“Where have you been all this time?”
Retvik scooted over on the steps, making space for the rather tall, emerald-plated Skyavok to sit down next to him. The House Fighter Cafe was barely an actual cafe, more a small kiosk and some concrete stairs overlooking the larger training grounds, but the food and drinks were free, so no one really complained.
“I have been… busy…” was Retvik’s rather vague reply.
“Clearly! Care to clue me in?”
Psiksi was a rather unique individual, even for a Skyavok. Going by the arena name The Happy Cold, a mashup of his friendly demeanour and a mistranslation of his name, Psiksi was an old house fighter, having been serving the Raptor for as long as Retvik had. Like all the other Skyavok who fought for the Great Arena, he was designated as Ξ-Class, a Class that specialized in foreign affairs with non-Skyavok politics and races. While Psiksi had originally been trained from a young age to represent the Skyavok themselves, even dabbling slightly in Phantasma combat, his skill was so great that he was quickly adopted by the Raptor before he won too many prizes.
Psiksi also held the third longest win streak in the Arena’s history, with 193 victories. Still far behind Retvik’s win streak, but impressive nonetheless. The two of them had considered themselves friendly rivals, and often just friends, for the better part of two decades. Only one thing was holding Psiksi back, and that was his age. He and Retvik were both in their fifties, but Skyavok tended to not live as long as their larger cousins.
“It is… hard to explain. The Raptor wanted me to come up with an official story, but what actually happened, I struggle to put into words…” Retvik took a sip of his drink, just some simple bottled water. Psiksi on the other hand was drinking an energy drink of some sort. “I mean, how CAN I explain that the Allbirther broke into my home and kidnapped me?”
Psiksi gave Retvik an odd look. Standing at 1.8m tall, he was technically huge for a Skyavok, and those piercing green eyes of his didn’t help. But he still looked small compared to Retvik. Psiksi had never really liked that, especially since he was the last person to defeat Retvik in the arena. Decisively as well.
“So it actually was…” Psiksi trailed off. “Wow. We both knew you were of finer genetics, but I didn’t think she would personally come down to steal you away. And you somehow escaped.”
“Well, I would not have escaped, had your god not saved me.”
“… Ah… Well, that certainly IS something. No wonder you went off the radar for so long. Probably the longest break you’ve had since your breakup… And you just went and told me.”
Retvik glanced at Psiksi. “I have known you almost as long as I have known the Raptor. I trust you will not talk.”
“Well, fair.” Psiksi took another swig of his drink, then looked at the label, tutting to himself. “You though, the Raptor is making you keep secrets. She wouldn’t tell me why she canceled our weekly match against the Terror Twins, so I thought I’d come and get some answers off of you directly…” Psiksi paused. “You’re… not retiring, are you?”
“What? No!” Retvik nearly spat out some of his drink. “I have far too many years ahead of me to quit now… No, I am simply… having a change of pace. A slightly less lonely change of pace.”
“You’re forming a team? And you didn’t invite me?”
“Neither of us ever wanted to go into Dessaron battles.”
“Well, true, but still!” Psiksi exclaimed, before lowering his voice. “We work well together. Always have done.”
“Yes but we do not have a telepathic bond. Or a blood bond. Or a death god secretly keeping an eye on us. Nor have we fought a literal deity together.”
Psiksi backed down slightly. “I think you’ve lost a couple of marbles, Ret.”
“Probably…” Retvik sipped some more of his drink. Very few beings were allowed to call him ‘Ret’. He never liked it, especially since his name was only two syllables long. “The annoying thing is, because of my contract with the Raptor, we have to fight as a house team. Our first match is on Friday, against Retha Squad Three. Which I did not find out until about an hour ago. I was of the opinion that we would be fighting some beasts.”
“Oof…” Psiksi bit his lip, now feeling rather awkward. “Well, at least team win streaks are separate from individual win streaks, right?”
Retvik didn’t respond.
“Want some help training your team?” Psiksi finally asked. “It’s the least I can do.”
“Normally, I would say yes, but the Raptor…”
“… Is being her normal mysterious bitch self?”
“Yes.”
“Hmph. Typical. Can you even tell me who they are? I haven’t seen anyone new around here apart from that yellow-armoured guy.”
“Kayel does stick out like a sore thumb…” Retvik admitted.
“He’s L-Class?” Psiksi’s voice jumped an octave. “Bloody Darkness, the next thing you’re gonna tell me is that you convinced a Spast to join your team.”
Psiksi glanced at Retvik. Retvik looked away awkwardly.
“You…”
“Unfortunately, the Raptor wants the members of Xeno Dessaron One to be completely secret until she’s happy with us. I am not even allowed to use my normal Lightbearer armour. If we are successful, we will get new gear, but until then, it is the default green for us.”
“Wow…” Psiksi fell silent, before perking up again. “Well, there ain’t much I can do for you, but at least you’re fighting Retha Squad Three. I’ve fought half of them in a two-on-one and still beaten them. So I think your mystery team does have a chance. As long as you take down Vel first. He’s their telepathic hub…” Psiksi sighed as an alarm went off on his wrist. “Well, my break’s over, gotta go.”
“Who are you fighting?” Retvik asked as they both got up.
“More fricking Thraggers. Guess that’s what happens when a third of the population around here are Temthans…”
Retvik smiled slightly as he patted Psiksi on the shoulder. “I wish you luck. And thank you for your advice.”
“No worries, old mate… Oh… One last thing…” Psiksi fiddled around with something in his rucksack, then handed a small, paper card to Retvik. “Give my number to your little L-Class friend. I’d love to spar with him one day.”
“Sure thing. I do not know if he would appreciate it, but I can always ask.”