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Prologue

"We got out of the Drain on a night like this," Patty said, her knees tucked to her chest.

Godpoke sat up a little straighter. They had dressed up for their night out with her, with a brown jacket that had intricate embroidered patterns and a rosy tie. They kept their cool hat, of course. Patty smiled. "I don't remember most of my life there," she said. "I was pretty young, and I don't like thinking about it. But when we got out…"

She gripped the fabric of her dress. Vibiano had made it for her, worked on it all night, even. "Godpoke's a big deal, sure," Vib had said, "but you're the real deal. Pokey should consider themself lucky they get a date with you."

Patty hadn't imagined anyone in the Grove would want to date her–but Godpoke wasn't from the Grove, either.

She felt their hand on her own, their gloves rough against her skin. "Sorry," she said reflexively. "I just…"

Pokey put their arm around her. Patty let herself fall against their shoulder, staring up at the night sky. "I know that Inspek–" She caught herself. "–that the big boss did a lot of bad things. He hurt you, too…" She tensed, just a little. "…but I can't hate him. I'm so grateful he got us out of the Drain. I hope you understand."

They put a finger to her lips and nodded. Patty nuzzled into their neck, content to stay silent for a while.

Eventually, she pulled away. "We thought we'd never get out," she said. "But it didn't feel as impossible when he talked about it. He promised he'd lead us all the way to the Grove–and he did! I'm here now!"

She stood up, taking Pokey's hand and bringing them up with her. The stars filled the sky, the darkness of the Grove allowing them to shine bright and clear, the Milky Way glowing above them.

"We all got out!" she said. "None of us got left behind. And when we stopped running, we saw the stars for the very first time."

---

Chapter One: You Can Always Come Home

He didn't receive a lot of mail, after the dust settled. There were a couple reasons; the van hadn't had a fixed address, and not many people knew that Hector, descended from godhood, was sleeping on Capochin's couch. Sure, there were ways to get a message to him–ask a Bizzyboy, give it to the Godpoke, draw it on the van with paint that would never entirely wash off–but, well, few people wanted to.

He was still asleep, late in the afternoon, when there was a knock on the door. It roused him enough to be aware of Capochin moving to answer it. The door opened, words were exchanged… Hector rolled over, his face squashed into a pillow, and waited to fall asleep again.

"It's for you."

"Whagh?" said Hector.

The envelope hit his forehead as soon as he turned over. Hector peeled it off and fumbled for his glasses on the side table.

"Here." Capochin pressed them into his hand. "It looks important, so you better read it."

He put his glasses on and looked at the envelope. His heart jumped when he saw Miss Mitternacht's name. "I'll read it in a minute," he said, putting it aside.

Capochin didn't budge. "You'll read it now, and then you'll tell Godpoke what your reply is, 'cause they're waiting outside for you."

Oh. One of those letters. Hector took the letter again and shakily tore it open.

Dear Hector,
We require your expertise on a matter beyond the Grove's borders. We would appreciate your presence at the Midnight to discuss it with myself and the others. It has been a long time since we last heard from you. We miss you dearly.
Lovingly, Miss Mitternacht.

He took a breath. "You said Godpoke was waiting, huh?"

"Yep," Capochin said. "Go say hi."

Hector got to his feet and made his way to the door.

The Godpoke waved at him. Hector hesitantly waved back. "Did the gods tell you anything about why they need me?" he asked.

Godpoke shrugged.

"So they need my exper-tees, but won't say why…" He furrowed his brow. "Is this a trick to get me to see them?"

They shook their head and took Megapon off their waist. They aimed it at him, pulled the trigger, and Hector heard Mitternacht's voice: "Were he still speaking to us, I would ask directly, but the poor dear must still need time."

Hector sighed. "If they really need me, I guess I gotta," he said. "Tell them I'll be there, just give me an hour or two."

With an affirmative nod, Godpoke recorded his words with Megapon and clipped it back on their belt. They stood there for a few moments longer, rocking back and forth on their feet, but just as Hector opened his mouth, they ran off.

"Huh," Hector said. "Wonder what that was about."

He went back to Capochin, who was fiddling with the television while it played static noise. He looked up when Hector approached. "So what did they need?" he asked.

Hector hesitated. "I need t' talk to the other–t' the gods," he said.

Capochin nodded. "They just checking in, or…?"

"No, Pokey said it was something actually important." He shrugged. "Didn't say what, but if they need me, they need me."

"Huh," said Capochin, and he stared for a long moment.

Hector averted his eyes. "Do yew need something?"

"Nah," Capochin said, and he went back to adjusting the antennae. "Are you headin' out?"

"Yeah. Told them I'd be there today."

"Alright." He glared at the television. "Might be gone when you get back. Gonna see if Ban knows anything about what's wrong with this thing."

"Oh, tell him and Al I said hi." Hector frowned. "If they ask, anyway."

"Sure they will," Capochin said. "Now get going. Don't want t' keep the gods waiting."

"Yeah, I know. See you later, Cappy."

Capochin only grunted in response. Hector left to start the long walk to the Cove.

---

He met Godpoke again outside of Miss Mitternacht's domain. "You too, huh?" Hector said.

Godpoke fired Megapon at him. King's voice played. "Godpoke, will you wait outside for Hector?"

Her voice made his stomach flip. "They're all in there…" he mumbled.

It wasn't a question, but Godpoke nodded anyway. Hector sighed. "Better get this over with," he said, and stepped through the boundary.

The world went dark. One by one, stars began to appear, followed by a crescent moon. He landed on solid ground, surrounded by blue chairs spread out through the expanse.

"Oh, Hector!"

They were all there.

Miss Mitternacht, King, Cobigail, Thespius and Click Clack–even Bauhauzzo and Huzzle Mug. They were all there, and they were all staring at him. Every gaze threatened to bore holes through his fragile composure. Hector shuddered and took a step back, nearly bumping into Godpoke.

Mitternacht spoke again. "It's alright," she said. "I'm sorry we had to call you here before you were ready, but I'm afraid we needed your input."

She was apologizing to him? Hector couldn't look at her; he kept his head down. "Then it must be really important," he said. "What do yew need?"

Bauhauzzo spoke next. "The Grove has been picking up radio interference, disrupting communications. It was notable enough that mortals reported it to us."

Hector frowned. "Something was going on with Cappy's TV today. Was that it?"

"Most likely," said Bauhauzzo. "Upon our investigation, we discovered that the signal comes from a god outside the Grove. They are in distress. We intend to help them."

He had heard of gods outside the Grove long ago, when he was outside it, too, but it was only after he ascended that he learned there was any truth to the myths. Hector tried to recall the ones he knew of; there was a weather god or something, right? "Who was it?"

"We do not know. They ascended before my memory begins."

Probably not one he'd know of, then. "So they're really old," he said. "What did they say?"

"Curious to findknowout?" Huzzle Mug popped up out of seemingly nowhere, making Hector jump. "Take a listensee!"

It held out a telephone handset, the cord trailing impossibly far into the distance. Hector took it and held it up to his ear. Harsh static noise blared so loudly he dropped it and staggered back, clutching his head.

"Oops," said Huzzle Mug.

He rubbed his forehead, his ears still ringing. "What was that?" he said.

"Well, Click Clack explained–" Hector looked up to see the god sitting on top of Thespius' head. "–to the mortal ear, it must sound like complete gibberish. And, mostly, it is."

"But," Thespius said, "there's stuff in there that can only come from a god… and we can tell they're not doing too hot."

Mitternacht nodded. "We also know where the signal came from," she said. "Which is why we need your advice, dear."

"My advice?" Realization sent chills down his spine. "For somewhere outside the Grove?"

She confirmed his fears: "They're in the Drain."

His gut churned. Hector swallowed hard. "…I need t' sit down."

Thankfully, the Midnight provided plenty of chairs. He spotted one just his size that he was sure hadn't been there before. He sat, breathing hard and staring at his knees.

"We know the signal's origin," said King, "and so we can assume the entrance to their domain lies there. Unfortunately, we have no way of accessing the domain itself without physically traveling to it."

He felt lightheaded. "And yew want–"

"We only want your advice," Mitternacht said gently. "You spoke so little about your life before the Grove, but every time you did, it was with pain. We would not send you back there against your will."

He took a deep breath, his heart pounding. "Right," he said. "Who are yew sending?"

Godpoke tapped his shoulder, making him jump. When he looked over, they pointed at themself.

"Yew can't be serious!" Hector said in alarm. "Yew're sending Godpoke there alone?"

"Of course not," said Thespius, while Godpoke shook their head. "I'm going with them."

"What? Yew can't…"

"We need one of us to enter the god's domain in physical form," Mitternacht said. "From there, we should be able to find our way through our realms to them. Thespius was chosen–volunteered, really–because he has the most experience with taking mortal forms."

Hector was speechless. He knew gods could take mortal form, and it was the only way they could interact with the world outside their realms–but he had tried it as Inspekta, and it was so unpleasant he hadn't done it twice. It was nothing like being truly human; it was a constant effort to keep himself firmly in reality, leaving him exhausted all the time, and always, there was an invisible tether to his domain pulling him back. It took only hours before he succumbed to its call.

And that had been in the Grove, where it was easiest. Thespius intended to go all the way to the Drain?

"It can't just be the two of yew," Hector said. "Yew need–yew need someone else."

"We haven't chosen a third person yet," Cobigail said. "King was going to ask Razzma…"

"No." He stood up. "Yew need someone who knows the Drain. It won't cut it just to get advice. Yew– " His fear caught up to him and he stumbled over his words. "–yew need me."

He felt distant from his own words. Part of his mind was screaming–No! No! We can't go back!–but he silenced it. No amount of advice on what the Drain was like would prepare Godpoke, Thespius, and whoever else they wanted to send, and he would never, ever forgive himself if he stayed and they didn't return.

Not that he had any experience forgiving himself–but he couldn't take on more guilt.

Silence followed his words, the gods exchanging looks between him and themselves. "Are you sure?" Thespius said. "We know you've been, uh…"

"Depressed, Click Clack said helpfully."

Hector shook his head. "I'm doing better since I moved in with Cappy," he said. "Maybe it'll be good t' have some time away. Not like I'll be alone or anythin'."

"You are not the only one who came from the Drain," Bauhauzzo said. "Your Bizzyboys also originated there."

His anxiety spiked at the idea of sending one of them back. "And I was the one who got them out!" he said, louder than he intended. "All the boys–and Patty–are great… but they wouldn'a be able t' go back there. I was their leader. I can do it."

"You're really sure?" Cobigail pressed. "It's only been a few months since the Rift. Are you sure you're ready to do something like this?"

He held his ground. "I'm sure. I'm the best person yew've got."

Another silence was broken by Miss Mitternacht's voice. "Oh, Hector," she said, and bent down close to him.

Hector stood stiff with his back straight as Mitternacht put a bony hand around him, just close enough not to touch him.

"I know it is a difficult choice to go back," she said. "Please remember to take care of yourself. You will always be welcome home in the Grove."

"I know," Hector said. "I…"

He trailed off. "It's alright," said Mitternacht. "We know."

"Click Clack interrupted the moment with an important observation." The god jumped down from Thespius' head and sat backwards in a chair. "To get into the Drain, all three of our travelers need passports."

"That's right," Mitternacht said. She drew back. "The passport offices are in BuzzHuzz. Bauhauzzo, Huzzle Mug, could you two get the required information from everyone and expedite the process?"

"Onnitboss!" Huzzle Mug jumped out again, landing in front of Thespius with a notepad and pen at the ready. "Name of Thespius, date of bornday–"

"Uh," said Thespius, "I don't think it's wise to use my name as a god."

Huzzle Mug tilted its head. "Name of Pesthius?"

Hector shifted back and forth on his feet. "My name and birthdate are still the same, heh, just… maybe give me a different last name. My real one's pretty notorious, heh." His hands found his tail, picking at the edge of bandages. "Do yew need any other info?"

"We have your information," Bauhauzzo said. "We will only need further input from Thespius and the Godpoke."

He looked at Godpoke, who nodded. That was right, Hector thought, they couldn't literally be named "Godpoke." They had a name before the Grove, didn't they?

He shook his head. "When are we leaving?" he asked.

"It will take two days to complete the passports, once the order is put through." Bauhauzzo put a hand to his chin. "Once those are completed… the third day is the earliest you may leave."

"Right. I can do that."

Miss Mitternacht began to speak. "If you need more time–"

"No, no!" Hector forced a smile. "I don't wanna hold yew up. It's not like I have anything else going on."

"…very well," Mitternacht said. "In three days, then."

Three days. In three days, he would leave the Grove, going back to the place he had never wanted to set foot in again. He scratched at his tail. "Do yew need anything else from me?"

"You are required to be seen at the BuzzHuzz office for a passport photo," Bauhauzzo said. "The Godpoke will accompany you there once we are finished discussing their identification. Await their directions."

"Alright," he said. "I'll be goin', then."

"There's no rush," Cobigail said. "We haven't seen you in forever, Hector! Are you doing okay?"

Hector dug his fingers into his tail until it hurt. "I can't stay. I'm sorry."

"But–"

"Let him go," King said. "We are very grateful for your help, Hector. Take care."

Hector felt his eyes grow damp, and he left in a hurry.

---

It took a long time to get to BuzzHuzz–Hector regretted leaving his van in Hobbyhoo–and by the time he made it back to Capochin's apartment, the sun had set. Well, Hector thought, he might as well start packing.

He didn't have much to bring. He rummaged in the apartment until he found an old shopping bag to put his things in. Then it was a matter of the minimum he needed to look decent. He gathered up a change of clothes, a few hygiene supplies, and deliberated over a toothbrush when he heard the bedroom door open.

"You're back late," Capochin said, scratching his side. "Were you going through my trash?"

"Just needed one o' these!" Hector said cheerfully, holding up the bag. "I'll be out of yewr hair soon enough!"

Capochin stared at him. He slowly closed the door behind him. "What d'ya mean, out of my hair?"

Hector hummed and looked away. "The gods have asked me on a little trip, that's all," he said. "Can't say no to those guys!"

"Where?"

"Outside the grove," he said casually. "No biggie."

"Where, Hector?" Capochin demanded.

He glanced back behind him. "Yew're being awfully no-zee, Cappy."

"And you're hiding something." Capochin marched forward with a scowl. "You only act like this to manipulate people," he said, jabbing a finger up at him, "and I'm not falling for it anymore."

"Well ex-scuse me!" Hector exclaimed. "It's clearly important god-business, I can't just tell anyone!"

"So if I ask Godpoke, they won't tell me, either?"

Oh, shoot. Hector hissed air through his teeth. "Definitely not," he said. "Don't even bother."

"Yeah, sure. I'm askin'."

He shoved past him and went to the front door. Hector waited a moment too long to run after him. "Wait, Cappy–!"

The door slammed. Hector stood there with his mouth hanging open. Eventually, he shut it and resumed packing.

That was fine. Godpoke would either tell Capochin or they wouldn't, and either way, Hector would be out by the time he got back. So what if he had to sleep in the van for a few more nights? It was worth it, he thought, because Capochin would insist on coming with him, and he had promised him long ago never to let any of them go back.

---

He ran into Capochin while picking up his passport in BuzzHuzz, coming out of the building just as Hector was trying to go in. "Oh, Cappy!" Hector said, stepping back nervously. "What are yew doing here?"

Capochin held up a passport of his own. "Needed this," he said.

Hector took a sharp breath. "Why d' yew need that? It's not like yew're leaving the Grove–"

"Godpoke told me everything." Capochin glared at him. "I'm coming with you."

"What?!" Hector shook his head. "I'm not letting yew do that!"

"You're not my boss anymore, Hector." Capochin shoved the passport in his pocket. "I already cleared it with the gods. I'm going."

"What do yew mean yew cleared it? They're not actually letting yew go!"

"That's exactly what they're doing." Capochin shoved past him. "We're meeting Thespius tomorrow morning. Make sure you're packed."

Hector stared at his back as he walked away, his eyes wide. When Godpoke tapped his arm, he gestured wordlessly at Capochin's retreating form.

Godpoke unclipped Megapon from their waist. Cobigail's voice rang out cheerfully. "Good idea! I bet it'll be a lot easier for Hector if someone he knows well is coming with him!"

What could he say? Hector shook his head and went inside.

---

Hector and Capochin didn't speak to each other the morning they were leaving. They stood by the entrance to Thespius' domain, both of them staring fixedly at the opening, until Godpoke came up behind them and played loud barking.

Hector yelped and spun around. "Pokey!" he exclaimed. "Yew nearly gave me a heart attack!"

Capochin huffed and crossed his arms. "What was that for?"

Godpoke shrugged. They held up two passports. "Yew got the one for Thespius?" Hector asked. "What names did yew two choose?"

Instead of answering,they pocketed both passports and walked up to stand between Hector and Capochin. "Alright, then," Hector said.

They waited. "You think we should go in?" Capochin said to Godpoke.

"We were supposed to meet him out here, right?" Hector said, also to Godpoke.

Godpoke looked between the two of them, their expression obscured behind their mask and bangs, and took several steps backwards, putting themself a good distance away.

Hector sighed.

"Well," Capochin said, "I'm giving it five more minutes before I go in there."

"Oh, sure," said Hector. "If you want to interrupt the process."

"What do you know?" he snapped back. "Inspekta never took mortal form."

Hector glared at him. "Not true! I'd know more than yew, I bet!"

"Okay, but if going into his domain was a problem, wouldn't it be smart to block it off?

"Not a risk I'm willing to take."

"Like you're supposed t' be–"

Godpoke played the barking again. Once Hector and Capochin had recovered and were both looking at them, they gestured with Megapon at a nearby patch of flowers.

Except the flowers were growing before their eyes, stems and vines twisting around themselves as more flowers bloomed. The mass of plants grew into a humanoid shape, branching out into arms, legs, fingers–

Hector blinked. A person appeared.

Thespius–because it must have been Thespius–stretched his arms over his head and let out a content sigh. His hair was wavy and fell down longer than it did in his god form, tied back in a loose ponytail. He wore a vest over a ribbed off-white shirt, with green pants that were nearly indistinguishable from a skirt, with how loose and flowing the legs were, He smiled at them, one eye visible, the other hidden behind his bangs.

"How do I look?" he said.

"Impractical," Capochin said immediately. "It's damp down there–you're going to get soaked. Are those heels?"

"I didn't know yew could make a body like that!" said Hector. "How did yew do it?"

"Oh, yeah." Thespius took the passport Godpoke held out and tucked it in his clothes. "Cobigail taught me that trick. It's a lot easier to sustain mortal form when it's made out of living matter." He ran a finger across the edge of his sleeve. "Plants aren't entirely my thing, but, y'know, there's overlap."

"Are we seriously not addressing the heels on those boots?"

"Don't worry about me," Thespius said cheerfully. "I'm ready to go. The van's over there."

Hector's heart jumped. "What van?"

Thespius motioned further down the field. "I had my followers fix up a van for us, y'know, as a favor. Be easier than walking to the ferry, right?" He eyed the pile of bags. "Though you don't have too much stuff… Godpoke, you're packed, right?"

Godpoke held up Megapon. "Right," said Thespius. He walked up to the pile and picked up a suitcase–his own luggage, presumably. Hector had thought it was Godpoke's. "You all ready to head out?"

"Sure," said Hector–but the weight of what he had agreed to hit him all at once, freezing him in place.

He had never wanted to go back.

It was fitting, Hector thought. Wasn't it? Everything he did, everything he fought for, it was all in futile defiance of his ultimate fate: left to rot, alone and forgotten, at the bottom of the Drain.

"Hector?"

He snapped out of it. Thespius and Godpoke were looking at him, Thespius' brow creased with worry. Capochin had his back to them, frozen in the middle of picking up the largest suitcase.

"I'm good," Hector said, and he forced a smile. "Let's get this over with."