The prison guards had different rooms.
You couldn't find them if you drowned out all the noise and distraction.
But I found them. Like a hungry lion chasing after big meat to last it weeks.
I followed the trails and patterns of the overseers alongside the sweet aroma of delicacies no soul had ever tasted.
Bread. Milk. Wine. Rice. Instead of our stale, one week old, hard, rotten bread.
My mouth was watering. No kidding.
They had doors of wood, not iron.
One, chances of finding it were low. Two, no one would be stupid enough to steal.
If any slave found the location, they'd be beaten to death.
Those higher up saw their food as trash. So they didn't need iron. And it was more expensive.
My shadow stood across the hall. My back against the wall.
My breathing slowed down.
My eyes fixed on the door. Cracks of light shone through.
There were footsteps inside. Some coming. Some going.
I waited patiently.
Then the door opened.
A sleepy man with his belly full, half asleep.
Yawning so loud it could wake the dead.
His belt was loose from his belly being over capacity.
I stared at his right hand. The one that held the whip.
He passed by lazily without looking around.
I was practically invisible without trying.
I waited till his footsteps faded.
The cracked door was wide open. Thanks to his laziness.
I gave it a tiny push, making sure not to alarm anyone.
Inside was paradise.
Half a loaf of fresh bread. Chicken. It was like stepping into heaven.
My mouth watered. My stomach growled from immense hunger.
I walked in slowly, like a thief through the night.
There were crystals in a treasure box on the wall.
I knew every detail down to the last atom.
When they came in with crystals. When the food arrived.
Every single detail.
Unlike the door, the box was iron. They didn't trust each other.
One of the souls was a thief. Picking the lock was a piece of cake.
Intertwine the wire like this.
Hold and press here. Slowly turn. Then magic. The lock clicks.
I opened the lid.
Warm, dangerous purple light exploded into my eyes.
Like the sun coming on too strong.
Before I could think, my hand was already going through the beauty.
The smallest crystal was the first I picked. Size of my thumb. I put it in my mouth.
The crystals were in the hundreds of thousands.
I tasted it. Swallowed. It tasted the same as the dirt we mined.
My tongue was numb to taste by now.
The crystal began to work.
I felt a huge surge of warmth and comfort pouring into my body.
Like a fresh breeze of wind. Like being in spring and experiencing its marvelous wonders.
I felt something new, stronger, energizing. Running wild in my body like thunder.
Ding.
[Primordial Crystals Consumed: 12,548.]
I couldn't help myself. Addicted to how my body reacted.
How it nourished me. This chaotic stealing and eating went on so long I lost track of time.
I was cautious, listening for sounds and echoes of footsteps. Aside from that, I lost track of time.
Crystals filled my mouth. My pockets.
This wild eating fest went on till my throat was crying out for mercy.
[Primordial Crystals Consumed: 12,600.]
Ding.
[12,700.]
Ding.
[12,800.]
I started feeling the effects. The warmth took over my body.
Great feeling of improvement. Body tempering. Life nourishment.
Then I heard it.
Footsteps.
Started from outside. Then inside. Just after the wood door.
I panicked. Froze.
I had to act fast. The chest was open. Crystals in my hand.
Ready for devouring. I had to move before I got caught.
Then the footsteps faded.
I gently closed the lid. Reversed the lock picking.
Made it look untouched. To trick them into thinking nothing was wrong.
I got to the door. Listened for any sounds or footsteps. Nothing.
I slipped out quietly. Like the little thief of the night.
Back in my cell, I sat with my back to the wall. Looked at the others sleeping. Recharging to be used again later.
Looking at my pocket, I counted crystals. Found 43. I ate 37. Left 6 for morning.
I held one in my finger. Looked at it. Admired its beauty.
[Side Quest Progress: 43/500 Primordial Crystals.]
[Time Remaining: 29 days.]
I swallowed it.
The warmth spread.
I closed my eyes.
Tomorrow, I'll go back.