Pentathax ships landing at Savepoint were pretty common. While they could normally fix up minor corruptions without too much hassle, anything that potentially needed more delicate surgery or was at risk of amputation was sent to the Thantir to be purified.
Today though, a small 2-seater ship had just touched down, and the resident Psions picked up that this visitor was here to talk, not for anything Corruption-related. Litvir suggested that Retvik go down and greet the visitor, as everyone else was somewhat busy.
Luckily, the visitor was a friend. Permafrost, one of the Doom Drums, the Generals of the Pentathax. He was flanked by four elemental beings with rocky bodies. However, Permafrost was the one carrying a massive crate.
“Good day, Flamebearer!”
Permafrost’s mood was hard to judge. Mostly because he lacked a face or eyes or anything.
“Hello, Permafrost, what brings you here today?” Retvik asked as he approached.
“Two things, actually. The first is simple, I have an extra crate of body shields for you. Can’t ever have too many of these! The second reason is…” Permafrost paused, then glanced around the place. Normally, there were a handful of Decaylings running around, either learning how to do purifications or generally helping out and doing educational things, but today, Permafrost spotted all eight Decaylings sitting together in the canteen area.
“What is the second reason?” Retvik asked, snapping Permafrost back.
“Can we talk privately?” Permafrost asked back.
“I mean, of course. Is this something serious?”
“Somewhat.”
Retvik grunted. Litvir had telepathically heard what Permafrost had just said and sent Elkay to take the crate off Permafrost’s hands.
“Huh, didn’t know you could teleport, little guy!” Permafrost somehow telepathically smiled at Elkay.
“Well, uh… I am just using my mimic powers…” Elkay muttered. “Thank you for the shield things.”
Elkay wandered off, taking the crate with him, and he headed to the storage areas. Permafrost glanced at Retvik, then did that weird telepathic smile again.
“Is he your brother?”
“Half-brother, but yes.” Retvik got things moving, leading Permafrost to the private offices above the main waiting area. Permafrost’s guards headed back to the ship, awaiting Permafrost’s return.
“Huh, interesting. Anyway…” Permafrost paused for a moment, then said hello to Litvir, who had been sitting in the office the whole time. “Ah, good, you’re here too. I assume you and Flamebearer do a lot of the office work here.”
Litvir shrugged. “Most of it, yes, but occasionally we do other bits and pieces as well, doubly so since my dear has fire powers. How can we help you today?”
Retvik closed the door behind Permafrost, then pulled up a stool for Permafrost to sit down.
“I have a question. One I hope I don’t already know the answer to. Have your Decaylings been forced to do their trial early?”
Litvir rolled his eyes. “Unfortunately, yes. After a bit of shouting, we managed to push the date back from “in two hours” to “in two evs”. We are all very frustrated about it.”
Permafrost shook his head. “I was concerned this would happen.”
“How do you know?” Retvik asked.
“Hmph. The Pentathax are a travelling sect, we don’t remain in place for very long. But we also always try to keep contact with the eniapents we travel through. As you are purifiers, you lot will most likely be who we keep in touch with once we’ve moved on. However, we have had communications from sects in eniapents we have visited previously.
“This is somewhat normal, but lately, we have had people calling from all over the place, and in higher numbers than usual. And you know what? Every single sect that called us, they ALL have Decaylings, studying to become Decay Lords.”
“Are you suggesting that-”
“That Deathven is doing something weird. He is preparing for something. Every single sect that got in touch, they claimed the exact same thing. That a Higher Decay Lord called them and demanded that their Decaylings do their Trial as soon as possible. Some of them managed to convince Deathven to wait, because their Decaylings are far too inexperienced. But it’s the same pattern everywhere.”
Litvir glanced at Retvik. “We are Higher Decay Lords, technically, yes?”
“Apparently.”
Permafrost seemed to hiss slightly. “I take it you lot haven’t been asked to force others to do this. Mostly because you lot hate Deathven. Did the Travellers tell you?”
Retvik nodded. “Yes. We shouted at Orion quite a bit. And he stated it was because of some unforeseen event that only Deathven has predicted.”
“Expected as much. Have any other sects gotten in touch with you?”
Litvir shrugged. “I do not think so. As far as we are aware, none of the other sects have any Decaylings. The Justar had a few but they did their Trials a couple of evs before that stupid party they invited us all to.”
“Are your Decaylings ready?” Permafrost asked.
“They are, yes,” Retvik sighed. “We explained the situation to them, they all seemed fine. I think Vikalos is more worried than they are.”
“Has Deathven confirmed that your, uh, weird ones are fine to do their Trial?”
“Orion said all eight of them will do their Trial. But Retvik and I sadly no longer trust the Travellers, and we are quite concerned as we have not been given any definite answers.”
Permafrost thought for a moment. “I can see why you’d be concerned. Especially since you three went through a corrupted hell hole for your trial.”
“Actually, that reminds me!” Litvir suddenly perked up. “We wanted to ask you if you had any of those instant teleporter capsule things! We… we do not want a repeat of what happened when I visited Deathven with Vikalos and Telin.”
“Telin is Voidblade, yes? We do have some capsules, we’ll give a few to you. But also, if something happens, let us Doom Drums know, and we’ll follow you and back you up.”
“You would do that?”
Permafrost nodded. “Of course. Your Decaylings are, admittedly, mostly freaks, but they should get the same respect that we all do.”
“Well, thank you very much!” Retvik tried to be a bit more optimistic. “We very much appreciate your assistance.”
“Not a problem!” Permafrost telepathically smiled. “You guys are great and you’ve had a lot of problems. Problems that the Pentathax have had as well. It’s the least we can do to assist you. Anyway, keep in touch, and enjoy the extra shielding. I’ll see you round, alright?”
Retvik and Litvir both bowed slightly.
“And if you need any help from us, we will be happy to assist!” Litvir smiled.
“No worries. I wish your Decaylings good luck in their Trial. They should be fine, but a little bit of extra good luck never hurt anyone…”