The return portal from the Labyrinth deposits me in a recovery chamber, my new equipment still integrated with my body. The gauntlets pulse occasionally with energy that synchronizes with my own telekinetic signature. The resonance blade hovers at my side, dormant but ready. The boots make even simple movements feel unnaturally fluid and quick.

  Zix'ilit bounces excitedly as I emerge, his frill expanded to its full colorful display, shifting between bright yellows and blues in rapid succession.

  "That was AMAZING!" he squeaks, practically vibrating with enthusiasm. "Top 1% of all first-time completions! The analytics system nearly crashed trying to process your performance metrics!"

  I roll my shoulders, still adjusting to the physical enhancement from the serum. Every movement feels different now, more powerful, more precise, as if my body has been completely recalibrated.

  "How did Desta do?" I ask, looking around for my teammate.

  "She finished too! Just got back about twenty minutes before you did!" Zix'ilit points to another recovery chamber where Desta sits calmly, examining what appears to be a sleek device attached to her wrist.

  I join her, noting the additional equipment she's acquired, a basic protective bodysuit similar to mine but less advanced, and what looks like an energy pistol holstered at her side.

  “What’s that you’re playing with?” I ask, pointing at the device on her wrist.

  “Portable supercomputer,” Desta replies. “Basic system access now possible.”

  So she’s finally able to hack the system again?

  “But why would the aliens give you something that can hack their systems?” I mutter.

  “This is all part of the game!” Zix'ilit chimes in, bouncing over to join us. “Technokinetics need something to hack or else they’re no fun! Many system layers are designed to be hackable with right equipment!”

  What? Does that mean all the clandestine hacking we’d been doing had been all within the aliens’ expectations? Just how much to they know?

  Ugh, whatever. Even if they know they haven’t done anything about it so far. And now’s not the time to worry about this.

  I turn back to Desta. "So you had a successful excursion then?" I sigh, dropping into the seat beside her.

  Desta’s eyes flicker briefly with code patterns as she continues examining her wrist device. "Labyrinth parameters proved challenging but manageable. Resource acquisition metrics acceptable given baseline capability limitations."

  "She did great for someone without direct combat enhancements!" Zix'ilit adds. "The system assigned her a C+ rank, which is super impressive for someone with primarily technical abilities!"

  "And what rank did I get?" I ask, curious about the assessment system.

  Zix'ilit's frill expands even further with excitement. "A- rank! Right out of the gate! Most assets never reach that classification! Even the resources you acquired are way beyond standard first-run metrics!"

  He gestures enthusiastically toward the resonance blade. "That weapon would be considered exceptional even for an A rank to obtain!"

  "Must be the first run bonus taking effect giving me such good loot then." I murmur.

  I flex my hand, watching the gauntlet respond to the movement. The physical enhancement from the serum has already integrated fully with my system, muscles and reflexes operating at significantly higher parameters than before.

  "This equipment will make a difference in our next arena match," I note, thinking about how the resonance blade might cut through Brute Force's defensive technologies.

  "Oh! Speaking of team composition," Zix'ilit says, his tone shifting slightly. "I have another surprise! Been working on this since you signed our contract!"

  He scurries to the chamber entrance and gestures excitedly. A woman enters hesitantly, strikingly beautiful even in the plain maintenance uniform worn by facility Nulls. Long platinum blonde hair frames a face with high cheekbones and cautious eyes that study me with evident curiosity.

  "This is Sera!" Zix'ilit announces proudly. "Just acquired her from the Central Arena Null pool! But she's not really a Null, she has amazing energy control powers! Can make fire, lightning, all kinds of elements!"

  I stand, immediately suspicious of this "surprise." "You bought a person?"

  Sera steps forward, her expression a mix of hope and wariness. "He told me about your neural repair ability," she says directly. "Said you might be able to help me."

  So he really wasted no time at all after recruiting me.

  "You were quite explicit about Team Exodus requiring expansion to maintain competitive viability," Desta reminds me. "A third member with elemental energy control capabilities would significantly enhance our combat methodology."

  Sera's eyes haven't left mine. "I wasn't always a Null," she explains, her voice gaining intensity. "There was an enhancement mishap. My neural pathways got fried when they tried to amplify my abilities. I've been doing maintenance work ever since, but I remember what it was like before."

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  She holds up her hand, and for a brief moment, a tiny spark dances between her fingers before fizzling out. "It's still in there. I just can't access it properly anymore."

  I turn to Zix'ilit, who at least has the decency to look slightly abashed despite his bouncing excitement. "You should have discussed this with us first."

  "I know, I know!" he squeaks, frill displaying apologetic blues. "But it was a time-sensitive acquisition opportunity! The Null allocation supervisor was releasing a batch for maintenance reassignment, and when I scanned Sera's enhancement profile, it showed latent energy control capability that would perfectly complement Team Exodus!"

  Before I can respond, my tablet chimes with a notification. I check it, my suspicion momentarily diverted by surprise at the sender. Eli. The message is brief and to the point:

  "Sorry, Gary. One of the guild members needs someone to fill an empty slot for an upcoming match. I'm officially joining their team. The Independent Collective has been good to me, and this is the best way to keep developing my abilities. Good luck with whatever's left of Team Exodus."

  I stare at the message, frustration and disappointment warring with a strange sense of inevitability. First Ember, now Eli, Team Exodus bleeding members as quickly as it tries to rebuild.

  "Everything okay?" Sera asks, noting my expression.

  I tuck the tablet away. "Eli's officially left the team. Joining up with his guild permanently."

  "All the more reason to consider neural restoration for Sera!" Zix'ilit points out, bouncing with renewed enthusiasm. "Team Exodus needs at least three members for optimal combat configuration!"

  I study Sera more carefully, extending my telekinetic awareness subtly to sense the neural patterns beneath her surface. Similar to Desta, I can detect the disrupted pathways, the broken connections where enhancement energy should flow freely but instead encounters damaged neural architecture.

  "Why are you so eager to join us?" I ask her directly. "Combat in Central Arena isn't maintenance work. People get hurt. Badly."

  Her eyes harden with determination. "I've spent months watching from the sidelines, cleaning up after 'real' assets while knowing what I'm capable of. I don't want to be a Null anymore, scrubbing floors and fixing equipment. I want to use the abilities I was meant to have."

  She steps closer, her voice dropping. "I've seen the matches. I know the risks. But staying a Null forever? That's worse."

  I glance at Desta, whose expression remains neutral though her eyes flicker briefly with code patterns as she analyzes the situation.

  "Statistical probability of successful team composition increases with elemental energy manipulation addition," she observes. "Complementary enhancement types create multiple tactical advantage parameters."

  "See? Even the analytics support it!" Zix'ilit chirps, bouncing in place. "Plus, I already paid for her! Cost me a bunch of credits!"

  That last comment triggers my suspicion again. "Let's talk contract terms," I say firmly. "If, and that's a big if, I agree to attempt neural restoration, Sera gets the same deal Desta and I have. Complete autonomy, freedom to leave at any time, and full support for development."

  Zix'ilit's bouncing slows, his frill rippling with conflicting colors. "Well, about that... I still need to make my investment back. She cost me a lot of credits you know! I'm helping her! Not using her! Just ask her yourself!"

  Sera nods. "I want to be here."

  "Still, an indefinite contract doesn't sit right with me," I reply. "There needs to be a limit!"

  "How about six hundred days!" Zix'ilit suggests. "Twenty arena cycles. After that, she can make her own choices!"

  "What do you think?" I ask, turning to Sera.

  Sera nods. "I agree to the terms," she says firmly. "Six hundred days as a combat asset with enhancement capability is better than a lifetime as a Null. I choose this."

  I study her face, looking for signs of coercion or desperation, but see only determined resolve.

  "If I'm going to help you," I tell her, "Zix'ilit signs a contract guaranteeing your autonomy in every other respect. You make your own decisions about enhancements, training, matches, everything except the duration."

  "Of course!" Zix'ilit agrees immediately, clearly relieved. "Total freedom parameters within duration commitment structure! Just like your contract but with the fixed time component! And I promise the same development investment percentage! At least 90% of all credits earned from her performance reinvested in her enhancement progression!""

  Sera looks between us, hope evident in her expression despite her attempt to remain composed. "Does this mean you'll try?"

  I sigh, feeling the weight of the decision. Team Exodus needs members, that much is certain. And having someone with elemental energy control would create tactical options we currently lack. But I can't shake the feeling that we're being manipulated somehow, pushed into a team configuration of Zix'ilit's design rather than our own.

  "I'll try," I agree finally. "But no guarantees. Neural architecture is incredibly complex, and every enhancement mishap creates different patterns of damage."

  "That's all I ask," she responds, relief evident in her voice. "A chance is more than I've had for months."

  "Wonderful!" Zix'ilit exclaims, bouncing rapidly again. "Contract modifications will be processed immediately! Neural restoration attempt can begin whenever you're ready!"

  As he scurries off to handle the paperwork, I'm left with Desta and Sera. What might become the new core of Team Exodus. Not what I envisioned when we first qualified for Central Arena, but perhaps what we need to survive here.

  "The Labyrinth has left me somewhat drained," I tell Sera. "Neural restoration requires intense concentration and precision. We'll start tomorrow, after I've had time to recover and study the problem."

  She nods, understanding but clearly impatient. "I've waited months. I can wait one more day."

  As she follows a facility guide to her temporary quarters, Desta observes quietly, "Team composition parameters shifting rapidly. Adaptation represents survival necessity within Central Arena framework."

  "In normal human speak: we take what we can get," I translate wryly. "Let's just hope I can actually restore her abilities."

  "Your neural restoration capability successfully restored my enhancement capability," Desta reminds me. "Statistical probability suggests similar success potential with Sera's neural architecture."

  I gaze at the resonance blade still hovering at my side, thinking of how quickly things have changed. Two weeks ago, Team Exodus was four independents determined to win freedom on our own terms. Now we're sponsored assets with advanced equipment, rebuilding our team with a Null who may or may not regain her enhancement capabilities.

  At night I fall into my usual meditative trance while sleeping, planning on doing some routine optimizations that might make me a little be stronger, but to my surprise, I find my enhancement pathways wildly overgrown. A completely different beast to yesterday.

  I immediately spot several major optimizations I can make, potentially greatly improving both my physical and telekinetic abilities. This is going to take a lot of work to sort out.

  The labyrinth just keeps on giving, huh?

  Gary’s stats do not reflect any bonuses from equipment, only permanent increases from training and serums.

  For reference:

  A ranks have 100-300 in at least one stat. This includes bonuses from equipment.

  B ranks have 50-100 in at least one stat, including bonuses from equipment.

  CHARACTER PROFILE

  Gary (PROTAGONIST) Final stats before transfer to Central Arena

  STR: 80(+25) - B rank strength

  SPD: 96(+30) - B+ rank speed and reflexes

  RES: 69(+25) - B rank damage resistance and recovery

  CTL: 137(+49) - A- rank telekinetic power, and control (A rank with gauntlets)

  AWR: 95(+35) - B+ rank perception

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

  Secondary: Physical Enhancement

  Equipment:

  KINETIC AMPLIFIER GAUNTLETS

  Enhancements:

  30% increased telekinetic power output

  15% improved molecular manipulation precision

  Special: Neural pathway optimization interface

  Rank: Uncommon

  ADAPTIVE PROTECTION BODYSUIT

  Protection: Moderate physical damage resistance

  Adaptation: Adjusts to environmental hazards

  Special: Self-repair functionality

  Rank: Uncommon

  VELOCITY ENHANCEMENT BOOTS

  Function: 25% increase to movement speed

  Application: Reduced energy cost for rapid repositioning

  Special: Impact absorption for landing from heights

  Rank: Uncommon

  RESONANCE BLADE

  Function: Telekinetically controlled weapon

  Application: Can be wielded physically or directed remotely

  Special: Cuts through energy fields and disrupts enhancement abilities

  Rank: Rare