DC: Crystalizing

The underground arena wasn't the same place Adrian remembered. Two years ago, it had been dark, grimy, and reeked of sweat and blood—a makeshift pit for desperate fighters and even more desperate gamblers. But now? Now it was unrecognizable. 

Adrian stood at the entrance, gazing at the changes, his mouth tightening. Guess two years only stopped for me, he thought bitterly, his eyes scanning the arena.

Next to him, Maya Cruz smirked faintly, her sharp eyes flicking over to him. "Impressive, isn't it?" she said, folding her arms. "This isn't the same place you left, Ghost. Not by a long shot."

Adrian nodded slowly, his mind still catching up with the scale of it all. The arena had evolved far beyond the dirty pits of his past. This was bigger. More organized. More dangerous.

"It's not just the arena that's changed," Maya continued as she led him down a side corridor, her voice cutting through the noise like a knife. "There are new rules now, thanks to the metas. Fights are divided into two sections. Over here—" she gestured to a smaller, darker section of the arena, far less crowded, with a single dimly lit ring—"we've got the human division. The less popular one. Basic fighters, no powers, no frills. The betting pool's smaller, the audience isn't as big, but there's still demand for it. Nostalgia, I guess."

Adrian glanced at the human ring, his lip curling slightly. It looked like a sad afterthought. The crowd was thinner, the energy subdued, the fights nothing more than echoes of what the underground used to be.

"And over here," Maya said, her tone shifting as they stepped through another corridor and into the heart of the arena, "is the meta division."

Adrian stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening slightly.

The meta section was massive. The ring itself was enormous, surrounded by a shimmering energy barrier that pulsed faintly with light. It wasn't just a cage or a pit—it was a battleground. The floor of the ring was reinforced with thick steel plating, and the energy shield surrounding it was designed to absorb impacts that could easily kill anyone in the audience. Above the ring, massive screens displayed the action in high definition, zooming in on the fighters as they clashed.

And the crowd—the crowd. It was unlike anything Adrian had ever seen. Thousands of people packed into the stands, cheering and screaming like maniacs. The sound was deafening, a wave of energy that hit Adrian like a physical force.

"Take a deep breath," Maya said, her tone dry. "This is what real money looks like now. The meta fights are where it's at. The humans? We're just the warm-up acts."

Adrian's gaze drifted toward the ring. And then he saw him.

Standing in the center of the ring was a behemoth of a man. His skin was reddish and stony, like he'd been carved from molten rock, and his white dreadlocks hung heavily down his back. He had a thick white beard that framed his sharp jaw, and despite his massive size, there was an elegance to the way he carried himself. He wore a light green suit that contrasted sharply with his rugged appearance, a gold chain glinting around his neck. Even from a distance, his confidence was palpable—an aura that drew every eye in the room to him.

"That's Danny Brickwell," Maya said, noticing Adrian's focus. "They call him Brick. Metahuman with invulnerable skin. Rumor is he can withstand a surface-to-air missile without breaking a sweat."

Adrian didn't take his eyes off the man in the ring. "What else can you tell me about him?"

"He's… an interesting guy," Maya replied. "Danny's been the reigning champ here for over a year now. He takes home insane amounts of money after every fight, but he doesn't just sit on it. He throws these huge, extravagant parties. Invites everyone—fighters, managers, gamblers, you name it."

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Ever been to one?"

Maya nodded. "Once. They're ridiculous. Over-the-top. Fancy catering, expensive booze, the works."

Adrian leaned slightly toward her, his tone shifting. "Hookers?"

Maya shot him a sharp look but eventually nodded. "Yeah. A lot of them."

Adrian's lips twitched into something resembling a smirk. "What's he doing at these parties? Besides throwing money around."

Maya hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly. "Honestly? He's polite. Charismatic. Talks to everyone. People think he's just a guy who doesn't have a care in the world. Like nothing weighs on him."

"No," Adrian said quietly, his eyes narrowing as he watched Danny in the ring.

Maya frowned. "What do you mean?"

Adrian turned to her, his voice calm but edged with respect. "Hookers, lavish parties, the underworld's who's who—he's not just throwing parties. He's building connections. Networking. Danny's not just some guy sitting on his winnings. He's got ambitions. Big ones. The ring's just a stepping stone for him."

Maya crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. "Maybe. But that's not our problem. Right now, we need to focus on getting you in the ring. Start small. A few human matches, build your reputation, and then we can get you into the meta division."

The glow of the screen illuminated her sharp features as she turned it toward Adrian. "See this?" she said, her voice calm but pointed. "This is the end goal."

Adrian leaned in, his orange mask hiding his expression, though his posture spoke volumes. The video showed Danny "Brick" Brickwell in the ring, his massive frame towering over his opponent—a wiry, agile meta who threw fire from his palms like it was second nature. The footage zoomed in on Danny, his reddish stone skin gleaming under the spotlights as he stepped into the firestorm. He barely flinched as the flames washed over him, the crowd roaring louder with every second. Then, with terrifying speed, Danny lunged, his fist connecting with the pyrokinetic's chest. The sound of the impact was sickening—a dull thud that reverberated through the arena.

The fighter crumpled to the ground, motionless. Danny raised his arms, basking in the deafening cheers of the crowd as the announcer's voice boomed: "And STILL your undefeated champion… Danny 'Brick' Brickwell!'"

Maya paused the video. "That's what you're up against. That's where this ends. You don't just stroll into the meta division without a plan."

Adrian shook his head, adjusting the mask he'd been wearing. It was simple—a fully orange faceplate with white eye sockets, giving him the unsettling appearance of a blank, expressionless specter. It wasn't intimidating in the traditional sense, but there was something off-putting about how plain it was, almost cartoonish in contrast to the brutality of the arena.

"I've got a better plan," Adrian said, his voice steady, calm—too calm.

Maya raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Do share."

Adrian didn't answer immediately. His gaze drifted back to the ring, where Danny was standing victorious over another broken opponent. The corner of Adrian's mouth curled beneath the mask into something dangerous. "Let's make a real impression."

Before Maya could stop him, Adrian broke into a sprint, his boots pounding against the steel flooring as he ran straight toward the ring. Gasps rippled through the audience, heads turning as they noticed the figure in the bright orange mask hurtling toward the meta section.

"What the hell are you doing?" Maya hissed under her breath, but Adrian didn't stop.

The announcer's voice crackled over the speakers, a mix of confusion and excitement. "Ladies and gentlemen… wait a second! It seems we've got a surprise! Is this a two-on-one challenge against the champ?!"

The audience roared, their cheers and laughter rising to a fever pitch as Adrian vaulted over the energy barrier and landed squarely in the ring. He straightened up, his eyes briefly scanning the scene. Danny's opponent—a lean meta with jagged black spines protruding from his arms—was barely clinging to consciousness, blood dripping from his mouth as he staggered toward the edge of the ring.

Adrian walked over to the man casually, his movements unhurried, almost lazy. The fighter glanced at him, confused, before Adrian's fist shot out in a lightning-quick jab that connected with the man's temple. He dropped instantly, crumpling like a ragdoll.

The arena went silent for a split second, the audience stunned. Even Danny, standing across the ring, raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. Everyone had assumed Adrian was with the guy.

Adrian turned slowly, facing the crowd as he motioned for a microphone. A worker on the sidelines hesitated before tossing one into the ring. Adrian caught it with one hand, his movements smooth and deliberate as he raised it to his lips.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, his voice amplified and carrying a teasing, theatrical edge, "a surprise treat for you all! An unknown combatant steps into the ring! Who am I? Do I have powers? Who is this handsome fellow behind the mask?" He gestured to himself with a mock flourish, earning a smattering of laughs from the crowd.

Danny crossed his massive arms, watching Adrian with an unreadable expression.

"And you," Adrian said, turning his attention to Danny, his tone suddenly sharp. "Care for another round, champ? I think the people want it."

The crowd erupted into cheers, chanting Danny's name as they stomped their feet in unison. The energy in the arena surged, electric and wild, as all eyes turned to Danny. The champ remained still, his stony features unreadable, though his eyes flickered with faint curiosity as he studied the masked figure before him.

"What's your angle?"

Adrian chuckled, twirling the microphone lazily in his hand. "Angle? Maybe I just thought you could use a real challenge. Or maybe…" He stepped forward, gesturing to the roaring crowd with a sweeping motion. "…I'm just here to give these people what they really came for."

"And you think you're that guy?"

Adrian shrugged. "Let's find out." He stepped closer, standing just a few feet away now, the height difference between them glaringly obvious. Danny was a mountain, towering and unshakable. Adrian, by comparison, looked almost comically undersized—but there was something in his stance, in the quiet confidence radiating off him, that gave the moment weight.

"You know what?" Adrian said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone as if speaking just to Danny. "Let's make this interesting. One round. No second chances. And I'll take you down."

The crowd lost its collective mind, the chants and cheers swelling to a deafening roar.

"And if you lose?"

"That's up to you," Adrian said. "I'm not here to haggle, champ. I'm here to put on a show."

Danny's lips curved into the faintest smirk. "One round, huh? You've got guts, I'll give you that. But guts don't mean much when your bones are dust."

Adrian spread his arms theatrically, taking a few steps backward toward the center of the ring. "Guess we'll see. Care to stop talking and start swinging?"

Danny's smirk widened as he rolled his shoulders, the gold chain around his neck glinting under the lights. "Alright," he said, his voice carrying across the ring. "I could use a new punching bag."

The crowd roared louder, the announcer's voice booming again. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have an unexpected bout on our hands! The champ, Danny 'Brick' Brickwell, versus the masked challenger! Who is this guy? Does he even stand a chance?! Let's find out!"

Adrian exhaled slowly, settling into his stance. It wasn't a standard boxing stance—there was something off about it, something that caught Danny's attention. Adrian's movements were subtle, his feet light but rooted, his shoulders slightly hunched as if he were coiling himself like a spring. It was unconventional, scrappy, and dangerous.

Danny's brow furrowed slightly as his eyes narrowed. His voice was low, almost inaudible beneath the roaring crowd, but Adrian caught the words. "Adrian Wells."

Adrian stiffened for a split second before quickly masking his reaction. Only he heard it, but it was enough. Danny had figured him out in a single glance 

Is his actual power being super smart or something, Adrian thought, his pulse quickening. 

Danny grinned, his white beard shifting as his expression sharpened. "Let's see if the dead man can survive the champ."

Adrian didn't answer. He just smiled beneath the mask, his fists tightening as the energy in the arena reached its peak.

"This is gonna be interesting!"

[ Maya Cruz ]

Author Note: More chapters on [email protected]/LordCampione.