The warehouse was silent.
Only the sound of wind slipping through the cracks in the metal roof and the faint drip of rain outside filled the space.
Kimberly and Ryan stood face to face, eyes locked.
Dust from the previous fight still floated under the cold glare of the floodlights.
Trent stepped forward, a grin stretching across his face, his voice vibrating with excitement.
"Let the fireworks begin."
Ryan cracked his neck, muscles tensing beneath his skin.
"Let's see how good you are without your little guns, hunter."
Kimberly rolled her shoulders, smirking.
"I'm curious to see if you're as good as you bark."
His grin twisted into a snarl.
In a flash, Ryan lunged — a silver blur slicing through the air. Kimberly dodged by an inch, the wind brushing against her cheek. He kicked, punched, slashed with his claws — and she answered with precise, minimal movements.
But the difference in strength soon showed.
Ryan's fist hit her abdomen, sending her crashing into the wall. The concrete cracked. Kimberly spat blood, pushed herself up, and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Hmph… I thought you'd last longer," he taunted, rolling his wrists.
Kimberly huffed, catching her breath.
"Yeah, you're strong… but you're still an asshole."
Ryan's eyes darkened.
He leapt forward and slammed her against the wall, his forearm pressing against her throat. His predatory gaze burned with fury and pride.
"You said I was pathetic," he growled, leaning closer.
"So say it again. Go on. Don't talk big if you can't back it up."
Kimberly tried to push him away, but he lifted her off the ground with one arm.
The weight of defeat pressed down on her chest, the metallic taste of blood thick on her tongue — but something inside refused to give in.
Ryan's voice dropped, bitter and heavy.
"Who do you think you are to tell us our path is wrong?"
He threw her to the ground.
"Everyone here did what they had to do to survive! We fought to stop being weak!"
His eyes blazed.
"You hunters think you're heroes, but wake up — the strong always win. Strength means freedom."
The words hit like a punch.
Kimberly, still on her knees, lowered her head.
For a heartbeat, there was silence.
Then — a faint glow shimmered from the pendant around her neck.
A red light pulsed within it, beating like a heart.
Kimberly raised her eyes — and something in them had changed.
She dodged Ryan's next strike. Then another. And another.
She moved as if she could see his attacks before they happened.
Ryan swung wildly, missing — and was caught off guard when Kimberly stepped in and drove a punch straight into his face. The impact cracked through the air. He staggered back, eyes wide.
"Why... do you keep fighting?" he muttered, wiping the blood from his lip.
"Why risk everything for a human like him?"
Kimberly clenched her fists.
"Because I saw someone in trouble and decided to help. Someone has to do what's right — even if the whole world says otherwise."
She struck again, her voice steady and sharp.
"Strength without purpose is just another form of cowardice."
Ryan dropped to his knees.
And then... he remembered.
---
Flashback — Years Earlier
In a dim alley lit by flickering lamps, two young wolves laughed out loud.
Trent and Ryan — bruised, bloodied, but full of life.
"We're gonna start a pack," Trent said, eyes gleaming.
"Steel Fangs. It'll be the symbol of our strength."
Ryan smiled, tired but proud.
"And what if someone isn't strong enough?"
Trent shrugged.
"Then they train harder. Anyone can become strong. I'll prove it."
But time passed...
And power changed Trent.
He reached Omega level — his eyes glowing an unnatural, icy blue.
Training turned into brutality.
When a member failed, they were beaten and thrown out.
Ryan watched helplessly as Trent kicked one of their old friends — a boy named Ellis — until he collapsed.
"Stop! Don't do this, Trent!"
"He's weak, Ryan!" Trent roared.
"And weakness rots the pack!"
Ryan stepped in, but Trent grabbed him by the neck.
"You wanna be next?"
Anger swallowed fear.
Ryan lowered his head.
And that night, as he watched his friend dragged away, he made a promise:
If that's what makes you smile... I'll do the dirty work for you. Just don't do this to the others.
But nothing was ever the same.
And the light in Trent's eyes never came back.
---
Present
Ryan blinked, returning to reality.
His breathing was ragged. His hands trembled.
He looked at Kimberly — still standing, battered but unbroken.
And for the first time... he smiled sadly.
"You... win," he whispered.
Kimberly stepped back, uncertain, but accepted the gesture.
Trent started clapping, the sound echoing through the warehouse.
"Bravo! Bravo!" he shouted, laughing.
"This girl... she's incredible! I have to fight her myself!"
Ryan staggered toward him, voice trembling.
"Trent... we lost. This is wrong…"
Before he could finish, the wolf leader spun and kicked him brutally across the face, slamming him into the floor.
Kimberly stepped forward, fury boiling in her chest.
"You son of a—"
Trent smiled, eyes burning with excitement.
"You really think you can stop me, little girl?"
Kimberly lunged — her fist ready to strike — but Tory grabbed her shoulders.
"Kimberly! Your fight's over!"
She panted hard, her gaze still locked on Trent.
The wolf leader cracked his neck, grinning wide.
"So that's how it is…" he said, spreading his arms.
"My turn, then."
Roshi stepped forward, calm and steady.
"No."
He planted his staff on the ground, raising his gaze.
"This fight is mine now."
The air grew heavy.
Trent smiled, genuinely excited.
"Finally. Let's see what you've got, old man."
To be continued...