Persistent needling through my shin pulled me from the inky blackness of slumber. I opened my eyes, but there was no reprieve. I was still surrounded by the darkness as if surviving in a well deep below the earth. The scent of wet dirt and mold amplified the sensation. The only break in the aesthetic was the semi-soft mattress that I was lying on.

I triggered my power, and the energies of the place sprang into existence. I didn't know how it worked, but my ability didn't actually need light to allow me to see the energies of the world. Although, even with my power, there wasn't much to see.

Grey outlines of stone streaked with silvery lines illuminated most of the area. From the corner of my eye, I could see a soft purple glow of the inorganic material coating the mattress I was on. There was also a light yellow glow peeking through the cotton that was inside.

The only other difference was the metal door of the room I was being held in. It was grey like the walls, but the metal was brighter than stone, and it had lines of more glittering silver streaking throughout. While it was unfortunate that I was apparently imprisoned, I took my placement there as a good sign. If I was in a stone and metal room, the true extent of my abilities was still unknown.

I sat up slowly. Every movement sent tendrils of pain snaking up my leg and through my body. To try and fix my leg, I had to sit up to see the damage. The translucent tubes, which appear when I look at my body with my power, came into focus as I stared at my leg.

The wound was at least covered with a field bandage to mitigate bleeding. I saw a feathery, golden sheen wrapped around my leg over the wound. Whoever did first aid must have assumed I would heal fast since I was a Carpenter. Even though I didn't naturally heal fast like one, I could heal myself quickly.

Where the shard of metal pierced my leg, a dark crimson blossomed in a half-inch wide and at least four inches long line. The redness gradually lightened the further away it was from the wound. The color eventually blended in with my natural aura. I looked at it for a long moment trying to figure out how I could fix it.

I decided to focus on the wound's darkest part first and then try to change it to the lighter colors. I placed my hand on the wound too hard and nearly passed out again from the pain. Using my ability hindered my depth perception, and I ended up slapping the injury. I tried again but moved slowly toward the spot.

I lightly placed my hand over the injury and positioned my other hand on the side to support my leg. The color of my hand lethargically deepened to mimic the red. As it changed, fuzzy static began building in my hand and leg. By the time the colors matched, I was thankful it went slow as the fuzziness was almost unbearable. I mentally willed the color to lessen.

Sitting in the room, only illuminated by my ability as I tried to heal myself, time became a foreign concept. I didn't know how much time had passed, but it seemed like hours before I could finally wiggle my toes without pain. I felt a bead of sweat roll down the bridge of my nose and drip off a moment later. My breath was deep, and I struggled for a minute to control it.

My wound was still an angry red mess but was a little lighter in color. I felt I could get around on it for a little while. I didn't plan on staying in this cell or the camp any longer than necessary, but I wouldn't leave alone again. To do that, I needed to prepare.

I swung my legs over the cot and slowly stood up to ensure they could support my weight. I took a couple of tentative steps and was satisfied with the result. It was enough to do what I needed, then I could finish healing after. I didn't know how much time I had, and I wanted to make certain I could finish it.

I hobbled over to the door and peeked through the metal bars serving as a window. I leaned left and right to get advantageous angles to peer through. If I hadn't used my power, an impenetrable void would be the only thing to see.

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As it was, I could only see a mixture of muddled greys. There wasn't a sign of guards, cameras, or anything else to ensure I stayed where I was. I suppose there would be no need if I was, in fact, a Carpenter.

I placed my hand over the area where the door handle should have been on the opposite side. I concentrated, and after a moment, a tinny clink quietly echoed through the site. I waited silently for a moment to see if anyone showed up. When nothing happened, I opened the door and stepped into a hallway that would surely be too dark for everyone but me.

---

I stepped back into the room an unknown amount of hours later. My leg throbbed painfully as I hobbled back to the mattress and sat down. I blew out a long breath and again got to work repairing my leg. With all my preparations made, the only thing left was to fix my leg as much and as quickly as I could. I hoped they would let me sit in the cell for an extended time. Unfortunately, I had reason to believe they would be coming to get me sooner than I had hoped.

After another untold amount of time working on my leg, I must have fallen asleep from exhaustion. The sound of clanging metal reverberated down the hallway as the entrance was flung open. I sat up, startled by the noise and slightly disoriented from the lights that had all been turned on.

However, I quickly recalled where I was and knew what was happening. Metal rattled outside my door before it flew open and slammed into the wall. I was reminded of my first few days inside the Walker Camp facility as two enormous sergeants charged in, yelling and screaming obscenities.

The obscenities were new, but I didn't react. They slammed me against the wall as each grabbed me by the arm. I still didn't respond, but it was difficult. They seemed to be under the impression that I was still too injured to walk on my own because they hauled me up by my arms and dragged me from the room. They may have thought I couldn't walk, but they didn't seem to care if they hurt me more than I already was.

I didn't react as the cadres dragged me across the floor, through hallways, and past doors. I inwardly smiled as my lack of reaction seemed to anger them more than anything. After I was yelled at through multiple corridors, they seemed to get frustrated, and then they stopped.

Our final destination was the gymnasium that doubled as the fighting arena. As we entered the double doors, I could see an audience for whatever was going to happen. The bleachers were full of cadets as if there was going to be a match.

All the Carpenters sat on the bleachers to the left, and the Welders were on the right. Farther to the right was a smattering of cadre, all silent and judgmental. I didn't see any sign of the Sirens, but that was usual.

Standing in the middle of the arena was Colonel Baxter. Curiously, positioned in the usual places were two piles of detritus usually used for matches, and standing at the pile of metal, was my favorite person in the world, Jace.

My escorts to the party walked over to the pile of wood on the opposite side of the arena. They didn't throw me so much as just let go of me simultaneously. Since they dragged me, my feet weren't on the floor, and I flopped hard on the ground. I looked up from my position on the ground to see Sarah staring intently at me. I ignored her gaze and looked to Colonel Baxter, who had begun to pace.

The gym was deathly silent. The only sound was occasional squeaks of the colonel's boots. Abruptly, he stopped and turned toward the bleachers.

"We have assembled today to deal with a serious issue," he began. Then he held up a hand in my direction. "The most serious issue we can deal with, in fact." He placed his hand behind his back and started to pace once more while talking.

"The unlawful escape of your fellow cadet from these protective walls. But that is not the only infraction. The world outside is beset with enemies. Enemies that want to attack and destroy this haven that I have created for you. They want to destroy these walls and kill every one of you.

"After Cadet Alson's escape, he fell in with these enemies. Therefore, he is not only a deserter to this camp and the brotherhood we all share but also a traitor." He yelled the last part.

"We are here today to dispense justice. However, I will not dispense this justice. I will leave it up to one of you." He indicted Jace with his other hand. "Cadet Farrow, the highest-ranked of you, has been given this honor. He has chosen to purify this scourge of your record through combat, and I have agreed to allow it."

A low murmur went through the gym, but no one said anything. I had stood while the colonel was speaking. I didn't have a plan for what I would say, but after what he said, I couldn't say anything. A million thoughts raced through my mind, and I struggled to sort them into an order that made sense.

"Fight," the colonel yelled.