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Tabi sat in the dark, slowly breathing. She had been woken up by Evbo's screams across the corridor and since then she wasn't able to fall back asleep.
She never anticipated that her life would turn out like this. Not only she became friends with a sword, but now she was being used as leverage against him. Tabi wondered if Clown would believe her about everything going on at the iron layer. If she ever returned to him, that is.
"No! I have to hope" she whispered to herself and stood up. If she counted correctly, this would be time for her daily training. But before Tabi could do anything, a knock was heard.
"Are you sleeping?"
That was Teddy's voice! Some time after Tabi was kidnapped she and the shield started hanging out in her cell. At first it was a way for her to not be completely isolated and for him to talk about Evbo's death cycle and not keep it entirely in his head. Later their relationship developed and Teddy even revealed his name. Tabi knew that shields only told it to someone close to them and that it was like giving a part of themselves.
If only she could tell Teddy who she really was.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the door opening. In the entrance stood Teddy with his signature sunglasses and smile -oh, wait. The guard wasn't smiling. He closed the door behind himself and sat down next to Tabi.
"What happened?" she asked even though she had already seen Teddy like this multiple times.
"The dirt guy again. With his stupid hat. I'm still confused how people can be so cruel. For no reason."
Tabi understood that many years ago when swords killed all of her friends. She also learned then that being ruthless was the only way to survive.
Teddy's hand softly moved across her face, wiping a tear off it.
"Are you okay?"
"Just remembered something."
Tabi wished she could share her past with Teddy. But listening to him talk about the shenanigans he and other shields would get up to at the wooden sword layer was enough for now.
"Can I ask you for a favor?"
"Of course."
Teddy looked a lot happier now that he was with her. Tabi could say the same about herself.
"I can't reach a spot in my hair. Normally, I would ask Cl- a friend to help me with it but he isn't here now and it got pretty tangled."
Tabi pulled out a hairbrush from a pocket and gave it to Teddy. He nodded and positioned himself in a way that he could reach all of her her easily.
"I think it's best if I brush everything."
"Thanks."
Tabi relaxed and closed her eyes. She didn't have to worry about hunger because Teddy gave her a ton of golden carrots. As long as they were together she could pretend nothing was wrong.
"If you could make a wish, what would it be?"
The shield's question snapped Tabi out of her thoughts.
"I would wish for the evil people in this world to die.
"I should have predicted that" said Teddy jokingly and continued to brush her hair. "I would wish for peace. So no one has to die for another one to live."
"That's a noble wish."
"But a thing like this unfortunately doesn't exist."
Tabi almost opened her mouth to tell Teddy about the eternal weapons but instead she stayed silent. If Evbo ever got to the diamond sword layer and took her with him the plan would be in motion. Tabi could only hope the guard didn't see her after the wish was made. And if Clown somehow chose Teddy to become the eternal shield ...
No, that wouldn't happen.