Drowner: Becoming Defekt

Caden

That's what I call a prodigy.

The fact that this kid—this untrained, wild fighter—has lasted this long against me and even managed to bust my lip? Impressive doesn't even cover it. Sure, I've been holding back some moves, but still, it's no small feat.

He charges at me again, his movements raw and unpolished, like someone who's never set foot in a training hall. And yet, every punch, every step, is perfectly adapted to the moment. It's instinct over skill, chaos over order—but somehow, it works.

Amazing. Truly.

But I can't let this drag on any longer.

He throws a punch at my nose, a fast, desperate jab. I don't bother dodging. Instead, I let it connect. The sting lights up my senses as my head snaps back slightly.

And then I strike.

Before he can recover, I grab him by the collar with one hand and slam us both to the ground. The impact sends a jolt through my body, but I don't let it slow me down.

My palm slaps against the wet concrete, and in a single breath, I let my power flow.

Electricity surges outward, crackling like a living thing, filling the space around us. The zone I create is small but concentrated—enough raw energy to knock out a bear.

The kid jerks once, his body seizing from the shock, and then goes limp. Out cold.

Unfortunate, really.

I stand slowly, brushing the water and grime off my jacket, and glance down at him. He'll be fine—probably. A bit singed, maybe a nasty headache when he wakes up, but nothing permanent.

"Hell of a fight, kid," I mutter under my breath, a faint grin tugging at my lips despite myself. "Hell of a fight."

I glance over at the others. Vlad's got that stern I told you so look plastered across his face, and Luna—well, she just looks like she wants to bolt over here and scream at me for taking him down like this.

But I don't regret it. The fight needed to end, and it needed to end now.

"C'mon, did you really think I'd lose this one?" I say with a grin, wiping a bit of blood off my busted lip.

Before I can even finish the thought, Luna throws her arms around me in one of her bone-crushing hugs.

"No, not at all," she whispers, her voice warm despite the teasing edge. "But you might want to get back to Rebe! She'll be thrilled to see you got hurt—again."

Ah, Rebe. My wife, my biggest critic, and my number-one reason to think twice before doing something reckless. She's gonna love this—me coming home bruised and battered, looking like I went twelve rounds with a grizzly.

Luna's laughing now, her shoulders shaking as she pulls back. "Honestly, I can already hear her yelling at you."

"And you're not gonna cover for me, are you?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Not a chance," she says, her grin widening.

Vlad, who's been stoic through most of this, finally cracks a smile. "You're on your own for this one, Caden."

The two of them are practically doubled over, laughing their asses off as if I'm not standing here nursing a busted lip and an ego that's taken a hit.

Yeah, Rebe's gonna kill me. But honestly? Hearing their laughter—after everything that's gone down today—it's worth it.

A groan cuts through the moment, snapping us all back to reality.

"Ugh."

I turn to see the brat stirring, his body shifting as he starts to wake up.

"Great," I mutter under my breath, rubbing the back of my neck.

He blinks up at me, dazed, but the fire in his eyes hasn't dimmed.

"I'm not ready for round two," I sigh.