While the Phantai main ranks were busy celebrating the demise of the leader of the Crystal Doom and the destruction of their main ship, things were much quieter on the top level of the Shimmering Blade, where Retvik had taken Litvir in order to talk privately. They quickly locked themselves in their private quarters, before collapsing on the bed, Retvik was recovering from recent physical injuries, having been caught in the catastrophic destruction of the Voidborn’s fleet, while Litvir was suffering from mental trauma, his mind stretched and exhausted from having to hold a vast telepathic network, made worse by the fact that he had felt Retvik nearly die.
Neither Retvik nor Litvir spoke at first, but they remained close to each other. Litvir wrapped his tail around Retvik’s, and nuzzled up next to him, being careful to avoid the nastier wounds across Retvik’s side. Retvik though remained somewhat motionless, still in quite a bit of pain. Eventually though, words were muttered, ones Retvik didn’t expect.
“Arkay saved you, didn’t he?”
Retvik grunted, not really sure how to answer. Litvir was absolutely correct. It took a moment for Retvik to properly respond.
“Yes, yes he did.”
“He brought you back to life.”
“Well, I am not sure that I actually died, but yes, Arkay did stop me from dying completely.”
“Huh. Good…” Litvir’s words faded as he lost himself in thought. After a little too long, Litvir climbed out of bed and reached for his personal computer, a small, clear tablet, then climbed back into bed. He didn’t snuggle up completely next to Retvik, but he did remain rather close.
“What are you doing?” Retvik asked as Litvir opened up a familiar app.
“I need this.”
Litvir tapped the screen, then rested his tablet on Retvik’s chest. The tablet began to ring, and Retvik realized that Litvir was calling someone. The ringing went on for some time, before the call was finally picked up.
“Hey, sorry, I was asleep, is everything alright, Litvir? You don’t normally call me on voice chat.”
“Hello, Arkay…” Litvir smiled weakly. “I wanted to thank you for saving Retvik’s life, because Retvik is an idiot.”
“Heh, no worries, Litvir. Are you alright?”
“I am feeling better. Stretched my abilities out thin, which has exhausted me. And… in all honesty, I…” Litvir choked on his words somewhat. “I swear I felt Retvik die, or get very close to death. I lost my connection to him and admittedly freaked out…”
Retvik pulled Litvir close, being careful not to knock over the tablet. “I am sorry for scaring you, Litvir. And I am sorry for forcing you to save me, Arkay.”
Arkay laughed again. However, both Retvik and Litvir noticed how little energy there was in that laugh.
“Are you well, Arkay? You sound tired.”
Another weak laugh. “I’m… I’m alright, I guess. It turns out that breaking various universal and periuniversal laws to save one of your blood-bound companions quadrillions of miles away via an astral projection with no preparation is pretty fucking exhausting.”
“I would assume so! Breaking reality sounds… dangerous and scary…” Litvir tutted. “I do have a question though, would you have been able to do the same had I been in trouble? Would you have broken reality to save me as well?”
“Of course I would have. We’re all bound, not just me and Retvik. Litvir, if you did the same stupid shit Retvik did, you can bet my castrated testicles that I’d break reality to save you.”
Retvik and Litvir both snickered, but abruptly paused.
“You were castrated?” Retvik blinked. “Against your will? Like… some sort of pet?”
“Yeah. Spayed and neutered, exactly like a pet.. Something Epani did to me when she and Sini resurrected me. She didn’t want me getting horny or considering having kids. Not that I want kid, nor have I ever wanted kids, but… I dunno.”
“What else did Epani do to you?” Litvir snarled, sitting up straight. He was rather angry, angrier than he should have been. “She has clearly proved herself to be no better than Kinisis was!”
“No, she’s definitely better than Kinisis. She’s… I don’t know how to describe it. Epani is passive-aggressive. She wants to keep me on a leash because she knows I can kill her. But at the same time, Sini gives me enough range and freedom that I can do my duties without too much hassle.”
Arkay let out a long, awkward yawn. Retvik and Litvir could hear him stretching out.
“Sorry, I’m really tired.”
“We all are…” Retvik sighed. “I am healing up nicely, but I feel very sore and achy. We can hear the Phantai below celebrating, and we somewhat just let our Decaylings do what they want. I think most of them went off to get drunk.”
“They deserve it!” Litvir settled back down. “They all did exceptionally well. I was concerned about them and their upcoming Decay Lord trials, but after today, I am of the opinion that they will all be absolutely fine.”
“How many Decaylings do you have again?” Arkay hesitantly asked. “I’ll be honest, I’ve lost track.”
“Eight.”
“And most of them are Kinisis’s old Guardians, right? Apart from Elksia and Eksi?”
“Yes.”
“Huh…” Arkay trailed off. “Well… I’m glad that… you guys aren’t alone any more. Sure, it sucks, you’re all technically the last of your kind, but, well, having some Decaylings to keep you company is good. I hope one day I’ll be able to bring Kuta back to you and train them to be a Decay Lord too. And maybe… maybe other Retvik and my other friends too. I… I doubt any of them will last that long though. Godhood is heavily restricted in this universe… Anyway, you’re all alright, right? No one’s dead or injured or anything?”
Retvik snorted. “You should have seen how blood-soaked Galyn, Itaviir and Vikalos were. I think they genuinely enjoyed themselves. Also discovered why Itaviir’s codename is Shatterblade.”
“I didn’t know that was Itaviir’s codename… I don’t know any of their codenames…” Arkay seemed more and more upset. He also kept on pausing to yawn. “I’ve missed a lot. I miss you a lot.”
“We miss you too…” Litvir frowned. “I wish I got to see you. But I know what dying feels like and I am not risking my life just to catch a glimpse of you.”
“I appreciate that.”
“You are well though, yes?”
Arkay tutted. “I’m fine. I passed out when I broke reality. Right in the middle of Epani berating me about mortals wanting to know what their gods are doing and me allowing them to know. Thankfully though, Sini realized something was up when I wasn’t responsive and she covered for me, saying I was utterly exhausted from doing work for her.”
“Why does Yisini… why does Sini suddenly seem to care about you now?” Retvik was confused. “She always seemed to hate you when we were mortal.”
“Sini has learned a few things. She knows I don’t know anything about making beings immortal on a large scale, she understands that decay is necessary for life to flourish and she feels bad because she didn’t know that I was in love with you two, and that I was dragged away from you both. Sini just kinda assumed that, after the universe broke the first time, I went off to be cold and lonely, she had no idea about my Decay Lord stuff with you two. And Sini kinda wants to make up for ruining my life by being good to me now. Although I assume there is also some sort of self-preservation in there as well, since she knows I can kill her…”
“I guess at least Sini has changed…” Retvik tutted. “And is Kairos treating you well?”
“Kairos is Kairos. No different, really. Same as you two probably remember.”
“Ah…”
Everyone fell silent. That silence though was punctuated by a handful of yawns. Not just from Arkay but from Retvik and Litvir as well.
“I should probably get some rest, and you two should as well…” Arkay eventually muttered. “It’s been a stressful day for all of us.”
“You can say that again!” Litvir hissed. “But yes, we should rest. We deserve it. And we should voice chat more regularly.”
“Definitely… Let me know when you two are feeling better, alright?”
“We will, Arkay. We love you,” Retvik smiled as he put an arm around Litvir. “Look after yourself.”
“Love you both too! Speak soon!”
Retvik and Litvir both assumed Arkay was smiling too as the call ended. With a sigh, Litvir used his telekinesis to put his tablet away, then scooted up closer to Retvik, once again wrapping his tail around Retvik’s tail.
“Retvik, dear?” Litvir asked as he glanced up at his partner.
“Yes, dear?”
“I love you. But you are still an idiot.”
Retvik couldn’t help but laugh. “I know I am. And I love you too, Litvir. Do you mind if I go to sleep now?”
“Certainly, as long as you let me sleep here next to you.”
“Of course.”
With a final smile, Retvik kissed Litvir gently on the head, then pulled Litvir as close as he could and promptly fell asleep. Litvir smiled too, then swiftly joined Retvik in his slumber.