Trial by Fire – The Hollow Grounds Await

Victory was Dax’s. He walked back toward the rest of the group, Felix following closely behind. Before him stood Syrus, his sharp gaze locked onto Dax. A smirk played on Syrus’ lips as he let out a low chuckle.

“Well, I have to say, I’m impressed,” Syrus admitted. “But we both know that wasn’t a real fight. Your life wasn’t on the line. And if your life isn’t on the line, then it doesn’t prove anything to me.”

Dax’s chest tightened, his initial surge of triumph fading into disappointment. He had hoped that defeating Felix would show his brother he was ready to fight by his side. His eyes dulled, shoulders slumping slightly as he prepared to turn away. But just as he did, Syrus placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

“There is one way to test your abilities,” Syrus said, his voice heavy with meaning. “The Hollow Grounds.”

Dax’s head snapped up, a slow smile spreading across his face as realization set in. There was still a chance. Before he could respond, Naz stepped forward, his expression grim.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Dax,” Naz warned. “There’s a reason it’s called the Hollow Grounds. I’ve never seen a match end with both contestants walking away alive.” His golden eyes darkened. “If you’re not ready to fight for your life, you’ll just be another wasted Revenant.”

Dan crossed his arms, adding, “It’s a proving ground for Revenants who’ve trained for years—sometimes their whole lives. You’re strong, I’ll give you that. Your power? Definitely above average. But do you really think you can stand against Revenants who have killed countless others? Who won’t hesitate to end you the moment you step into that arena?”

A tense silence followed. Dax could feel their eyes on him, waiting for his decision.

Then Syrus spoke again, his voice unyielding. “This isn’t a joke. The requirement stands. You either enter the tournament and emerge victorious… or we find a way to remove that blade fused with you.”

Dax clenched his fists as memories surged—the last night he saw his parents, his mother’s tear-streaked face as she held him close before Syrus carried him away to safety. His heart pounded. His teeth ground together as he forced down his frustration.

“Our parents were taken from us by god knows what!” Dax’s voice shook with determination. “I know you’ve been searching for answers, and I don’t blame you for the dead ends and wild goose chases. But I want answers too!”

His blue flames erupted around him, his aura flaring with renewed intensity. The air crackled as gusts of wind surged outward, forcing the others to brace themselves.

“I’ll prove to you that I’m ready! I’ll crush anyone who stands in my way at the Hollow Grounds!”

Syrus stepped forward, placing a steady hand on Dax’s shoulder. Instantly, the wild energy around him settled. Dax took a deep breath, his eyes meeting his brother’s.

“I know we both want answers,” Syrus said, softer this time. “And I’m sorry for not finding them for you.”

Dax exhaled, his flames dissipating. He smiled up at Syrus, his determination unwavering. “That’s why I want in. To fight by your side. To take some of the weight off your shoulders. Together, I know we’ll find the truth.”

Dax raised his fist. “So don’t worry about me. If winning at the Hollow Grounds will put your mind at ease, then bring it on.”

For a moment, Syrus was silent. Then, a smirk tugged at his lips, and he returned the fist bump. “You’re as stubborn as our mother.”

They both chuckled before a sharp ringing interrupted them. Dax turned toward the arena barricades where his phone lay. He flipped it over to see the caller ID: ‘Jiro.’ Grinning, he answered, only to be met with an explosive voice.

“Where the fuck have you been?!” Jiro’s voice boomed through the receiver. “We saw the news about the explosions in the forest! We called, but it kept going to voicemail! Are you alright? Where are you? Why the hell are you only picking up now?!”

Dax winced, pulling the phone away from his ear. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine! Just had a really long nap! I’ve got a lot to tell you.”

“A week-long nap?! What are you, a damn bear?!” Jiro shouted back. “Where are you? We’re coming over.”

Dax hesitated, glancing at Syrus before mouthing, ‘Where are we?’

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Syrus calmly took the phone from his hand. “Don’t worry, Jiro. He’ll meet you at your place in an hour.”

Dax raised a brow as Dan spoke up. “You already know this is our base of operations. We don’t exactly advertise our location.”

Syrus handed the phone back to Dax, then gestured for him to follow as they exited the training room. “It’s not that I don’t trust your friends,” Syrus explained. “It’s just professional caution.”

As they walked, Dax asked, “Why don’t you have any grunts or foot soldiers? Wouldn’t that help with missions or build the gang’s reputation?”

Syrus glanced at him, considering his words. “Let me ask you this, Dax—between a captain and a foot soldier, which one is stronger?”

Dax scoffed. “Obviously the captain.”

“Exactly. Now, if a foot soldier stood between you and the captain, would you stop? Or would you cut through them to reach your real opponent?”

Dax faltered, realizing the point Syrus was making.

“A foot soldier’s life is meant to be protected by their captain—not thrown away to slow down enemies,” Syrus continued. “The way we operate would lead to countless casualties under our command. That’s a luxury I won’t partake in. I’ve killed too many young Revenants whose so-called ‘leaders’ stood back and watched them die.”

Dax nodded, his respect for Syrus deepening. “I get it now. Then there’s no time to lose.”

They reached a barricaded door. Before parting ways, Syrus asked, “That katana—can you summon it?”

Dax rubbed the back of his head. “I tried last night… but nothing. Felix told me to take a break, which is probably why I went a little overboard in our sparring match.”

Syrus chuckled, patting Dax on the back. “Well, time will tell.”

As the door opened, blinding sunlight flooded the hallway. Dax stepped out, blinking as he recognized his surroundings.

“Wait… This is the junkyard near our house? I thought it was abandoned.”

Syrus smirked. “That’s the point. Keep it to yourself.” His red aura flared slightly, eyes glowing with an eerie intensity. “Or else.”

Dax grinned, backing away. “Yeah, yeah. Got it.”

As he walked off, he mused, I wonder what it’d be like if we fought… Then, glancing back at Syrus’ smirking face, he shuddered. Nah, I’d get wrecked.

Before he could dwell on it further, a sudden punch cut through the air toward him. Dax instinctively dodged, his eyes widening as he recognized the attacker.

“There you are!” Jiro’s worried face came into view, with Briggs standing beside him. “Where the hell have you been?! We thought you were dead!”

Dax exhaled, smiling. “I’ve got a hell of a story to tell you guys.”

The three of them strolled along the familiar path, their shoes crunching against the worn pavement. It was a quiet evening, the sky painted in hues of deep orange and purple as the sun dipped below the horizon. A cool breeze carried the distant hum of the city, but within their small world, only Dax’s words mattered.

Dax recounted the events of that fateful night—every moment burned into his mind like embers refusing to die. Jiro and Briggs listened intently, their expressions shifting between surprise and concern. When he finished, a heavy silence settled between them.

Jiro was the first to break it. “So… there’s an entity inside you now?” His voice held a mix of skepticism and worry.

Dax shrugged. “I don’t know… but I guess I’ll find out sooner or later.”

Briggs folded his arms. “And what’s the plan now?”

A smirk crept onto Dax’s face as he extended his hand, conjuring a ball of swirling blue flames. The fire flickered and twisted in his palm, casting eerie shadows across his face. “What else? I’m heading to The Hollow Grounds. Gonna kick some ass. Then, I’ll join my brother and his team.” His voice brimmed with confidence, his fire pulsing in response to his determination.

But his excitement wasn’t met with the same energy. Jiro and Briggs exchanged uneasy glances before turning away, their expressions unreadable.

Dax narrowed his eyes. “What’s wrong? You guys okay?”

Jiro exhaled before reaching into his pocket, pulling out a sleek black envelope. He unfolded the letter inside and held it out. Dax took it, his eyes scanning the bold, official text.

‘Your application for the role of Agent has been accepted by Z-ONE.’

His gaze flicked between the letter and his friends, noticing Briggs clutching an identical acceptance letter.

Z-ONE. The elite organization of Revenants, sanctioned by the world’s remaining governments. A force trained to exterminate both monstrous threats and rogue Revenants who endangered society. It was a name that carried weight, power, and prestige.

As Dax stepped back, the realization hit him.

Once, this had been his dream too.

When they were kids, they talked about it often—how they would rise through the ranks of Z-ONE, become legends, and carve their names into history. But that was before. Before his admiration for Syrus reshaped his ambitions. Before he decided that the Beasts of Prey were his future, not some government-backed organization.

For Jiro and Briggs, though, that dream had never faded. Z-ONE wasn’t just about heroism—it meant status, wealth, recognition. It meant a future.

Dax sighed, rubbing the back of his head before clenching his fist. The blue flames in his palm extinguished, the heat dispersing into the cool night air. He lifted his head, forcing a grin. “Well, that calls for a celebration, doesn’t it?”

Jiro hesitated, then met Dax’s gaze with a rare seriousness. “Why don’t you apply too?” he asked. “I know it’s not what you want anymore, but… wouldn’t this job give you the tools to control your powers? To help you get closer to that day?”

Dax’s expression faltered for just a second before he smiled again—this time, softer. “Don’t worry about it, man. I’ve made up my mind. I know you guys are just looking out for me, but I’ll be fine. And honestly? Status and money aren’t what I’m after.”

Jiro exhaled, clearly disappointed, but he didn’t push further.

Briggs, however, wasn’t convinced. “If it weren’t for The Hollow Grounds, we wouldn’t be as worried,” he muttered.

Jiro nodded. “When’s the trial?”

Dax casually pulled out his phone and tapped the screen. “Oh, I already checked and registered.”

A beat of silence.

Then—

“YOU ALREADY REGISTERED?!” Briggs shouted, his voice echoing into the evening air. “Then what the hell was the point of us trying to convince you?!”

Jiro sighed, though a small smirk tugged at his lips. “Fine. Just give us the date, and we’ll be there.”

Dax laughed, flipping his phone around to show them. “Three days. All I gotta do is show up.”

As the sun set behind them, casting a fiery glow across the city, one thought echoed in Dax’s mind. ‘The Hollow Grounds awaits…’