“We already have a Voidborn presence in this region, we do not need more.”
“SAYS WHO?”
“Says the inhabitants already living here.”
Galyn was getting a bit tired of this circular conversation. This sect of Voidborns, known locally as the Glimmergolds, was desperate to move into what they saw as free territory. Galyn’s job today was to convince them otherwise. Or at the very least get them to shut up for a bit. That was why this meeting was taking place on a floating gold platform sitting in an endless void. Because Voidborns were not known for their hospitality.
“THEY ARE NOT IMPORTANT.”
“Well… they kinda are…” Retvik, Galyn’s little assistant, muttered. “You need a set of nice, healthy inhabitants to make things nice around here that don’t get killed by warring Voidborns…”
This particularly large and gold Voidborn glanced down at Retvik and tutted.
“YOUR PET IS SPEAKING.”
“He is my assistant, not my pet. And he is correct. We have a Voidborn presence here. A second one would cause conflict. And conflict is bad for everyone.”
“SO YOU WOULD RATHER HAVE US LEAVE?”
“Yes. It would be safer for literally everyone involved.”
The Glimmergold Voidborn shrugged. “I SUPPOSE YOU ARE CORRECT. BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN THE OTHER VOIDBORN LEAVES. WE LIKE THIS TERRITORY.”
“Of course, if you give us a call when we make an announcement, we can-”
“YOU WILL CONTACT US DIRECTLY WHEN IT HAPPENS AND WE CAN COME AND CLAIM THIS TERRITORY.”
Galyn paused, then grunted. “Alright, understood. Can we-”
“WE WILL LEAVE NOW. BUT WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.”
“Understood. But-”
Galyn was interrupted by the Voidborn disappearing, taking his floating platform with it. With a frown, Galyn instinctively summoned a pair of wings and grabbed Retvik, knowing the Decayling lacked the speed to catch himself.
“Thank you…” Retvik stuttered, struggling to create his own wings. “I admit I am not great at altering myself yet.”
“It comes with practice…” Galyn grunted. “And knowing that Voidborns will take all that is theirs without warning.”
With a snap of his free fingers, Galyn’s ship uncloaked, becoming visible and hovering closer. A door opened at the side and Galyn pushed Retvik inside, before climbing on board himself.
Once they were inside and everything was locked up, the two former deities made their way to the cockpit. The mission was mostly successful, as far as Galyn was concerned, but the Decayling was clearly not happy.
“Is something bothering you, Retvik?”
Retvik nodded. “Yes, ser. I feel like I did not… do too well back there.”
“You were fine. Remember, you are an observant and a trainee.”
“Yes, well… I still feel like… I am to blame for a lot of this.”
Galyn glanced at Retvik as he sat down and strapped himself in. He didn’t respond to Retvik’s statement at first, Galyn simply wanted to get the ship moving. But once they were on course back to the Thantir One, Galyn decided speak.
“How in the name of the Shadow do you think you are to blame for these Voidborns?”
Retvik fidgeted awkwardly in his seat. Galyn had seen this before. The normally powerful and proud being, suddenly being completely out of his depth. This would always cause these weird statements to form.
“The Voidborns that attacked my home did so because a death god defended me.”
“Hmph. You are talking about the Voidborn attack on the universe of Life Goddess Kinisis, yes?”
Retvik nodded. “I am. They attacked because they thought one of their own was killed. Arkay was… just trying to protect me.”
Galyn grunted some more, swivelling his chair towards Retvik. “Well, you are wrong.”
“They-”
“Voidborns will attack anything. They just need an excuse. Does not even have to be true. They probably KNEW that Ano-Voidborn Kenon was alive and they attacked anyway. They would have found another reason involving Life Goddess Kinisis’s universe, whether you existed or not. So I want to hear no more of this self-blaming nonsense.”
“Arkay though feels the same way. He blames himself.”
“He can blame himself all he wants, that blame is ill-placed.”
“And mine too?” Retvik sighed.
“Yes.”
Retvik fell silent, somewhat lost in thought. Galyn turned back to the consoles, making sure that the ship’s autopilot was doing as it was told. After a few minutes however, he turned back to Retvik.
“Is there anything else you wish to get off your chest?”
“No, ser.”
“If there is something bothering you, will you tell me?”
Revtik shrugged. “Is that an offer to allow me to vent?”
“It is.”
“Well… thank you. But I am… alright for now.”
“Very well…” Galyn tutted. “Good work today, by the way…”
A little smile flickered across Retvik’s snout. “Thank you, ser…”