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Hector could hear more rumbling from aboveground. Part of him wondered if he wouldn’t have been more useful up there with Lord Dimas.

‘The hyper-states aren’t so difficult to remember, though. Forma goes with the mass abilities; moc goes with the wave abilities; and wzrost goes with the mixture abilities. Oh, and rozum goes with them all.’

‘Uh-huh...’ And then Hector paused, squinting. ‘Hey, wait a minute.’

‘What?’

‘Mutation. You know how they develop their powers now. Back when I first asked you about mutation, you said you didn’t know any of the details.’

‘Your memory must be playing tricks on you.’

‘No, I definitely remember.’

‘Nah. That never happened. Trust me. I’m Garovel. The smart one, in other words.’

‘...You had one of the other reapers explain it to you while I was unconscious, didn’t you? Who was it? Voreese? Mehlsanz?’

‘I’ve always known, Hector. In fact, I’m actually omniscient. I just didn’t tell you before because you obviously weren’t ready for the incredible truth. But I’m glad I can finally reveal my secret to you now. Concealing my all-knowing super-coolness can be such a burden.’

‘Hmm. Wait, was it last night? Is that why you put me to sleep so suddenly when you were talking to Qorvass?’

‘I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

Hector shook his head and smirked. ‘Then you obviously don’t know everything, do you?’

‘It’s just that one thing. Everything else, I totally know. Go on. Ask me anything.’

Hector took a second to deliberate. ‘How many raindrops are above Sair at this very moment?’

‘Sixty-one billion, three hundred and forty-nine million, two hundred and fifty-two thousand, one hundred and thirty-three,’ said Garovel. ‘Now, how do you intend to check if I’m wrong, exactly?’

‘...Shit.’

‘See? That proves it. I really am omniscient.’

‘I’m sorry I doubted you.’

That seemed to catch Garovel off guard, making the reaper laugh publicly. It drew a few strange looks, but no one said anything. Hector did notice, however, that Asad’s daughter was watching them now. Those golden eyes were easy to spot even in this relative darkness.

Despite being in their presence non-stop for the last thirty straight hours or so, Hector hadn’t been able to figure the Najirs out at all. Jada seemed slightly more outgoing than her aunt, but that wasn’t saying much. Both of their reapers seemed equally content to simply follow Qorvass in silence.