“Uh, Lord Vikalos?”
Fengar still wasn’t really sure how to speak to his new bosses. The Phantai, Moonblade’s former sect, were very strict, but everyone just used their codenames so that strictness wasn’t too obvious. But Vikalos, codename Firestorm, was an oddly terrifying entity. Before Moonblade had met Vikalos in person, he had heard the stories from the Justar about the “ferocious fireborn death lord from the border”. It turned out though, Fengar and Vikalos were about the same height, and, in person, Vikalos wasn’t as scary as he seemed.
“Hello, Fengar!” Vikalos beamed as he looked up from some paperwork. “What’s wrong?”
“A ship just parked in the Thantir parking area, but I don’t recognise it. Should I tell them to move?”
“What’s the name of the ship?” Vikalos asked.
“Uh… the Deathly Soulflame, I think?”
Vikalos’s eyes lit up, and he smiled even more. He got up from his desk and started making his way outside. “Oh, no need! That’s Arkay’s ship! Fengar, my dear, I’m going to go and greet them! Feel free to take a quick break. Or come with me, if you want.”
Fengar shrugged, then followed. “Sure, boss.”
Outside, just as Fengar had said, a familiar ship had landed. And out of it stumbled three very tired beings. Admittedly, most of the Thantir were a tad busy, so Vikalos was the first to head over and say hello. Fengar had tagged along, but the little half-Synaisthyns, who had gotten back from a mission an hour ago, also rushed over.
“Little ones! You have returned! How were your adventures?”
Retvik and Litvir mostly just grunted, but Vikalos noticed that Arkay looked miserable. He instantly cheered up though as Nyssi, Tanos, Ret and Kayel all hugged him tightly.
“Hey, guys! I knew I missed you all, but holy fuck I didn’t realise how much I missed you!” Arkay smiled weakly as he hugged everyone back. He seemed exhausted, utterly exhausted. “Are you all alright?”
“We’re doing amazing!” Tanos bounced excitedly. “We killed a ton of Corruption earlier! It was great. And now you’re back too!”
“That’s good!” Arkay nodded, then glanced around to see who else had come to greet them. “Hiya, Vikalos! Hiya… uh…”
Litvir snickered a little, but Retvik stepped forward and held out his hand to Fengar, for him to shake. “Hello, Moonblade! What are you doing here?”
Fengar hesitated as he shook Retvik’s hand and backed off a little. “Uh… Vikalos hired me to work as a guard here.”
Retvik and Litvir both blinked in surprise.
“You… quit the Phantai?” Litvir exclaimed.
“Yes. Measureblade no longer needed my services, and I tried other duties among the Phantai but none of them fit. I stopped here when my ship broke down during a border patrol and was… well…” Fengar gestured around. “This place is beautiful. I decided I would rather be a basic guard in some beautiful place than be somewhat high-ranking on another boring silver ship.”
“Fair enough!” Litvir shrugged. “Anyway, Moonblade-”
“Oh, I am calling myself Fengar now. Seems weird to call myself by my codename when no one else here does. My original name was apparently Fengar Selin anyway.”
“We like to make sure everyone is happy with their names!” Vikalos beamed. “Anyway, Arkay, dear, this is Fengar, codename Moonblade, our latest hire. He used to work with the Phantai and helped the Thantir Eight with some of their Decayling training. Fengar, this is Arkay, codename Deathbringer, he’s the third member of the Missing.”
Arkay floated up so he could properly reach Fengar. Fengar bowed, then shook Arkay’s hand.
“Nice to meet you, mate!” Arkay went back to smiling. “Happy to have you with us!”
“It is an honour to meet you too!” Fengar smiled back. “You look a lot like the Loopblades though.”
“Well… that’s a mess and a half, but, technically, I’m the same species as them.”
“Oh!” Fengar smiled some more. “That’s interesting! But yes, I am thankful for the opportunity to work here, among the beauties and nature of what is basically a Life Oasis.”
“Glad you’re happy!” Arkay landed back on the ground, then turned to Vikalos. “Did you hire anyone else?”
“We hired someone else who looks a bit like your species and is called Teekay…” Vikalos admitted. “His name is Ksar Teekay though, codename Electricshadow. He’s… uh… on break right now.”
Suddenly, Kayel took Arkay’s hand. “Do you want to meet him? We have some other guys here who want to meet you too. A few guests for Teekay and Elkay’s wedding anniversary.”
“It’s… wait… Teekay and Elkay have been married for a whole year?”
Kayel nodded. “Yeah. Kaytee invited a bunch of folks to celebrate. Come with me, we’ll go see them!”
“Well…” Arkay glanced at his two partners, then smiled. “Yeah, sure, let’s go.”
“Alright! Let me just remember how to-”
Both Kayel and Arkay disappeared in a puff of blue sparkles. Tanos rolled his eyes, not really liking that Kayel borrowed his favourite power. He then tugged at Nyssi’s and Ret’s hands.
“We should go back to our break.”
“Sure thing!” Nyssi smirked. “We promised Ret ice cream anyway. Fengar, do you want to join us?”
Fengar shook his head. “I would, but I ought to get back to my duties. I am on patrol right now.”
“No worries! See you all later!” Tanos perked up, then decided to drag Ret and Nyssi through a nearby shadow, back to the canteen. Fengar bowed, waved goodbye, then plodded off, going back to work.
The two remaining Missing glanced at each other.
“Since when could they do that?” Retvik asked. “And you also managed to hire two people?”
Vikalos shrugged. “They have been practising borrowing each others’ powers for a while. Kayel is a good teacher and his powers are simpler, so the other three have learned his powers quickly. As for hiring… well, we only hired Fengar and Ksar Teekay. Kal said they know someone, but they need Ret apparently and Ret has been busy with his team and their Corruption purges. Anyway! Come along now you two! Itaviir and Galyn would love to see you, and we’d all love to hear what you’ve been up to!”
“Sure thing,” Litvir smiled. “It is good to be back home.”
“Definitely.”