To no one's surprise, nobody slept that night... they were waiting. Some sitting, some laying... trying to find sleep. Fifteen just kept muttering... how he wasn't the one to find the weapons.

It was a long night... time seemed to flow slower. And the expected moment, seemed like it would never come. What if they didn't know the exact location of their team? What if things came up... making them unable to arrive... Two didn't mention any backup plan. What if this time, when they went to take weapons, there were [Servants] there.

So many questions, yet so few answers, and Aron wasn't even going with them... he couldn't imagine what the rest were thinking.

Two seemed steadfast in his belief, not letting doubt overcome him. Or at least that was how he looked to Aron. He was ready, whatever he was told, or learned... made him certain.

Seven was somewhere in between, he wanted out... for some reason, and by the way that he talked with Eleven? He was almost as certain as Two was... but he had some reservations.

Some of their chatting, planning--- escaped Arons hearing, but they probably had some kind of reserve, some backup plan.

Eleven was downright skeptical, his face was reluctant... trying to get Seven to reconsider. To weigh their options again. But with the passage of time, and Seven not relenting... it was either Eleven relenting or that they would separate now.

To Aron, their relationship seemed close to Dirt Brothers, so it was kind of obvious what Eleven would pick in the end.

And for Aron himself? He was just curious if today... he wouldn't receive that drink, seeing how everyone was awake. And a person walking in, and making him drink? It didn't seem like a thing that would happen.

________

Six was ready, with his plans done... everything being ready. And Three under his command... or more like they were cooperating. Soon they would start, everyone in their group had clear instructions.

He made sure that they were capable of doing them. And if they failed? That's why Six was sending Nine and Twelve together to do the important task, and he with Three would go and start the other thing... Six only hoped that the only uncertain part of his plan... followed what he expected.

It was a risk, a big one... but the risk itself made the whole plan safer. Six didn't plan for everyone to escape, he wouldn't go against it... but the chance of that happening, with so many variables. It was low, and he steeled himself for the worst.

"Three, time is coming soon. Are you ready?"

Three sitting next to him, glanced up.

"Is there a point, asking me that now? There is no going back now."

"Any last thoughts? Minute changes that you can think of?"

Three paused to think.

"No, the current plan... is the best version, I think."

However proud Six was... he was open towards opinions, he already learned... that sometimes just a little change of perception. Could uncover things... that just slipped your mind.

"What about you two, Nine? Twelve?"

"Nothing that we could come up... since the last time you asked us."

Twelve stated. Nine sat up, glanced at Six.

"We know our job... and I made sure to remember the locations of other teams. So there should be no issues there."

Six relaxed somewhat... he wasn't sure how reliable they were. But he had to make do, with what he had. And honestly? They weren't that bad. He had hope in them... better to hope than think of all the ways that they could fail a simple task.

And so after going once more over it, making sure that both Nine and Twelve knew the path. He passed them the bundle of swords.

They wrapped every single sword into sheets, making sure they wouldn't clank, or make noise as they were carried. And if a [Servant] saw them? They would at least have some chance to explain. And maybe get away with an excuse or two.

"Remember, one sword per person... the second group is the only one with five members."

Nine nodded.

"Yes we know, you have nothing to worry about."

Those kinds of answers were ones that... made Six uneasy. But he had to trust them. He just had to repeat that to himself... a couple more times.

They had the easier part... he and Three had to do the harder one. And hope their bargain held true.

_______

One was uneasy... him being the strongest out of the four groups? That meant little, seeing how his actual team was the weakest. And they all seemed just happy, with everything. Free food? They celebrated. Being beaten unconscious? They were still happy. Escaping? No problem they just cheered.

They listened to him, but more than that?

If One didn't know Two... and was actually friends with him, he was certain that his team would be the one left cleaning the bath area.

And the worst thing about that? His team would just celebrate, or sing while doing it.

Outside of doing stuff? He liked them, they were a fun bunch.

But making plans with them? Or trying to rely on them, if things went south? One expected them to just surrender. And be happy with any kind of punishment that was issued to them.

One didn't want that. So he would need to rely on Two again.

He didn't trust Three, he never told them everything. Just ignored certain questions.

How did they find the exit? How were they certain that it was a different one? How did they manage to find weapons? Why didn't anyone spot them?

Three would just change the topic to something that suited him more.

He told them much... but One was still skeptical. It was all too convenient. But there was no going back now. He agreed, and soon they would be knocking.

So all One could do, was hope... and do his best.

_____

The only group without a leader. And that being the reason that they had to do the extra tasks, was the fourth group.

Even though it had his name in it, Four wasn't in charge. They were all too close in strenght, and everyone wanted to lead.

Glancing towards his team members, four sighed.

"Are we happy with the current situation? We're all aware that Three is holding back information."

Five slapped his leg, annoyed.

"It is our best option and free weapons? Why would you decline them, even if we ditch their plan? Having a weapon even just for exercise? It would be worth it."

"Yes, it's obvious. Joining Three on the surface is the way. No matter how you look at it... we stand to profit."

Eight said.

Ten just nodded, agreeing with Eight.

They were weaker than Four and Five, but they teamed up... seeing how neither of them, accepted being under the other’s command. And so their group was stuck in some kind of balance.

With tension between Four and Five, and Eight and Ten waiting to pounce, once they were weakened.

And so that brought some kind of team balance, and they actually started working together. Since none of them wanted to do those extra chores any longer.

"Just let me confirm it one more time. We take the weapons, go to the meeting spot and follow them to the exit? And if things go array, we push on, or try and back off, hoping that they wouldn't see us? "

Five looked his way.

"I don't think we will have a chance of backing off. We either stay, hide the weapons. Or once the thing comes? We have to push through. It's only us seventeen. And just by numbers alone. They would be able to tell if it was us all."

Ten nodded.

"He's right, and going with the whole group, seems better."

"Yea, if they catch the rest... we can't be certain that if we didn't go with them, we wouldn't end up being punished."

Eight added.

"Any ideas of helping [Servants] if they catch us in action?" Four asked.

"We could, maybe we would even receive some benefits from it." Five nodded.

"Eight, Ten? You agree with that?"

There was a brief pause, as they talked.

"Yes, that could work out." Ten finished.

And so everyone was left to their thoughts, as they waited.

_______

Today was the day that Caden would watch the whole thing from up close. Was it absolutely necessary? No. But would it make the whole thing more fun? Yes.

He was just uncertain, to what degree... he wanted to participate. His mission was obviously just to protect Seventeen or Aron, from what he knew that was his actual name. But Caden had a feeling that Aron wouldn't try and escape.

And Caden wanted to watch the show, kids trying to escape. Fighting against all odds. They were lucky with Ron being greedy, not hiring more [Guards] or even just [Servants]. With the previous lack of [Slaves] that Ron owned or dealt with, there was no need. But now? He might come to regret it, and Caden had no reason to interfere.

After a long debate with himself, Caden decided to stick around, close to Aron. At least within distance, where he could react, if the kid got himself into trouble. Not that it was likely.

And so Caden found himself humming, as he walked through shadows towards Arons room. Seeing how Aron got used to the whole potion thing, Caden doubted that he would get much of a reaction from him.

And if Aron did react, it would attract attention to him. Which at this point, would be bad for him. And somewhat good for Caden, since that would make it more likely, that he would end up following the rest.

But letting the kid do as he planned, seemed better. Seeing what he had planned, and how he would execute it... it was better than interfering. If Guild Master found out... it wouldn't be looking good for Caden.

Being close enough to Arons room, Caden drank an invisibility potion. Relying only on shadows to hide him, while feeding Aron three potions, he didn’t want to attempt that.

Stepping out from the bed’s shadow, Caden scanned the room, looking at the expressions that the [Slaves] were making... little hush talks, little plans. Which most of would fail. It was fun, the tension... the distrust. Was obvious.

Taking the flask, and feeding it to Aron. He instinctively went to grab it, but he was too slow. Caden just locked his arms before Aron could even move them. His disbelieving face, as his eyes roamed around the room, trying to find what was happening. Was somewhat funny. But short-lived... as he soon calmed down.

And with that Caden was now free, to just stand back... and enjoy the show. And so he slipped back into the shadows. Not knowing how long that cheap potion would last.

_______

It was scary, how someone could just appear? And feed you something? Did they appear? Or how could anyone explain being fed something invisible? That left no shadow on the ground, and yet it was real!

What if they wanted to kill you? To listen to conversations or even steal?

Aron shivered.

If he didn't already have a similar experience? For almost a month now? He would have screamed like never before. But seeing how even his attempts at grabbing at air, trying to stop or feel what the thing actually was were instantly stopped.

Aron had a feeling that even his voice wouldn't come out, even if he shouted his lungs out.

And whoever was doing that... was clearly a part of the guild that Ron was in. So why didn't they react yet? Even now if they were present, they could clearly hear Seven and Eleven planning, or Fifteens mutterings.

So there was more to it, would they act once they came closer to their goal? Or when they all were in the same place, not bothering to hunt them down one by one?

Aron couldn't guess. So he just sat there on his bed, head on his knees. Trying to calm down his beating heart. Relive some of the panic that seeped in.

He had to be calm, composed for the moment was closing in.