Honestly... I've been playing Genshin Impact for the past two weeks. It's getting kind of addicting.

...

A dazzling royal palace stood tall, boasting its ornate design.

"It has to be a prince." The Sultan insisted from his throne.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures." Jafar holds his cobra staff towards the Sultan. "You shall order the princess to marry me."

Red glows in the Sultan's eyes. "The princess will marry..."

Before he could fully succumb to Jafar's spell, he was snapped back to reality. "What? What is this noise?"

From the palace terrace, Jasmine is seen watching a parade march for her abode.

Streamers and confetti fly as dancers fluidly cross the road, servants hoisting the banners, and purple peacocks and golden camels strutting down the dirt road. Sitting atop the Abu elephant is Aladdin in his princely disguise.

Human Genie announces, "Make way for Prince Ali! Prince Ali is coming through! The come and meet spectacular coterie. Fabulous he! Ali Ababwa!"

I was standing among the crowd watching the parade when I heard a raspy voice next to me.

"I'm sorry I couldn't take you to a marvelous parade such as this. I'm far too old and weak to travel with you."

I whipped my head to the old man standing hunched with arms behind his back. His squinted wrinkly eyes could only register half of the sight.

I realized I was looking up; I had become my child self without knowing.

No, it's not your fault! Just having you around is all I need!

What I had wanted to say out loud fell silent. A cold sweat breaks out once I grasped my throat. I'm still mute in this form. Back when I was slowly adjusting to my new life with Sidney.

"I'm always holding you back from the joys life has to offer."

I shook my head. You're the reason I could even enjoy waking up every day. When I once slept and slept at every chance I could get as a mode of escapism from the cruel world. I didn't need anymore than that!

"Forgive this old soul for not saving you sooner."

I stared. Perhaps it was because I was in my child form that I was less prone to emotional outbursts, hence the vacant round eyes unblinking before his lamentation. Or what he said struck a chord in me that I realized was too true to refute anything back, that a part of me was indeed harboring a grudge against the world for mercy. But I did not blame everything nor anything on the old man. I would never.

Despite my apathetic disposition, the very reason my former household detested my existence, the war zone of my emotions were about to crumble.

Why do you always keep apologizing? Do you think I would hate you for something you can't control? Do I really look like I'm disappointed in you as my great grandfather? You know that I love you with all my heart...right?

I reach out to tug his sleeve.

But before I could, the streets of Agrabah was instantly replaced with the barren desert.

All I grasped was sand.

~~~~~~~

March of Hell

~~~~~~~

Wide blue eyes bored at the space before me unblinkingly. Sweat drips from my forehead. The sound of my ragged breathing and thumping heart beat was all I could hear.

I basked in the vacant private room of Scarabia. The gentle light from the window indicated it was dawn.

Recalling the events from yesterday, I released a shaky sigh. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. Calm down, Strix. It was all a dream sequence.

I glance beside me to the space on the bed.

"...I don't need no more crackers..." Grim moans in his sleep.

Somehow this brought relief to my lips. Just Grim being Grim.

I rubbed my arms, miffed by the thin layer of sweat first thing in the morning. Though we may be in Scarabia in the middle of a desert, everything feels cold.

A dark shadow accompanies the frown that settled.

Glancing to the counter, the smartphone was near the edge of the surface. I push it inside, mentally wondering if I had accidentally left it dangerously close to almost toppling before I had slept. I couldn't have been that careless even in my vulnerable state, was I?

Suddenly pounding noise from the door disturbs the once peaceful silence of the morning. "I'm coming in!" With the jingling of keys followed by the click of the doorknob, the door slams open. It was one of the residents that was keeping watch on us last night.

"How long do you plan to stay asleep?! Get up!"

Grim is startled awake. "What's going on?" He looks to the clock. "It's only 6AM, y'know."

"We will march ten kilometers to the East Oasis this morning!"

Oh hell no. "That's too rich for my blood." I said dryly.

Grim exclaimed, "You want us to walk ten kilometers over hot sand?! Why do we have to?"

The resident strides over to haul Grim by the collar. "Stop your whining, you've been ordered to join by the dorm head! So come!"

"Fgyaa! No way now way~! Let go of me!"

While Grim wailed and flailed pitifully, he turns to me. "And you, go clean up and get changed. The dorm head was generous enough to hand you spare clothes. Put your old clothes in this bag," he lifted a string bag, "and take care of your own laundry. You'll have to be the one to retrieve it when it's done."

He placed a bundle of what is the Scarabia uniform atop the counter and leaves. "We'll give you ten minutes to finish up, so don't be late. Got it!"

I was left alone. Though the dorm itself is turned against us, they were at least considerate to leave instructions. Their resourcefulness and intellect to think ahead is what Scarabia prides itself in.

I spent a quick shower in the private bathroom connected to the room and changed into the uniform. How they got my size fairly well might be because of Kalim. He stands at least an inch taller than me if I recall. The unisex disposable briefs also fits. I simply deduced the dorm is usually prepared for a variety of things, hence why they have these in the first place, and just move on. (The real questions of reality are bound to be raised uncomfortably, but someone has to say it.)

I pocketed my wristwatch to replace them with a gold double bangle bracelet and still wore my heart lock ever faithful to rest on my chest.

A unique accessory is found among the uniform. It was a red and golden trimmed bandana and a ruby gem with two violet blue-tinted feathers attached. It's like Kalim's turban, but with a different feather color. The feather is really pretty, though. Maybe this was a little welcome gift from Kalim? I can't really think of any other explanation. Yet his behavior last night was still vivid from the stark contrast of mood.

Regardless, I thought there was no harm to wearing it. I first tied my hair into a high ponytail. Then I used the bandana to wrap it around as a headband, leaving the excess length resting on my right shoulder and attaching the ruby pin to the side.

There was nothing much of my uniform to adjust apart from the needlessly long yellow and black belt that I tucked in the end behind me like a belt loop. Even in this outfit, I could pass off as a boy (sans bandana). Scarabia's looks like a unisex uniform.

Though the baggy pants and hoodies are loose to allow air to flow inside easily, it doesn't really help counter the heat when it's mostly black. Don't they know black absorbs light the most?

How these people handle the desert heat, especially the pale skinned ones, is forever a mystery to me. My arms are nearly exposed, too. I suppressed a shiver while running my hands up and down my arms. I desperately need a whole bottle of sunscreen to keep me from being boiled alive.

Oh Great Seven. I'm definitely going to die.

[Five minutes into the march later...]

I hate it here. I hate everyone and everything with every fiber of my being. I absolutely despise the flaming ball of gas that is the round face of Satan sneering upon my misery. As if that was anything new, today is a vivid reminder how much I resent mornings and the summer-like heat.

"You there! You're falling behind." Kalim barked out from his place atop an elephant Prince Ali-style. We were marching in three lines while Kalim watched from the side where he has a view of everyone from above.

Grim wheezes. "Give us a break already..."

"No slacking! Keep marching! If this is as far as you go then it's proof you lack of discipline! You have no one to blame but yourself." Kalim shouted.

There has to be a more efficient way of doing this, but my deep fried brain can only muster the strength to hold my complaints from slipping off my tongue.

"You're slowing down! Lift those legs!"

"I'm... I'm at my limit..." A resident weakly moaned.

Kalim glowers at the student. "You... It's no wonder you've fallen to the bottom in Magift and exams!"

Meanwhile Grim gripes, "So hot! Need water! I'm more parched than this desert!"

I groaned audibly. "Stop screaming. Hearing it makes everything hotter..."

"The oasis is just a bit further. Hang in there." Jamil assured patiently.

We eventually arrived at a barren crate surrounded by withered palm trees, supposedly the site of the oasis. I wonder if this is a mirage conjured to dishearten me from the sight of water.

Kalim commanded, "All stop!"

"D-Did we finally make it to the oasis?" Grim blearily asked, consciousness drifting between reality and the dream world. We're all about to faint if we don't find relief soon.

"We'll take a 15 minute break here then begin our march back to the dorm." Jamil announced.

I finally lowered my banner and leaned against it for support. I had released a deep sigh that went awry with wheezing at the end. This whole march has made me feel as aged as Sidney.

"Water, water..." Grim wobbles to the edge of the oasis. Only then did he despaired, "What the hell, this oasis is all dried up!"

Upon hearing his cry, Kalim mumbled, "Water... Water... Do you want water?"

"Well, duh! My throat is all dried up..."

"Then I'll get you some perfectly cool and delicious water to drink!" He then chants, "Relaxing on the hot sands, an endless party. Sing! Dance! Oasis Maker!"

A bountiful rain shower falls upon the oasis. I had my hood up the moment we had set out to march, so I didn't have to shield my head from the immediate downpour. I relished in the cool refreshing water. "Amazing... It's like we're not in a desert at all."

For the first time since today, a rejuvenated Grim hollers, "Glorious rain!"

The residents basked in the cool wetness of the rain. "So good! My whole body feels refreshed...!"

"I've come back to life..."

I cupped my hands. It took only a few seconds for a puddle to accumulate in my palms before sipping. "This water...is unbelievable! I can't believe water could taste so good!" If I drank this blind I would have never believed this was water.

Kalim grinned. "I'm glad you like it! If it's water you need I can create enough to fill the whole oasis to the brim. My unique magic, Oasis Maker... Lets me summon a huge amount of tasty water for very little magic."

"Umm... 'I can make a lot of water' is pretty lame to have as your unique magic, y'know. There's plenty of wizards who can do the same..." Grim said.

"But to be able to make enough for an oasis in exchange for little magic is what makes it amazing!" I told him. "Plus, think of how it could save lives, no, entire countries who suffer from severe dehydration! You need to think beyond the box if you're going to become a great magician." I said most specifically to Grim.

"Don't mind what Grim says, I think your unique magic is amazing!" I said, leaning forward unintentionally in my bout of excitement.

A light rosy color dusted Kalim's cheeks.

I look at him curiously. Is he flustered?

He laughs. "Thank you. I'm positive my water is the most delicious in the whole wide world."

"Now that you mention it... It is right at the perfect temperature to be refreshing but not shocking. It's mellow like fresh spring water and is easy to just guzzle down." Grim said.

Jamil elegantly raised a brow. "Can monsters even tell the difference between different kinds of water?"

"How rude! My palette is of the highest grade!"

I dully deadpanned. This is the same monster who ate rocks off the ground and attempted eating the grass off Heartslabyul's lawn. You'd think he would have more refined tastes and some decency but the root of it all just boils down to "monster cat".

Kalim hummed in agreement. "I was right about you! I knew you'd get it. As a reward, here's a cracker."

Grim made a face at the snack. "Ugh, I may be hungry but no way am I eating something dry like that..."

"It's weird how he went back to happy-Kalim mode." I mutter for Grim to hear.

He replies, "You're right, it's like he got body snatched, y'know."

"Hm? Did ya say somethin'?"

Before we would ponder whether to acknowledge Kalim's question, Jamil spoke, "...Kalim, our fifteen minutes is up. Get everyone together to head back."

He looks to the dark haired male. "Already? We can let them rest a bit longer, can't we?"

"If we laze about here for too long, the sun is going to get higher and the temperature right along with it." Jamil reasoned.

"That's a good point. All right, everyone, time to get ready to go so we can be back in time for breakfast!"

Hold on. I was so out of it this morning that I didn't realize we would march the same route back to Scarabia.

Fuuuuuu-

...

Grim ravenously devours his meal. "I don't wanna be stuck in the prison life for another second. It pains me to admit that the food here is really good!!"

Kalim was confused. "Prison life? I don't follow but I'm happy that you enjoy the food. Have as much as you want! Today we have blue cheese made from cow's milk, make sure to get some of that on crackers."

Grim immediately becomes disinterested at the mention of crackers and cheese. "Eehh...I'm over crackers..."

"Don't be shy." Kalim innocently laughs while in the same breath insistently feeds Grim the snack that traumatized him in his dreams. I don't think even I would be that evil to Grim, no matter how troublesome he can be. Kalim can be scary...

"Kalim, don't feed Grim too much. You're going to make him choke." Jamil chided.

Kalim leans back. "Oops, take your time. There's plenty of food."

Grim finishes the rest of the cheese and cracker and gulped. He spoke weakly, "That's not the problem here..."

"We have some ice cream left over from yesterday to have for dessert. Lining up a bunch of different flavors and getting as many as you can onto your spoon is the Kalim way." He said as he placed silver spoons on our trays.

"As many as you can...on your spoon?" Grim blinked owlishly. I'm afraid I don't share Kalim's way, especially when it comes to ice cream. What kind of weird abomination of flavors would it taste like, I rather not know.

He bobbed his head, the extravagant gold accessory wrapped around his turban jingling from the movement. "Yep yep. You always have room for dessert, right? I'll be right back with it so give me a sec."

Before he could run off, Jamil was quick to speak up, "Kalim, wait. I'll go get it so you just wait here."

"I'm fine. All I have to do is take it out of the fridge, right?"

"Idiot. What kind of servant would let their master work? Have more respect for your place in the Asim family. Your father would be furious if he found out." Jamil said.

"Jamil, you're always so serious. It's fine. We are students together at school right now."

Acknowledging Kalim's stubbornness, Jamil sighed. "Then how about I get it in dishes and you help me carry it out?"

"That works for me!" Beamed the dorm head.

Meanwhile Grim was rustling about.

Kalim notices from the corner of his eye. "Hm? Something wrong?"

Grim stops moving, resting his back on a pillow. "Ah, no? Nothing at all!"

Fortunately Kalim didn't delve into it much, if at all. "Okay! We'll be right back with it!"

The two leave for the kitchen.

"...Now I'm really confused, y'know. This Kalim doesn't really listen to others but I don't think he's a bad guy, y'know." Grim said.

I frowned, glancing back where the pair had disappeared. But then Kalim quickly came back as soon as he had left.

"Hey, you all... How long do you plan to sit around stuffing your faces?! Do you presume to become kings?!"

Everyone stared at the dorm leader, completely baffled. "Wh-Whaaat?!"

"Clean this mess up! It's time for afternoon training!" Kalim ordered.

The residents awkwardly rise to their feet, having abandoned their leisure meal time.

Grim squeaked. "Now we're back with scary Kalim!"

"I won't let you escape. We'll be practicing defensive spells until evening. Get out to the courtyard!"

"This goes way beyond 'emotionally unstable'." I mutter, exasperated now.

...

Tonight is our second night of imprisonment. After I had retrieved my laundry, we were escorted to our temporary room before the door was locked. Their footsteps fade in the distance until complete silence fell.

"...Did the night watch move on?" Grim whispered. "We got worked so hard I thought I'd lose my lunch this afternoon. Headmaster isn't coming to our rescue either... We have no choice but to handle this ourselves. Which is why I went out of my way to come up with a foolproof escape plan."

I cocked my brow, still dressed in Scarabia's uniform. Since we're going to be here for a while I might as well just keep wearing this. "Foolproof plan?"

The monster cat puffed his chest out. "Listen and be astounded. I grabbed the most important item for our escape during lunch today. Look at this!"

He whips out a silver kitchen utensil that was smartly tucked in his collar from sight. "We'll use this spoon to dig our way through the floor, bit by bit!"

I deadpanned. Did we really just upgrade from The Madagascar movie's plastic spoon to this? "What about this is 'foolproof'?"

However, Grim grinned. "I got this, I was called the burrowing escape artist back home. You keep a lookout so we don't get caught!"

I tossed a dubious look at his confidence. "All right, if you say so..."

He digs at a spot where the floor is most cracked. It was hidden under a counter beneath the lattice window next to the door.

About a quarter of an hour later, Grim said, "It's easier to dig than it appears! This is gonna work, y'know."

I only hummed to acknowledge I heard him. I'm so bored...

An hour of silent digging later, he slumps his shoulders and flatten his ears. "Digging is too mindless, I'm bored... Switch with me, I'll take the next watch."

I took the spoon and dig. To think I'd be digging my way out with a metal spoon... The penguin squad would envy us steal- I mean, acquiring a luxurious quality spoon befitting of the sultan.

"Crap! Night watch is back! Hurry, pretend to be asleep!"

I hid the spoon behind the counter with the pile of sand and concrete and leap for the bed with Grim. We would repeat this process until the morning sun arrived. We were a little dirty as a result, but thankfully my uniform is mostly black and hard to notice while Grim's fur can be fixed with some wiping.

"We dug all night and the hole is finally big enough that I can fit my arms through." Grim said, sliding his short limb through the gap. That's...not much by human standards.

"Our prison break can't be completed in a night..." I trailed off, eyes half-lidded from weariness. Both of us are tired from restlessly plowing through with just one little spoon. Grim should've snatched a bigger one like an ice cream scooper.

We sighed from our sprawled laying position on the bed. Just as we were about to welcome the comforting peace of the morning, the janky jingling of keys and the slam of the door greeted us spitefully.

"Get up! It's time for our morning routine. We're marching to the East Oasis again!"

Thus we were back at the desert for another march through hell.

I yawned widely enough to rival a lion's.

"Wipe that sleepy look off your face!" Kalim barked at us, especially me. "Our march to the East Oasis begins now!"

"I didn't sleep enough and this heat is killing me..." Grim weakly mumbled.

"I rather prefer Savanaclaw's morning routine better..." I mutter before drawling another yawn and counting. At least they had fun with Magift. This is just a boot camp, and I never heard of boot camps being fun.

Jamil glanced to our sluggish selves. "Didn't sleep enough? We'll make sure you drink plenty of water so you don't collapse."

"Jamil..." Grim nodded. "Got it. I'll be careful..."

I decided I should assume auto-pilot in and out whenever I sense Kalim looking my way. Maybe sleeping through the heat will numb the pain and make time run faster...

"You in the rear, you're falling behind! Lift your umbrellas higher! You in the front, I can't hear your bells! No slacking!"

I jolted awake, having assumed Kalim was talking about me when it was actually a guy a bit ways behind me that I sighed in relief. Now I'm reconsidering this if I'm just going to wake up from his shouting every minute. I feel like I can't ever win anything here in the desert...

Meanwhile Grim wheezes.

"Hang in there. You'll die of dehydration if you stop here." Jamil says.

"Hard pass on that, y'know..." Grim choked out.

"This is taking longer than yesterday, move!" Kalim ordered.

"Ugh... I can't take another step..." A resident moaned.

"I can see the oasis. It's almost break time! It's only a bit further, hang in there everyone!" Jamil said.

The resident looks to him with admiration sparking hope in his eyes. "Vice dorm head... You're working to keep our morale up...!"

"High morale isn't going to ease my exhaustion, y'know!" Retorted the monster cat.

"If only..." I wipe my sweat with my arm and grimaced at my flushed skin rising in color from the sunlight despite having put a generous amount of sunscreen on myself before we had departed. I feel like I'm being boiled alive...

We finally arrived at the oasis, though we suffered worse results compared to the first day.

I sink to the sand, head hung low. "Why must deserts exist..."

"My throat is shredded. Kalim, give us water." Grim begged.

Ruby red eyes glowered. "Give you water? You presume to order me around?"

Grim shrieked and leapt behind me, cowering from sight while clinging to the back of my hoodie.

"I'm not your faucet. Get it from the oasis if you're thirsty." Kalim told him passively.

I stared, eyes still and calculative.

Upon witnessing the scene unfold, the residents murmur to each other.

"...Get water from a dried up oasis?"

"How much of a dictator can he be?"

"Seriously, what is going through his head?"

I silently placed a reassuring hand atop Grim whose fiery ears were folded to his head. The stress from this intense regimen is about to render both of us crippled, as well as everyone else.

Jamil approached with bottled water. "We're all right. I planned for this and there's water with the camels. Make sure everyone gets some."

They gratefully accept. "Thank you so much. We'd be better off with you as dorm head."

I remained still as I overheard their conversation. I continued comforting the trembling Grim who is almost near reduced to tears from the tyranny that could rival pre-Overblot Riddle.

Jamil's eyes widen. "Don't say anything reckless. You'd be in trouble if Kalim heard."

"But it's true." The resident who had offhandedly blurted spoke.

"Long before things got this way, you did all the dorm head stuff..." Another resident said.

Jamil hushed them. "That's the fate of those who serve... No, work for the Asim family."

With the grim reminder of his status, he said, "Drink plenty of water while we rest. The afternoon sun is going to make the return trip worse."

"Jamil-senpai..."

"Attention! Break time is over! Get back in formation!" Kalim announced.

The residents looked over before reverting to their circle pensively.

"Jamil-senpai, I-I... I really can't stay in this dorm anymore."

"Me, neither. I can't follow the dorm leader any longer!"

"How can you bear following his orders?!"

Jamil's lips pursed into a thin line. "Because... he is 'Kalim Al-Asim'."

He did not further elaborate than that, leaving everyone in the circle to silently contemplate the grim reality forced upon them but more so Jamil.

I glanced at their facial expressions for their reactions before directing my words to Jamil, "Because you've been with him since you were little?"

"That is one reason... Let's save this for later tonight. I'll make sure Kalim won't be around. Can you spare time for me then?" Jamil asked.

The three Scarabia students nodded.

Upon returning to the dorm in time for breakfast, not a single soul had the energy to cheer for a period of relief, for we would be plunged straight into afternoon training afterwards.

My head occasionally sways, consciousness teetering between sleep and reality as I sauntered for a seat. I probably look like a zombie.

Just when I was about to step inside a vacant carpet, I slipped unceremoniously. I curse under my breath as I propped myself up with my arms, rubbing my chin. "Ow...That was embarrassing..."

"Oi, get a grip, Strix..." I heard Grim tell me from behind before a gasp left him. "Hey, your arm!"

"Huh? What about it?" I asked while sitting up. My elbow feels cold all of a sudden...

When Jamil comes up to check on me, his dark eyes widen. "Your arm. It's burned."

I meet his eyes, confused. I then lifted my left arm to examine it. When I turned it at an angle, I grimaced immediately. A nasty rug burn completely covered my elbow in peeled red flesh, a stark contrast to my pale skin tone.

I didn't even feel the pain. I guess I must've accidentally used too much force to try to soften my landing, I thought to myself as I flexed the joint to test the nerves.

However, Jamil grabbed my upper left arm tightly that I flinched visibly from the contact. I found myself looking into his severe gaze.

"What are you doing. Don't cause your wound to swell." He nearly hissed at me, as if silently adding "You idiot" afterwards.

I couldn't avert my face, nor could I find my voice to apologize. I had been paralyzed, I realized. Was it instinct?

"Come with me," Jamil said urgently, as calm and composed as he was in handling the matter maturely. He pulled me up to my feet and leads -or rather, drags- me to a separate room. His strides were long and pounding against the sleek floor while we slipped out from everyone's sights.

I stumbled on my footing, trying to match his unusual pace. Why is he acting so weird?

Upon entering, Jamil released my arm and ordered me to sit. I obediently did without a sound.

He holds a shower head in one hand while the other twisted the cold faucet on. "Hold out your arm."

We run cold water over the burn for about 15 minutes. In the meantime, we sat in silence with only the drizzling on the shower to fill in the atmosphere.

Jamil notes my silence. "...You're not going to say anything?" Considering the one-on-one occasion, it would be predictable to take advantage of the alone time and allow me pour out my woes and irritation for the vice dorm head to hear.

"Nothing new compared to what everyone has said. But since we're alone, I want to say something that's been on my mind for a while."

I languidly glanced to the vice dorm leader.

"Jamil-senpai... You must really tolerate Kalim a lot to be so mature and quiet about this."

He remained quiet, pondering what direction I was taking in the conversation.

I continued, "I don't see you yell at him for acting out of line. I respect that you didn't blow your top off. I don't think I could have the same temperament if I were in your shoes. Then again, I have no idea what being a servant to a master would be like."

Silence. There was no need to refute what is undeniably true, even with all the modesty a person may have.

"Because we lead different lives and we're not that close, I may not be the person you can confide to, but I want to know..."

"Would it be inconsiderate for me to want to understand you?"

Dark gray eyes slowly widen.

I was staring into the distance. "You seem like you're forcing yourself to be someone else. But I can tell you're far more capable than how you act in school. I bet the Asim family is the reason why, more so than Kalim."

His grip on the shower head tightens. The shadow casted by his hoodie darkens his expression, making it unreadable. Dealing with someone admittedly scatterbrained as Kalim while refraining from doing whatever draws the line between servitude and friends would be hard to handle.

"It's frustrating when you can't do anything about it, when there are adults who hold power to decide your life even before you were even born."

My estranged family were those kinds of people. My father was a sly man in knowing I'd take his verbal abuse to heart as a child who knew nothing but atonement and sin from the day I was born.

They chained me down and schemed everything perfectly so I'd become a human stress ball who takes all of the blame without questioning anything behind it. My ears were only for understanding I must bear the sin of killing a woman everyone had lived until I breathed into life. They didn't even need to lay a finger for me to submit to their whims. Physical abuse would never compare to the trauma of words.

I had only realized how powerless against them I really was only recently before coming to Twisted Wonderland. It was a hard pill to swallow even now.

To not be a bird freed from their cage continues to haunt me.

A thin line folds my lips. "I know that feeling all too well."

A pause that may prolong itself prompts me to change the mood. "You don't have to answer my question, by the way. I just wanted to let that out, since we rarely get to talk alone."

Jamil turns the faucet off. He didn't meet my eyes as he spoke, "...Thank you, for sharing that with me."

He cleans the wound with a towel to apply antibiotic ointment and wrap the bandage around it. He attaches a pin to secure it. "There."

I gingerly touch the neat bandage wrapping. It stands out like a sore thumb with no sleeves to hide it. I'm not comfortable with attracting attention like this, but I'll have to bear with it for now.

"I'm sorry to trouble you. I guess I was a little clumsy back there..." I trailed off. A wave of shame stirred in my chest. Come to think of it, is this the first time that I was scolded for worrying someone like this since coming to this world? I was rarely one to injure myself...

Jamil glanced to me (judging by the tilt of his hoodie) before cleaning up the first aid kit. "You should head back and eat. Kalim intends to work everyone to the bone after seeing us this morning."

I thanked him before taking my leave. I hope I didn't sound too meddling. I know I wouldn't appreciate it if someone I barely know had the nerve to claim they could empathize with my situation. But I felt I had to tell him that right then, or else the next time we get to talk would not come for a long time.

...No matter what angle I look back on our conversation, it did sound like I was intrusive. Did I mess up? Is the desert making me think less of how I should approach things subtly? Jamil didn't say much. Did that mean I offended him?

The more I think about it, the more ashamed I feel for not having more delicacy. I wish I had Sidney's boundless wisdom to help me out back there. What would he have said to Jamil? I'm only a 16-year old teenager and Jamil is one year my senior!

These thoughts occupy my mind for the rest of the afternoon training until nightfall arrived.

The three residents as well as Grim and I have been waiting in the otherwise vacant lounge in the silence of the night.

Jamil returns. "Is everyone here?"

One of the residents replied, "Yes... And the dorm head is?"

"Asleep. I gave him tea that acts as a sleep aid. He shouldn't stir." Jamil answered.

"...And? What did you wanna tell us? I'm beat... I'm ready to hit the hay." The fatigued Grim complained from beside me.

"We're all in the same boat. Be quiet." One of the dark-haired residents hushed him.

"I know you're not satisfied with the way Kalim has been doing things. Your reaction is completely valid to being locked up over winter break and worked to the bone. I don't agree with him either." Jamil finally admits out loud.

"Then why don't you try to stop him?!" One of the residents asked.

"I have, many times. He doesn't listen."

"If you guys are gonna complain like this then you should do it directly to Kalim." Grim bluntly suggested.

However, they shift uneasily in their spots. "Well... you see..."

"Why can't you guys speak your mind to Kalim? Y'all are spineless." Grim sent an unimpressed look at them. He can be brutally honest at times, and this is one of them, I mused to myself.

"No. We've tried, too. So many times!"

"But when he's not in one of his moods, he's super nice and big-hearted..."

"Before things got like this, we all respected him so much. We thought he was better than any other dorm head."

"He listened to my worries when I couldn't get used to dorm life."

"I was thinking about dropping out but he stayed up to help me catch up with class."

"He can be all over the place and unreliable sometimes, but we still loved him. Being in Scarabia was so much fun. But..."

"Yes, he's a good dorm head. He treats everyone equally and never acts better than anyone." Jamil's visage pulled regrettably. "Ugh... Why did it turn out like this?!"

My barren eyes silently took in their depressing moods. If Kalim really was such a nice character as they've said, how did the abnormal drastic change in attitude kick in?

"Umm. Would it be a good idea to have him see a doctor?" Grim suggested. "His mind and personality flips like a coin. It's not normal, y'know? Did he eat something bad, or whatever?"

"Maybe it's a mental illness...?" I spoke up.

"Perhaps... It's certainly not poison. If it was, then I'd be sick as well as his poison tester. But, a doctor? If he were home he could see his family doctor... As he is now, though, that might be difficult." Jamil said.

"No way..."

"We can't keep up like this..."

"The problem we're facing right now is just like the one that plagued Heartslabyul. They were suffering under their dorm head's rule... And nobody could speak up due to their fear of Riddle." He then looks to us. "So I want your advice as the ones who solved that problem. What do you think we should do?"

I look to Grim. "What do you think?"

"What if Jamil challenged Kalim to a duel to become dorm head?" Grim proposed. "The headmaster suggested that to Ace and Deuce! They were collared in an instant though. Kalim's unique magic isn't impressive so it'd be as easy as pie!"

"That, I absolutely cannot do."

Grim almost choked on his breath from the immediate response. "You're the one who asked for advice, y'know! Why can't you?"

"My family, the Viper clan, has been serving the Asims for generations. Do you think they'd forgive a servant who turned on their master? If Kalim's father found out I did something like that my family would suffer the consequences. Sorry, but I can't put my whole family's wellbeing on the line for this."

"You're stuck between a rock and a hard place," I mused.

"It can't be helped. This is the fate of those born into the Viper family."

"I get why you can't challenge Kalim to a duel, but... A dorm head shouldn't be pushing his residents around like this, y'know. Riddle was out of control but Kalim is even more nonsensical, y'know." Grim said.

"Yeah! We can't keep up with him anymore!"

"Kalim isn't meeting the requirements for his role as dorm head and going against the very spirit of Scarabia!"

I raised my brow. "Meeting the requirements?"

"Each of the seven dorms here at Night Raven has different requirements that the dorm head has to meet to be the most suitable. If you aren't the best match for those requirements then you don't have the right to be dorm head. A duel is an easy way to figure out who is the best."

"The requirements for what is 'suitable' differs depending on the dorm. For example, I've heard it's tradition for the person who makes the strongest poisons to be the dorm head in Pomefiore." Jamil explained.

Grim shivered. "That's a scary dorm! Then why was Kalim chosen?"

"It was decided by the previous dorm head. He was picked based on Kalim's work and virtue." A small smile lifted his lips. "...That choice made me happy."

"That was because of your help! We all know it."

"Why didn't they choose you?!"

"Don't hate on the previous dorm head. There's no way they'd pick me over the heir to the Asim fami..." However, Jamil seemed to have caught himself too late right when he was about to finish his sentence.

"Huh?! There you go again with the 'Asim family'!" Grim pointed out.

"I didn't know there was something like that... So it's just nepotism?!"

"They're dirty... The Asim family is too dirty!"

"Please, forget I said anything of the sort." Jamil pleaded.

Unfortunately, we heard it loud and clear.

"Night Raven College is supposed to be a prestigious college that rewards personal achievements. Not a place that values familial connections!"

"Yeah, vice dorm head! We can't just ignore this!"

"Who you know or how big your wallet is shouldn't matter at school! Everyone is supposed to be equals!"

Jamil was at a loss for words. "That... But..."

Another resident suddenly appears, having overheard the conversation until he revealed himself. "Scarabia is a dorm that is founded on the tactical mind of the Sorcerer of Sand. I've always thought Viper has the prudence necessary to be a dorm head, not Asim."

"Wait. I'm not anything special. My grades are always right in the middle on the average. That doesn't make me fit for dorm head." Jamil protested.

"Your magical prowess doesn't determine whether or not you're suited for the job." I suddenly spoke up, now attracting everyone's attention to me.

From my lax position against a pillow, I make eye contact with Jamil. "Grades are just numbers to appear pleasing to the eye for the adults. They don't truly reflect your potential."

Luminous clear blue pools bored into him. "After knowing you enough, I can determine that you were just holding back because of your servant status... Am I wrong?"

Dark almond shaped eyes dilated. For a second he was struck speechless. "You... You can tell from just the few times we interacted?"

I nodded once.

"You mean even if Jamil-senpai wasn't made vice dorm head, he'd still go through such a thing as an ordinary student?" A resident spoke incredulously. "As long as Kalim is here..."

"What do you guys think? Who do you think should be the dorm head?"

"Of course I think Jamil-senpai is more suitable right now!" One of the first year resident said in a heartbeat.

"Yeah. Jamil is leagues better for Scarabia than Kalim!"

"Being born into a good family doesn't make you fit to be dorm head!"

"Yeah yeah! Scarabia doesn't need an incompetent dorm head!"

"Scarabia doesn't need an incompetent dorm head!!" The residents chorused together in unison.

Footsteps rain upon their parade.

"What are you doing here at this time of night?"

Everyone swerved to Kalim like a deer caught by headlights.

"He found us!" Grim squeaked.

The sleeping aid should have not worn off so soon if Jamil was caught off guard by his presence. "K-Kalim...!"

Ruby eyes narrowed as they skimmed over everyone. "It seems that I went too easy on you this afternoon. You're still overflowing with energy. Jamil! Send everyone out into the courtyard."

"The courtyard...?"

"They will practice magic until they hit their limit." Answered the dorm head.

"That's a crazy order...!" A resident breathed.

"I've already pushed past my limits for this!" Grim whined.

"Did you not hear me? Move, now!"

Jamil was silent until he spoke, "...Understood. Let's go outside."

Everyone who was present were forced into a third training session outside. It wasn't fun.

When we returned to our room, Grim huffs for breath. He had collapsed by the door frame when I closed the door behind him. "So tired... I can't take another step..."

I glanced to the spot where we had dug a hole into. "We have to get out of here."

"I'm so done, y'know! I'm not staying in this prison another second. I'm asleep on my feet but... Tonight's the night we dig our way out of here!"

Determined to finally escape this hell, we immediately resumed our plans from last night. I remained on lookout while Grim diligently digs until he scraped some dirt and concrete aside.

Grim perks up. He gestured a paw over, "Hey, look! Hey, hey...!"

I slip from my post to kneel beside him and peer down at the burrow.

"Look at this beautiful hole! It's not very big... But as long as your head fits you can make it through, y'know." Grim said.

"I think you mean shoulders," I corrected him half-heartedly.

"I'll pull you from the other side. Let's get the hell outta here!"

"Wait, I'll change really quick, so face the wall." I told him as I removed the vest.

While trying not to strain my wounded left arm, I changed back into my casual winter wear. I released a sigh of relief. Finally back in my long sleeves...

With Grim's assistance from the other side, we finally emerged outside of the bedroom and into the hallway.

"Phew... We made it out of that room." Grim said.

"I thought I'd become minced meat..." I heaved my shoulders with a sigh, dusting off the dirt from my clothes and hair. It was a pain to wiggle through a Grim-sized hole.

"Let's get back to Ramshackle Dorm. Don't make a sound..."

Just as we were about to tiptoe our way out of Scarabia, an untimely noise disrupts the silent night.

Growl~

I slowly looked down to see a pale Grim looking at his stomach. Did it have to make such a loud sound?

"We're screwed. I'm starving from all that digging..."

"Maybe if we move elsewhere quick they won't know it was us." I whisper, trying to stay positive for both of our sakes.

Before we could, however, footsteps soon click across the floor. Grim stammers as we attempted to decipher which side of the hallway the noise was coming from.

"What're you doing there?!" A resident demanded.

"They're fast!" I exclaimed to myself.

"Fgya, we've been spotted!"

They approach closer. "How'd you get out of a locked room?!"

A resident let out a noise once he discovered the mess we made. "There's a hole in the floor...! You have no respect for your hosts."

"We've got a runner! After them!" A resident hollered.

Followed by the harsh tweet of the whistle came a stampede of Scarabia residents.

"Run!" I immediately break out into a sprint, Grim following close as a mob chased our tails.

The hallways suddenly feels twice as long during the chase. With a design so linear, we can't hope to lose them.

After finally making a turn at a corner, I spy a room and went straight inside, shutting the door once Grim had joined me in a pitch black void.

We were plastered to the door pressing our ears for our pursuers's footsteps, holding our breaths and staying still as statues that could put the Great Seven's to shame.

"Where'd they go? Split up and find them!"

"Get out here you damn mice!"

We awaited for the silence to return.

"Phew... Looks like they left." Grim whispered. Thankfully I could spot him with his flaming blue ears and bright blue eyes.

"It's only a matter of time before they catch us..." I frowned.

"Shit... How're we gonna make a clean getaway?" Grim then looks around to no avail. "Which room did we end up in? It's pitch black in here."

My hand slowly glides across the wall. "Where's the light switch..."

While I was squinting to adjust to the absurd darkness of this room, I hear Grim say, "Hm? Something soft is poking me..." A yelp followed by a giggle. "That tickles! Hey, use your smartphone light."

I forgot I had such a thing. I withdrew the phone and turn on the screen before setting flashlight mode on. A flash of yellow floats in view.

Grim shrieked as quietly as he had controlled himself at the close proximity of Carpet. "You scared me! What if I screamed?!"

I glanced around our surroundings. "Then that means we're in Kalim's treasure vault..."

"How rich do you have to be to not even lock this up?" Grim deadpanned. Unlike Azul, Kalim and Leona really don't give a damn about their wealth being stolen.

Carpet sways as though pleased to have familiar faces for company.

Grim stares before a bright idea flashes across his visage. "...Oh yeah! You can get us right out of here!"

Carpet tilts sideways curiously.

"Here's the deal, Carpet. We'll let you out if you help us escape!"

It nods happily.

"Perfect, let's get on the carpet! Farewell, Scarabia!"

Normally I would consider the risks but right now Scarabia is hunting us and searching through every room and space. We'll get sniffed out if we linger any longer.

I leave the door open before joining Grim atop Carpet. We prepared ourselves for the flight once Carpet soared out of the treasure vault and to the skies. We were no longer within their reach, untouched by the world high above the desert landscape.

"Yahooo!! We did it!! Our prison break was a success! We are free, y'know!!"

Compared to Grim, I was hunched, quaking with dread. I can't believe this is happening... I never would have thought I'd commit a prison break, especially when I'm still only a teenager. What would Sidney think if I told him that?

I sneak a peek below us. From the distance I could the residents pointing at our direction and scrambling around in desperation to try to find a way to catch us.

Grim smirked at the sight and stuck his tongue out mockingly. "Hehe! Eat our dust, jerks!"

"How do you steer this?" I asked. There's nothing but the rim and tassels to hold onto. Come to think of it, I didn't really pay attention to how Kalim controlled the magic carpet since I was distracted by pretty sights and occasionally fearing for my life in the same train of thought.

"Steer? Umm, Kalim grabbed onto the corner tassels and..." Grim pulls at it.

A shriek escapes my breath once I registered the world spinning in circles until I suddenly plopped back on my butt. I can't think straight with the wind howling in my ears and my brain disoriented. I was not prepared for that.

"It just did a flip! Hey you! Listen to me!" Grim ordered.

However, Carpet jostled violently in retaliation. I desperately cling to the carpet like a lifeline.

I heard Grim scream, "I'm getting dizzy! Stop, stop I say!"

That was when I remembered something I once told myself: the day I place complete faith in Grim's flying skills, that was the day I lose all hope in humanity.

Carpet abruptly swoops low to the earth. We were dragged across the expanse of the desert sea, then returned to Scarabia to zip through the lounge room connected to a long hallway we then passed by in mere seconds.

From the corner of my eye, I spy Grim clinging to the rim and nearly about to slip any moment. "We're gonna hit the mirror!!"

My eyes shoot upwards, only to suddenly become swallowed by light. For a split second we were in the Hall of Mirrors but Carpet continued increasing speed until we arrived in a completely different dorm whose mirror I did not see.

Then came the violent crash of whatever poor property we destroyed.

Grim and I moaned from the wild ride that resulted in an ugly landing. I think I bumped my head into something hard. A wall, maybe?

"Where are we...?" I weakly mutter. All I register was something cool, dark, and glossy against my skin

A click of the switch turns on white light. I winced from the sudden brightness and shielded my vision.

"...Oh my, I was wondering who would be here at this time of night." A smooth voice mused.

"I came to squeeze some food thieves but... It's just Shrimpy and Seally. Got my hopes up." Those choice of nicknames and the casual imposing implications behind it...

I lifted my head to meet mirrored heterochromatic eyes peering down at us. It's Jade and Floyd...

Grim blearily acknowledges them and asked, still in a daze, "What're you guys doing here?

"Why... I told you that we couldn't go home until the glacier melts." Floyd told him. He did say that in the Mirror Chamber... I sort of forgot that during my time in Scarabia.

"So we're in Octavinelle?!"

"Yes. You're in Mostro Lounge inside Octavinelle." Jade affirmed.

"W-We did it! We actually got out of that prison!" To Grim's utter joy and relief, he cheered and hugged my (right) arm unable to contain himself.

I weakly smiled against the mild throbbing of my headache spurred by the rollercoaster— er, carpet ride. I placed a hand on his head, truly relieved. "Yeah..."

Carpet drifts about, celebrating their moment of freedom with us.

Jade looks to Grim curiously. "Prison...?"

"What's that square-flounder-like thing?" Floyd eyes the sentient rug curiously.

"It looks strikingly like Kalim's magic carpet..." Jade pondered. He then glanced my way before kneeling. "Strix, you look quite pale since the last time we met. Are you injured anywhere?"

I stare.

"What's with the funny face, Shrimpy? Still think you're dreaming?" Floyd crouches before me and waved a gloved hand over my face playfully.

I bit my lower lip.

I clutched their sleeves tightly, pinching the fabric between my thumb and index fingers. In that moment, my hands were tiny. Such feeble touch is easy to shrug off, yet I was internally relieved the twins didn't swat my hands away.

I couldn't meet their surprised expressions with my head lowered to hide my face from sight.

"I..."

I paused. The vague reflection of myself from the shiny floor did not know what to do. What was I going to say? I remember something like this vaguely when I was a child...

[She clutched her father's sleeve. Please don't leave, she begged. She'll prove she'll make him proud as his daughter. She will only ask for time and patience. Then he would possibly, just possibly, open his hand out for her to take. A small piece of hope in her believes he will see the light at the end of the tunnel, a future where they can finally walk hand in hand as father and daughter.]

[But the fist was tightly closed. A faceless man turns to look down at her over his shoulder. Though his eyes were blacked out, his voice was dauntingly clear.]

[His mouth opens...]

But what happened after that? I can't remember. Everything is too dark. I just know that it was not pleasant.

"Strix?" "Shrimpy?"

I was still too fearful of grabbing beyond their sleeves, scared hopeless as my conscience tiptoed between the border of personal space and consent. Though my mind was content with this in consideration for others, my heart aches for more than just fabric that could slip away from my touch.

I have always held back in my desires since I was a child. I had feared being too greedy would cause people to hate me, just like my family before I was under Sidney's care.

When I asked for a store-brand konpeito candy, my grandparents would distastefully click their tongues not at the sugary candy itself but to me, and pull me away. When I wanted an adorable stuffed animal marshmallow toy for Christmas, Father would huff and discouraged me from hoping to see a present box under the Christmas tree. When I saw a cute stationary children my age used, I was instead given hand-me-down pencils and notebooks.

I was apparently "asking too much" and "should be happy that I even have food and a roof over my head". I believed those words because I didn't want to upset them even more.

["Your granddaughter is so mature. She doesn't cause a fuss like my children do. They're always nagging me to buy the whole store, hahaha."]

["How considerate your daughter is. It's good to have self-discipline as kids grow up."]

Every time an adult said these words to my family, I had wished for any random grown up to tell them otherwise. To give me an excuse to indulge in my worldly desires. Yet no one had came. Not while I had lived under that cold, dark roof.

Was it so much to ask for candy? Was it so much to expect a toy for a gift? Was it so much to buy cute stationery?

It must be so much for me to ask to hold your hand when we cross through the shopping district, grandmother. I'm just an "attention seeking brat", wasn't I, grandfather?

It's true I don't deserve your love and affection, right... "Father"?

Because I had no one but myself to depend on, I was afraid of asking for help when I'm at my breaking point. Every time I do, I always see Father pushing me away. His cold shrugging and unkind gaze rendered me crippled since the day he officially cut off our ties, when he ran away from bearing the responsibilities of a father I had prayed I would see in him.

Disappointment was an emotion I was accustomed to feeling to those who were none the wiser. That man was the epitome of hopelessness out of everyone I've met. Chasing after a dead woman while not once looking my way was disgusting for me to watch as a kid. Now I only looked back to him as a pitiful memory.

Thus I had decided to rely on myself. I never expected anything out of the world to convince me the good of humanity. I've been exposed to the selfish prejudice for so long that I was numb to their cruelty. At some point I had accepted them as the truth I must swallow every day when I wake up and every night when I go to sleep.

But now, without Sidney to seek solace in his arms, I have no one to lean to in this world.

It's okay if Jade and Floyd complained that I wrinkled their jackets. If they hide their annoyance behind their masks, I would pretend to not know. I was content just holding onto their sleeves like a lifeline; because I was raised not to be selfish that I was willing to back down if they asked, though my heart would be left empty and unfulfilled. It was fine.

Because prioritizing others' happiness and wellbeing before my own is a responsibility I was tasked with in exchange for robbing the life of the most beloved person in my family.

Right now, I couldn't put on my mask bravely and face the boys. It didn't matter if they already saw through the trembling of my fists and shoulders, the hushed ragged breathing biting back tears.

It was in this moment ever since I've arrived to this world that I abandoned my self-preserved pride and dignity. I pleaded with my crippled voice the words I never uttered but thought of countless times since I've remembered.

"Please... Help..."

~~~~~~~

Note: I based Strix's rug burn from my experience as a kid. I genuinely didn't even notice until I was outside and looked at my arm. I was one of those kids that would trip and stand up like nothing even though there's a nasty wound on my body. Had to search up how to treat it since that was a long time ago.

See you in the next update~