The streets of Eastgrave City stank of smoke, blood, and neon lies. Every alley was a battleground. Every man a weapon. And beneath it all, far below the concrete — was the Circuit.
An underground arena, raw and lawless.
A sea of screaming gamblers, flashing lights, and one rule:
"Fight. Or be forgotten."
Tonight, all eyes locked on the cage. Because after three years in the shadows, the legend was returning.
A whisper passed through the crowd.
"It's him... it's Ryder."
💥 THE CAGE
Inside the ring, Ryder stood still. Black gloves tight. A scar slashing down his right eyebrow. His breath calm. His eyes? Fire.
Across from him? A slab of muscle called Krug—6'5", 280 pounds of prison-built rage.
The bell rang.
Krug charged like a bull.
Ryder shifted, ducked, and buried a fist into Krug's ribs—CRACK. The man gasped. Another blow to the jaw spun him sideways. Then a flying knee to the temple.
One. Two. Three seconds.
Krug hit the mat.
"Welcome back," the announcer gasped.
But Ryder didn't raise his hands. He didn't need cheers. He just walked out of the cage like a ghost returning to war.
🛠️ THE GARAGE
Ryder's world was now oil and rust. A one-man garage in a broken part of the city. He fixed bikes. Drank black coffee. And tried to forget the name that haunted him:
Razor.
Once, Razor was his student. His shadow. His brother. But three years ago, Razor turned. Took everything Ryder taught—and twisted it.
He betrayed the code. Took over the Circuit. Sold his soul to Krypton, Eastgrave's criminal kingpin.
🧊 COLD VISITORS
A black car rolled up to Ryder's garage. Slick. Silent. Death in leather seats.
Out stepped Krypton—suited, sharp-eyed, untouchable.
"Ryder," he said smoothly, "that fight was beautiful. We want you back."
Ryder didn't even look at him. "Not interested."
Krypton dropped a flyer on the workbench.
"RAZOR VS. TOMMY – Tomorrow Night. Deathmatch."
Ryder froze.
Tommy.His younger brother. The only family he had left.
Krypton smirked. "Maybe this time, show up for your family."
The car vanished into the night.
🩸 THE MATCH
The pit was packed. Drums pounded. Razor stood in the cage like a god—spiked hair, black armor, and eyes that screamed ego.
Across from him? Tommy. Smaller. Fierce. But outmatched.
The bell rang.
The crowd roared as Razor toyed with him. Every move he made was one Ryder once taught him—corrupted, twisted.
Tommy fought back hard. But Razor was brutal.
One spinning kick. A slam. Blood.
Tommy dropped.
Ryder burst through the crowd too late. He slid into the cage, dropping to his knees beside his broken brother.
"He… used your style," Tommy groaned. "He made it evil…"
Razor stared down at Ryder, eyes cold. "You made me. Now watch me burn it all."
🔥 THE FLAME RETURNS
Back in the garage, Ryder stood before a locked crate. He hadn't opened it in years.
He did now.
Inside: his old gloves. Battle-worn. Blood-stained.
He slid them on slowly. Looked in the mirror.
"No more hiding. No more mercy."
"You want the storm, Razor?"
"I'm bringing the hurricane."
🎬 FINAL SCENE — THE SETUP
High above the city, on a rooftop soaked in rain, Krypton watched the chaos unfold.
Razor stood beside him, arms folded.
"He's back," Razor said.
Krypton smiled. "Exactly as planned."
"Let the Vendetta Circuit begin."
END OF CHAPTER 1🔥 Chapter 2: "The Return of the Storm" coming next