Since then, it has spread all over the world. An event that occurs every time powerful men quarrel over land, money, and, of course, a place in a privileged position is a series of confrontations called the "Dracoviam Fight."
"dracoviam?. If I'm not mistaken, it combines the Roman words draco," which means dragon," and viam," which means path." Lincoln studied Latin, so he knew what it meant.
"This is it. It may be a very pretentious name, but I think it is up to the task of describing the essence of this tournament, as the Chinese fighters who came to challenge the Romans came along a path they called the Way of the Dragon, which today is known as the Silk Road."
"And what do you want me for?"
"I want you to be my wrestler."
"I am your wrestler."
"Exactly, boy. As you can see, this year Royal Woods is included in the list of places where official Dracoviam tournaments can be held. This is a great source of income for the businessmen who are investing in improving this city and promoting our companies, and it all started with you, Lincoln."
"with me?."
"That's right, the story of a boy who has to leave his home because he doesn't have what he needs after an accident that left him crippled for life. It's a great financial opportunity. After all, the world is a business.
Lincoln is serious again. "What else do you expect from entrepreneurs?"
Venomous laughed a little and continued. "Anyway, unfortunately, the few who knew you were the cause of this economic bubble moved on when their economic conditions improved, so you're just another blind man."
Lincoln cracked his mouth, indicating that he didn't care. "I don't care. I don't need fame as long as my family is okay."
But why would he agree to be his fighter?
Venomous could already see that question coming. "I understand you, boy; you want something for your services." Venomus gave Lincoln another volume printed in Braille, which the boy began to read.
"What the hell? What is this?" Lincoln was shocked by what he read.
Venomou poured a glass of wine for him and soda for Lincoln. "It's something your parents don't want you to see when you enter their mailbox. The folder contained an account of highly dangerous chemicals, and they were all in Lisa Loud's name. If I'm not mistaken, your sister Lisa had already ordered some of that kind three years ago, and your parents commissioned a lot of it. From what I see, they are more unstable than before. What do you think will happen if the incident of three years ago is repeated? Who will be affected this time? Your parents are just out of debt from this accident and can barely support the expenses of the house. Your sisters have to work to pay for their studies as university students and have great ambitions for their future. It would be a shame if history repeated itself.
Lincoln was getting an idea of where this man wanted to go.
"So I suggest this to you. I will pay for the education of your sisters, both older and younger, except for your sisters Lynn and Lisa, for obvious reasons. I will also pay all the bills your parents owe. I will even fund your sister Lisa's experiments. I understand that she fell out of funding after trying to mess around with the water supply three years ago. For your change, you will become my new fighter."
"Besides, your salary as a fighter will be huge."
"What do you say, boy? I solve the lives of your family, and you help me win more land in this city."
Lincoln thought about it for a while. It's true that he's stronger now, and his battles since arriving in the city have confirmed that, but these fighters can be on another level, easily stronger than any of the men he's faced. After all, they were wrestlers fighting for business.
The boy's thoughts are interrupted by the sudden stop of the limousine, and they reach their destination.
"Just think about it, boy." Venomus gives Lincoln a glass of soda and a cell phone with a cover.
"For what is this cell phone?"
"Press any key, and you can call me or my answering machine if I'm busy, and you can tell me your answer." The Professor knocks over Lincoln's Cup in a toast.
-End of flashback-
Lincoln thought about the offer made by Professor Venomous. "If I fight for it, my family will have a stable life. My sisters will be able to go to the most expensive universities. They will achieve their dreams; my mom can be a famous writer, and my dad will have more restaurants."
"But they could kill me there."
"No! You've had much more trouble in those three years, Lincoln. He can also prevent Lisa from committing another act of madness like the one three years ago. She was lucky to be judged as a little girl, but this time she might not be so lucky."
Hell, I just wanted a normal winter vacation and ended up fighting with thugs and attracting the attention of a crazy businessman. Lincoln sat on the sofa. "Better not think about it anymore; Professor Venomous didn't say there was a time limit, so I can take my time to decide."
Meanwhile, in Lori and Leni's room
Loud's second daughter was writhing in her bed, the product of another nightmare. In it, she was quite naked, while two shadows seized her by the arms and crippled her, the largest of them separating her legs and moving frantically against her crotch.
"Boss, break that wall," said one of the shadows while the others laughed, and the biggest one moaned with pleasure and made pig noises.
Leni suddenly wakes up, covering her mouth to stifle the screams, and then starts crying because of the fear that terrible dream had caused her. Luckily, it wasn't loud enough to wake Lori up.
Leni didn't understand why she had such a terrible dream; she was wearing the jacket Lincoln was wearing that night when he saved her. Whenever she slept without it, she had nightmares, but when she slept with it, her dreams were beautiful and wonderful. Why doesn't it work now?
Leni saw the seam in the belly of the garment that had been made to mend it and remembered when he had been attacked by that man with that knife, which had caused that wound. Her little brother was very brave. The seamstress began to smell the jacket, but this smell was different, like laundry soap. It was laundry day, and among the clothes was the jacket, which really needed washing because it contained some drops of the boy's blood.
That's when she realized what was different; it wasn't about the dress; it was the smell—the smell of Lincoln comforting her, making her feel comfortable, safe, and protected.