THE DRED KOMBAT

CHAPTER 2: YOU WILL FIGHT

Kaden stepped closer, voice dropping low. "Viktor's undefeated. Kills for fun, Jamal. You fight him...you gotta want it more."

Jamal's fists tightened. "Why me?"

"Past debts," Kaden said. "Fight's in two days. Win, get paid. Lose...your family's gonna know pain."

Jamal's mind flashed to Maya, a journalist sniffing around his past. "No threats to family."

Kaden laughed. "Don't test me, Bull. Dred Kombat's law: fight or burn."

The Beast cracked his knuckles. Jamal locked eyes—this fight's gonna hurt.

Jamal turned to leave, Kaden's words echoing: _"You'll fight."_ Outside The Pit, he lit a cigarette, thinking of Viktor's scars. How brutal would this fight be?

Phone buzzed. Maya: _"Need to talk, Jamal. Meet me at Brewed Awakening?"

Jamal hesitated. Kaden's warning lingered. But Maya was digging into his past—could she help?

He typed: _"Be there."

Brewed Awakening's dim lights matched his mood. Maya arrived, notebook out. "Jamal, what's going on? Rumors about Dred Kombat..."

Jamal's jaw tightened. "Nothing. Just old news."

Maya's eyes narrowed. "Don't lie. I know Kaden's involved.

Maya leaned in, her voice low. "Jamal, I know Kaden's involved. If you're in trouble, I can help."

Jamal shook his head. "Not here, Maya. Not now."

She pressed on. "Is it about the fight? Dred Kombat's deadly, Jamal."

He stood. "I said drop it."

Maya grabbed his arm. "I'm not dropping anything. You're not alone in this."

Jamal pulled free. "Two days. I gotta focus."

Maya's eyes flashed. "I'll be watching."

He walked out, night swallowing him whole.