“The first thing we need to do is get you some better-fitting armour…” Galyn grunted as he led Retvik towards a door that seemed a little too small. To Retvik’s surprise, this door led to a ladder that led directly downwards… towards a whole new corridor, running parallel beneath the ship’s main hallway.
“This has been here the entire time?” Retvik exclaimed.
“Of course. Not everything on this ship is immediately accessible to Decaylings. But you can now access this area. Under my supervision, of course.”
Retvik blinked in confusion as Galyn squeezed down the ladder and into the new hallway, then swiftly followed, so he wouldn’t get left behind.
This area was much duller and dimmer than the main corridor above, with only basic lighting beneath their feet. Retvik did his best to keep up with Galyn and his massive strides. Luckily, there was little to see down here, aside from unmarked doors. They continued until they came across a door that was marked with some sort of shield symbol.
Galyn tapped twice on the shield on the door, and it opened up, revealing a massive armoury, absolutely filled with armour that seemed… perfectly made for Galyn. With a tut, Galyn abruptly grabbed Retvik’s arm and pulled him away, which caused the door to shut. He then tapped Retvik’s hand twice against the shield and the door opened up once more. This time, the armour was much smaller. Made for Retvik instead.
“I will admit, that is cool…” Retvik muttered
“It is the first time. If you are going to be a Decay Lord, you need apparel that matches your power and ferocity…” Galyn explained. “This is accessible to all Decay Lords, whenever they need it.”
“Do I need it now?”
“Yes…” Galyn eyed Retvik up and down. “We are going to be doing some… rather stealthy operations. You need to be able to quell your flames and keep them hidden. While you can somewhat do that naturally, we are going to pick out an armour for you that will also hide your… rather warm ambient temperature.”
Retvik frowned. “Am I that obvious? And are we really starting off with… stealth? You are taking a Rethan on a Skyan’s job.”
Galyn grunted, not really understanding Retvik’s phase and assuming it was just some mortal thing. “Not directly. We will be speaking with a group of Voidborns that wish to fill the recently left hole in this area. If things go downhill, we will need a quiet way out. Now, start picking some armour. Preferably something dark.”
The Decayling shrugged, then started inspecting the armour sets, not really sure what he was looking for. After a moment of silence, he turned back to Galyn.
“I have some questions.”
“Then ask them while you choose. But please do not take too long.”
“Very well…” Retvik continued looking. “My first question is… well, why me?”
“I already answered that. You are the… most impressive Decayling we have seen in a while.”
“Alright… so, loosely related…” Retvik eyed a black and red set of armour, with smooth plating and red, ember-like slits up the sides. “Why do you look like a… large version of me?”
Galyn stared at Retvik. “Why do you care?”
“Because, well, if you were a Rethan, the species I am… was… you would be very large but also… very attractive… Also, you are the third… squishy, armoured being I have seen around here, after Arkay and Seimeni.”
“Well, if you insist on knowing, I am a short-term mortal-born deity like you. From a universe somewhat similar to yours. Which is why I want to take you under my wing. Before you get taken elsewhere. Or killed. Mortal-born deities… tend to last about the same amount of time as weird, amalgam Decaylings like your little yellow friend.”
Retvik glanced at a second armour set and then at Galyn. “Oh. That sounds worrying.”
“It would be, had I not gotten to you first. But do not fret, I will train you up. And you will become a powerful, deadly entity. Now, have you chosen your armour?”
With a nod, Retvik’s eyes drifted back to the sleek, black, softly glowing armour.
“Then take it and put it on. Swiftly now, as we have work to do.”
Retvik shrugged, then did as he was told. He pressed his hand against the glass, and it faded away, allowing Retvik to grab the armour.
“I can choose more armour later, yes?” Retvik asked.
“Of course.”
“Alright…” Retvik smiled, taking off the pieces of his own, bland, red armour and replacing it with this new look. “I must admit, this is… exciting.”
“Good,” Galyn clapped his hands together. “I appreciate your enthusiasm. You will need it…”