[Scene: A Dark Alley in Nox Altair - 2:04 AM]
Dim neon signs flicker, casting a crimson glow on soaked concrete. The underground ring is alive-screams, chants, and echoes of fists meeting flesh bounce around like thunder in a cave. Illegal Mp suppression fields flicker around the arena to ensure no energy powers are used. Just raw fists, bone, and blood.
A figure enters. No flash. No drama. Just a calm walk.
Announcer (yelling):
"New challenger...? No records, no sponsors... what's this? Just another punk looking to get flattened!"
The crowd jeers. Whistles. Mocking laughter. But then the figure steps into the center ring.
*He wears a red-and-black jacket half-zipped, shirtless underneath, lean frame but sculpted like marble, messy black curls streaked with silver, crimson eyes scanning the crowd like a bored predator eyeing cattle. One hand? Holding a pink-frosted donut. The other? In his pocket. He takes a slow bite.
Vey (calm, deadpan):
*"I'm not here to grow. I'm not here to prove. I'm already what they fear becoming."
takes another bite
"But they told me this place helps kill time. So... entertain me."
Thug No. 1 (bulky, scarred, brass knuckles):
"You arrogant little twig. I'm gonna twist your neck 'til it looks like a pretzel!"
Announcer:
"LET'S GET BRUTAL!"
[Bell Rings]
Thug charges with a war cry. Vey stands still, eyes half-lidded.
Vey (muttering):
"Overextended right. Slow hips. Predictable scream. Trash."
In a blink, Vey's hand shifts just slightly-SLAM! A clean palm strike to the thug's sternum. Time seems to pause as the man's ribs crumple like paper, his body folding backward and crashing through the ring barrier like a missile.
Crowd:
"OHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
Vey:
*"Next."
takes another bite of donut.
Thug No. 2 (knife-wielding):
"Don't get cocky, freak!"
*He lunges fast-street-style, low slash. Vey casually leans aside, then-
WHAM!
A backhand. The thug spins midair three times before face-planting unconscious.*
Thug No. 3 (two-toned mohawk, ex-soldier):
*"I'm not like them."
He uses military stances, footwork sharp. Throws a rapid combo.
Vey parries every blow effortlessly. Then, with a snap-kick to the knee, a brutal elbow to the jaw, and a neck-twist takedown-he's out cold.
Vey:
"You were less pathetic. Slightly."
Announcer (shaking):
"Wh-WHO IS THIS GUY?!"
Voice from the stairs:
"He's mine."
The crowd goes silent. A hush spreads like fire through dry brush.
From the shadows descends a figure-hooded, but unmistakable.
Kaelstryx.
He slowly pulls down his hood. His sharp amber eyes meet Vey's crimson ones. Their auras don't spike. They don't need to.
Kaelstryx (smirking):
"Didn't expect you to come down to the slums, Vey. Bored already?"
Vey (casual):
*"Kael. Still pretending to be mysterious? What, lost another duel to a mirror?"
finishes donut, flicks the last sprinkle off his finger
Kaelstryx (laughs):
*"Still mouthy. But I wonder... can that ego block this?"
He cracks his knuckles. The arena lights flicker faintly from just the motion.
Vey (cracks neck):
*"Maybe. But I doubt you'll land it."
He removes his jacket, revealing faint scar lines across his chest. Eyes burning now.
Announcer (screaming):
"WE GOT A REAL FIGHT!! Veyrith Alzair vs Kaelstryx?! This ain't no back-alley brawl! THIS IS A COLLISION OF MONSTERS!"
Kaelstryx:
*"Careful, Vey. Last time I went easy. This time? I'm curious."
He takes stance, legs wide, fists up.
Vey (grinning slightly):
*"Then stop talking and test me, Kael."
His fingers curl into a fist, and the air around them bends faintly from pressure alone.
[Fade to Black - "To be continued..."]