“Belial.” It wasn’t exactly a leap to assume he had something to do with this. “Did you block Waffle’s sponsor??”

  He didn’t answer. Instead, I felt my face twitch as an unfamiliar, and strangely cordial voice answered in his stead.

  “The person you are trying to reach is unavailable at the moment, please leave a message after the tone”

  “I know that’s you, you little shit.” I hissed.

  “Is something wrong?” Lucia asked, wearing a concerned look as she eyed the note I held. She must’ve noticed how irritated I looked.

  “My stupid AI blocked Waffle’s sponsor.” I handed the note back to her before dropping my arms with a sigh, “and now it won’t respond”

  I didn’t see the harm in telling Lucia that much, and it felt good to vent about the little asshole for once.

  “Really?” Her eyebrows shot up as she read it for herself, “why?”

  “I don’t know.” I said shaking my head, “I think it’s defective.”

  A new irritation started to bubble up inside me, separate from my own. Fighting the urge to smile, I ignored it.

  “Did you try resetting it?” Lucia slid closer, wearing a helpful expression on her face.

  “Oh, I’ve tried. It seems to get stupider each time.”

  Belial scoffed at that.

  “Well, if it’s blocking sponsors, you should probably replace it.”

  “You know what, maybe I should.” I smiled.

  At that, Belial eeked out a tiny, scandalized breath.

  Lucia suggested we check the marketplace for a more reliable AI. Apparently, it was a commonly listed item as gladiators replaced their Eyedexa Solutions Aura Mark 4’s, which is what she assumed I had. As tempted as I was to browse the marketplace and listen to Belial slowly unravel, I didn’t really want to replace him—and even if I did, I doubted it was possible. I sighed. For better or worse, I needed the little brain terrorist.

  “Do you want to explain why you blocked them?”

  “Because they refused to pay my management fee.” He harumphed.

  “Management fee? For what?”

  “For making him a star, obviously.” He answered, aghast, “thanks to me, that little snot-thrower’s on the frontpage of every fixagram in the galaxy.”

  “Fixa-what?” I heaved a sigh as the snot-thrower in question clambered onto my lap, dragging his favorite toy along by the teeth. He’d nearly mastered walking in his cloak, only wobbling slightly as he dragged the somehow still-oozing meat-vine over my dress.

  “Did you know they made little Waffle plushies?” Belial ranted, ignoring me, “apparently, they’ve sold out twelve times. I know you don’t know how many credits that is, but let me tell you, it’s a lot, and I want our due!”

  I pursed my lips, and not just because Waffle was stuffing that nasty root into his pocket either--though that did remind me to dispose of it when he wasn't looking. I pursed my lips because Belial actually had a point. Waffle’s sponsor wasn’t in any danger, whereas Waffle and I were at risk of dying pretty much constantly. I’d never really used money, but I understood the concept, and profiting off our torment just felt wrong. Especially if they didn’t plan to compensate us at all.

  “They didn’t offer anything?”

  “Tschhk, fifty percent.” He grunted.

  “Fifty percent?” My eyebrows shot up. I expected him to say nothing. “That’s surprisingly…"

  “Insulting, I know. I told them we could live with sixty, prooovided they paid my management fee.”

  “I was going to say fair. What’s your…management fee?” I felt silly just saying it. The thought of Belial managing anything was ridiculous.

  “Ten million—which trust me when I say, is not much.”

  “Is ten million a lot of money?” I asked Lucia, who was currently speaking in a baby voice in an effort to coax Waffle from my lap. It wasn’t working.

  She sat up, giving me a strange look before answering, “Yes, I’d say so.”

  “Pfft, that doesn’t tell you anything—look, you’re just going to have to trust me—”

  “What could I buy with that much?” I asked, causing Lucia to tilt her head.

  She pressed a finger to her lips in thought, “Hmm. Probably not a planet, but…maybe a small moon?”

  “Like I said, nothing.”

  “Belial,” I groaned, scoldingly.

  “I have expenses. The soap opera I’m producing alone is going to set me back at least five hundred—”

  “Belial.”

  “What.” He snapped.

  “Unblock them.”

  The moment he did, a window popped into view, along with a face I recognized.

  “Eui—”

  “Hello, Gladiator, I want to thank you on behalf of MarsupiaNurture Ltd. for taking such great care of our,” she glanced down for a moment, as if reading off a card, “little champion.”

  Gladiator…does she not recognize…

  I almost smacked my forehead. Like everything else, this conversation was probably being monitored.

  “Gladiator?” Eunice asked, likely wondering why I hadn’t said anything and was just staring in shock.

  Lucia, who seemed to realize I was communicating with someone, mouthed, “everything okay?”

  I nodded to her before addressing Eunice, who was dressed in an official looking suit.

  “Thank you for the…uh, cape…and supplies.” I added, glancing at the pack.

  “Of course, we're relying on you to take good care of him.” She cleared her throat again, probably because she wasn’t used to talking so…professionally?

  I didn’t know the word to describe it. There was a distinct, businesslike cheeriness to her tone that felt so artificial it was jarring.

  She glanced down again before continuing, “the food we sent is packed full of all the vitamins and minerals essential for growing wombats. Feel free to review the nutritional facts before feeding him if you have any doubts.”

  I couldn’t help but notice her placing extra emphasis on ‘nutritional facts’. That must be how they planned to communicate.

  “I…will, thank you.” I said slowly.

  “Excellent.” Eunice gave her signature nod. “We recommend starting him on the joey bars, those are the green ones. Best of luck to you.”

  “Remind her about my management fee.” Belial hissed, right before the screen winked out.

  I rolled my eyes. As amazed as I was that he still planned on extorting them, now wasn’t the time.

  “Hang on, did you know Waffle’s sponsor was them this entire time?”

  “Ha. No. Had I known Lucian’s little gang was behind MarsupiaNurture, I would’ve asked for way more money.”

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  I opened the pack’s side compartment and pulled out one of the green bars. My brow furrowed as I flipped it over to read the back.

  Alfalfa Meal, Soybean Hulls, Wheat Middlings…Soybean Meal…

  The list of ingredients went on like that, until a guaranteed analysis section at the bottom that listed how much protein, fiber, and other vitamins the bar contained. Despite reading the package several times, I wasn’t seeing any hidden messages.

  Did she actually just want me to see that the food was healthy? No, there had to be some secret to how the ingredients were laid out…Or was the message in the numbers?

  “Was that his sponsor?” Lucia asked, interrupting my thoughts.

  “Yeah.” I answered, still distracted by the shiny wombat-bar.

  I flipped it over several times, searching for any text I might’ve missed, then, finding none, let out a sigh.

  Lucia must’ve been curious how the call went, because she was staring expectantly when I lifted my head. I blinked, seeing how exhausted she looked. She didn’t seem this bad a moment ago. The setting sun was casting a shadow over her face, accentuating the dark circles there. If not for her obvious excitement, I thought she might keel over.

  “They wanted to thank me for taking good care of him.” I reported, brow drawing together in concern, “are you sure you’re okay?”

  She jolted slightly, as if fighting to stay awake.

  “Yes, I’m just—” her eyes closed and she mumbled the rest, “really tired all of a sudden.”

  I eyed the bug bite on her arm as she laid to one side against the rock-face. There were several light-pink rings where I pried the insect off, “Does that look worse to you?”

  “Does what look worse?” Belial already sounded annoyed, probably because I failed to inquire about his fee earlier.

  “The bug bite on her arm.”

  He let out a long sigh before answering, “I’m not a dermatologist, or in any way qualified to answer that question, but sure, why not. You’ll need to get closer, you’re near-sighted.” I blinked at that information but did as instructed, face wrinkling with concern as he cycled through various thinking noises, “yes, it’s worse. Looks like an infection.”

  Just as he said that Lucia shivered along the wall.

  “Can we…do anything for her?” I felt like I had to help.

  I’d barely known her more than a day, but she seemed like a decent person. Plus, I needed her to get past the spiders.

  “Not much we can do without medicine, with some rest, her body might be able to fight the infection off.”

  I gave a half-hearted nod, not entirely convinced. Still, I didn’t exactly have a better idea, and after two days of near-death experiences, rest sounded pretty good.

  Pulling out my make-shift cameras, I scanned for ideal places to put them so Belial could keep watch while we slept. Eager to help, Waffle waddled after me as I worked. I finished tying the last camera to a nearby sapling, snorting as I glanced down to find him circling me. Minus a few leafy distractions, the young lord remained vigilant.

  Perimeter set, I placed Waffle inside his new backpack, setting it beside me as I took the spot near Lucia along the wall. Normally when he had to go, I could feel him squirming, but with the thick plating on his new bag, I wasn’t sure I would wake if he needed out. For that reason, and to avoid defiling his new home with a fresh poop cube, I left it open with the top resting against my thigh.

  I’d just closed my eyes when I felt him paw his way onto my lap, drowsily kneading around his old pocket. Sighing, I collected the groggy wombat and deposited him back inside his bag. It took about five seconds for him to try again. This time, I held him up to my face.

  “You’re too big for your pocket, you have to sleep in the backpack now.”

  His beady little eyes glazed over, making it clear that in no way did he comprehend what I was saying. I hung my head then tried something simpler.

  “Stay.” I said firmly as I tucked him back inside.

  This repeated several times. By the fourth, I’d given up, keeping my eyes closed as he wobbled across my lap. Any second, I expected to feel a stubborn wombat trying to squeeze into his old pocket. Instead, he clawed upwards, rasping warm puffs of air as he examined my face. Convinced of my slumber, he very covertly tumbled back onto my lap and then froze.

  Is he holding his breath?

  At this point, I was curious what he was plotting.

  I started to get an idea as he moved toward his pocket. The fucking root.

  I contemplated hurling it off the nearest cliff when he continued past the pocket to roll off my lap.

  Now I was really curious what the little fuzzball was up to.

  A moment later I felt him squeeze under my hand. I wondered if he’d decided to sleep there until he started pushing it upwards. With a final heave he thrust it onto my lap, claws digging into my side as he clambered up after it. The way I was sitting, my arm wanted to slide back off.

  He lunged after it, paws scrabbling for my fingers. I managed to keep from laughing as he hung on, draped like a fuzzy bag of rice over my thigh.

  Rasping out an adorable grunt, he hoisted my hand back up, then slumped from the effort. It was impressive, even if I did help a little. I felt his pudgy sides inflating as he caught his breath. Then, with a combination of teeth and paws, he began tugging it towards his bag.

  Mission accomplished, he curled round my captive limb and immediately began to snore, my thumb still clenched between his teeth.

  I chuckled at the compromise.

  Belial woke me four hours later, insisting that was all the sleep my body needed. I disagreed, seeing as the world was still pitch black, but I was eager to make another attempt at deciphering Waffle’s food. Lucian went to a lot of trouble to get me a message, so it was probably important.

  But first…

  I slipped my hand free from its wombat prison, careful not to wake the jailer as I turned to check on Lucia.

  A sheen of sweat had formed over her skin, matting some of her hair against her face. I swallowed, gently placing Waffle’s bag on the ground before moving for a better look.

  The bite was barely visible in the dark. Loose stones dug into my knees as I hovered over her.

  “Was that there before?” I asked Belial.

  There was a pink line, traveling up her arm from the bug bite.

  “No.” He replied, “Unfortunately, I don’t have access to the network to tell you what it means…but uh, probably bad?”

  Lucia’s eyes snapped open. She jerked away from me, ribs showing through her dress as she sucked in a panicked breath.

  “It’s me,” I said in a hushed tone, leaning back to give her space.

  It took a moment before her eyes softened with recognition.

  “Aine, I--” she croaked out, then paused as if surprised by the rasp in her voice. She moved a hand weakly to her throat, swallowing hard, “I don't feel well.”

  “You don’t look well either. I think it was that bug from yesterday.”

  She lifted her head, trying to get a look at the bite for herself, but it was hard for her to see on the other side of her shoulder. Giving up, she flopped her head back down to let me examine it for her.

  “How bad is it?”

  She studied my face as I leaned in, trying to gauge my reaction.

  “It’s…” I tried to keep the concern from my face as she struggled to sit up. In truth, it was a lot worse, even in the dark I could tell. The bite itself had darkened and a wider stretch of the surrounding skin had turned pink. On top of all that was the strange line leading upwards. “It doesn’t look good.”

  Her face scrunched, and I recognized the look of frustration as she lifted her head. She managed to raise it a few inches, only to slam it back against the dirt. I put an arm under her neck to aid her second attempt, guiding her into a sitting position against the rock wall.

  She gave me a sad look, her arms resting limply on either side.

  “I don't think I'll be able to keep up with you like this. I can barely move.”

  “I’m not just—leaving you here.” I shook my head, eyebrows shooting back.

  It wasn't like I owed her anything, but I didn't think I could forgive myself for leaving her to die. She was helpless. And right-thing aside, this wasn’t my village. This place had flying orbs and tiny machines…and…

  “Maybe there's medicine on the marketplace.”

  I already had the tab open in my interface when she answered.

  “There isn’t. I've been looking.” She sighed, looking away from me and eyeing a silvery bracelet around her wrist. I hadn’t noticed it before. “I'll be okay. If I turn this on, people will come looking for me.”

  “People are waiting to come rescue her?” I thought, half addressing Belial. “Is that a thing?”

  “Not that I know of, but who cares, it’s not like she was contributing. And now we don’t have to feel bad about leaving her behind. Problem solved.”

  “Problem not solved. I need her ability to get past the spiders, or did you forget that part?”

  “Ah.” he said, confirming that he did indeed forget that part.

  I heaved my own sigh, eyeing the ground in disappointment. Lucia frowned as she seemed to realize why.

  “I’m sorry, I know you were counting on me to help with the spiders.”

  “It’s fine.” I said, the words coming out shorter than intended, “I don’t blame you for wanting out of this nightmare.”

  “I don’t—” The words broke off as she forced down a lump, “I don’t want to. Not without my friend.” Her chin fell to her chest before she swung her head up to look at me, an effort that required the help of her shoulders and back. “But I don’t want to be the reason that you or Waffle get hurt.”

  For some reason, that made me laugh. Probably because it was so unexpected.

  “What?” Lucia asked, her head lilting to one side. “I mean it.”

  She was starting to look offended; her brows knit tightly over the bridge of her nose. That made me laugh again, drawing an even more incredulous look--which in turn was made more silly by the fact that she could barely keep her head up. “Why are you laughing? I’m being honest.”

  What little light there was from the false moon glinted off her eyes. She actually looked like she might cry. I leaned onto my palms from where I sat.

  “I’m sorry,” I choked out, slapping my own chest now in an effort to beat the mirth into submission. “I’m laughing because I can tell you’re being honest.”

  Her face contorted slightly, twisting into the look befitting someone who’d lost their mind, “and that’s…funny?”

  “Kind of, yeah.” I said, pulling my knees into my chest, and quickly seeing from the look on her face that this required more explanation. “It's just…everyone I’ve met since I got here is either using me for some scheme or actively trying to kill me. You being so sincere is just…unexpected.”

  She let out a snort. “What did you think I was? Some kind of monster?”

  “I didn’t rule it out.”

  She actually scoffed at that. “Well I’m not…a monster.”

  “Do you really want to stay? To find your friend?”

  She managed a nod before her head tipped to one side again, then perked up slightly, “safe zones have medical pods…if you don’t mind carrying me to one.”

  It was my turn to frown. The only safe zone I knew of was destroyed. “The one on this level is gone.”

  Lucia joined me in staring glumly at the dirt.

  “If you can get to the next floor, the map we pilfered off that guard does show the safezone’s location.”

  Belial brought a map up in my interface, then traced a dotted yellow line from a symbol shaped like a staircase to a green circle labeled ‘safe zone’. It was less than 200 feet from the entrance.

  “How? She can barely move.”

  “I don’t know, you could carry her,” he huffed in his ‘do I need to think of everything’ tone of voice, “I don’t see why she can’t do her sorcery from your back.”

  I shook my head, already spotting a flaw, “We still have to test if her powers even work on the spiders.”

  There was a solution to that, but I hated it. I bit my lip, not seeing any other way.

  “There’s a safe zone on the next floor. If I can—” an involuntary shiver ran up my spine, “bring you one of those spiders, will you be able to tell if your ability will work on the rest?”

  Lucia’s eyes widened with hope. Hope that was strange, considering her alternative was being rescued whenever she wanted. Whoever this friend was, they must’ve meant a lot to her.

  “Yes.” she nodded, jaw set.

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