At the center of the arena strode a tall, broad-shouldered figure—his composure calm but commanding.
His pale skin contrasted sharply against the deep red of his unkempt hair.
Deep green eyes scanned the area with beast-like intensity, gleaming beneath the light.
Scars lined his face like trophies of war, and his teeth—sharp, almost animalistic—peeked through a half-smirk.
Every muscle in his frame spoke of raw power.
Untamed.
Ferocious.
A menacing aura radiating from someone far too young to carry such destructive presence.
A heavy pressure blanketed the air.
Not loud.
But suffocating.
Karma felt it first in his chest.
Then in his breath.
[What is this…?]
Murmurs began to ripple through the crowd.
Hey… that's Vice Captain Badger, right?
No way… why is he here?
Karma's eyes shifted toward Leena.
Before he could speak—
Badger…
She muttered under her breath.
I should've known.
Karma frowned slightly.
Who is he? And why is he pointing at me?
Leena didn't look away from the arena.
That's Badger. Vice Captain of the Orion Knights.
A small pause.
…And your rival. Since childhood.
Karma's brows knit together.
But you didn't mention hi—
A voice cut through the arena.
Deep.
Heavy.
It didn't need to be loud.
It's been a while… hasn't it, Karma?
It was gravelly and harsh, yet laced with a strange, dark familiarity.
Come down here,
Badger called out.
Let's have ourselves a little chat.
Leena quickly stepped forward.
No. Badger, he's still recovering. Don't push hi—
Stay outta this, Leena.
Badger cut in, not unkindly, but with that heavy tone that didn't entertain protest.
Karma gently raised a hand.
It's alright. I'll deal with him.
He looked to Leena.
Go sit. I'll be fine.
Though still anxious, Leena hesitated—then nodded, trusting him.
He got down and started walking.
Each step toward the arena felt… louder than it should.
The crowd parted slightly.
Eyes followed him.
[Isn't he supposed to be the same age as me? What's with that physique?]
Karma thought, eyes narrowing.
Karma stopped a few paces away and met Badger's gaze.
Badger, was it? I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I don't seem to remember who you are.
But what do you want anyway?
The grin on Badger's face didn't falter.
If anything, it turned into a flash of pure, manic excitement.
So the rumors were true. You really did go and forget everything, huh?
Karma offered no reply, his expression remaining an unreadable mask.
Heh... No matter,
Badger said, already reaching for the buckles of his outer armor.
He tossed the heavy plating aside and began cracking his knuckles, the sound like dry branches snapping.
Let's have a duel—just like old times.
A wave of murmurs surged through the stands.
Is he serious?
A voice called out from the front row.
Against the Vice Captain?
The noise swelled as the crowd realized what was happening, thousands of eyes now locked on the two men.
Karma didn't move, he simply met Badger's gaze.
Sorry but I'll have to pass.
Karma said firmly.
I have no intention of fighting you.
The wide, manic grin on Badger's face slowly died.
The light in his eyes didn't go out—it just grew colder, shifting from excitement to a sharp, visible agitation.
He looked at Karma as if he were staring at a stranger wearing his friend's skin.
Tch. Yeah, see... I wasn't asking.
Badger rolled his shoulders, his muscles rippling under his shirt.
I'm going to fight you anyway. What better way to jog that broken brain of yours than knocking some sense back into it? That's what a sworn rival is for, isn't it?
Badger took a heavy step forward, his shadow stretching over the sand.
It was clear he wasn't listening anymore; his mind was set, and the air around him hummed with a restless, violent energy.
There was no room left for a graceful exit, and for a second, it felt like the first blow was about to land.
That's enough.
A new voice cut through the tension.
Adam stepped forward, his presence authoritative enough to give even Badger pause.
He looked between the two men, his gaze lingering on Karma's confused but steady eyes.
Let him decide,
Adam said, his voice echoing.
And I will oversee this match myself.
Karma glanced at him briefly.
Then back at Badger.
That gaze.
Unmoving.
Waiting.
[He's not backing down.]
A breath.
Slow.
…Fine.
The two took their positions in the center of the vast circle.
The crowd went deathly silent.
The air between them stretched thin, like a bowstring pulled to its absolute limit.
They bowed—Karma with a stiff, uncertain grace, and Badger with a sharp, jagged nod.
Begin!
Adam shouted.
Badger moved first.
A blur.
A low dash that barely gave Karma time to react.
Instinctively, Karma raised his arms to block, but the force of Badger's punch broke through his guard and sent him sprawling into the dirt.
The crowd gasped.
Leena rose, but Adam held her back silently.
C'mon, Karma,
Badger growled, pacing.
That's it? Sloppy footing, slow arms, no rhythm. Even holding back, I'm overwhelming you?
Karma groaned, pushing himself up slowly.
[…Holding back? Give me a break...]
He muttered under his breath.
[He's a monster…]
Get up,
Badger growled.
Karma clenched his fists, grit his teeth, and charged—throwing wild punches with no form or structure.
Badger dodged with ease, deflecting each one effortlessly.
You're not even trying,
he snarled, now visibly agitated.
Where the hell is the Karma I knew?
And then—he snapped.
With a roar, Badger lunged, his strength no longer restrained.
The pressure of his bloodlust made the crowd tense in alarm.
Leena's voice rose.
Stop the match—he's going too far!
But Adam's eyes were locked on Karma.
Watching.
And in the final second—Karma *moved*.
Not with thought.
Not with skill.
But instinct.
His body twisted away from the incoming punch, barely avoiding it.
And with a sharp step forward, he slammed his knee straight into Badger's abdomen.
The sound of impact cracked through the air.
Badger staggered back, breath escaping in a sharp gasp.
Then… he laughed.
Now that's more like it…
He stepped forward again, ready to resume—but Karma suddenly froze.
His hands trembled.
His vision blurred.
And then—flashes.
A rush of fragmented memories.
Screams.
Blood.
Cold steel.
Two different voices—one filled with rage, the other sorrow.
Fire.
Pain.
Shadows.
A lone figure watching from above.
It was all too much.
Karma dropped to his knees, clutching his head, a pained cry escaping his lips.
Enough,
Adam said firmly, stepping forward.
Match is over.
Leena rushed to his side, kneeling next to him.
Take him to his room. Now.
Badger stood still, fists clenched, his excitement replaced with something unreadable.
Respect.
---
Dark—
Then sound.
A sharp crack.
Something hitting.
Again.
Again—
The world tilted.
No… not the world.
Him.
Cold ground pressed against his cheek.
Rough.
Wet.
[Can't… move.]
His body felt distant.
Numb.
Like it wasn't his anymore.
A taste—iron.
Blood.
Footsteps.
Close.
Too close.
They stopped beside him.
A shadow leaned in.
It wouldn't stay still.
The edges kept shifting, like his eyes couldn't hold it together.
Then—
A voice.
You took everything from me…
Low.
Trembling.
Not weak.
Breaking.
I always hated you…
The words came out uneven.
Dragged through clenched teeth.
Two-faced… liar… you cunning piece of—
The rest blurred.
Slurred.
Anger spilling over itself.
[Who…?]
The voice—
Familiar.
Too familiar.
But distant.
Like trying to remember a face seen long ago in a crowd.
Vision blurred further.
Darkness crept in from the edges again.
The figure shifted slightly.
Closer now.
Too close.
…Ray.
The name cut through everything.
Clear.
Heavy.
Darkness crept in again.
Faster this time.
Nothing.
Wake
Dad!
Karma jolted upright.
His breath came out sharp, uneven.
Dark room.
Silent.
Only the faint sound of wind slipping through the window.
…again…
He pressed a hand to his face.
Cold.
Real.
[There's a strange familiarity…]
A pause.
[…and who is Ray…?]
The name landed differently.
Not like the others.
It lingered.
Echoed.
As if it belonged there.
As if it had always been there.
But—
It didn't fit.
Not anymore.
To be continued...