13 Chapter 13- Awakening (1/2)
Dubs stared at the wooden beams that covered the ceiling. ”I don't really have a purpose anymore in this world. I need to get stronger to survive, but I don't particularly care about revenge on those who enslaved me.”
Dubs eyes gleamed as an idea popped into his mind. ”Aha! I've got it! I'll become a scientist and begin my own research on magic. In doing this, I will become stronger and have a goal to work towards.”
Dubs nodded, content with his solution.
”Well, I guess its time to wrap things up for the day. I should eat and get to bed before the sun sets.”, he thought.
Dubs opened the door and a waft of scents permeated throughout his surroundings. Various meat and vegetables, and the sweet aroma of a freshly baked cake filled his nose. Dubs walked down the stairs and the scents became more and more potent.
Clark had a pair of baking mitts on and was moving pots and dishes over to the round marble table. ”Come have a seat Dubs, help yourself.” Clark insisted.
Dubs waltzed over to the table and sat next to Lilith. Ivan sat across from him, next to Reagan who was twirling her hair with her finger.
”You cook, Clark?” Dubs asked.
”Of course! How could I call myself an engineer if I didn't even know how to make food?”, Clark responded
Clark laid out the final dish on the table, and a feast was presented before Dubs and the party. Reagan began to grab food here and there and started to eat, and shortly after the rest did the same.
”Now that were all gathered here,” Ivan stated, ”I should go over our plans for tomorrow.”
Dubs continued gulping down heaps of food, and Ivan continued.
”Tomorrow we will cross the swamp, and enter the forest area that surrounds Lardis. It is possible that we will run into monsters again, however if you stay by me and Clark there should be no issue.”
Dubs and Lilith agreed and Ivan continued his meal, and they ate in silence for the next few minutes.
A cold shiver went down Dubs' spine, and when he finished eating, he felt the urge to get back to his room and go to sleep.
”I'll be turning in for tonight. I will see everyone tomorrow.” Dubs told everyone as he walked back up the stairs.
”Something is wrong. I feel that I need to get to sleep right now. I was always left to go to sleep before 7 pm when I was living under experimentation. Perhaps its just my biorhythm kicking in.”, Dubs considered.
”Either way, I'd better just get to bed.” Dubs entered his room and shut the door. Silently the door closed and made a click.
Dubs laid in bed and closed his eyes, and fell into deep sleep.
Downstairs, Ivan had kept the rest of the party members at the table, including Reagan.
”Its time to explain the real reason why we've come here.”, Ivan explained as he pulled out a stack of parchment documents from under his coat.
He plopped them on the table in front of Reagan.
”Here is the data I was able to obtain on Dubs from when I was stationed inside the empire. We already know about the tests he went through- but there is one point of concern on the data. Take a look at that final note.”
Reagan glanced at it, and Clark and Lilith came around the table to look over her shoulder.
The note read: ”Unpredictable at night. Soldiers who trained at those times were all lost. Cause remains unknown, and subject doesn't appear to have any memories of night. Further investigation is too risky.”
”Hoho! So this is why you came to me, Ivan? Don't worry a bit. I'll get to the bottom of this, but you'll let me run some tests to do so of course, right?” Reagan giddily asked.
”I have no choice. We need to find out the root of these events before he causes trouble for the resistance. I don't want to betray the trust of a comrade, but as of right now he isn't stable, as far as we know. I leave it to you.”
Lilith bit her lip, and wanted to say something but didn't. She felt that it was wrong to perform these experiments on Dubs without his permission, but it was just as Ivan said. If there truly was something going on with him at night, they would need to determine the cause and stop it from happening.