The facility gives us three days before transfer to Central Arena, but word of our achievement spreads within hours. Team Exodus becoming the first to reach advancement qualification since Phase 2 started isn't just news, it's a facility-wide event. By evening, facility administration has approved an unprecedented "transfer preparation gathering" in a common area normally reserved for sponsored assets.

  "It's not exactly a going-away party," I tell the team as we enter the spacious chamber. "More like a strategic move by administration to observe how other assets react to advancement qualification."

  The large space has been transformed from its usual sterile appearance. Food tables line the walls with actual prepared dishes instead of nutrition paste. Ambient lighting creates an almost normal atmosphere, a far cry from the harsh illumination that defines most facility spaces. Music plays softly through hidden speakers, another rarity in our controlled environment.

  "They want to see if our example encourages or discourages other assets approaching qualification threshold," Desta observes, eyes briefly flickering with code as she assesses the space. "Psychological response measurement under social interaction parameters."

  "In normal human speak: they want to know if people will try harder to win after seeing us qualify, or if they'll get scared and give up," Eli translates, the gravity field around his hand now steady enough that he can maintain it unconsciously while holding a drink.

  "Either way," Ember says, flames dancing subtly around her hair, "I'll take real food over paste any day. Even if it comes with strings attached."

  The chamber fills quickly as word spreads. Independent assets, sponsored fighters, even Nulls with special clearance gather to witness the team that achieved what was widely considered impossible. The social hierarchy that normally dominates facility interactions seems temporarily suspended, classification boundaries blurring in the face of our unprecedented achievement.

  Barrier approaches first, his force field aura pulsing with what might be regret. "I made the wrong call," he says without preamble, extending his hand. "Should have joined Team Exodus when I had the chance."

  I accept the handshake, noting the genuine respect in his eyes. "You weren't ready to see past Desta's classification. We needed people who could."

  "Fair assessment," he acknowledges. "For what it's worth, you've changed how people view team composition here. Classification matters less than compatibility now."

  As he moves away, Nova appears with her luminescent patterns flowing in complex sequences. The loss of Ember to Team Exodus clearly still rankles, but her professional demeanor remains intact.

  "Advancement qualification achieved through unprecedented enhancement integration," she says, her patterns shifting to what I've come to recognize as genuine acknowledgment. "Team Exodus redefined combat synchronization parameters for the entire facility."

  "High praise coming from you," I note, watching her patterns carefully.

  She allows a slight smile. "I recognize innovation when I see it. Your team's integrated approach transcends standard combination tactics. Creates something new."

  "Any advice for Central Arena?" I ask, curious what she might know.

  Nova's patterns dim slightly. "Only rumors. Multi-species competition. Enhanced challenges. Combat parameters beyond current facility limitations." She meets my eyes directly. "No one comes back to tell the full story."

  Before I can press for more details, Marcus appears, electrical energy crackling around him with unusual intensity. Unlike most others, he doesn't offer congratulations or acknowledgment.

  "You're making a mistake," he says bluntly. "Central Arena isn't the pathway to freedom they've described. It's something else entirely."

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  "And you know this how?" I challenge, noting the nervous energy in his electrical manifestation.

  "Pattern recognition," he replies cryptically. "Phase 1, Phase 2, each with increasing difficulty parameters but still achievable outcomes. What follows logically for Phase 3? Not freedom, further integration into whatever system they're building."

  His theory isn't entirely implausible, but it doesn't change our trajectory. "Five more victories and we'll find out who's right."

  He shakes his head, electrical energy spiking briefly before he regains control. "Your choice. Just remember: when something seems too perfect to be true in this place, it usually is."

  As Marcus departs, Shatter approaches, her bone protrusions extended slightly in what I've come to recognize as a sign of respect rather than aggression.

  "Team Exodus achieved what my faction calculated as statistically improbable," she says, direct as always. "Advancement qualification represents significant deviation from expected outcome parameters."

  "We specialize in defying expectations," I reply with a slight smile.

  The interactions continue throughout the evening, fighters we've faced, independents we've trained with, even facility staff showing unusual deference to Team Exodus. The event takes on an almost surreal quality, a temporary suspension of the facility's rigid hierarchy to acknowledge genuine achievement.

  Late in the gathering, Director Karis herself makes an appearance, her silver hair and amber eyes drawing immediate attention as conversation falters around her. She approaches our team directly, her expression as unreadable as ever.

  "Team Exodus," she acknowledges with a slight inclination of her head. "Advancement qualification represents significant achievement within facility parameters. Central Arena transfer protocols have been finalized for implementation in sixty-eight hours."

  "Any information about what awaits us there?" I ask directly, knowing the chances of a straight answer are slim.

  To my surprise, Karis offers more than expected. "Central Arena functions as nexus point for multiple enhancement programs across various species. Combat parameters exceed current facility limitations by significant margin. Adaptation requirements surpass standard evolutionary curves."

  "In other words, it's a whole new level of challenge," I translate.

  "Correct," she confirms. "Teams in Central Arena have trained and fought for extended periods, with access to advanced resources and enhancement protocols unavailable to assets in the regular facility. Their combat experience and adaptation far surpass anything you've encountered here.""

  The information lands heavily. It's true, our team is an hastily made one that has only been together for a couple weeks. It's hard to imagine what teams who have been fighting together for years with better access to resources would be capable of.

  "Team Exodus will take them on," Ember states with quiet confidence, flames pulsing steadily around her hair.

  Karis studies her with those unusual amber eyes. "We shall observe with interest. Your team's enhancement integration methodology represents evolutionary advancement beyond standard parameters. Results at Central Arena will provide valuable assessment data."

  As Karis departs, leaving a wake of whispered conversation behind her, I gather my team in a quiet corner of the chamber.

  "Two days left," I remind them, meeting each gaze in turn. "We use them to prepare, to rest, to be ready for whatever Central Arena throws at us."

  "Central Arena competition parameters likely include unfamiliar environmental hazards, multi-species opponents with unknown enhancement types, and artificial gravity variations," Desta says, her eyes flickering briefly with system interface.

  "In normal human speak: we're going to face shit we can't even imagine yet," Eli translates, gravity field pulsing with nervous energy around his hand.

  "Doesn't matter," Ember says, determination hardening her voice as flames dance between her fingers. "Team Exodus has done the impossible once. We'll do it five more times."

  As the gathering continues around us, I feel a strange sense of completion. Five victories achieved in a system designed to prevent exactly that outcome. A team formed from unlikely components, a telekinetic hiding his true power, a Null with restored abilities, a pyrokinetic who rejected the system, and a gravitational manipulator still learning his capabilities. Together, we've rewritten what's possible within the facility's parameters.

  Looking at my teammates—Desta's quiet analytical strength, Ember's controlled intensity, Eli's rapidly developing potential—I feel something rare in this place: genuine confidence. Not just determination or stubborn resistance, but actual belief that we can achieve what we've set out to do.

  The road stretches into unknown territory, but we'll face it together, our abilities synchronized into something greater than the sum of its parts.

  Team Exodus is going to Central Arena. And we're coming back free.

  Gary (PROTAGONIST) Final stats before transfer to Central Arena

  STR: 55(+7) - Incredible strength

  SPD: 66(+9) - High speed reflexes

  RES: 44(+4) - Great damage resistance and recovery

  CTL: 97(+8) - Amazing telekinetic power, and control

  AWR: 60(+6) - Incredible perception

  Primary: Advanced Telekinesis (Molecular manipulation, Neural Architecture Modification)

  Secondary: Physical Enhancement