Tenuk was rather confused as he reached the private training area for his team, Xeno Dessaron One. The lights were all off, and there was a strange, meaty, rotten smell coming from somewhere in the room. However, he could definitely hear movement, and as Tenuk opened the door, the lights abruptly snapped back on.
“Heya, Tenuk!” Kayel smiled as he patted Retvik on the back and made his way over. “How was your meeting with Phovos?”
“Oh, it was fine. She wants me to do some solo stuff…” Tenuk wanted to talk, but he was more curious about what had been going on while he was away. “Uh, what is that smell?”
Nyssi waved from the corner, a bucket by her side. She looked pale. Which, considering that Nyssi was a tall, lean, green Temthan, was rather odd. In fact, As Tenuk scanned the room, he noticed that Retvik didn’t look too good either, but he just seemed slightly dizzy. Kayel however was completely fine.
“Uh, that’s just Nyssi. She threw up!” Kayel shrugged nonchalantly. He took Tenuk by the hand and dragged him into the training area proper, but not before closing the door behind them. “Still better than when you turned into a Vahyra and threw up on me though.”
“Why did you throw up, Nyssi?”
Nyssi hesitated, wiping spit from her mouth. “Shadowjumping is fucking freaky. I can see why Sini disowned the Skyavok.”
Kayel tutted dismissively. “You two wanted to get more used to being shadowjumped so it can’t be used against you! Not my fault you completely emptied your stomach, Nyssi!”
“Still… I don’t even remember eating that much… Also you kinda could have taken it a bit more slowly! We, like, teleported like five times in as many seconds! You threw us completely in the deep end!”
“Uh… Alright, that’s fair…” Kayel shrugged. “Should have taken it a bit easier on you, Nyssi. Retvik doesn’t have an excuse though, I’ve shadowjumped him before.”
“I did not throw up though?” Retvik blinked, having regained his composure. “Although I will admit I did nearly throw up the first time you shadowjumped me, so Nyssi’s reaction is reasonable…” Retvik trailed off, then turned to Tenuk. “What did the Raptor want from you?”
“Her name is Phovos!” Nyssi hissed.
Retvik tutted back. “I have known her for thirty years. Names are not easily forgotten… Either way, Tenuk, the… uh… Phovos has requested to speak to you a few times lately, clearly you are doing something right.”
Tenuk smiled. “Oh, nothing much. She just asked me if I wanted to do some solo stuff.”
“WHAT?” Nyssi nearly screeched. “She’s offering YOU solo stuff? Retty I get, he’s literally the Lightbearer, he does solo stuff all the time, but YOU? Where’s the solo stuff for me and Kayel?”
“I’m fine with just team stuff though…” Kayel muttered.
“No you’re not!” the angry Temthan snapped as she climbed to her feet and stomped over to Tenuk. “We want to do our own things too! We’re Xeno Dessaron One, we beat- HEY!”
Retvik grabbed Nyssi by the scruff of her shirt and lifted her into the air. “Calm down, dear. While yes, we are special and we have achieved a lot, Tenuk is… a little more special than we are, what with him being the first Spast gladiator and house fighter.”
Tenuk nodded in agreement. “I’m definitely special. I can be all sorts. And since I’ve been working on hybrid shapeshifting, Phovos offered me a place to try out new things in front of a large crowd. She wants me to do Thirteenth Night as the Big Bad.”
“Ah…” Retvik’s bemusement swiftly disappeared, replaced with vague annoyance. “Well…”
“You don’t seem too happy with that, Retvik!” Kayel did his best to try and defuse the situation, what with both the big predators in the room being somewhat angry. “Someone… care to tell me what Thirteenth Night even is?”
“ONLY LITERALLY THE BIGGEST AND MOST POPULAR OPEN-CHALLENGER GAME AROUND!” Nyssi was shouting very loudly now, even in spite of Retvik holding on to her. “SHE WANTS YOU TO BE THE BIG BAD? THAT’S FUCKING INSANE!”
“Is that the one where a bunch of people run around the forest arenas being chased by a big scary monster, normally a Banikan, Rethan or a very large Temthan? And anyone who makes it out wins a prize?”
Tenuk nodded again. “Yeah. You two seem a tad upset about that, why?”
Retvik put Nyssi down, then crossed his arms, grunting in annoyance. “I have always wanted to be the Big Bad, just once, to have the freedom to be a big, scary monster like everyone assumes me to be. Fekrim… once…” Retvik fell silent, sniffed, then continued. “Fekrim once did Thirteenth Night and absolutely loved it. I did envy them for a while.”
“Who is Fekrim?” Kayel asked.
“Old friend. No longer with us.” Retvik’s response was brief.
“He died in the warehouse fires, didn’t he?” Nyssi calmed herself down, then put an arm around Retvik. “Sorry, mate.”
“It is fine. Things happen…” Retvik trailed off again. “Still, Tenuk, you have to accept the Raptor’s offer. Being asked to be the Big Bad is an enviable position to be in, and you certainly have the skill to be absolutely terrifying.”
“Hang on!” Nyssi interrupted. “How the fuck did you never get picked, Retty? You’re a Rethan, you’re fucking terrifying!”
“I am too nice, apparently.”
“Fair!” Kayel stifled a laugh. “Still, sounds like fun.”
Nyssi let go of Retvik and crossed her arms. “Fun? It’s fucking amazing! It’s like, free reign to go around and murder people! It’s not actual murder but it’s still awesome! I’m fucking jealous! Even if I’m not a big scary monster like Retvik is!”
“Are you jealous, Retvik?” Tenuk asked, trying to hide his smile. The idea had sounded awesome to him when the Raptor explained it to him, and seeing the look on Nyssi’s and Retvik’s faces kinda sealed the deal. He was going to take the Raptor’s offer anyway, but he at least wanted to mention it to his team first.
“A little, yes…” Retvik frowned. “Still, all I can do is congratulate you, Tenuk. But if you are going to be the Big Bad, I would… love to offer some advice on how to be big and scary. After all, you are just a little Spast.”
“Yeah!” Nyssi patted Tenuk on the head. “You lack the predatory instinct of a massive, monstrous hunter! We can help!”
Tenuk shrugged, then smiled again. “Alright, that’s fair. Plus, I kinda want some ideas on what to shapeshift into anyway. Can’t just turn into a big, fire-breathing Rethan again.”
“I mean, you could, that IS terrifying!” Kayel grinned, putting his arms around everyone. “Anyway, I think these two need a break from my introduction to shadowjumping, shall we all go and get something to drink? And, in Nyssi’s case, eat?”
The little Spast beamed. “Sure! We can think of some cool things for me to turn into on the way.”