The next few weeks proved to be a very busy time for Owen and the crew. More and more people were joining the training sessions with the number of members ballooning to the hundreds. Inmates ranging from floor two to five, also began joining as they heard about the training.

The training hall was filled with people. Inmates were training with droids against the walls. People were sparring with each other. And Owen walked through the middle of the hall, observing the people with a close eye.

He stopped a moment later. Just further away, Will was sparring against a man who was maybe in his thirties. Isaac was watching them from the side with a hand to his chin.

Owen came closer and stood beside him. Isaac looked to him as he noticed him there and nodded his head to him. They then continued to watch Will's match.

Frankly, what they were seeing was surprising. Will was currently dominating the fight. The man he was fighting, glowered as his punches kept missing. Will weaved smoothly through the man’s attacks, landing body shots in quick successions.

Isaac spoke up. "This is abnormal."

Owen nodded. "Yeah, it is. Will was starting to get stronger a few weeks ago, but he shouldn’t be this strong." He turned to look at Isaac. "This first started with Grace. Then a few other people started to become drastically stronger. What do you think is happening?"

"It’s probably got something to do with your insignia. It must be some passive ability that’s making people become this strong."

"That’s what I think as well. But there has to be some trigger for it. Maybe…" Owen went quiet as he went into thought. A smile crept onto his face. "Those who fight with me, will become strong enough to stand by me."

Isaac raised an eyebrow. "Do you think that’s it?"

"Yes, that’s what I believe what’s happening."

The two returned their attention to the fight as they heard a loud smack. Will’s opponent was on the floor, huffing and puffing large amounts of air, while Will stood over him like a champion that had won a battle. He turned to look over at Owen and Isaac. He smiled brightly, and held up a peace sign to them.

Owen smiled himself. If what was happening was true, then things were starting to look up for him. It was time to take the plan to the next level.

He stepped backwards and activated his essence ability. He leaped up into the air and flew high above the inmates. Once he was halfway between the ground and the ceiling, he stopped and hovered in the air.

He poured essence into his throat, enhancing his voice. "My warriors, I have a few things that I would like to say to you."

The hall went quiet as people began to stare up at Owen. "I’m sure you’ve noticed it by now; you’re all growing stronger at an unnatural rate. Well let me tell you this. This is because of your believe in me. My insignia is granting those that fight for the same things I do, freedom, the ability to stand on the same stage as I do. So, if you want power, all you have to do is desire freedom."

Owen moved his hand up and made a motion with his hand like he was squashing an apple. "You have to want it, crave for it. The only way to gain freedom is through the path of power. Power is freedom."

Owen returned to a neutral position and carried on talking. "I have a plan to get us all out of here. It will take a while to gather all the necessary pieces, but I promise you this, I will reunite you with your families."

Shouts and murmurs filled the training hall. Owen descended to the ground, landing back where he had initially been. Isaac came up to him, grabbing his arm. A frown was on his face.

"I don’t think that was wise of you to say that last part Owen. The officers will eventually find out about this."

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Smirking, Owen looked at him. "I know, that’s what I’m expecting. We’re growing faster than I thought so it’s time to kick things up a notch. For the past few weeks, Arden has been wondering what to do with me. But to me it’s quite simple," Owen lifted his hand up and pointed to the ceiling. "There are more floors above us. It’s time they get a move on."

***

An urgent meeting was taking place among the higher officials of the facility. The warden, the sub-warden, and all the overseers ranging from floor one to ten, were seated at a round table in one of the meeting rooms. Albert sat at the head, with Mayers and the overseer for floor ten sat on either side of him.

Albert was informed earlier that day of what took place during the training session of Owen Walters. He had gathered his officers in order to figure out what to do with the rebel.

"This is all your damn fault, Mayers." The floor ten overseer, Barbara Thatcher, said out loud bitterly. She had grey hair that spread out like a lion’s mane, and red pupils that could bore into anyone. "How could you let an inmate gain all this power? You are not fit to be a sub-warden."

Mayers clenched his jaw but he didn’t dare speak out against Barbara. A few years back, Barbara was the sub-warden of the facility, but she was demoted to the rank of an overseer when she ruthlessly beat a promising inmate, to near death for a few comments they had made about her.

"This kid is obviously trying to build an army. He should be disposed of."

Albert sat with his hands to his chin. "Yes, that’s what I’m wondering if we should just get rid of him and be done with this mess."

"No! It’ll all be worth it if we can reign him in!" Albert said out loud.

Barbara glared to the side. "You’re only saying that because you want an excuse to be pardoned for all the nonsense you’ve been up to these past few weeks."

Albert stammered up a response. "Your floor ten inmate, Katherine Hart, is the strongest inmate here. If we can use her to humble Owen in front of the rest of the inmates, he’ll lose his standing and become less rebellious."

"You want to use my inmate for such nonsense? There is no–"

"Wait," Albert interrupted. "That is not a bad idea. The governor of the realm will be coming in a month's time to check up on the facility. He has been very adamant that we produce more soldiers for Arden to increase the realm's ranking among the others. We cannot afford to lose a promising inmate like Owen."

Barbara clicked her tongue in annoyance. "What do you suggest we do then?"

"A contest. Five matches between Owen and four other inmates he'll choose on the lower floors, and five of the strongest inmates on floor ten. We'll hold a competition."

Barbara raised her eyebrow. "Why?"

"This will serve two purposes. One is to show the difference of power between the lower floor inmates who were brought in to be molded, and the ten floor inmates, the end products of our efforts. It will show the vast difference in power, and show that the only way they’ll gain power and freedom is through us. The second reason is to bring down Owen. When he loses, he’ll lose the faith of the inmates who believed he could contend against us. And his ego will crumble, allowing us to finally take control of him."

"You believe that would work?"

"Yes. We’ll hold the competition in a month’s time, when the governor arrives," Albert turned his attention to the other overseers. "Overseers, make sure to announce this tomorrow morning at your assemblies."

Nods of acknowledgment came from them.

"Alright, let’s hope that this will solve all our problems."

***

Katherine Hart was stood on the edge of a cliff that overlooked a boundless ocean. The waves clashed against the rock, creating splashes of water that flew up high. She watched the waves, with eyes that were mixed with the colours of hazel and silver.

Her long raven black hair, that came down below her waist, contrasted against her pale skin.

She turned her head around as she noticed that someone was approaching her. Up in the sky, flew overseer Barbara with stone-like wings that protruded from her back. She descended down before landing a few feet away from Katherine. She walked up to her before putting her hands behind her back.

"What are you doing all the way out here?"

"Just admiring the view, overseer."

Katherine's eyebrows were positioned in a way that made it look like she was permanently frowning. It was a thing that always irked Barbara.

"Don’t come out this far again. I hate to see you inmates think that you deserve to move about freely."

"Yes, overseer."

Barbara moved her hand to her mouth and cleared her throat. "In a month’s time you will take part in a competition, where you’ll be fighting against some floor one brat. What I want you to do is choose four other inmates, who’ll also take part in this with you."

Barbara was confident in Katherine's capabilities. She became an intermediate essence user four years ago at the young age of sixteen. And not only was her insignia powerful, she was also capable of the rare feat, embodiment.

"Alright, overseer." Katherine said as she bowed down to her.

Barbara frowned at her. She frankly didn’t like Katherine. The inmate didn’t show it, but there was an air of resistance around her. She always followed orders to a tee, but unlike the other floor ten inmates, there was no fear in her eyes. This was the reason why they hadn’t officially made her an officer of Arden yet.

Katherine stood back up and stared straight into the eyes of Barbara. "I’ll do whatever you say."