Most of the team were asleep currently. Ret and Kuta were lying in the corner in some sleeping bags, and, at some point, Tenuk and Talok joined them. Kayel was nearby, completely buried underneath a pile of cushions with his sleeping bag on top of him. Phovoula was pacing up and down, not really sure what to do with herself, especially since she didn’t need to sleep or anything any more. She wasn’t alone in the pacing though. Outside, several other members of the Thantir were wandering around as well, both to protect and keep an eye on them, but also giving the team some privacy.
In the other corner though, Nyssi and Thassalin were sitting in silence, watching Phovoula pace up and down. Neither of them had spoken for a while, but Nyssi had been desperate to ask something for a while. Eventually, Phovoula stopped pacing and sat at what was normally the teachers’ desk, closing her eyes and not doing much else. With the coast clear, Nyssi finally asked her question.
“So, do you know what our trial will be?”
“Somewhat.”
“You don’t know?”
Thassalin nodded. “I am certain that these Deathven folks know exactly what I am, and are in some way blurring what I can see. It is intentional, they do not want me knowing things in advance.”
“You’ll be able to see things once we’re in the trial, right? Or are they kinda just… massively de-powering you?”
“Oh, once we’re in, everything will be fine. I’ll see ahead nice and cleanly and I can guide you all.”
“I’m glad. But you know we’re all counting on you, right?” Nyssi pointed out. “You’re the person who can see all this shit happening before it happens.”
“I am well aware. At the same time though, we do have Phovoula with us. And we have you four. Nyssi, you do realize your team is terrifying, yes?”
Nyssi grinned. “I know. I’m honestly really hoping that our trial will be a massive battle against Corruption or something. You know, gracious murder. And not some sort of stupid puzzle or riddle to work on… Do you have any idea what the trial might be?”
“I don’t see any puzzles or anything. Just lots of fighting. But I can’t see what specifically we will fight.”
“Aw…” Nyssi trailed off for a moment. “That does suck.”
“What would you rather we fight against?” Thassalin asked. “Voidborns or Corruption?”
“Definitely Corruption. That shit’s easy. We just cover all our weapons in our blood and start murdering more. We kinda haven’t really fought Voidborns yet.”
Thassalin grunted. “I have fought a handful of Voidborns, but this was a very, very long time ago. Back when I was an intra-universal deity in the universe I hatched in.”
“Do you remember hatching?”
“Mostly, yes. I… admittedly sometimes miss the caress of my gentle Life Goddess. And I definitely miss my little sister.”
Nyssi wondered if she should ask more questions. “What… what happened to them?”
“Corruption. A lot of it. Mother didn’t listen until it was too late, and she was corrupted herself, believing that my little sister had been brought back from the dead, but was instead a corpse being puppetted by the Corruption to get into mother’s mind.” Thassalin sighed a little. “It could have taken me as well, had I not listened to the Thantoepheron’s words. As far as I’m concerned, there is nothing left of my universe apart from me.”
“Oh…” Nyssi didn’t have a response for that. “I’m… sorry…”
“It’s fine. All in the past. It saddens me, for certain, but I got a second chance and a third chance, all thanks to darling Yisini and the Thantoepheron.”
“I’m pretty sure Arkay doesn’t like it when you call him that…” Nyssi muttered.
“That is just what he is. Life Goddesses are insanely difficult to kill, but Arkay has killed more than one. He truly is He Who Has Brought Death.”
“I guess…” Nyssi decided to change the subject. She wanted good vibes, as good as possible before their trial was due to start. However, it seemed that Thassalin had also decided to change the subject too.
“Phovos, how are you doing?”
Phovoula looked up from her desk. “I am… fine, I guess?”
“You seem lonely over there!”
Nyssi noticed that Thassalin’s eyes glowed briefly.
“I… I guess?” Phovoula shrugged. “Do you want me to come over or something?”
Thassalin nodded. “I do, yes. You shouldn’t be sitting on your own. You’re part of the team as well.”
Phovoula sighed, then got up and made her way over. Oddly, she sat next to Nyssi, not next to Thassalin. “Neither of you seem particularly anxious right now.”
“We’re a team of eight super strong bastards. Why should we be anxious?” Nyssi smiled as she put an arm around Phovoula. “Plus, we all stick together and all that shit, right?”
“True… Sometimes I just feel rather… odd. Especially since a lot of me is kinda hollow now…” Phovoula trailed off briefly. “I wonder if I could just, like, cut a hole in my hollow lower arm and put things in there.”
Nyssi and Thassalin both shrugged.
“I suppose, maybe?” Nyssi mused. “Either way, sister, you gotta stick with the rest of us. I know you feel you don’t belong, but you really do.”
“I know, it’s just awkward sometimes. Hopefully, since I overheard you earlier, we’re going to fight Corruption. I… well… I will be by your sides, even if we have to fight Voidborns. It might be awkward.”
Nyssi pulled Phovoula closer. “You don’t need to justify yourself. We all know you’ll do what’s right.”
“And don’t fret too much, Nyssi and Kuta will keep us all telepathically bound, in case any Voidborns try to recruit you.”
Before the conversation could continue, an alarm went off. Everyone else abruptly woke up, realizing what was going on. In the doorway, Arkay had appeared, to check in on everyone.
“Is that our one hour alarm?” Kuta asked as they yawned and stretched.
“Yep. Unfortunately, nap time is over. You lot need to get yourselves ready to go…” Arkay set up a new alarm. “You’ve got 10 minutes to wake yourselves up, then I’ll bring you guys some food and drinks, then it’ll be time.”
“Well, what are we waiting for?” Thassalin smiled as he stood up. “We’re going to be fine, let’s get this all going and over with.”