Levi staggered against the wall of the arena as he got up on his feet. His synthetic eye flickered, with his broken rib screaming for rest.
Dorian continued his advance as he wore a wicked grin on his face.
Levi ducked another swing as he attempted three quick punches, one to the rib, one to the knee, and another to his throat.
All his efforts were futile as it was as if he was hitting a wall. Dorian barely flinched.
Dorian grabbed Levi by his hair as he lifted him off the ground like a ragdoll. The rules of the match permitted such since there was no disqualification. It was a death match or submission.
Levi gasped as he struggled to break free.
Dorian just kept up his evil grin as he pulled his arm back getting ready to finish Levi off.
Levi's death flashed before his eyes as he saw the hulking mass of punch coming towards him.
And on instinct, pure desperate instinct, Levi lashed out aggressively.
His thumb jabbed forward, straight into Dorian's eyes. There was the sound of a wet sickening pop.
Dorian screamed, a horrible high-pitched sound as he used his hand to cover his now bad eye. Levi stumbled to the ground as Dorian let go of his hair.
Don't stop, Levi's body screamed.
Seeing the opportunity Levi lunged forward, driving a knee towards Dorian's exposed throat.
Dorian gagged as he dropped to one knee.
Levi didn't think, now it was his turn to act.
He moved, unleashing everything he had left. Elbows, fists, knees, hammering Dorian's head over and over again.
Crack!!!
Dorian collapsed on the floor with a final shuddering groan.
The arena went quiet.
For some breathless seconds, nobody moved.
The ringmaster went over to Dorian's side before proceeding to Levi, lifting his bloodied hand high.
The warehouse exploded with noise, half cheering, half furious.
Levi dropped to his knees, barely able to breathe. He didn't win because he was stronger or better. He had survived because of one blind, desperate strike at the right moment. Luck, nothing more.
The medic shoved through the crowd as they made their way into the arena, scanning Levi's battered frame with a portable analyzer.
"Still breathing." The doctor muttered, surprised. "Barely." They rushed over to Dorian's side immediately.
Levi didn't even hear a word coming from her. He just stared at Dorian's body, heart thundering, head spinning from his victory.
A stretcher was brought into the arena to pick up Dorian's body as he was announced dead.
'This is what I am now.' Levi thought. 'A dog fighting for scraps, killing to pay back for a debt.'
The medic with Levi moved away as the entrance to the arena clanged open.
A man in a dark suit descended from the VIP lounge above the arena. Accompanied by Berlin and two huge bodyguards, he moved towards Levi.
Levi recognized him almost immediately, despite having blood in his eyes.
Viktor Berger.
The man whom he was indebted to. The man who ruled and owned half of the underground world.
Clap! Clap!! Clap!!! "Well fought, Lupin." Viktor commended, his voice as calm as ice. "Dorian was a valuable investment, a shame he had to be discarded."
Levi remained quiet, panting quietly, sweat and blood dripping from his chin.
Viktor reached into his coat and pulled out a sleek Scrip chip, tossing it like a bone to his dog, Levi.
Levi picked it up, his breathing heavy as he scanned it on his broken data pad. His blood turned cold.
"A hundred thousand Silver Scrip?" Levi barked. "The fight was worth double, triple, if not more."
Viktor raised a hand. "You seem to be forgetting your situation." He said calmly. "You're not fighting for money. Lupin. You're fighting for survival and a debt you owe not belonging to you."
Levi clenched his fists even tighter.
Viktor stepped closer to him, his shoes crunching in blood. "Your father, well. He took everything we had to offer him: Scrip, weapons, favors, anything at all. Then he dared to use his children, you and your sweet little sister, as collateral. And then..."
Viktor's expression changed, turning dark as he continued. "...He hung himself like a coward. Thinking death could save him." Viktor's voice changed into a cold whisper. "But debts don't die. They pass on, that's the law of the underground. Blood for blood."
He turned his back on Levi to take his leave, coat fluttering.
"Be grateful I let you live. Every blow you land is a chance at buying back your freedom. Slowly."
Levi stared at him, hatred rising like meat soaked in water. But he said nothing.
Viktor paused at the exit of the arena. "And, tell your sister." He added, back facing Levi. "If you ever run or disappear... She pays next." His words were final as he exited the arena.
The warehouse emptied quickly, while the medic stitched up Levi without much care. The fighters didn't talk to him, the crowd dispersed like crows full from a feast.
Levi limped out of the warehouse as he made his way to exit the docks.
Block by block, he resumed his journey back home. The city swallowed him again, neon lights flickering overhead, trash skittering across the cracked pavement. This was the slums where Levi grew up. A place where dreams were nurtured only to die before it is even born into reality.
Levi's muscles screamed with every step he took. His eyes burned, and his ribs felt like cracked glass.
He arrived at the apartment he used as his home. The building was barely able to stand, with old graffiti, broken windows, and doors, and light flickering from the little support that kept them hanging. It smelled of old fried oil and rats.
Levi climbed the stairs, each step a battle between himself. He soon arrived on the second floor, room 25.
He paused outside the door and used his palm to wipe off blood from his face as best as he could before knocking gently at the door.
It opened a moment later; a pale girl stood there in a faded dress, eyes wide, with her slender frame.
"Levi..." She called out.
Levi gave her a faint smile. "Hey, Lilith." He said, rubbing her before coming in.
She stepped aside, helping him in without saying a word.
Levi collapsed on the couch, groaning. Lilith moved to the makeshift kitchen she managed, she poured out some water for Levi. Grabbing a damp cloth, she worked silently, gently cleaning the blood from his face.
"You fought again." She said silently.
Levi didn't reply as he kept quiet.
"You're hurt."
"It's not that bad." He lied.
"But you said last time was the last."
"I know."
Lilith's hand trembled, and her voice cracked.
"You're going to die in one of those cages."
Levi caught her hand. "No." He said, eyes fierce. "Not until I pay it all off. Until you're safe, I promise."
She blinked back tears.
Levi leaned his head back, staring at the stained ceiling.