'Grian, we need to talk.'

'There's nothing I can do.' I continue crafting blocks for my next base project. 'I'm sorry. I've bartered as much as I safely can with the Watchers, and they're refusing to change their mind. Scar's in the next Life Series'

'Then disobey the Watchers!'

'Cub, I can't just-'

He grabs my arm, turning me to face him. I try to fight back, but claws dig deep as he pins me against the wall. I can't move. Cub's eyes are pure vex blue, burning with fury and defensiveness as he speaks.

'You can and you will, Grian,' he hisses. 'Either Scar doesn't go, or I go with him.'

'Scar would kill both of us if I let you join the Life Series, Cub. That's not going to happen,' I struggle against his grip.

'I don't care.'

'I'm doing everything I can.'

'Then why has nothing changed?'

'Because the Watchers are dicks and I can't control them! I've tried everything, Martyn's tried everything, even Xisuma's getting involved. I'm sorry, Cub. There's nothing I can do.'

'Then I'm joining the Life Series.'

'No.'

'I'm not letting Scar be there alone after the shit he's been through already.' Cub's claws dig even deeper. 'You're going to do something, alright?'

'Cub, I can't do anything!'

I shove him away, hard enough for him to let go. His expression only grows colder.

'If the Watchers want something, then they get it. And if you get in the way of that, it will only end up worse for you and whoever or whatever you're trying to help. If you join the Life Series, or get Scar out of it, then they're going to kill both of you. Ok?'

'You're a coward,' Cub spits back. 'You're scared of the Watchers.'

'And you're not?' I retort.

'Of course I'm scared. But that doesn't mean I just let them bully me into doing what they want.'

'They will kill you.'

'I don't care. Let me into the Life Series, Grian. I will protect Scar. And he will protect me.'

'I can't do that.'

'Then I'll break in myself.'

'You can't do that.'

Cub takes a deep breath, letting out another hiss. I don't relent.

'You don't get it, Cub! I trained with Watchers for years, I know how magical entities like them actually work and-'

'Don't you fucking dare suggest I don't understand after facing the Vex for all these years.' Magic burns at his hands. His eyes are nearly pure white with rage. I regret my words. 'Or suggest I just send Scar back to the fucking death games he has nightmares about every time he sleeps.' I try to step away. Before I can, Cub grabs me by the neck. 'Scar is my best friend. I will do anything for him and if you want to survive I suggest you do the same.'

'There's NOTHING I CAN DO!'

'YES THERE IS.' His hands tighten around my neck. I struggle for breath. 'You will go up to the Watchers and you will beg them to let Scar out of the Life Series, and you will barter with them, and you will offer other things instead and you either get him out of the Life Series, or you get me into it. And if you fail to do this simple thing for my best friend then you're dead. Understand?'

I nod.

Cub lets me go. I slide to the ground, gasping for breath.

'Good.'

He walks away.

Over the next 2 weeks I try my best to convince the Watchers to let Scar go. They refuse. And then suggest letting Cub in. They refuse. All that I can do is decide to look after Scar every second of the series. Which I know from experience is going to be hard. I tell Cub as much. He doesn't reply. But he also doesn't attack me again.

The morning of the new Life Series arrives.

I haven't slept at all. My back hurts from the magic of hiding and disabling my wings the night before. And as I arrive at spawn, where the other Hermits are waiting, it only gets worse.

'No- no I can't go, don't make me go, Cub!' Scar sobs, clinging right to Cub's lab-coat, in tears. 'Please, Cub, I can't go back. I don't want to go back, Don't make me go.'

'I'm sorry.' Cub hugs him back. Tears shine in his eyes. 'Scar I-'

'I'm not going. I refuse. I- I I'm not going to get trapped again. I'm not going to be alone again. Or kill my friends again. All my friends again. I'm not going.'

'You have to. Grian said you have to,' unease craws down my back as Cub's gaze shifts to me, accusing. 'But he promised to look after you.'

'I did,' I say. 'And I will. But we need to leave. The others will be waiting.'

'No. No no no... Cub, please. Please protect me. Don't let him take me. I can't be trapped again. I can't. Please,' Scar hugs Cub tighter, trying to look in his eyes. Cub refuses, staring at the ground, eyes closed, tears running down his cheeks.

'Scar, I...'

'You- you promised you'd be here for me, Cub. Why are you making me go back? I can't go back. Please. Cub, please... Cub why won't you look at me? Please!' Scar sobs, shaking vex blue hands either side of Cub's face, trying to turn his head to face him, look at him, explain to him. Vex Wings flicker behind him. With every desperate word my stomach twists more and more.

'Hurry up, Xelqua.' A voice hisses in my mind. The Watchers. They're getting impatient. I turn to the other lifers. Skizz and Ren are pacing. Tango's gaze doesn't leave Scar, Impulse's arm around his shoulder. Etho's sat against a tree with Bdubs, who's checking his clock, nervous. Joel's muttering to himself. Cleo's bored expression can't hide her concern for Scar, attention flicking contantly from Scar to me. Pearl's fiddling with her hoodie ties. Gem's practicing swordfighting with a stick against the nervous Mumbo.

'Go through to the world. I'll handle Scar.' I decide quietly.

'Grian, are you-'

'Yes, Tango. I'm sure.'

'You know Cub's not going to let him go?' is Cleo's worry.

'I'm not getting everyone in trouble because of Scar's trauma. Go. Tell the others we're waiting on Scar.'

Joel's first to obey, calling for the others to join him. Not long later, only Cleo's left.

'I'll handle Cub and Scar,' I promise. Her eyes narrow.

'Are you sure you can?'

'I'll do whatever I can.'

'Ok.'

And they walk through the portal.