Retvik had just begun to drift off when the shadowy being flickered into view. He had not been sleeping as much as he should have, keeping one eye open and watching out for his fellow inmate, but the only real factor that made him sleep was exhaustion. Despite his captors’ attempts to force Retvik to lower his guard, he had remained vigilant, up until the point where he was too tired to continue. Of course, his captors knew that too.
In a vague attempt to spook the shadow that was also present in the room, Retvik threw off his blankets, chucking them at the ominous presence. The shadow though simply laughed, circling ever closer.
“Are you scared, Retvik? You should not be scared. I wish to talk.”
Retvik grunted, not offering a response. Whatever this was, it was getting in the way of Retvik’s sleep. He reached for the nearest object he could find, a glass of water, and lobbed that at the shadow, only to be dismayed when it vanished inside the being and reappeared on the bedside table next to Retvik.
“Alright, what do you want?” Retvik finally growled, realizing that he was literally fighting a shadow.
“I wish to talk.”
The shadow began to take form. It changed from angry and incorporeal into that of something much more familiar. The Rethavok-looking form of Kenon, complete with golden antlers and a robe made of shadows. Kenon sat down on the edge of the bed, placing a hand gently on Retvik’s shoulder.
“What do you wish to talk about and why did it have to be now, when I am at my most tired?”
“Because you are more willing to give up your secrets now.”
Kenon’s voice was weirdly hypnotic. Retvik had listened to his droning words before, but something was different now.
“Tell me, little one. Why would a Death God be so… infatuated with you?”
Retvik rolled his eyes. “You are talking about Arkay, are you not?”
Kenon nodded calmly, his hand remaining on Retvik’s shoulder, twitching slightly. “Yes, I am talking about Arkadin, the Thantophor. He likes you. More than most mortals. Why is that, Retvik?”
At first, Retvik was unsure how to respond. He glanced at Kenon, not wanting to look at the deity directly.
“To be honest, I am not sure. I assume it is because, with Arkay’s help, we went to war with a Time Dragon and somehow came out on top. You tend to form strong friendships with those you fight alongside.”
“Did he ever… come on to you in a sexual manner?” Kenon asked.
“Why are you asking?”
Kenon sighed, briefly removing his hand from Retvik’s shoulder, gesturing mildly. “The Thantophor is a destructive deity. But you calm him down. For everyone’s safety, I feel we need to know more about this. Did Arkadin ever approach you in such a manner?”
“Are you suggesting that Arkadin and I have some sort of relationship?” Retvik spat, insulted at such a thought. “I am married. I would never, ever consider betraying my love for someone else. Even a deity. And Arkay always understood that, so he kept his distance.”
Kenon seemed unfazed by Retvik’s outburst. He yet again calmly put a hand on Retvik’s shoulder, humming to himself.
“Hm… Hm… You have a partner?”
“Yes. And I want to see him. Yet every time I mention Gath to any of the multitude of guards here, none of them respond.”
“Gath… Hm… That… sounds familiar…”
Retvik hesitated. “Please, please do not tell me he is dead…”
The Void Lord smiled ever so slightly. He had struck a nerve in the otherwise rather closed and tough Rethan. He could sense the worry bubbling in Retvik’s mind. This both pleased and upset Kenon – this fine specimen was crumbling under Kenon’s subtle pressure, but such a wonderful being should not have been so stressed.
With a flick of his wrist, Kenon summoned a small, translucent screen. He tapped on it a few times, bringing up a large database. After some mid-air scrolling, Kenon dismissed the screen and sighed.
“We will have to arrange a small meeting to sort out your marriage issue at a later date.”
“What?” There was a snarl in Retvik’s voice. “What the fuck do you mean by that?”
“Oh, nothing. Just some crossed wires on who is dead and who is alive…” Kenon playfully patted Retvik on the shoulder, then stood up, straightening himself out. The Void Lord then headed towards the bolted cell door and walked through it, like the godly apparition he was.
“Sorry for disturbing you. Sleep well.”
Retvik stared at the door, blinking and rubbing his eyes.
“I am definitely not going to sleep well after that…” he muttered, wrapping a blanket around himself.