The following is an uncut transcript of the last of four interviews, after the Dessaron’s existence was made public. This transcript contains material that was not aired.
Kazix: Are you willing to speak now?
Tenuk: I…
Kazix: I have all day.
Tenuk: You do not have as long as I have.
Kazix: We’re both contractually obligated to be here.
Tenuk: You are here voluntarily.
Kazix: The other three all did their interviews. I won’t force you into spilling any dangerous secrets or anything.
Tenuk: I do not WANT to be here.
Kazix: *sigh* This is going to be awkward. Geff?
Geff: Yes?
Kazix: You might need to call Yaksis for this evening’s Arena match,
Geff: Sure. I’ll get on it.
Tenuk: You think you are so important.
Kazix: I have a job. I do my job. I like it most of the time.
Tenuk: You are so… Minuscule.
Kazix: Everyvok is when you’re a Deitic, correct?
Tenuk: *Long pause* Not ever- *pause* Not everyvok. I forget that you all try to live your short existences.
Kazix: Are you willing to speak now?
Tenuk: *pause* Yes. I will speak. The others spoke. I should too. Audio only though.
Kazix: Um… Okay… We will film this as normal and put you in shade in editing. Is that fine with you?
Tenuk: It will do.
Kazix: Good. Can we start recording?
Cameravok: Cameras are hot. Recording in ten, nine, eight, seven, six…
Kazix: Thank you, Tenuk, for being here.
Tenuk: Thank you too, Kazix.
Kazix: In our other interviews, we spoke with three powerful but tortured Retha. You though, you claim to be something else entirely. No one knows who you are. Who are you, Tenuk?
Tenuk: I am a Rethan.
Kazix: Just a Rethan?
Tenuk: Yes. I gave up… most of my Deitic ways. I sacrificed them so I could help mortals and became one myself.
Kazix: Most of your Deitic ways? Are you the same sort of being that the Dessaron fight to destroy?
Tenuk: Correct, I am still part Deitic. A small amount. I am… unsure how that has affected me. But you misunderstand. The Dessaron fight to destroy negative Deitic influence on mortals. Not just any Deitic that wanders by.
Kazix: We clearly know very little about Deitics.
Tenuk: Clearly. And why would you? After the war, the Deitics made sure to remove as much knowledge as possible from you all.
Kazix: You can do that?
Tenuk: The word Deitic literally means “Of the Gods” in Old Vohran. Deitcs have existed for a long time. They were the first sentient race and they split and evolved separately from mortals.
Kazix: Are you mortal?
Tenuk: … Yes. I am mortal, the same as the rest of you. Despite how much that pains me.
Kazix: Does death scare you?
Tenuk: It terrifies me.
Kazix: Why?
Tenuk: You all will go to your respective believed afterlives. There is nothing for Deitics. Nothing but eternal emptiness and the complete end of your existence. The fact that my entire existence will disappear is a horrific thought.
Kazix: But now you are a Rethan, wouldn’t you be reincarnated as something better or worse?
Tenuk: No. Let us move on.
Kazix: Very well. You have mentioned before how you sacrificed your Deitic self to help mortals. Why though?
Tenuk: I ask myself that question a lot. I always come up with different answers.
Kazix: What sort of answers?
Tenuk: There is no denying that being a Deitic is a soulless thing. You do not care. You are hollow. I wanted to care. But also, Kronospast society is incredibly corrupt. I saw an opportunity to better my fellow Kronospasts. It… did not go as I had planned. Still, as a Kronospast born after the Great War, I now understand better than anyone how both sides felt.
Kazix: So you are in a very unique position.
Tenuk: Yes.
Kazix: How do you feel now that you are among our society?
Tenuk: I do not like Rethan society. Your social-communist system does work unexpectedly well, due to your social demeanor towards one another, but I feel you deify your leaders too much, and the fact that you turn orphaned children into trained soldiers and put them to work from the age of two is disgusting. But I feel that is unfair of me to say, having come from a society ruled by the iron fist of my father.
Kazix: Your father is the leader of the Kronospasts?
Tenuk: Yes. My father is Lord Avra. I am… was his eldest son and heir to the throne. Not any more.
Kazix: You gave up everything!
Tenuk: You make it sound like I wanted to be Lord of the Kronospasts.
Kazix: That is…
Tenuk: I wanted away from my stupid race. A species full of fools and jokers. As much as I am not fond of the Retha, or any other of the local races around here, I am happier here than I ever was as a Kronospast. I have to work to earn my way now. I… I like that. I am also thankful to hear that a lot of the information and opinions I had are now outdated.
Kazix: Like how we make 2 year olds fight? We don’t do that any more. The K-Class Ksa are the last such Ksa.
Tenuk: Ah good. My point about the deification of your leaders still stands though.
Kazix: Fair enough. You really do have a unique view on the universe.
Tenuk: Anyone would in my position.
Kazix: What are your plans now that you’re living among us?
Tenuk: I have many thoughts. A major one is discovering what powers I have left, and whether I will gain or lose them as time passes. Currently I appear to very, very slowly be gaining Deitic power. I do hope it won’t force me into being a Kronospast again.
Kazix: What are your thoughts in fighting as a Dessaron Battle System team?
Tenuk: The idea intrigues me. It is the ideal testing ground for my abilities, as well as a chance to physically strengthen myself. Unfortunately for me, physical strength is my weakness. Had I not been saved by my fellow Dessaron, I would have surely shrunk down into a far weaker race.
Kazix: What do you mean?
Tenuk: I could have ended up as a Cassid, or a human.
Kazix: Human?
Tenuk: Ah, you call them Thropes.
Kazix: Oh. So you wish to get stronger?
Tenuk: Yes. I also wish to settle down properly in some sort of society. Not Rethan society proper, perhaps remain among the neutral territories around here. But I do need to register myself as a living being.
Kazix: Not had time to register yourself, I assume?
Tenuk: You have little idea. Our arrival back in normal times coincided with the desecration of a Lanex tomb and the destruction of a village under the threat of Zonta. We were arrested and your top scientists wanted to know a lot about me. You seem to think that Mortal-Deitic hybrids are far less common than they are.
Kazix: Could you elaborate on that?
Tenuk: I am pretty certain that at least two members of your council are the unwilling offspring of a Deitic’s relationship with a mortal Rethan.
Kazix: We’re going to have to cut that out.
Tenuk: Why?
Kazix: Unless you have certified proof… It’s…
Tenuk: Oh, apologies, I understand.
Kazix: So you were experimented on?
Tenuk: Mostly just tested. Blood tests, physical tests, nothing invasive. They all knew what I’d do if they attempted something like that.
Kazix: Do you have any other plans?
Tenuk: I do wish to find some friends. I have spent a long time with three other Rethans. I feel I should… expand my horizons. I also have a small plan to look into the family tress of my fellow Dessason and myself. I have family who have been exiled over the years. Rebellion seems to be a part of my family, outside of Lord Avra.
Kazix: What family do you have?
Tenuk: I have two brothers and a cousin that I know of. Levik is… more insane than even I. Kohra, my youngest brother, is now heir to the throne. He will be a fine Lord. Very trustworthy person. Cares a lot about mortals.
Kazix: So not all Kronospasts are bad.
Tenuk: Of course not. Same way not all of any race are bad.
Kazix: Do you have any regrets?
Tenuk: Sometimes I regret sacrificing my godhood. But I have affected this universe more having done so than I could have ever done without having joined your side. I have experienced both sides of the coin. I may not have a soul, but I have experienced life in a way no other can. We may have suffered, but we also came together and came out triumphant.
Kazix: Alright, to wrap this up, do you have any last words?
Tenuk: … No?
Kazix: None at all? You can say whatever you want here.
Tenuk: Whatever I want?
Kazix: Within reason.
Tenuk: I thought so. I do not have much to say. All I ask is that you all keep off my back. Let me protect you alongside the other Dessaron. I do not fear you and you should not fear me, as I am a Rethan now.
Kazix: Well put.
Tenuk: Thank you. This has been an interesting experience, but not one I wish to repeat.
Cameravok: Are we done?
Tenuk: Yes.
Cameravok: Did you just shut off the cameras?
Tenuk: Yes. Force of habit, apologies.
Cameravok: Uh, okay.
Kazix: You know about my of-
Tenuk: Yes.
Kazix: What about my other one? Both Elksia and Retvik suggested I talk to you about other things.
Tenuk: They would like me to find a partner of sorts. They seem to think you would be a good partner for me.
Kazix: I don’t really get it myself.
Tenuk: I can see their reasoning.
Kazix: You can?
Tenuk: I see a lot of things. I see you.
Kazix: I… don’t follow?
Tenuk: Throwing oneself into his work due to a problem elsewhere.
Kazix: Well I have had a few rough months but it’s nothing compared to you lot.
Tenuk: Still. Are you doing anything tomorrow evening at 8pm?
Kazix: Um, I have a Dessaron Battle to commentate on. But I can do lunch.
Tenuk: That is at midday, yes?
Kazix: Well, more 1pm or 2pm.
Tenuk: Very well. I shall meet you in your office at 1pm.
Kazix: Alright?
Tenuk: Good. Fare well.
Kazix: … Bye?
Cameravok: Did he just disappear?
Kazix: Yeah, he just disappeared, after asking me out on a date.
Cameravok: I’m confused.
Kazix: Tell me about it…