“So, what do you guys think?”
Nyssi, Tenuk and Retvik all glanced at Kayel. The four of them were sitting on the small beach on the lake at Savepoint, keeping to themselves. They’d spent the morning reading through various text books and asking the two Decay Lords looking after them lots of questions. Now, they were taking a break. Retvik was waiting for Kuta to finish with their solitary meditation, while Nyssi was pretending to sunbathe and Kayel was just playing with the sand. Tenuk though seemed vaguely annoyed.
“Think about what?” Tenuk asked.
“Being out here. Being Decaylings. All that stuff.”
Retvik just shrugged. “I am happy. I will miss being a gladiator, and I find it somewhat awkward being the second Retvik here, but I cannot complain since I have accidentally fulfilled some of my other wishes.”
“Like what?”
“I got some cool powers, I learned a new language accidentally, I technically retired with two unbroken win streaks, I somewhat moved in with Kuta and we live together now, and, despite a small setback, I learned I could feasibly have kids one day once we are more settled.”
Tenuk eyed Retvik. “I… didn’t know you actually wanted kids.”
“I have always wanted kids. That was a big reason why I dated Isaar, I wanted to be the father to Isaar’s three kids, who had lacked a second parent their whole lives. But Kuta and I are still… working out the logistics, and Kuta wants to wait a bit longer, understandably.”
Nyssi grinned, then patted Retvik on the knee. “Look at you, Retty! You’re all happy and following Holy Sini’s will! Having a happy family and all that! It’s a fucking miracle you can, because, well, there ain’t no fucking Temthans out here. Didn’t think I’d end up in a place where Rethans and Skyans are the dominant races.”
Kayel shrugged, somewhat disagreeing. “There’s only three Skyans here. Kaytee isn’t a Skyavok, and Arkay isn’t either. And, like, according to Elkay? The two giant horned Rethan guys are actually the same species, they’re called Beh’evok, and there’s thousands of them out here.”
“Eh, I guess. Still, somehow, there are more Spasts out here than there are Temthans… That’s… insane…”
Tenuk blatantly disagreed with that statement. “That other Tenuk is NOT a Spast. Not in any way. He actually CALLS himself a Kronospast. A term that’s an insult to me. That and he’s creepy and far too horny. He asked the fucking Ancient Warlord herself if she wanted to sleep with him.”
“I, uh, think other Tenuk kinda just asks everyone?” Kayel suggested. “He asked me and Nyssi. Apparently he also asked Akah at one point. The disdain in Akah’s voice when he recounted that suggested that he found that situation really uncomfortable. But Tenuk, mate, you seem angry about something.”
Tenuk sighed with a heavy hint of annoyance. “Yeah, you’re right…” He glanced around briefly, checking the coast was clear. “I dunno if I should say this in Shadowtongue or not though. Although, honestly, the fact that Nyssi, Retvik and I can all suddenly speak Shadowtongue is weird as fuck.”
“Doesn’t Elkay also somehow know Shadowtongue too though?” Nyssi asked. “He seems to speak all the languages Arkay speaks. And because we’re, like, half mimic thingies, we have some of their powers too.”
Tenuk frowned. “Yeah, true. But also, like, can’t even use telepathy. Everyone here seems to have it in a way. Plus, Kuta’s telepathy is better than yours, Nyssi.”
“I did learn how to use telepathy like a week ago or whatever. But what’s up, my little fluffy fox boy?”
With another sigh, Tenuk started to explain. “I feel a bit… annoyed. Talok immediately kinda… ditched me to play with the little black and green Vohra. I thought we were best friends.”
“I thought I was your best friend?” Retvik asked. “Or do people have multiple best friends?”
“Spasts have multiple best friends, yeah. And you’re still my best friend too, Retvik.”
Nyssi got up and patted Tenuk on the back. “I don’t think Talok ditched you intentionally. She’s a Vohra, she’s got a short attention span and is easily distracted. But…” Nyssi paused and glanced around, then closed her eyes briefly. “Well, turns out, you’re not alone in how you feel. Akah is in the exact same boat you are. Tahvra was his best friend, and now Tahvra and Talok are having fun being Vohra besties and Akah had us idiots dumped on him.”
Kayel smiled some more. “You should go be friends with Akah, Tenuk. I think you two would enjoy each other’s company. He seems pretty young for a Lanex, and you both stick out like sore claws.”
“I thought he was your gaming friend though?”
“Yeah, but you need more friends, Akah would enjoy a fellow strange person being his friend, and, like, I am TOTALLY distracted by Kaytee and Teekay and Eksi…” Kayel paused, then snickered. “I’ll be blunt, Kaytee’s hot. And Teekay looks EXACTLY like my old captain Teekay.”
“The guy we saved from that asshole white and gold Skyavok?” Tenuk asked.
“Yeah. Exactly. Except it turns out old-universe Skyans don’t have surnames, Teekay was Ksa of the K-Class and he… kinda married Rethavok Elkay. That’s fine though. Kaytee is Teekay but more buff. I’m not sure if I actually like Eksi yet though. He seems like a younger, skinnier, more asshole-y version of old gladiator trainer Eksi, who me and Psiksi used to work out with. Don’t quite trust the guy yet.”
“All things considered though, folks around here are pretty trustworthy!” Nyssi smiled some more. “I think the only folks I don’t trust now are other Tenuk, the two scary giant guys and the little robot things.”
Retvik grunted, then nodded in agreement. “Everyone seems nice enough. Especially Kyr Litvir. Arkay described Kyr Litvir as an asshole, so did Kuta, but he has been plenty kind to me. Despite me being a younger, fitter version of his poten-partner. ”
“Have you spoken to big Retvik yet?” Nyssi queried.
“No.”
“Why not?”
Retvik thought to himself, then shrugged. “I do not know. I have not really had a reason to speak to other Retvik in private. I am glad though that we quickly sorted out the name problem. I have no issue being called Ret when we are with everyone else. He is not as approachable as Kyr Elkay and Kyr Litvir are. It is made worse by the fact that they were all Generals, and I am the only captain… well, former captain here.”
Nyssi did that thing where she glanced around again, mentally scanning the place. “Actually, Retty, you might be wrong about that. Do you, like, lose your rank if you are missing in action?”
“Not immediately. You retain your rank and are moved to the 404th Legion until your body, or traces of it, have been recovered and you are confirmed deceased. I suppose, since I was 1000th Legion, I might get moved to the Ghost Legion? Unlikely though, that is restricted to only the greatest of dead heroes.”
“Huh… Technically, then, you’re still a higher rank than all three of the old guys. Old-universe Rethans seem to lose their rank the second they’re dead… Huh. That Elkay was… High General at one point… Oh fuck…” Nyssi suddenly rubbed her eyes. “Litvir totally noticed me using my telepathy and just told me off for prying.”
Kayel snickered. “Hah, you gotta learn to be more sneaky.”
“Yeah… That being said, speaking of being sneaky…”
Retvik suddenly jumped as Kuta wrapped their arms around him.
“Hello, dear!” Kuta giggled. “Hello friends, how are you all?”
“You are done with your meditation early!” Retvik exclaimed.
“Mhm. I am mostly over that initial shock. Shadow powers are still a bit wonky, but I am doing better!” Kuta continued to smile as they pecked Retvik on the cheek. “Retvik, my dear, do you want to join me for some study time?”
“That’s not subtle in the slightest…” Tenuk tutted.
Kuta eyed Tenuk. “I was being genuine, actually. But play time is an option too, if you want, Retvik.”
Retvik grinned as he got up, then scooped Kuta up in his arms. He made it look easy, but Kayel knew Retvik was just showing off his new-found gravity powers. “We can do both?”
“I would like that, yes.”
Kayel, Nyssi and Tenuk all waved as Retvik carried Kuta off, back to their private quarters. Once they were out of sight, Kayel turned back to his two other friends.
“They’re cute.”
“They are, yeah…” Nyssi sighed. “Honestly, kinda envious.”
“Fair enough. But, like, Thassalin clearly likes you.”
Nyssi looked up at Kayel. “What?”
“He’s been giving you looks. Whenever he’s shapeshifting himself into something upright, he looks at you.”
“Huh. I haven’t noticed… Well, it’s something to think about. We’re going to be here for a while…”