Sitting atop the roof of his mansion, Skyler remained deep in thought. His mind was so cluttered that he couldn't form a single coherent word.
***
In the underground base, everyone was unconscious, except Flowey, who slept beside his mother. Sitting on a chair, Skyler read a book in silence, though his gaze remained attentive to the child, who occasionally woke up, demanding his attention.
The bodies of the members had already been tended to, recognized for their effort by the leader, who continued his days without saying a word, doing what needed to be done daily.
The rain accompanied him at every step, every sound, every sight. The mansion's housekeeper continued to help him with household chores, but it was evident that she suspected his odd behavior.
When alone, preparing to leave, the woman intervened.
"Sir, may I ask you something?"
"Of course, there's no reason not to question me."
He turned to face her.
"You seem… a bit depressed these past few days. Did something happen?"
"No, dear, nothing happened."
He shook his head with a smile. The maid furrowed her brow, suspicious, but didn't bring up the matter again.
"All right. Sir, my shift is over, and I'd like to spend the night with my mother to take care of her. May I?"
"You don't want to bring her here? I can help if you want."
"No, thank you, but I don't want to be a bother. Could you… accompany me there? Our city is so dark, and I feel a bit unsafe because of it."
"Of course. Let's go."
***
As they walked through the city filled with vibrant colors, the young woman was protected by Skyler's presence beside her, holding an umbrella over their heads.
"Is it far?"
"Not really."
Adjusting his glasses, he walked, followed by the housekeeper. She looked at him curiously and asked:
"Did you get new glasses, sir?"
"Yes. The old ones were a bit worn and broke."
"I see. They look really nice now."
"Good. If I wasn't going to look good, I wouldn't have bought them."
"Hehe."
The maid chuckled lightly. Skyler's lips lifted slightly.
In the city center, stopping near a large structure, the housekeeper paused upon seeing a poster.
"Come see the great Pillars who came to save our city! Look, sir, there will be a festival tomorrow to welcome Ferinish Lawhell and Aurora Sinhaygter! Too bad I'll have to stay taking care of my mother… and it's way too expensive!"
"It must be really boring. A festival just to welcome two figures? How petty."
"But it would be so cool to meet the Pillar of Combat and the Pillar of Knowledge, right?"
"No."
"You can be so boring sometimes, you know?"
She teased him with a pat on the shoulder, and he merely rolled his eyes and straightened his posture.
"Well, maybe I'll go steal some sweets…"
"Oh! If you go, can you take a picture of them? Please."
"Okay, okay. But I can't promise anything."
***
In front of the apartment, the housekeeper sighed and stepped back toward the door.
"Thank you for accompanying me tonight, Mr. Skyler."
"It's nothing. Have a good rest and take good care of your mother."
"Yes, I will."
Left alone, Skyler wandered the streets in silence.
"Tomorrow I will find them, for sure. And I will correct the mistakes I made, just me."
***
The next day, five in the morning.
Naturally awakened, Skyler opened his eyes, mechanical and blind. While yawning, he got up and went to the bathroom.
He brushed his teeth. Upon reaching the kitchen, he made breakfast and ate it. Putting on his shoes, he left the mansion and began running through the wet streets, unfazed by the rain.
After an intense workout, by six o'clock, Skyler returned home, showered, and prepared for the real work…
Renkata Well Used
His company, a molder of Inférius material, Renkata. Alone, he approached various machines which, once activated and supplied with ore, would cut, burn, and mold the Renkata as the buyers desired.
Later, clients arrived. Some requested watches, hammers. Hunters from the region asked for weapons, equipment, all sold for substantial amounts of Lynes, high but accepted by the populace.
By the end of the day, there was no sunset, only water falling endlessly and the great spiral of the portal in the sky and on the horizon.
Arriving at an apartment, a young woman greeted him with a friendly smile.
"Good afternoon, Jonnhy. Need anything?"
"No, dear. I just want to see the little girl."
He presented himself in different clothes, a different tone, a different personality… another person.
"Of course. Is Alice okay? It's been a while since she requested my services."
"She had a considerable time to spend with her daughter, so she had to work again. It's annoying, isn't it?"
"You don't even know. Well, I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything."
"All right."
Upon reaching the room, the little girl was asleep in her crib, completely carefree.
"Your mother is strong, little one. You are very lucky."
Picking her up, the baby snuggled against the man's chest, lightly sucking her finger.
"She faced someone so… cruel, went through so much pain, and still has the strength to protect you… a mother's strength is incredible."
His gaze fell to the glass, reflecting his gray eyes through the glasses, watching the endless rain with a sense of peace filling his chest.
"I will make justice be done, little one. For your mother."
***
While washing her muscular back, Ferinish was lost in thought in her bath, recalling the previous day, that scene, the confusion, it was all so strange.
Until a voice echoed outside the bathroom.
"Ferinish! I'm ready! I'll see you at the banquet!"
Without responding, the redhead merely wrinkled her nose.
After her bath, she wore a red dress, matching her eyes and hair.
"Damn…"
She tried to look delicate, but all recommended dresses gave the complete opposite impression.
"Why do I have to wear this crap!?"
***
Entering a special door in the venue, she was greeted by flashes from cameras. The elegantly dressed crowd cheered for Ferinish's majestic figure.
"Amazing!"
"You look stunning!"
"The most powerful woman is here!"
The compliments made her mind spin. As she descended the stairs, the crowd tried to approach, but were stopped by numerous security guards, who stared in surprise through their dark glasses.
When she sat on a sofa, the figure was dressed in her… lab coat? Wait…
"Didn't you say I was supposed to look delicate?!"
"Look at this wonderful image: a cute Ferinish!"
Aurora mingled with the crowd, being received like a celebrity. Furious but restrained, the warrior massaged her temple.
"What a son of a…"
"So, you're Miss Ferinish Lawhell."
Raising her gaze, she raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, the guy from the rain?"
"No, just call me Skyler Fogue if you like."
He offered his hand, Ferinish shook it, regaining her posture. The man sat beside her.
"Why hide from the crowd?"
"I don't like attention. And I feel ridiculous in this damn dress."
Skyler laughed.
"You're not ridiculous, just… it's obvious how strong you are."
"Thank you for the compliment."
They watched the event, Aurora went to the banquet, and the rest paired off or joined partners to dance to the music that began to play.
"Your friend seems indifferent, doesn't she?"
"Aurora? She doesn't care, she just came for the food."
"I see…"
Adjusting his formal attire, tightening his tie, he stood and offered his hand.
"Would you like to dance?"
Ferinish was a bit stunned, politely declining.
"I don't know how to dance…"
"I can help you if you want."
Seeing his good intentions, she took his hand. Delicately, Skyler led her to the dance floor, blending with the participants.
"No one will notice if you act naturally."
"I'll try… but how do I start?"
"Come."
Pulling her close, Skyler placed his left glove on her waist while offering his right hand. Ferinish took it, intertwining their fingers, placing her right hand on his shoulder, her fingers lightly brushing his neck.
"Like this?"
"Perfect."
The initial movements were simple, left and right, repeated. Their bodies moved apart, then together again, with Ferinish being spun by him and then moving apart.
The redhead's heart fluttered with initial shyness, but now for another reason…
The moves gradually became faster and more complex, all guided by him. The crowd's attention shifted to them. Ferinish tried to ignore it, focusing only on him.
Aurora stopped eating, smiling in approval.
People clapped along to the rhythm.
But as the music neared its end, the sight of two men, followed by others entering one of the venue's rooms, did not escape Skyler.
"They're here."
He didn't rush. The music concluded, Ferinish fully immersed in the rhythm. With a final spin, she leaned, and he held her by the waist, ending the dance.
The cheers were deafening. Once she regained her posture, Skyler quickly said:
"I'll be right back."
Before she could even realize, he vanished into the crowd, leaving Ferinish dizzy from the rush of emotions.
Pulled by the arm, Aurora guided her to the sofa with a gentle push.
"Seriously, you were amazing! How did Skyler Fogue get you to dance?!"
"…"
The warrior's mind was ablaze, ignoring the scientist's voice…
"Huh? You know him?"
"Of course! Skyler owns one of the most successful companies in NeonyRain! I always buy some stuff online from there."
"I see…"
Suddenly, all her instincts triggered as she heard a fire alarm. Aurora raised an eyebrow, seeing the banquet attendees hurriedly leaving.
"Something burned here? Better check it out."
"Uh-huh…"
Ferinish stood, struggling to stay upright in high heels. Aurora held her shoulder.
"Calm down! Don't tell me you're in love now?!"
"No!"
Her face turned red, unable to comprehend what she truly felt from that dance.
***
"You left me exposed to ridicule; now you will see who I really am."
Skyler adjusted his tie, leaving the party, and with great agility, five claws extended from his back, gripping a window.
***
"I don't know if they survived, but I think 'that thing' consumed them like it did everything else."
"Yes. I think Alice didn't survive to continue seeking revenge either."
"Did you defeat your ex-wife?"
"No… she was really stronger."
Julian put his hand over his eye, covered by a bandage. Paul's brother placed his hand on his chin, nodding.
"At least we managed to get revenge and eliminate our adversaries. Skyler is dea-"
As he raised his wine glass, LITERALLY headfirst, Skyler fell backward, shattering the window.
"Good evening."
The armed men fired at him, but he hid under a table. Both widened their eyes in shock.
"Son of a bitch..."
"He's not dead…"
Four mechanical claws crawled along the floor, hitting the shooters with shocks and intense fire engulfing their bodies.
Julian tried to strike him with flames, but he leaped with a claw, his glove vibrating, pulling a swordsman as a shield.
His glasses fell, revealing his true eyes. The mechanic observed everyone's preparations in an instant.
Then a series of battles ensued, with the nine "brothers" attempting to kill him.
The first had his neck broken.
The second tried to shoot with electrically charged pistols; Skyler controlled them with his newly revealed mechanical hand, causing him to be killed by his own ammunition.
The third and fourth were split in half by mechanical claws.
The fifth tried to stab him; Skyler leaned back, attached a bomb to his chest, and threw him through the window, exploding.
The sixth and seventh had their skulls crushed when Skyler pressed their heads against themselves.
The eighth, Paul's brother, tried multiple electrically imbued strikes, but Skyler grabbed a wine bottle, hitting him on the head. Using the sharp edges and holding him by the hair, Skyler smashed his face against stakes until exhausted.
Exhausted and desperate, Julian tried to escape through the window but was pulled back by Skyler's cane.
"You're the one I'm looking for."
The window slammed shut.
***
"This area was reserved for a few gentlemen to enjoy the night in privacy."
A butler opened the door, revealing an empty, immaculate room, almost shining.
"Oh, I guess they left early."
The humble employee was surprised by the state of the room. Aurora entered, examining every detail.
"Everything seems normal here. Looks like a false alarm."
"Why would they do that?"
Asked Ferinish.
"I don't know. Some bored rich guy wanted some fun."
He shrugged and left, returning to the party. Ferinish thanked the butler and crossed her arms, curious about the fate of the man who had stirred so many emotions in her.
***
"Hmmmm…"
Her eyes opened, tired. Alice's body ached. Looking in the mirror, she froze: half her body was red from burns, leaving a permanent scar.
Opening the door in the underground base, there was only one light. Approaching, there he was, Skyler, sitting at the table, adjusting his glasses.
"Sit, dear."
"What happened?"
She sat, trying to keep her mind intact. He placed his hand over hers, speaking seriously.
"Some complicated things. The soul part that makes up the skin is gone; it cannot regenerate. Your daughter is fine; I took care of her. You're also physically fine but will keep this mark on your body, forever."
"…"
Her hand squeezed his, her head bowed in lament.
"It's all my fault, I…"
"It wasn't. I was the one who erred. That's why I came to talk to you about something."
"… What is it?"
"What does revenge mean to you?"
The question struck her heart; her eyes landed on Skyler's face, then his hand, memories flashing like a horror movie.
"Revenge is making the person suffer for what they did to us. Making them… feel what we felt."
"I understand… revenge is the only thing that guides you?"
"Guides?…"
"Yes. Revenge, is it all that matters to you? Do you fight for revenge? Live for revenge? Would you give your blood to make the person who hurt you pay?"
Her heart tightened with each question, as if all her beliefs were being tested.
"… No. Despite everything I became through this revenge, it will never be the reason I live."
"All right. Perfect. Then I'll give you the final question, Alice: if your daughter were in danger and the only way to save her was to let go of all this hatred, would you stop this quest?"
Alice closed her eyes, squeezing her fingers, but did not hesitate.
"Yes. This revenge isn't just for justice, it's so that no one else suffers what I went through. So my daughter won't fear her abusive father. So that… I can finally live in peace."
"Understood."
Skyler stood, hands clasped behind his back.
"Come with me."
***
In the corridor, silence was absolute, heavy, full of expectation.
But it was soon broken by the sight of a door at the end.
"You not only fought bravely on your first mission but also showed me that a mother's love is stronger than the hatred she feels for her ex-husband. What happens from now on will remain between us. And, of course… how you react after the event may change your destiny, and Flowey's."
Opening the door, intense light flooded the room, revealing Julian, handcuffed, eyes wide with surprise.
"You… are alive?"
"Yes."
The door closed behind her, leaving them alone. Julian tried to speak hesitantly.
"Please, can we talk a-"
"Shut up!"
The first punch hit his face. He laughed, spitting blood.
"Damn… you're really a plague!"
Alice struck him with two more precise blows.
"Haha! Impressive what I did to you! Got stronger because of me, didn't you?"
"… Yes. And you will pay for this."
The session continued. Julian taunted, laughing amid coughs and groans. Alice responded with increasing fury.
His teeth had fallen, and his injured eye was unrecognizable.
"What do you think will happen now? Your daughter saw everything! She will never forget!"
The punches came faster, mixed with tears streaming down the man's face.
"All this… over a man! Haha! You really are a BITCH! As your mother told me before dying! Weak and crybaby!"
Those words cut through Alice like a blade, awakening painful memories. Consumed by rage and despair, she continued, blow after blow, unable to stop.
***
The blonde-haired figure ran happily toward her home, the sky clear despite the constant rain.
"Mommy, mommy! Look what they taught me at school!"
In the kitchen, the little girl showed a drawing of a family. The mother frowned in disapproval.
"This drawing is horrible, you should be ashamed."
"But why? It's our family."
"Don't be ridiculous, brat, this isn't a family; it's like vomit on paper."
The girl's lips trembled. Her mother rolled her eyes.
"You really are weak and crybaby, Alice. Always crying about everything."
With emotions shattered, Alice ran out of the kitchen, full of sadness.
This continued throughout her childhood and adolescence. Good grades were overshadowed by her brother. Bullying meant weakness. Seeking comfort was met with disgust. Her emotions didn't matter.
When she met that man, the son of another powerful family, in her young adulthood, she felt something off about him. His smile, manner, and actions were far from good.
She sought comfort and approval from her husband, who rejected her. She sought romantic moments, only to be abandoned. The man grew increasingly aggressive, insulting her. And when her mother died, the closest thing to "protection" vanished, leaving only despair and trauma.
***
When she opened her eyes again, her hand was red. What stood before her was almost impossible to believe had once been a person. She knelt in a pool of blood; her nails had flesh from what could have been her ex-husband, and his organs were scattered across the floor, a nearly diabolical scene. Her revenge had finally been completed, but what remained? What did Alice feel?
Nothing.
The door opened, and Skyler looked slightly surprised at the scene before him. His staff was placed in the corner of the room, absorbing the red energy emanating from the body and the blood scattered around.
"How do you feel now, Alice? Happy? Sad?"
"…"
As she stood up, the blonde stared at him with empty, directionless eyes. She walked toward him, wrapping her arms around him, hiding in his chest. After a moment, tears began to fall from her eyes like a stream; her voice trembled, unable to form a sentence.
The man's hand ran through her hair, caressing it gently.
"Revenge leaves a void in the heart that can be impossible to fill, Alice. But you have people to lean on. Don't give up on who you are. Don't forget the wonderful mother you are."
"I… I will never forget. Thank you, Skyler… for everything."
And so, the two remained embraced in that room, enveloped in a peaceful silence.