[S]ins of the [G]ods; Humanity's Price [Main Forum]

Russel opened his mouth and howled. It was a anguished, bone-chilling sound, like the howl of a wild animal. That was exactly how Russel felt: like an animal caught in a trap, one which he would never be able to escape.
The cave was dark, yet he could see it. It was large, larger than the largest stadium. Larger than the largest building. Larger... than Hell itself. Yet he could still see every inch of it. For all its space, it was completely barren, except for one thing. A throne, seven miles wide and seven miles tall. It stood in the center of the cave, a beacon of flames in a sea of darkness. And on that throne... sat a man.
Russel walked up towards the throne, every footstep a call of doom. As he got closer, he saw clearly the man upon the throne. He was, in every sense of the word, perfect. His figure, his face, even his composure could not have been improved upon at all. He looked down with a strong and hard face, one that spoke of unspeakable justice and rightousness. Russel realized that this must be God. Then, the God-Being-Being spoke.
"Welcome, My child. What is it you want of Me? I'm very busy, but ask away. I can always spare a moment or two for one such as you."
Russel tried to speak, to profess he undying love for this God-Being, but his mouth would not obey him. Instead, he heard himself speak slightly different words.
"Oh stop this charade! I know who you really are! You already know what I want! Give them back to me!"
The God-Being sighed. "Russel, Russel. Whatever happened to you? As a child you were always so devout to Me. Oh well, I guess you just weren't meant to find true happiness. Are these the ones you want?
The Being turned and pulled on something in the air. The wind blew, sending up a cloud of dust, and when the dust had settled there stood three women, bound with ropes and with swords poised at there throats.
Russel lurched. "Mom! Jade! Alicia!" Something held him back. It was like a hand of iron, gripping his chest. He turned to the God-Being and growled. "Give them back! Give them back now!"
The God-Being just smiled. "Poor little boy. It seems someone has cleaned away his playthings, and now he must sit by himself and be alone. Now he must do what the cleaner wants in order to be able to play again."
Russel grimaced, but held himself back. Attacking the God-Being would not accomplish anything. "What do you want?"
The God-Being smiled. "Now that's more like it. You'll see, I'm not a hard taskmaster. All I ask is that you come back to Me, by proving your faith through three simple tasks." The God-Being smiled and waited for Russel to respond.
"I'm listening."
The God-Being almost jumped for joy. It was easily seen in his eyes: he was enjoying this.
"Very good. First off, you must take that cloak, that symbol of rebellion off. For you will have no need to rebel, for I will give you everything you need to live under My will."
Russel removed his cloak. What was a cloak against the lives of the only three girls in his life that he actually cared for? He laid it at the feet of the God-Being.
"See, that wasn't so hard. As I said, My work is easy. Now, please remove your weapons and lay them at My feet. You will no longer have need of them, for I will give you the weapons needed to fight in My war."
Russel reached up on his back and took down the swords he found there. What use did he have for swords? Human lives were worth more than any sword, no matter how well made.
The God-Being spoke again. "You're doing wonderful. Now, there is just this one little thing I want you to do, and I'll be satisfied. You'll have your women back, and will never have to see me until you want to. Just one little thing, and that's all. All the treasures of the earth can be yours, if you will but bow down and worship Me!"
Russel again wanted to fall down and bow, professing his undying love for the magesty of this great God. But, once again, his body wouldn't move.
"What's the matter?" Asked the God-Being, "Didn't you hear Me? I said that I will restore everything to you, and give you everything you don't have, if you will just worship Me!"
Russel once again tried to bow, but his body was still in control. It would not move. Seconds passed, then minutes, until the God-Being became angry at him.
"You snivelling worm! I said BOW!" Still Russel was unable to move. "Fine, pestillence! If you will not bow then I will make you!"
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a force came down and started to push Russel to his knees. It brought him lower and lower. Suddenly, from somewhere inside of him, his body found another strenght. It raised up and stood strait, pushing the force away like it wasn't there. The God-Being cursed.
"Fine then, insect! If you will not bow, then I will kill these precious princesses! So make up your mind, trash! Will you bow to Me or won't you? Say something!"
Russel started speaking again. His voice was different this time, though. Deeper, darker, and rougher. He turned to the girls. "I'm sorry. I've got this problem, and it can't be helped. You see, the way I am, I can never be in second place to anyone. I know it's sad, but I have this Pride, and..." he said, then turned to the God-Being. "I will not bow!"
Suddenly, the swords jumped to his hands. His cloak fluttered in the breeze, the was picked up and wrapped itself around him. He was ready. The God-Being was also ready. Smooth silver armor had wrapped itself around him, and was making ready for a fight. Before they engaged, however, the silver-cladded figure pointed to where the hostages had sat. There, where they had been standing, lay the three of them, lying in pools of blood with swords sticking out of their hearts. Russel could no longer control himself. He jumped... and fell right out of bed, wide awake. It had all been a dream.

Russel stood up. Why? Why did he keep having this same dream everynight. He wasn't an athiest, even if he wasn't exactly a chrisitan. At least, he was an agnostic, wanting to worship a god that probably wasn't there. So why did he keep having the same dream, night after night? It was always the same. He hated most girls, yet there were three that he could stand. Every night they were kidnapped. Sometimes the kidnapper was a man-like person, sometimes it was a lion. But every time he knew it was a god. It always asked him to do three things to get the girls back. The first two were always easy. But every time, he was at last told to bow. This was a god. It was worthy to be bowed to. And yet, night after night, he refused, and took up arms against it. And he always woke up when he attacked, and fell out of bed. Why am I doing this? he thought. Why can't I just do it? I hate this. It's just like I said in my dream. I've got this problem, and it can't be helped, you see. This is the way I am. I can never be in second place to anyone. I know it's sad, but I have this Pride, and I cannot submit. Not to man, not to god, not to anyone! I am greatest! I will not bow! Then he regained his senses. What am I saying? This is insane. And with that, he got dressed and went downstairs to get ready for the day. This wasn't the time for this. He would have to deal with this later.

Eric stood on the stage, looking up into the bright spotlights. His band, Know No Fear, had come out on the stage tonight, totally unknown to the small crowd. By the enthusiastic cheering, Eric could tell that their performance had made an impression. I love doing this, he thought, I live for the moment when everything goes quiet, and then the finale begins, and the cheering starts all over again. That moment had finally come in tonight's show. As the lights dimmed to set the mood, their bassist, Rick, began the intro. Settling into a rhythm, Eric picked up upon his queue, beginning the fast strumming of the guitar intro. The voice of Leonard, their lead singer, cut into the mix. "I think I'm drowning/ Asphyxiated/ I wanna break this spell that you've created," he sang, "You're something beautiful/ A contradiction/ I wanna play the game, I want the friction." Eric focused solely on his guitar part, the vocals fading into the background of his mind. As the final chorus began, Leonard began, "Bury it/ I won't let you bury it/ I won't let you smother it/ I won't let you murder it." Leonard then began to practically yell the lyrics, "Cause our time is running out/ And our time is running out/ You can't push it underground/ You can't stop it screaming out/ How did it come to this?" Eric powered through the final notes of the song, and his ears flowed over with the sound of cheering. Smiling at the audience, he set down his guitar and walked off the stage.
His temporary high had ended.

It'll be a long time before we get to do that again, he thought, noting the amateur status of his band, but I'll find something to occupy my time. With that, he got in the car he had borrowed from his parents and drove home, completely unaware of just how "occupied" his time would soon be.

Everyone knew him, or more correctly knew about him. He was the most popular person in school, and he had everything. He got what he wanted when he wanted, and if you didn’t give it to him he took it. If he was your friend then you were worth something to him, even if he would trade you for something better in less than a heart beat. He was smart, funny, good looking, and rich. His parents died from an early age and he inherited his father’s nation wide car business and his mother’s life insurance (government pays really good for stock broker’s life insurance). Dragel walked outside and put on his purple shades. As he spread his arms wide open and took in the rays of the sun two girls came up and put their arms around him "Dragel, baby what are we doing tonight?" he shrugged them off and walked over to another group of girls and put his arms around two of them "Ladies, ladies, ladies how about a ride around town?" The two ladies giggled and blushed and looked up at him with lustful eyes, knowing just one night with him would raise their status in the school buy quite a leap. Dragel smiled and led them away to his car, a prototype of the new Corvette Zr1. It was gun metal black with leather interior. He open the doors for his lady friends and then got in himself. Dragel got in the driver seat and started the car, which roared to life with 620 horsepower. Dragel threw it into gear and stomped on the gas, making the needle jump from 0-60 in about 3 seconds. Dragel soared down the highway not stopping for lights or signs. Forsa was huge compared to most cities and extravagant. The buildings were bigger, taller, and gave off a shinier appearance. It probably equals that of Las Vegas in casinos, drugs, money, murder, and anything else that shouldn’t have been here. Dragel pulled into his favorite casino, The Golden Fountain, and gets out. He starts walking towards the doors as he turns around, grinning "Sorry ladies, it seems I have found something more worth my time." He continued into the casino, the guards not evening stopping him for being underage, since, hell he has been the largest paying customer for two years. He makes his way to the high roller platform and smiles to the lovely ladies that were sitting at the slots next to the door. He gets to his table of Blackjack and throws down a wad of money equaling 25,000 dollars. “Good evening Sir and that would be 25,000 dollars. Please wait till next hand to be dealt into the game.” Dragel sits down and taps his fingers impatiently thinking that there were tons of things he could be doing right now. “Thank you sir for waiting, here are your cards.” The dealer deals them out to the 4 players sitting there and looks to the left and asked for a pass or a hit. He passes and the dealer goes to the next player and she hits and gets a bust. Dragel doesn’t even look at his cards and passes and the final player hits twice and stays. The dealer hits and got a 19, which knocked out everyone but Dragel. Dragel smiled and turned over his cards, showing a blackjack and walked away with 65, 500 dollars that hand. Dragel got up and walked away deciding that there were better things he could be doing and he was going to go do them. As he started to the front door, the manager came up to him with a phony smile “Mr.Xenas could you please follow me, there is something we must discuss.” Dragel followed him to a backroom where there were a couple of guys, security guards, where waiting. Dragel looked around a frowned, “What’s going on here James?” James shut the door and turned around “Dragel every time you come in here you win. I don’t think you’ve lost, ever, and the boss doesn’t like it. He told me that we should teach you a lesson about cheating in his casino.” Dragel grinned “What can I say, I don’t like to lose and I don’t cheat.” Dragel quit grinning, his face replaced with anger “I’m greedy as Hell what else is there but to win? Oh yea, tell your boss to fuck off. The only lesson going to be learned here is not to fuck with me. He likes his business? Tell him its gone and I’m the one who is going to take it from him, this week. There is not one thing I want that I don’t get and I’m going to prove it to you. I’m going to-” James punched him in the stomach as two guards grabbed him “Shut the hell up. I’m tired or your loud ass mouth.” He opens the door and started out when he turned around “Make sure he can walk out of here, and doesn’t get blood on the carpet.” James went out and shut the door and left the guards to do with him as they liked. About an hour later Dragel started out of The Golden Fountain’s doors, with a look that would scare the devil. He wiped his mouth, removing the blood, knowing what he wanted now. Revenge…

Russel walked out of the door and into the daylight. He lived in a very calm part of town, without all the violence and drugs. Most people would have reveled in it, thinking that is was the best place to live. He hated it. Living here was akin to living in purgatory. Nothing ever happened. That's why he was often seen speeding into the slums on his bike. That's where the action was. Things happened there. There, without the protection of the police or neighbors' bodyguards, one could really experience life.
As he rushed along, he looked off to the sides of the road. There went the clubs, filled with the dead-headed dancers and drunks. There went the bars, filled with what drunks weren't at the clubs. There went the casinos, with all their... wait a minute!
Russel pulled over to the side of the road. There stood Dragel, bloody and beaten. Russel couln't help but laugh. The idiot was always trying to get more than he deserved. Probably had tried to go in to the casino. He always thought that just because he was rich, that he could get whatever he wanted. Well, it was about time he learned a lesson.
"Hey! What are you doing there?"
Oh crap. He'd forgotten exactly where he was. This was Jack's territory. He wasn't very welcome here. Something about a hospitalized lieutenant, or some such stupidity. Suffice to say, they were still looking for him, and not in that "I want to invite you over for dinner" kind of way. So he wasn't surprized when a huge hand clamped down on his shoulder and a face that would make a gorilla cry leered down at him.
"Welcome, Russel. Nice of you to join us."
Russel smiled. This was really too much. "Hello, Charger. How're your ribs? Wanting to get them broken again?"
The gorilla smiled. "Not this time, Russel. Today, it's you that lays on the floor crying like a baby for mercy."
"Oh, so you finally admit that that's what you did."
The look on Charger's face was one of pure murder. "Oh, you're really cocky now. But you won't be laughing soon. The boss wants to have a talk with you."
"Really, Charger," Russel said, still wondering what was up with him. Charger never seemed to get a hint. Oh well. "Do you really think Jack can do anything to me? Admit it... you've lost. I'm stronger than you, I'm smarter than you, and I'm just about better than you at... well, at everthing."
"Oh, you're a strong litte punk, that's for sure. But we've found something better for you. Something that I think even you won't be able to get away from." With that, Charger called to two more guys over. They grabbed Russel by the legs and arms. He felt a sharp, hard pain at the back of his neck. Then everything went black.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Russel woke up in a circle of people. One man stepped out of the circle. He was sharply dressed, with a coat and tie, even. He stood tall and proud, someone not to get his hands dirty. He looked like a snake. And then, he spoke.
"Russel, my old friend. How are you?"
Russel stood up and dusted himself off. "Cut the crap." He said. "What do you want Jack?"
"Well," Jack said, moving slowly backwards, out of striking range, "it's simple, really. There's a new contender in the underground fighting rings, one that's extraordinarily good. She's killed several of our men...."
"Wait, you mean this fighter's a girl?"
"Yes," continued Jack, "She is. As I've stated, she's killed several of our men. We are slowly losing our dominance in the ring. That's why we've invited you. We want you to fight for us."
Russel shrugged. "Why would I want to do that? You know we've never been friends. Mortal enemies, more like it. Besides, you know I don't like fighting girls. So why bother?"
Jack just smiled. "So I take it the answer is no?"
"That's right. There's no way I'd agree."
Jack stepped back and Charger stepped forward again. "Fortunately for us, you don't have to agree."
Charger stepped forward and pushed. Russel rolled backwards, coming out of the one ring of people into the much larger one. He stood up and turned around. There in the ring stood one other person. A girl, with fiery red hair and vibrant green eyes. He knew then that this was the girl they had talked about.
"Crap." He wispered. "Jack, if I ever get out of here, I'm going to kill you. I hate fighting girls."
He looked quickly around. The circle was tight, and there was no way out. The only way out was to fight. He didn't like it. Even thought he was well able to, being trained in it most of his life, fighting was a dirty business. He was ususally above such things. But this girl didn't look like she could be reasoned with. Still, one had to be polite.
"Greetings. Look, I don't want to be here, but since I don't have a choice, I have to at least introduce myself. My name is Russel Jacobs. It's nice to meet you. Look, since you're obviously raring and ready to go, I won't waste much of your time." Russel adopted a defensive stance. "Let's get this over with, okay?"

Dragel had heard Russel yell at him and he looked up just in time to see a big guy walk up next to Russel and start talking to him. Dragel smirked at that smile Russel had plastered on his face as he talked to the bigger guy. Russel never knew when to back down from something and just give up. He probally bothered this guy enough where the guy had it and know he was going to teach Russel a lesson. A lesson probally well deserved. Dragel was always a big gambler and he knew that where theres smoke, there is always fire so if he followed these two he could just might win a bet or two. Dragel standing up straight and straighting his shirt, grinned "Time to get down to business."

Dragel keep Russel in sight as he crossed the street. Dragel stared as the other two guys ran over and grabbed him and the big guy hit Russel in the back of the head. Dragel swore to himself, wondering how in the hell he is going to make some money if they just outright kill Russel. He saw the two guys drag Russel down an alleyway and he decided to follow them. Dragel ran after the trio carring Russel. They were making turns at every possible chance, probally so no one would follow them. Dragel laughed to himself at this. If it wasnt for the frequent vists to a gambling friend down here in what Dragel called the "slums" he would have been lost. They carried him a good 6 blocks into the slums before Dragel heard the cheering.

Dragel nearly choked as he stuffled the laughter. Dragel thought to himself a fighting ring! and so close i can taste the blood. Dragel knew the normal places for the fights but this one was diffrent, not scheduled. It probally just started as fight between gang members and others seen. Dragel hurried towards the ring from the other side as he seen Russel wake up and get pushed into the ring.

Dragel walked up just as Russel introduced himself, and Dragel thought what a idiot. Its a fight not a party. Dragel shrugged and raised some money in the air " Place your bets! Winner gets 20% increase on bet amount! Loser walks away with nothing!" Immediatly people starting placing bets on someone called Norton. A few placed bets on Russel not thinking he would last a minute. Dragel just had to see the one that was reciveing most of the bets and he pushed himself to the front and raised a brow. Damn she looked good from his prospective. If she wins, i just think im going to ask if she is single. Dragel looked at Norton's fighting style and Russel's, knowing already Russel could throw a punch or two. But Norton had the look of a killer, and he just might be needing a killer real soon. He grinned as he thought of what could be won if this fight would end in a draw. Money, the girl, and just possibly an unreliable friend. This was going to be a good night after all.

Russel felt, rather than saw, the blow to his chest. Falling backwards, he launched into a back handspring, landing on the other side of the ring.
He looked at the girl called Norton and rubbed his shoulder. Crap, that hurt. She was strong, no doubt about that, but he had unusually high constitution, and when he tried, his speed was unparalleled. If he could keep out of her range and minimize the number of blows, she would eventually tire and he wouldn't have to fight her. He didn't like fighting girls.
Changing his stance to an evasive one, he looked strait into the eyes. Oh, there was aggression there, no doubt, but he also saw something else, something he couldn't place. A sort of look that he didn't know what to make of. So he decided to do what he was used to doing in a new situation. He decided to make friends.
"So, why are you here? Oh, but it is proper to tell someone about yourself first. Okay. Well, as I said, my name is Russel and I'm a senior in the local high school. I was dragged into this fight because I pissed someone off, and... well, I think he wanted you to kill me. I don't really plan on dying, so that plan's out the window. Personally, I see violence as a bit below me. If it can be settled by words, why use my fists.? But I can see that that's not your way... so I won't bother you about it further. Oh," he said, turning and raising his voice so that those outside of the circle could hear, "and if Dragel doesn't stop trying to take bets on what happens, I'm going to reach out and drag him into the ring with us!" He turned back to Norton. "So, I've said a little about myself without taking too much of your time. So, what's your story?"

Russel watched as the girl had reached out to grab him. Knowing that it would be bad if she missed and tried another one of those punches instead, he went ahead and let her grab him. Using the momentum of her grab, he flipped sideways, then reversed and whirled under her outstretched leg. Using her own body to break her grasp, he rolled out from under her and leaped forward, once again at the other side of the ring.
"Punch you? Why would I want to do that? You seem to be a seasoned fighter, but so am I. I'm sure if we actually went at it, it would be an epic battle. One of us would probably die. But that's just a senseless waste of human potential. Violence, I have always seen, should be the last resort, not the first."
Adopting his evasive stance again, he slowly started swaying back and forth. This girl was fast. Not quite as fast as him, but fast enough to make him worry. He had to make sure to avoid the girl's punches. He still wasn't 100%, and the knot on his head was giving him some trouble. If he wasn't able to keep out of her reach until he recovered, it could go bad for him. But, as always, he didn't worry too much about it. He knew he just had to stay focused and keep on his toes, and things would turn out alright.

"Luck... that's just a word. We use the word luck to explain the combination of all the influences of the environment. Wind speed, the velocity of the world, and even random sparks of electricity in your brain. All are what we call luck. But, if it makes you feel any better, you can have the title, or victory, or whatever you call it. All I wanted to do was leave. By all means, keep fighting. You've definitely got some problems to sort out, and I didn't mean to get in the way of that."
Russel dusted himself off and stood up. This fight had stirred something inside of him. He knew that he wasn't really good enough, not to beat this girl in a fight to the death. Yes, he could flit around and avoid her strikes, throwing in an attack when the time came. But she was stronger than him. He vowed to remedy that. However, there was one thing he needed to do first.
Turning around, he saw Dragel standing in the crowd, settling scores. Walking over, he grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt. "Well, well. If it isn't the 'rich boy'. You know, what you did today wasn't very nice. I'm used to it, so I can let it slide, but I wasn't the only one in the ring. Come here!"
Dragging him, Russel dropped him in front of Norton. "Now, you little punk, I think you owe her an apology. She was out there, fighting for her life, at least before I came there, and you think it's okay to make money off of her? Apologize!"

Dragel watched Russel grabbed him and drug him over to Norton. Dragel smiled as Russel did, not fighting him, think that if he drew out the conflict that everyone would forget about the money he owed them. Someones pain to dragels gain, who cared if they suffered? Dragel rolled as Russel threw him down and basically kissed Norton's feet. Dragel laughed quietly to himself, thinking of more than just kissing her feet. He looked up just in time to see her walk off in the crowd, and stood up and turned to face Russel. Dragel looked Russel in the eyes, with a look of fiece determenation "You son of a- Im not going to lose my temper, it wont gain me anything. Russel I want you to remember something, your an arrogant bastard. You remind me of a mountain. A mountain that thinks that it cant be destoryed, but after time a small, but powerful force starts to affect the mountian. After a greater time the mountain finally begins to erode away till there is nothing left. Ive been keeping tabs on you Russel Jacobs." Dragel smiled a defiant smile and said with a turn " Everyone has a secret Russel, and yours isnt so secertive." Dragel walked down an alley way, oppasite of Norton's but knowing these alley ways like the back of his hand he would be able to follow her. AFter he had dissappeared he heard the ring start yelling after him, remembering he had thier money.

The base blarred loudly, numbing the womans ears slightly as she walked into the club. Her beatiful red hair flowing down her lacy red and black top, her fairly large chest peeking out of the top slightly, similar to what a push up bra would do.

Her dazzling green eyes scanned the club, her eyes falling on some of the women around her, and she smiled when she saw she was superior to them... finally her eyes fell on a table in the corner of the club.. but near to the dance floor.

She began to walk, her lean smooth slender legs showing from underneath a short red skirt. Her lovely lips creased into a smile. She loved the feeling of silk brushing her perfectly formed theighs. She took her seat, and a waitress walked over to her...

Celine eyed her, noticing she was pretty, with long blond hair and blue eyes.. her face was rather cute, with a slight tan. She smiled at her and ordered a glass of wine.. "Here love..." she said handing the lovely waitress a bit more money than necessary. Moments later, the wine came and Celine sipped at it, slightly tounging the contents of the glass as she did.

"This is good..." she said aloud, her voice was very pure and sweet, with a almost sexy whisper to the end of each word, heavily bringing this whisper at the ending of her sentence.

She sipped away at her glass.. looking at the dance floor and seeing many people "dirty dancing" some touching eachother as she did this and she grinned... taking a deep draught from her glass, making a slight audible gulp as she moved her graceful throat...

She stood up, smiling as she entered the dance floor, looking for her next bit of fun...

Dragel heard the fight before he had every seen it. He wasn't trained in combat, hell he had never really been in a real fight. Dragel smiled as he rounded the corner and pulled out his knife. It wasn't a very big one but a knife to the gut would hurt just about anyone. Dragel knew that from the scuffling that there was a guy right around the corner, so when he came around he stuck out with the knife. Dragel felt the knife slide into a kidney perhaps, it didn't matter really, from the way the man screamed it hurt, ALOT. Dragel didn't smile this time, as he charged another of the men, the bigger of the two. He thrust the knife towards the man but it was swatted away. The man laughed "What do we have here?" He looked down at the unconscious Norton and laughed again "A rescuer of the damsel in distress? How pitiful." Dragel knew he could win in a fair fight so he charge the man again, this time at the last moment he jumped, not for the mans body, but for his legs. Dragel heard the man cry out in agony as one of his knees broke. Dragel wasn't doing this to protect Norton, he wanted her. Plain and simple, and these men stood in the way of his chances with her so he would take her back, by force. The big man fell down on top of Dragel, making the knife plunge into Dragel's bicep. Dragel yelled at the top of his lungs as he tried to push the man off. Dragel ripped out the knife with his other hand and stabbed it into the guys neck. Dragel sat up and leaned up against the wall, breathing heavily with his eyes closed. He soon realized his mistake as he heard the footsteps of the other guy. He opened his eyes just in time to see a foot coming towards his ribs, and Dragel was able to roll with the blow. He rolled next to Norton and looked at her, damn she owes me. Dragel grinned at this and looked at the guy, only one more left. Dragel stood up, his right arm hanging limply by his side, blood dripping onto the ground. No way in Hell that i would let this bloke stop me, nor am I going to let Russel see me dead or passed out. Dragel charged the man not knowing what he was going to do, and just hoped Norton woke up in time to save herself...

Russel walked into the fight. No, I mean literally walked into it. He had just left the ring, and was walking down the alley, when he tripped over something... actually, it was someone. Lookind down, Russel saw a face covered in blood. Using his shoe to wipe away the blood, he saw that it was Charger, Jack's number one lieutenant. So, this was Jack's gang. Excellent.
Looking up, he saw that several of the gang members were beating up on someone, or several someones, that he couldn't see. Oh well. He had a score to settle with Jack anyway, and if saving some random person would help him, then so be it.
Looking up, he saw one of the group break away and turn towards him. Running up, the thug grabbed at Russel. But Russel was no longer there. Instead, he was in the air, hanging from a fire escape. Looking down, he laughed.
"Hey, head's up!"
Dropping, he landed on the thug, knocking him out. Still, there were quite a few of the gang members left. Throwing caution to the wind, he lunged into the middle of the fight, and found himself fighting back to back with... with Dragel?
"Hey, rich boy," he asked, stopping a punch and tossing the assailant sideways into a dumpster, "what are you doing here?"