Chapter Text
“Are you ready?” Dedan said, cracking his knuckles.
Chester took a step back and motioned him to come forward with a smirk.
Dedan grunted with amusement and took off running towards the elsen.
Chester waited until the last second to dodge out if the way.
Dedan had seen this move before, so he spread out his arms, ready to snag him if he dodged left or right.
Chester had been caught that way before and dropped to the ground, sliding right under his feet.
A big risk, but a big payoff. Dedan stumbled around, trying to find the elsen. Chester took advantage of the confusion and fired a Competence attack.
“By the Books!”
Dedan stumbled head over heels but righted himself quickly. Once he did, Chester was out of view. He looked up, Chester was about to fire another attack from above. Dedan snatched Chester’s leg and swung him around once, tossing him halfway across the gym. Chester landed on his feet and slid to a stop.
“You’re good,” Dedan sniffed. “But not good enough.”
“Oh, yeah?” Chester smirked before he took off running to Dedan’s left.
“Hour Hand!” Dedan fired his own Competence attack, but before the words left his mouth, Chester had already changed direction, causing Dedan to fire at nothing.
While Dedan’s next attack was still charging, he got hit with Chester’s “By the Books.” Dedan easily withstood the attack, but there was no way he could compete with Chester’s dodging abilities, nor his ability to recharge his attacks. All he had was his brute strength and defense.
“Hour Hand!” Dedan tried to strike Chester as he approached. He managed to graze the skinny elsen, but it was not enough to stop him. He heard one more “By the Books” before feeling pressure on his back, knocking the wind out of him.
Dedan collapsed to the floor, causing Chester to stop dead in his tracks.
“Dedan…?” He gasped between breaths, running towards his boyfriend. “Dedan, are you okay?” He placed a hand over the monster’s chest.
Dedan stifled a chuckle before scooping Chester into his arms. “Raaaahhh! Got you!”
“Dedan!” Chester giggled as the monster snuggled with the elsen. “You scared me! I thought I hurt you.”
“It takes way more than that to hurt me,” Dedan said before nibbling on his ear, causing the elsen to burst into fits of giggles.
“Okay, okay, you win!” Chester squealed and wriggled.
Dedan let his small boyfriend go to let him catch his breath. “Let’s call it a night,” he said as he heaved himself to his feet.
They walked over to the chairs situated in the corner of the gym and grabbed their towels.
“I hope you worked up an appetite because I’m making spaghetti,” he said as he dried the sweat along his collarbone.
Chester rubbed his towel along his neck. “Spaghetti sounds lovely.”
“I figured you could use a carb-heavy meal before you…” Dedan stopped mid-sentence, eyes drifting down to the floor.
“Before I go to The Nothingness tomorrow?” Chester finished.
“Yeah,” Dedan’s gaze drifted back to his boyfriend. “How are you not scared? Even I hate The Nothingness.”
“I’m terrified,” said Chester, “but if I’m going to become a Guardian, this is what we have to do.”
The Queen explained to them that for Chester to finish his Guardian training, he must venture out into The Nothingness and claim a Zone for his own. That meant fighting the Secretaries and any other horrors that may await him.
And he would have to do it alone.
Dedan pushed back against his beloved Queen. Surely, surely, he could tag along? Make sure that Chester was okay. What difference would it make?
But alas, The Queen said, Chester must do it alone.
She was vague about why, but Dedan knew Vader wouldn’t lie about something so serious.
If he survived, it would mean he would become a full-fledged Guardian. The aging process would stop, and Chester could live together with Dedan for eternity.
If he died, it meant Chester would die a mere elsen.
And Chester was aging. They both knew. They saw the small silver that peeked out through his tufts of creamy white hair. Dedan could see the youthful glow beginning to fade. Not that Chester wasn’t as radiant as ever, but it meant the clock was ticking. Sure, Chester was still young, and had more than half his life left, but it would be better to freeze his aging sooner than later.
It wasn’t that Dedan was repulsed at the idea of Chester growing old, he just couldn’t stand to see his lover grow old and die.
It had been five years since the Reset, as the Guardians took to calling it. The Zones were still tiny in comparison to the old days. Only about 20-50 elsen worked in each Zone.
The first thing they built were the Guardians’ mansions. The elsen lived in the mansions with their Guardians for the first few years, they moved out one-by-one as they built small houses of their own. The magnificent structures of each Zone were but a fraction of their former glory, but as the population grew, so would the Zones.
Chester lived with Dedan just as he did before the Reset. Once the first elsen moved out on their own, they were able to pick up where they left off before The Batter. And things were better than ever before.
Dedan felt like his optimistic, exuberant self again. He no longer felt the constant rage he did before he met Chester. He was a new man.
The days where he was a tyrant felt like a blur. He could hardly believe how much anger he carried with him daily before The Batter came. As much as he did not want to go through that again, he was grateful that he got a second chance to be a better Guardian.
Prior to the Reset, Chester was training to be a Guardian. He studied with the Queen every week and helped babysit Prince Hugo. When the world was born anew, The Queen christened him as a Guardian of the Elsen. But to complete the transformation, he must be reborn from The Nothingness, just as the other Guardians had. He would have to go on a perilous journey alone and return to find his place.
Every Guardian was born from The Nothingness, but none of them could remember what it was like. They all described it as “trying to remember what life was like before you were born.” They were not sure what to expect, hence why the years of training. They would have to prepare for everything.
“Delicious as ever!” Chester beamed at Dedan as he gathered their empty plates. “I couldn’t eat another bite.”
“Glad you liked it,” Dedan said, a hint of sadness tugging on his voice. “Tomorrow morning I’ll be sure to cook you a carb-heavy breakfast. No telling how long you’ll be in The Nothingness.”
Dedan looked down at his claws to pick at his cuticles.
“You wanna talk about it, big guy?” Chester said sympathetically as he turned on the sink to start washing dishes.
Dedan shrugged. “What more is there to say? I’m nervous. Surprised you aren’t more nervous. You are still an elsen, after all.”
“I think we’ve established that I’m no ordinary elsen” Chester smirked.
“Sure, but you can still bleed and go burnt like one. That’s what scares me.”
“Mmm,” Chester turned back to the sink. He stayed quiet a moment before speaking again. “The thought about quitting has crossed my mind, but there’s no way I could do that to you. I could never leave you alone.”
Dedan sighed. “I just wish there was another way.”
Chester turned back to his boyfriend; concern painted his face. He wiped his hands on a towel before walking behind Dedan and massaging his shoulders, whispering into the Guardian’s small earhole.
“Tell you what; while I finish these dishes, you go start a nice, hot bath and then we get dirty. Whaddaya say?”
Dedan nuzzled his head against Chester’s, though the worried knit in his brow remained.
“I couldn’t stand to lose you,” he said quietly.
“Remember that I’ve been training for this for years. This day was going to come eventually. We can’t throw our hard work away now.”
“I know,” Dedan turned his head so the fronts of their faces could nuzzle against each other. He placed a hand over Chester’s cheek.
They carefully exchanged kisses and face nuzzles before Chester spoke again.
“Let’s not have any regrets,” Chester whispered, showering Dedan’s face with kisses. “Let’s make tonight a night to remember.”
Dedan hesitated, but he knew his boyfriend was right. Even if the worst came to pass, he wanted to show Chester just how much he appreciated him.
“Alright, but you better come back. I have a surprise waiting for you.”
“A surprise?” Chester smiled. “What is it?”
“If I told you, then it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?” Dedan said cheekily.
“All the more reason to promise to come back in one piece.”
Dedan and Chester found themselves snuggled in each other’s arms, a pleasant exhaustion washed over them. Sleep would come soon. Dedan dreaded it because it meant that they’d have to leave first thing in the morning.
Try as he might to hang onto the euphoria of their passions, he could feel the worry start to take hold again.
“I love you so much.” Chester’s words cut through his worry like a knife, giving the long-toothed monster a bit of respite.
“I love you too,” he nuzzled his chin against the top of the elsen’s head. “Meeting you was easily the best thing that ever happened to me. You made me become a better man.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Chester chuckled. “You did all the work.”
“Sure, but your very existence made me want to change. I would have never put in the work if it wasn’t for you.”
“You have grown a lot since we first met. You’ve finally become the person I always knew you could be.”
“Why did you fall in love with me initially?” said Dedan.
Chester looked up, trying to find the words. “If I’m being totally honest, it was your body.”
Dedan burst into laughter. “Well, you wouldn’t have been the first. But still, what made you stay?”
Chester thought again. “I sensed there was something buried deep within you. While you had your tough guy façade, there were moments when I saw how you cared for me in the same way. The more I spent time with you, the more I saw those bits and pieces start to shine through.”
Dedan felt a warmth radiating in his chest. “You certainly have a way of bringing out the best in me.”
“And you have a way of making me want to get stronger.” Chester pressed himself against Dedan harder, nuzzling his face into the monster’s neck. “You’ll see, I’ll become a strong Guardian.”
Dedan nuzzled his teeth against Chester, his version of kisses. “You already are strong.”
Chester let out a wide yawn before settling down into Dedan’s arms and falling asleep. Dedan felt Chester’s soft breaths against him as he also succumbed to sleep’s soft embrace.
Dedan and Chester were up early to catch the train to Zone 0, duffle bags slung over their shoulders. They made their way to the plastic sea where Japhet and Enoch waited for them. The Queen was also with Hugo, her ferry bobbing up and down with the waves.
“Now that we are all here,” said the Queen, “let us head out.”
The Queen was at the helm of the little ferry boat while the Guardian sat watching land disappear into the distance.
“Thanks for coming,” said Dedan. “As he slung his arm over Chester's shoulder. “We really appreciate it.”
“I wouldn't miss the birth of a new Guardian,” said Enoch. “After all, Chester is one of us now.”
Chester beamed up at the large Guardian. “Thank you, Sir.”
“Ah, bup bup!” Enoch waggled a finger. “Like I said, you're one of us now. No need for formalities.”
“Thank you, Enoch,” Chester said before returning to the large bird Guardian. “And thank you as well, Japhet.”
“It was my pleasure,” said Japhet. “Who knew that an elsen from my Zone would be the first to become a Guardian. In some ways I feel as if I had a hand in this.”
Dedan scoffed. “Don't forget it was me who trained him in combat.”
“Ah,” Japhet got that look he got when he knew he was right about something, “but it was my library that he used to study the history of the world.”
Dedan grunted. “I suppose.”
“Let's not forget my snacks,” Enoch interjected, “that helped Chester on those late-night study binges.”
Chester laughed once. “You all had a hand, thank you. I would not be here if it wasn't for all your help.”
The relationship between the Guardians had changed drastically since before the Reset. Each of them had seen their precious Zones fall by the Batter’s hand and felt the icy embrace of death. Once they were given their second chance, any petty squabbling they had before the Reset seemed futile. They each had a renewed motivation to make their world the best it could be.
“We’ve arrived,” said the Queen.
The four gentlemen looked ahead, seeing nothing but blackness. The shoreline was a perfectly straight line that went on forever on either side of them. The plastic sea closest to the shore stopped moving, as if caught in time. The ferry bumped up against the edge of the world, and the three Guardians helped the Queen to drop anchor. They all exited and started walking into the inky blackness.
Chester slung his duffel bag over his shoulders and followed everyone. Even though there was no ground they could see, they were able to walk towards The Nothingness.
Once they had gotten a respectable enough distance, the Queen stopped and turned around, carrying the infant prince in her arms.
“Since this has never happened before,” said The Queen, “none of us know what to expect. We don't even know what’s in The Nothingness. All I know is that time doesn’t move in the same way it does in our world and there are Secretaries lumbering about, so be on your guard.” The Queen placed a tentacle on Chester’s shoulder. “Are you ready?”
“As ready as I'll ever be,” Chester said quietly. “I just want to say goodbye first.”
“Of course, when you’re ready.”
Chester turned to the Guardians and swallowed thickly, gripping the straps of his duffel bag tight. “I guess I'll see you soon.”
Enoch stepped forward and gave the small man a gentle hug. “Don't be too long now,” he said before stepping back.
Japhet was next. He also opened his wing and scooped up the elsen into a gentle hug. “I believe in you.”
Finally, Dedan stepped forward, looking even more nervous than the elsen was. He looked at the ground, finding the words he wanted to say.
“I hate this,” was all he could muster. “I hate that you have to do this alone.”
Chester grasped his large claws with his own tiny hand.
“It'll be OK,” he said, partially trying to convince himself. “You'll see, I'll be back before you know it.”
Dedan could only smile sadly. He leaned down to give his tiny boyfriend a nuzzle.
“Hurry home soon. Your surprise is in my duffle bag,” Dedan whispered.
“Oh!” Chester cooed. “I can’t wait. I’ll be back, count on it!”
With that, Chester turned to face The Nothingness and walked over to the Queen.
The Queen bowed her head and respect. The infant Prince she carried seemed to do the same.
“Don't worry,” she said, “you've been training for years. I wouldn't allow you to do this if I didn't think you could handle it.”
Chester inhaled, The Queen’s words bringing him comfort. “Thank you, Vader. But how will I know that I can return?”
“You’ll know,” she said simply.
He was slightly irritated at the vagueness of her answer, but then again, this was all new territory to them.
Chester turned to the vast void, standing on the precipice for a moment. With a deep inhale, he began to walk.
The infant Prince waved his hand. “See you soon, Little Mister.”
Chester couldn't help but smile at the prince's words. He turned around to see The Guardians all watching him and waving goodbye. He waved back, smiling.
As he walked, he saw The Nothingness swallow up his friends, leaving him completely alone in the void.
“How long do you think this will take?” Enoch said the moment Chester was no longer visible.
“Hours. Days. Weeks,” said The Queen. “But knowing young Chester, he’ll be back by the morrow.”
“Oh, great!” Enoch stretched his arms. “I’ll make us some lunch. I brought sandwich stuff!”
“That sounds lovely,” Japhet said with a flick of his long tail.
Dedan kept staring at where Chester disappeared, clinging to his own duffle straps.
“Hey, tall guy,” Enoch called over, “why doncha come join us for a bite?”
“N-no, I’m good,” Dedan replied in a non-committal tone.
Enoch frowned and marched over. “Hey, I know you’re worried, but standing there isn’t going to make a difference.”
“I c-can’t,” Dedan said.
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to miss him.”
“He ain’t comin’ back for a while. No use in starving yourself in the meantime.”
Dedan knitted his eyebrows with worry.
Enoch placed a hand on his shoulder. “You’re going to worry yourself sick if you carry on like this. You don’t want to be a mess when he comes back, do you? Come on, get some food.”
Dedan finally broke his gaze and looked to his companion.
“Okay. Just a quick bite.”
There was nothing. Not a single thing. Chester flicked on a lantern, but it was futile. There was nothing in The Nothingness to reflect off of. It was like being blind.
He wasn’t sure where he was going, or what he was looking for, but something told him to walk. So, he did.
Chester walked for a long time before he saw anything.
A group of Secretaries came out of the void, as if they mysteriously manifested right in front of him. There were two of them.
They were much more difficult to fight than the Spectres, but Chester took them down without much fuss.
A few minutes later, a second group came at him, two of them, also seeming to show up out of nowhere. Chester took them down, too.
A third group showed up in the distance, made up of three.
Chester tensed up, ready to attack at a moment’s notice, but oddly, they didn’t even seem to notice him. Counting his blessings, he continued.
Several more groups showed up, but like the last ones, they didn’t seem to notice. They simply roamed, stumbling about with their giant, fat, baby-like legs.
Before long, the Secretaries seemed to stop roaming altogether. They simply stood in place, staring up at the inky black sky. Chester looked up and saw nothing, so he walked on.
Soon, hunger began to gnaw at Chester’s insides. His body was tired. He figured now was a good a time as any to set up camp. There were no visible Secretaries, so he should be safe.
After setting up his tent, he fumbled around his bag to grab a can of beans and a can opener from home.
He considered making a fire but realized there was no need. It was neither cold, nor hot. The Nothingness didn’t feel like anything. Like stale air.
Not to mention, he didn’t have any materials for one beyond his lighter. All he could do was place it under the can to warm up the beans inside, so he did just that.
The silence of The Nothingness was so thick, his chewing sounded like roaring in his ears. At first it made him anxious, as though it would attract enemies. But when nothing happened, he relaxed.
As he ate, he thought of Dedan and how he missed his lover’s meals.
Dedan mentioned a surprise. What could it be? A cake to celebrate his victory?
No, Dedan knew Chester didn’t like sweets.
A new kitten, perhaps?
No, why would Dedan shove a poor cat into his duffle bag?
He mulled over the possibilities. Dedan wasn’t really one to shower Chester with small gifts. It wasn’t his style.
Whatever it was, it must have been something special.
Chester finished off the cans of beans and simply left the can on the floor. It felt wrong. He prided himself on always picking up after himself, but he also couldn’t risk the smell of food in his duffle attracting Secretaries.
Without much else to do, he shuffled into his tent and drifted into an uneasy sleep. It was the first time he slept without Dedan since the Reset.