Page 391 of Light Leech

“And we didn’t know that he was feeding light to a fetal god in a tear in the planet’s fabric.”

“Right.”

“So why plan for something we don’t understand when it could be overturned by some twist like that? Rely on me and your Gui and we’ll figure it out like we always do.”

“That’s a lot of faith.”

“In a world run by material things, it’s refreshing to trust in something beyond yourself every once and a while.”

“And your Gui?” I had to confront it, despite knowing the effect it would have on Ralia. The question stained the mood the moment the words left my lips.

At least I thought it did.

“He’s better than ever.”

I was wrong. She remained just as confident and pleased with herself as always. That stain was nothing more than my wavering confidence.

“What changed? I mean, I’m thrilled to hear that things are working out for you two, but I… I didn’t… expect this kind of reaction.”

“I won’t lie, it’s been hard to overcome my biases towards the Gui, but since seeing the strength of your bonds, I thought I would try my best. It wasn’t easy. Honestly, I lost hope until the end of the Standardized Test.”

“Then?”

“His demeanor changed. He was no longer a lurking specter pointing me in directions I didn’t trust, he wanted to follow my path.”

“He wanted to go to the moon?”

“Like a kid to an amusement park.”

Her answers were quick and she struggled to keep extended eye contact. There was something she wasn’t saying. I did my best to ignore it.

“Still, I’m sorry to say so, but I didn’t expect your opinion on the Gui to change so smoothly.”

She shrugged. “It must be something on his part. The past inhibitions have faded and turned to point us towards the moon.”

“After his brutal rage at the end of the Test?”

“The drive that saved us from utter failure? Yeah?”

“Does that same drive have anything to do with your need to drop everything and run to the moon before planning anything?”

“What is your problem?”

I couldn’t hold it back anymore. “This… doesn’t feel like you, Ral.”

“Oh, so you want to push me into loving my Gui until I finally do? The zeg is your problem, Petya?”

“Mine? Your demeanor changed the moment I mentioned your Gui. It’s like you’ve tossed sense out the window.”

“Just because I used to cower before any mention of him? My whole demeanor? I’m motivated. Maybe you would learn what that feels like if you stopped hanging your head and playing the victim. Poor Petya has to feed on teeth like the rest of us, but he’s the only one who is allowed to be melodramatic.”

“Zeg, Ral–”

“All so you can let your crotch point you where you want because you’ll do anything for Naoma. What about us, Petya? Doesn’t this matter or is she your focus now?”

“Ralia? What is wrong with you?”

“Maybe I’m finally learning that I can express myself rather than keeping a fake zegging smile just to make it seem like everything is right. Why don’t you trust me over your zegging Gui who thinks something is wrong with mine?”