RISE OF THE VOID SYSTEM

Chapter Four – The Iron Pack

The Call to Blood

The next day came far too fast.

The blare of the alarm tore Kael from the thin veil of sleep he’d managed. Harsh white light flooded his cell, stripping away the shadows where he’d tried to hide his exhaustion.

A guard’s voice thundered through the bars. “On your feet, Ardan. The Warden’s got a show planned.”

Kael sat up, ignoring the throbbing ache in his shoulder. Yesterday’s wound was still raw, the skin puckered where Raze’s claws had torn him open. But the Void whispered in the back of his mind, its voice cold and eager.

“Pain means nothing. The hunt matters.”

The door clanged open. Two guards stepped in, rifles slung low, muzzles glinting.

“Move,” one of them barked.

Kael rose without a word, letting them chain his wrists and march him into the corridor. Prisoners watched from behind their reinforced bars, some shouting taunts, others muttering bets on whether he’d survive.

Word of the Void Eater had spread fast.

The Arena Unveiled

The arena was bigger this time.

Yesterday’s fight pit had been a circular cage, just enough space for two fighters to rip each other apart. Today, Kael stepped onto cracked stone ground twice the size, scattered with cover half collapsed walls, rusted scrap piles, broken barricades. It looked like an urban ruin, built for chaos.

Above, the stands were packed with jeering inmates and the Warden’s elite guests, their eyes glittering in the sunlight. Guards lined the perimeter, rifles ready.

A voice boomed over the loudspeakers.

“Today’s main event! Our fresh little killer faces… The Iron Pack!”

A gate opposite Kael’s clanged open.

They came out as one.

The Iron Pack Enters

The first was massive a mountain of a man with plates of grafted steel running up his arms and across his chest, each movement grinding with a metallic rasp. Torque, they called him, a walking battering ram.

The second was wiry and quick, skin sheened with a reflective alloy that caught the light like polished chrome. His eyes glowed faint amber Flicker, a speed freak who could cross the arena in a heartbeat.

The third was silent, draped in scavenged armor plating. A visor hid his face. In his hands, a pair of cleaver like machetes dripped with venomous oil. That was Sawtooth, and he was the one Kael’s gut told him was the most dangerous.

They spread out, flanking him before the starting bell had even rung.

Kael’s pulse kicked into overdrive. The System’s display flickered across his vision.

[Void Energy: 78%]

[Stored Assets: Shock Pulse – Grade F | Cybernetic Grapple – Grade E]

[Void Storage: Empty]

The Opening Clash

The siren wailed.

Flicker blurred forward instantly, his body a streak of silver light. Kael barely had time to raise an arm before the first punch landed. It slammed into his ribs with the force of a hammer, knocking the air from his lungs.

Kael staggered then twisted, sending a tendril snapping toward Flicker’s ankle. But the speedster was gone, already circling for another hit.

Torque charged next, the ground trembling beneath his steps. Kael dove sideways just as the juggernaut plowed through the barricade behind him, splintering metal and concrete.

Sawtooth didn’t move. He was waiting, patient, machetes humming with oily venom.

First Blood

Kael decided to change the rules.

He dashed toward Torque, letting the giant’s bulk block Flicker’s line of attack. As Torque raised a steel plated fist, Kael activated his stolen skill.

[Cybernetic Grapple Activated]

A hook like projection burst from his forearm, clamping onto Torque’s chestplate. Kael yanked hard, pulling himself into range and slammed a palm against the giant’s torso.

[Shock Pulse Activated]

Electric force roared through Torque’s frame, making the giant convulse. Kael’s tendrils surged forward, stabbing into the gap between steel plates.

[Assimilation: 43%]

[Strength +1 | Endurance +1]

Torque roared, swinging wildly. One fist caught Kael in the side of the head, sending stars bursting across his vision.

When his sight cleared, Flicker was already there.

Flicker Falls

The speedster darted in, aiming for Kael’s throat. But this time Kael was ready.

He shoved Torque’s staggering bulk directly into Flicker’s path. The two collided with a crash of metal on metal. Flicker rebounded, dazed for a fraction of a second and Kael took it.

His tendrils lashed out, wrapping around Flicker’s neck and left arm.

[Assimilation: 72%]

The Void drank deep, and Kael felt the rush of unnatural speed slam into his veins.

[Skill Acquired: Hyper Dash – Grade E]

Flicker collapsed like a puppet with cut strings.

The crowd roared.

Sawtooth’s Trap

Kael turned just in time to see Sawtooth closing the distance.

The machetes flashed in a brutal cross swing. Kael leapt back with his new speed but not far enough. One blade kissed his forearm, slicing deep. Black venom burned instantly, eating into the wound like acid.

The System blared a warning.

[Status Effect: Neurotoxin – Severity: High]

Kael’s muscles began to lock. Sawtooth pressed forward, his strikes relentless, forcing Kael toward the arena’s far wall.

But the Void’s voice cut through the pain.

“Storage. Now.”

Kael thrust his bleeding arm into the air and the wound, venom, and all disappeared into an inky ripple.

[Void Storage Updated: Neurotoxic Sample Stored]

His movement returned instantly.

The Finish

Sawtooth hesitated at the impossible recovery.

Kael didn’t.

Hyper Dash flared, and he was on Sawtooth in less than a second. Tendrils burst from his back, wrapping the assassin from behind and wrenching him off balance. A stolen Shock Pulse exploded at point blank range, frying his nervous system in an instant.

[Assimilation: 100%]

[Skill Acquired: Twin Blade Mastery – Grade D]

[Stat Increase: Strength +3 | Agility +4]

Sawtooth hit the ground hard unmoving.

Torque, half conscious, tried to rise.

Kael didn’t give him the chance.

Aftermath

When the siren blared again, all three members of the Iron Pack were down. The guards swarmed in, dragging their bodies away.

The crowd was in chaos some chanting Kael’s name, others shouting for his head.

Up in the balcony, Warden Voss leaned forward, his smile wolfish.

“Oh, Ardan,” he murmured, “you’re going to make me a lot of money.”

Back in his cell, Kael sat in the dark, watching the System’s new notifications.

[Level Up: 3 → 5]

[Void Energy: 94%]

[Stored Assets: Hyper Dash, Twin Blade Mastery, Cybernetic Grapple, Shock Pulse, Neurotoxic Sample]

The Void purred in his mind.

“More. Stronger prey. Feed me.”

The loudspeaker crackled again.

“Two days. Special Exhibition. Kael Ardan vs… The Beast.”

And this time, even Brakk looked worried.