Three days later..

I didn't realize it before, but Sun is a powerhouse. Its influence was undeniable, and it left ripples that reshaped Mas Kuli after what became known as the Blazing Fist incident. The fallout caused three major changes in the town.

First, the Fist of God underwent a complete and drastic reorganization. Once feared as a dual-force entity—part clan, part entertainment juggernaut—were left in disarray. Their strongest, the Fingers, were eradicated, and Lilith, their calculating and ruthless leader, now sat behind bars. Without leadership, they crumbled like a house of cards. In the aftermath, they rebranded themselves as Fight Club, stripping away the clan's militant ties and dedicating their efforts solely to hosting and managing the arena.

Harry, the charismatic announcer of the Burnout Tournament, was unexpectedly thrust into the role of Fight Club's manager. Though lacking in experience, his popularity among the locals and fighters alike made him a natural choice. Upon restructuring, Fight Club made its first move: an official and public apology to Sun. They were desperate to avoid retaliation, handing over their leverage with trembling hands. This act of submission presented us with an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. Using their vulnerability to our advantage, we negotiated a lucrative deal: ten percent of the arena's profits would now flow directly to Sun's coffers.

The second shift was in governance. The Blazing Fist incident left a power vacuum that couldn’t be ignored. With the Fist of God toppled, the noble family of Fraerex swiftly rose to prominence. They seized the opportunity and absorbed many of the Fist of God's former members into their fold. With their established resources and newfound manpower, the Fraerex family consolidated their control over Mas Kuli, positioning themselves as the ruling authority.

Lastly, the town's economy underwent a dramatic transformation. Mas Kuli had long been a town sustained by blood, sweat, and broken bones—its economy revolved almost exclusively around the brutal spectacle of fighting. But now, the tides were shifting. Under the Fraerex family's guidance, the town began diversifying. Commerce expanded into a near-even split between fighting and shopping. The noble family's vision was clear: they sought to reshape Mas Kuli's image into one that attracted tourists rather than just brawlers. With new marketplaces, boutiques, and fine dining cropping up alongside the iconic arena, the town began to exude a more welcoming atmosphere.

So far, their efforts seem to be paying off.

That leads me to what I’m doing now. I leaned against the cold, damp wall of the dungeon, the faint flicker of torchlight casting dancing shadows across the rough stone. The scent of mildew hung heavy in the air, mingling with the acrid metallic tang of despair. I took a deliberate bite of a juicy red apple, savoring the crunch as my eyes fixed on Lilith’s battered visage behind the rusted iron bars of her cell.

Her hair matted and her face streaked with the grime of imprisonment. Her sunken eyes betrayed exhaustion, but even so, there was a faint glimmer of stubborn pride that hadn’t yet been extinguished.

“How’s it feel to have everything stripped from you?” I asked, my tone calm but cutting, the apple crunch echoing in the otherwise silent chamber.

She sat on the filthy floor, her knees drawn to her chest. Without lifting her gaze, she replied, her voice a hoarse whisper, “I’m still alive. I have to be grateful for that.”

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I crouched down, my boots scraping against the uneven floor as I brought myself to her eye level. Dangling the apple just out of reach, I said, “I’ll give you this apple if you tell me how your power works. I know they’ve been starving you.”

Her eyes locked onto the apple, hunger flashing across her features. Her dry, cracked lips parted slightly, and for a brief moment, I thought she might take the bait. But she clenched her fists, shaking her head. “I don’t know how it works yet,” she said, her voice laced with frustration and an undercurrent of honesty. “it’s not based on any qualifying factor I know of. I do know how often it works though. One percent of men.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the vagueness of her answer. “One percent.” I took another slow bite of the apple, letting the juice drip deliberately to the floor. “Well, no apple for you then.”

Her shoulders sagged ever so slightly, but she said nothing.

“Lucky for you, however, we’re leaving today.” I added, my tone shifting to one of detached finality. I snapped my fingers, and the sound reverberated through the chamber. Two men stepped forward from the shadows. “Restrain her and follow me.” I ordered, rising to my feet.

The men nodded in unison, unlocking the gate with a loud creak that echoed like a death knell. As they stepped inside, Lilith stiffened. They tied her hands tightly with coarse rope, the fibers digging into her already bruised wrists. She struggled briefly, but the fight left her quickly. She knew better than to waste energy she didn’t have. With a resigned glare, she allowed them to drag her to her feet. Her defiance hadn’t completely left her, but the weight of her situation pressed down like an iron shroud. I turned on my heel, tossing the half-eaten apple onto the ground just outside her cell. It rolled to a stop, the red skin now marred by dust and dirt. We ascended the winding stairs to the surface.

Twenty minutes later..

Caleb leaned heavily against the wooden beam of the stable, the creaking protest of the aged timber threatening to betray his weight. The beam wobbled slightly, but Caleb didn’t seem to care. His right arm rested in a sling. Still, the rest of his body was healing at an impressive pace—a testament to his resilience.

I approached, waving to catch his attention. “How’s that recovery going?” It had been a few days since I’d last seen him. Between my duties as the Flame and the constant tension in Mas Kuli, my time had been stretched thin. I hadn’t wanted Caleb to stress, especially not while he was recovering.

Caleb turned, stroking the sleek neck of one of the horses. The animal whinnied softly, leaning into his touch. He stood nearly as tall as the horse, his broad frame casting a shadow in the warm afternoon sun. “I feel better,” he said, his voice steady but tinged with frustration. “I still can’t fight, but give it a month, and we’ll see.” The horse neighed again.

I nodded and stepped closer, revealing the figure behind me. Lilith. Her wrists were bound, and her expression was anything but happy. “I bought an extra carriage for her,” I said, keeping my tone even. “I don’t want her manipulating one of our soldiers and causing trouble. I’ve assigned a few men she can’t control to guard her.”

Caleb’s eyes darkened as he shifted his focus to Lilith. His usual easygoing demeanor was replaced by something colder, more primal. His glare was sharp enough to make even the strongest-willed person falter, and Lilith wasn’t immune. “Leo will have uses for you, I’m sure.” Caleb said, his voice low and edged with malice. Lilith avoided his stare, her eyes dropping to the ground. Her defiance wavered, replaced momentarily by unease. Caleb straightened and turned to me. “Our caravan is prepared at the front gate.” he said, motioning toward the path.

We walked together, Lilith trailing behind, flanked by her guards. The front gate loomed ahead, its thick wooden panels groaning as they slowly swung open. Hah, those are the same guards that welcomed me. The caravan emerged into view, and it was nothing short of grand. Ornately crafted carriages painted with the emblem of Sun gleamed in the sunlight, their intricate designs reminding me further of our power. The horses pulling them were powerful creatures, their polished coats glistening with vitality.

Caleb spread his left arm wide, a grin spreading across his face as he took in the sight. “Obsidian has no idea who they’ve messed with!”