Kai's fight with Sven was intense.
Sven had put his speed and skill on full display, moving like a blur, striking from impossible angles, and making it clear why he was feared in the pit. But Kai had held his own. More than that - he'd adapted, countered, and pushed back in a way no one had expected.
Both of them had been enjoying it.
But just as the battle was reaching its peak, Sven suddenly raised his hands.
Kai, who was heating up and about to slash his opponent, suddenly froze just as his blade was about to draw blood.
"Alright, that's enough for me." He rolled his shoulders with a lazy grin. "I don't get paid enough for this, and I never planned to go this hard anyway. I got stuff to do this week."
Kai blinked. "Huh?"
His blood-forged daggers still pulsed in his hands, his body still thrumming with the rush of battle. He had so many ideas left to try - new ways to wield his blood, new attacks, new strategies.
Kai wanted to surprise Sven by using his blood in an attack against him. He wanted to test the limits of his body and skills, and see how long he could resist the darkness deep within him.
Yet it ended so abruptly when he was just getting started.
But Sven was already sliding his daggers back into the holsters hidden inside his leather jacket.
Just like that, the fight was over.
There was a beat of silence - then the crowd exploded.
"Red Eyes! Red Eyes! Red Eyes!"
Kai barely registered it at first, his focus still locked onto Sven.
His opponent hadn't taken the fight seriously, at least not to begin with. That much was obvious. If he had, Kai was sure he would've been knocked out before he could even react. The guy was fast. Too fast. And he likely could push himself further.
Moreover, despite the back-and-forth exchange, Sven was mostly unscathed.
But Kai could feel it - deep inside him. His power still stirring, still restless. There was more to be drawn out.
He exhaled, letting his blood weapons dissolve into crimson mist. "Let's fight seriously next time."
Sven smirked, already turning away. "Sure thing. Until next time, Red Eyes," he said, dragging the name out in an exaggerated, mocking tone.
Then, without another glance, he sauntered off - straight toward a pair of women in the crowd. In less than a minute, he had an arm around each of them, whispering something that made them laugh before leading them away.
Kai watched him go, lips twitching slightly.
'Nonchalant and cool to the very end.'
But Nadya's thoughts about Sven weren't nearly as positive...
-
Kai moved through the underground fight club, taking it all in. The place was bigger than it looked from the outside - far more intricate than some dingy basement brawl pit.
A network of tunnels and makeshift rooms extended out from the main fighting area, dimly lit by flickering industrial lights and neon strips that barely kept the darkness at bay. The air was thick with sweat, blood, and the lingering haze of smoke. Old concrete walls bore the scars of past fights - cracks, dents, even what looked like claw marks.
The main arena itself was a sunken pit with reinforced barriers, surrounded by metal railings where spectators leaned in, still buzzing from the night's fights. Makeshift stands and booths were scattered around, selling drinks, drugs, and whatever else people needed to enjoy the show.
Despite the size of the operation, there weren't as many staff members as Kai expected. Just a handful of people moving with purpose, handling bets and keeping order. It didn't take much to guess why.
No one dared to mess with Nadya in her territory, which Kai noticed as he wandered around searching for her.
Eventually, he found her in a private lounge, pacing up and down after she had wrapped up her show. Isaac stood beside her, trying to calm her down, and was personally relieved that things hadn't got out of hand.
Kai walked in just in time to hear Nadya's rant.
"That bastard Sven," she huffed, flopping back onto the couch and crossing her legs. "He's so lazy and always whining about stiffness and cramps when he overuses his ability."
Nadya was clearly frustrated, and had wanted to see how their fight would play out, as she continued. "He only ever thinks with his dick and never takes anything seriously. I shouldn't even pay him for today."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "We get paid?"
Nadya snorted. "We? Hah! You're getting paid by me letting you stay here and feeding you, blood boy."
Kai shrugged. Money wasn't really a concern.
"But you put on quite a show." A grin spread across Nadya's face. "We might have a new regular."
Isaac didn't look nearly as thrilled. If it were up to him, Kai wouldn't step into the pit again. Keeping a low profile was safer. But Kai's sharp, focused gaze made one thing clear - he had no intention of stopping.
It wasn't just for the thrill of the fight.
He was testing his limits.
Facing off against other mutants in live combat - experiencing their abilities firsthand, adapting in real-time - was the best way to learn. His own powers, still raw and evolving, needed battles to grow.
And who knew just how much further they could develop...
Nadya's eyes flicked down, her smirk fading slightly.
"Your wounds-"
Kai followed her gaze. His cuts - some of them deep just minutes ago - were already mostly healed. The bleeding had stopped. The skin was visibly stitching itself back together.
It was as impressive as it was unnerving.
Nadya whistled. "Guess Amina can take the night off. You heal fast."
Kai said nothing. He wasn't sure what the normal healing speed for a mutant was, but his was incredible. Even more shocking, it felt faster than before.
'My body is still changing...'
Then, out of nowhere, Nadya clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Come on, let's grab a drink."
Kai gave her a flat look, seeing her eagerness as she grabbed a few bottles. "You're just going to get wasted, aren't you?"
"Obviously." She smirked. "And you're coming."
Despite her wild, unpredictable nature, she could be oddly nice when she wanted to be.
And Kai had nothing better to do.
So he joined her...