The Backroad Saints

From the outside, the warehouse looked like nothing more than an abandoned building… old and forgotten.

But step inside, and it was an entirely different world. The air practically radiated testosterone. You could smell the sweat and lingering scent of blood from previous fights. The roar of the crowd shook the walls, loud enough that you might walk out with permanent hearing damage.

To anyone passing by, it was just an old building. To everyone inside, it was The Hollow.

And I’m here because there was nothing better to do, and because Kain’s name was on the fight card.

Undefeated. Untouchable. A fact everyone knows and everyone still ignores.

Every other night, some new idiot walks in thinking they’ll be the one to break the streak. Every time, they leave with the same realization: Kain isn’t undefeated by luck or chance. He’s just a badass.

At least that’s what I hear, I’ve never actually seen him in action and that fact alone is what’s making me stay here now.

The crowd erupts as I step into the center of the ring, my voice booming through the warehouse.

I allow the anticipation to build just for a moment…

I hear the announcement calling me to the ring and can’t help but laugh at Kullans’ ridiculously over-the-top introduction. He’s a lot for some people to handle, but to me? He’s family. An annoying little brother I never asked for, but wouldn’t trade.

I make my grand entrance, fist-bumping a few familiar faces as I make my way through the crowd. Bodies by Drowning Pool blasts through the warehouse from Myles’ phone hooked up to the overhead speakers, the bass shaking the walls as the crowd roars.

Once I step into the ring, my eyes scan over the sea of faces waiting for violence. They’re here for the same reason they always are—the adrenaline, the chaos, the blood.

Then my gaze stops. A face I don’t recognize. And for some reason, I can’t seem to look away.

A moment later, Kullan announces the challenger: a punk named Kevin Kingsley. He’s decent, skilled enough to step into the ring but nowhere near Kain’s level.

I think I might be hallucinating because Kain

“Ice Cold”

Anderson is staring directly at me. Almost… possessively.

Needless to say, I’m flattered. The man is hot. But the way he’s looking at me has me questioning everything. Why exactly is he staring like that?

Does he not want me here… or is there something else I’m missing?

The fight is over in round one.

Kain lets Kevin burn himself out. Then, the moment he sees the opportunity, he strikes. Combination after combination lands with brutal precision until one final jab sends Kevin crashing to the mat, out cold.

The crowd erupts.

Kullan announces the winner, grabbing Kain’s arm and raising it high in victory as the warehouse shakes with cheers.

But Kain barely acknowledges the celebration.

His eyes are already locked on one person.

And before anyone can stop him, he’s stepping out of the ring and making a straight line toward Yomi.