They call my opponent’s name and they emerge from the shadows. From the way they move, I can already tell it’s a vampire. When they get close enough, their scent confirms it. He flashes his fangs and I’ve already forgotten his name.
A part of me doesn’t like fighting a vampire. It feels too close to hurting Anna but the expression on his face makes it clear he is here for my blood.
The announcer cuts open his arm, signaling the start of the fight.
“Come on, dragon boy,” the vampire taunts, his voice dripping with venom. “Show me what you’re made of.”
“Trust me, you don’t want to find out,” I say, my voice low but confident. I watch him closely, searching for any tells or weaknesses in his movements.
He lunges at me, his speed too fast for the human eye. But I’ve trained for moments like these. I brace myself, using my dragon strength to counter his attack. Our fists collide, and I feel the shock wave ripple through my arm. My heart races, adrenaline pumping through my veins, urging me to fight harder, faster.
He launches another lightning-fast attack. This time, though, I’m ready. I sidestep his blow, grabbing his arm and using his momentum against him. With a swift twist, I bring him crashing to the ground.
The vampire struggles beneath me, his fangs bared in a snarl.
I can’t help but feel a flicker of sympathy for him. We’re both trapped here, fighting battles we never asked for, bound by debts we cannot escape.
With one final surge of strength, I punch him until he’s unconscious.
“Winner: The Killer!” the announcer proclaims, his voice booming through the warehouse.
Felix meets me at the edge of the ring, his expression a mix of concern and relief. “You okay?” he asks, clapping a hand on my shoulder.
“Fine,” I mutter, wanting to leave this place behind. Yet, instead of being led to the exit, I’m ushered into a dimly lit back room filled with other fighters. My eyebrows furrow in confusion, this isn’t normal procedure after a match.
“Hey, what’s going on?” I ask aloud, scanning the faces of the men and women around me. They look just as baffled and frustrated as I feel. Some are pacing, while others lean against the walls, their arms crossed over their chests.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” an older wolf shifter growls, his eyes narrowed as he studies the locked door we were herded through. “Never been thrown in here after a fight before.”
“Something’s not right,” I say to myself, trying to keep my worry contained. I need to get out of here.
“None of you have any clue why we’re here?” Felix presses further.
“Nothing,” a female cheetah shifter sighs, her frustration evident. Her hands tighten into fists.
The room rumbles with murmurs of agreement, tension winding tighter around all of us. We’re a group of powerful supernatural beings, yet we’re kept in the dark like pawns on a chessboard. It’s infuriating.
The guards come back with someone else and watch us all. People try to talk to them but they only get hit with rods for the effort.
When they leave again, I seize the opportunity.
“Are you all forced to be here?” I ask.
Everyone nods slowly, looking around.
“And you all want to get out?” Felix asks.
The older wolf shifter steps forward. “Yeah, I want out of here. My debt never ends.”
Others agree.
As we continue talking, it becomes clear that none of us have any real loyalty to the organization running these fights. We’re just pawns, forced into this life by circumstances beyond our control. The realization settles heavy on my chest, but it also sparks an idea.
“Listen,” I say, my voice low and serious, “if none of us are loyal to this organization, maybe we can use that to our advantage. If we work together, who knows what we could accomplish?”
The others exchange uncertain glances, weighing the risks and possibilities in their minds. I can tell they’re torn between fear of the consequences and the desire for freedom.
“Why would we trust you?” The female cheetah shifter shouts.
