Waking up, Aron felt excited. The session from yesterday was still in his head. He had problems even falling asleep. And now he wanted to move, to see if he could do it right. And he had to do the regular exercises as well. There was so much for him to do, and yet so little time before breakfast.

So he had to move. Laying there in his bed, Aron decided to do the crunches first. And so his morning routine started.

Doing two hundred and seventy reps in total… was a lot. And having to the bath area, wasn’t easy. But Aron liked it.

Yesterday he decided to try his luck and ended up asking the [Cook] for extra food. After a while of just awkwardly waiting there in front of the hole. The voice told him that he could have more, on the premise that if he doesn’t eat it all… Aron wouldn’t receive the next day’s meals.

Aron didn’t even think about it, he straight up agreed. So having extra food, and a lot of energy. Aron was moving, always active giving his best. And now he had a new thing to practice. To learn how to do it, maybe even master it one day.

So after the bath Aron ran, he sprinted towards their room. Not caring if he would get sweaty again. He wanted to try it.

Slowly opening their door, Aron went in. Standing there in front of his bed. He decided to try it, looking around. He saw that everyone was still asleep. He debated trying it outside… but for some reason, he didn’t feel comfortable with it.

So he ended up, practicing the lunge technique that Shadow thought him.

_____

Two woke up to a low thumping noise, not used to waking up on his own. Seventeen usually woke everyone up once it was time for them to get to the kitchen. He's quiet but a useful guy, Two liked him. Not wanting to let it down to chance and wanting to see where that noise was coming from, Two sat up and looked around. Everyone was still asleep except Seventeen, guy was doing exercises in his corner, next to his bed.

Rubbing his eyes, Two couldn’t believe what he was seeing. How could Seventeen have so much energy?

"Seventeen isn't it about time for us to go to the kitchen?"

Being startled, in the middle of a lunge Aron ended up slipping, his foot went too far forwards, and he ended up sprawled on the floor. Looking up from the awkward position, Aron saw Two on his bed, looking at him.

Registering the question, Aron thought about it… and it seemed like they were already late.

Cursing, Aron rushed to get up.

"Sorry, I lost track of time... we better get going or we'll be late."

Two seemed a bit annoyed, but seeing how the food was on the line. He got up and helped Seventeen wake the rest up.

And that is how they found themselves running towards the kitchen in hope of not being late.

Seven was looking at Seventeen, only now did the group see the difference in their stamina, with the walk towards the kitchen usually taking up to twenty minutes. And having to run for that time now? It wasn’t easy.

"Seventeen you're pretty good at this, somehow I expected that you would be worse... seeing how your blocking practice was going."

Hearing the question Aron squirmed a bit, not used to having all eyes on him.

"With you guys being better than me in other exercises, at least let me have this."

It seemed reasonable Seven mused, but wasn't he better than most with the exercises as well?

Fifteen was breathing somewhat heavily while trying to keep up with the rest. Still lost in his thoughts of freedom and delusions he snapped.

"Why are you guys chatting about useless things?"

By now most members from the group learned to ignore him, even Two did... but with the change of atmosphere, and hush talk about attempting an escape. He was somewhat curious.

"What would you have us talk about Fifteen?"

Even as he was heaving for breath, Fifteen snapped.

"The future plans, of course!"

"We all somewhat knew that this whole [King] life wasn't happening. Why are you so eager to throw away free daily food?"

That got Fifteen to stop for a second, and actually try and think about it. But he was steadfast having his grand ambitions.

"Why would you stop at food? Haven't you seen the way that they live above? The whole place was much better than these tunnels without light, all we have are these sparkly orbs!"

Two had to give it to him, if the whole rebellion thing was happening... better to go at it prepared than blind.

"Do you even know who wants to rebel? We didn't even have time to talk between groups, I doubt anyone knows the exact location of every [Slave] except [Servants] and [Masters]. How are you even planning to do it?"

"We just do it! We can talk before the training session, or group up during one of the meals. That is easy!"

Two didn't know what to think anymore, those responses were throwing him off guard, and seeing the reactions of the rest... he wasn't the only one. Looking left he saw Eleven laughing, almost running out of breath as he did.

"How do you expect us to do that? With Shadow and Clark being there. If they heard our conversations---"

The rest went unfinished, they all knew what to expect.

Those things, however logical and obvious they seemed... and however low the chance was, human greed was something else. Aron doubted that any sort of an explanation, that didn't come with real consequences would turn people away from attempting it.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

As they were approaching their destination Aron was surprised, it was the first time that there was anybody else than him and his group there. It took them considerably more time as he needed to slow down, not to stand out too much, and not really wanting to run ahead of Two.

Fifteen seemed overjoyed talking about how this was just the right opportunity.

But no one else from the group wanted to start that conversation as they arrived.

Hearing a noise from the tunnels, One turned his head. Looking for what was causing it. Seeing his friend Two at the front he was surprised.

"Look who it is if it isn't the elusive Two and his group!"

"What do you mean One, I had no idea that you guys were meeting here. Why did nobody tell me?" Two crossed his arms, which seemed kind of comical with him being out of breath.

"Do you really need someone to tell you something so obvious?" Shaking his head One continued. "We were just thinking about you guys. As we have yet to determinate your standing in our little plan."

The leader of the third group chimed in. "We all already agreed, it's only you who is left. And seeing how we are all on the same page... is there even a point with us confirming things?"

"Everyone here has the right to speak their mind, and it isn't like we have a clear leader."

One sighed. It seemed like Three was to him what Fifteen was to in Twos group. Just that Three was obviously more important, as he was in charge of the third group.

With them not going straight to the topic, the rest of the groups started speaking, murmuring... some supported Three some yelled at them to stop talking. And with the whole hush atmosphere being gone.

One wasn't having it. Not knowing if the [Cook] would actually come out, or some [Servant] randomly appear, the things that he wanted to discuss were obviously not meant for their ears.

"In an hour when we're done with the meal I expect the leaders of each group to come here."

Aron barely even heard that part, with the squabble growing bigger... One, Three, and Four stepped in, getting everyone to calm down somewhat. And just walked off. Some still didn't want just to let it be, but it seemed like they had their groups managed... mostly.

Not knowing the exact things that they would talk about Aron was somewhat worried... but somehow it didn't seem that anything that they were going to talk about. Would change much, the groups weren't united. And if they were arguing even now? Under pressure it would just be every man for himself... maybe that was their plan? Using it as a distraction, separating from the rest and attempting it with just the leaders?

Aron didn't know, but having already decided... unless he was somehow forced to be a part of the plan? Wishing them luck was the only thing that they would get from him.

As they were entering in, to get the food Two turned towards Aron.

"Seventeen, do you have a specific way for orienting in these tunnels?"

Somewhat confused, at the unexpected question, Aron thought about it.

"Don't focus on the distance, just the turns... and the order you take them." Shrugging Aron continued walking inside, somewhat expectant for the meal.

"Oh, so you mean places where the tunnels split? I got you... yes that would indeed be better"

Was that different from how they did it? Aron wondered, by now he expected that everyone knew their way towards the kitchen, bathroom, and the training room... not that there were any other rooms that were shown to them except maybe the bath... but it was next to the bathrooms so technically that didn't count. Never bothering to think about how they thought about the way to get to those locations, seeing that Two actually seemed somewhat happy from that advice? Were they actually counting steps towards the location? Or even something more stupid... Aron didn't really care. So he decided to just forget about it, as he waited for his tray with extra food.

On the whole way back, Fifteen kept telling himself how smart he was, he went through a drastic change. From being full of himself, seeing himself as the leader to being woken up thanks to Two... and now he was again on that high. He was quite entertaining to watch from the sidelines.

As they were done with the meal, Two got up took everyone’s tray, and left. Seeing how he seemed a bit expectant? Having just a little bit more energy in the way that he walked. And not even asking for anything in return for taking their plates with him? Seeing the other groups work together, probably gave him hope Aron mused.

"Seven, Eleven what do you guys think they will be talking about?"

Eleven just looked at Seventeen like he was an idiot. "Haven't you been listening to Fifteen and his mutterings?"

Seven jumped in. "Yea, they probably planed this for a few days. Seeing how everyone was there."

Hearing them talk, Fifteen joined in being all proud. "What did I tell you guys, If I was the leader of the group and not Two? It would be us in charge of the operation! And look at us now, we don't even know what they're planning now."

"We get it Fifteen, you are the best man. We will make sure to tell Two all about it." Eleven laughed.

That got Fifteen to tense a bit. "I mean... If I was second in charge, and you all... you know? Listened to me sometimes, you know... I didn't mean it literally."

The poor guy was sweating, looking at him Aron just sighed. At least he wasn't too far gone, being able to recall the recent events. Just it seemed like someone had to remind him.

"Yea no worries Fifteen, we got you." Seven winked at him. "We just had to make sure, who knows maybe now you're ready to attempt and get back on top."

"No no no, there's no need for that guys, please. It just came out of my mouth the wrong way."

Wiping his forehead, with the hand that was still dirty from the meal that they had. Fifteen somehow managed to make himself look like an even bigger mess.

And seeing how Seven and Eleven weren't planning to let it go just jet Aron lied down. With things getting into motion, and their plans actually realizing. Maybe he should make a plan, a place to hide... once Two and the rest went at it. Being pulled into that mess... wasn't something that he wanted.

His life just got better, and to gamble it away even with all the advantages that he had. With Shadow instructing him, extra food. Free baths? It would be like suicide.

All Aron had to do, was bide his time. Awaken his class, and while waiting do his best… so that his physique was in top shape.

Noticing how some time already passed. And already messing up in the morning. Aron turned to still bickering three. Cutting in their conversation.

"It's probably time for us to go as well, training session will start soon. Two will probably go straight there."

"You think so?" Seven questioned looking at Aron with a raised eyebrow. "We just started to enjoy our talk with Fifteen."

"No no, we should definitely get going" Fifteen was happy to make use of the opportunity. Seeing how he was still a mess, probably not even noticing what he did.

"You don't think that we should wait for Two?" Eleven questioned.

"Even if Two comes here first, it's better for us to have four members there on time, than no one."

"Yea... did you guys see the tasks that the fourth team had to do? Those things... were nasty." Eleven shivered.

Giving Eleven the best glare that Aron could muster, he sat up and went on towards the training hall.

Entering the hall, the atmosphere seemed a little bit lighter than usual. Looking for the reason, Aron saw Clark and Shadow chatting. Aron didn’t expect that, with Clark actually missing on the previous day. He expected their relationship to get even worse. But it seemed like he was wrong.

"Seeing that most of you are already here well start the exercises early," Clark spoke, he seemed to be in a good mood. "Get into your groups."

Shadow just looked in Arons direction, not needing to say anything Aron started running.

And so a training session started with One, Two, Three and Four missing.