As soon as the agreements had been written and signed, the Vraseer representative and his guards all immediately left, but the Kathar leader had stuck around, wanting to speak casually. All three of the Decay Lords present were taller than him, and he was certain they were the Missing, the same Hidden Named Trio that had recently saved a hotel from being eaten by a moon-sized Corruption. Vikre really wanted to have a chat with them and see what they were like.
“So, you do this sort of thing much?” Vikre asked as he approached Retvik, who had stacked up the chairs and was waiting for Litvir to telekinetically carry them away.
“What do you mean?” Retvik asked back.
“Fixing stupid situations with diplomacy.”
Retvik turned to Vikre properly and shrugged. “Yes, sadly. You would be surprised how many beings are unwilling to sit down and talk.”
“Well, I appreciate it,” Vikre smiled. “I feel similarly. I appreciate the protection Kalek and his sect offers us, but he is always too quick to fire first. If they had fired to kill, I wouldn’t now have seventeen eager little Corruption Purgers at my fingertips. All of whom I will have the Kathar look after if they need purifications. As much as the Vraseer can be hot-headed, I do not want them getting infected with Corruption, it takes them too quickly.”
Retvik nodded in agreement. “I understand that. Voidborns do seem to be able to last longer once infected. From my work with the Thantir, we have saved many a Voidborn that we thought were too far gone.”
“Ah, the Thantir, I have heard that you used to be a navigation and Decayling capture sect? With a little bit of Voidborn eradication thrown in…” Vikre enquired. “What made you change?”
“Hm… I think it was mostly because we were attacked by a Voidborn called Ahkron, who nearly killed the local unaffiliated group of Purifiers. We offered them protection for a bit, and after they helped us save Galyn from a Kenic Spore, Litvir and I decided to change the Thantir to do purifications full time. We believed it was a more valuable duty.”
“You are absolutely correct. It is all the Kathar have done. It is required. And it is good for others to have a place to go if they are hurt. Safety and a hint of calmness among the chaos.”
“That is also what the Thantir wish to provide…” Retvik trailed off and sighed. Vikre noticed this.
“Is something wrong?”
“I miss home sometimes. Litvir and I rebuilt a sect and Deathven routinely takes us away from friends and family so we can fix problems for other people. I do not mind helping others but I occasionally want to just stay where I feel safe and happy…” Retvik paused again, then glanced around. “Also, Arkay needs regular time at home. He is much older than us, much more powerful, but also much more… traumatised.”
“Is he actually a Voidborn?”
“No. He can… turn into the Three Main Types and perfectly disguise as them. It takes a lot out of him though. Speaking of whom…”
Retvik smiled as Statarkon and Protarkon approached. Protarkon waved weirdly eagerly at them both.
“Hello. Am learning language. It is useful. We thank for letting us stay.”
Now that Protarkon was up close, Vikre noticed something. Yes, Protarkon had antlers, but they were very small, and their mask was barely a mask at all, only really covering their mouth. Both they and Statarkon had tails too. It made sense for Statarkon, Retvik had just explained that he, or rather, Arkay, wasn’t always a Voidborn, but Protarkon having one too was rare and unusual.
“You are welcome!” Vikre smiled. “May I ask, are you a very young Voidborn?”
Protarkon glanced at Statarkon/Arkay, then nodded. “Yes. Small.”
“Like a baby?”
More glances. Statarkon translated the word, but Protarkon still seemed confused.
“Small…” Protarkon repeated. “Young. But with duty now. Will work hard. Will make ships shiny too. Paint. What colour is good? I think yellow.”
Retvik shrugged. “Yellow is a good colour, but why?”
Protarkon pointed at Statarkon. “They why. They teach. We reflect.”
“Yellow is a good colour, but it is also a warning colour around here,” Vikre frowned a little. “I would pair yellow with a second colour, perhaps a light pink. Us Kathar use the colours pink and white to show that we are friendly and not a threat to outsiders. Perhaps you should do the same.”
Statarkon silently translated again. Protarkon swiftly understood.
“Is good idea. We shall do. Will go now. To tell family.”
“Do you need any more help?” Statarkon asked.
“No. We good. Have direction now. And home. And purpose. Needed them. But we thankful. And in need of names. Will find names for brothers. But need name for all.”
Vikre stopped frowning and went back to smiling. “May I make a suggestion for you all then? The bad Voidborns around here were known as the Crimson Defilers. I suggest you call yourselves the Rose Restorers, as a complete opposite to what those cruel Voidborns used to represent. It would also go with your more pinkish choice of colour.”
“Hm…” Protarkon considered Vikre’s words. “I like. Will ask brothers. We decide together. But I go now. Must tell them.”
“Alright, little one. We will speak soon, alright?” Vikre smiled.
“Indeed. Many thanks. All thanks!”
Protarkon bowed deeply, then disappeared, seeming to teleport off.
“Well, they seem somewhat sweet and willing to learn!” Vikre remained perky. “Retvik, would you and your Trio wish to join me and the Kathar? We will arrange a celebratory meal together.”
Retvik was about to answer, but Litvir suddenly rushed over before he could do so.
“We would love to join you!” Litvir seemed like he was in a hurry. “But unfortunately Overlord Deathven has called us, requesting our presence elsewhere. However, perhaps when we are less busy, we will take you up on that offer. And you are welcome at Savepoint, the Thantir’s HQ, whenever you desire.”
Retvik eyed Litvir, who grabbed Statarkon’s hand and led him away, back to their ship.
“Huh…” Vikre muttered. “Shame.”
“It is, and I would have liked to join you, but this is probably urgent…” Retvik grunted. “Stay safe, Vikre.”
“You too, Retvik. Good luck in your future endeavours.”
Retvik tutted to himself, waved, then headed back to his ship. “Thank you. The same to you and the Kathar. Fingers crossed things should be fine now.”
“They should, yes. Good bye, and thank you, Retvik.”
“No worries, just doing our jobs. Farewell, Vikre.”