“I can’t BELIEVE you are going through with this insane plan!” Tenuk shouted as Retvik put on his armour. “I can’t believe that Skyan convinced you into doing all of this! Elksia I get, you can talk her into eating a sand sandwich if you tell her it’s tasty enough, but YOU? You’re smarter than this, Retvik!”
The slender Rethavok adjusted his shoulder pads, then stared at Tenuk.
“Are you done yet?”
“No! No I am not! That little cow stole my fucking tea strainer! And goodness knows what else! He’s insane! A lunatic! A scary little shit!”
Retvik continued to stare at Tenuk.
“That thing thinks he can convince Death not to be Death. That’s impossible. And his whole family is insane! You know his mum has some insane plan to do… I don’t know, something! And you’re GOING ALONG WITH IT?”
More staring. It was annoying Tenuk.
“I’m done now.”
Retvik tutted as he picked up his rucksack. “Good. Get your stuff. You are coming with us. Elksia and Psiksi are in the ship.”
Tenuk’s jaw dropped. “You’re… taking Dessi?”
“How else do we get to the Void Gates and to Threa?” Retvik asked. “I had hoped you would be coming with us as well, but otherwise I am happy to pilot our way there.”
“I… I… Why are you doing this?” Tenuk shouted. “What are you trying to prove? What have I done for you to piss me off like this?”
Retvik delicately placed his hand on Tenuk’s shoulder. “I am not trying to prove anything.”
“Then fucking explain yourself!” Tenuk gasped. “Please, tell me what the fuck is going through that thick, retarded, armoured skull of yours!”
For a moment, Retvik did nothing. He fiddled with his armour, trying to decide whether he would let that insult slide or not. After deciding it wasn’t worth the hassle, Retvik did as he was asked.
“During our time with Arkay, we did something to him. We made him feel mortal. We showed him what it was like to be a mortal, how to live, love and feel. But we never showed Arkay how to actually do any of those things. He went back to being a deity with a large chunk of himself missing.”
Tenuk growled. “I know that already! What has this got to do with this retarded plan Psiksi’s mum is working on?”
“His name is Kayel, and he is the All-Ksa of the Skyavok, you should treat him with respect…” Retvik sighed. “This is actually the main reason why. We never showed Arkay how to love. He saw you fall in love with your new life, he saw how Elksia loved everyone, he saw me fall in love with Gath. But he has not had the chance to fall in love himself, and how to accept rejection.”
“How the fuck…” Tenuk wanted to start ranting, but Retvik shook his head, gently informing him to remain quiet.
“I first saw this when we invited Psiksi to join us, and when Arkadin saved us from that solar explosion. He desperately wanted to say things to Psiksi, but because Arkadin had just worked out that he could be both physically and emotionally attracted to other beings, he had no idea what to say or do.”
“Retvik…” Tenuk grunted. “Arkadin is as old as the universe. You’re telling me that he’s socially inept and we need to fix that?”
“Exactly.”
“But he’s nearly fourteen billion years old.”
“You think gods teach each other how to get partners?” Retvik retorted. “No. They do their duties and that is it. Arkadin is the shadowed member of the Cycle, he has always had to figure things out on his own. Our Dessaron adventures were originally for his own benefit, to stop Kairos from harming him and his sister, but through that, he realised he could feel actual emotions!”
“But-”
“But what, Tenuk? This plan may be on the insane side of things, but it is no different to the insanities we committed trying to stop the Whenvern from fulfilling his plans. We cannot force Death to not be Death but we can make its avatar, a being we call a friend, more understanding and comfortable and less lonely.”
Tenuk sighed. Retvik sighed too.
“If this were for a mortal friend, you would do not have any issues with this…” Retvik sighed once more before leaving the room. “We are leaving in ten minutes. If you wish to join us, feel free. You know what to do.”
Tenuk watched Retvik climb down the stairs, then rolled his eyes.
“I can’t believe you talked me into this…” the Kronospast muttered as he went to grab his stuff.