Clang!
The heavy iron gates slammed shut behind them.
Holden and Varga stood alone in the cage. The sand on the floor was dark, stained by the blood of earlier matches. Flickering fire pits threw long shadows across the arena. Above them, thousands of spectators leaned over the railings, screaming for a violent finish.
The crowd stomped their feet in unison.
Thoom. Thoom. Thoom.
The entire underground stadium shook. Cups fell from ledges. Dust rained down from the ceiling. The wooden supports groaned like they might give out at any second.
Varga lifted his massive battle axe and roared at the crowd.
"THIS IS WHAT YOU CAME FOR! THIS IS THE IRON FANG WAY!"
He turned to face Holden. A wild grin split his scarred face. He flexed his shoulders, and visible energy rippled across his huge body. His aura flared around him, a brutal crimson glow that marked him as Rank 2, 5-Star.
