Fading Castle

“I thought you said this place was gonna blow?”

“Well, I was wrong.”

The demi-gods all sat around the remains of a glass elevator, not really sure what was doing on. They had raced down the elevator, which had shuddered and shook as the castle above them vibrated violently. However, rather than exploding or anything like that, the black castle faded away into nothing, leaving the villa below completely pristine. Well, except for the glass elevator.

“At least we got out of there though…” Tenuk rubbed his head, looking up in confusion. “I would make a pun about it all being in our minds but that would be a bit distasteful.”

Elksi elbowed Tenuk playfully in the side. “It’d be funny though. Punny.”

“Are we allowing puns here?” Eksi asked. “Or are puns not allowed.”

“Nothing wrong with a good pun!” Tenuk smiled, the first time he had smiled in a while. “I’m just glad that we all got out of that hellhole in one piece. Speaking of which, is Litvir awake yet?”

Litvir sat up straight at the mention of his name. “What happened?” he immediately asked, only for Relkir to instantly and telepathically fill him in. “Oh. That happened.”

Retvik turned to face Litvir. “I am sorry for what I did.”

“Not your fault. Mind control is not exactly nice…” Litvir sighed, taking a moment to rub his eyes and examine his surroundings. “Hatred is a powerful emotion. Something I guess still lingers inside you. I cannot blame you though.”

“Still, I apologise.”

“It is fine.” Litvir got up to his feet, changing the subject. “So where is the massive black castle we were previously in, and how did we all manage to escape?”

“It faded away,” Phovos explained, also getting up. “Turns out that Voidborn was really projecting, as the entire castle was made up using telepathy. It kinda… disappeared. Luckily, we managed to carry you to safety as you really were deeply unconscious.”

“Oh…” Litvir almost seemed disappointed. “So I take it that the Voidborn is dead.”

“Phovos ripped his head off!” Eksi exclaimed. “It was both cool and really gruesome.”

“And all its telepathic mind control disappeared after it died?”

“Yep!”

Litvir shrugged. “That is good to hear. I just hope there is no residue of its control. The last thing you need is a dark lump growing inside you.”

Tenuk’s eyes widened. “That can happen?”

“You never know with Voidborns.”

“Considering the entire castle faded away after the Voidborn’s demise, I think we are all safe…” Retvik tutted. “Speaking of which, I would like to go home now.”

“Me too!” Tenuk beamed, getting up, with Elksi standing up as well. “We should all go home and get very drunk. Or, if you prefer it, get very high.”

“Sounds like a plan to me!” Eksi perked up, dragging Teekay and Relkir to their feet as well. “I want drinks. And food. And general comforts.”

“Alright!” Phovos exclaimed. “Let’s get to our ships and get the fuck out of here!”