(TATB) Ch 29: The Debts We Choose To Repay, Piercing Of The Red Spear!

(Skylar)

I collapsed onto my bed with a groan, face first into my pillow, the weight of the day pressing down on me like a cinder block. My feet ached, my back throbbed, and my dignity? Well, that had taken a serious beating somewhere between my third horrible tip and the fourth grope from a guy old enough to be my grandfather.

Working at a fast food joint was bad enough, but dealing with entitled customers and sleazy creeps made it feel like some kind of divine punishment. If one more middle-aged man had winked at me and called me sweetheart, I might've lost it.

But what made today even worse? I couldn't stop thinking about Victor, Vu, Nemu, and Sawyer.

Sydney made it sound like something awful was happening where they used to live. So why hadn't they just asked for my help? Did they not trust me? Maybe I was overthinking it, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I should have done more.

With a sigh, I rolled onto my back, staring up at the ceiling.

They'll be fine, I told myself. Victor knows what he's doing.

Still, that nagging worry wouldn't leave me alone.

Then, through the silence, I heard something—staticky, garbled, coming from my closet.

I sat up, blinking.

Was that...?

I stood, rubbing my tired eyes, and carefully made my way across the room. Opening the closet door, I peered down at the miniature city nestled inside. Tiny lights twinkled in the darkness, and in the center of it all, I saw the little communicator station flickering weakly.

"Sydney?" I whispered, leaning down.

The static crackled again before a tiny voice came through. "Skylar! Finally!"

I could just barely see the little speck that I knew was Sydney, standing on the platform. Next to him was Meara, her arms crossed.

I smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I haven't checked in much."

Sydney let out a relieved laugh. "Yeah, I was starting to think my communicator exploded from turning the power up too high just to get your attention."

Meara waved off my apology. "You already do so much for us. Actually, that's why we called you—we want to do something for you this time."

I blinked. "Huh? Like what?"

The two of them hesitated for a second, exchanging glances, before Sydney spoke up again. "Skylar, we all talked about it, and we decided that after a long day like yours, you deserve to relax."

I frowned, not sure where this was going. "Oookay?"

Meara smirked. "So just hear us out."

Sydney cleared his throat. "There aren't a lot of us, especially now, but we want to help you unwind. We want to give you a massage."

There was silence.

A long, awkward silence.

Then—

"No way."

I didn't even have to think about it. I straightened up, crossing my arms. "Not happening. And don't ever ask that again."

I could practically hear them wince.

"You guys are here to live your lives freely, not to be my slaves," I continued. "I've heard about other Brobs using Lillis like that. Would you really ask me to be like them? To do... that? It's disgusting."

Meara sighed, rubbing her temples. "Skylar. Stop."

Her voice was firm, and for some reason, it made my stomach twist.

"This was our decision," she said. "No one was forced into anything. We want to do this. Not just as a thank-you gift, but because you need to stop worrying about Victor and the others so much."

I didn't say anything, just listening.

"It's not good for you to stress yourself out like this," she added. "You've done nothing but worry since they left. It's exhausting to watch, honestly."

I bit my lip. Okay... maybe they weren't totally wrong.

Meara crossed her arms. "This is something we chose to do. We're free Lillis, Skylar. And a gift like that should be accepted in kind."

I swallowed, suddenly feeling my heartbeat pick up.

Mostly from fear.

But also... excitement.

And that was the part that sickened me.

I glanced down at them, my voice barely above a whisper. "I've never done this before."

Meara smirked. "We trust you. We all do. And hey—look on the bright side. When Victor and the others come back, you can make them do this as punishment."

I let out a surprised laugh, covering my mouth.

She wasn't wrong.

"O-okay..." I exhaled, my shoulders relaxing a little. "Let's... give it a try."

Sydney grinned. "That's the spirit."

Meara chuckled. "Now lie back, big girl. We'll handle the rest."

I shook my head, still a little overwhelmed. But as I slowly stretched out on my bed, feeling the tension in my muscles, I realized something.

For the first time since Victor left...

I was actually looking forward to something.

***

(The Colony)

The air was thick with the stench of filth and decay, the damp tunnels swallowing the sound of gasps and murmurs from the gathered Lilliputians. The dim glow of torchlight flickered across the walls, casting long, wavering shadows over the colony's huddled figures. They stood frozen in shock, watching as Vu lay sprawled on the ground, blood spreading beneath him like a dark halo. The red spear embedded in his stomach pulsed faintly with unnatural energy, a cruel contrast to the dim, lifeless tunnels around them.

Nemu's breath hitched, her hands trembling at her sides as she stepped forward, her voice raw with fear. "Vu!"

He didn't respond. His face was pale, his breathing uneven, the rise and fall of his chest shallow and weak. His fingers twitched slightly, as if trying to grasp at something—at anything—but finding only the cold, filthy stone beneath him.

Viral stood over him, his crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. The faint glow of his conjured spear faded as he let it dissipate into the air, its job already done. His red Mohawk, slicked back in perfect precision, barely moved as he tilted his head, his smirk widening.

"What a shame," he mused, tapping his chin mockingly. "You came back thinking you could be a hero, Vu. That you could just waltz in here, preach some nonsense about hope, and expect people to follow you?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "You never did learn, did you?"