Chapter Text
Zanka had woken up in the infirmary sometime in the afternoon, his body still adjusting to the aftershocks of getting infected with lord knows what crazy shit Jabber had. Eisha is an amazing healer, the best they got at Cleaner HQ but he can still feel remnants of Jabber’s poison inside him, not too much that requires any worry. However there is just enough to remind him of his second major loss to that crazy freak.
Remlin had come by earlier accompanied by Canvas Town’s mayor to apologize for butchering her spell. Zanka didn’t really mind this, after all how could he blame her for his incompetence in battle. Rudo also came by along with Enjin, Rudo just stared at Zanka with a pitiful expression that pissed him off. After everyone left it was just him and Enjin but it might as well have just been Zanka since Enjin was passed out snoring on the neighboring bed.
With the harmonious sounds of Enjin’s deep snores in the background, Zanka was left pondering about the whole fight. Jabber is one crazy ass motherfucker and always going on and on about some bullshit. But still, he had managed to beat Zanka not just once, but twice now.
Will this happen again? If they were to meet for a third time is Zanka really going to come out losing again? Is he really that weak? Will the other cleaners see him that way too?
Dozens of overthinking questions raced through his mind when a knock at the open infirmary door shook him out of it. It was Riyo dressed in her casual clothes she made her way inside.
“Hope I’m not interrupting anything, I see your company is pretty chatty right now,” she said sarcastically as she signaled her head towards Enjin in the bed.
“No it’s fine, c’mon in Riyo,” Zanka replied, voice a little shaky from him previously being stuck in his head.
“I just wanted to check up on you y’know, I worried we would lose you there for a bit.” said Riyo making her way to have a seat on the edge of Enjin’s bed.
“Yeah I’m fine, don’ worry ‘bout me.”
Zanka and Riyo weren’t the type to constantly have emotional conversations with each other. They had known each other for quite some time and throughout that time they’d spend together, it was clear they’ve grown to care for each other. Honestly it was a pretty rare occurrence when they had conversations that were not just deep, but also emotional and vulnerable. They never judged each other when talking though, just listened and tried their best to let each other know that no matter what, they got each other’s back.
They sat in silence for a couple minutes until Zanka interrupted it.
“Hey Riyo, can I ask ya somethin’?”
“Shoot”
“Do ya think I’m weak for not bein’ able to beat Jabber.”
“Zanka of course no-“
“Because this is what, my second time goin’ after that insane bitch and I just keep gettin’ my ass handed to me over an’ over-“
“Zanka.”
“I mean he’s crazy but all of ya dealt with some crazy strong raiders too, yet I’m the only one stuck in the infirmary right now. What if Enjin decided to kick me off? What if-“
“ZANKA!”
Zanka snapped out of his distressed rant, not realizing he was clenching his fist so hard he bled a little as his nails pierced through his palms. He made eye contact with Riyo for the first time during the whole time she’d been there. He found no pity in her eyes, but instead a more rational concern for everything he’d been saying.
“Look Zanka, no one blames you for how things went down, we were all dealing with our own share of crazy raiders, you just so happen to get the craziest. No one thinks of you any less than just because you’re the only one here.”
“But-“
“And Enjin isn’t kicking you off the team, you’re important to us and we need you.”
“She’s right kid” said Enjin, voice still half tired as he stretched his arms.
“Enjin…” Zanka didn’t know he’d been awake let alone how long he’d been awake. Had he been listening? Lord he’d hoped he hadn’t been listening.
“I’m definitely not kicking you out for a reason as stupid as you lost a fight to Jabber of all people, you’re our rock kid and I can’t imagine team Akuta without you, got that?”
Zanka could only let out a weak “uhuh” as he held a dumbfounded and starstruck expression on his face. After all, the Enjin had just said he was the rock of their team. But he also did say “a reason as stupid as that,” does that mean there are other reasons he’d kick him out? What were they? Will too many losses lead to Enjin not seeing a reason to keep him around? What if-
“C’mon Riyo let’s leave Zanka to rest, he’s had a rough day and he needs to get rest, and it’s not because you’re weak ya hear me kid?”
Zanka just nods as he watches Riyo and Enjin get up from the bed and heads towards the door. Although a part of him wants them to stay.
“I wanted to keep talking to you a while longer but we can just continue our conversation tomorrow.” Riyo exclaims voice filled with disappointment and understanding.
Zanka spent the rest of the day walking around the halls of Cleaner HQ, it was almost frustrating to him having to lay down in a bed all day. He’d rather walk around even if he wasn’t headed anywhere in specific. He enjoyed it, being at Cleaner HQ, it truly felt like his home. At least it felt more at home than the one he’d grown up in and he cherishes the friendships he’s made here.
But still.
He’d never live down what happened with Jabber. He was the only one who’d gotten all beat up in that fight. The only one who’d ended up in the infirmary with injuries. Knowing that did no favors for his already poor self-esteem. While the rest of the cleaners viewed Zanka as a strong and capable giver, he constantly failed to see what they can. He’ll just have to train harder, making sure this event won’t be repeated and he can be the powerful giver everyone sees him as.
——
Nightfall had come and Zanka was ready to get some proper rest aside from being passed out. Eishia had recommended he stay in the infirmary one more night just to ensure everything would be okay. Zanka understood this as he made his way back to the infirmary feeling slightly sleepy. He set his staff on the drawer next to him, not too far so he could feel her presence with him while he slept. He gave Lovely Assistaff a verbal goodnight, promising her a good training session in the morning and slowly let slumber take him.
Zanka had woken up constantly throughout the night. He lost count after the 5th time he routinely opened his eyes only to see it was still dark and closed them again to wake up to the same repetitive pattern. It was getting pretty annoying, all he wants to do is sleep and for some stupid reason his body won’t allow him to. It was around three in the morning when his body finally started to give in and settle into a deep sleep.
He was almost fully asleep lying on his back when he was interrupted with a faint noise. White noise that slowly grew louder as he became aware of it.
A sudden weight was pressing down on his chest that soon grew unbearable and brought him to a somewhat conscious state. His eyes were still closed and he could sense a cold sweat running through his back as his mouth became extremely dry.
Zanka tried to move, he really did, but ultimately it was no use. He continuously kept trying to prop himself up but he couldn’t, like he was held down. His initial reaction to everything going on was to grab his staff but his arm would barely budge. As an attempt to escape this state of physical immobility, he tried to concentrate his energy into at least moving his fingers. He found he could somewhat wiggle his fingers and figured if he could start with moving his hand then the rest of his body would respond and move as well. However try as he might, that plan failed and now he was hellbent on finding the cause of this.
As the ringing noise in his ears slowly turned into a whistling static noise he tried to open his eyes. Much to his surprise, his eyelids felt heavy, as if something prevented him from opening them fully. Opening his eyes was a battle he had to be constantly fighting or else they’d close by themselves like he had ten pound weights resting atop of his eyelids. His heart pounded in his chest, almost loud enough to drown out the static in his ears. Finally he reached a point where his eyes were twitching as he tried to keep them open.
With his limited vision he moved his eyes to scope his room which was darkened by the night sky. Through fluttering eyes he observed the corner of the infirmary next to the window where he swore he could see something not there before. It was like a person, had someone broke into the infirmary? Was this a prank because if it was then Zanka was gonna kill somebody.
It was only until Zanka’s flickering eyes somewhat adjusted that he saw exactly what or rather who was there.
He’d recognize those bright pink eyes anywhere. Those locs of hair adorned in gold jewelry. That wide unhinged smile that never seems to leave that stupid face.
It was Jabber.
Jabber was standing so very still in the corner of the infirmary room, deranged face somehow appearing even more sinister than ever. As soon as Zanka’s eyes landed on Jabber, he knew he was in some deep shit.
Zanka’s first instinct was to yell, not for anyone, but at Jabber. What the fuck was he doing here? Did he give Zanka some kind of paralyzing poison again? Zanka opened his mouth to speak, but no words could come out. Just his motherfucking luck, he can’t move, he can’t speak, he can barely keep his eyes open, the static hasn’t died down and his number one enemy is standing at the corner of his room with a crazed look to his face.
Zanka was currently somewhere between trying his hardest to fight back and accepting that he was going to die in that moment. He’d always thought hoped he’d lose his life in action, fighting and getting beaten to a bloody pulp until he just couldn’t take any more. But no, he was gonna die helpless in bed without being able to lift even a pinky to defend himself, he can’t think of anything worse.
He never took his eyes off of Jabber, watching him closely to know when he’d attack. But he never did. Instead he could see he opened his mouth as if to say something but no words came out. That’s when he heard it.
“Zanka.”
Zanka could hear very clearly as Jabber whispered his name directly into his right ear. He said his name slowly and stretched out, in a deep almost distorted voice and low tone. The only thing is, how could Zanka very clearly hear his name being said by Jabber when he hadn’t even moved a muscle from the corner he was standing in?
The pressure on Zanka’s eyes grew too heavy and he let them close for one second. All of a sudden everything that has just happened, the noise, the inability to move, Jabber, was gone. Everything left as quickly as it came, vanished as if it never occurred in the first place.
Finally, Zanka could prop himself up and he did so quickly as he grabbed Lovely Assistaff. Leaping out of bed in a battle ready stance he took a quick glance and Jabber was no where to be found. Sweat trickled down his forehead as he breathed in and out at an unsteady pace. The infirmary curtains rustling in the wind and Zanka’s uneven breaths were the only thing that could be heard.
What the actual fuck just happened?
Zanka wasn’t sure how to answer that question himself. He didn’t know how he was going to continue sleeping after this godawful experience.
He’d seen Jabber in his room, except it wasn’t him? Or was it? Zanka didn’t know but what he did know is that this was most certainly Jabber’s doing for sure.
After doing some self assessment questions he came to the conclusion that he should just wait until morning. Maybe one of the other cleaners will have some kind of answer for an event like this. He didn’t go back to sleep though. Instead he took his staff between his hands, closed his eyes, and allowed himself to drift into a meditative state. One that will surely calm his nerves.
And on began the wait for sunrise.
——
It’s safe to say Zanka didn’t get any rest after that. It was around five in the morning when he decided he couldn’t take it anymore. Zanka was tired of waiting for either the sun to rise or his eyes to close and fall asleep. He made his way towards the gym despite his tired state. He marched through the quiet halls of Cleaner HQ clutching Lovely Assistaff with a tight grip.
Once he arrived to the gym area, he maneuvered through his usual routine, only with much more force and intent. With every wave of his staff he envisioned that his attacks were directed at Jabber. However, due to a restless night his movements weren’t as clean as he’d hope. He managed to stumble over his feet and almost trip on air more times than he’d like to admit.
He’d imagine the way Lovely Assistaff would pierce through Jabber’s skin. The way he’d love to leave him with bloody injuries that would definitely leave more than a few scars. Zanka’s mind raced with the idea of Jabber on the ground lying in a puddle of his own blood with gaping wounds cut deep into him. Maybe it was the lack of sleep but the thought excited Zanka, he wanted to beat Jabber. To let him know just exactly who he had messed with. To make it clear he wasn’t weak or “boring” and he is worthy of being considered a worthy opponent.
Zanka’s thoughts fueled his adrenaline as his little training session became more intense. He’d always trained almost every morning, trying his best to get stronger to make up for his average abilities. Most of the cleaners already knew about Zanka’s early solo training, what they were unaware of is that sometimes he’d take them too far. Occasionally he’d train longer than usual to the point of exhaustion and small to large bleeding wounds. He wouldn’t even notice the pain he’d cause himself until after he was done and he could feel the stinging of cuts and bruises.
Only Riyo knew about this since she’d occasionally catch him whenever he unconsciously made the decision to train until it hurt him. She hadn’t told anyone since she’d understood that Zanka wished to keep it private, but she didn’t encourage it either. She made him promise to be more mindful and know when to stop when it came to overdoing it in training. Still, right now Zanka’s training performance was sloppy, he was exhausted and it showed. His movements came to a sudden halt upon hearing someone’s voice.
“Hey, thought I’d find you here.”
Zanka sharply looked to his left with half lidded eyes to find Riyo, arms crossed and leaning against the door. He didn’t even hear her come in, she has a tendency to sneak up behind someone without them hearing making Zanka’s heart skip a beat.
“Sheesh, you look rough. Thought your recovery was going smoothly.”
“Yeah well I guess I didn’ get much sleep last night.” Zanka said trying to suppress a yawn.
“Well about our conversation yesterday, I just wanted to make sure everything’s alright with you.” expressed Riyo with concern.
Zanka thought for a minute and then replied, “Actually there’s somethin’ I need to tell ya. And the rest of the team as well.”
“Then how bout you put your staff down and come join us, we’re all waiting on you for breakfast.”
“Breakfast?!” Zanka’s head turned to look at the clock, 10 a.m. Shit. Zanka hadn’t been keeping track of the time.
“Boy you must’ve been here quite a while.” said Riyo as she walked Zanka out of the gym area and into the mess hall.
—
Team Akuta was sat in the mess hall eating away at their breakfast. A handful of other cleaners and supporters were having their own conversations and enjoying a hearty breakfast. Zanka really had no appetite after his eventful night but still felt the need to share his experience with his team, hoping that just maybe they might have an answer for everything that went down.
“Sounds like sleep paralysis to me.” Riyo said after taking a bite of her breakfast.
“On the sphere we say it’s people who’ve been thrown into the pit and came back for revenge.” said Rudo, faced stuffed with pancakes, trying to add on to the conversation.
“I d’know guys it all just felt so real, but yer probably right Riyo.” Zanka replied.
“Hmmmm, you said you saw a weird ass tall figure in the corner of the infirmary, right?” questioned Enjin.
“Yeah that’s right.”
Now that wasn’t exactly true, Zanka had told his team he’d seen a dark tall figure, he just didn’t mention that figure was Jabber of all people. Sure he might be withholding the truth about who he saw exactly, but he wasn’t lying about anything else. He did see a figure, he did experience the symptoms associated with sleep paralysis.
“Y’know, this building is pretty old and we’ve lost some cleaners along the way, haven’t you guys heard of the midnight cleaner?” explained Enjin while turning to look at Rudo.
“Not this again Enjin.” sighed Riyo rolling her eyes.
“What’s he talking about?” said Rudo somewhat intrigued.
“Enjin’s always going on about some bullshit about a ghost called the midnight cleaner, but it’s not true he just says it to scare you.”
“IT’S NOT MADE UP IT’S REAL.”
“Sure it is man.”
“We’ve got Zanka to prove it, the building’s haunted and now the spirit of an enraged cleaner is coming after him. But don’t be scared Rudo, your team leaders not gonna let that ghost mess with you.”
“I’m not scared of a made up ghost!”
Zanka just sat quiet spectating the three of them argue about the existence of Enjin’s made up ghost. He’d remembered getting told the same thing by Enjin when he became a cleaner, of course he never believed it and no one else really did. Zanka never really believed in ghosts, and even if he did he wouldn’t have been scared of them. Except for Jabber’s ghost, now that was terrifying. Was that Jabbers ghost? Was Jabber… dead? No, he was pretty sure his team would’ve told him if he had ended up dead. Then why was he showing up as Zanka’s sleep paralysis demon?
His attention turned back to his teammates, Enjin had tried to get Gris to get on his side and convince them the ghost was real. Honestly listening to this whole conversation took Zanka’s mind away from the whole “Jabber is my sleep paralysis demon thing.” Watching them snapped Zanka back into reality and made him decide to forget the whole thing. He was going to push it so far back into his mind and tell himself it was just a side effect of Jabber’s poison. He was going to train hard and get stronger so next time he comes face to face with that freak of nature he won’t be the one losing. He was going to make sure he never experienced another night of sleep paralysis again.
——
Zanka had experienced sleep paralysis again.
It had been exactly one week since that fateful night and how here he was again. This time instead of in the infirmary it was in his own actual room. Same white noise blasting in his ears, same inability to move, same sense of dread.
And of course to top it all off, Jabber was in the corner with that same menacing smirk on his face. Still fighting to keep his eyes open, he kept a close watch on Jabber. This time he knew he wasn’t actually physically there, but rather just his mind making him see Jabber.
The last time this happened the only movement Jabber had made was opening his mouth. This time he could see Jabber activating Mankira and holding out his right hand towards Zanka. Despite knowing Jabber wasn’t actually there, Zanka still panicked internally. His heart beat was fast and felt like it was about to leap out his chest. As much as he absolutely hated the idea of having to ask for help with something as simple as the situation he was in, he still tried his hardest to scream for help. In the end all he managed to do was let out a hoarse groan which was barely audible even to his own ears.
“What’s wrong sleepyhead?”
Zanka heard Jabber’s voice, again with that same distorted and deep tone in his ear. Immediately after hearing this he concentrated on Jabber’s face. He wore a manic grin with wide eyes that held a murderous intensity within them. Mankira was stretched out like he wanted to use her to slash Zanka.
Finally, everything went away pretty quickly and Zanka was able to move. Even though it was over he could still hear a slight ring to his ears. After several unsteady breaths he managed to calm himself down and assess the situation. Unlike last time he had no intention of telling anyone about what happened. He didn’t want to cause them any worry about something that couldn’t physically hurt him. His plan is to brush it off and not let it faze him, in fact this motivated Zanka even more. It reminded him that next time he’s face to face with Jabber, Zanka will give it his all.
—
Over the course of the next three weeks, Zanka would have sleep paralysis episodes bascially every other night. He never did tell his team and he’d hate to admit it even to himself but he’d grown used to it. The murderous glance Jabber would shoot at him, the ringing in his ears that he now constantly heard, it all became a normality. As soon as his eyes grew heavy and he felt pressure on his chest, he was aware that Jabber was coming for him.
He noticed how it never happened one day after the other and now the longest he’d gone without having sleep paralysis was now four days. He noticed how Jabber’s demon slowly came closer, the first time was at the corner of the room and now Jabber was in between the corner and the edge of Zanka’s bed. He noticed how Jabber’s expression stayed the same yet darkened over time and how Mankira looked slightly larger and more poisonous every time.
Every time it happened, Jabber would always say something. Zanka’s name or a little nickname, a teasing phrase, or something that Zanka couldn’t pick up. Regardless of knowing it’s not real, it all felt so intense, so frightening. Whenever it was over, Zanka’s natural reaction was always to leap up and sit upright, catch his breath, and stay awake the rest of the night holding Lovely Assistaff in his arms. He wasn’t sure if it was to comfort her or himself from what he was going through.
Despite growing used to the feeling of being under Jabber’s intense gaze and control, Zanka will never get over the feeling of being able to do nothing. Of just lying there unable to move, to fight back, to do anything. To him, it really was just another reminder of how useless he was. How when it comes down to it, it’s always him getting injured, always him being unable to beat his opponent, always him being helpless.
The night after he started noticing that Jabber was moving closer to him, he started crying. He instinctively got up and he felt tears running down his cheeks. It wasn’t anything loud or dramatic, but rather him sitting down with his knees to his face holding his staff and letting a few tears come out., similar to how he held her in that well.
Quiet sobs escaped him and he wanted to go. He didn’t know where but he just wanted to go away. To run to some hole and crawl in there and just die. God why does everything seem to come for him.
Zanka rarely cried, it was more like he didn’t allow himself to cry. No matter what is happening, he always tried to keep his serious and composed demeanor. It was unlike him to cry, especially over small things. But that night the realization that the universe constantly puts him in situations that only remind him of how useless he is hit him with the force of a thousand trash beasts.
He wouldn’t tell anyone about this, not even Riyo. It was for the best he told himself. Why should he burden others with his insignificant problems when they probably have important shit to deal with themselves? He’d hope that his team didn’t pick up on the eyebags that were developing on his face or the way he’d stumble when he walked or the excessive yawning he’d been doing lately.
—
Since he noticed Jabber moving closer, he thought about what it meant for when Jabber reached him. Was he going to die? Is his time slowly running out and all he can do is just lay there and take it? Zanka felt like a clock was ticking and his time is almost up.
That thought terrified him. Not the one about him dying, it was more about dying at the hands of Jabber. Zanka wasn’t sure what could’ve started all this, but he did have a few theories.
First of all, of course it was most likely Jabber’s poison that he cut Zanka with. Now, he wasn’t exactly sure what kind of fucked up concoction Jabber prepared for him, but whatever it was it could’ve had some kind of long term effect on the victim. Second of all, this might all be some kind of fucked up trauma response that Zanka was experiencing due to being such a loser that can never win a single battle. And third of all, and the most unrealistic but he can’t rule out any possibilities, Jabber was involved in some demonic cult shit and sent his soul to go haunt Zanka.
“Yo, Zanka you mind doing me a favor.”
It was Enjin, his voice taking Zanka out of his thoughts as he looked up to see Enjin standing over him. Rudo was following closely behind Enjin with his cleaner uniform on, mask in hand. Zanka was in the library of Cleaner HQ, not reading anything in specific but trying to wrap his head around his crazy nighttime experiences.
“Uhhh yeah sure what’s up?” Zanka couldn’t believe Enjin was asking a favor from him.
“Yeah I promised this kid here I’d take him on a mission we gotta take care of a couple towns over, but other duties called and I gotta take a rain check. You mind taking him for me?”
Now Zanka wasn’t the type to refuse a mission, especially if it came straight from Enjin. He hasn’t told anyone this, but lately Assistaff has been acting weird. He usually greets her every morning and while her response isn’t a verbal one, it’s like he can feel a reply through her energy. Now, her energy is just dull, lifeless, almost like she was depressed. He’s tried caring extra for her, handling her more carefully in training, patching up any damage she may take, he’s even started to sleep while holding her on some nights. But it’s no use, everyday it’s as if she’s tired and upset. During training she doesn’t have that same blue glow to her anymore, she still activates but the fear that one day she might not lingers in the back of Zanka’s mind. To top everything off, even if he’s technically Rudo’s teacher, he’d still rather not go out with that little turdface right now.
“Yeah don’ worry Enjin, I can take care of this one, ya can count on me.” Then again Zanka can’t refuse doing Enjin a favor. It filled him with small pride knowing that Enjin thought he could count on him.
“Great! Gris and Tomme are already waiting for you two so make sure to hurry.”
Enjin left in a hurry leaving Rudo just staring at Zanka.
“Alright, listen’ here short stack, ya better follow closely behin’ me and make sure them trash beasts don’t kill me or ya.” Zanka said staring at Rudo after Enjin was out of sight.
“Hey! I’ve held my own against trash beasts shit biscuit. Besides you should worry about yourself more.” Rudo snapped back.
“The hells that suppose’ to mean jack ass?!”
“It means you look like an insomniac zombie running on energy drinks.”
Zanka wasn’t sure what to say to that since Rudo wasn’t exactly wrong. Getting a few sleepless nights was staring to affect Zanka’s appearance in the sense that he was developing some pretty prominent dark eye bags.
“Let’s just go ‘kay? The sooner we get this done the sooner we can come back home.” said Zanka as he made his way towards the main entrance of HQ.
“Tchh. Some teacher you are.” muttered Rudo while following behind.
—
“Alright we’re here. Now I’m gonna need ya to lock the hell in Rudo cuz the description we got on these here trash beasts is different than what we normally receive.” Zanka said through his gas mask.
This had Rudo raising his eyebrow wondering what Zanka meant.
“Different? In what way?” questioned Rudo.
“Well we know trash beasts can let out some foul toxic gases, but these shoot out poison in a liquid form, like it’s sprayin’ it right at ya, plus try not to touch ‘em. They got these spikes that’ll grow and kill you.”
There had been recent reports going on about trash beasts shooting an acid like poison at its victims, one shock and you’re either dead, or worse. This of course stunned Zanka as he feared this new characteristic that these trash beasts developed seemed a little too familiar for his liking.
Physical appearance wise, there wasn’t much description provided aside from the spikes it grows. Those nasty spikes packed a punch and brought some kind of horrid death to its victims, allegedly.
“It’d be better if we all went home without any casualties so try n’ keep the damage to a minimum.” continued Zanka.
“Got it, so we just get out of their line of sight so they don’t end up infecting us.”
“Yup, and make sure the supporters here don’t get hurt, they’re strong’ enough to hold their own but any one of us could die if we get hit.”
“Y’know these trash beasts kind of remind me of someone, and I’m pretty sure you know who I’m talking about.” said Rudo while giving Zanka a look.
Zanka sure did, in fact that’s all that’s been on his mind, Jabber. Without him realizing it, Zanka looked for Jabber pretty much wherever he went, especially now on a mission away from HQ. His guard was always up recently, a mix of both horror and anticipation sat in his stomach for the next time he’d find Jabber. Training sessions had been him brutally preparing to fight Jabber with the intention of beating his ass and putting an end to his sleepless nights. And these trash beasts were a perfect opportunity for Zanka, their abilities being somewhat similar to Jabber’s as he also inflicts deadly poison onto his opponents. Zanka was determined to beat these trash beasts, now more than ever, proving to himself that he can take Jabber down.
“I know who you mean. And I don’ feel like talkin’ about that freak right now.” That’s a lie. “Now stay sharp and get ready to kick some trash beast ass.”
“Alright I hear y-“ Rudo managed to say before getting tackled to the ground by Gris.
Before Rudo could say anything else he saw one of the rumored poisonous trash beasts and the trail of the deadly goo that it shot at him. Looking at the creature, it wasn’t as big as they had imagined. But size doesn’t matter when one single milliliter of the toxic liquid it carried could lead to certain death.
“The hell did I say ‘bout lockin’ in fuckface!” yelled Zanka, feet already planted in a battle ready stance.
Zanka held Lovely Assistaff in her activated form. He took a glance to see if Gris and Rudo were ok. They were already back up on their feet and Rudo had brought some kind of broken mop? Whatever Rudo brought he’d already transformed it using 3R and attacking trash beasts with it.
He wasn’t worried about Rudo, although they bicker against each other the majority of the time, Zanka knew Rudo was strong. After all he was a natural, Enjin said it himself, and his vital instrument sure is impressive. Nothing like the average Joe that Zanka was.
“Alright ya ugly things, come at me.” whispered Zanka as he faced 3 of the poisonous beasts coming his way.
Zanka stood still, his favorite trick currently in motion. Assistaff would be thrown pretty far into the distance and when he’d call her back she’d returned in one fell swoop. This would cause all the trash beasts to fall and disintegrate at once, leaving Zanka standing there wearing a smug grin while holding Lovely Assistaff.
Except this time none of the trash beasts went down.
Those monsters had taken damage sure but they’re still alive and charging for Zanka.
No matter. This was just going to take a bit more time than he’d hoped but nothing Zanka couldn’t handle. Clutching Assistaff in his right hand he turned his attention to the trash beast closest to him, which was on his left. He used his staff to quickly knock it off its feet and deliver the final blow right then and there.
He held his Assistaff in the air, looking down at the beast and all he could see is Jabber. He was giving Zanka that stupid smirk and those fucking eyes that he makes when he gets excited. This brought a pit to Zanka’s stomach, just thinking about Jabber now makes him want to be the one dying instead of these trash beasts. His thoughts were interrupted with a sloshy spit sound behind him.
Fuck, there was no time with a beast behind him, although still a good eight feet away, spitting that acid shit behind him. He quickly jumped out of the way as he could see the red clear liquid flying and accidentally landing on the trash beast Zanka managed to injure earlier.
The trash beast writhed in pain, thrashing and making sounds straight out of a horror movie. Zanka almost felt bad for it but then he remembered that he kills these kinds of monsters for a living.
Weird though. The trash beast still suffers from the effects its own poison gives. That’s something different from Jabber, who actually revels in the many poisons he injects into himself. And he’s pretty immune to them. At least that’s what Zanka assumed. He wasn’t actually sure if Jabber could die one day because of his poisons, like they’d slowly be affecting his body.
No.
Zanka needs to get Jabber out of his head immediately and lock in. He can’t be getting distracted by that fucker, not when his life and the life of his teammates could be at stake if he commits one tiny little fuck up.
Alright, now his head is back in the game. One down, two more to go. One coming from the left the other from the right, so Zanka decided to meet them in the middle.
Flinging his staff in the air, his intentions were for Assistaff to land atop of both of them. However that was proven wrong as Assistaff just bounced off of the beasts. It hit their backs, causing their spines to be exposed which slowed them down as blood splattered out of their backs, making a bloody trail.
This wasn’t supposed to be happening.
Assistaff should’ve managed to get rid of these trash beasts on the first hit, that’s what usually happens. He can’t put the blame on the fact that these trash beasts were a different breed. Not when Rudo had managed to take out most of them while Zanka was just dealing with three.
There was no time to contemplate it. Yet there he was, in the middle of battle, chest heaving up and down. Panic setting in as he realized he might actually be cooked. Who did he think he was? If he can’t even kill these trash beasts what makes him think he can manage to put even a scratch on a natural talent such as Jabber?
Zanka stared wide eyed, stiff as a board, at the two trash beasts, their toxic spit making its way towards him. For a moment he questioned whether he should move or not, it was more like whether he wanted to. Honestly, why should someone as weak as him even deserve to breathe.
“Get the hell out the way, what are you crazy or stupid?” shouted Rudo as he jumped midair to take down the trash beasts.
Rudo had grabbed a broken mop. The one they’ve had practically forever at HQ for cleaning duties. Guita had broken it a week ago when her and Rudo were tasked with cleaning up the mess hall. That simple task had turned into a sparring battle as Guita grabbed the mop and Rudo a broom and they just went at it, sparring as if they held sharp swords in their hands. Zanka remembered hearing their fight was over something stupid, Rudo was mad Guita took the last slice of cheesecake for dinner. What a fatass.
Whatever the reason for the broken mop, it was now whole again in Rudo’s hands. He was using it to suck up the beast’s poison and then flinging it back at them.
And that’s what he did as he caught the poison that once came for Zanka and directed it back at the creatures. They melted away in under a minute while letting out some blood curdling shrieks.
“Hey you good Zanka? I mean I took down I don’t know, like ten or eleven and as far as I saw you had three.” said Rudo, tone mixed with genuine concern and smugness.
Zanka only stared, his left eye slightly twitching out of annoyance.
“Yeah I uhhh just wanted to give ya the opportunity to work with a differen’ breed of beasts, y’know with me havin’ to teach yer ass and all.”
Zanka dusted himself off, the poison didn’t hit him, but it did hit his cleaner uniform. He’d have to get August to make him a new one when he got back. With a straight face he made his way back to the car where Gris was about to start the engine.
“If you say so man.” muttered Rudo as he followed behind Zanka to the car.
During the car ride back to HQ, Zanka would be unusually quiet, staring out the window. Wondering why the hell his vital instrument was acting this way when she never did?
—
It was around 11:00 P.M. when Zanka stepped out of the shower, towel draped over his shoulder. They’d gotten back to HQ around three hours ago. In that time they managed to report their findings on this new trash beast breed to Semiu and after that Zanka dropped by August’s office to give him a heads up that he needs a new uniform.
Zanka doesn’t know when it’ll be ready but he hopes it’s soon. He knows better than to give August a deadline.
After getting changed into his usual oversized shirt and sweats, he made his way towards the vast halls of HQ. He didn’t want to be in his room right now because not only did he feel like sleeping was a curse now, but there was an envelope containing a letter on his desk. The familiar red sigil caught his attention immediately recognizing it belongs to his sister. He always receives letters from his family, he usually discards them seeing as they probably won’t hold importance later on. So now, Zanka was in absolute no rush to go to bed especially since it has been 3 nights without sleep paralysis, this one being the fourth. According to his calculations, tonight was already written for “Jabber” to pay him a little visit.
There weren’t that many cleaners out and about, some on a mission and others asleep or in their rooms. As much as they enjoyed each other’s company, these people were pretty big on privacy and having their private time to themselves.
While he didn’t have a destination in mind, he wandered around the halls aimlessly recounting the memories he had of this place. When he first got here he didn’t hesitate to call it his home almost right away. Before joining the cleaners he had a family sure, but to Zanka the cleaners had felt more like a family than his real one. Especially with team Akuta.
He’d gotten especially close with Riyo since the beginning. Although she’d never told him directly, he could tell she’s had a hard past but they both trusted each other and knew they could rely on one another. Plus she’s one of the only people who know about his little ‘sneaking out to fight trash beasts at night ‘ habit. At first she’d tried to talk him out of it but it’s no use because Zanka refused to listen, but he knew she wouldn’t say anything to Enjin. To Zanka, she is the closest thing he has to a sister he actually cares about.
Enjin on the other hand was like the big brother he’d always wanted. Someone he looked up to and admired. After all, Enjin was the one who reached out and dragged him out of that well. He didn’t physically pull him out, but gave him a mental push that led to Zanka being the man he is now. He hopes one day that Enjin looks at Zanka proudly and with complete respect. Enjin’s complements fill Zanka with a sense of pride, knowing that someone as strong and capable as Enjin thinks highly of Zanka makes him happy.
He’d also gotten especially close with Eishia. Her quiet personality made her someone calming and friendly to talk to. Besides that, they had something in common they haven’t realized, they are both amazing givers with extraordinary abilities and everyone can see it but them. Eishia has incredible healing powers yet she’s always hard on herself, comparing herself to her family and their more boisterous side. Similarly, Zanka has amazing fighting abilities and poses a real threat in battle, however he can’t help but feel that he will never live up to the Nijiku name. She’s the only other person besides Riyo who knows about his sneaking out tendency.
Sometimes Zanka takes things too far during his solo training and goes to Eishia for healing. He always receives an earful from her on how he needs to take things easy and be careful but she never tells any of the other cleaners about his habit to overexert himself.
Zanka rarely sees Shikage but he’s still apart of the team and someone Zanka respects. Occasionally he supplies Shikage with little caramel candies that Semiu keeps in a bowl at her front desk. He’s also someone amazing, someone useful. Constantly making sure HQ stays safe from any intruders or miscreants.
Zanka just smiled to himself as he continued walking, blissfully unaware of the time that flew by him on his nightly stroll.
“My, my, you’re up late aren’t you.” a serene voice spoke behind him, it was Tamsy.
“Oh yeah sorry I just couldn’t sleep y’know.” Zanka said, ignoring how his heart dropped to his ass after thinking he was alone.
“I can tell, however you should at least attempt to get some rest, it’s rather damaging to your health to sleep late.” said Tamsy as if he wasn’t up late as well.
“Uhhh yeah will do… I was just on way to my room right now actually.” that wasn’t true but Tamsy didn’t have to know.
“I as well, you should get going I’m sure your team’s already noticed and some of the other cleaners have as well.” said Tamsy while strolling away from the conversation.
“Wait, noticed what?!” Zanka raised his voice to ask, snapping his head around to face Tamsy.
“Well your sleep schedule of course, or lack thereof, you should really fix that. After all, it’d be a shame if one of our best got beat because of some sleepless nights.”
Zanka just watched mouth agape as Tamsy strolled away like he didn’t just tell Zanka that practically everyone can tell that he’s a walking insomniac. Normally he takes Tamsy’s words with a grain of salt, Zanka has respect for the guy of course, he was strong and a powerful giver. But man sometimes Tamsy was a strange ass motherfucker, mysterious was a better way to put it. That guy was always up to something, not that Zanka cared though, he just found it a bit weird.
But look on the bright side, Tamsy who is a powerful giver had called Zanka one of their best!
Zanka made his way back to his room quickly, earlier he was fibbing when he told Tamsy about going to bed. This time he was dead serious, he can’t have his team and the rest of the cleaners think he’s even more weak than he already was.
Here he was. He set Lovely Assistaff down by his bedside table, wished her a goodnight and recited a little prayer. Hoping that no sleep paralysis demon raider was going to fuck up his night. After all, that was the reason he avoided sleep in the first place.
He closed his eyes. Counted backwards from 100 in his head, a little trick he learned at the Hell Guard Academy to fall into a deep sleep. He repeated the technique 3 times before it succeeded, and uninterrupted sleep here he comes.
That so called uninterrupted sleep was actually interrupted by that stupid ringing in his ears. That’s how it starts, and then Zanka thinks to himself. Man, fuck this shit are you serious the hell does Jabber want with me.
Zanka grew irritated as he saw Jabber through his blurred vision. Standing as close to him as ever, directly on the footboard of the bed. Jabber had his Raider hoodie on and his face down, an ominous smile plastered on his stupid face.
Alright, let’s get this shit over with.
This routine was normal to Zanka now, Jabber would stay there, stare at him, say a few words maybe and then dip. Then of course came the feeling of self loathing that Zanka directed towards himself. But after today’s events with the trash beasts, he’d given up on ever fighting against Jabber’s demon, or ghost or whatever the hell he was right now.
With the numbing feeling all over his body, Zanka just observed. Jabber raised both hands which were previously on his sides and rested them on the end of the bed. He then brought out Mankira and lifted one hand towards Zanka.
This wasn’t the first time he’s reached a hand towards Zanka but this was the first time he’s made contact with the bed. Zanka swore he felt a slight dip when Jabber set his hands down.
Jabber looked up, manic smile fixed on his face and he stared intensely at Zanka with bloodshot eyes. Zanka’s irritation slowly grew into fear as he’d never seen this level of craziness plastered on Jabber’s face before. He slowly waved his index finger up and down on the hand that was held out towards Zanka, Mankira still activated.
“Go back to sleep, sleepyhead…”
Zanka’s blood ran cold. All the times Jabber spoke it was unclear or distorted most of the time. Like the voice was Jabbers but didn’t exactly belong to him. Now this voice sounded exactly like him, it was no debate.
Zanka thrashed around to the best of his ability, he got nowhere since the most he could do was slightly budge his fingers.
Zanka heard a loud thud and couldn’t turn his head to find the cause of it. He did however, find out what Jabber meant when he said “Go back to sleep.” Zanka was hit with an inexplicable wave of drowsiness, closing his eyes and involuntarily falling into a deep slumber.
When Zanka woke up, his head and his heart were pounding. Fear and tiredness circled throughout his body, the morning sun brightened his room slightly but he still hadn’t opened his eyes. He instinctively reached with his left arm to grab Assistaff, only to find out she’s not where she should be.
Zanka immediately opened his eyes to find her on the floor. That’s impossible. His heart raced and all he could do is stare at her wide eyed. In all the time he’s spent as a Cleaner, he’s always put Assistaff in the same position every night. There was even a dent that was barely noticeable on his bedside table from where he’d put her. Never has she ever fallen down or moved.
So how. How the actual fuck was she on the ground? How when Jabber was supposedly not even real and it was all in Zanka’s head. There is no reasonable way to explain.
Zanka was beyond frightened. He could deal with Jabber coming after him. He could deal with the sleepless nights, the intense feelings that circulated throughout his body whenever he got visits from “Jabber.” What he couldn’t deal with was Assistaff being a victim of this.
If anything were to happen to her, he’d never forgive himself. This shits getting serious now. He wasn’t going to let anyone mess with his staff like that. He doesn’t care if Jabber haunts Zanka, but once his precious stick gets involved, that’s when a line has been crossed. No one threatens Lovely Assistaff.
There was only one solution that Zanka could think of that could possibly put an end to his sleepless nights. One that he’s been unconsciously trying to avoid due to fear, but now he’s not afraid to face.
He was going to confront Jabber face to face and end that motherfucker.