A lot had changed, he now had a name even if he didn’t pick it… or even like it, he now had it, a warm place with food. Two was even in charge of his own group. And they were the best group that there was... wanting to think that he was even somewhat respected now. Life was good, he was doing good.

Two liked his team, Seven and Eleven fun guys to hang around with. Always active doing stuff. Fifteen, the guy with stupidly outlandish ideas... that ninety-nine times out of a hundred? Were so pointless that they managed to even hurt his brain. But that one? Like this time with the whole escape idea? It was now stuck in his head.

A week ago Two would just ignore Fifteen, or even make him shut up. But today? Or even during the past few days? It was... with the way that everyone was teaming up, and even having meetings that Two wasn't aware of. It was scary.

On one hand, jeopardizing the current life that he was leading. But on the other hand? They were clearly out of that village, and as they have seen the other village on their way to this place. And if they managed to get to it? First would come freedom, seeing the sun again. And everything else would follow.

Two was stronger now, he was somewhat even confident in his skills with a weapon. The constant training, helped him a lot. Maybe he could even get a job as a guard or something for a bakery. If the old village had a [Baker]? What would a bigger village, that looked much nicer... have?

Two had a feeling that soon... they would be sold. And from what he knew about things that he bought? Yes, it was only bread so far... but did it change much? If someone wanted to spend money on something that wasn't charity? That thing would usually get eaten, used until it breaks... or who knows what.

And the combination of... tasting the good life and seeing what was out there. Two didn't want to lose it! So now was a crucial step... he had to decide, see from today's meeting with One, Three, and Four. Try and judge how ready they were... or if the risk would be for naught.

Randomly walking in the tunnels, opening doors one by one? It was hard to even comprehend what would plan of escaping even cover. Do they even know where the exit is? How did they learn about it if they did? Can they actually open the door? Was there more to it?

Questions made Twos head hurt, every little thing that he could come up with. It made sense to him, it was hard to judge what was actually going to work. He was never in a position where he even dreamed of escaping anything. And now to attempt an escape, from what seemed like a set of infinite tunnels. With so many twists and turns. That it was scary.

And if they already knew how to escape? Could they steal something? Like those light orbs? Or something else... it all seemed expensive. People in the old village had none of those things. Would they be rich if they sold even one? Was there more to the way that these orbs worked? Would they expire, or stop working if someone actually stole one from the stands?

Questions upon questions mixed with opportunities, fears... even anticipation. It was a scary mix of things!

Two almost got lost... almost missed a turn. His head was full of thoughts, he wanted to run to the kitchen! And see what was the actual situation. But could he trust them? At the same time, why couldn't he? He knew One... they were somewhat close. Even worked together from time to time to gather food.

They were close... or the situation that they were in, made them close. Thinking about that time, Two couldn't help but compare Seventeen with their early days. One and he were the youngest in that village among beggars at that time. The rest were bigger, older. But with time they left... and they got to that position.

Everyone was sort of connected, even though they didn't talk much. Some hated each other, for stealing food... receiving more bronze coins. Having more luck. But the current situation got him to… forget, even forgive the past grudges, they seemed small compared with all the things that changed. Did those things even matter now, now that those things weren't even worth mentioning? And if it made him feel so? Why would anyone else think differently?

If he could feel... that they would be sold soon? Couldn't the rest?

Thoughts, so many of them... that it was kind of suffocating. Options, chances, things that he couldn't even comprehend.

"Two you're here!"

The voice woke Two up, from the overload of possibilities. Looking up he saw One waving at him with, Three and Four next to him, they were already there.

"I hope I'm not late?"

"You are just in time, we just handed in the plates. You look somewhat exhausted, are you okay?"

"Yes, One, just a lot on my mind... this whole thing, it's a lot to take in."

"Don't worry about it, we will fill you in, you should hand in those plates before we start." As One finished speaking, he patted Two on his back as he was passing by.

Things were starting to move, even faster than Two expected... he seemed to be right with the assumption, that they knew more. And so he went in, with hurried steps... wanting this to end faster. Hoping for news that would... let his worries disappear, or at least lessen.

Three spoke, as he watched Two disappear behind the door. "Are you sure about this One? He seemed kind of... out of it?"

"It should be fine... and the more people we have in on this? Safer we are."

"You got me there, let's just hope he doesn't snitch on us... there's a lot on this."

Damn Three and his comments... he really knew how to make one angry.

"We aren't in a position to be picky, and those comments... aren't really helpful."

Three just nodded, somewhat amused with the whole thing.

_______

As Aron was running, closing in on his third lap. The group leaders were still missing. And the whole atmosphere, or the difference in it... was amusing.

[Slaves] were antsy, twitchy... somewhat on their toes. They were even failing on simple blocks, making little mistakes. Whispering, some even looking, scanning Clark and Shadow for signs... or things that would indicate… that they knew something.

On the other hand? Shadow was having fun, his moves were... somewhat different. Like he had more energy... or that he actually thought about his movements, and not just habitually beat them up.

He was doing even somewhat unexpected strikes towards their legs, some fell... but he gave them time to get up. Shadow seemed to be actually testing them somewhat. Like for the first time... that he actually paid some attention towards them? It was strange... something out of the usual.

Clark too, his strikes became better. Mistakenly knocking someone unconscious, or disabling them... no longer happened. He was even asking Shadow for opinions, tips.

"Look who finally decided to show up!" Shadow glanced towards the door, as his arm just continued beating the [Slave]... with the same accuracy, as when he was looking at him.

"You [Slaves] were actually late, by five minutes no less!"

As Aron moved his eyes from the [Slave] that... wasn't even worth Shadow looking at him, as he was beating him up... towards the door. Seeing Two and the other 'leaders' enter. If they didn't start early... they would probably be on time, maybe even a few minutes early. But it seemed like they just picked the wrong day... to be late?

"Master Shadow we... we were sure that we still had time!" They chorused at the same time.

Pausing the beating, of the [Slave]. Shadow seemed to grow a bit. "Haven't you heard what I actually said?"

The first one to notice the situation... and comprehend what was happening was actually Three. He knelt down.

"I'm sorry Master Shadow... we were just somewhat surprised!"

Soon after him the rest of them followed, saying stuff similar to the apology that Three came up with.

Looking at them, still somewhat amused, though a bit irritated now. Shadow continued beating the [Slave].

"Never mind, seeing how at least you still have some sense of yourselves. We can work on your time perception." With his free hand, he pointed towards Clark.

"Today seeing how you were late, Clark will be training you."

Their faces were all over the place, Three seemed concerned, Four was happy... expecting worse. One and Two somewhat apprehensive, but relieved?

Again they answered together... this time a bit more in sync. "Yes, Master Shadow!"

Not bothering to acknowledge them, Shadow just sighed. Looking towards Clark, he winked at him? "Clark, feel free to train them... well."

And with that little thing over... they were back on track, the [Slave] that was blocking Shadows strikes, seemed overjoyed that his turn was over... imagining being near Shadow... when his mood switched---Aron shivered.

As it turned out... trained well. Seemed to mean something else, once Shadow said it. Seeing the way that Clark was beating them up? They didn't even have time to scream or the luxury of doing so. All of them ended up being unconscious... some even had to be patched up by some [Servants] that appeared, once Clark was done with them.

"After you're done with them, take them to their rooms. I doubt that they could continue after that." As he spoke, Clark looked towards Shadow waiting for his approval.

"Yeah sure... that was enough for them, we don't want them to skip tomorrow’s session."

And with that, the 'leaders' of the little [Slave] teams were gone. And it was my time... to block.

Aron was better, his body somewhat more used to the movements. Almost being able to follow the instructions... or well, the movements that he imagined. Some of the glancing blows were now properly blocked. Even with minute differences that Shadow implemented to his strikes.

Managing to block a few strikes properly Aron was excited. Seeing proof that all these exercises actually did something. But before he could feel proud the strikes that were incoming... sped up by just a bit. And his face ended up going from excitement to pained grimace... as the first clean strike struck his side.

"Confidence isn't bad... but you have to be sure that you can back it up." Shadow spoke to him. And Aron was sure... that he only spoke to him.

"Your progress is decent if you keep it up... I'm sure that you'll be rewarded for it."

As Aron was trying to respond--- Shadow just kept striking him, with the same increased speed, not giving him the opportunity.

With the new record of three successful blocks, and the difficulty increased once more. The blocking session ended. Aron was satisfied with that. Breaking his record. And now he had one more thing, that set the bar for him just a little bit higher.

With the first exercise being over, it continued as usual. Doing the same, usual exercises. There were no changes there... except that Aron was trying, to implement the new ways of doing them. Seeing if Shadow would say something, or if Clark would correct him.

But seeing as they didn't, either they were correct. Or there was no harm in doing them this way. They were certainly harder this way.

With the day’s exercises being done, and no one failing in more than one exercise, and managed to hit the quota. Everyone was dismissed and sent back to their own place.

Now finally with some time to think about the things... that happened today. Two having a meeting... them being punished for meeting up or was it just because of being late? Did Shadow already know? Did he want to separate them from the rest of their teams? Sowing discord, inside the groups. Now everyone had time to talk... with the absence of them. And as they didn't include us all in that little talk--- or a meeting that they had?

Aron wouldn't feel surprised if some tried to make them step down? Or something like that.

For whatever was on the surface... our group stayed the same, Fifteen was muttering about abuse, unfair treatment... and unreasonable exercises. Seven and Eleven making fun of him.. and well, Aron leading them back.

The next few days should be quite interesting... finding a place to hide would be a priority. Aron doubted that Two would just let him stay... while they attempted to escape. Maybe finding a separate door, to just hide in. Maybe the place where... no, meeting The Mountain--- wasn't something that Aron wanted to do again just yet. It seemed even better to just run away from Two and the rest. Seeing today how they didn't have enough stamina to keep up with him. If it came to it? Losing them once they exited the door... wasn't an issue.

Or even managing to exit last? And instead, just blocking the door from the inside?

Who knows, just finding all of the possibilities? And being somewhat prepared for them... seemed like the right way to go about it. And so, after grabbing dinner on the way back. Aron decided to just keep the same routine after they were done with food. Continuing the extra exercises wouldn't hurt his chances.

Maybe pausing once Two told them the day? If they even decided to go with it. Changing his plans based on things that may or may not happen? Aron didn't have the luxury of that.

So Aron decided to wait, patiently. And hopefully, things would work out somehow... In his favor.