Lowly Ascent

"Freddie?"

"It's me, Lord. I thought I would never be able to see you again after I heard about that terrible event! I was even more surprised when I read the paper and saw someone with your name as a wanted criminal, and us contaminants are being blamed for terrible things!"

"The one in the newspaper...is most likely me."

"I see...then you should hide! Carc is perfect for hiding. I and many others have come here to start new lives, and we have even begun to help other contaminants!"

Freddie was one of the contaminants Cain saved while he was in Free City. He was also one of the first he saved.

"Others? Are there others here?"

Freddie smiled, "Yes, we meet every few days to check up on one another. There are quite a lot of us, so we usually meet in empty warehouses or rent out a big space for a night."

Contaminants were one of the only sporadic resources in Netherane. Some years there would be a lot, others there would be less than a hundred. The fact remained that contaminants were few and far between, if there was a group of them then it was an extremely rare occurrence.

Cain thought for a moment before grinning, "Can you take me to one of these meetings?"

Freddie's eyes lit up, "O-Of course! Many of those you saved will be thrilled to see you again, Lord! The meeting is actually happening tonight. I'm here to meet another who recently made their way into the city and introduce them."

While they waited for this new recruit, Cain listened to Freddie and his journey to Carc.

When Freddie escaped, he made his way to Yoen like many and took the road to Peoria. Seeing that city, Freddie lost hope in escaping from a lowly life as nothing more than a human to be worked to death.

However, as he stayed in Peoria, many other contaminants came searching for new lives. Many of these contaminants find each other and create a group to survive. Freddie explained there was a feeling they got when they met.

It was a strange reaction to seeing another of their kind, most likely something psychological. 

This group grew until one of the new arrivals spoke of a better place near Peoria that was a true city.

So they traveled to Carc to start new and better lives. They entered the city and began to work different trades while also keeping in contact with one another. Eventually, they began to help other contaminants and actively looked for them to help.

The contaminant Freddie was waiting for was found in a nearby village. They were to be sold into slavery in Carc but escaped en route.

The contaminant recently entered the city and was coming to meet Freddie.

However, there was a twist. The contaminant though Freddie was a smuggler that would get him out of the city and to a more secret location.

...

After an hour of waiting, a young man walks through the door. He grabbed everyone's attention quickly.

This was because he had purple hair. Cain was stunned to see such an oddity. This boy is practically screaming "contaminant".

At first, the boy looked distressed before he saw Freddie and walked over. He fumbled his words.

"H-hello, I-I'm A-Austin..."

Freddie grinned and turned his body to Austin.

"That you are. Follow me and my erm... friend. We will bring you somewhere to discuss the details in private."

Austin found this suspicious, but this was his only choice. He can only follow them and hope they aren't going to betray him. He was at the end of his rope. 

Walking street to street, Freddie took a turn into an alley where the other two followed. Freddie led them from alley to alley, like they were traveling through a maze.

Austin soon found himself in front of a big empty warehouse. He watched the two smugglers enter and followed suit.

Inside, at least a hundred people were conversing with one another.

Austin's heart stopped. 

Freddie turned around and smiled joyfully, "Well Austin, we are all the contaminants in Carc! We hope you can join us to start new lives together!"

The rest of the people grew curious and stared at Austin, smiling. But Austin noticed most of them veered over to the man beside Freddie. They had looks of admiration and adoration, and some even cried looking at him.

Austin was befuddled. Freddie soon realized what was going on and coughed, "Well, if everyone didn't realize it by now, this is Lord Cain! The one who rescued many of us from a life that couldn't even be considered living."

The contaminants who didn't personally know Cain immediately turned to him in admiration and respect. It appears Cain is quite a celebrity among contaminants.

Austin's jaw dropped, "You mean he is the Defiant Slave who's part of that organization of contaminants!"

Cain shook his head, "There is no such organization. They are just putting the blame on something the people will believe and fear, it's a control tactic. The truth is what happened to the Union could only be said to be negligence on their part.

"There is no organization, but that doesn't mean one can't be made."

Freddie's jaw lowered, "My Lord...you mean?"

"Yes. If they decide we are an organization, then we should become one. We have the members; all we need now are resources and power, one of which I can already provide. We will create an organization to change how contaminants are treated and make our status rise from lowly slaves!"

Austin watched all the contaminants in front of him grow emotional. Many fell to their knees as if they were praying.

The man in front of them was answering the prayers and wishes deep in their hearts.

Austin's gaze switched to Cain. He saw a face filled with resolution, confidence, and strength. At that moment, he too, began to grow emotional.

Cain at that moment, was like the messiah who will bring all of them out of this hellish place and into heaven.

He was promising a better future, he was promising them decency and status. 

.....

In the next few weeks, Cain spends time acquiring a large block of the city using his wealth. He started construction on a headquarters under the guise of a merchant group.

Cain already had the experience to lead, all he needed now were people to run the actual group, which he now had.

He also began to write day and night without rest. He recreated all the manuals and books found in the Union vault. This precious knowledge and research will be the backbone of what Cain had planned for his organization.

Once they secured an income and the members started to grow in strength, he could send them out to find more members and grow. 

They would grow to the point they could topple the Kingdom and Empire. The organization would develop and acquire more knowledge and resources and Cain would use this to propel his own power!

Cain hasn't been able to continue his research due to having low-quality devices, but now he could use the organization to acquire them for him!

An organization needs a network, and Cain found contaminants were perfect for the job.

The ones still alive know how to hide and they are resourceful. With an organization made of such contaminants for contaminants, the few of them throughout Netherane wouldn't mind risking their lives for a better tomorrow.

The organization could quickly gain standing and grow through whispers from ear to ear.

With this, all Cain has to do is wait and watch his organization grow.