(TATB) Ch 22: The Things They Had To Do, All We Can Do

(Skylar)

Victor's voice hung in the air, raw and heavy with something I couldn't quite place. Pain? Anger? I wasn't sure. What I did know was that it hit harder than I expected. For a moment, I just looked at him—the tiny figure sitting so still, so quiet on the edge of the plastic container I'd brought him in.

I wanted to say something. To ask what he meant, to get him to explain. But before I could, his voice cut through the silence.

"What do you even know about the Five Warriors, Skylar?"

The question caught me off guard. I blinked, straightening in my seat. "Not much," I admitted honestly. "Most of the records about them were destroyed, probably by Lilliputians trying to protect your history from us Brobs. At least, that's the general assumption. What we have left is mostly speculation... rumors, really."

"Speculation? Rumors?" Victor repeated, his voice laced with skepticism.

"Yeah," I said, leaning closer, resting my chin on my hand as I thought about it. "For example, one of the more... out there theories is that the Five Warriors weren't even Lilliputians at all. Some people think they were aliens. Beings from another world who came to Earth to help your people fight against us Brobs."

That made him laugh—a real laugh, sharp and sudden. I found myself smiling, then giggling along with him.

"I know, it's ridiculous," I said, shaking my head. "But hey, it would explain how Lilliputians got so advanced with technology so fast, right?"

Victor snorted. "Sure, if you believe in little green men."

"Well," I teased, "you're not green, so I guess that rules you out."

He rolled his eyes, still smiling a little. "Alright, what's the next one? You said there was more."

"Oh, right," I said, leaning back. "This one's a bit more grounded. Some people believe the Five Warriors weren't actually the same people throughout the Hundred Year War. That the name 'Five Warriors' was a title passed down through generations of soldiers. I mean, it makes sense, right? No one can fight for a hundred years straight."

"Maybe," Victor said, his voice quiet now. He glanced away, his expression unreadable.

That quiet stretched between us, but I couldn't let it go. "Victor," I asked gently, "what did you mean when you said they weren't heroes? Most Lilliputians seem to admire the Five Warriors. I thought—"

"Not everyone does," he interrupted, his voice softer than before but tinged with something sharp. "Not everyone loves them. Not everyone admires them."

I tilted my head, watching him closely. "Why not?"

Victor let out a small laugh, but it wasn't a happy sound. "Because they weren't what people think they were. Sure, there were Lilliputians who wanted to end the war as quickly as possible, before things got too out of hand. But the Five Warriors? They didn't care about that. They cared about their power. About their pride. They wanted the war to continue because it made them stronger."

I frowned, leaning closer. "What do you mean?"

"They were fueled by anger," he said, looking up at me now. "They didn't just hate Brobs. They hated everyone. Even their own people. The stories say that, back then, the Lilliputians treated them as living weapons. Tools to be used and thrown away when they were no longer useful. And the Five Warriors... they never forgot that. Never forgave it. So they lashed out at anyone who got in their way."

I felt a chill run through me. It wasn't just what he was saying—it was how he was saying it. Like he wasn't just reciting a story. Like he knew.

"So, no," he finished, his voice flat. "They weren't heroes. They were just people doing what they had to do. Nothing more, nothing less."

I didn't know what to say. For a moment, I just stared at him, my mind spinning. Then, slowly, I smiled.

"Well, I don't believe that," I said firmly.

Victor blinked, caught off guard. "You don't?"

"Nope," I said, leaning back again and crossing my arms. "I don't know the truth about the Five Warriors. Maybe the name was passed down. Maybe they weren't perfect. But I don't believe they were just murderers, either. I think, whether they were the originals or their successors, they did what they could to make the world a better place. Or at least, they tried."

Victor stared at me for a long moment, then let out a quiet laugh. "I guess... trying is all anyone can do, huh?"

"That's right," I said, smiling down at him. "That's all we can do."

There was a pause, and then Victor chuckled. "Well, speaking of trying, I've got something for you."

"Oh?" I tilted my head, curious.

He seemed to pull a tiny device from his pocket—a recorder, small enough to fit in his hand. He fiddled with it for a moment before pressing a button, and suddenly, the sound of voices filled the room.

I blinked, startled. "What's this?"

Victor grinned up at me. "It's a thank-you recording. Everyone in the town wanted to pitch in and say something to you."

My heart skipped a beat as I listened to the voices of Lilliputians thanking me, one after another. It was overwhelming, but in the best way.

"Thank you," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Victor looked up at me, smiling. "No, Skylar. Thank you."