The underground arena was unforgiving. Strength alone wasn't enough—fighters had to be brutal, clever, and relentless.
Kael learned that the hard way.
His first few matches had been manageable. His past combat training gave him an edge, allowing him to dodge, counter, and wear down his opponents. But soon, the real challenges came.
A brawler with raw power.
A former knight with refined technique.
A rogue who moved like a shadow.
Kael fought them all. Some victories came at a price—bruises, cracked ribs, and exhaustion. Other times, he lost.
The first time he fell, it was against a man twice his size. A single mistake, a delayed reaction, and he was sent crashing to the ground. The world blurred as pain shot through his body.
The crowd cheered—not for him, but for the victor.
He had forgotten this feeling. The sting of defeat. The weight of weakness.
But he didn't stop.
Kael fought again the next night, and the night after that. He adapted. When power wasn't enough, he used speed. When speed wasn't enough, he used endurance.
By the end of the week, he had fought twelve matches—winning eight and losing four.
Earnings & Expenses
The underground fights paid well, but only for those who kept winning. Kael made a total of 60 silver coins, barely enough for long-term survival.
He spent 20 silver on medical treatment. His body wasn't at its peak, and every injury slowed his progress.
Another 15 silver went to equipment—bandages, armor reinforcements, and a sharpened dagger.
The last 25 silver he saved. He needed a plan beyond just fighting.
With each match, his movements became sharper, his reactions faster. His mind adjusted to his weaker body, learning to compensate.
But he still wasn't strong enough.
If he wanted to stand against the Divine Order, he needed more than just skill. He needed power.