The faint hum of the Nexus Alpha's lights flickered overhead as Zane lay sprawled on a cot, his body aching from another grueling training session. His muscles screamed, and even the Cipher Core, nestled beside him, seemed dimmer, as though it too was exhausted. Rhea's regimen was relentless, her sharp commands ringing in his ears even during moments of rest.
Zane groaned, rolling over to see Kade leaning against the doorway, arms crossed and grinning like he'd just heard the universe's best joke. "You're looking spry, kid."
"Spry isn't the word I'd use," Zane grumbled, sitting up slowly. "More like 'half-dead.'"
"Well, good news," Kade said, the grin growing wider. "Tonight's lesson isn't here. We're taking a field trip."
Zane frowned, his exhaustion giving way to curiosity. "A field trip? Where?"
"Somewhere you can test those new reflexes of yours," Kade said cryptically, already heading down the corridor.
Rhea appeared moments later, her expression as unreadable as ever. "Get ready, scavenger. You're about to experience the undercity's finest tradition."
Zane narrowed his eyes. "That sounds ominous."
"It is," Rhea said, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Now move."
The undercity buzzed with life as Zane followed Rhea and Kade through a labyrinth of dimly lit alleys and winding tunnels. The air was thick with the smell of oil and sweat, and the low murmur of voices echoed off the walls. This wasn't the undercity Zane had grown up scavenging in—it was something deeper, darker, and far more dangerous.
As they rounded a corner, Zane spotted a line of people filing into what looked like an abandoned industrial building. The faint glow of neon signs flickered above the entrance, spelling out the words The Shatterdome in jagged, uneven letters.
"What is this place?" Zane asked, his voice low.
"The Shatterdome," Kade said, his tone light. "Home of the most illegal, brutal, and oddly entertaining fights in the undercity."
Rhea didn't look back as she led them inside. "You're here to learn, scavenger. Consider this your first practical exam."
Inside, the Shatterdome was a chaotic symphony of noise and light. The space was massive, its center dominated by a circular arena surrounded by towering screens that displayed stats and footage of fighters. The crowd pressed close to the railings, shouting bets and cheering for their favorites. Above the arena, a holographic board displayed the names and rankings of competitors, glowing in sharp reds and greens.
Zane's eyes widened as he took it all in. "This is… insane."
Kade grinned, clearly enjoying Zane's reaction. "Welcome to the undercity, kid. No rules, no mercy, and one hell of a reward system."
Zane frowned, turning to Rhea. "What kind of rewards?"
"Knowledge," Rhea said simply, scanning the crowd. "Each win earns you points. Enough points let you challenge higher-ranked fighters. The more you win, the more you learn."
Zane blinked. "Learn what?"
Rhea's gaze was sharp. "Abilities. Techniques. Skills that aren't in any manual. Every fighter here has mastered something unique, and if you beat them, they'll teach you."
Zane's stomach twisted as they approached the arena. He noticed fighters warming up on the sidelines, each one exuding an air of confidence that made him feel painfully out of place. Some wielded weapons he didn't recognize; others seemed to radiate power with nothing but their presence.
"So, what do I do?" Zane asked nervously, clutching the Cipher Core like a lifeline.
"Simple," Rhea said, turning to him. "You fight."
"Fight who?" Zane asked, his voice pitching higher than he intended.
Kade smirked, pointing to the holographic board. "That guy."
Zane followed his finger to see a name glowing in green: "Gorex". Below the name was a brief description: Mid-tier. Expert in brute force. Winner of eight consecutive matches.
"You're joking," Zane said, his stomach flipping.
"I don't joke about fights," Rhea said, handing him a small device. "This will monitor your performance. Survive, and we'll analyze the data. Lose, and… well, we'll still analyze the data."
"Thanks for the pep talk," Zane muttered.
Moments later, Zane found himself standing in the center of the arena, the Cipher Core glowing faintly in his hands. The crowd roared as his opponent stepped into view.
Gorex was a mountain of a man, his broad shoulders and cybernetic arms gleaming under the arena lights. He cracked his knuckles, each movement deliberate and menacing. The crowd chanted his name, their voices echoing like a war drum.
Zane swallowed hard, his palms slick with sweat. "This is a bad idea. This is such a bad idea."
"Stay focused," Rhea's voice crackled through a small earpiece. "The Core is your advantage. Use it."
"Easy for you to say," Zane muttered.
The match began with a deafening roar from the crowd. Gorex charged forward like a freight train, his fists swinging with enough force to pulverize steel. Zane barely managed to dodge, stumbling as he tried to activate the Core. A faint shield flickered to life around him, but it wasn't enough.
Gorex's next swing shattered the shield, sending Zane sprawling to the ground. The crowd erupted in cheers, and Zane's ears rang as he scrambled to his feet.
"Focus, scavenger!" Rhea barked through the earpiece. "The Core responds to your intent, not your panic."
"I'm not panicking!" Zane shouted, narrowly avoiding another punch. "I'm improvising!"
He raised the Core again, channeling its energy into a burst of light that momentarily blinded Gorex. The crowd gasped as Zane darted to the side, landing a weak but satisfying punch to Gorex's side.
It felt like hitting a brick wall.
Gorex laughed, his voice deep and rumbling. "You've got spirit, kid. Too bad it won't save you."
Zane gritted his teeth, dodging another swing. His movements were clumsy, his strikes ineffective. No matter how hard he tried, the Core's energy refused to cooperate fully. It flickered and pulsed, offering flashes of power that weren't enough to turn the tide.
The fight ended with a thunderous blow that sent Zane crashing to the ground. The crowd roared as Gorex stood over him, victorious. Zane groaned, clutching his ribs as the arena lights dimmed.
"Well," Kade's voice crackled through the earpiece, "that went about as well as I expected."
"Shut up," Zane muttered, stumbling to his feet.
Rhea was waiting for him at the edge of the arena, her arms crossed. She didn't look disappointed, but she didn't look impressed, either.
"You survived," she said simply. "That's something."
"Barely," Zane said, wincing as he limped toward her. "I thought the Core was supposed to help me."
"It will," Rhea said. "Once you stop letting it control you."
As they left the Shatterdome, Zane couldn't help but glance back at the arena. Despite the pain and humiliation, something about the experience had lit a spark inside him. The structured fights, the promise of learning new abilities—it wasn't just a challenge. It was an opportunity.
"Hey, Rhea," he said as they walked. "What happens if I start winning?"
She glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "You move up. Face tougher opponents. Learn more."
"And the rewards?" Zane pressed.
"They're worth it," Rhea said, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "But first, you have to stop losing."
Kade clapped him on the back, grinning. "Don't worry, kid. We'll get you there. Eventually."
Zane didn't respond, his mind already racing. The Shatterdome wasn't just a test—it was a proving ground. And for the first time, he felt like he had something to prove.