Piles of books covered Retvik’s desk, alongside his electric tablet and a smaller pile of paperwork. The entirety of Retvik’s combined bedroom, living space and office were in disarray.
“Retvik…”
“Mhm?”
“You have been… Working for like three days straight. Are you alright?”
“Hm…”
“RETVIK!”
“WHAT? Oh. Sorry, Gath.”
The hulking Rethan stood over Retvik’s desk, grunting and adjusting his armour. “You have not left this house since Tenuk came back. Whatever that Kronospast told you has left you shaken. I am beginning to get worried.”
Gath was still wearing his bright gold arena armour. He had been working as a trainer for the Great Dessaron Arena of Palaestra for years, teaching other Rethavok and Vrekans how to fight. He and Retvik had been friends ever since the end of the war against the Kronospasts, but unlike Retvik, age had taken its toll on Gath.
“My dear, you have thrown yourself into your work. You only do this when you are in pain mentally. What is bothering you, Retvik?”
Retvik sighed as he pushed a book to one side. Gath glanced at it, noting the cover. It was a book about talking to Banikans, a race known for how dangerous they were.
“I do not want to talk about it.”
“Please, Retvik. I am getting ever so worried…”
Again, Retvik sighed. “Is Elksia here?”
“She is in her room.”
Retvik got up and pulled the door shut. He wanted privacy. He had a lot on his chest. A lot of things that were bothering him that he hadn’t been able to get off his chest.
“Whatever this is has to do with Tenuk, does it not?”
“Yes. His journey was supposed to be top secret. I am not supposed to tell you. But… He went to see the beings… behind this universe. Our gods and deities.”
“I am surprised we did not send someone sooner. The big empires all have done. Why do you think Kronospasts worship the Whenvern?”
“Well, he discovered something… Something he did not expect. He met the Thantophor in person…” Retvik trailed off, then changed the subject. “During the war, the four of us were captured. We spent six months in a prison. Our captors did horrible things to us. We were forced to… Even now I can hardly bring myself to say it. But I will admit that during those times, I felt more than friendship towards Elksia, Tenuk and… Arkay in particular…”
“You loved him. I know. You admitted this to me when we began our relationship.”
“Yes, well that was before I found out that Arkay was not a Skyan but in fact THE GOD OF DEATH!”
Gath blinked. “What?”
“Arkay was the God of Death. That was what Tenuk discovered. He had made himself into a mortal and helped us defeat his brother the Whenvern.”
“But Arkay died.”
“His body disappeared.”
“True. Then there were rumours that…”
“Turns out those rumours were true. The Skyavok government claimed they did not know who he was…” Retvik held his head in his hands. “I feel so stupid. I was in love with a god of death. Sometimes I think I still am. It bothers me, Gath. Makes me feel traitorous.”
Gath though just shrugged. “Sometimes we feel things we cannot help.”
“Gath…”
“No, do not do that. There are entire races who believe that their god loves them. You though, well, I do not know. It does not bother me. Most would probably admit that Arkay was a very attractive being anyway… Heck, I would say that.”
“So…” Retvik hesitated. “You are not angry?”
“Of course not!” Gath smiled. “Now get out of this office and come for a walk with me.”
Retvik smiled back. “Of course, my dear…”