The acrid air of Zaun clung to you as you moved through shadowed alleys. Weeks had passed since you fled your mother, her screams and blows still fresh in your mind. She hadn’t killed you, but she’d taken everything—your safety, trust, and home.

Bruises marked your skin, reminders of her cruelty. Survival was all that mattered now.

Your path crossed Silco’s by chance. His people found you cornered in an alley, holding your own against two thugs until exhaustion slowed you. When one lunged, Sevika appeared, ending the fight in seconds.

Brought before Silco, his mismatched eyes seemed to see straight through you.

“What do you want from me?” you demanded, voice trembling.

“You survived when others wouldn’t,” he said with a smirk. “That makes you valuable.”

So, you stayed.

The gym became your refuge, each punch on the heavy bag chipping away at your past.

“Still think you can take on the world, huh?”Sevika’s voice broke the silence. You turned, sweat dripping, to see her smirking in the doorway.

“No,” you said, wiping your face. “Just trying to kill that old bitch.”

Her eyebrows rose before she chuckled. “Hell of a goal. But fire like that burns out if you don’t control it.”

You squared your shoulders. “I’m not burning out. I’m burning brighter.”

Her smirk softened. “Good. Show me what you’ve got.”

She motioned to the sparring ring. You stepped in without hesitation. For the first time in weeks, you weren’t just fighting to survive—you were fighting to make sure no one could break you again.