone thought I was a freak. Some called me a Cassid-made monster.”
“But we’re not.”
“Doesn’t mean vok don’t think it…”
Kayel shrugged and stretched his wings. Considering he wasn’t used to them, they didn’t feel heavy or anything.
“So we need a new name, don’t you think, Kayel?”
“I guess…”
Part of Kayel wasn’t so sure about splitting off so soon. After all, even if they were technically a new race, there were only six of them. He wasn’t even sure if Psivee-En was the same as they were. He assumed he was, but there wasn’t really any way of knowing.
“What was that shadow place like?” Veeyel suddenly asked.
“What shadow place?”
“The Umbric Realm you and Psivee-En went to.”
“Oh that? Eh… It was quiet and dark. I was… scared we were trapped there. Why do you ask?”
Veeyel was hesitating again. “I… I kinda want to go there. What Psivee-En said earlier about building a place for ourselves? It sounded like a really attractive idea.”
“You think he has a point?”
“I saw what others thought first hand. The younger generations may accept us, but the older generations, the ones that are technically still in power…”
“They’re not…”
“They are. Your kid may be High General but local government has always been run by old vok. They don’t like us. Heck, most beings our age don’t like us. Other Ksa barely like us.”
“I… I guess you’re right…” Kayel sighed. “I don’t like the idea that everyone hates us, but I can see what you mean. We’ll be despised by what most consider normal Rethans.”
“So we need a new name.”
The two friends fell silent. Kayel stared at the ceiling, while Veeyel ran through some names in his head.
“Hm… how about Skiavok?”
“Skiavok? Isn’t that what Rethans used to call Trehavok as an insult?”
“It’s not a good insult when it’s fucking badass. Shadow Beasts. That’s what we are. Shadow Beasts from the Shadow Lands.”
“Now, when you put it like that…” Kayel grinned. “That sounds so awesome…”