'Shen: It is weird. Even after entering meditation and absorbing Magic, I still can't figure out my surroundings...No. I can seem to see would be the more apt description... Did taking my eyes do more than I thought? No. It was only a physical disruption.'

'Shen: The soul is intact as well as my mind. Well, were they even ever intact considering I was created and not born? Regardless, my Magic should be usable...The circuits are working and all the conditions are satisfied...So why can't I see?'

'Shen: Is it due to the recent and forced theft of my Divens? Not likely. The shock is only immediate and there shouldn't be any after effects...'

Shen: *sigh*

As Shen sighed audibly upon the pile of mish-mashed flesh and other organic garbage, he thought the sound would drown along with the lamentations of the others still alive in there. It didn't.

???: Wow, didn't think you were alive, kid.

It was a single voice coming through the barrage of wails and mad screams, barely audible yet strangely it was the one that was the clearest to his ears. Needless to say, Shen was very surprised to hear someone speak clearly down here. Was there someone else still sane in this garbage dump?

It didn't take long for him to adapt a defensive posture...mentally. As in fact, he had no limbs and no eyes. Moving was not going to be easy unless he used Magic and wasting it like this... He was still unable to see even with it and moreover, there was no guarantee he even had a winning chance.

He knew nothing about the being who spoke...

???: Ah~ Don't worry~ I am not an ennemy~ Not quite an ally either tho? Maybe? Ahahah, who cares! I am just glad to find someone new and still slightly sane in this hellhole~

Shen did not answer. Whether the being was an ally or not, he would be the one to decide.

???: Don't be like that, let's chat some~ There isn't much else to do in here after all~ You can call me Junk by the way~ I gave up on my previous name since, you know, it wasn't really mine.Who are you?

Shen did not plan to answer. He did not want to be discovered absorbing Magic. If the people who threw him down here knew that he could still use it, that he could still pose a threat...Insignificant as it was, a threat was a threat. He might end up in a worse situation.

As he kept thinking so, he felt something poking his ass.

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Junk: Imma poke your asshole until you answer~

Shen: ...Stop...

Junk: Finally~ So, kid, who are you?

Shen: ...Shen.

Junk: Shen~ Shen. Shen? Nice name. Yours or theirs? Nevermind. Doesn't matter~ I'm more curious about how you ended in such a state and, more than anything, how you've managed to gather Magic down here.

'Shen: So much for trying to be secretive. Am I going to really die here in the end?'

Junk: Ah! You're still not trusting me! Smart one~ You just got betrayed by your maker after all~ Though you only just realized you had one! Ahahahah! ...So. Here we are. Both being puppets discarded. Well, there are others, it's not that difficult to notice with all their screaming...But they've gone insane.

Junk: So. Now that you know there's just us two here, let's be honest with each other~ I want Magic too.

Shen: ...No.

Junk: Hmm...You fear that I will end you? Here?

Shen: ...

Junk: Come on, kid~ We're in the organic garbage dump with bodies in shambles. I have no reasons to. But, since you're like that...How about a contract?

Shen: A contract?

Junk: You can craft one with Magic. I won't harm you in any way and you give me Magic. Good deal, right?

Shen: *chuckle* So my prize is my own life? Fuck off.

Junk: ... Alright, what do you want?

'Shen: I see. He's that desperate for Magic that he would rather give me whatever I want than lose such an opportunity...It does make sense considering where we're at...How long has he been here for him to become this desperate?... Regardless, it's true that a contract would be the right solution...'

Shen: Help me escape.

Junk began to explode in a mad laughter that lapsed for a few dozen seconds. Only after he calmed down did he say:

Junk: You can't ever escape this place.

Shen: I will.

Junk: Sure~

Shen: What will it be?

Junk: ... I won't. However, I can help you 'try' to escape. I don't mind sharing what I know too.

Shen: ...That is good enough. Let's sign a contract.

Shen began to work on a contract and soon, a blue parchment with inscriptions materialized in front of both. Shen signed it right away. Since he made it, he knew he could sign it. Signing with no limbs was impossible but Magic exists for a reason so there were no inconveniences on that side.

As for Junk...He could not use Magic. He had been deprived of it before being thrown here. Like, in fact, all the previous discarded puppets. However, he had his two arms still attached. He could sign it. He did read it first obviously.

This contract links 'Shen' and 'Junk' and is witnessed by Magic itself.

Shen will provide Junk with the capacity to channel Magic.

Junk will provide his aid in Shen's attempt(s) to escape.

Neither parties will harm the other in any ways while in the garbage dump.

'Junk: Honestly, it is a very disadvantageous contract. I will be stuck helping him with all his attempts until he gives up and there is no precise time stated. He could be thinking of only giving me Magic after he escapes...But he won't escape... Still. It does state that I will be given Magic. It's not like I have ever came accross a bigger opportunity down here. Who knows when another would come...I...I can't wait anymore.'

Junk: Alright. I signed it. Cheers to our new partnership~