A knock on the door caught Retvik completely by surprise. He had been lying in bed, staring off into space, ignoring the world around him. But this knock meant he had to get out of bed and put some armour on. Or at least a loin cloth.
More knocking. This person was quite impatient.
“Please give me a moment!” Retvik glanced at the only time-keeping device in his room. But he still couldn’t tell what time it was. These ships had weird clocks that Retvik still didn’t understand. Giving up on trying to look good, Retvik decided to just look decent, wrapping a stomach cloth so it covered his more sensitive areas.
Finally, Retvik opened the door, only to be greeted by someone he did recognise and someone he didn’t recognise. Seimeni giggled playfully as she looked Retvik up and down.
“Good night?”
“None of your business…” Retvik grunted. “Why are you bothering me so early? And… who are you?”
It had taken Retvik a moment too soon to properly look at the colossal being next to Seimeni. They looked a bit like Vikalos, except plated in mostly green and silver armour, with a crown of horns mounted behind a green and silver head plate and jaws that were a little too big.
“Uh… sorry…” Retvik muttered. “Good, uh, morning… ser…”
The large being tutted. “Good day, Decayling Retvik. You have been nominated for higher level services. Would you mind joining me in the observatory?”
Retvik hesitated. “May I… ask what is going on?”
“As I said, you have been nominated for higher level services. Please make yourself decent, then come with me.”
With a frown, Retvik did as he was told. “Yes, ser, but… please give me a minute?”
“Of course.”
Retvik inched back into his room, grabbed the first armour set and stomach wrap he could find and hastily put it on, ignoring Seimeni’s continued giggles. He then stepped back outside.
“Do I… need anything?”
“No.”
“Alright…”
Retvik did as he was told, closing the door behind him and following this mystery being down the main corridor, leaving Seimeni behind. Since it was somewhat early, it didn’t take them very long to arrive at one of the smaller observatories. The large being opened the door and nudged Retvik inside, before closing the door behind them and locking it.
Once the being was certain everything was secure, they sat Retvik down on one of the small benches overlooking the shimmering, dark view, then sat down next to him.
“Decayling Retvik, I am Decay Lord Galyn. I am in charge of the more secretive operations within both the Thantir and work with other nearby Decay Lord high level operations. I am the being who brokered the original truce between the factions in this area, and carry out surveillance and espionage to keep both the Voidborns and the Corruption in order.”
“I… I see…” Retvik muttered. “Where do I come in here?”
“The Decay Lords of the Thantir see vast potential in you, Retvik. Normally, mortals who are swiftly turned into Deities and then into Decaylings tend to be wholly unstable and fall apart. You are the exception to the rule. You also have a somewhat unique ability to calm other beings down. Both are traits we wish to use in higher level operations.”
Retvik shrugged. “So you are offering me… some sort of job?”
“You have been nominated for higher level services, which means, assuming you accept, you will be working temporarily for me, and will speed up your process into becoming a Decay Lord.”
“What does working for you entail?”
“Mostly observation, for now. You will spend your time studying higher level work and acting as a witness in various discussions. You may also be used in some sabotage missions against the Corruption or the Voidborns, if they attempt to rise up again.”
Retvik shrugged. “And you think I am ready for this?”
“Perhaps.”
“And… what if I say no?”
Galyn grunted. “I would not recommend it. This is a one-time offer. And if you refuse, you will not remember this conversation.”
“So…” Retvik tutted. “I have no choice?”
“No.”
“Will this job be interesting, at least?”
Galyn nodded. “It will be more interesting than the bits and bobs you are doing now.”
Retvik shrugged again. He still wasn’t sure what was going on, but he was definitely curious.
“Alright, count me in…”