The Deathly Soulflame gently came to a halt as it finished travelling through the portal from the Justarian Circle Northern Transport Point to… wherever here was.
“Woah…”
Retvik and Litvir were in awe, not really sure what to say. Arkay didn’t say anything either, but that was because he was busy moving the ship out of the way. This was clearly a busy hub area, and Arkay was piloting the ship closer to their destination. However, he had noticed a few things too.
“Huh. We’re early. Guess our local time doesn’t match this place’s local time”
Retvik and Litvir weren’t paying attention to Arkay. They were busy looking outside, almost blinded by how everything looked. Arkay realised they were both distracted, and suddenly worked out why they were so confused and in awe.
They were currently in the atmosphere above a planet, a planet that seemed to be entirely made of cityscapes. To the point that the planet had run out of space and had floating platforms with more city on them. However, the architecture was very old-universe Rethan-looking. The towers and buildings were tall, but didn’t have THAT many floors, and many of them had stone or concrete corners with glass sides. However, everything also had a golden trim to it, and many of the buildings seemed to have weird entrances halfway up or on the roof, and the reason for that was because, at a few of the closer buildings, Arkay could see residents of this city planet, and they were clearly all massive, muscular, winged Rethan-like beings.
“Huh. This place looks like if Kenon actually went through with his long-term plans for the Rethans…” Arkay eventually tutted as he found a place to park the ship, at least for a moment. “Anyway, I’m gonna give Veeyel a call and tell him we kinda got here a day early.”
Retvik and Litvir still hadn’t really said anything, but Litvir had managed to at least pull away from staring at the landscape below them. He was now looking at his body and at Retvik’s body and seemed suddenly rather miserable.
“That… telepathic static is strong…” Litvir found himself muttering.
Retvik looked up at Litvir, glanced at him, then also glanced down at his body. “Oh, so you feel it too?”
“Oh, you are picking up on their version of the Secret?” Litvir asked back.
“Yes, unfortunately. And it is telling me I am not good enough.”
“What?” Arkay suddenly hissed. “Fuck that, Retvik, you are literally perfection. And Litvir is… not perfect but definitely close.”
Litvir sighed. “This race, they must be Teliavok proper, but they definitely have some sort of Secret-like neural network that is pushing a very specific agender on everyone.”
“Do you two need some help ignoring it?” Arkay asked. “I can throw down a telepathic blanket if you want?”
Retvik shook his head and sighed, as did Litvir. “No, we are fine. This all just… is making me think of things.”
“Feels like what Kenon tried to force into my head…” Litvir almost whispered. “What he wanted all Rethans to want and do…”
Arkay stared at Litvir, then let go of the ship’s controls, stood up, then waved his hands over Retvik and Litvir. Retvik blinked in confusion, but Litvir immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
“Alright, I let that “you do not need the help of others” command get to me…” Litvir rubbed his eyes. “I should have accepted your help from the start.”
“Now you have mentioned it, my head is feeling clearer now too…” Retvik grunted. “So, uh, where are we going?”
Arkay sat back down and checked the coordinates he had been given, then got the ship moving. It wasn’t too far, it was in orbit, on a tiny, floating moon, but Arkay noticed a problem. The area was very busy. There were thousands of beings present, as well was a completely filled parking area. What was more confusing was that the place was clearly some sort of temple and there was clearly a line of animals waiting to be slaughtered, while the crowds cheered on eagerly. With a sigh, he once again found somewhere vaguely close where he could park his own ship, then grabbed his communicator and immediately made a call, which he put on loudspeaker so he could still move the ship if needed.
“Hello, Arkay! What’s up?” a voice exclaimed.
“Heya, Veeyel! Small problem, our local times don’t match up, and we’ve kinda arrived a day early. There also seems to be some sort of ritual sacrifice ceremony going on at the coordinates you’ve given us.”
“Oh. Oops. Forgot to mention that Telian time zones are a bit off. Yeah, Ralian is doing his temple duties today. Golden ox sacrifices for good fortune and good genetics.”
“That… is weird…” Arkay wasn’t sure how to answer. “Anyway, are you and Letalis busy?”
“We are, yeah, we’re at the Hidden Hospital.”
“Oh. So, um, is there somewhere you recommend we can go and have a look around or something?”
Veeyel thought for a moment, but suddenly, arguing could be heard. Someone had clearly snatched Veeyel’s communicator from him, and Veeyel himself was shouting in the background.
“Stay away from the temple for now and get in orbit and do not go anywhere near this stupid planet because they will murder your two lovely friends for being as imperfect as I am. I will send Litvir some coordinates which are actually safe for those who are not perfect but I recommend seeing if you can use your elemental powers to give yourselves some fake wings at the very least so you can blend-”
There was more shuffling, followed by the sound of someone being thrown through a shadow. Veeyel seemed to have finally managed to get his communicator back.
“Sorry about that. Letalis freaked out and stole my phone.”
“Uh…” Arkay stuttered. “That’s… fine… You do realise I’m on loudspeaker, right?”
“Ah, piss. Did your two idiots hear all of that?”
“Yes. And Litvir’s communicator just beeped with a message from Letalis…” Arkay glanced at Litvir, who seemed legitimately concerned.
“Ugh…” Veeyel grunted. “That… complicates things. Just head to Letalis’s coordinates and we’ll meet you there. We won’t stay long though because Ralian is really looking forward to closing his temple for a day and finally being allowed to have a private dinner there.”
“Alright… We’ll see you there then…”
“Cool. Gotta go. Healing work to do!”
The line suddenly went dead. Retvik and Litvir both stared at Arkay’s communicator.
“You two alright?”
“No, I am scared!” Litvir exclaimed. “Retvik is fine, he knows how to make fiery wings and, aside from the scars, is perfect! I definitely am not! We have been here for not even an hour, and I want to go home!”
Arkay sighed, then got up and gave Litvir a hug. “Don’t worry. I won’t let anyone hurt you. We’ll go to Letalis’s place, then we’ll go and have a nice BBQ in a weird temple thing, then we’ll go home and insist that, next time we meet the Healers, they come to Savepoint. Alright?”
Litvir took a deep breath, but didn’t settle much. “Alright… Can we get moving though? I feel… uneasy.”
“Of course, my babe. Don’t worry, either of you. You have me here, and you know what I’ve promised.”
Retvik nodded in agreement. “We will be fine, as long as you keep that telepathic blanket on us…”