Chapter 16- Insanity

Dubs walked down the hallway alongside Peter, who stayed silent while they walked. He had a cold aura, and seemed to be unsociable.

Lilith and George walked behind them. George began to discuss matters with Lilith

"So I am to train you in light and earth magic? An interesting combination. I myself am pertinent in both earth and fire magic, as I was a blacksmith before I came to the resistance. One of my colleagues will assist you in your light magic training. Hopefully with time you will become an adept healer!"

Lilith patiently listened as George went on to talk about his wife and son, who he seemed to earnestly miss. A hint of longing resounded in his voice, as if he hadn't seen them for an extended period of time.

When they came upon an intersection, Peter began to speak.

"Here are the three areas that the barracks are split among. To the left is the dining hall, and to the right are the training grounds. Forward we have the sleeping quarters."

Lilith and Dubs nodded, showing that they understood and the four continued forward into the sleeping quarters area. A number of doors appeared on their sides, and Ivan continued his explanation.

"The female dorms are on the right side, and the male on the left."

After walking a bit more, George stopped Lilith.

"Here we are. This one is your dorm, number 27." George stated. He pulled out a key from his pocket and handed it to Lilith. Dubs and Peter continued moving, and George began to explain some things to Lilith before he let her go into her room and he began to head back down the hall to where they came from.

Peter and Dubs came upon his own room, and Peter halted Dubs.

"Here is your own room, number 38." Peter also handed Dubs his key, and continued speaking.

"It's 3:00 right now. Dinner will be served at 5, so be sure to show up to the dining hall by then. Your training will begin tomorrow at 6 am, so be sure to get plenty of rest. We've been gathering up a number of new recruits over the past few days, so you'll be in a class of about 5 students training under me, however listen here. You're a special case. You've been through who knows what, and something strange went on with your body and statistics. Don't expect to be trained regularly like the other kids."

Dubs nodded. "Understood."

"And one more thing- I don't trust you at all." Ivan remarked, before turning around and lurking back into the darkness that enclosed the hallway.

Dubs unlocked the redwood door to his dorm with a click. When he touched the door, he felt a breeze of energy that engulfed it.

"Is this a barrier? I hope so. Perhaps they have taken measures to counteract my other self already. How prudent of them! I wonder how they even knew about this in the first place, when even I myself found out recently..." Dubs wondered

Entering the room, Dubs saw a bed to the left and a dresser with a mirror to the right. Past the dresser was a door to the bathroom. Dubs did not have any possessions to unpack aside from his fathers dagger, and so he laid down on the bed and rested.

The bed was hard and uncomfortable, but beggars can't be choosers. It was certainly a much greater improvement over the years of torture he had endured, while laying on nothing but a concrete slab.

"I am starting to find a place in this world. Where will joining this resistance take me? Only time will tell.", Dubs thought.

Time passed, and Dubs sat in his bed staring blankly. All of a sudden, he heard the voice of his other self.

"How's it going Dubs? I'm bored in here. Let me out will ya? I won't cause a fuss. I just need to get some fresh air, that's all.", The voice echoed.

Dubs, slightly freaked out but not as much as before, responded to the voice.

"I don't understand who you are exactly, but I think we should set our priorities straight. Right now, the resistance is the best way for me to get stronger and to avoid pursuit from the nobles. If I die, you will most likely die as well. It's in both of our best interests to stay here until we become stronger."

The voice rasped in Dubs mind. "Of course my interests would be the same as yours, Dubs. I am you. Why would I want something that could hurt you?"

Dubs continued speaking. "What do you mean by that? Who are you really?"

"I just told you, I am you. I am the tortured experiment who continued to live and survive despite all odds for years on end, only gaining more and more magical potential the more they worked on me. Dubs, together we can become strong. Train yourself, and you will be able to harness your magical abilities like I can- no, even greater! The key is control. The only thing I lack right now is control over my powers! Not that I mind... but killing everyone around me every time I want to destroy an area wouldn't benefit you- I understand that." The voice replied.

"So do you plan on stopping your rampaging?" Dubs asked

"Mmmmmmm..... No can do Dubs. Rampaging is a part of me. If I go too long without doing so, stress will build up inside me to the point where I will begin damaging your body. We wouldn't want that, would we? However, there is a solution. You go on missions every once in a while, and find some enemies for me to take my stress out on. I can benefit your resistance, and release my stress in one go. What do you say?"

Dubs grinned. "Sounds like fun. Lets do it."

Looking at the time, Dubs realized how long he had been laying in his bed. It was 4:45, and dinner would be served shortly. He shook himself and rushed over to the sink, and began to splash water on his face. "HAHAHA. What am I doing!? Talking to myself here in my room?! I must be nuts!"

Dubs' face changed back to normal. "What just happened?" He thought. "Oh well. Lets head back to get some food."

Walking out to the dining hall, he entered to see quite a few people present. Ivan and the two Lieutenants were sitting together with a couple other leather coats. A burly orcish woman and a short goblin man sat next to them, and they chatted seriously, most likely discussing future tactics and plans.

Dubs looked over to see Lilith getting along with a few other young recruits, and walked over to sit next to them.

"Yo! I'm Dubs. Nice to meet y'all." Dubs stated boldly.

There were 3 people sitting with Lilith. A cheery blonde elf sat next to her, and across from her sat a dwarven male and a human male.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Enferia, a rookie to the resistance." The elf declared.

"I am Drodus, also a rookie to the resistance." The dwarf stated.

"I am Tirian, former noble of the Praus family. I am also a rookie to the resistance." The human said elegantly.

Dubs began to ponder. "I guess this noble was in a situation similar to Lilith. I have no idea why the other two might be here though."

Dubs took a seat and the four began to discuss their reasons for being there.

Tirian was the first to speak. "My noble father gave in to human greed an sacrificed me to the empire as an experiment! Can you believe the audacity! How can he continue his legacy after sacrificing the eldest son to the empire? Of course, I am the strongest by far of the three sons, and the one who was most likely to survive the tortures they planned to put me through, but even so! My brothers are not fit to take on the position of family leader! I will rise against my father and his betrayal of honor!", he boasted.

"I.. see.." Dubs expressionlessly stated. "And you?" Dubs asked Drodus. "Years ago, the small dwarven village of Margith was attacked by the empire. The dwarves who resided there were taken captive, and who knows where they are now. I have come to aid in the takeover of this empire, and to save my lost brothers!" Drodus exclaimed,

"Indeed. and you?" Dubs asked the elf. "I am here for similar a reason. the empire has encroached on the elven villages little by little, and people in my villages have been dissapearing over the past few years. I am here to find out what has happened to these people, and to rid the underground of the corrupted rule." Enferia stated.

Dubs nodded. "You all have your own reasons and convictions for being here. Let us work together in an effort to become stronger, and one day take down the corruption of the empire!" Dubs lifted his glass for a toast and the five all clanked their drinks together.

Dubs other self let out a laugh, and Dubs stated out loud.

"AHAHA!! Such noble words for a test subject, wouldn't you say Dubs?"

Dubs shut his mouth with his hands, and Lilith turned pale.

The other three, confused and wierded out looked at Dubs in confusion.

The five sat in silence for a few moments, and Tirian broke it by speaking.

"And you... Sir Dubs?", Tirian asked. slightly disturbed. "What is your reason for being here? Lady Lilith has expressed to us that her situation is quite similar to my own, however what are your ambitions?"

Dubs began to explain. "yes well, I suppose I had better confess. I have been a test subject for a number of years- since I was born as a matter of fact. I was recently rescued by Ivan, and I've come here to become stronger and to help overthrow the nobility that put me under that torture for so many years."

Dubs paused and considered his next words carefully.

"What you just heard was... another personality of mine that emerged from the experiments. You need not worry though, he shares one will with me and will also assist in the efforts of the resistance." Dubs claimed.

Lilith was clearly terrified, but did her best to hide her fear. She was the only one who knew of the destructive power that Dubs other self wielded, and she stayed quiet about it out of fear of him.

"I... see... I'm sorry Dubs, I didn't know there was someone who had suffered so much because of the empire." Drodus remarked.

"Its.. its alright! We will all do our best to help you out Dubs!" Enferia exclaimed.

"I thank you all for your kind words." Dubs stated. His facial expression changed. "AHAHA!! Don't worry everyone, I won't hurt y'all! I'm just here along for the ride! Lets all work hard together!!" Dubs expression changed back to before.

"Did I just say something?" Dubs asked.

Everyone looked down and focused on their food, finishing up in silence.