Lee Seng stuck the book in his Void Storage and was led back out to the city and to the rest of his companions. He t each one and told them they would be safe if they didn't do anything. He would only be gone for 'three days' and would return. Evan, Calis, Ritsuka, Olivia and Liz all gave their concerns to Lee Seng, but he made it clear he would return 'at all costs.'
The sun was starting to set when Jas and the guards brought Lee Seng to so sort of barracks building. It was loud and weapons were lined up on racks with an assortnt of armor and gear sprawled on tables. Lee Seng followed Jas, taking in the sight of the barracks. The inside was old materials harvested from the buildings around them. The outside was made of new stone walls and laced with glowing stones and electricity.
"I can't help but notice you have both glowing stones and electricity. Is there a reason for that?" Lee Seng asked Jas. Jas slightly turned to acknowledge him before continuing down the hall. People saluted Jas and the group of guards while also staring at Lee Seng.
"The glowing stones are an odd phenonon found in the mines. They're backup lights in case the electricity ever does run out." Jas explained.
"How are you guys even getting electricity in here? Is there a power plant or sothing?"
"Stop asking questions and follow him." Guard A barked. Guard A pushed Lee Seng forward who stumbled forward next to Jas.
"You ask your enemies questions?" Jas looked at Lee Seng. "Is that a smart thing to do?"
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." Lee Seng smiled. "I may be a Fox, but I'm still human. I'm just a curious city boy who's been cooped up for the last couple years. Eager to know how everything works."
"Worry about yourself before you entertain your curiosity." Jas warned Lee Seng. They stopped near a large set of doors. Lee Seng could hear many people chatting away. Jas turned to Lee Seng and looked at the others. "We can't leave until tomorrow. That'll be the start of your first day. For now, you'll eat at the cafeteria and then head straight to your room for the night." Lee Seng nodded and started forward when Jas blocked him with his spear.
"Don't cause any problems. Do what you're told and don't even think about running away. We've already given you one favor in return for your services. Don't backstab us like last ti." Jas warned.
"Yes, sir." Lee Seng nodded. He saluted and smiled at Jas. "I'm bound by contract. I can't disappoint my employer."
"A contract? You didn't sign anything." Guard C spoke up. The guards laughed. "You think this is a contract job? This is forced work. Your friends will die, and you'll beco a slave if you fail your job." Guard C raised his hand and started to swing straight for Lee Seng. Lee Seng didn't even budge as the Guard hit him. Jas watched Lee Seng get punched by the Guard a couple of tis. He didn't flinch and resolve burned in the young man's eyes.
"Stop tornting the Fox." Jas ordered. He turned as the doors opened. "Find a place to sit. Fox, you co with ."
"But, sir, he might—" Guard A began to speak as Jas turned and glared. Guard A shut up and turned and led the rest of the guards to find a table.
"Co on." Jas motioned. He clicked the middle of the spear and Lee Seng watched it retract.
"Whoa, retractable spear." Lee Seng jogged up to the side of Jas. "It's smooth, too."
"Small talk isn't necessary." Jas told Lee Seng. He led the young Fox Spirit to the cafeteria line. An older woman greeted Jas, who picked up a tray and handed it off to Lee Seng before grabbing his own.
"Who's this young man, Sergeant?" The old woman asked.
"A rcenary. He's helping us with the affliction." Jas answered. The woman scooped up so food and put it on the tray.
"Ah… By the way, Sergeant, are the rumors true? Did you guys really co back with a monster?" The old woman looked at Lee Seng and noticed he was as normal as can be.
"We found so troubleso people around our territory and decided to put this one to work." Jas scooted down the line. Lee Seng lifted his tray up and smiled at the woman.
"Hello." Lee Seng gave a small nod. The woman smiled and gave him a scoop of food and they continued down the line. After they were done filling their trays up with an assortnt of mash potatoes, a small salad with a light dressing and a piece of steak and bread, Jas led Lee Seng to their spot. The guards noticed them and stood up.
"You may get your food." Jas ordered. The guards all saluted before leaving. "You can sit next to ." Jas motioned to his right.
"I'm left-handed." Lee Seng moved to Jas' left side and took a seat. "Almost ambidextrous but still mainly left-handed."
"I didn't need to know that." Jas spoke. He grabbed a spoonful of mash potatoes and scooped it into his mouth. Lee Seng started with his salad and ate in silence as the other guards ca back. They were rowdy and loud.
'Hot food must be nice.' Lee Seng thought. 'With friends… I wonder how the rest are doing.' Lee Seng ate his food quietly and finished before Jas. He took his ti to look around for where the tray would go and caught eyes looking at him.
"Are you done?" Jas asked, wiping his mouth.
"Y-yes, sir." Lee Seng turned. Jas stood up and looked at him.
"Let's go, then. I'll show you where you're sleeping tonight." Jas led Lee Seng out the back exit. They followed the hall until they hit a four-way intersection and turned left and motioned to the door on the corner. "This is your room for tonight." Jas moved over and opened the door.
The room was barren with nothing but a bed and so shelves in it.
"Where's the bathroom?" Lee Seng asked. Jas turned and pointed down the hallway.
"Do you need to wash up?"
"Yeah."
"I assu you don't have clothes. I can have—"
"I'm good. It's all in here." Lee Seng tapped his right hand. Jas gave Lee Seng an odd look before leading him to the bathrooms. It was a public bathroom with urinals lined up then a couple toilets. There was a locker room in between the toilets and shower. Jas led Lee Seng into the locker room and opened an empty locker and started to take off his clothes.
"Go ahead and grab a towel at the end over there." Jas nodded to the towels sitting on the table at the end. "Pick a locker to put your clothes in and you can go into the shower room." Lee Seng opened a locker and peeled his clothes off. They reeked of sweat. He wondered if his friends would have opportunities to clean themselves off.
Lee Seng shut the locker and turned to grab a towel. Jas was in the middle of pulling the last bits of his clothing off as Lee Seng entered the shower and headed to farthest shower head. The entire area was open with a hook for a towel. Lee Seng hooked it and turned the water on. Cold water touched Lee seng's skin before he moved out of the way.
"Cold." Lee Seng comnted.
"It won't get hot. It'll be lukewarm at best. Take advantage of it while you can." Jas comnted. He took one of the spots closest to the exit. Lee Seng stuck his hand out and waited for the water to warm a little bit more. When it tapered off from 'ice cold' to 'almost lukewarm,' Lee Seng stepped into it and began his routine. The water felt like a godsend. It wasn't as calming as the bath outside in Daros, but at least it was sothing that could clean him. More n quickly filed into the bathroom, stripping themselves and getting into the shower. They chatted as they lined up and turned the water on.
Lee Seng scrubbed his hair and body with the dispensers full of see-through goop. He cleaned the last bit of soap off and wiped his face before shutting the water off. He grabbed the towel and dried himself off before covering himself and moving out of the locker room. Jas was already waiting for him with a towel wrapped around him with his clothes tucked in his arm.
"Ready to go?" Jas asked. Lee Seng nodded, and Jas led the way back. He watched Lee Seng enter his room before entering his (which was next door). Lee Seng shut the door and let out a sigh of relief. He didn't feel nasty and sticky. Limbo's fluctuating temperatures were crazier than Earth's. It was hot one second and cold the next. Lee Seng slicked his hair back and sat on the twin sized bed.
'Tomorrow's the day…' Lee Seng thought. 'I should try to get so rest... After I look through the Curse book, again. I need to make sure it's the right curse or else we're screwed...' Lee Seng turned and laid on the bed. The bed was firm but the sheets were better than the sleeping bag we were in for the last couple of days.
"If only soone had an account of what happens when you go into that place... A whole place turns you crazy?" Lee Seng scoffed. "That's so strong magic if a forest can do that."
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