Abandoned Ruins – A Silent Training Ground
Kael moved through the ruins of an old, forgotten district on the outskirts of the city. Once a thriving part of the capital, now reduced to rubble and decay, it was the perfect place to train in secret. He had no time to waste—if he was to survive, he needed to regain his edge.
Standing in the middle of a collapsed courtyard, he took a deep breath. His body, though far weaker than in his past life, still carried the muscle memory of countless battles. But strength wasn't enough—precision, efficiency, and ruthlessness were what truly mattered.
Kael picked up a rusted iron rod, wielding it like a sword. Speed drills. His arm moved in swift, controlled arcs, slicing through the air. The weight was off, but the motions remained fluid. Perfect form leads to perfect execution.
After an hour, he moved to agility training. Scaling crumbling walls, leaping across broken beams, pushing his endurance to its limits. Every movement had to be sharp, calculated. In the underground arena, a single mistake meant death.
Finally, he practiced his strikes on a worn-out wooden post. With each punch, his knuckles bled, but he welcomed the pain. Pain was proof he was still alive.
Kael's mind drifted back to the betrayal, the faces of those who had cast him aside. The Divine Order had erased his name, but soon… soon, they would remember.
For now, he had to start small. The underground fights were his first step toward power.
The Underground Arena – A Den of Beasts
The entrance to the underground arena was hidden beneath a rundown tavern. Kael stepped inside, hood drawn low, blending into the drunken crowd. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and blood.
As he descended the stairs, the roar of the crowd grew louder. A pit of savages, desperate for coin and glory. Perfect.
Kael observed carefully. Fighters of all kinds were here—mercenaries, criminals, desperate fools with nothing left to lose. Bets were placed, deals made in whispers.
A large man in a stained cloak approached him. "New face. You here to watch or fight?"
Kael met his gaze. "Fight."
The man smirked. "Rules are simple. You win, you get paid. You lose, you crawl out—if you're lucky."
Kael stepped forward, eyes cold and unwavering. "Then let's begin."