Vampire Assassin: Love and Lies

The energy in the arena was insane. The crowd was going wild as the next match was about to start. Damian leaned against the wall, eyes locked on the fighters below. But it wasn't his own match with Gabriel that grabbed his attention—it was the guy Gabriel was facing: Ethan, one of Cassius's most loyal goons.

Ethan was your typical muscle-head—big, loud, and way too confident for his own good. He swaggered into the ring with a cocky grin, like he already won. But it was clear from the start that he was way out of his league. Gabriel, standing across from him, was all business. Quiet, focused, and dangerous. It was obvious that Ethan was just a stepping stone.

Damian couldn't help but smirk. He knew exactly what Gabriel was about: an assassin who fought to kill, not to win. Gabriel had never learned the art of holding back, of fighting without destroying someone. And that was going to cost him—big time.

The bell rang, and Ethan rushed in without thinking, throwing wild punches like a guy who had no idea what he was doing. He was fast, sure, but it was all power and no brains. Gabriel, on the other hand, dodged every punch effortlessly, his eyes cold and calculating. He stepped aside and hit Ethan with a brutal elbow to the ribs, sending him stumbling back.

Ethan wasn't done yet though. He recovered fast, throwing a haymaker that was even sloppier than the first. Gabriel barely flinched. He stepped in, delivering a vicious strike to the side of Ethan's neck, and it was over. The sickening sound of a snapped neck echoed through the arena, and Ethan crumpled to the ground, completely out cold.

The crowd went silent for a second, then erupted into cheers.

Damian's eyes narrowed. Something was off. Gabriel had changed since their last encounter. His moves were sharper, faster, and his whole vibe was darker. It was like he was powered up somehow. Had he been training harder, or was there something else going on? Whatever it was, it didn't sit right with Damian.

Gabriel stood over Ethan, his face unreadable. He wasn't even breathing hard. He looked down at Ethan like he was just some bug to step on.

The referee rushed in, raising his hand. "That's enough, Gabriel!" he shouted. "You've won, but if you keep fighting like that, you're out. No killing in the competition!"

Damian felt a knot form in his stomach. Gabriel had always been dangerous, but now it was like he was out of control. While Damian had learned to control his strikes, to fight with precision, Gabriel fought with no limits, no hesitation. It was only a matter of time before it came back to bite him.

The referee's voice cut through the tension. "I'm letting you off with a warning this time. But remember, we're here for a competition, not a slaughter."

Gabriel shot him a cocky grin, clearly not bothered by the warning. He gave Ethan one last look, stepping back as the medics rushed in.

"Don't forget your place, Ethan," Gabriel muttered, his voice dripping with contempt. "You were never a challenge."

Damian's eyes were glued to Gabriel. He was strong, sure, but there was a recklessness to him now, a kind of wildness that Damian didn't trust. Fighting Gabriel wasn't a competition—it was survival. And if their paths crossed again, it wouldn't be pretty.

The crowd went wild again, half in awe and half in fear, but Damian stayed focused, watching Gabriel carefully. He knew Gabriel's unchecked aggression would only make things messier. And that mess was going to spill over into something much bigger than this match.

Damian's mind raced as he thought back to his training. Gabriel fought to kill—he didn't know how to fight any other way. Damian, on the other hand, knew that real power came from control. A lethal move when necessary, but never for show. That was the difference between them.

But now, Damian was starting to see the bigger picture. This wasn't just about the tournament. Gabriel was a weapon, and someone had clearly made him even more dangerous. The organization that had shaped both of their lives was pulling strings behind the scenes. And soon enough, both of them would have to face the truth about what they'd become.

Damian didn't take his eyes off Gabriel as he walked off the arena floor. Gabriel wasn't done yet. The warning from the referee wouldn't stop him—it'd just make him more arrogant. But for Damian, it was a reminder of how much Gabriel still had to learn.

And that? That would be Damian's advantage when they faced off again.