Kevin Mayers, the sub-warden of the facility, managed all matters concerning the lower floors.

With grey hair and a wrinkled face, he was well into his two hundreds. As a result, he didn't look very healthy, with sunken eyes and an emaciated frame.

A sudden ache ran up his spine and he let out a long groan. With one hand, he pounded on his back, trying to ease the pain.

"Ah this damn back. I should have ranked up sooner in my youth, so I wouldn’t have to deal with this."

It was late at night, and he had just returned to his office. His eyes were heavy from lack of sleep, but work kept him awake.

A knock sounded at his door. He sighed, "Who is it? Come in."

The door opened, and Vicki stepped inside. She bowed her head in respect.

"I hope I'm not bothering you, sir."

"Ah ms. Vicki! Come in. What brings you here?" He motioned for her to sit down in a chair across from his desk. She accepted his offer, and took a seat.

"Sir, have you read through the report I sent you earlier?"

Kevin leaned back in his chair, and stroked his chin with a bony hand. "I did."

"So you know about the incident involving the floor one inmate Owen Walters?"

Kevin nodded. "Indeed I do. What a strong young man. He would become quite a useful asset to Arden if he could be wrangled under control."

Vicki furrowed her brow. "Yes he would become useful if he could be controlled, but that’s the issue though. After what happened today, it doesn’t seem like that would be possible."

"Oh? Why do you say that?"

Vicki began explaining. "Owen Walters is not a normal person. He doesn't react the way others do. Instead of being intimidated by the punishment he received, he instead became angry and vengeful. His desire for revenge only grew stronger after witnessing the torture of his family."

Kevin raised an eyebrow at her words. "So you’re saying he didn’t beg or plead for their lives? That he didn’t even shed a single tear?"

Vicki shook her head, "No, sir. In fact, he even thanked us. And threatened that he would destroy Arden."

Kevin fell silent, mulling over her words. He sighed, and looked up at the ceiling.

"This is troubling indeed," he muttered. "It looks like we have to try a different approach."

Vicki leaned forward, eager to hear his thoughts.

"What should we do then, sir?"

Kevin pondered for a moment, before reaching a decision.

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"Well this is actually a rather simple problem," Kevin said. "You see, from what I know about this Owen Walters, it seems to me that he has a very big ego. It's not hard to imagine that a man like him would be prideful in his strength, considering how he took down nine inmates without using essence."

Vicki nodded, listening intently to his words.

"So we’ll put him against an opponent that is an equal to him."

Vicki stared at him in shock, surprised by his idea. "How will that make him become obedient?"

"If he fights against another person, with no restrictions, and then loses, it would be a blow to his pride. It would show him that he is not that special, and that he is just another person. With his ego taken down a notch, he will become more willing to cooperate."

Vicki frowned, finding some issues with his plan. "But what if he wins? Wouldn't that only serve to make him even more stubborn?"

"That won’t happen," Kevin said confidently. "Because I believe in the superiority of our seasoned combatants. They won’t lose to a kid like him."

But he knocked out nine people without using essence... Vicki thought to herself, but she held her tongue.

"Alright, I’ll contact the overseers for floor one and four, and arrange a duel between Owen Walters and their best inmate," Kevin said. "That should put an end to this problem once and for all."

Unsatisfied with his plan, Vicki stood up from her seat. "If that is your decision, then I won't question it."

Kevin waved his hand at her. "Go ahead and leave. I'll make the necessary arrangements."

Vicki bowed her head, and left the room.

Kevin watched as she left. He leaned back in his chair, and sighed. "This better work."

***

Owen was in his personal cell, lying down on a bed. His hands were folded behind his head, as he stared up at the ceiling. With his injuries healed by Sonya, and a stomach full of food, he was feeling much better than before. But his mind was still restless.

The videos still played endlessly in his head, and the sounds of metal hitting flesh were still fresh in his ears.

He gritted his teeth, and closed his eyes, trying to shut them out.

"I need to do something..." he muttered.

But what could he do? How could he even begin to save them? Only a lucky coincidence would be able to help him out here. He didn't even know where they were being held, let alone how to get there.

Owen opened his eyes. "I need some guidance mother."

Abruptly, the door to Owen's cell slid open. Three people stepped inside. The first was a short, fat man with a bald head. He, Owen recognized as the overseer for floor one.

The other two people he had never seen before. One was a middle-aged woman, with long dark hair and sharp eyes. The other was an old man, whose face was wrinkled and covered in liver spots. His grey hair was thinning, and his shoulders were hunched over. A cane was gripped in his left hand, and he used it to support his weight as he walked.

Owen wondered who this old man was, but sat up from his bed when he noticed the bright green pupils in the old man's eyes. This man was an advanced essence user, and likely an important figure in the facility.

The short man stepped forward. "Inmate Owen Walters. I am your overseer from floor one. You may call me Mr. Jones."

He gestured towards the middle-aged woman. "This is the overseer for floor four. And this here is the sub-warden of the prison."

The old man nodded his head towards Owen. "You can call me Mr. Mayers."

Owen stared at him curiously. "What do you guys want?"

"We want to offer you a challenge," the old man said. "A duel."

"A duel?" Owen repeated. "Why?"

The old man explained. "Because you've shown that you are a very capable fighter. We want to see your skills in action, so that we can properly assess your ability. With this, we’ll maybe consider moving you up a floor."

Owen scoffed, "Oh please, I’m not stupid. Why would you want to move me up a floor after I injured so many of your inmates? There is a hidden reason behind this."

"You rude little..." Mr. Jones said angrily, but he stopped when the old man raised a hand.

"It is true that you did injure several of our assets, but you’re mistaken if you think that is the reason we are here," the old man said. "The truth is, we admire your strength, and believe that it can be put to good use. If you take part in this duel, then we will consider granting a reward to you."

Owen stared at him blankly, wondering what he was talking about.

"What kind of reward?"

The old man smiled, showing off his yellow stained teeth.

"Well if you win, we will grant you whatever wish you desire. That is, as long as it's within our power of course. Of course things like freedom, or letting you see your family, are off the table. But anything else is fine."

Owen contemplated his words. A chance to obtain a reward, no matter how small, would definitely be beneficial to him.

He put a hand on his chin and thought for a moment. Then a sudden idea came to him. A plan formed in his mind, and he looked up at the three of them.

"You said I can request anything I want if I win right?"

The old man nodded his head. "Yes that's right."

Mayers noticed the sly grin that appeared on Owen's face. He narrowed his eyes and wondered what the young man was scheming about.

Owen stared straight into the old man's eyes. "Alright, I’ll take part in your duel. Who am I fighting?"

The woman stepped forward. "A person from floor four named John Dreyfus. He’s also at the rank of a novice essence user, so he’ll be an equal opponent for you."

"I see."

Mayers cleared his throat, and spoke to Owen. "In that case, when do you want it to take place? We can set it up at anytime of the week-"

Owen cut him off. "Today. I want it to happen today."

Mayers raised an eyebrow. "Today? Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I feel like throwing my fist into someone's face. I need to let off some steam."

Mayers laughed, amused by his words.

"Alright then. I'll make the necessary preparations."

The three of them turned around and left the room. The cell door slammed shut behind them, and Owen was left alone once more.

He laid back down onto the bed, and closed his eyes. A smile slowly spread across his face. They had no idea what he was planning. He was going to make them regret ever offering him this chance.

"This will be the start of your downfall Arden," he muttered under his breath. "I promise you that."