Rethais wasn’t really sure what he had did to be the subject of the High General’s rage. He had done everything that Kenon had asked and more. He had barely stopped to eat and his office was now his home. Yet for some reason, the High General was furious at him.
Actually, now that Rethais thought about it, as the High General’s hands slammed down on the desk in front of him, Rethais remembered why. It was probabl-
“You rewrote the contract, did you not?” Kenon snarled, his teeth inches away from Rethais. “You gave the Skyans an entire damn county. They were supposed to be confined to the city. Until further notice. Until they proved themselves helpful.”
“That city was not big enough for all of them. I did what I could to help the grief-stricken race. They lost nearly everything.”
“And we fix that by not giving them free handouts and AN ENTIRE COUNTY!”
Kenon’s heavy, gauntlet-covered hand slammed against the desk, leaving a fine dent in it. Rethais closed his eyes, knowing that the next violent action would probably be much worse.
“You have betrayed my trust for the last time, Rethais.”
“I have done nothing but almost flawlessly work for you, Kenon. This was a mistake, one we can rectify. They would have very quickly outgrown the city anyway.”
Just as Rethais predicted, Kenon was much more violent this time. A harsh slap knocked Rethais, a genuinely quite heavy Rethan, completely out of his seat, sending him sprawling along the floor.
“You should have informed me-”
A knock on the door interrupted both Rethais and Kenon. Kenon glared at Rethais, who blinked in confusion.
“You have a meeting?”
“No.”
Curiosity briefly got the better of Kenon. He stomped over to the door and considered kicking it open, but realised he needed to pull it. The door creaked open, revealing the visitor, who promptly slapped the High General across the face.
“Hello, Kenon.”
Kenon staggered backwards, not sure what shocked him more, the act of being slapped or the being that dared touch him in the first place. A massive, hulking, red and gold Rethan stepped into the room, matching Kenon in both size and power. Flames rippled up the gleaming Rethan’s armour and a warm aura filled the air.
“R-Retvik?” Kenon gasped. “You are supposed to be dead! Kairos was supposed to take care of all you stupid pseudo demi-gods!”
“And he did.”
“But you… are a real god now?”
“I am, actually! A cute little Decayling, going through the process to become a Decay Lord!” Retvik smiled, but that smile quickly turned into a snarl. “Rethais, are you alright?”
Rethais struggled to his feet, not really comprehending what he was seeing. Retvik walked past Kenon, helping Rethais up and gently hugging him.
“You have grown, brother…” Rethais muttered. “I am… surprised to see you…”
“As am I. How are you and the family?”
Rethais shifted nervously. “Lysar is doing well. Relkay and Revan are fine. We… adopted your little friend Trismit. He is happy to have a new family.”
Retvik smiled. “I appreciate that a lot, I feared he had gone missing in the madness, but I am glad that he is happy with you. But… what what about you? He is not treating you well, is he?”
“No, he is not.”
“I am sorry I was not here to help you, Rethais. With all that happened, I should have been by your side.”
“Do not blame yourself, brother. None of us could have known about, well, any of this. You helped in your own way, and I have never faulted you for your actions. You have always been good for me and to me.”
Retvik tutted, letting go of Rethais and turning back to Kenon. “Well… unfortunately I do not have long, but I do have enough time to do one last good thing for you…”
The High General had finally managed to snap out of his shock, and had summoned both a weapon and his far more godly form.
“How DARE you come in here and-”
Kenon didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence. Retvik charged forward, grabbing Kenon by the neck, showering the High General in searing flames.
“Let me make this clear with you, Kenon. Being a Decayling, I will mostly be working outside of this universe. Unfortunately, I have little say in what happens in this universe and can only have very limited time in contact with it…”
Retvik watched as Kenon squirmed. He tightened his grip around Kenon’s throat.
“But if you ever even consider harming my family or friends again, I will tear you apart, atom by atom, the same way I have killed other Voidborns. Understood?”
Kenon nodded, helplessly clawing at his neck. Retvik grunted, then let go, dropping Kenon on the ground before heading back over to Rethais.
“Thank you.”
“Not a problem. You would have done the same, had our roles been reversed.”
Rethais shifted nervously. “You said you cannot stay long?”
“Yes. Something to do with contamination, I am not completely sure. I was granted 20 minutes to quickly swoop by and say my goodbyes.”
“You will not be coming back?”
“Not for a while.”
“That… is a shame…” Rethais frowned. “I would have loved to invite you round for dinner.”
“And I would love to join you. But I have to go.”
Retvik smiled, hugging Rethais tightly.
“Is there a way I can contact you?” Rethais asked, hugging Retvik back, still somewhat astounded by how tall, powerful and muscular Retvik was now that he was some sort of deity.
“Hm… I assume, if you can get your messages to my old friend Elksia, she can pass them on to the Whenvern and he can pass them on from there…”
“Ah good…” Rethais smiled back. “Would be a shame for this to be a long-term goodbye.”
The two brothers relinquished their hug and bowed to each other.
“You look after yourself, Rethais…” Retvik waved as he began to fade away.
“You too, brother…”