“Good day, everyone, and welcome to your new life!”
The unknown, feminine voice echoed ominously through the PA system, creaking and crackling in and out of each room.
“As you all should be aware, you stepped into my territory, and thus you all now bow down to me. But don’t worry, little ones. The grasp of Askitella is wide-reaching and firm, but also kind, so as long as you all follow orders and turn in those unloyal and unaffected to me, everything will be fine!”
The PA system crackled briefly, then fell silent. However, the foreign voice was still echoing down the dimly lit corridors, then fading away slowly in larger rooms.
“Well, that is fucked up…” Kalis whispered as the four Decaylings made it to the shopping centre in Sector Y-16. “Does that name ring any bells?”
The other Decaylings all shrugged.
“Sounds like a Life Goddess name, I guess?” Arkay suggested. “Female, falsely sweet voice and using vast amounts of mind control powers, checks most of the boxes.”
Vetal grunted, glancing around as they made it into a much larger, emptier space. “We should stick to telepathic voices.”
“Agreed.”
Just like the corridors from which they just came, the Decaylings all quickly realized that the shopping centre was lowly lit as well. However, the red lines of light running across the floor weren’t as accurate as the corridor lights, meaning that it was easy to bump into something. Thankfully though, the supermarket wasn’t too hard to navigate.
“So, uh, do we just take stuff or are we paying for it?” Arkay rather randomly asked as he spotted a pile of special offers.
“Why are you asking?” Vetal snorted.
“Because I’m hungry and don’t know the proper etiquette for life-threatening scenarios?” Arkay shot back.
“There’s literally no one here, do what you want.”
“Actually!” Ksatah suddenly exclaimed. “Where IS everyone? I haven’t seen a single soul! Did everyone lock themselves in their rooms the same way Lord Vikalos did?”
Arkay hesitated for a moment, then grabbed the bag of special offer crisps he had been eyeing. “I thought most of this area was reserved for us hybrids?”
“Oh… yeah…” Ksatah trailed off. “I kinda forgot about that…”
Before anyone could ask any more questions though, the PA system suddenly burst back into life. That same, somewhat nasally female voice crackled, then cleared up.
“It has come to my attention that not all of you are now loyal servants of me, Askitella. While I can understand your concerns and worries, to make all our lives easier, please turn yourselves in to the nearest Belighted servant of mine. Refusal to do so will lead to some rather unpleasant consequences. Thank you, and have a nice day!”
“Well, that’s not-” Vetal didn’t have a chance to say anything as the PA system once again crackled back into life.
“Oh, one last thing, my dears! I have been informed that there are Zotanic entities on bored. If you do see or know a Zotanic entity, please inform your nearest Belighted, so that the Zotanic beings can be dealt with. Thank you!”
The four Decaylings glanced at each other, a ripple of unease running down their backs.
“Are we Zontanic entities?” Kalis whispered.
“Yep…” Arkay sighed. “Looks like this is going to be harder than we thought…”