The Exchange Hub buzzes with activity, a neutral meeting ground where assets, sponsors, and guild representatives conduct business away from the competitive arenas. The architecture is deliberately inclusive, expansive spaces for larger species, compact areas for smaller ones, and environmental zones catering to different atmospheric needs.

  I follow the coordinates provided by Zix'ilit, Desta a silent presence at my side. We pass transaction stations where equipment changes hands, contract terminals where agreements are formalized, and observation platforms where combat footage plays on massive screens.

  "This is where the real business of Central Arena happens," I mutter, noting how assets from different species cluster around sponsor representatives like supplicants before royalty.

  "Exchange Hub represents primary resource distribution methodology within Central Arena's operational hierarchy," Desta observes. "Combat performance metrics determine resource access parameters, creating closed economic system designed to incentivize continuing participation."

  We reach a small meeting pod designated as neutral territory for initial contract discussions. The transparent doors slide open to reveal the most unimpressive sponsor I could have imagined.

  Zix'ilit is tiny, barely reaching my waist, with a vaguely reptilian appearance. Bright scales shift between yellow and blue, reflecting his apparent emotional state. Large, expressive eyes dominate his face, currently wide with what seems like nervous excitement. A colorful frill expands around his neck as he spots us.

  "Team Exodus!" he squeaks, bouncing slightly on what appear to be spring-loaded feet. "You actually came! I was starting to think my communication system was broken or you were ignoring me on purpose which would have been really disappointing but understandable given my status as a new sponsor without established credentials or significant resource allocation capabilities though I assure you what I lack in experience I make up for in enthusiasm and commitment to asset development!"

  The words pour out in a single breathless stream, his translator barely keeping up with the rapid-fire delivery.

  "You must be Zix'ilit," I respond, taken aback by his excitable demeanor. "I'm Gary, though I go by Kinetic in the arena. This is Desta."

  "Yes! Yes! I know who you are!" Zix'ilit's frill pulses with color. "I watched all your facility matches. Very impressive molecular-level telekinesis application, far beyond standard human enhancement parameters! And you," he turns to Desta, "neural interface capabilities despite being classified as a Null? Absolutely fascinating!"

  He gestures to the seating arrangements, which include options for various physiologies. "Please, sit! Talk! Consider sponsorship arrangement that could benefit us all while maintaining your obvious preference for autonomous development!"

  We settle into human-compatible chairs while Zix'ilit perches on a raised platform, bringing him closer to our eye level. His frill continues to pulse with colors, revealing emotions his alien face can't express in ways I'd recognize.

  "So," I begin cautiously, "what exactly can you offer Team Exodus as an independent sponsor? Your messages mentioned limited resources."

  Zix'ilit's frill briefly shifts to a more subdued blue. "Yes, about that. Complete transparency is essential for effective sponsor-asset relationship! I am new sponsor. Very new. Just completed certification process and resource allocation approval."

  "Meaning you don't actually have any resources," I translate, disappointment already setting in.

  "Not exactly!" Zix'ilit's colors brighten again. "I cannot directly provide equipment, training protocols, or enhancement technologies YET. But! I can provide access to facilities where you can obtain these resources yourselves!"

  Desta's eyes flicker with code patterns as she processes this information. "Clarification request: what specific facilities would be accessible through sponsorship arrangement?"

  Zix'ilit bounces excitedly on his platform. "The Labyrinth of Shifting Paths! It's this amazing place where assets can explore, fight these combat units, and get awesome equipment if they do well!"

  I remember Eli's message about the Labyrinth. "So it's a training ground? Eli mentioned something about this place, said his guild took him there."

  "No, no, no!" Zix'ilit flaps his small arms energetically. "Guilds don't have direct access! They can only get in when sponsored assets bring them along as helpers. The Labyrinth is THE way sponsored assets grow stronger here! It's how everyone gets the good stuff!"

  "I don't understand," I admit. "What exactly is this Labyrinth?"

  "It's like... a challenge place!" Zix'ilit explains, frill expanding with excitement. "Paths that change, enemies can be a challenge even for S ranked assets, and rewards based on how well you do! The basic path isn't super hard, even D-ranked assets can survive it. But the hidden paths? That's where the really good stuff is!"

  But also presumably where the danger is.

  His eyes widen further. "And the Labyrinth contains portals to other areas too! Even better rewards there, but tougher challenges too! And there are even more exclusive hidden maps beyond that if you find the secret ways!"

  Why is this sounding more and more like some sort of video game?

  "And what do you get out of this arrangement?" I ask, suspicious of the enthusiasm. Nothing comes free in Central Arena.

  Zix'ilit settles slightly, his colors shifting to a more thoughtful pattern. "Good question! You should know: Central Arena isn't just fights for fun. My species figured out how to make everything we need centuries ago. No more struggling for basics. But instead of getting lazy, we made these games to help other species get to our level!"

  He continues in bursts of excited speech: "Sponsors help assets grow! And how good your assets do determines everything for sponsors! Mates, homes, social status, everything!"

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  "So this really is all just a game to you?" I ask, anger flaring at the casual way he describes what amounts to abduction, enhancement, and forced combat.

  "Not a game!" Zix'ilit insists, frill pulsing with what seems like distress. "Super serious! If my assets do well, I get credits. Credits buy nice things for me, but more importantly, I can spend them on making my assets stronger!"

  Desta interjects with clinical precision. "Clarification request: what percentage of these credits would be allocated to asset development versus personal use?"

  Zix'ilit's colors stabilize into a more measured pattern. "I promise to spend at least 90% on making you guys stronger! Most sponsors don't do that, but I need you to succeed!"

  "Ninety percent," I repeat, surprised by the high figure. "That's generous."

  "Big sponsors have lots of assets! They can spread resources around," Zix'ilit explains, bouncing again. "I'm putting all my eggs in your basket! If you do awesome, I do awesome!"

  His frill expands to its brightest display yet. "Besides, you've got S+ potential! That fight against Brute Force? Means nothing! Everyone loses their first team match here, it's designed that way! Makes new assets realize they need to work harder. But you winning your solo match against Crusher? That almost never happens! Shows how special you are!"

  "Wait," I interrupt, "you're saying we were meant to lose that first match?"

  "Duh!" Zix'ilit seems genuinely surprised I didn't know this. "First match opponent always stronger to humble new assets! Creates the right mindset for growing! Your solo win was the weird part, most newcomers lose both fights!"

  "So was Crusher really only a B-Ranked asset?" I ask.

  "Yes! B-Rank! But already at maximum potential!" Zix'ilit replies. "No more growth!"

  Interesting. That does make me feel a little better, but at the same time I really did lose to a B-Ranked asset huh?

  "How many ranks are there anyways?"

  "D to S+!" Zix'ilit replies. "Maybe more past that, but only heard stories of it!"

  Hm, so B rank is right around the middle. Back in the facility I was one of the strongest people there. But here I almost got my ass kicked by a mid-ranked asset. I still have a long way to go. Maybe those fights really were the kick in the ass I needed.

  "What would the contract terms actually look like?" I ask, more interested now despite my lingering skepticism.

  Zix'ilit produces a tablet with evident excitement. "Super flexible! I promise to spend at least 90% of credits on your development. You can veto any ideas I have that you don't like. And you can leave anytime without penalties!"

  "One important thing," he adds quickly. "Sponsors don't sponsor teams, we sponsor individual assets. So I'd be sponsoring you and Desta separately, but you'd still be Team Exodus for matches!"

  Desta reviews the document with rapid-scanning eyes. "Contract terms demonstrate unusual autonomy provisions compared to standard arrangements. Statistical analysis suggests significant advantage despite limited initial resources."

  "In normal human speak: this is actually a good deal," I translate for myself, studying Zix'ilit's eager expression.

  "Independent sponsors like me work differently," he explains, his translator struggling to keep up with his excited pace. "Big sponsor groups get access to training facilities, can sign contracts early! All I get are scraps!"

  "Not that you two are scraps!" He quickly corrects himself. "You two high potential! Good assets!"

  As we discuss further details, it becomes clear that Zix'ilit offers something rare in Central Arena, a sponsorship arrangement that prioritizes our autonomy while still providing access to the resources we desperately need.

  "The Labyrinth would be your first stop," he continues, showing footage of the facility on his tablet. "It's not just training, it's THE way assets get stronger here! Earn points and equipment through performance, use points to buy anything else you need, develop however you want!"

  I exchange a glance with Desta, whose subtle nod indicates her analysis favors the arrangement. Team Exodus came to Central Arena to win our freedom without compromising our independence. This unusual sponsorship might allow us to maintain that core principle while adapting to the harsh realities of our new environment.

  "One condition," I say finally. "Team Exodus remains open to Eli and Ember returning if they choose. No exclusivity clauses preventing team reconfiguration."

  Zix'ilit's frill ripples with hesitation, colors shifting to a more cautious pattern. "About that... team composition gets tricky in Central Arena. If Eli and Ember are independent assets, rejoining is simple! But if they have different sponsors..." he makes a squeaking sound that his translator struggles with.

  "What's the issue?" I ask.

  "Multiple sponsors on one team creates management conflicts," he explains, bouncing nervously. "When sponsors disagree on team direction, assets get caught in the middle. Training schedules conflict, resource allocation becomes disputed, tactical approaches diverge..."

  His large eyes blink rapidly. "Not saying it's impossible! Just... complicated. Many teams try multi-sponsor configurations and fail because sponsors prioritize different development paths."

  "So Team Exodus could still reunite, but it would require some kind of agreement between sponsors," I clarify.

  "Exactly!" Zix'ilit nods emphatically. "Inter-sponsor cooperation protocols exist, but they're tricky to navigate. We could make it work if needed, but it's not as simple as just having them rejoin."

  I consider this new complication. Another aspect of Central Arena's complex ecosystem I hadn't anticipated. Still, I won't completely close the door on rebuilding our original team.

  "Let's include a provision for potential team reconfiguration, acknowledging the sponsor complications," I suggest. "I want the option available, even if it requires additional negotiation later."

  "Can do!" Zix'ilit agrees, adding the clause to our contract. "Always good to keep possibilities open!"

  The contract materializes on my tablet, the terms exactly as discussed. No hidden clauses, no obscure language designed to trap us in unfavorable conditions. Just a straightforward arrangement between a desperate new sponsor and assets needing access to resources.

  "Your signature starts everything!" Zix'ilit explains, bouncing slightly in anticipation. "Labyrinth access right away after processing!"

  I take a deep breath, considering what this means for Team Exodus. Not complete independence as I'd envisioned, but perhaps something more realistic, a partnership that respects our autonomy while providing the tools we need to survive.

  "We accept your sponsorship," I decide, pressing my thumb to the contract signature field. Desta does the same, her eyes briefly flickering with code patterns as she processes the implications.

  Zix'ilit's entire body seems to glow with excitement, his frill expanding to its maximum display. "Awesome! This is gonna be great! We'll show everyone what you can really do!"

  As the contract processes through Central Arena's registry system, I realize we've entered a new phase of our journey. The freedom pathway still stretches before us, but now we'll travel it with at least some of the resources needed to navigate Central Arena's challenges.

  "Sponsorship confirmation complete," announces the system. "Independent Sponsor Zix'ilit registered with Human Assets Kinetic and Desta. Development facility access protocols activated."

  Zix'ilit practically vibrates with joy. "We start tomorrow! Labyrinth of Shifting Paths! First step toward S+ classification!"

  As we leave the Exchange Hub, contract finalized and development path established, I can't help wondering if I've made the right choice. Team Exodus has compromised, but perhaps compromise was inevitable in a place designed to test not just our abilities, but our adaptability.