"You always were sloppy, Ellie," Marcus said as she approached, keys in hand.
"I'm not going back, Marcus," Elara replied, her voice devoid of emotion.
"You cost me a lot of money when you disappeared. That video proves you've still got it. You
owe me three fights on your contract. You're going to fight in the Syndicate, or I'll make sure
Iron & Dust burns to the ground, with old Mac inside it."
Elara knew Marcus wasn't making empty threats. He owned half the city's corrupt officials.
She had no choice. She agreed to one final fight—a winner-takes-all match against his
current champion, a ruthless striker named 'The Anvil'—in exchange for her contract being
destroyed and Mac's gym being left alone.
She returned to Iron & Dust, not as a casual member, but as a fighter preparing for war.