“Welcome to paradise,” Shoyo said happily to Ren.

  The dorm floor for the Naga squad was far from stunning to say the least. It was a one story, rectangle building with nothing of note on the outside or inside. The only thing of interest was a painted symbol of a Naga dragon wielding swords on the double-front doors. The inside was a warm beige with green, carpeted floors. There were 12 individual rooms, one large meeting/break room, and one large communal shower and bath area. Overall, the barracks building reminded Ren of a cheap hotel.

  Ren was introduced to her plain and drab room. It was very spacious and Spartan. One queen-sized bed with two pillows, comforter, flat sheet, and wool blanket. Sliding door closet. One large dresser with a diamond-shaped mirror on it. One desk and green leather lounge chair in front of a window overlooking the distant mountains. The sun was setting and the darkness of night was slowly creeping across the pink hued sky as the dark clouds inched their way over the wispy light. Ren was not impressed by her room and Shoyo knew this. However, Ren secretly admired the view of the mountains. She also noted how fancy the furniture was in stark contrast to the boring room.

  Shoyo said jokingly, “The budget is… Well...”

  “Nonexistent or ‘only within means due to the war’ type deal? Plus, I can assume a lot of ‘borrowed’ stuff along with it? Because that leather is from a five star Elvan hotel from the capital. The Menagerie Resort.”

  “That,” he sighed still maintaining his smile. “Like I said… Paradise.”

  “What a paradise indeed.”

  “Eh, it’s still lovely in my eyes… Get comfy and feel free decorate however you feel. Our living quarters maybe sparse, but our gear and weapons are the highest quality. The most important thing above everything else we have is the food. Breakfast will be wonderful!”

  “I see,” Ren said unemotionally.

  She carefully put her katana inside the closet ensuring it was standing against the wall. She placed her hands at the ready to catch it out of instinct. Shoyo found this adorable from Ren. All her other stuff was on her bed. She looked back at her bed and felt slightly annoyed by the downgrade she experienced from the transport from the capital to Kino.

  Ren thought to herself, “Still nicer than my home honestly… I do miss having my own bathroom.”

  Shoyo leaned on the door frame and asked coyly, “Want to meet the rest of the squad?”

  “Sure.”

  Both started walking down the hallway as an arcane-powered crystal projector was playing ethereal meditation music from the break room. Clara was inside the room doing yoga with serious concentration. Shoyo and Ren stopped by to watch a bit.

  Shoyo explained, “First Lieutenant Clara Valora. She’s the archer and tracker. My go to second if all else fails. Also, a person you want if you need to ‘strategically transfer equipment to alternate locations.’ She helped with the furniture… How go’s it?”

  “Fine, Sho. Don’t ruin my concentration. Nice to meet you, major. Need anything, love, I’ll get it done… Oh, that’s a deep stretch,” Clara responded as she was in a deep forward split as her front half folded flat over her outstretched right leg.

  Ren couldn’t help, but to notice how strong of a back Clara had along with multiple scars from arrows peppering her lower half. Ren was a bit jealous of Clara’s flexibility. Shoyo nudged his head at Ren to move on and they both stopped in front of an open dorm room.

  Gil was in the middle of reading from his massive pile of books in his messy room. Two sheathed scimitar blades hung from the wall next to a bunch of abstract posters of the stars. His bed was a circular futon littered with clothes and books.

  Shoyo said to Ren, “Second Lieutenant Gil Savandriano. Expert with the knife and knower of nearly everything. Can blend into the background because, some Lizzies can do that.”

  “Only know everything because the others who did the explosives and magic died. Doesn’t mean I’m a mage. I can just identify spells or when a spell was used is all.”

  “I know that, but you have to admit though… You are a book worm at heart, man?”

  “Yeah, yeah… Nice to meet you, Major Ren. Hope Sho here isn’t too annoying. If he is, then let me take him away,” Gil said smiling flipping through pages.

  He was surprisingly well muscled and had a soft voice with a slight whistle. He had a muscular runner's physique overall. His razor sharp teeth and forked tongue added to the slight whistle. Ren was curious about him because he had a stack of books on magic weapons, explosives, military and criminal law, and astrological anomalies. She noted to herself that Gil was a good source of information if she was too lazy to research herself.

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  Shoyo moved on to the last open room. Remi was in the middle of bicep curling a metal bar with two 20 kg. plates on each side. His rippling muscles and large frame tensed with every rep as his veins popped in an out almost as if they were trying to burst through his skin.

  Shoyo laughed and said, “Lastly, Sergeant Remi Argorath. Destroyer of things and lifter of all things. All muscle with some stamina. Still impressive for a being his size and power. Sometimes when he’s too focused, he doesn’t see what’s around him.”

  “Interesting,” Ren noted.

  Remi’s great axe along with 3 tomahawks were on his large, messy bed. His room looked more like a gym than anything. Dumb bells, kettle bells, and a power rack with a wooden bench along with large gym mats that were spaced along the floor. Remi did not notice them for he was focused on his workout.

  Shoyo sighed, “His room is larger than everyone’s because this was originally used for storage. However, got permission to customize under the guise of a ‘training’ room. Worked out in the end because it technically still is. Don’t worry. He shares the room with everyone. He just smells a bit at times. I guess it’s an orc trait… Other than that, Ren, this is the Naga Squad and home base.”

  Shoyo walked across the hall into a surprisingly ornate shower and wash room. Wood partition walls, thick embroidered curtains, beige tile floors, 3 clawfoot bath tubs with intricately designed fish sculptures with open mouths as the faucets, and 4 standing shower rooms with a metal nozzle designed to appear as a whale spewing forth water. Each shower room also had a mini dressing area just before entering. Ren was in shock at the absurdly ornate contrast of the wash room in comparison to the rest of the dorm floor.

  Shoyo leaned over a very stunned and curious Ren. He said, “The showers and baths are good quality whenever you feel like using it. All individual shower rooms. Just don’t go in after Remi uses it… Rule of thumb.”

  Ren remained silent taking everything in. She had one lingering question on her mind, but was trying to find a way to ask it delicately. She thought about how one would ask something sensitive without coming across as rude or ignorant. She had no way of being sensitive and she knew it. She thought of Argos and how he would explain bad news to someone. She concluded that being honest with sincerity, as best she could convey, was the best approach.

  Shoyo looked at Ren and asked, “Any questions so far?”

  “I have one,” Ren said quietly.

  Both were standing at the washroom door opening with Shoyo curiously looking at her. Ren looked away for a moment sensing the pain from her impending question. She said earnestly, “I noticed something on this floor.”

  “Hmm?”

  “There are now five rooms occupied on a floor with twelve dorm rooms in total… Why are the others left closed off, if you don’t mind my asking?”

  “That,” Shoyo whispered as his smile dissipated. "It's a long story."

  He walked back towards Ren’s room not saying a word. Both his hands went from being crossed in front of him to now in his pockets as his head dipped slightly down. This sudden change in body language startled Ren momentarily. It was as if she had opened a deep wound and could do nothing to close it. Ren followed close by remaining quiet. The few doors they passed by had names scratched out on them. Ren realized the answer to her question.

  Shoyo stopped in front of his door just across from Ren’s room. He put his hand on the door and said matter of factly, “Those dorms are for the… Former members.”

  “Oh... I see,” Ren said apologetically in a near whisper.

  She brushed her hair from her left eye over her ear as she looked at the wall. Shoyo looked back noticing her facial scar. A wave of relatable empathy crashed over him like a violent wave hitting rocks. He saw the crack in her stoic armor as a hint of empathy peered out just for a second. It was as if the scar on her face was the jagged cut in the fence walls. He saw a caring and warmhearted young woman in that instant; not an uncaring ghost. He knew she meant well by her question and realized she stepped on something deeply personal. He knew she felt awful for asking. However, he also understood why she did. He would have done the same.

  Shoyo stopped himself from opening his door and turned around with his patented, warm smile. He held out his hand giving back the silver pocket knife he took from her. She gladly took it whilst looking at him trying to make sense of his personality. She noticed the pain in his eyes and how his smile seemed forced. However, she sort of understood why.

  Shoyo said, “Almost forgot. Don’t lose it.”

  “Thanks… Sir.”

  “Sho or Shoyo is fine.”

  “Shoyo… I’m sorry if my last question was,” she said quietly as if she was apologizing to General Argos once again. She tilted her head slightly towards the wall next to him.

  Shoyo kindly said to her, “It’s alright, Ren… Goodnight, major.”

  “Goodnight, Sho.”

  “Ren,” Shoyo asked sincerely as he gripped the door handle tightly. “ I… Never mind.”

  “Yes?”

  “Never mind, Ren… Get some sleep. Tomorrow is a work day. Briefing will be after breakfast,” He said not looking at her.

  Shoyo walked into his dark room and immediately closed the door. Ren stood in her doorway looking at the knife. She flipped it open and realized he polished and cleaned up the smudges and scuffs. The knife appeared sharper as well. She then noticed a tiny piece of paper folded just inside the gap where the blade folds into. There was a central Kanji character in it that symbolized strength and honor. Under it was a tiny note in common that read, “From one Odai person to another. I give this back to you. Thanks for taking 3 gold coins from me. You owe me.”

  Ren smiled as she twirled the knife in her hand before closing the door for the night.