Aiden walked beside Raghu, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the long, narrow corridors of the prison. The air felt heavier here—thicker, as if the walls themselves carried the weight of countless battles.
Whispers followed him.
Not quiet this time.
"They say he dropped a 200 Leader instantly…"
"That's impossible…"
"Who is he?"
Aiden didn't slow down. He didn't even look at them.
At the end of the corridor stood a large iron door, slightly open. A faint light spilled out from within.
Raghu stopped.
"He's inside."
Aiden pushed the door open and stepped in.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Inside the room, silence ruled. At its center sat a man, relaxed yet commanding, as though the entire prison bent to his will.
Dante Kazimir.
The 1000 Leader.
"You took your time," Dante said calmly, his voice steady and controlled.
Aiden didn't respond.
Dante finally looked up. His eyes were sharp, calculating—studying every detail of the man standing before him.
"So you're the one who made an entrance," Dante continued. "Defeating a 200 Leader so easily…"
He stood up slowly, his presence filling the room.
"Interesting."
Aiden remained motionless, his expression unreadable.
Dante stepped closer, stopping just a few feet away.
"This place breaks most people," he said. "But some… rise above it."
A brief pause.
"Join me."
The offer was simple, but the weight behind it was undeniable.
Before Aiden could respond—
A voice cut through the room.
"That wasn't strength."
Aiden turned slightly.
Kairo stood leaning against the wall, arms folded, eyes locked onto him.
"It was luck," Kairo continued. "No one ends a 200 Leader in a single move without it."
There was no mockery in his tone.
Only tension.
Dante exhaled softly, almost amused.
"You're wrong," he said.
Kairo's gaze didn't shift.
Dante looked back at Aiden.
"Even a careless 200 Leader can endure strikes equal to a 100 Leader," he said. "That's not something you erase with luck."
Silence filled the room again.
Three men.
Three different forces.
Kairo—driven by fire.
Aiden—controlled like still water.
Dante—standing above both.
For a moment, no one moved.
Then Aiden spoke.
"I'll join."
Kairo's jaw tightened slightly, but he said nothing.
Dante nodded.
"A wise decision."
He turned his back to them.
"Then prepare yourself."
From that moment on, everything changed.
Training under Dante wasn't just physical—it was relentless. Every day tested limits. Every mistake had consequences.
Kairo pushed forward with raw force, refusing to fall behind.
Aiden…
adapted.
He didn't chase strength.
He refined it.
Two fighters.
Two approaches.
And one inevitable outcome—
Only one would stand at the top.
To be continued…