The crowd''s cheers turned into gasps as the sight.


    Brute grinned savagely, disying teeth. "Gotcha bitch!"


    The Kid struggled, his face contorting in pain as Brute''s grip tightened.


    With the crowd roaring for blood, Brute unleashed a brutal barrage of punches. Each blownded with a sickening thud, driving the Kid closer to the brink.


    "Is this the end?!" Thementator yelled. "Will Brute finish this once and for all?"


    Ezra leaned forward in interest even as Veran keptughing.


    The kid had been taught to take a hit.


    Despite the relentless assault, the Kid''s eyes never lost their focus. He endured the punishment, waiting for his moment.


    When Brute''s grip ckened ever so slightly, the Kid wrenched free, staggering back with a visible limp.


    He clutched his left side, the pain of the injury he had sustained evident for all to see.


    Brute roared into the sky and the crowd cheered with him.


    "Oh no! The Kid didn''t escape unscathed!" Thementator pointed out. "Will Brute y with his meal or will he take advantage of this clear weakness?"


    Brute roared and charged again, overextending himself in his eagerness to finish the fight.


    The Kid, eyes gleaming with cunning, sidestepped at thest moment and delivered a swift, precise kick to Brute''s knee.


    The giant fell to one knee with a roar of pain, and the Kid followed up with a flurry of punches to Brute''s face, exploiting his imbnce.


    "What is this?!" Thementator yelled in amazement. "The injury was fake?!"


    Ezra chuckled to himself. The Kid was smart.


    Feigning pain on his left side had worked perfectly. The Kid had baited Brute into a critical mistake, and now the crowd watched in awe as the tide of the fight turned once more.


    At the sight, the crowd erupted in a mix of cheers and jeers, thementator''s voice almost drowned out.


    "Can you believe it, folks? The Kid is making aeback!"


    Brute, now furious, swung wildly, but the Kid ducked and weaved,nding quick, sharp blows.


    Brute''s face was a mask of rage and confusion. He had never been challenged like this by such an unassuming opponent.


    Ezra leaned back in his chair once more. "Like I said, the match is over." He smirked as he turned to look at the now silent Veran. "The Kid has won already."


    With that, he turned back to watch the match calmly.


    The Kid''s strategy was bing clear to the spectators.


    He was wearing the Brute down, exploiting his weaknesses and using his own strength against him.


    The Brute, exhausted and now bleeding, made onest desperate lunge.


    The Kid sidestepped, and with all his remaining strength, delivered a powerful kick to the Brute''s head.


    The giant wavered, his eyes zing over. The crowd fell silent for a heartbeat, then exploded as the Brute copsed to the ground, unconscious.


    Thementator''s voice rang out, barely audible over the deafening cheers. "Unbelievable! The Kid has done it! He''s defeated the Brute!"


    There was someone in the crowd yelling, "I won! I fucking won! Haha! Thank you Kid!"


    Ezra turned, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.


    Veran pped slowly, clearly impressed. "Well, well, Ezra Matten. It seems your luck is quite strong."


    Ezra toned down his smile, his expression now calm but pleased. "Sometimes, it''s not just about luck, Veran. It''s about seeing the potential where others see none. The same way I see potential between ckthorne and Matten."


    Veran nodded, a newfound respect in his eyes. "Indeed. You''ve proven yourself tonight. Now, let''s talk about this... deal you have for me."


    As the crowd continued to cheer for the Kid, Veran stood, motioning for Ezra to follow.


    Veran led Ezra through a series of dimly lit tunnels beneath the Pulse nightclub, each turn bringing them deeper into the undergroundbyrinth.


    The air grew colder and more still, the faint echoes of the fight club''s chaos above fading into silence.


    Veran''s wives trailed behind, their expressions serene and unreadable, adding an eerie calm to the descent.


    After what felt like an eternity, they reached another heavy, reinforced door.


    Veran produced a key from his pocket and unlocked it, pushing it open to reveal a room.


    The room was small but meticulously designed for privacy and security. The walls werepletely bare and a single table with chairs dominated the center.


    Veran gestured for Ezra to sit. "Wee to my sanctum." He said mockingly, taking a seat opposite Ezra.


    His wives positioned themselves quietly at the door, their presence a silent reminder of the advantage Veran held at the moment.


    Ezra settled into the chair, disying calm even as he reminded himself of the importance of this negotiation. Find joy in m _v _le _mpyr reads.


    "Thank you, Veran," he began, his voice steady. "We both know why we''re here. The Ascension Well."


    Veran steepled his fingers in interest, listening quietly.


    Ezra continued. "We both know that you know the location of the well. In return for that location, I''ll protect the ckthorne coven from both Griffin and Solomon till the new count arrives."


    Veran leaned back in amusement. "Indeed. It is as you say. I know the location of the Ascension Well."


    "But you, Ezra, im to be able to protect us from Griffin and Solomon. But can you really?" Veran smirked. "You said it yourself. You''re in the same situation that I am in. What can you do that I can''t?"


    Ezra leaned forward, meeting Veran''s gaze. "Simple. I took out all your allies on Griffin''s orders. I know all the details about the attack we are nning on you. Who says I can''t use that knowledge to help you?"


    "Griffin aims to capture your coven alive, hoping to extract the location of the well from you." Ezra sighed. "You don''t have much time, Veran. Solomon doesn''t know you have the location of the well but the moment Griffin attacks... he''ll know."


    Veran raised an eyebrow, his skepticism evident. "Knowing the details of an attack is one thing. Protecting us from two powerful enemies is another. Why should I trust you?"


    "How about this?" Ezra''s expression hardened with resolve. "If I can protect you from theing attack, it will prove my ability to keep my word. It''s a test of my capability and our alliance."


    Veran considered this, his eyes narrowing. "You propose a practical test. But words and promises can be easily broken. How do I know you won''t betray us the moment it''s convenient for you?"


    Ezra knew Veran had a point. Trust was a fragile thing among vampires. That much he already knew. "What do you suggest?"


    Veran''s smile was cold. "A blood oath. It will bind us both to our promises. If either of us breaks the oath, there will be dire consequences."


    Ezra hesitated.


    He was wary of any bonds involving blood. He already had too many of them.


    And blood oaths were dangerous and binding in ways that went beyond mere words. They connected the participants'' very essence, enforcing the promises with supernatural weight.


    But he had little choice. They needed the Ascension well.


    He sighed.


    "Very well." Ezra said, his voice firm. "We will seal this agreement with a blood oath."