Forsaken Bloodline

The underground arena pulsed with raw energy. Students crowded around the pit, their cheers reverberating off the cold, stone walls. The scent of sweat and blood mingled in the air as the latest match concluded in a single, devastating strike.

Julian stood alone in the center, his knuckles still tingling from the force of his blow. The lifeless body of Darius, the Rank #5 Masterclass fighter, lay sprawled at his feet. The crowd roared in approval, but the victory felt hollow.

He wiped his hand across his mouth, exhaling sharply. Something felt off. A gnawing unease clawed at his senses. The way Darius had fallen... the way the fight had ended too quickly. It wasn't right.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. He hesitated before pulling it out.

Unknown Caller.

His pulse quickened. He pressed the answer button, bringing the phone to his ear.

"Julian… help me…"

His blood turned to ice.

Suzy.

Her voice was weak, trembling with pain. His breath caught in his throat.

"Suzy? Where are you? What happened?" he demanded, already pushing through the crowd.

There was a rustle, a sharp intake of breath on the other end.

"I... I don't know. They came out of nowhere—"

A choked gasp. A muffled thud.

Then silence.

"Suzy?!"

The line went dead.

His feet moved before his mind could catch up. He shoved past stunned onlookers, his breath coming in rapid gasps. The underground tunnels twisted and turned, but he knew exactly where he needed to go.

The school's front gate. The place where Suzy always waited for him after his fights.

His heart pounded against his ribs as he sprinted through the darkened streets, the cold wind biting against his skin. Every second stretched unbearably long, his thoughts racing with every possible horror he might find.

He turned the final corner—

And his world shattered.

A black car idled near the curb, its doors hanging open like a gaping mouth.

And on the pavement, bathed in the dull glow of a flickering streetlight, was Suzy.

Her white dress was no longer pristine. It was soaked in red.

"No—"

Julian stumbled forward, his knees hitting the ground beside her. His hands trembled as he lifted her, his fingers pressing against the warmth of her blood.

Her lashes fluttered weakly, eyes barely focusing on him. "J-Julian…"

"I'm here. Stay with me, okay?" His voice wavered, but he forced the panic down.

Suzy's lips parted, but the words barely escaped. "They… they wanted…"

Her body convulsed in his arms, her breath hitching. His mind screamed for a way to save her, to heal her. But nothing worked. His power—his ability to manipulate life—failed him.

"No, no, no. You're not leaving me. Just hold on. I'll fix this." His voice cracked.

A faint smile touched her lips. "It's okay... You're here..."

And then she went still.

A howl of agony ripped from Julian's throat.