Chapter 26: Chapter 26: The First Underground Fight
Cole spent the next few days thinking over Jayden's proposition. It wasn't the kind of decision he could make lightly, but the more he thought about it, the more the idea gnawed at him. Life in juvenile detention was stagnant. Every day felt the same, and the monotony was starting to wear him down. The underground fights, as dangerous as they were, offered something he hadn't felt in a long time—purpose.
One evening, as the sun began to set and the shadows stretched long across the yard, Jayden approached him again.
"So," Jayden said, leaning casually against the chain-link fence. "You ready to make a decision?"
Cole glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "You really think this is a good idea?"
Jayden smirked, shrugging. "It's not about whether it's a good idea, Matthews. It's about survival. In here, you either make yourself useful, or you get swallowed whole. This fight ring? It's not just about the money or the glory—it's about control. You want to get out of here in one piece, you need to show people you're not to be messed with."
Cole let out a long breath, his mind racing. He knew Jayden was right. Juvenile detention wasn't just a holding cell for kids—it was a place where the strong ruled and the weak were forgotten. If Cole wanted to survive, if he wanted to protect himself and maybe even earn a bit of respect, the fights were his best option.
"I'm in," Cole said finally, his voice steady.
Jayden's grin widened. "Good. You won't regret it."
Later that night, Jayden led Cole through the dimly lit corridors of the detention center, past the guards' patrol routes and down into the lower levels. Cole's pulse quickened as they descended deeper into the facility, the air growing thicker with anticipation. He didn't know what to expect, but his instincts told him that whatever was waiting for him at the end of this journey, it wouldn't be easy.
They finally reached a door, half-hidden behind a stack of old crates. Jayden knocked twice, and a moment later, it swung open. A guard stood on the other side, his face shadowed in the dim light, but Cole could see the hint of a smirk on his lips.
"New recruit?" the guard asked, his voice gruff.
Jayden nodded, his usual cocky grin in place. "Yeah. He's ready."
The guard stepped aside, allowing them to enter. Cole followed Jayden into the room beyond, and what he saw took him by surprise.
The space was large and open, with bare concrete walls and a single lightbulb hanging from the ceiling, casting an eerie glow over the room. In the center of the space was a makeshift ring, nothing more than ropes strung between metal poles driven into the floor. Around the ring, a small crowd had gathered—other detainees, guards, and even a few outsiders who had somehow gained access to the underground event. The air buzzed with excitement and tension.
"Welcome to the big leagues," Jayden said, clapping Cole on the back. "You're up first."
Cole's stomach churned with a mixture of anticipation and nerves. He had fought plenty of times on the streets, but this was different. This wasn't just about survival—this was a test, a challenge to see if he could stand with the best of them.
Jayden motioned toward the ring, and Cole took a deep breath, stepping forward. As he climbed into the ring, the crowd quieted, all eyes on him. The energy in the room shifted, and Cole could feel the weight of their expectations pressing down on him.
His opponent entered the ring a moment later—a tall, muscular kid with a shaved head and a look of cold determination in his eyes. He was older than Cole, and by the look of him, he'd been in plenty of fights before.
"Don't hold back," Jayden called from the sidelines. "This guy's tough, but you've got this."
The referee, a guard who looked like he enjoyed this far too much, stepped into the ring and gave a brief explanation of the rules. There weren't many. No weapons, no cheap shots, and the fight would go until one of them couldn't stand.
Cole barely heard him. His focus was on his opponent, the adrenaline coursing through his veins as he prepared for the fight.
"Ready?" the guard asked, looking between them.
Cole nodded, his fists clenched at his sides. His opponent did the same.
"Fight!"
The moment the word left the guard's mouth, Cole's opponent lunged at him, moving fast for someone his size. Cole ducked under the first punch, his instincts taking over as he countered with a quick jab to the ribs. His fist connected with a satisfying thud, but the other guy barely flinched, swinging again with a wild right hook.
Cole dodged, but the punch grazed his jaw, sending a jolt of pain through his skull. He stumbled back, shaking off the hit as his opponent pressed forward, throwing punch after punch. Cole blocked most of them, but the guy was relentless, and it wasn't long before Cole was on the defensive.
The crowd was shouting, their voices a chaotic mix of cheers and jeers. Cole's mind raced as he tried to find an opening, but the other guy wasn't giving him any room to breathe. He was fast, strong, and ruthless—exactly the kind of fighter Cole had been warned about.
But Cole wasn't about to give up. Not now. Not after everything he had been through.
He took a deep breath, focusing his energy as he sidestepped another punch. This time, instead of retreating, he moved in close, landing a series of quick jabs to his opponent's stomach. The hits came fast and hard, each one knocking the wind out of the bigger kid. Cole could feel the shift in the fight—his opponent was slowing, his movements becoming sloppier with each passing second.
Cole saw his opening.
With a burst of speed, he ducked under a wild swing and delivered a sharp uppercut to his opponent's jaw. The impact sent a shockwave through the room, and the crowd fell silent for a moment as the bigger kid staggered back, dazed.
Before he could recover, Cole moved in, landing a final punch to his ribs that sent him crashing to the ground.
The room erupted into cheers as Cole stood over his opponent, his chest heaving with exertion. The adrenaline was still pumping through his veins, but he felt a surge of satisfaction as he looked down at the fallen fighter. He had won.
The guard stepped forward, raising Cole's hand in victory. "Winner!"
The crowd cheered again, and Cole couldn't help but feel a rush of pride. He had proven himself, not just to the people watching, but to himself. He wasn't just surviving anymore—he was thriving.
As he climbed out of the ring, Jayden approached him, grinning from ear to ear. "I knew you had it in you, Matthews."
Cole wiped the sweat from his forehead, his body still buzzing from the fight. "That's just the beginning."
Jayden's grin widened. "Good. Because the real fight is just getting started."
---
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone