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The conversation didn't get much better from there. Multiple times, Hector had to struggle for the right words, reiterate points, and even start over to try and explain things chronologically.

He told them about the fight, about the lower realm of pure iron, about the creation of the new armor, and about his encounter with the Magician. Then about the fight again thereafter. That part seemed to create the most confusion, somehow. Probably because he sucked so bad at explaining.

But eventually, everyone seemed to understand. For the most part. Either that, or they simply grew too tired of trying to figure out what he was saying. They all had other things to be doing, after all.

They all went their separate ways, save Hector and Garovel, who headed over to his room in the Tower of Night so that he could get some sleep.

As they made their way across the high bridge that connected the Tower of Day to the Tower of Night, Hector couldn't help feeling like the reaper was being suspiciously quiet. He wasn't sure if he wanted to say anything yet, though.

The view, at least, was quite incredible from the tall, paneless windows along the bridge. All the little lanterns that now outlined each of the eight great towers and central courtyard below created a kind of starlit look to the giant cavern, as if the whole night sky had somehow been captured and brought down here.

Perhaps Garovel was too enraptured by the sight to say anything, at the moment.

Hector highly doubted it, though.

As they neared his room, however, the reaper finally spoke up, albeit privately.

'We need to have a serious conversation, Hector.'

He'd been getting that impression, as well. 'About you being left out of fights?'

'Yes. This can't continue.'

Hector exhaled a heavy breath and started up the final staircase to his room. 'Garovel...'

'Hear me out. I get it. You just want to protect me. And I appreciate that. I know it comes from a place of good intent. But I also can't just sit on the sidelines and let you go out there, alone. And yes, things have worked out well enough for you so far, but I'm sure that you yourself will admit that a lot of that has come down to either luck or things beyond your own control.'

Hector reached the top of the stairs and stopped. He could tell how important this was to Garovel, so he didn't want to just brush the reaper off.

But at the same time, he didn't know if Garovel knew how important this was to him. How important he was to him.