Ultra Blue Violence (Dabi)

Chapter Ninety-One: Elliptical Galaxy

Mr. Compress leaned against a jagged rock jutting from Machia's back. Strong winds howled in his ears as Machia tore through the earth, leaving devastation in his wake. In Compress's gloved hand, a snug blue marble glimmered faintly.

"Did you get her?" Spinner yelled over Machia's deafening roar.

Machia bellowed something about reaching his master, his massive form colliding with Mt. Lady. She slammed into him, her feet digging into the ground as she strained to hold him back, but her efforts were futile. Machia pushed forward relentlessly, focused solely on reaching his master.

Compress turned away from the edge of Machia's back, settling down with the remnants of the League huddled amidst the chaos. "Just as the final act closed!" he announced theatrically. "Star really did put on quite the show!"

"Yeah, yeah," Dabi snarled, striding over. "Let her out. I need a word with her."

Compress tossed the marble. It glowed briefly before shattering, releasing Miya in the motion of falling. She tumbled into Dabi's arms, her cheek pressed against his stomach as his hands caught her under her arms. Miya looked up at him, her eyes wide and confused.

"Take me back, I have duties to De-Destro!" Skeptic shouted, but Dabi shushed him, warning them that the heroes might not know they were on Machia's back.

Machia screamed again, this time grabbing Mt. Lady by the leg and tossing her aside. Her giant form flew through the air like a ragdoll before crashing to the ground and rolling away.

"When were you going to tell me?" Dabi asked, his voice low and menacing.

"About what?" Miya replied, confusion lacing her words.

"About Hawks," Dabi snarled, pulling his arms back, letting Miya slide to her knees.

The pain that surged through Miya's body was nothing compared to the agony within her heart and mind. Physical pain could be mended, but the wounds of the heart never healed, always aching for something lost and unattainable. Her grief felt like tiny hammers pounding inside her skull, a constant reminder of the man she thought was her father, who was now dead, and the revelation of her real father's demise.

"She's still a bit drowsy after that magnificent show!" Compress commented, his voice almost drowned out by the roaring winds and explosions. He kept a steadying hand on her shoulder.

"That's the way—come back to us, Star!" Spinner slapped her cheek a few times, trying to rouse her. Miya groaned, shaking him off. Around them, the rocky spikes provided a precarious shelter. Toga clung to one of the spikes, her sadness evident even through her attempt at a smile. Miya remembered—Twice was dead.

Dabi ignited the sky with blue flames, catching Midnight and Kamui Woods off guard as they tried to sneak up on Machia. Dabi's fire scorched through Kamui Woods before he could bring Midnight closer, leaving her in shock at the sight of the League.

"Here's a surprise," Mr. Compress said, hurling marbles that burst into debris, slamming into Midnight and sending her crashing to the ground behind them.

Their concern for Miya did nothing to temper Dabi's anger. If anything, it fueled it. "You said," he crouched down, his large hand gripping Miya by the throat, still warm from his flames, "that if you suspected Hawks, you'd tell me or kill him yourself. So what the hell were you thinking back there?"

Miya's eyes widened, her breath caught. "I wanted to do it myself, and you got in my way!"

Dabi's grip tightened, feeling the muscles in her neck tense. "You had every chance!" He knew he was choking her, but Miya refused to show any signs of struggle. "And you let a damn hero into our ranks!" He spat in her face, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of anger and humiliation.