28th Period: Failed Power Damping system

Over the following weeks, despite the omnipresent power damping system, we began to manifest the Invocation Cards outside our conscious. It was as though our bodies were rebelling against the imposed shackles, adapting and evolving to combat the suppressive environment. Kaitlyn was the first out of the seven of us to materialize her Invocation Cards. One of Kaitlyn's Invocation Cards which allowed her to see flashes of past events evolved into full-blown precognition, allowing her to predict occurrences before they transpired. 

Simultaneously, I started to manifest my Invocation Cards. My own hands started to emit a soft glow, and to my astonishment, I could bring forth the Invocation Cards. Simultaneously, others brought forth their cards; some could manipulate various elements, a skill that could prove immensely useful in our dire situation. These abilities, we realized, were not just anomalies; they were our bodies' fight against the oppressive system, our hope against despair, and potentially our ticket to freedom. 

These manifestations were both amazing and terrifying, but they were proof that the power damping system was not working as intended. Richardson claimed that the system functioned by emitting a frequency that suppressed our connection to Astra, but it was evident that this wasn't the case. We hypothesized that the Alphus Formula in our systems was more potent than the control effect of the power damping system. The underestimation of the formula's power had led to a malfunction in the system's ability to dampen our connection to Astra, transforming us from ordinary students into beings with extraordinary abilities. 

As we began to understand and harness our Invocation Cards, we also started to see the prison's structure more clearly. One evening, huddled in our cell, I broke the silence, "This prison block, it's more than what it seems. It appears to be divided up into several levels, each designed to contain certain risk threats." 

"Riviera," I approached her cautiously, "We need to talk." 

She turned her icy gaze towards me. Riviera was a natural leader, her strong demeanor and commanding presence had earned her the respect of the group. 

"I've been thinking about the Training Center." I saw a flicker of intrigue in her eyes. 

"What about it?" she asked. 

"I heard they allow prisons to train in special rooms. We need to request permission to train with these Invocation Cards we have received. It's the only way we can master them. We can't just sit back and let them control us. We've seen what we're capable of. It's time to put our powers to use - to fight." 

I could see the wheels turning in Riviera's mind. After a moment, she finally spoke, "You're right, Henry. We need to prepare for combat. If what you say about this prison is true, we can't take any chances. Tomorrow, we will request access to the Training Center." 

Kaitlyn, her eyes reflecting a spark of curiosity, asked, "What do you mean?" 

"Well," I replied, "This isn't just a prison. It's a containment facility, categorized by threat levels. The higher the threat, the lower in the facility. Think about it; the most dangerous inmates aren't on the surface levels. They're kept below, in the depths where escape would be impossible. At the same time those on the higher levels are given certain privileges such as access to the Training Center, Library and more from what I overheard." 

This revelation brought a new perspective to our predicament. It wasn't just about escaping our cell; it was about training and getting an idea of what the layout is of this facility. So that we can navigate through this labyrinth designed to contain the most extraordinary threats that this planet has ever known. 

Kaitlyn's demeanor had always been strong, an embodiment of resilience. But as the days turned into weeks, the stress of our confinement began to erode her spirit away. One night, she started speaking rapidly, nervously. 

"This isn't right, we shouldn't be here. We're not... we're not monsters," she said, her voice shaking. 

"We didn't ask for this... for these... these powers," she said as she held her hands to her face. 

"It's not about what we asked for, Kaitlyn," I told her, trying to infuse some comfort into my voice. 

"It's about what we do with them. What we can do with these Invocation Cards we have been given," I said. 

Her eyes, once lively with resistance, now welled up with tears. She shook her head. 

"I don't want to do anything with it," she whispered, "I just want to go home." 

This was the first time I'd seen Kaitlyn unravel, and it was disconcerting. Her breakdown was a stark reminder of our grim reality and the toll it was taking on us. We weren't just battling the containment facility and its layers of security; we were fighting our own fears and the psychological strain of our predicament. 

"Kaitlyn," I began, my voice steady and calm, "I need you to listen to me now. Calm down, and take a deep breath." I paused, allowing her to regain her composure, attempting to foster an air of tranquility in an environment that was anything but. 

"Good. Now, I want you to talk about your House," I urged gently, "Tell me about your Household. The people you miss. The things that make you smile. Remembering them, feeling their presence in your heart... It'll help you to keep going. We'll find a way out of this, for them... and for us." 

"I understand what you're feeling, Kaitlyn," I said, my voice laden with empathy. "I miss my family too. More than words can describe." 

I paused, gathering my thoughts, then let out a sigh. 

"You know, I have this baby sister, Erica. She's just fourteen years old. She has grown so much, and is full of life. She has the most infectious laugh, the kind that makes you want to join in, even if you don't know what the joke is." I could hear the softness creep into my voice as I spoke of her. 

"But what I miss most...is my mother. Her kindness, strength, and even her lectures. Yes, you heard right. I miss my mother's lectures," I confessed with a faint smile. 

"She used to lecture me about responsibility and making the right choices. At the time, I found those lectures to be... well, annoying," I admitted, shaking my head at the thought. 

"But now, I'd give anything to hear her voice again, to listen to one of her long-winded speeches about duty and ethics. Because that's what we need right now, isn't it? To remember who we are, where we come from, and what we stand for. This isn't just about us anymore. It's about them too. We owe it to them to keep fighting, to find a way back." 

When I finished, Kaitlyn immensely jumped into the conversion. 

Kaitlyn was silent for a moment, then began to speak in a voice barely above a whisper, "My parents...they're gone. Just over three years ago, they died defending our homestead from a gang of criminals. They fought bravely, gave everything to protect our Household and our home," Her words echoed in the silence, heavy with sorrow. 

"They were my heroes. I mean they still are my heroes," she continued, her voice steadier now. 

"I now live with my grandparents. They've been my rock, my refuge in the storm, trying to fill the void my parents' absence has left," she finished saying. 

I reached out, placing my hand atop hers, giving it a comforting squeeze. 

"I'm so sorry, Kaitlyn. I can't even begin to imagine how tough it must have been for you," I said. 

"I've learned to endure, to move forward," she said with a shrug. 

"You don't have to talk if you don't want to, but I would like to help you if you would let me," I said. 

"It's fine. I've held on to those emotions for far too long. It's finally time for me to let someone in if I plan on moving on with my life," said Kaitlyn, and I gave her some tissue to wipe her tears away as I tried to comfort her. 

"In a way, their sacrifice has made me stronger, more resilient. Once we get out of this Detention Center," she vowed, a determined glint in my eyes, "I'm leaving Brightwood District behind. I plan to take my Household, and make a new start somewhere safe, somewhere we can live without the constant threat from Legion looming over us," she said. 

"And I want you to come with us, Henry," she added, holding her gaze, "We're stronger together. We can build a better future for both of our Households what do you say?" she asked. 

"No matter what happens here we must stick together, it's the only way we will survive this unfortunate situation," I explained. 

"What do you mean?" asked Kaitlyn. 

"The Law Enforcers captured 3 classrooms, a few professors, and some of the staff at Garcinia Institute. That includes the sisters from the Springfield House. They're the ones responsible for everything that has happened to us," I explained. 

"Let me guess. You were eavesdropping on the Law Enforcers conversion again weren't you?" asked Kaitlyn. 

"You know me well," I said. 

"I don't want to be alone anymore," Kaitlyn said as she leaned on the cell wall between us.