“Hello, Rethais.”
Rethais jumped, dropping the two bags of shopping he was holding and nearly slamming the vehicle door on his fingers. Due to the season, darkness had arrived at 5pm, and Rethais had only managed to finish his weekly shop at 6pm, so by the time he had arrived home, it was definitely dark. So a voice echoing from the darkness was certainly not a pleasant surprise.
The voice at least was recognisable. It belonged to Rethais’s boss, General Kenon. Someone who was not respecting the fact that Rethais was currently not at work right now. He had taken time off to relax, after years and years of working too hard.
From the front door, Rethais’s beloved partner Lysar stuck her head out. She waved, asking what was wrong. Rethais rolled his eyes, then flashed a V symbol with his fingers, mouthing the word “Kenon” at her. Lysar immediately rolled her eyes too, gestured at the door then pulled it closed, not completely shut but just enough for Rethais to get inside quickly if he needed to.
Finally, Rethais turned to the voice. Out of the darkness stepped that familiar, hulking figure. Kenon was not a Rethavok himself, but he was certainly disguised as one. An oppressive, muscular being that wore too much armour all the time. However Rethais noticed that Kenon did not have his normal black antlers.
“What are you doing here?” Rethais growled.
“There are rumours that you wish to resign.”
“Hm, I wonder why that may be?” Rethais tutted, turning to pick up his dropped shopping. “It is not like my superior is constantly harassing me and making my life a misery. Not like he keeps on hurting me and threatening both my life and my family. A smart being would look at his actions and realise he is wrong. A narcissist only puts blame on others.”
Kenon grunted, only showing a vague hint of concern. “I would like to know what I need to do to make you want to work for me again.”
Rethais took a deep breath, shaking his head. “I do not want to work for you.”
“Both I and the common Rethan need you, Rethais.”
“Hah, funny you should say that…” Rethais nearly laughed. “The common Rethan does not know who I am. Whatever you did when you took over Rethan society, you made them forget the recent past. Despite the fact that I have been both Vice General and High General of the Retha, I walked through a shopping centre today and not a soul recognised me. So no, the common Rethan does not need or even care about me.”
“They may not know that they need you, but they do. You are by far the best of my Vice Generals. You keep me on track.”
This time, Rethais did actually laugh. A loud, rather cruel laugh, mocking Kenon’s words. “If that were true, you would actually listen to me! Outside of no-strings-attached immortality and god-like powers, there is nothing that could tempt me into working for you again.”
“But…”
“But nothing. Once I have used up the holiday time I have accumulated over the years, I have multiple offers lined up, all offering me better work for less hours and a higher salary!” Rethais tutted, then smiled. “Kenon, I am done working for you.”
“But…”
Rethais ignored Kenon’s confusion and tapped the band around his wrist, locking the vehicle behind him. He then picked up the shopping bags he had left on the floor and carried them inside.
“Good night, Kenon. Good luck finding a new assistant.”
The door slammed shut, leaving Kenon alone in the street. With a snarl and a snap of his fingers, the Void Lord disappeared, realising he had work to do.