Chapter 1074 Growing Ache Inside the arena, Gary was willingly working with the production team. He was being taken around the place, being shown the schedule and what he needed to do. There were even small details such as picking what music he wanted to. There was also stated that there would be a person always by his side to help him, so he didn't have to remember too much anyway. A lot of what was said had gone in one ear and out the other, because Gary was thinking about too many things at once, and eventually he was brought to a green room. The room was large; it reminded him of the training rooms the AFC had. There was a small cage, several training equipment, weights, pads, and more. At least thirty people could train in the room at once. It was a dedicated space for fighters to practice before their fight, but Gary was in the room alone. "The first fight of the night starts at 6 PM. It's now midday," Allan, one of the assistant producers, said. "You can take a sleep; there's hibernation chambers and more. An hour before, I'll come back to check up on you. If we're on schedule, your fight should be around 10 PM." After Allan left, Gary then stood there looking in the room. Dread was being felt in his entire body; what was he meant to do as he waited on his own, to just be drowned in his thoughts. As the public started to filter in with the other fighters, this was a mental struggle already for him, especially with no support of the others. "10 PM, that's when the fight might start. They have the time; they can make it." --- 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂 One route of the highway had been closed in advance. Cones and signs had been placed on one end and the other. While radio stations, internet services, and apps all gave other alternate routes, no one had a real idea of what was taking place. "This is going to be difficult," Kai said. "Pickle, Lena, and Berry. Those are the three that we need to focus on, but we need to pay attention to the others as well." Just as Kai said this, a green liquid came shooting out ready to hit him. Kai moved to the side and the acidic power melted part of the ground. At the same time though, another figure that had stone-like skin was hurling toward the three of them. Marie had shoved her shoulder and turned into her Werewolf form and braced the other with the shoulder. She then dug her clawed hand into the Altered's stomach; it pierced the skin and blood soaked her hand. In the past, she would have been hesitant but not this time as she dug her claw in harder, and then lifted the Altered and hurled him towards the others. All three of the Zodiacs jumped over the car running toward them, and then landed cleanly on the ground. Right after, Pickle's hair started to rapidly grow over his body. The hair covering his body was black and was sharp all over his body like thorns. Then from his hand, a spiky ball had grown out, and he threw it towards the others. Seeing it in the air, Kai's senses were tingling. He could either hit this away or avoid it. As Kai moved to the side and avoided the ball, it stuck to the floor, not even bouncing, and the black tips started to light up. It lit bright blue and exploded right in everyone's eyes. --- In a large open field surrounded by greenery, there was a metallic warehouse. The shining sun was hitting the metallic roof causing pangs as the metal expanded and retracted. While inside, there was an individual who was sweating, body frail. Wrists and ankles were sore, covered in red markings. They were in several places showing how many times the captive had tried to escape. Yet now, no attempts were made, as the grey-haired female just slumped down on the ground. If she wasn't able to escape when she had all of her energy, then how was she meant to escape when she had next to no energy. The sound of the door slid open, and a large man started to walk with a metal tray. "I've come to bring your food," Apollo said, as he held the bread bun and gave it to Xin. She weakly opened her mouth and started to chew. It was a few bites and then he gave her some water as well to help the bread pass through her throat. Although the food had been brought on a metal tray, when looking at it there was nothing else on it. Just the bread bun and the water—those were the only two items Apollo was allowed to bring to Xin a day. Enough to keep her alive, who knew for how long, but it didn't matter as there wouldn't need to be any longer. At first, Apollo had tried to talk to Xin and comfort her; even when she said nothing back, he continued, but he had stopped now. He didn't know why, but his attempts at trying to comfort her just made him hate himself more. Eventually, when he saw that Xin had finished, he stood up, placed the metal tray to the side, and exited out of the warehouse. But it was only for a moment, and when returning, Apollo wheeled something else into the place, along with a few other One Gang members. "There is something that Harvor wants to show you, that you need to watch, and it's important." Connecting up the large TV, the connection was made and a broadcast could be seen. It only took a few moments as the inside of the arena was being shown for them to mention. "Today we will finally be witnessing the fight everyone has been waiting for, Harvor Ego against Gary Dem!" Immediately Xin's head was raised as she looked at the screen and could see the two photos of them side by side. "Gary..." ****