Note to self, never eat like a starved beggar no matter for what reason, especially before falling asleep. It might work out if you had the whole next day free. But if you were a [Slave]?

Aron was woken up, he had no idea what time it was... but it felt too early. The voice that shouted for them to get up was getting impatient, even though Aron expected some kind of violence to follow if he didn't get up.

Aron just couldn't... even though he wanted... commanded his limbs to move. But there are times when however much you want to move, you just couldn’t. And this was one of those.

As Aron was struggling to sit up, he heard yelps. A voice from his left.

“Stop, stop, please… I’m getting up, wait plea---”

Before the voice could finish, it was cut off. That made the difference... Aron had no intention of throw up if they somehow managed to kick him in a bad place, he was already feeling like shit. He didn’t need to feel even worse.

On top of that Aron expected to spend the whole day being hungry, if he did end up doing so. So he gritted his teeth, giving it his all... just to sit up.

Blinking his eyes, Aron saw the leading [Servant] from yesterday... kicking Fifteen in the guts.

And boy, did he not know how to control his strength. Fifteen somehow bounced off the wall, ending up on the floor... vomiting his heart out, It smelled disgusting. Having been in a clean room, even before this--- the caravan was somewhat clean except that bucked. This was more disgusting than that too.

Aron was glad, that his will managed to get him up in time. And by looks on other’s faces, they were too.

The guy who kicked Fifteen, was just standing there. Looking at us. He introduced himself.

"My name is Clark, I shall be one of your trainers for the time being, and we shall get started by getting you cleaned up. Don't expect someone to clean this mess after you, it's your room now."

He didn't even glance at Fifteen on the floor, vomiting his heart out--- as he turned to leave, he stopped, considered something.

"Oh yea, by the way, you should hurry and get your sorry asses out, in two minutes or I'll get mad. And by looking at your friend there, I think you could expect what will happen."

“We are screwed”

Aron glanced in the direction of the voice, seeing Seven… barely standing there. Eleven, standing next to him… looked shaken. He pointed towards Fifteen.

"Should we help him out? Maybe it's a team exercise? I don't see any other reasons for him giving us two minutes... we're all awake now."

Two seemed to still hold a grudge since yesterday, not wanting to do anything that had something to do with Fifteen. And as he was in charge… everyone was waiting for his response.

"Who cares, I prefer him suffering, maybe his personality improves with it"

Seeing him bring personal issues to the state of the whole group... Aron was kind of hesitant. Two was much older--- bigger than him.

Aron personally preferred him being the leader instead of Fifteen. So he just sat back, having two minutes to see what they would decide. Worst case they would just throw Fifteen outside of the room, and let him do the rest.

Seven and Eleven seem to struggle as well. Eleven couldn’t take it anymore so he spoke.

"Are you sure it's worth the risk?"

Two looked at him, considered it. Then noticed that one still didn’t say anything.

"Seventeen do you have an opinion? Or are you just going to hide there?"

Aron didn’t expect that he would question him for his opinion. Seeing how he could no longer just wait. He didn’t want to offend any side.

"We can just throw him out... after that, he can manage on his own... unless Clark has more instructions afterward."

Two nodded and walked over to where Fifteen was.

"Makes sense, open the door Eleven! I'll take care of the rest."

Aron still felt somewhat strange, how they ended up ignoring... Fifteen being conscious and all. The poor guy couldn’t catch a break.

As Two threw Fifteen out, through the door, they followed.

As they got out, Clark just stood there, looking at them.

"So you managed to get out.” Clark finally looked at Fifteen. “But seeing how your teammate is still struggling, you should help him out. I’ll give you a few more minutes, you better be ready to follow after!"

So they would need to help Fifteen out. And Aron didn't want to be the one to say it. Even if there were three of him, Aron doubted that he could carry Fifteen.

They had to do something but seeing how everyone was looking at Two, waiting for his call. He just shrugged.

“I have no intentions of carrying Fifteen, he stinks of vomit, and who knows where we are headed or how far away it is.”

No one wanted to step up, there was an awkward silence. It was kind of weird how the whole group would end up being punished for Fifteens fault.

Before anyone could decide on something and offer a course of action. Fifteen crawled over to the wall, and slowly stood up, glaring at the rest.

“It’s so nice of you guys… how you helped me out, even get out of the room. And now even though I’m next to you, everyone keeps ignoring me.”

To Aron, Fifteen looked like he was ready to start a fight. Even as he was wobbly on his feet, having to hold the wall.

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“I can walk, screw you guys. I expected more from the people that I was sharing a room with. But it seems like I was expecting too much.”

Some looked a bit guilty… but no one, enough to help him out or apologize.

And so they followed Clark with Fifteen lagging behind. They still could hear him from time to time, as he cursed.

Two grimaced, he looked at Clark who was a few meters in front of them. Leading them who knows where.

“Sir Clark, Is there a way… for us to remove someone from the group?”

The questions surprised most of the members, as they stared at him. Hearing how Fifteen didn’t say anything, he probably didn’t hear the question. Maybe that was for the best.

As Two lost hope that Clark would answer his question, Clark turned his head and looked at him.

“Not yet, but if you prove useful? Or your accomplishments become good enough, I’m sure there would be a way.”

That caught them all off guard, so there would be some kind of competition? Would it end up being between just the group members, or other groups as well?

Aron didn’t know what to think about the question that Two asked. That brought more variables to the whole thing. And what would even happen to the [Slaves] that got kicked out of the group? Or what other benefits could proving oneself bring?

As they walked Aron was once more reminded how huge the tunnel system was, they went on… seemingly without end. Combined with the number of turns, doors, and those shining orbs? The whole thing must have costed a fortune to build, even the time? How long would one need for this?

After a few minutes of following Clark, they arrived at a door with a sign above it.

“The wooden board above it, the words written on it mean bathroom. I suggest that you remember it.”

The voice startled Aron, as he was lost in his thoughts just following behind. Not paying attention. Looking up, he saw carved words on the sign. The symbols seemed easy to remember, looking at it a few times. Aron looked for Clark, trying to see what was the next move. Seeing him just standing there, waiting? Aron concluded that they were at the location. He glanced back to see Fifteen, arrive. He didn’t seem happy, but for once he said nothing, as he panted for breath.

Before anyone dared to ask what they were waiting for. More [Servants] arrived, with [Slaves] following behind, some limping. Some being carried. It seemed like Arons group had it easiest.

When everyone was here, the [Servants] told them the same thing, that Clark did. And as we waited there a few more seconds Clark spoke.

“Seeing how the Second group arrived first, they will be going in first. When you get in, you better clean yourselves well.”

Before they could enter, one of the other [Servants] stopped them, pointing at their clothes.

“Take those off first, and use soap when you get in.”

Not elaborating further, Aron and the rest found themselves stripping in front of a crowd, not like they had much to see.

Once they entered in, Aron couldn’t help but stare at the huge room, It had a massive pool filled with water. He was certain that all of the slaves could get in, and there would still be space for more.

Looking for the soap, Aron saw Two get in. As he did, he started to shiver.

“Damn it’s cold.” Two muttered as he grabbed for the soap. And started scrubbing, fast.

As Aron found the soap and entered the pool, he felt what Two was talking about… being all skin and bones. The cold went straight into your bones. With shivering hands, he copied what Two was doing.

Soon they were done, exiting the pool naked and shivering. They went for the door, wanting to get dressed. And somehow warm up.

As they got out, the first thing that they noticed was that their clothes were missing. And at the place where they were… there were only ashes.

“Seeing how you are done. You should get going now.”

Looking in the direction where the voice came from, Aron saw Clark. Just standing there. Before anyone made a move, to go back. Two spoke up.

“What about our clothes?”

Clark looked at him, then at all of them before answering.

"You will have... your new clothes waiting for you inside your rooms. But I recommend that all of you should get used to being naked." With an amused smile, Clark continued. "Some of the people that buy [Slaves] from us... prefer them naked, even males especially if they have a pretty face." No longer just smiling, he laughed. A laugh that no longer sounded happy.

After a few seconds... when Clark somewhat calmed himself down he continued. "I expect that you are at least capable of making your way back back to your rooms, after you're done dressing, you will wait outside of them. One of my colleagues will come for you and get you to a place where they will cut your hair. I suggest trying to learn how they do it, second time you will be doing it by yourselves."

As Clark finished, Aron didn’t even have time to think about what Clark said. Before they were made to go back.

As they didn’t have a choice, still shivering. They slowly started walking. After a while, Two slowed down a bit.

“Any of you have any idea how to get back?”

There was silence. Finding himself in an awkward position. Aron considered his options and trusting his abilities more than the others. He decided to step up.

“I might know the way, and it’s better than randomly taking corners hoping to find it.”

The rest considered his words. But before they could do so Fifteen jumped in, puffing his chest out. He felt better, somewhat hungry but he ignored it. Now it was his time to shine and prove that he is better than the rest. He didn’t even consider the option that they would pick that skinny [Slave] over him.

“What are you even thinking about, I will lead us!” And so he started walking in the front.

Seven, Eleven and Two exchanged glances. Seeing them stop, Aron stopped as well. He didn’t really mind if the burden wasn’t on his shoulders.

“Why did you stop Seventeen?” Seven asked. “Didn’t you offer to lead us back?”

To what Two nodded.

“I would rather follow you, than that guy.”

Aron felt uncomfortable… the divide in their group became even more obvious. And he wasn’t having fun, with all the attention on him.

“You people… are always going against me!”

Fifteen shouted as he was walking back.

And so the mythical clash between naked [Slaves] began.

Not really, but after a quick argument. With Fifteen clearly in minority. Aron ended up leading them.

As they finally arriving at the door they entered the room and closed the door.

At each of their beds, there were clothes. They were a simple pair of white pants and a shirt. And some sort of shoes. As Aron got dressed, he noticed that they were baggy. Almost too big for him, at least the shoes were comfortable.

Now that they were warm, and had new clothes. Two decided to end the dispute, which was obviously fragmenting their group.

“Fifteen, us not being able to kick you out of the group, doesn’t make you safe. There are other ways that we can make all of this work.”

Fifteen was hesitant. He looked around, seeing if anyone would be on his side if he decided to go against Two. He felt confused not knowing… why they would pick someone else. He still wanted to go against Two. But the pressure of being alone against four. Made him reconsider.

Maybe if he gave them some more time? After they saw how awesome he was. Nodding to himself, He was certain in one thing, to be able to impress them he had to be in the group. So he agreed.

“You are the boss, for now, Two!”

It was a strange response, but Two just accepted it. If Fifteen just obeyed from now on? He wouldn’t have to bother with him. He looked at the rest, seeing how they have dressed as well. He pointed towards the door.

"We should hurry up, and get dressed. We don't want them waiting on us."

And so Aron found himself waiting outside the door, for a servant to come. He looked at his clothes again, he wasn’t impressed. Compared even with [Servants] clothes… they looked bad. At least they were clean.