Chapter 2: Uneasy Alliances
Sunlight streamed through the dusty window, painting harsh stripes across Seth's face. He jolted awake, the remnants of his nightmare clinging to him like cobwebs. The events of the past night felt raw and real, a constant reminder of the darkness he carried within. He squeezed his eyes shut, forcing himself to breathe deeply. Today was a new day, a chance to start fresh.
He stumbled out of bed, a wave of dizziness washing over him. Ignoring it, he quickly changed and headed out, the layout of the dorm still a mystery. With a sigh, he pulled out the map Anya had given him, cursing his terrible sense of direction.
Lost in his map-deciphering mission, he bumped into another student. A boy with sun-bleached blonde hair and piercing blue eyes grinned at him. "Hey, you must be the new guy. I'm Jack."
"Seth," he mumbled, surprised by the friendly welcome. They chatted as they navigated the bustling hallways, Jack's enthusiasm a stark contrast to Seth's brooding silence.
"So, you all the way from Novacrest, huh?" Jack asked, his American accent thick. "I myself came here from the States. Mom landed a sweet job with Paradise Limited."
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Seth's jaw clenched at the mention of the corporation. He mumbled a noncommittal reply, hoping to steer the conversation away from the topic.
They finally reached the classroom, and Jack introduced him to a group of students. Seth found himself drawn to a quiet Japanese boy named Ryuhei, his dark eyes holding a depth that mirrored Seth's own internal turmoil. As the class droned on, the weight of his mission grew heavy.
The lunch bell rang, a welcome break from the monotony. Jack, ever the social butterfly, insisted on showing Seth around the cafeteria. They found Ryuhei at a table, picking at his food.
Their lunch was interrupted by a commotion across the room. A group of hulking figures, led by a sneer-faced boy named Shane, were picking on a smaller student named Rey. Seth's blood ran cold. He was about to spring to Rey's defense when Ryuhei's hand clamped down on his arm.
"Hold on," Ryuhei hissed. "That's Shane and his goons, they are part of Grizzlies. They control the center part of the city, and they're backed by Paradise Limited."
Seth felt a surge of anger course through him. Paradise Limited, again. This city seemed to be drowning in their influence. He couldn't take it anymore. Ignoring Ryuhei's warning, he pushed past him and marched towards the scuffle.
"Leave him alone," Seth growled, his voice echoing in the shocked silence that had fallen over the cafeteria.
Shane and his crew turned, their faces contorted in surprise. Before they could react, Seth lashed out. A well-placed jab followed by a sharp cross sent Shane reeling back, clutching his jaw. The entire room held its breath.