The abandoned warehouse reeked of rust and mold, but what truly filled the air was tension. Kimberly could feel Trent's gaze burn on her like fire. He looked far too amused for something everyone else treated as a matter of life and death.
Beside him, two figures stood beneath the dim light of the improvised floodlamps. The first, lean and athletic, cracked his neck and stepped forward with a smirk. His golden eyes glimmered with malice.
"Ryan…" Kimberly muttered, recognizing him instantly.
The werewolf's grin widened, teasing.
"Well, if it isn't the meddling hunter. I've been dying for this rematch."
He slammed his fist into his palm, the sharp thud echoed through the warehouse.
The second one, larger and more imposing, bore deep scars down his arms and a heavy, animalistic glare. His messy hair hinted at a short temper barely held in check.
"This one's Barry, my right hand," Trent introduced proudly.
"Not much of a talker… but when he bites, he doesn't let go."
Barry just growled low, no need for introductions.
From the corner, Malik — one of the gang's scouts — watched with his arms crossed. When he spotted Hector lingering near the entrance, his eyes narrowed. Quietly, he slipped away into the shadows, already planning to report the Famuli's presence to someone else.
Trent clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"Alright, simple rules: no firearms. Just fists, claws, teeth… maybe a toy or two, as long as it doesn't shoot bullets, I don't care." He grinned broadly, like a ringmaster before a show.
"Three versus three. One at a time. You go down, you're out."
Kimberly stepped forward.
"Then it's decided. Tory, you take Barry."
Trent's grin stretched even wider.
"And I'll take you, hunter."
But before he could finish, Roshi moved ahead, resting his staff on his shoulder as he stared straight at the werewolf leader.
"No. I'll fight you."
Kimberly turned to him, startled.
"Old man…"
Roshi shook his head slowly.
"He's not worth your strength right now. You have another opponent."
For a moment, Trent narrowed his eyes, sizing up the older man. Then, to everyone's surprise, he burst out laughing — loud and genuine.
"Ha! I like this! An old man challenging me… this is gonna be fun."
He took a step back, motioning to the center of the warehouse.
"Then let's begin. First match, Barry versus the blonde vampire."
The warehouse fell silent. Tory took a deep breath and stepped forward. Her crimson eyes flared faintly in the dim light, clashing against Barry's feral golden glare.
"Ready to be torn apart?" Barry growled, flashing his fangs.
"No," Tory replied with an icy smirk.
"But I am ready to shut you up, asshole."
Barry lunged forward like a wall of muscle, swinging a crushing punch that could've broken stone. Tory dodged, rolling across the concrete and springing to her feet just as the blow shattered the floor where she'd been standing. Dust rose in a thick cloud.
She used the opening — a sharp side kick connected with Barry's jaw, sending him stumbling. He growled and tried to grab her, massive arms sweeping through the air, but she slipped back and drove her boot into his stomach, pushing him several feet away.
"You're fast…" Barry wiped the blood from his lip. "But you won't last long."
He charged again, faster this time. Tory met him head-on, using his momentum against him — twisting his arm, pivoting her body, and throwing the werewolf straight into a stack of wooden crates that exploded into splinters.
The crowd — gang and hunters alike — went dead silent. Even Hector's eyes widened in disbelief.
Barry staggered out of the wreckage, breathing hard, but before he could recover, Tory was already on him. Her fists struck his face — once, twice, three times — the hits cracking through the warehouse like gunshots. Then she spun, driving a brutal blow to the back of his neck. Barry's body convulsed, a shock rippling through him.
She stepped back as he dropped to his knees… and collapsed, unconscious.
Tory stood over him, chest heaving, her fist trembling slightly but steady. She turned toward Kimberly and Roshi, then to Trent.
"Next."
A heavy silence fell. The gang stared in disbelief — one of their strongest had just been taken down… by a vampire.
Trent, however, looked delighted. His grin widened, eyes gleaming with wild excitement.
"Magnificent. Absolutely magnificent!" He clapped, laughing loudly.
"That girl… I like her!"
Kimberly stepped forward — she knew what came next. From the opposite side, Ryan rolled his shoulders, his smirk turning sharper, darker.
"Now it's time, hunter," he said, voice dripping with anticipation.
"Let's have some real fun."
Kimberly clenched her fists, heart pounding. Roshi and Trent stood watching, the air thick with the promise of blood and battle.
To be continued…