The Blood's Bar was quiet that night. The faint hum of an old radio barely filled the room when the door creaked open.
The figure who stepped inside seemed to take up all the space with his presence. Tall, messy gray hair, amber eyes glowing under the dim light, leather jacket unzipped, and a wide smile — dangerous yet magnetic.
"Well, well…" he said, voice dripping with confidence as he glanced around like he owned the place.
"So this is the little den of the famous monster hunter."
Roshi was the first to react, setting his glass down on the counter.
"You must be Trent…"
The air grew heavy. Roberto, seated nearby, swallowed hard, while Mandy subtly stepped closer to Kimberly. Tory, by instinct, took a step back.
Trent chuckled. "Relax. I just came to talk."
He leaned forward on the bar, hands pressing against the counter.
"No fights tonight… unless you want one."
Kimberly raised her eyes, calm but firm. "What do you want? How did you find this place?"
"I just followed the Famuli's scent. Not hard to track," Trent replied, pointing toward Hector, who sat nervously in the corner.
"It's not about what I want. It's about what he did. Your little Famuli wandered into the wrong territory — Steel Fangs turf. That alone is a death sentence."
Hector trembled, but before he could speak, Kim stepped in front of him.
"He just wanted his son back."
Trent laughed again, amused.
"That's what they all say. There's always an excuse. But rules are rules. There's an agreement — anyone who steps into wolf territory pays the price."
"Then tell me how much it costs," Kim shot back.
"I'll pay."
Trent gave her a slow once-over, eyes gleaming with mischief. Then his smile widened.
"Money doesn't amuse me. Fighting does."
Roshi muttered under his breath, "There's the real alpha… always itching for a brawl."
Kim crossed her arms.
"If it's a fight you want, then let's settle it that way. A duel. You against me. If I win, you give the boy back. If I lose…" — she hesitated — "he stays with you."
Trent's amber eyes flared like fire. He spread his arms, thrilled.
"HA! Now that's what I like to hear!" He clapped his hands once, grinning wide.
"You remind me of someone… someone who fights not just with weapons, but with that fire in their eyes."
Kim didn't answer — she just stared him down.
"But…" Trent raised a finger, pacing the bar like a showman setting the stage.
"I'm fair. It won't be just you. Let's make this more fun — three versus three."
Mandy's eyes widened. "Three?!"
"Three of the Steel Fangs against three from your little crew," Trent said, cracking his neck with a smirk.
"What do you say? That way everyone gets to play."
Kim thought for a moment. Tory stepped forward, meeting Trent's gaze head-on.
"I'll fight beside her."
Trent arched a brow.
"A vampire siding with a hunter?" He laughed loudly.
"Now this just got a whole lot more entertaining."
Kim took a deep breath.
"Fine. It's a deal."
Trent smiled in satisfaction as he headed for the door.
"Perfect. Tomorrow, midnight. Container yard at the Wadron border. Three versus three." He paused before stepping out, glancing back at Kimberly.
"Don't disappoint me, hunter. I want to see if you really have the bite to match the wolves."
And with that, he was gone — leaving behind a thick, heavy silence.
Roberto finally exhaled.
"That guy's insane."
Roshi sighed, eyes settling on Kimberly.
"You just stepped into a dangerous game."
Kim only sheathed her sword and gave a dark half-smile.
"Then all we have to do… is win."
Hours later, almost dawn, the hideout was quiet. Only the echo of Kimberly's boots on the concrete floor broke the stillness as she paced back and forth, thinking about the reckless deal she'd made with Trent.
The Steel Fangs weren't just brutal — they were blindly loyal to their leader. This wouldn't be a simple fight. It would be a show of dominance.
"So that's it?" Tory finally asked, arms crossed, gaze steady.
"We're really fighting them?"
Kimberly nodded without hesitation.
"I'm not backing out. Hector deserves his son."
Mandy opened her mouth to protest, but Roberto silently held her arm. Kimberly glanced at Tory, reading the resolve in her expression. Deep down, she knew the vampire was still trying to prove she was different from the rest.
The weight of the decision lingered. They still needed a third fighter — someone she could trust, someone who could balance the team.
Then Roshi broke the silence.
"I'll go."
Everyone turned to him.
Kim frowned.
"You? Old man, you don't need to get involved."
Roshi met her eyes calmly, though there was steel in his voice.
"If it's a matter of honor, I won't let you face it alone. Besides…" — a small smirk crossed his lips — "someone's gotta remind those pups to respect their elders."
Mandy crossed her arms, anxious.
"This is crazy, Roshi. If you lose—"
"We're not losing," Roshi cut her off firmly, never breaking eye contact with Kimberly.
"Did you forget who trained this hunter here?"
Kim exhaled, the weight of the choice settling on her shoulders.
"Alright. It'll be me, you, and Tory."
Roberto stepped forward, raising his phone.
"Mandy and I will handle things from here. I'll set up the comms and prep the van. If anything goes wrong, you won't be alone."
The team spent the rest of the night checking weapons, tuning equipment, and steadying their nerves. Hector watched from the corner, hope trembling in his eyes.
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon the next evening, Kimberly zipped up her jacket, holstered her pistols, and took a long, steady breath. Tory adjusted her black coat, hiding the predatory gleam in her eyes behind a mask of calm confidence. Roshi, meanwhile, simply picked up his wooden staff — an unassuming weapon that carried years of stories and battles.
They left together, tension thick in the air. The meeting point was an abandoned warehouse near the Wadron border, where the shadows stretched long like claws waiting to drag them in.
When they arrived, a figure was already waiting by the rusted iron gate. Trent stood there, arms crossed, smiling like he already knew how it would end. Behind him, two broad silhouettes watched with hungry, yellow eyes.
"You showed up," Trent said, his grin wide and boyish, like a child about to open a gift.
"I can't wait to see what you're made of."
Kimberly clenched her fists. Roshi rested the staff on his shoulder. Tory smirked faintly, tension fueling her resolve.
The fight was about to begin.
To be continued…