Into the Dragon's Den

Consciousness returned to Li Wei like a sledgehammer to the skull. The first thing he became aware of was pain – a dull, throbbing ache that seemed to pierced is head.

The second was the rhythmic rumble of an engine and the sensation of movement.

As his eyes fluttered open, he found himself in the back of what appeared to be a luxury SUV. The interior was all black leather and polished wood.

Across from him sat a man with a face covered in scars, his cold eyes boring into Li Wei with an intensity that made the young addict want to shrink into nothingness.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, rat," the man said, his voice a low growl. "I hope you enjoyed your nap, because it's the last peaceful rest you'll have for a long, long time."

Li Wei tried to speak, but his throat felt like sandpaper. He managed only a weak croak.

The man's lips curled into what might have been a smile on a ugly terrifying face. "Save your strength. You're going to need it where we're going."

As if on cue, the SUV began to slow. Li Wei craned his neck to look out the tinted windows, but all he could see was darkness. They seemed to be descending, the road angling sharply downward.

After what felt like an eternity, the vehicle came to a stop. The man reached over and yanked Li Wei to his feet. Welcome, he said, as the door swung open, To your new home.

Li Wei stumbled out of the SUV, his legs weak and unsteady. What he saw made his blood run cold.

They were in some sort of massive underground parking garage, but it was unlike any he'd ever seen.

Dozens of men, all with the same hardened look as the scarred man, stood in formation. Each bore a red dragon tattoo on their neck and held a katana at their side.

"Move," the scarred man growled, shoving Li Wei forward.

They marched through a series of corridors, each more large than the last. Finally, they arrived at a set of massive iron doors.

The scarred man placed his hand on a scanner, and with a hiss of hydraulics, the doors swung open.

The sight that greeted Li Wei would be seared into his memory forever. They stood on a transparent glass floor, and through it, Li Wei could see a vast circular arena below.

The floor of the arena was stained dark with what could only be blood, and in the center, two figures were locked in brutal combat. The air thrummed with the distant roar of a crowd.

This, the scarred man said, gesturing to the arena below, Is the Pit. It's where rats like you are forged into dragons... or die trying.

Li Wei's knees buckled, and he would have collapsed if not for the iron grip on his arm. Why? he managed to croak out. Why me?

The man's eyes glittered with a mix of cruelty and something that might have been amusement.

Why not you? Every dragon was once a rat, scurrying in the gutters. The strong rise, the weak perish. That's the way of the Golden Dragon Triad.

He leaned in close, his breath hot on Li Wei's ear. But you, little rat... you've got something special. I can smell it on you. The hunger, the desperation. You're going to be fun to watch.

With that, he shoved Li Wei through another door, into a dimly lit corridor lined with cells. The clang of the door shutting behind him echoed with a terrible finality.

Cell 1458, a voice called out. Fresh meat for the grinder.

As Li Wei was marched to his cell, his mind raced. This couldn't be happening. It had to be some kind of drug-induced nightmare.

But the rough hands shoving him forward and the cold metal of the cell bars were all too real.

The cell door slammed shut behind him, and Li Wei found himself alone in the gloom. Or so he thought.

Well, well, a gravelly voice spoke from the shadows. What do we have here? Another lamb for the slaughter?

Li Wei searched around, heart racing, to find a man lounging on one of the two narrow cots that occupied the cell.

He was older, maybe in his forties, with a face that bore the scars of. Despite his relaxed posture, there was a coiled tension in his body, like a predator ready to strike.

"I'm... I'm Li Wei," he stammered, trying to keep the fear from his voice.

The man chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. Names don't mean much down here, kid. But if you insist, you can call me Fang.

He sat up, fixing Li Wei with a piercing gaze. So, what's your story? How'd a scrawny thing like you end up in the Golden Dragon's playground?

Li Wei hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But what does he have to lose anyway.

He told Fang everything – his life on the streets, his addiction, the fateful night he was taken, and the terrifying car ride that led him here.

Fang listened in silence, his expression unreadable. When Li Wei finished, he let out a long, low whistle.

Kid, you've stumbled into something bigger than you can imagine. This ain't just some gang hideout. Welcome to the Golden Dragon's cash ców.

"What do you mean?" Li Wei asked, a cold dread settling in his stomach.

Fang's eyes glittered in the dim light. Ever heard of underground fight clubs? The Pit is where the Golden Dragon Triad turns nobodies like us into gladiators. We fight, they profit. Simple as that."

Li Wei's mind reeled. "But... but I'm not a fighter! I can barely throw a punch!"

A harsh laugh escaped Fang's lips. None of us were fighters when we got here, kid. But you learn fast, or you die faster. He stood up, stretching muscles. The rules are simple.

You fight when they tell you to fight. You win, you get to live another day, maybe even earn some privileges. You lose... He drew a finger across his throat.

"And if we refuse?" Li Wei asked, already knowing the answer.

Fang's expression darkened. Trust me, kid. Death in the arena is a mercy compared to what they do to those who refuse to play along.

Li Wei sank onto the empty cot, his head spinning. "How... how long have you been here?"

"Five years, give or take," Fang replied, a hint of pride creeping into his voice. "I'm what they call a 'veteran' down here.

Which means I get the dubious honor of showing newbies like you the ropes. But why? Li Wei asked. Why help me when we might have to fight each other?

Fang's eyes took on a distant look.

Because once upon a time, someone did the same for me. And in this hellhole, sometimes a little kindness is all that keeps us human.

He moved to the center of the cell, assuming a fighting stance. "Now, on your feet. You've got a lot to learn, and not much time to learn it.

I've got a match tomorrow, so I need to prepare, but I can at least show you the basics."

As Li Wei shakily got to his feet, mimicking Fang's stance. As he threw his first clumsy punch under Fang's watchful eye, a spark of determination ignited within him.

He would survive this. He would become stronger. And one day, somehow, he would find a way out of The Pit.