The sun dipped below the skyline, painting the clouds in hues of orange and purple before surrendering to a deep, star-flecked twilight.
In a quieter sector of the city, a sleek, modern house rose like a white tower, its windows glowing with warm light against the encroaching night.
Kiro knocked on the door, his and Raiji's arms laden with bags of snacks and drinks.
Veyra opened the door, a lazy smirk on her face. "Well, well. Look what the cyber-cat dragged in. Raiji and... Muscles." She deliberately used the nickname, her eyes glinting as she watched for Kiro's reaction. "Come on in. Please tell me you actually got the good stuff."
As they filed into the spacious living area, Veyra gestured towards a figure leaning against the kitchen counter. "And this is Nova. She's Torsten's friend. Like a sister, apparently. We only just met today."
Kiro's gaze landed on her. The infamous Glyph, without her mask. She had long, flowing blue hair and a strikingly pretty face that held a sharp, intelligent calm. He'd expected a hardened soldier, not... this.
KIRO: "So... you're The Glyph." He gave a respectful nod, the closest he'd get to formal. "Officially nice to meet you. And... thanks for the help back then. I didn't know you actually knew Torsten."
NOVA: A small, knowing smile touched her lips. "Yeah, I've known him for a while. He's like an older brother I have to keep on a leash. A very strong, very stubborn leash."
VEYRA: "Oh, and by the way," she added, pointing a thumb towards the couch where the enigmatic duo was already digging into a shrimp and curry, "Sosiego and Neo got here before you. You're the last to arrive." She clapped her hands together, her voice rising with genuine excitement. "Alright, everyone's here! Let's party! Let's eat like there's no tomorrow!"
As the group settled in, laughter and music beginning to fill the house, a large, holographic sign flickered to life outside the window, visible to anyone passing by:
VEYRA'S GOING AWAY PARTY!
After an hour of partying, good times, and a holo-movie, Kiro stepped outside for a moment of quiet. The cool night air was a relief from the stuffy, laughter-filled house. He found Torsten already there, leaning against the railing and looking out over the shimmering, illuminated pool.
KIRO: "What's up, Torsten? Nice place you got here. A little too nice for us, isn't it?"
TORSTEN: (Chuckles darkly) "Midas paid for it. Think it's rented." He glanced back at the vibrant house. "So feel free to trash the place. Nothing would make me happier."
His expression grew more serious as he followed Kiro's gaze out into the dark cityscape.
TORSTEN: "Anyway, you're the champ, but you're leaving. So who're you gonna name as your replacement?"
KIRO: "Oh, I'm thinking of that guy raiji fought the one they call 'The Drunk'."
RAIJI: (Yelling from inside, having overheard) "HEY! I'M NOT A DRUNK, I'M A CONNOISSEUR OF FINE SPIRITS! ...AND CHEAP ONES!"
KIRO: (Shouting back) "NOT YOU!" (To Torsten, lower) "But Raiji's right, he's strong. His fighting style is completely unpredictable. Sticking him with the responsibility of being champ might be the thing that sobers him up and prepares him for bigger things."
TORSTEN: (Nodding slowly, a look of respect in his eyes) "Let me think... huh. You might be right. A wild card to keep everyone on their toes. I would've said Nova, but she'll be the new manager. Probably a better one than Midas, anyway."
TORSTEN: "Anyway, you're the champ, but you're leaving. So who're you gonna name as your replacement?"
KIRO: "Oh, I'm thinking of that guy I fought—the one they call 'The Drunk'."
RAIJI: (Yelling from inside, having overheard) "HEY! I'M NOT A DRUNK, I'M A CONNOISSEUR OF FINE SPIRITS! ...AND CHEAP ONES!"
KIRO: (Shouting back) "NOT YOU!" (To Torsten, lower) "But Raiji's right, he's strong. His fighting style is completely unpredictable. Sticking him with the responsibility of being champ might be the thing that sobers him up and prepares him for bigger things."
TORSTEN: (Nodding slowly, a look of respect in his eyes) "Let me think... huh. You might be right. A wild card to keep everyone on their toes. I would've said Nova, but she'll be the new manager. Probably a better one than Midas, anyway."
Back inside the house:
VEYRA: (Leaning against the counter next to Nova) "So, Nova, which build are you going for on that suit?"
NOVA: "Still thinking. Maybe a speed and damage hybrid. But honestly, I mostly want a tank build, like in the video games. I'll probably just modify it straight away, combine it with my own tech." She glanced at Veyra. "What about you?"
VEYRA: "Nice. I'm thinking pure speed. Stay at a good distance with blunt resistance. I don't plan on getting into close-range fights... but we'll see."
Nearby, a competitive grunting filled the air.
SOSIEGO: (Calmly counting) "...One hundred, one hundred one, one hundred two... and... Neo lost."
Neo collapsed onto the floor, breathing heavily.
NEO: (Gasping) "You're... too good... at push-ups..."
RAIJI: (Finishing his last rep and collapsing beside her) "I... almost lost... that was hard..." He pointed a trembling finger at her. "Our next rematch... should be on a PC."
NEO: (A competitive fire in her eyes) "Sure. This time, I'll beat you."
SOSIEGO: "I'll leave you two to your... recovery." He then made his way over to the kitchen, approaching Nova. He stood slightly awkwardly, not quite making direct eye contact.
SOSIEGO: "Nova, did you... um... look at the specs of the suit's thermal regulation yet?" (He says, looking intently at a spot on the wall beside her head.)
NOVA: "Yeah, kinda. Here, the specs say its heat resistance is surprisingly high."
SOSIEGO: "Oh, that is high." The technical problem seemed to snap him out of his shyness. He leaned in, a spark of inspiration in his eyes. "Might have an idea. Let's add a fire-absorption module. It converts incoming thermal energy into a temporary power boost for the suit."
NOVA: (A genuine, appreciative smile) "That's a really good idea. You're hired as my helper."
A soft knock echoed at the door. Torsten, being closest, pulled it open.
He looked down to find Lilly, the young assistant from Veyra's shop, standing there with a shy smile.
TORSTEN: "Hey, Lilly. Welcome to the party."
LILLY: "Hello, Torsten. Sorry I'm late, I was busy closing up the shop." She stepped inside and gave him a quick, warm hug, a faint blush coloring her cheeks before she hurried past him into the lively room.
Veyra spotted her and waved her over to the kitchen island where she was talking with Nova.
VEYRA: "Lilly! Over here." She put a hand on Nova's arm. "Nova, this is Lilly, my amazing assistant and the only reason my shop hasn't burned down. Lilly, this is Nova. She's my new... adopted sister."
Lilly giggled as Veyra continued, laying the drama on thick.
VEYRA: "Yes, I adopted her from the streets of the slums. Poor girl. Same as I did with Kiro..." She fake-wiped a tear from her eye. "I just don't know what went wrong with that one."
LILLY: (Giggling) "You're terrible."
NOVA: (Taking a sip of her drink, deadpan) "Lies. All of it."
The party carried on, the music and laughter spilling out into the night until the first rays of the sun began to paint the sky, marking the end of one era and the uncertain dawn of the next.
The sunrise ushered in a new day, the city stirring to life as everyone returned home from the party.
At his apartment, Kiro woke up, the previous night's festivities a pleasant hum in the back of his mind. He headed out, immediately spotting Raiji already on the move.
RAIJI: "What's up, Kiro? You heading to the arena? I heard Midas got fired and banned by Nova. She's the new boss now. So, you're choosing the next champ, right? You said 'the Drunk'?" Raiji shook his head with a grin of respect. "I beat him, but could have lost easily. He's a good choice."
KIRO: "Yea, as you said. It's like a different stage of drunk. Makes for a good fighting style." He stretched, looking at the sprawling city ahead. "Anyway, I should run."
Instead of taking the crowded streets, Kiro took to the rooftops. He launched into a fluid wall-jump, landing silently on the roof above. He moved across the cityscape in a series of leaps and bounds, the morning air whipping past him. Below, the main arteries of the city pulsed with hover-cars gliding over the roads.
In no time, he landed at the entrance of the arena.
He made his way to the main office, where he found Nova amidst a whirlwind of renovation. The room was half-demolished, the smell of fresh sawdust and ozone hanging in the air. Workers were assembling metal frames for new walls.
NOVA: (Pointing at a blueprint) "...and we'll extend this wall for the new tech lab. Sosiego and I will work on the suits and guns here. Maybe even laser swords."
SOSIEGO: (From behind a stack of crates, his voice full of wonder) "It would be so cool... laser swords."
KIRO: (Leaning against the doorframe) "Did someone say laser swords?"
NOVA: "Welcome, Kiro. So, what do you think? I'm making the place in my image." She gestured at the controlled chaos around them.
Kiro looked around, taking in the scent of fresh-cut wood and the sight of exposed wiring behind broken drywall. It felt like progress.
NOVA: "So, your match is waiting. The new champ." She gave him a knowing look. "Knock them dead. Or at least, make the loss believable."
KIRO: (A confident smirk on his face) "Sure."
The laser gates hummed to life, parting to reveal the arena. A fresh breeze swept in, carrying away the stale air of the underground and replacing it with the electric charge of anticipation.
Kiro stepped through, the morning sun glinting off the polished floor.
Nova's voice, crisp and clear, echoed through the stadium. "Good morning. I'm Nova, your new arena manager. I'm still busy hiring, so you're stuck with me as announcer for now." A wave of murmurs passed through the crowd. "You'll also notice a new referee. This is a change for safety, a move away from the... money-hungry ways of the previous management."
The reaction was immediate and divided.
A section of corporate punks and gamblers erupted in a chorus of "BOO!"
But from the larger, louder section of slum-dwellers and true fight fans, a cheer rose up.
RANDOM GUY 1: "We can finally join without worrying about a rigged match!"
OLD GUY: (Wiping a tear from his eye) "Wow... what a change. It's a return to the old rules! To honor!"
Nova's voice cut through the noise, firm and in control. "Now, now. The only thing we're gambling on today is a fair fight. Your referee is Neo."
Neo gave a small, sharp nod from the center of the ring, her presence a silent promise of order.
NOVA: "Now for our fighters! On my right, the reigning champion, making his final appearance... Kiro 'The Super'." She paused, and the audio picked up her quiet, deadpan mutter: "It's a dumb name, 'The Super'."
The crowd laughed.
NOVA: "And on my left, a man who needs no introduction, but probably needs a hydration IV... one of our top ten contenders, 'The Drunk'." She sighed, her voice laced with genuine, exasperated concern. "Sir, please. For the love of god, stop drinking. Your liver is sending us distress signals."
The stage was set. The air crackled.
NOVA: "Now... FIGHT!"
KIRO: "Let's start simple. If you can send me flying into that wall, you win. That means you're a good fit for the title."
The Drunk took a long, sloppy swig from a jug at his hip, liquid dribbling down his chin as he swayed forward. A playful grin spread across his face the Happy Drunk.
THE DRUNK: "You giving me a free shot? Only way to repay you is with a good show!"
He moved in a blur, kicking up a cloud of sand. A punch whistled past Kiro's head. Kiro dodged, countered with a kick, but The Drunk effortlessly slipped under it and landed a light, mocking tap on Kiro's cheek.
It had no effect. Kiro caught the offending foot and hurled him backward. The Drunk tumbled, the jug on his hip shattering against the ground.
He rose, unfazed, and pulled out a second flask, downing it in one go. His face darkened into a scowl the Angry Drunk.
THE DRUNK: "How dare you!"
He launched himself forward like a cannonball. Kiro met him head-on. The Drunk landed a heavy kick to Kiro's stomach, but Kiro ate the pain and slammed a fist into his jaw. The Drunk staggered, stunned, but gathered himself and unleashed a furious roundhouse kick that sent Kiro skidding backward.
Kiro dug his heels into the ground, stopping his momentum. The Drunk was already on him again, a flurry of kicks and punches. Kiro was on the defensive, blocking, his movements seeming slower against the onslaught.
Then, in a split second, the rage vanished from The Drunk's eyes, replaced by cold, sober clarity.
Sober Drunk.
A single, swift blow to Kiro's torso cracked like a gunshot. The force lifted Kiro off his feet, but in mid-air, he snagged The Drunk's arm, using the leverage to deliver a savage front kick to his chest that sent The Drunk reeling. Kiro landed, coughing up a spray of blood.
THE DRUNK: (A spark of respect in his eyes) "You're the first to take that blow and still counter... other than King Croc. Not bad." He settled into a low, unfamiliar martial arts stance. "Now I'll show you... Sober Drunk Style."
The final exchange was a masterpiece of skill. Blows were parried, kicks met kicks in a series of sharp cracks. Then, The Drunk feinted, creating the smallest opening. He capitalized instantly, pivoting into one final, perfectly placed Sober Kick.
The impact was immense. Kiro was launched across the arena, crashing back-first into the wall with a thunderous echo. A cloud of dust settled.
Slowly, Kiro pushed himself to his feet. He wiped a trickle of blood from his forehead and brushed the dirt from his clothes.
NEO: "The Drunk wins! You have a new champion!"
The Drunk blinked, the sober intensity fading, replaced by dazed confusion.
Kiro walked forward, every step measured, and stretched out his hand.
KIRO: "Congrats. You're the champ. Just train more. You need it."
A moment of understanding passed between them. They shook hands, a gesture of mutual respect.
From the announcer's booth, Nova smiled.
NOVA: "Everyone, put your hands together for your new champion!"