If you believe there is fear within these eyes, you are dead wrong. What lies behind these eyes is not fear, it’s faith.

How misguided you have been in your assumption of me, Elijah. If I was not deceived by what I was watching, I would believe you would be the one who would be tripping over themselves in confusion. For you to believe that I am the one who possesses fear within my heart as I walk into this match against you, you’d be dead wrong. Respect for your talent and what you could do inside of the ring, however, is a different story. I’m not going to stand here and tell you that you will not give me a fight that I will gain new scars or bruises for. I’m not going to lie to the sheep, who look to you for hope that this cloud of darkness hanging over them will be dissipated, by telling them that their hero in this match won’t give me a fight that could be remembered eternally in an immortalized war for this championship of mine. I know exactly what will be heading my way at Game Over when you stand across the ring from me because, as you desire to make jest as if it was some narration to a Saturday morning cartoon show, He has already foretold that this would be the case. A Hero to challenge for this championship that could spell the end of this entire reign I have and return to square one where we began months ago. However, we are not bound to fate in this world, are we? If we were, you would not be where you are today, Elijah. If I was bound to fate, I would have never made it as far into this industry as I have made it today. Everyone in this business has a way to change their fate because we are in control of our destiny until the control is removed from us. Whether that control is removed by force or removed via unfortunate circumstances, we are the ones who walk the path until those events happen. While many may find that the destiny of a Hero such as you would be to vanquish the villain of your story and become the beacon of hope for this industry through championship conquest, there are those who will know that a calamity is born out of a twist of fate. That’s why what you see is not fear in my eyes, but faith that His gifts will provide me with the might to finish this rivalry between us once and for all. What you see when you stare into my soul is assurance of the power I have to cave your head into the canvas one final time by my hand to end this saga. However, faith is not the only thing you should see within these eyes, but respect should also follow suit. Out of all the aspects of the narrative you created about my fear that was regarding my posture, my voice, my thoughts, there was one aspect you were on the money about. You are right in the fact that I have been gripping this championship a little bit tighter than I usually have. That’s not the only thing different about this match than the past defenses I have had with this championship. My focus has been placed upon you entirely. My conviction has been placed solely towards the fact of reducing your body to a husk of its former self with the pursuit of remaining Immortal Heavyweight Champion. The droplets from my brow are from the constant training I have placed myself into to give you the greatest version of Jacob Senn you have ever seen. You break down the muscles of your body to the point where they can rebuild stronger than they were before, right? That’s what I have been doing in preparation for you. Break down every inch of my mind, body, and soul in training to be able rebuild and be stronger for our final confrontation at Game Over. Why is that, Elijah? If I was the man you believed to be a lazy individual, resting upon his laurels while lounging on his throne inside of his ivory tower, why would I be putting my body through such torture in a proactive role? It is elementary, Elijah, and you have already been told the answer.

Training for this match with you is not born out of fear as you would have hoped it to be, but for the respect I have in what you will fight me with at Game Over after the months of time we spent together.

Oh yes, you seem to think that I have forgotten the months I was left in the lurch of shadow in The Dynasty. However, you want to talk about being a stranger to one another, but did you ever take the time out of your day to worry about Jacob Senn in your entire life? At any moment during your time within our false brotherhood? No, and why is that? It’s because you never liked or even gave a shit about me since the very first day you were called into The Dynasty. You said it yourself, Elijah. From something as stupid as a haircut to everything I stand for as a person, you were brimming with hatred the instant you laid eyes upon. Yet, you were more than welcome to take from me all you wanted during that time, correct? I set the table and you devoured everything that was there to be offered. You were more than welcome to take the free ride with The Dynasty to boost your name value in this industry. You were more than willing to sit under the learning tree of The Dynasty and spend time with any of us, if it meant it would cater to the advancement of your career. Another reason why you would train alongside me was because you would only do it for your own personal gain. All of these issues compounded over time until eventually I knew that you were never involved in The Dynasty for the mission our brotherhood was founded upon in prestige and honor, but you joined for vanity and greed. You wanted to take from us and get everything you ever wanted from another individual in this business, especially with the pedigree our brotherhood had behind it. You wanted to use us as tools to be able to make yourself into the best version of Elijah Hampton you could be at our expense and when that was realized by me? When it had finally dawned on me and I stopped being ignorant that it wasn’t just you, but every member of this brotherhood had been a false brother to me and only was looking out for themselves? I realized that you were guilty of what you accused me of and that none of you were my brothers. None of you were looking out for the best interest of Jacob Senn. None of you were standing beside me in the hopes of every single one of us standing at the top of Mt. Olympus with the dream of restoring prestige from a fallen industry. All of you, especially you Elijah, had become nothing but mere strangers leaving me in your shadows while you snatched the spotlight for yourselves. None of you during that absence from Olympus did anything to reach out to me either. No phone calls, no texts, no visits until you wanted something from me, nothing to ever feel that there was some sort of compassion or empathy from any of you of the ordeal I was going through at the time. Just silence and the darkness were the only company to me and yet, you want to complain about me being a stranger to you? Not taking the time to know you? Not wanting to stand here and learn about your personal strife and woes? Get a grip, Elijah. You never cared about that with me in the first place, so why should I miraculously decide to know about the family back home you’re fighting for in this business? You never took the time to be anything more than a thief to try and take everything from me in The Dynasty. You never sat down with me to pick my brain about what I was thinking about, what I was going through, or be any sort of support system as much as you want to spin that yarn to people that I was emotional baggage to you. All you are and have been since the moment I met you is a vainglorious student of the game hoping for whatever mentor you have attached to you to teach you everything you know about this industry. That’s why I will always be a scar to your career because the moment you decided to treat me as an instrument to improve yourself with instead of a brother you could rely upon, it was the moment you ushered in this era of calamity that this industry will be forced to endure with me as their Immortal Heavyweight Champion.

In essence, you are the one who brought Him to my doorstep. You are the one who has brought this embodiment of calamity I have become. With your neglect and abandonment towards me to be left in the shadows of my thoughts, it is the only way this was able to happen.

That’s why I have come to respect you for your talents alone, Elijah. As a person, you’re a man claimed by the temptations of vanity and greed that make you no better than the sheep who watch and gawk at the violence we do unto another. As a fighter, you are a talent that no man could call mediocre or average, but a cut above the rest. You possess every necessary component to be able to instill hope into the sycophants of this audience to make them believe in the possibility of you walking out of this match with the Immortal Heavyweight Championship in your hands. You’re able to take and harness the pressure that has been placed upon your shoulders. You use it to push upon the coal of your body to make sure it transforms into diamonds with the feats of athletic prowess you are able to perform. Your determination that can be considered stubbornness in some ways makes it where no matter the anguish your body has gone through, no matter how much blood has poured from your brow to create a crimson mask upon your face, no matter how exhausted you have become from pushing yourself past your limits formerly placed upon you, you will never give up and would pass out before tasting the bitter pill of defeat and that’s something I’m counting on. I’m counting on you to use that fiery passion of yours to burn yourself out within this match. I’m banking on the fact that you will resume your stubborn desire for retribution and push back against me until there is no fight left within you, just bitter hatred with one final piercing glance back towards me before the end has arrived. Courtesy of yours truly, of course. I hope that you work yourself to the point of exhaustion when the fire that you have inside of you has been spent and you are left without any hope in the world to push you forward. For when that moment arrives and despair is the only thing you can cling onto, you will know exactly how I felt within those days that only silence and darkness were considered my allies. Once you are forced to welcome the harsh reality of defeat against me, you will be exposed to the world as the liar you are. The lies you have told the world about me for being the grand villain in this narrative you have created. The fables you have told upon yourself to believe that you are a symbol for these people to worship, but you are nothing more than a beast of vanity and greed that cannot be satiated until you have taken what has never belonged to you like the thief you are.

You have been able to build this fantasy of being the one who will slay the great evil of this world, but I will expose this falsehood through the destruction of the sheep’s beloved hero.

All hail to the virtue of Elijah Hampton, right? The one who has decided to take on the mission of being OWA’s salvation through claiming his most coveted prize in the Immortal Heavyweight Championship? The more he wishes to deny that he is a hero, preach about his mistakes and skeletons in the closet, the more he inspires these sycophants to rally behind him and have the one thing that I am determined to smother out of every soul involved in this industry: hope. Why must we bring an end to hope? It’s because hope is the death of reality. Hope is a little death to truth that will bring total obliteration to everything around it. Hope corrupts the very soul and lends it to suffer because it cannot reach the lofty dreams hope provides. Hope brings birth to vanity, greed, gluttony, envy, and more of the vile nature of man that only serves to disgrace and tarnish everything that it touches. No matter how much you would love to deny it and simply be another face in the crowd, you are a symbol of hope to these people. Just those around you told you, you are an inspiration to many who hope to be where you are that they can do it to. Your belief in that you work hard, you show up on time, you stay loyal to those who support you, you respect those friends that you have made along the way, and that you will be rewarded at the end of the day. You have worked every day and night for your entire life, building yourself towards the goal of becoming world champion, and you hope that this moment at Game Over will be the legacy that you establish for yourself. An underdog who, against all the odds presented to them, remained with hope in their heart that they would be the one to conquer the man everyone said they never could defeat. You’ve played this game of building yourself up to be the best version of yourself to gain the reward every man and woman in this business hopes to achieve, but our match will be just like the namesake of the event for your chase for glory: Game Over. There will be no confetti raining down upon you, no mass celebration in the streets as if it was a sight from Bourbon Street at Mardi Gras, there will only be despair as you serve as the death of hope in this industry. Another skull to be placed on the pile to be joined as a symbol for those who have dared to cross The Goetial King, that will be what lies in store for you in this battle we are set to wage between one another for the crown I have made mine alone. Your fall from the proud stance you take before entering this battlefield will serve to let all the hope this world can muster to be quickly evaporated into nothing. For right now, you stand on the precipice and all you need is a little push to tip over the edge and descend into the depths of obscurity you hoped to leave me in. Left with a broken body, all the fire of passion dying down to embers of a former raging flame, an ego crumbled for the world to bear witness to, all of this will be inflicted upon you as you were so willing to do unto me as I provide the final push towards that descent. Are you willing to give everything up for this championship that you covet with so much envy towards, Elijah? You may be right that neither one of us will leave this match unscathed and free of the scars, but you could very well lose everything you have made for yourself. For you may have the belief that you will hit me where it hurts the most, Elijah, but you will be the one suffering for the choice you made to seek retribution against me for what you ultimately brought to life. You can try to take this championship from me and hope with all of your might that you will be able to flaunt this victory in my face. You can hope to be able to be the conquering hero against the devil that has made your life a living Hell to live in and gloat all you want about it for every single person who had hope in that moment to be made a reality. You can dream about the pain you will cause me, having your crowning achievement be at my expense as you remain a symbol of hope and inspiration for those people, but I will do what I must to bring the truth to light. I will do everything in my power to kill hope and usher in the age of calamity through His will. I will bring ruin to the Hero destined and make it known that there will be no person on this Earth who will bring the destruction of the new kingdom I built from the ruins of the past, as hope will die.

For I will face the symbol of hope, permit it to do battle and wage war against me with anguish and suffering, only for it to be destroyed by my hand. I will have brought the Hero to ruin and with that, there will be nothing left of hope.

Only I will remain.

The scene begins at the private gym in the Sabertooth household. Chris throws striking combinations at the punching bag hanging from the ceiling. With each strike being more aggressive, Chris is letting it all out of the system. He grunts with every strike thrown at rapid succession until he lets out a scream of anger kicking the bag so hard that it snaps the hook it was suspended from on the ceiling as the bag flies halfway across the room and slams against the wall. 

Chris is panting out of exhaustion after getting his frustration out on the punching bag for a long time. His eyes shone bright red as the demon itched to get out to play. But Chris calms his breath, returning back to normal. The punching bag left a crack in the wall showing that Chris was channeling more of the demon’s power with every strike. 

Just as Chris appears to be calm, he lets out a loud scream at the top of his lungs, tugging onto his hair. 

Selfish? Is that what the cunt said? I am selfish for leaving Hana when she needs me-- I know that she hasn’t been feeling the best. I know that! Do you think I want to do this? Do you think I want to risk losing my life?! A life that I had practically been begging for ever since Havoc took over my body. I WAS happy, Arata! I was happy until you fucking ruined everything! Every single day, I live in paranoia about somebody watching me. I have to look around at every moment expecting my life to be in a constant threat-- ALL BECAUSE OF YOU! I nearly died because of your goons chasing me down a highway, not caring for all innocent lives on the road that were jeopardized. THAT’S SELFISH! You were willing to take my life not caring about the consequences for Hana… THAT’S SELFISH! HOW DARE YOU FUCKING TALK ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIP, YOU BASTARD! The fact that I am ready to lose my fucking life just to see you go down with me has NOTHING to do with how much I love her! I LOVE HER MORE THAN ANYTHING, YOU BITCH!-- I don’t want to die. I don’t. But I don’t know if I will make it out because of YOU! What do you know about love?! All you’ve ever felt in your body is hate, Arata. You couldn’t even be there for the mother of your children. THAT’S SELFISH! 

Do you remember wishing death upon a father of a newborn for a FUCKING TITLE?! THAT IS FUCKING SELFISH, YOU BIGOT! YOU DON’T CALL ME SELFISH, EVER… Arata, the selfish thing to do for me would be to run away. I could abandon the people I have grown to love and respect and leave them to die only so I can save my own skin and have a family with Hana. Trust me, I thought about it. I would do ANYTHING to be with her, Arata… anything. But I have seen what you become. I have seen what happens in this world if you get free reign. So what? I can’t live my entire life in fear that you would find us. That is if there’s a world even to begin with. Your existence put EVERYBODY’S life in danger. If I was selfish, I would run but I can’t any longer Arata. I can’t. You’ve done TOO MUCH! You’ve gotten away every single time because there’s nobody capable of putting an end to this… Except him. 

I don’t claim to be the ideal husband. You’re right. I wasn’t there for Hana when she needed it. But I’d much rather have an OPPORTUNITY to be there for her before you decide that none of us are worthy of being kept alive anymore. I can’t have that. I can’t… I can’t see her get hurt, Arata. I would rather see her have a bright future than nothing but darkness and pain. I have hurt her too much already and you DARE not talk about what you’ve done to her!! She idolized you! YOU WERE HER MENTOR! But you let all of the years of goodwill go into the trash all for the taste of power. You’ve done MORE harm to her than I would ever dream of. You tried stealing her future from her… I can’t forgive you, Arata. I WILL FUCKING MURDER YOU, YOU BASTARD! HOW-- HOW FUCKING DARE YOU TALK ABOUT MY WIFE?! I WILL SKIN YOU ALIVE FOR WHAT YOU’VE DONE! I WANT TO SEE YOUR SOUL LEAVING YOUR BODY. 

"Chris’s" anger has reached its limit, but surprisingly enough, he responds to it by bursting into an uncontrollable fit of laughter.

You’re so fucking delusional, Arata. You expect people to sympathize with you when you showed NO REMORSE for your own actions? What? Little Arata was bullied by racists and had to see some terrible things happen to him like losing his dog. Yeah, that was inhumane. Yeah, those people deserve the worst. But guess what? You chose to take it out on every-fucking-body in this world! While that puts into perspective what fucked you in the head, it doesn’t JUSTIFY anything you ever did! Guess what? Ted Bundy was abused as a child. Son of Sam was sexually assaulted. John Wayne Gacy had to regularly see his mother get beaten up by his deadbeat alcoholic father. BUT THAT DOES NOT MAKE ANY ONE OF THEM LESS OF A MONSTER! You were pushed to the brink of taking your own life?! Do you think you’re the only one with a rough childhood?! Jeff NEVER met his dad. I had one but he couldn’t give a shit about me. I had to see my best friend lose his life protecting ME! Do you know what that does to you?! I was fucked up too and I didn’t take it out on the rest of the world. Sure, I became susceptible to Havoc’s treachery. But at no point, did I stop fighting back to take my body for my own. While you? You KNOW what you’ve done and you live by that shit. When Hitler took his own life, nobody in the world shed a tear for that monster. They would much rather have him eat a bullet for every life he took. You’re on the same boat, Gaijin Killer. You DESERVE to die for what you’ve done! Heck, that’s the only thing you’ve earned so far in your career. A fucking casket. 

I am sorry, Arata… I am sorry that you went through all of that as a little kid. No, seriously! I am sorry… that you are alive today because the world would be better off if you were six feet under. I WISH you would have DIED that day. In fact, if I could travel back in time, I’d make sure that you fucking did! And before anybody looks at me weird, I ask you this-- Would any one of you not take the opportunity of shooting Hitler in the head before he became the monster that the world knows him for? And if you say yes, you’re putting one person’s life over the misfortune and suffering of an entire race. I don’t care about morality in this situation. I have been living a life in fear these past couple of years. I would do ANYTHING to stop it. And the people who haven’t experienced that couldn’t even imagine putting themselves in my shoes for a moment. It is WORSE than anything you could imagine. My soul was dragged to hell and it still felt better than living in a world where Arata Asakura gets to do whatever he wants.

It’s crazy because there IS a choice, Arata. There are MANY people fighting for the rights of their people. Whether it be Palestinians. Or the Taiwanese. Or the North Koreans. People who had all of their rights stripped for being different than the rest. Heck, some were subjugated to prejudice and torture by their own kind! You have a platform. You could have used your voice to showcase the systemic racism that still exists to this day to Asian Americans. You could have shown your people that you can rise above prejudice and be successful. You could have been a voice of a generation! But you chose to be a terrorist. You chose to bring death upon innocent lives that had NOTHING to do with your suffering. The rest of the world doesn’t see your people in a better light for what you have done! Golden Dawn is no better than Al Qaeda or ISIS. You’ve done MORE HARM than help for anybody that stood by the same cause as you. In the future, people were beaten up for even being associated with your name. You’re putting your own kid’s life in danger. They’d have to hide their true identity because being associated with an Asakura would be a curse. They’d be subjugated to the VERY hatred you’re trying to fight! SO WHAT THE FUCK HAVE YOU DONE?! All you talk about is change but the only change I’ve seen is your bitch ass asking wishes from the Gods because of your own failures! You’re a hypocrite! When you call me selfish-- you’re clearly projecting your own insecurities. 

Arata, even when I thought about taking your life, I had your kids’ future in my mind. I didn’t want them to suffer for your acts of terrorism. I didn’t want them to walk down the same path and become forever pariahs of society. I don’t want them to be evil incarnate just like you! I have thought more about your family than you have. I have done more for Hana than you ever could. I love her-- Which is why I am willing to give up my life in exchange for her living to see another day. I don’t want to leave her-- I don’t want to lose her which is why I had to make the decision of letting Havoc take control once again. I don’t know what he’ll do. What I DO know is that he doesn’t like you either. And he has a better chance than anybody else in this world to stop you. If that’s selfish, then fine. I AM SELFISH! If my selfishness can save innocent lives from having to deal with what Rebecca and Lita had to deal with-- With what Niki Khan had to deal with. I will do what needs to be done. 

I have talked to Hana in anticipation of this day. It wasn’t easy telling somebody you love so much that you might not see another day again. I have been crying for the past couple of days hoping at least that would help me fall asleep but I can’t. Every time I look at her, I can’t hold back the tears. I REALLY don’t want to do this. I don’t! But I know I am humanity’s best shot. As for Jeff, I love the guy. I finally got the friend that I always wanted. Somebody who would die with me if things came down to it. Heck, we did that already. But a suit can only do so much. I KNOW that Jeff wants to be the one to end Arata after all he feels responsible for what happened. I can understand that and as a friend, I can respect his feelings. Then again, if there’s a chance I could save his life-- I’d do it in a heartbeat. Presley or Beyonce or Miranda Moonlight or Zachary Filth… I don’t really know who he’s with these days. But they don’t deserve to lose somebody they care about either. 

Some might think of this as a hero complex. While sure, it might come off in that sense, I have a lot to atone for. Even now, I go around hearing about the terrible things that Havoc did and it makes me want to throw up. Maybe, somebody like me doesn’t deserve a happy ending… I am the Obito of this story. 

Chris has a faint smirk on his face as he shakes his head.

That being said, I ain’t trying to die motherfucker. I am not going to pretend like I know what’s going to happen. I know Jack Daito is getting his ass kicked. He talked about how he can be beaten. He can be bruised. But he can’t be broken-- I would LOVE to put that theory to the test! Daito has been around Arata for a long ass time. You’d think he’d wish for immortality or some Godly gift that would make him capable enough to contest along with Arata. But no! He loves just being the stepping stone. The foot table for Arata to rest on. The fallback for when anything bad happens. Daito had a wish that he could have used it for any personal gain but he would rather send Jeff and me to hell. How did that go for ya? You talk about being unbroken, well motherfucker-- I DIED and I am STILL a champion.

You can call that luck-- But don’t forget, none of you have a wish anymore. We made sure Arata’s wish went to waste. Michael Bishop is your rightful OWA World Champion. Golden Dawn isn’t doing that well, is it? All the power in the world but nothing to show for it. Even your own comrade, MYOJIN wouldn’t hesitate to cut ties with y’all. It’s the final stretch for the Golden Dawn. If you fail now, there’s nothing left for you to do. Arata would probably sacrifice Daito in a heartbeat if it came down to it. 

So, Diato-- Would you rather die with your messiah? A man who wouldn’t hesitate to throw you to the wolves. A man with no honor. Is that the fate you have chosen, Daito? You would go down with the ship. Honestly, I can respect that. But that only means, you’re a dead man just like Arata. And unlike your master, you have NOTHING to save you from me. Daito, I am going to eat you alive for all the shit you have put me through. I wouldn’t be surprised if you were the one who send those goons a few days ago to take my life. You’re terrified at the prospect of us making it to Game Over. If you were as ready as you claimed to be, Game Over should be a cakewalk! Arata talks a big game but he’s the same dude that lost to Azumi… twice. He’s the same dude that had to cry about it and hold the world at gunpoint to get a title shot at FD… ONLY to fail again. He’s the same dude that used a wish to KILL Michael Bishop only for him to not even TASTE the World Championship. Oasis gave him this match as a consolation prize! Facing his two biggest rivals. Facing the GREATEST tag team in the company’s history. FACING the PILLARS of Kingdom. 

After everything he said, it always came down to the belts. That what’s he’s desperate for. He wants a piece of gold to cause his shoulders have gotten cold from being barren all this time. Oh, he wants to be a Triple Crown-- WHO CARES?! This motherfucker really thinks this match is about the titles. Yes, it may so on the adverts, but trust me, I couldn’t give a shit about the titles. We’ve already done it all! There’s nothing left for us to prove. This match is the END of an era. The DESTRUCTION of the Golden Dawn. One last dance. Death is imminent. We either put Arata and Daito in the grave or we take them along to hell with us. Those are the ONLY two possibilities. So, you can call me selfish. You can call me stupid for jeopardizing what I have. I got Hana’s blessing. Even your student wants you DEAD. You’re NOTHING to her anymore, Arata. Live with that reality. I know, you’d much rather try to get in my head and put irrelevant thoughts in my mind. I have NO DOUBTS about my love. It’s stronger than you ever will be. Which is why I KNOW I will return. I KNOW that I will finish what I started. I KNOW that I will kill that motherfucker once and for all. 

Arata Asakura. Jack Daito. I rang up a gravedigger and I already have your names carved into the gravestone. That’s how considerate I am! No shallow graves to be had. We will all mourn the loss with your family in tow. If Rin, the future hoe that is, tries to stop us-- Then she can join your asses too. Call me Lazarus ‘cause I am about to slay a God. A bullet to your head. A knife through your heart. A bomb up your fucking ass. I do not care. You will DIE, Arata. YOU WILL SUFFER FOR EVERY LIFE YOU HAVE TAKEN! YOU WILL PAY WITH YOUR FUCKING SOULS! 

Izanagi, I know you’ve had a past with the demon. He was banished from the realms of God for not seeing eye to eye with your stupid ideals. And yet, he was classified as a demon. A monster. Izanagi, if you’re a God, then I’d much rather be banished to hell the day I die. 

Chris scoffs at the camera.

Suddenly, he stumbles down to a knee holding onto his gut. He dry-heaves a couple of times before vomiting out a black sludge to the shock and horror of the man.

Sabertooth picks himself back up and rushes to the mirror… We don’t see what’s on the other side. He is prancing around the room in panic before suddenly coming to a halt.

With his back to the camera, he slowly turns towards the frame to reveal his eyes replaced with bright red pupils. 

Pain was a universal language.

Every living being on the planet knew what it was like to feel pain and its many different forms. Most people knew what it was like to feel a bruise, or maybe a cut or laceration, some even knew and have felt deeper wounds than that. Professional wrestlers possibly knew pain the best than anyone, however. Traveling for days on end while tending to injuries from grueling, competitive fights to make a living- Soon enough, pain started being a hindrance and more like a natural state as they pushed through it. Physical pain was something that could be tolerated and fought through, after all, there were effective cures and medicine to numb it.

But emotions and traumas scarred the mind and soul and left heartache and despair that was often harder to heal than the physical wounds. They didn't simply go away and fade over time as a cut would, nor were there any easy solutions to deal with it. MYOJIN learned that at a very young age, it was maybe the only lesson that ever lasted with them.

The Shining Star grew up in a household run by a man who wanted nothing less than perfection from his children. His career as a fighter had ended prematurely, thus he tried his best to live vicariously through them and their siblings. Their life outside of education was spent in a dojo for hours on end, sparring until their body was too sore to continue. While they were worked and forced to practice to the point of bleeding, their mother would only watch. MYOJIN realized later in life that she was just as scared of their father as they were. He wired them to believe that if they weren't perfect if they weren't the winner in every scenario and every outcome- then they were simply worthless and didn't live up to the legacy of their family's name…

But one day, their mother took them and their siblings and ran. They found peace back in their home country, in the one confidant that they ever truly had as a child when they were brought to live with their grandmother. Undoubtedly the best maternal figure that had ever been in their life, the woman who taught them that MYOJIN that they did matter; that they weren't defined by other people's expectations. She showed them love, love that was unconditional. She saved them from going down a darker path in life.

And now, MYOJIN was staring at her name in kanji engraved on dull-grey stone. Along with the date of her birth and the date of her death. Natural causes. Even though she had been gone for some years by now, it was something that the young person had never truly come to terms with.

Pain was a universal language.

While everyone grieved in different ways, grief was something understood by all.

"Obaasan…? It's me again. I'm sorry that I haven't visited in a while," They spoke, kneeling in the grass with flowers in their hand. It was always so calm when they visited her grave, nothing but the sound of soft winds whispering by. Sometimes they wondered if it was because she was there spiritually, still comforting them. The events of Michael Bishop's death and resurrection had left MYOJIN contemplating mortality. Seeing a family, a wife and daughter, lose someone important in their lives left the Shining Star reflecting. Soul-searching. "A lot of things have been on my mind recently, I'm not really the same person as you probably remember. I've done some things that I'm not very proud of… and I know that you wouldn't have been proud of them either. I've lost a part of myself that I'm trying to rediscover, and I know I'll need it more than anything because…" They took a deep breath.

"I'm about to walk into the biggest fight of my life and I know that I won't be able to win if I continue the way I have been. I thought I was growing stronger by abandoning my morals, but it's only made me weaker. Without my heart, I'm not me- and I'm scared that this realization has come too late for me…" They looked down, feeling the briefest moment of shame as they thought. Realizing just how far they had strayed from the path they started on, MYOJIN took a shaky breath as they felt their eyes begin watering.

"I'm here because, without you, I never would have made it this far in the place. You believed in me, you told me that I can forge my own identity and do whatever I wanted to… I think that I lost sight of that, that I let my ambition overrule my passion... And I…- I just wish that I could get in the right head of space. I was hoping that coming here and reminding myself of what I came to OWA for-" Sighing with a bit of frustration, they ran a hand through their hair before sitting the flowers down in front of her headstone.

"I wish you were still here."

"...Shouta?"

Alarmed, MYOJIN's head quickly snapped to the side as they turned around to see where the voice had come from. It was a young Asian woman, her hair a dark brown with red streaks. She shared MYOJIN's similar sharp cheekbones and jaw; it was their sister, Akira- Better known as YOKAI. Though instead of seeing a welcoming smile on her face, they were met with a glare. She quickly raised her fists, but MYOJIN simply took a step back. "What are you doing here?'

Surprised by her hostility, the Shining Star simply raised their hands in surrender. "Akira- I'm not here to cause any trouble, okay? I just came here to visit Obaasan- What are you doing here?"

"You lost the right to come visit her when you became a global fucking terrorist! Now answer my questiion." She snapped, not letting up a bit. While MYOJIN was surprised to be met with such a hostile reaction from their own family, admittedly- it wasn't that surprising. She was right: They had become a part of one of the most hated groups that had committed some awful crimes, why would she be trusting?

"It's- it's me." They attempted to reassure her, walking toward her- but Akira quickly brought up her right leg. She swiped it through the air like a knife, her roundhouse kick just barely missing their face as they ducked back- falling onto the grass as they scooted backward from her.

'And who are you, exactly? Shouta, I… I don't know you anymore." Akira spoke coldly, reaching out toward her warily- MYOJIN began to stand once more.

"I'm not- I'm not with them anymore, okay? It's done. I'm done with Asakura, okay..?  I don't mean any harm, I promise you I'm just here to visit her- I'll… I'll leave if you want me to."

The two stared at each other. The two had always been close and by each other's side. It was unusual and uncomfortable for them both to find themselves in the situation they were in. Though despite everything that happened, they were still siblings. Akira's hardened gaze faltered at their please and slowly lowered their fighting stance before lightly reaching out a hand toward them. MYOJIN was hesitant, staring at her hand for a second or so, before taking it and getting up.

"Shouta… I haven't seen you in months. All I've been seeing is what you and Golden Dawn have been doing and-.. I'm just glad you haven't done something fucking stupid yet." MYOJIN could only nod their head in agreement, but deep down, they didn't really feel that way. While no blood was on their hands, they contributed to Golden Dawn winning Dimensional Warfare- which left severe repercussions.

"Like I said, I'm through with them. I know that doesn't change a lot, but I promise you that I don't have any bad intentions." They repeated, this time Akira seemed to accept that answer. The both of them then turned back to the gravestone after calming down.

"You said that you came back to visit her… What for?"

"I was looking for… something. I don't know, I guess it was kind of stupid. When did you come back to Japan?" They asked in return.

"Ever since JET restarted, I basically move here… I tend to come here often." Akira explained, placing her hands in her pockets. The two of them stood in silence and suddenly that tranquil silence became awkward.

"Anyways… I said I'd leave, so let me get going." Turning away, MYOJIN began to walk away. Though quickly, Akira's hand met their shoulder firmly.

"I haven't seen you in forever, you don't get to randomly vanish on me again, asshole." Well, that was their way of knowing that she at least cared. Despite her harsh words, there was clear concern in her eyes.

"You sure that you want me around? I'm one of the most hated individuals on the planet currently, I'd only bring you trouble- and who knows what Asakura is going to do next."

"Shouta… Despite everything that's going on, you're still blood to me. I don't know what you've been going through and what's going to happen at that upcoming show you've got going on but I know that the person I know is still in there. If you're really done with those assholes? I can tell you that you at least have one person who still believes in you."

Validation. Acceptance. It was a bit stunning to even hear that from her, to know that someone still viewed them as trustworthy again. It was a start, a good one, to make on their road to redeeming themself. Faintly smiling, MYOJIN didn't turn back to face her- but reacher a hand to the one she laid on their shoulder and gave it a soft squeeze of appreciation. "Thanks, Akira. I needed to hear that… But seriously, I have to go now. There's a lot that I need to prepare for."

"Promise me you won't disappear again."

"What?"

"Promise. Me."

"...I promise."

She finally let go. MYOJIN began walking through the graveyard back to its entrance once again, but she called for them one last time: "Hey, Shouta?"

Turning back around curiously, MYOJIN answered, "Yeah?"

"I hope you found what you were looking for."

They smiled once again, this time much brighter before turning back around. "I think that I have."

MYOJIN had come to visit their grandmother to find some source of much-needed motivation. They couldn't help but wonder if somehow, in some way- Obaasan had sent Akira there for them.


Raivo thinks that he was able to reach my level.

Now that's really cute.

He thinks that everything that I've done here is the only thing that I've done of note within my career, being ignorant enough to the fact that I am a current multi-champion outside of OWA- Something even Bishop knows, because I'll give a little credit- He pays enough attention to what his opponents are actually capable of. Though I do find it extremely amusing that Raivo decided to double down on his stupidity while claiming that he is morally superior and that I have no talent. Even though most people couldn't tell you a damn thing about Raivo outside of his rants and his botch of a Spartan title reign.

I seem to have definitely struck a nerve with him though. Now he's oh, so mad! Stammering over his words and sounding repetitive while stammering “MYOJIN didn't earn anything! The Outlaw title reign became relevant again after you lost it!” Even though I wrestled in the main event of a Kingdom and beat the OWA World Champion, while his shit-for-brains partner's most well known accomplishment as champion was what…. beating Alejandro-who??? The problem is, Raivo, you're trying to insult me with things that I already know and have acknowledged- I was a part of Golden Dawn, sure. Even though I kept mostly to myself, I followed Asakura's lead at times, sure. So, what? Matter of fact, if I recall correctly, weren't you one of the few who were supporting Golden Dawn and encouraging some of our actions?

But now it benefits you the most to look like some sort of hero now, doesn't it? It benefits you to look like you're championing justice so people will actually give a shit and root for you.

This man wants to simultaneously think he's some sort of revolutionary by… what, being a wrestler? You think that you've somehow fought and rebelled against the System by… what, wrestling? By being another generic arrogant wrestler who calls him Adonis? I guess everyone should be thanking you for the nonexistent political activism that you've been up to. You're so pretentious it's eye-rolling. But let's go back to the fact that you think that you've managed to get on my level by doing the bare minimum. It's rather hypocritical that you're one saying you're one for equality while simultaneously boasting about the fact that you've added yourself to situations unfairly just because you could. That without any effort, you managed to get here.

But that just speaks volumes about you as a person, doesn't it?

Considering you say you're all for equality while you and your henchman continually misgender me- which I'll beat the shit out of you both for at Game Over- is pretty on brand for you. To say I'm trying to be the oppressed to becoming the oppressor then calling me white-passing contradicts yourself but that's all you know how to. You continually shift the story and paint a different picture of reality to suit yourself. Raivo, you aren't some champion of the people- you're a spoiled brat living a high class life in California who never had to experience a single hardship in your life because everything was handed to you. You want to act like you've worked to get here while simultaneously flaunting just how effortless and careless you are. You're not a fighter, you're just a fad. A snake that follows any and every trend to see fit if it'll bring him closer to what he wants.

And the reason you're upset about what I said? Is because you know I'm right. And there lies the difference between the both of us: I'm honest about who I am, the things I've done, and the lengths I've gone to succeed. You? You want to throw rocks and hide your hand. You play innocent and pretend you give a damn about morals while every action of yours has shown otherwise. You don't matter. An inconsequential little flea who is kicking and crying at every turn because he believes that he's owed something by the world.

News flash, sweetheart. You're out of your league. And if I have no talent? It's going to look crazy for you if you struggle to beat me, which you won't. And then what will be the story then? That I got lucky? What will be the next excuse that leaves your mouth once I beat you? Because if someone with no talent outlasts Raivo-

That just means Raivo is worse than trash. Which I suppose, is pretty apt. I at least have some respect for DT, not much, but at least he can speak coherently without rambling and repeating his words like a child. At least he seems to realize how important this match, what the stakes are, and isn't taking it lightly.

I have no respect for you. You're a joke. A clown masquerading as a prince- and you'll be dealt with. And once you are? Remember what I told you to do: Sit down, shut up, and go into your timeout corner to think about what you've done, little boy.

Speaking of DT, isn't it really interesting how you went from trying to paint me as a weakling to then acknowledging my skills the moment I reminded you how you won that title?

You keep telling everyone about your past in promotions that most people don't care about. Thinking that because you won a championship some years ago that it'll somehow be relevant to brag about now. This is OWA, this is for the OWA World Championship. No one cares about your past factions. All that matters at the moment is the here and now. And right now? You're coming off as running out of things to say. Who the fuck has been telling me what to do and I've been supposedly ignoring it? What does that even mean? Do you hear yourself or are you just coming up with random nonsense to say? If there's one thing that you're right about, it's that I'm greater than what Raivo could ever realize.

My entire career has been based on me making my own choices and succeeding, something that you wouldn't know that much about, would you? While you're relying on your past in order to try and make yourself look big, bad, and strong- Everyone knows that despite all that, you're still just the thoughtless sidekick to someone you're honestly better than. You're still just probably the only champion in all of OWA to win a championship while getting his shit rocked- and you're still just an embarrassment to your own legacy the longer you stay here. An old man still trying to live out his glory days when his time has been gone for a while. Stop moonlighting as a wrestler and just stick with your business, whatever it is, because clearly you're more effective at that than you are with anything else.

Hold onto the Outlaw Championship as tightly as you can, because I'll be coming for it just as I'll be coming for the World Championship. And considering that you've never been able to actually defeat by your own skill? It's not going to be a pretty sight at Game Over. I'm going to send you to a fucking retirement home after I'm finished humiliating both you and Raivo. I'm going to expose you both for all the world to the see. The two grifters who somehow conned their way into a World Championship match will finally be seen for who they really are- And I just can't wait to see how angry you'll be about it.

And then there's Michael.

Before you go on and for the third time tell everyone that you beat me at the Festival, I'll say this: The MYOJIN that you'll be facing is a far stronger, superior version than back then. You won against someone who was inexperienced and wasn't ready to face you then, I'll admit that. But if you think it'll just be like it was then? You're in for a rude awakening.

You've gone uncharacteristically silent since. Maybe because you know how close Game Over is me, maybe even because you know that despite your attempts to act like this will be a breeze for you- this will be the fight of your life. And not because of Raivo or DT, but because of me.

Back then, I thought that just taking the Outlaw Championship back from you would satisfy me- but it didn't. I still was left feeling bitter and only when you died that I realize I wanted to beat you, without a wish- Without Golden Dawn- without anything else but my own bare hands. You have been my ultimate challenge, the one man that I just never seemed to be able to defeat. But all of that is going to change at Game Over. While you've been gone? I've been preparing, training my hardest in the hopes that your friends would find some way to bring you back to life. I don't just want this: I need this. I need to finally end whatever this rivalry is between us. I need to finally gain closure and prove once and for all, that I am not just on your level- I'm better.

But if you beat me? I'll say it. I'll admit that you're the better wrestler. I'll even shake your hand and leave it at that.

But it won't be easy. I'm going to fight you with everything that I have, with all my heart and spirit to prove to you and everyone else who has ever doubted me that I am MORE than what you say I am. I can realize my potential. I will make it happen, even it kills me.

The countdown to Game Over is getting closer and closer, and I see these three men losing their composure. I see Raivo cracking and faltering, I see DT's little persona starting to fade into panic as he grows nervous. I see Bishop being overwhelmed by his own rage and arrogance to see clearly- but I have never felt more ready than I do now.

Everything that's happened over the last year has led up to this. The battles and bloodshed on Kingdom for supremacy, the friendships lost and the obstacles along the way- has prepared me for this; the biggest match of my life. My first and maybe only chance I'll ever get at the OWA World Championship- and I'm not letting it go to waste.

When it's all set and done, I'm the one who's going to be standing above the rest. I'm going to show to everyone that I was never just another follower of Asakura or the weak foil to Michael Bishop. I'm going to make Raivo and DT eat and choke on every single thing that they've said. I'm going to stun the crowd with the upset that they never saw coming.

I'm going to remind everyone why I'm the Star of the show.

It's been a few days. I have been waiting and I haven’t heard anything from both Corey Matthis and Drago Santiago. That’s a little unexpected. Maybe they’re training as hard as they can, which is a good thing but they are not the only ones that are doing it…and this is assuming they’re training anyway.

Worst case scenario, I’m guessing Corey Matthis and Drago Santiago are speechless, blown away, and get torn into pieces by the truth of my words. Struck into an awe as they’re unable to respond to my first message.

But that’s ok. I’d try to be more positive and say that both of you are working hard. Props to you both. I’ve been working hard too. Still am. And will always be as long as I’m containing blood, bones, and veins.

And when I say I’m working hard, that’s also including trash-talking, praising, and speech stuff. Hey, I’m speaking right now right? Being in front of the camera, ready to send another message.

While I’m speaking right now, I just get a second thought. Maybe both of you can keep being silent. Don’t bother. Don’t speak. Don’t go saying something you both might regret and accidentally awakening the beast inside of me. Don’t bother taking your camera equipment. Whether you both are focused on training or crying in your sleep, I’ll do all the talking for the three of us. After all, I’m a public figure right? Perhaps the reason why Mark Michaels is not going to compete in this match is because either he blew his brain off and is unable to say anything back to me or I put him under a lot of stress. I don’t know. Just don’t go overthinking just for the sake of talking back.

So Mark is not able to compete in this match which turned out to be just between the three of us right? Then I’m going to repeat it again when I said it in my previous recording that both of you have a rivalry going on. You both hate each-others, you both want to finish one another, and all that jazz. That’s good. I don’t have that going on. You both are obviously different from one another but you both are the same to me.

One thing that you both have in common is that I have to either pin or submit one of you. That’s a must. After that, maybe you both can have one final match to settle whatever issues you both have towards one another. Don’t worry, I have no intentions of being around both of you for a long time. I’m going to be out of your sight. I’m going to be out of the picture.

I’m going to move on to challenge either Jacob Senn or Elijah Hampton to be the next OWA Immortal Heavyweight Champion.

I get it. I’m sure there are thoughts from both of you that you both want to be out of the picture too. I’m sure they’re sick of seeing each-others faces and aiming for what I’m aiming for. I’m sure Corey Matthis wants to add another Championship in his resume. I believe Drago Santiago wants the OWA Immortal Heavyweight Championship as his first OWA Championship. I believe you both are going to do whatever it takes to win this match too.

But still, you both are like two Lions that want to take the title of the king of the jungle that are always ready to fight one another to take the throne. In the meantime, I’m like an Elephant that is slowly but surely just keep walking to get closer and eventually take the throne. Hey, after all, Elephants are smart and bigger than Lions, just like me. I’d like to think I’m smart enough and I’m confident in saying I’m the biggest man in this match as you both are…pretty small compared to me. No offense, size isn’t everything. Just saying I have the biggest muscles out of the three of us.

After all, both of you are ruthless individuals. No nonsense and very spectacular in-ring performers.

That’s why you accomplished so much in OWT and you’re going to add more after the Icarus Championship, Corey Matthis. That’s a guarantee you’re going to add more accomplishment in OWA. GameOver is your chance but once again, I have to put a stop to it because I have to sacrifice your chance and Drago’s for my own opportunity. Call me selfish, call me arrogant, call me stupid, I have no problem with it. The problem I have is your ability. I said this before that you’re a good wrestler. That’s why we call you The Clean Sweep, right? Because you’re always able to sweep and clean things up. I have no doubt that everything you’ve been working on is going to be paid off soon. I envy you actually. Being in a young age and have accomplished a lot of things in OWA. All you have to do is that you have a natural talent and so much potential in the world. You’ve been ruling the world before in OWT and it felt nice wasn’t it? I understand because that was how I felt when I won the SSW Puroresu World Heavyweight Championship and defended it against some talented opponents. The thing is, I have a chance to rule a much bigger universe now as I’m also a double champion right now. That’s something you don’t have, Corey Matthis. That’s something you lack. You don’t have a belt to carry on any of your shoulders while I’m having an opportunity to add one around my waist as my shoulders are full of them. So Corey, you want to win the big one just like I do right? Then try to live up on your moniker: The Clean Sweep or otherwise, I’m adding another victory on my record.

And that only leaves you, Drago Santiago. I’ve said this before on my previous recording that you made me tapped- out once and that’s something I can’t erase or change. History is history and I’m sure you’re proud of it. What I’m sure you weren’t proud of and you wish you could change this history is that you failed to win the Wrestleworld American Dream Championship in…a Triple Threat match, the very same stipulation and situation we’re going to do at GameOver. Not having Mark Michaels seems doesn’t change anything for you at all. Just like how you failed to win the OWA Icarus Championship in an Ultimate X Fatal 4 Way match, you failed to win the Wrestleworld American Dream Championship. I obviously can’t and won’t underestimate you but is the reason why you called yourself the King of Nothing because…you don’t have nothing? No. You always have something. You’re always a great competitor but what I could tell you for sure that something you don’t have is the fighting spirit. You’re a travel man just like me, Drago. We both aren’t a mainstay as we try many wrestling companies as much as possible in hope to get something. But the difference between you and me is that I don’t walk away that easily. You were the one that made me tapped-out in Wrestleworld and yet you’re no longer there while I’m holding one of their belts right now. What are you going to do after this and let’s just assume you win this match and get to face either Senn or Hampton, what are you going to do afterward, as a Champion or not? How could you convince me that you’re planning to stay in OWA as long as possible? How can OWA be different to you? You’re always a talented guy but for the most part, you wasted a lot of your potential which is a shame. I hope I’m awakening the same man that has made me tapped-out before as I want that version of Drago Santiago to be back at GameOver. But don’t get too excited because you’re not going to get Nobi who you forced to tap-out. You’re going to deal with a different kind of Nobi. The reason is because this match has a lot of stakes and too good of an opportunity to be passed on and I’m willing to take the risk to be on the top.

What seems to be off my own radar for a good while is that I won my first ever Championship in a Triple Threat match. A Triple Threat match was the very first reason why I was able to taste the golds. Both Corey and Drago can ask Stark if they want, Stark can answer this. Well, once again, I don’t know what both Corey and Drago are going to do but I’m willing to be the number one contender for the OWA Immortal Heavyweight Champion and I’m ready to do it at GameOver. Bring your A-Game or even A plus-Game, I’m ready to show you both why I’m the player in this match and why this is going to be game over for both of you. It is over.

[With the biggest match of Elijah’s career on the horizon, he’s been struggling to keep his emotions in check. Trying to treat this as any other match, when that’s a lie. Trying to treat Jacob Senn as any other opponent, when that’s a lie. This match is all he can think about. At night, he stares at the ceiling in his bedroom, thinking about all of the possibilities that this fight could go. And during the day, he works out constantly, making sure he’s in tip-top shape for this battle. Rehabbing his hobbled leg too, He’s working tirelessly around the clock to be as prepared as one could be. Taking no time to rest, as he feels the need to cover all the bases to ensure he walks out as the next Immortal Heavyweight Champion. A title he’s grown an obsession over. Because no matter the sport, he knows the greats get judged by how many titles they’ve won. The following scene takes place in a gym. Working on his leg some more. A time-lapse goes by and he’s done with his workout. He has an ice pack wrapped around his knee to help with the swelling. He’s sat there, getting lost in his music. He then feels a tap on his shoulder. It’s his former manager, Roy Bandini, who also owns the gym and here he trains some of the top aspiring young wrestlers in the world today. Roy lightly hits his knee before sitting down. Elijah winces a bit.]

Roy: “Well, what do you think?”

Elijah: “About?”

Roy: “Some of these men and women that are trying to follow in your footsteps. Do any of them catch your eye?”

[Before Elijah speaks, one of the students has an outburst during the training, causing a huge scene before one of the coaches tries to get through to him. Meanwhile, all of the other students are poised and show respect to the coaches. Only talking when they are called on. When they are given advice you can tell they are actually listening and using it.]

Elijah: “Some more than others. Who is—“

Roy: “My nephew. He’s — something. There are growing pains to work out with him for sure, but he has potential. Kind of reminds me of a certain someone.”

Elijah: “Oh, it’s like that huh? I see how it is. But look, not gonna lie, I’m a little surprised to see your wrestling school is back open. Thought you closed up shop after Shea and I graduated and later went on to OWA. What changed?”

Roy: “You, Elijah. You changed. For the better. And truth be told, you’re one of the big reasons as to why I’m giving this whole coaching thing another go. I realized that what you have, is something rare. The respect you have for this business. Wanting to make a difference. Trying to set an example for the younger impressionable fans out there. I’m not going to go full Jacob on you and say you’re a hero. But you’re a good guy, Elijah. I always knew this. You just had to mature a bit. These kids have a good head on their shoulders. I personally scouted them all across the globe. They fight with honor. They have sportsmanship instilled in them — well, besides my nephew. His time will come. But there’s no doubt in my mind that they can leave an impact on the world of professional wrestling the right way. Restore honor is the main goal. And the handful of them that make the cut, I want to send them to different regions of the world. United States, Mexico, Europe, Japan, Australia — and show the world in a plethora of promotions out there that the bad guy doesn’t always have to come out on top, since they are far too common out there. You can win the right way, without cutting corners.”

Elijah: “If I didn’t know any better, I feel like this message of yours hinges on the outcome of my match at Game Over.”

Roy: “No pressure, right?”

Elijah: “Ha yeah, none whatsoever.”

Roy: “Look, I know you’re in uncharted territory. You’ve never held a world title before. And deep down, there’s a small part of you that questions if you ever will—“

Elijah: “I wouldn’t go that far.”

Roy: “Point is, yes, there are people counting on you. And yet, you’ve always had people counting on you. Your family, especially your brothers and your friends. They always depended on you to make something of yourself. So this is nothing new. But this week, there are many people out there that will be living vicariously through you. Such as kids that view Senn as a bully. The same type of bullies that pick on them on a daily basis. Physically harming them. Making their life unnecessarily hard. They want to know what it feels like to one-up people like him. And this week, you could give them a bit of courage. Same goes for employees and their abusive bosses. Standing up for yourself, as well as betting on yourself, is what you’ve done time and time again. You might not have always gone about it the right way or with the purest of intentions. But you were never scared to step up. And I know that you will step up against Senn. And deliver. Look at me! The pressure you feel, whether it’s large or small, let it go. Worrying about other people, let it go. Take a step back and reminisce. Remember why you got into professional wrestling in the first place. Remember the match that made you fall in love with it. Remember wrestling your friends on the trampoline. Remember your teenage days as a backyard wrestler. Remember how fun it was. The joy you felt. At Game Over, go out there and have fun. Be a kid again.”

[Elijah nods and lets put a smirk. Then Roy’s troubled and aspiring professional wrestler nephew sits next to Elijah for a second.]

Roy’s Nephew: “So this is Elijah Hampton. The guy my uncle cannot stop talking about. Even worse, the whole wrestling world can’t stop talking about you. You’ve become the new golden boy, the next in line! But I must say that on-screen and up close — even when I squint, I don’t see it. I don’t buy into the Elijah hype. I don’t see a guy that’s anywhere near Jacob Senn’s level. Nobody is. Perhaps, besides me one day. Because unlike you, he’s firing on all cylinders. You’re facing the best version of him. While the worst him could wrestle circles around you on any day of the week. Oh, but my poor leg! You could have three healthy legs and it wouldn’t matter. He’s still the teacher and you’re still the student. And at Game Over, he’s gonna school you.”

Elijah: “So that’s your introduction. Next time, a simple hello and a firm handshake would have sufficed. But I get it. You’re the new guy. Trying to pick a fight with the biggest dog in the yard. You’re trying to get your name out there off of my fame. Speaking of which, you haven’t even said what it was? Doesn’t matter. You’re just some nephew.”

Roy’s Nephew: “Yeah, well you’re lucky I have to go do some stretches. Otherwise, I would make an example out of you. You’ll see me in OWA soon enough. You better pray it’s not the same brand as you!”

Elijah: “I look forward to it.”

[Roy’s nephew walks away in disgust, purposely bumping into Elijah’s knee as hard as possible. Elijah needs a moment before he starts acting up.]

Roy: “Don’t do it. He’s not worth it. But I suppose that was a good exercise for you. Dealing with those who spew the hottest takes just to garner some attention. You’re becoming a cornerstone in OWA. And while most like it, some won’t. There isn’t a single wrestler out there that has a 100% approval rating from the fans. Especially once you officially make it. Like you will do at Game Over. Some will naturally turn on you. They will call you overrated. They will talk about who they would rather have as a world champion. Usually, guys that have already held the most prestigious titles this world has to offer. They don’t like change. They want things to stay the same. They want Jacob still as their champion. You can’t worry about it. Only worry about what you can control. Now go hit the ice bath, get that knee nice and healthy so you can become THE guy.”


“While you sit there comfortably in your ivory tower with your feet kicked up in your throne — smirking while you fondly ruminate about everything that’s gone right for you — you must feel untouchable with that title wrapped tightly around your waist, right? But you aren’t. You may think you are just like that title, as in being immortal, but I’ve seen you bleed. I’ve heard you huff and puff for air. Struggle has been written on your face time and time again. And a struggle is what you have in store at Game Over. You will struggle to put me away. You will struggle to find an answer to everything I throw at you. Fists, elbows, the kitchen sink, you name it. Because contrary to your unpopular belief, my hopes of becoming world champion don’t hinge on a prayer. You bring up fairytales and miracles as to how it’s my only shot in defeating you inside that ring. Meanwhile, little do you know, I’ve already beaten you outside of it. And at Game Over, I’m bringing out the brooms to complete the clean sweep. Your face, it must be puzzled right about now. Asking yourself how I’ve come to that conclusion. But no need to fret because unlike you Jacob, I will gladly elaborate on my bullet points instead of just briefly mentioning them and moving on with no facts or substance to back up your foolish claims. For the longest, you tried to break me and mold me into another you. You wanted to make me look through the same rose-tinted lens as you. As you offered guidance to help lead me down the same pathway as you did. I, on the other hand, being the free thinker that I am, showed zero interest in arriving at a dead end. Instead, I carved my own path. And that didn’t sit well with you. Because you thought you could easily manipulate the newer guy who lacked the experience to know any better. Like you did to Laz, like you did to Alex. But I didn’t break. No matter what you threw at me — in hopes of finding that final straw to break my back, I stood my ground and I stayed true to my values. While you have none to speak of."

"Look, I don’t want to be a sham like you. I don’t want your snake oil. I don’t want your empty promises or just your word in general. They mean nothing. I. Don’t. Like. You. I don’t like what you stand for. I don’t like how you handle your business. I don’t like your haircut. It’s dumb. You’re dumb. I don’t like you holding that title. I don’t like watching you take as many shortcuts as possible just because you can. You’re still too fucking good to be doing that bullshit. You’ve just become lazy. You didn’t want to see the process all the way through. You wanted the Immortal Heavyweight Championship instantly. Living in a microwave world. And yet, you thought I would share your mindset. It’s insulting, really. Thinking I would choose you over Darkane, Matt, and Iwade. Over the fans. Over my integrity. Which just goes to show you never really knew me. Which is rather depressing when you think about it because I used to spend hours upon hours with you in the same vehicle to shows. I used to train with you. I would eat meals with you. I spent more time with you and the rest of Dynasty than my own flesh and blood. And yet, I might as well be a stranger to you. Funnily enough, for a while, I wished you were a stranger. So I could just forget about you. So I wouldn’t have to be reminded of the death of my once friend. But whether I like it or not, you’ve had a hand in my career. Meaning, you’ve been tattooed into my life. You’re something I’ll never fully get rid of. I can try. I can try and cover you up. I can try to remove you all together with some lasers. But even then, there will be a scar that you created. And that scar serves as a reminder of everything you’ve done. Because I don’t want to forget. I know I’ve said this before on a few different occasions, but years later, when everyone decides to forgive you and label you as this beloved and honest hardworking guy, I won’t be fooled. That scar won’t let me.”

“Meanwhile, my face, while many dreams about it — for you it will only ignite nightmares. Because you’re looking at the face of the guy that is about to erase your entire kingdom from existence. Just mere castles in the sky is what you will be left with. Because your throne will be mine. Your crown, will be fine. And your Immortal Heavyweight Championship? You guessed it, it will of course be mine. You know it to be true. It’s why you’ve exhausted yourself in first trying to desperately recruit me and when that didn’t pan out, you then secondly tried to make sure I would never be physically fit enough to ever compete for your title. Anything to keep me away from eyeing world championship gold. While you wear the many hats. As a friend and as a foe. But it didn’t seem to do much because I’m still here. Standing in your way. Like the story says! Narrated by ‘Him!’ Let’s talk about that. Let’s talk about how you keep clutching onto this. You personally don’t believe in it, or so you say. Yet you keep mentioning it. You’re sending mixed signals here. But this book, you’re using it. As a get-out-of-jail-free card. It’s something you can use to save face. That you only lost to Elijah Hampton because your gods pre-wrote it. There was nothing you could do — you’re damn right. Because as time passes and we get closer to Game Over, I can see the droplets of sweat forming on your brow, Jacob. Your posture is weaker than normal. Your voice is shaky. Your thoughts and sentences are all over the place. You are holding onto that title much harder than usual. Because you know that your days as champion are numbered."

"At the end of the day, that's all that matters: that championship. But I'm not so sure you agree. Because towards the end of your spiel -- and what a spiel it was, you went into great detail about how you want to harm me. You want to break my bones, tear my ligaments, and bruise every square inch of my body. I too would love to do that to you, I won't lie. I want to do that and then some. I would say I am going to rip your spine out of your frail body, but you clearly don't have one. But sure, you will leave a mark or two on my temple of a body. This is a world championship match after all! Neither of us is going to leave this match unscathed. This is what I signed up for. While you are too busy signing your soul away to the devil. For what? To turn back the clock and reclaim your youth right? Motherfucker, aren't you in your early 30's still? You are already out of your prime? Shit, life hits you fast. But I hit harder. And at Game Over, I am going to hit you where it hurts you the most. Taking that title from you trumps all the physical threats. Because that is when you lose everything. That is when you go back to doing fuck all. And every week, while you sit in catering, eating your troubles away, you will get to see me celebrate with my championship on the big screen. Now usually, I handle my success with grace. But just for you, I will be the sorest winner this world has ever seen. Shoving my crowning achievement in your face every chance I get. Kicking you while you are already down. You know, common hero stuff? As you know, I have never identified myself as such. I'm not some role model. I have made plenty of mistakes. And I have plenty of skulls in my closet. I am only the hero in this story because I am the lesser of two evils. But I do agree that by decimating you this week and putting an end to your reign, it will be me making a beeline to the phone booth to save the day. And because I am feeling generous, I hope you know I won't forget about you, for I will be saving you as well. The darkness that clouds your better judgment, will be no more. The voices in your head, will be no more. Meaning when our match is over and the dust has settled, you can finally rest."

"It's okay, Jacob, I got it from here."

 



(The video feed starts with nothing but a black screen but then focuses on DT The Ruler, doing a variety of exercises in a private gym with one of his trainers, starting with the Bench Press and then going to Pull Ups, then One-Armed Push-Ups, Barbell Squat, and then ending with a 5K run)

…There’s always been one goal, one objective that stood out in my mind more than any other. Of course, in the Professional Wrestling world, if your objectives do not include becoming a World Champion, standing above all competition as the overall best, the one everyone has to respect, the one everyone has to overcome if they want that same place on the mountaintop, the one the children want to be like when they grow up and the women want to sleep with when their husband isn’t home and the one the young adult males entranced by the Internet refer to as a Giga Chad or #BASED Alpha, then you’re best off doing something else. Like every other athlete, like every other competitor worth facing as well as emulating, the main goals remain the same. The path does differ, however, but that does not mean the end changes…

(DT The Ruler is then shown in a Wrestling ring in a closed off gym, practicing against a local wrestler, working on his mobility and practicing his escapes from various holds and takedown attempts)

…The coming weekend I did not believe would come so suddenly. In the distant past, back in the other organizations I wrestled in, working towards the Championship was a much steeper, more turbulent scramble. And it was expected: Professional Wrestling is a sport where people are constantly tested of their willpower. Subpar Titleholders aren’t acceptable for any company worthy of respect; frail competitors get shoveled out regularly. The pretenders, posers, and those with more imagination than step-by-step action in the real world do not make it through the strainer created by the business…

(DT The Ruler is then shown in a bathrobe and slippers, being led to an outside swimming pool area by a maid and two members of his personal security)

…And yet, despite being Outlaw Champion, despite being in a World Championship match for OWA’s next event, Game Over: one title eludes me.

(DT The Ruler sat down in a chair with a table next to it, with the sky being a clear blue and no noise being heard; it was just him by the water with his thoughts)


It’s almost time for the biggest opportunity of my time in OWA, one both unexpected and well overdue in my opinion. Let me remind those listening and also warn everyone that I’ve been in this predicament before. Six-Pack Challenge for a World Championship against five of CWF’s strongest, with myself being the least experienced in Professional Wrestling on a major scale. I was coming off a major loss at a PPV or so before that match, demoralized because I was inches away from winning that grudge match I had with one Boogie Woogie Pretty Boy. Anger and frustration did not seem to be paying off; being just bitter did not work out. Being depressed does nothing in Professional Wrestling. That cage match was one of the reasons my demeanor went through major growing pains before I subdued myself, as being calm contributed to increasing my concentration on greater things than just beating out some guy in a contest that meant little in the grand scheme. But that Six-Pack Challenge came for the World Championship, which included that very man...


I know how people feel in regards to past accomplishments. Times change, standards change, competitors are supposedly faster and stronger now, blah, blah, blah; I’m sure I can line up some nonsensical counterarguments one Skip Bayless pulls out of his ass for ratings and apply them, but I rather be a little more intelligent and not do so. But the reason I mention that contest is because this one-just like that one- was one I did not expect to be included in. Title opportunities seem very random at times, and in this part of the business, it appears title opportunities and even wins can manifest in many ways. However, as true as that is, nothing is more indisputable than winning a Championship the old fashion way. Of course, some other stat nerd may try to conjure up excuses, but if a win comes via pinfall, via submission: there’s not much that can be discussed. Conversation is pretty much over, as few care about punches landed when there’s a knockout.  

Even with the OWA Outlaw Championship in my possession, I carry that belt understanding that despite putting down Alejandro De Leon so brutally that he hasn’t recovered since, and also beating Mr. Holden Tudics that he disappeared while holding one L, Final Destination 4’s outcome still haunts this reign. An undisputed win at Game Over solidifies myself as not just a legitimate contender or even just as Kingdom’s best, but also one very close to that other status I crave for.

Despite that, I did hear Mr. Raivo speak, and the way that man is thinking going into this contest is exactly what I want. He gets it. He understands what this is and what this can mean for not just myself by him as well. Ever since he won the Spartan Championship, all he’s done is take on every challenge in front of him, even those that had no business being in the ring with him. From Mr. Jason Long attacking him to Mr. Stark getting smoked up and disrespecting his work in front of a live audience, he has a lot of anger built-up inside from moments like those. And both of us are pretty pissed off after what Mr. Michael Bishop decided to do at Kingdom. Mr. Raivo at this point is tired of the embarrassment, the constant disrespect and marginalization of who he is as a competitor of this business, so I know he’s going to show up in Seoul ready to fight for his dignity. I may be much calmer now, much more impartial in expressions, but I see a lot of my past, rebellious self in him, as I dealt with a lot of disregards when I was coming up in the business as well. And if that rings true, Mr. Raivo is going to be the toughest to put down, if at all. He gets that unlike some of these other partnerships going on in OWA, Mr. Raivo knows that when it’s time to compete, we can do that and not pray for your associate’s absolute downfall. Neither of us have a Westbrookian way of looking at contests, where in his case: everyone was an enemy but the basketball in his hands. Black People grow up having to compete with everyone, so it’s no surprise he is mentally prepared in this way, and that’s all I want from anyone. As I’ve said before: may the best man win.


I’m not as encouraging; I’m not going to be as nice and respectful. And by now both Mr. Michael Bishop and Mr. Myojin should realize that. And at this point, with this being a possible legacy contest for me, I’m not pulling punches, taking sympathy, or holding my tongue as to how I feel about them. Just look at Mr. Myojin. Look at him honestly. The boy’s been getting told by everyone and their mother for months what he should do to be considered great, and yet he still does…that. That bullshit, that weak-ass shit I’ve seen others go through in their careers. The boy’s been told repeatedly by other people he has all the talent and skill some wish they had, all the ability of a future legend, and yet when people- albeit bluntly- tell his arrogant ass what to do and he doesn’t do it, he wonders why no one takes him seriously. To this day in any sport, no role players get the same respect as the main leaders and the ones looked at as the Superstar; that’s why Mr. Robert Horry doesn’t get mentioned in anyone’s Top 10. And before our first meeting, where I faced him and Mr. Jodan Jonouchi, I told him what he needed to consider doing, especially since I’ve experienced a similar problem. I remember the Kings Court, a group I was associated with led by King Kjors when he was around, and what that almost did not just to myself but one Mr. Carlos Rosso before he became the monster he became. I remember when I temporarily teamed with one Mr. Tyler A and everyone and their mother across the Wrestling circuit would not let that go once we separated, even after I managed to win the CWF World Heavyweight Championship. It’s too bad his ego is blinding him from the words of wisdom even Carlos’ younger sister implored him with. His ears are so clogged that he believes people are underestimating him intentionally, when he’s done it himself. Anyone can talk a big game, can talk that shit with the right instrumental in the background, but actions change perception. This boy needs to show A LOT to The Ruler because his words are falling short.

And that goes for Mr. Bishop as well. I made my point clear days ago; I still stand by what I said in that I’m taking no sympathy for that man and his struggle. Understanding one’s circumstance, hearing the person out and learning the story of their struggle to be where they are now does not equate to empathy. This business harbors legends, male and female, who have heartlessly crippled many in their path, left bodies to rot in the ring as they held up trophies and belts exclusively benefiting themselves, intentionally broken spirits and families in the name of personal conquest, all for self-seeking and selfish gain, but gain they had to put their nose to the grindstone for And for The Ruler to become the legend I believe I am, I HAVE TO feel nothing and let that carry me against a man who thought approaching within a hundred feet of a successful businessman, attacking a former World Champion, and blindsiding a fellow champion that can very well look him in the eyes sadistically, rip his boyhood dream from his chest, and smash it under his loafers was a good idea. Mr. Bishop, though, compared to Mr. Myojin, has shown that he’s got some fearlessness to come at another Champion with that level of vigor and rage, topped off with insolence! It reminded me of when I returned from a neck injury after being assaulted by a group led by some never-was who went by the name Avalanche, with Heart Break Boy and Lioncross included in that, and I came back out of shape with nothing but madness. I was literally a Bull in a China Shop with the way I returned, and it took a lot of failure understanding the environment to become a lot better than what I was. A reason I spoke of Mr. Bishop the way I did was because I know a lot about what he’s experiencing because I went through similar things. When I returned, a majority of people did not give me flowers or applaud my recovery; all I could do was express psychosis about what happened to me.



In my time in this business, rage like that leads to little reward. Rage doesn’t lead to happy endings. All it does is leave your eyes pretty red and your neck veins ready to burst. And with this opportunity to leave with two championship belts in hand, The Ruler has to be more focused than mad, more attentive than bloodthirsty. And as much as I love the sight of my enemies and targets bleeding in the face, the sight of championship gold in my hands makes for better photos, makes for better headlines, and makes for a better legacy. I know I’m not the primary target by anyone in this contest, despite being a champion as well, but I will fight like I am that. But I promise I will not let ANOTHER get away with the type of nonsense Mr. Bishop pulled any longer. Ali Gory learned that the hard way, and despite The Ruler still thinking about getting back at others who pulled shenanigans against Yours Truly, standing over them with Championship Gold may be good enough.


I’m going to be honest. One of the most painful things I experienced since returning was witnessing many of my peers, many wrestlers of the past when I was younger, who started at the same time as myself, become legends in the ring. Many are certified Hall of Famers for multiple organizations. Many have won titles everywhere they went, several times over. And then there’s myself. I looked at the many names of my peers who are considered legends now, and then I looked at myself again in the mirror, still not in the conversations with them for whatever reason. A close associate of mine, Mr. Carlos Rosso, is one of them. Then of course Mr. Moongoose McQueen, and then there’s other workhorses like Mr. Jaywalker, and it felt like I did it wrong, as I’m still competing while most of them aren’t. Which is not true. For those who look beyond the Box Score, it appears like compared to all those others, all of the people of my generation, I did not do enough. I did not fight enough wars, did not push enough competitors to their limits and still defeat them, nor did I fill my trophy room with enough triumphs. And my current Trophy Room is pretty nice, but it still feels like I can add more. Much more. A LOT MORE than what I have. It honestly should have more than what is there now. I’m sure there’s the injury excuse, the breaks, the constant fluctuations as I learned the ins and outs of Professional Wrestling being a competitor, learning the intangibles that separate the good, the great, and the exceptional. Just fighting for your perceived worth isn’t satisfactory to reach that title I desire most; you have to supersede that standard by the means in front of you and then some.

But this match coming can help separate myself from the others and reach closer to being legendary, to being in those conversations as one of the Greatest of All Time. I am under the understanding that even with this win, some may still question my worthiness. Some may even go on and not even mention DT The Ruler amongst the many top names of my past that received that brass ring of Legendary Status. The late great Bill Russell to this day has more NBA Championships to his name than Michael Jordan and LeBron James put together, but let these beat writers and analysts tell you the story, he still isn’t mentioned for trivial reasons. The goalpost does get moved at times, the rubrics are different from person to person, especially with the team dynamic, but with individuals fighting each other to be the Top Individual, the measurements of greatness are easier to examine and discern.

And that’s what this match can be: a chance for anyone to solidify themselves as great, especially Yours Truly. Specifically, Yours Truly. Kingdom’s atmosphere will indeed be rocked by the results of this OWA World and Outlaw Championship match. The whole atmosphere can change depending on who manages to come out on top.

 

 

 

Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. If these words have not rang true for what has been provided from Elijah Hampton on the eve of his destruction at Game Over, what has the world been listening to?

Elijah has stated that he’s all about listening to people, right? Listening to the needs of these sheep in the audience, yeah? Being forced to listen to what he has assumed to be simple drivel coming out of my mouth every single time that I speak? Tripping over my words and fumbling around like an idiot in his eyes through what he called broken record rhetoric? No, Elijah is a selective listener. Elijah wants to take what he wants to hear from the words I have spoken and twist them around to control his own narrative into walking into Game Over as a resounding hero in the eyes of the people, but that’s always been the case. Nothing has changed here because this has always been the modus operandi of Elijah Hampton. Be the storyteller to weave a tale about how he was only a mere hired gun for The Dynasty. He tells this fable to make you empathetic towards him as he lies about being forced to deal with a bitter veteran while being held back from his promise. However, weren’t you the Prestige Champion? Weren’t you the one who had all this spotlight placed before him as the future? Who was holding you back? Not only that, but he will continue with his story to try and make it out like he was a shoulder for me to cry on and a burden to carry on his back. Please, don’t even try to play this out like you had some sort of compassion for me. At every single opportunity, you and The Dynasty made me out to be the fall guy for your vanity. Hardcore Havoc, Civil War, you name the place and that’s been the case. However, this was all part of the reason why you were brought into the fold of The Dynasty. If Elijah Hampton has anything of merit in this business, he knows how to be a smooth talker with the silver tongue he has been graced with since birth. If you have anything that you can say makes you a cut above the rest here in this industry, it’s the way you’re able to articulate masterfully the fiction you want the world to accept as truth. However, all the artful poetry you create tends to make you only listen to your own lip service as you hope for it to allow the world to be behind you. It makes you blind to the truth. Instead of using your eyes to be able to realize all of the lies you have been spouting, or simply listen truthfully for one moment, you could actually see the truth in all of this. However, heroes aren’t really known for being empathetic towards the source of their woes, right? Not known from seeing the other perspective at the other side of their war? No, the only thing they know is the conquering of the villain they have created to be placed within their story. For you, you’ve had plenty of reason to do that to me because quite frankly, I gave you no reason otherwise for my actions as of late, but you know what I speak isn’t a fabrication. Even with His dark gift and the metaphorical sermon delivered to you, you should be able to look into my eyes and be able to know without question if there is deception within them. I’ll go ahead and ask away.

Am I lying to you and these people, Elijah?

I already know your answer though, so don’t think too hard about it. Of course I am, right? I’m the villain in your story. There’s no way I can be able to tell the truth about anything related to this bitter rivalry. The Hero certainly couldn’t be weaving his own tale, but I’m here to make it clear as day. This Hero that the world has always been clamoring for to put an end to the reign of The Goetial King? This man who stands before me as the final member of a forsaken brotherhood to finally put away in the past instead of allowing to haunt my reign with its ghostly presence? He is only a man consumed by bitterness and greed. He’s allowed these maladies into his heart because right now, he is forced to watch me reign as Immortal Heavyweight Champion as he tends to the brutalized and maimed leg on the road for the epilogue of this grand journey. The Hero wants you to believe he is better than this, better than the vices of jealousy and greed, to be able to stand on the moral high ground when faced with men of deplorable nature. For those who seek the truth, though? The truth of the matter is while he sat under the learning tree of The Dynasty, he was no better than the rest of the false brothers who decided to leave me to toil in the shadows while they chased after their own vainglorious desires like dogs to cars. Paint the picture of me being some sort of vagrant in my own creation if you want, Elijah. The fiction that you weren’t one of the many to leave me behind to be figuratively crucified in the middle of the ring at Hardcore Havoc and Civil War, go ahead and make a work of art out that. Do what you feel you have to do to make sure the fact you were not only more focused in keeping the Prestige Championship or using The Dynasty as a way to propel yourself forward into the place where you are today instead of being the brotherhood of prestige and honor I wished it was is brushed underneath the rug, okay? For the fact remains, they will all be fantasy created masterfully by the art of the spoken word you are able to create. Heroic fantasy no doubt, but still lies that you will tell these people in the effort of providing hope. Hope that what you have considered a dark cloud hanging over the entire industry in my reign will be put to an end. Hope that you will finally have your moment in the sun in becoming world champion for the very first time in your career. Hope you will have achieved the benchmark that many before you have never been able to accomplish.

Hope that I will do everything in my power to bastardize and shatter until it has been whittled away into despair. Despair that will open to doors to a new era forged my His will.

He has promised me a new era in this industry, Elijah. What you would make out to be nothing more than voices of a schizophrenic mind gone mad, His word is a promise that has been kept and will be realized. He promised unto me the Immortal Heavyweight Championship should I provide The Dynasty as a tribute to that cause. What happened? I stand before you with this championship on my shoulder as my crown to the title of Goetial King. I was promised to be gifted with the return of my youth and exuberance at my prime as if a second wind had been provided and what has happened? I’ve fought in the most brutal and destructive matches known to man in this industry and still, remain without an injury inflicted upon my body while you stand with a clipped wing. He promised a hero would attempt to rise out of the ashes of The Dynasty and wage war against me for the crown I sold my soul for. Well, would you look at what has become of this match everyone is talking about for Game Over? A man who could be considered a hero of the people born out of the ashes of The Dynasty in Elijah Hampton, seeking retribution upon the man who killed his very own creation to take what would have been kept away from him by his false brothers. All of this has been promised by Him. All of this was foretold and destined to happen. He has not led me astray and certainly, the gifts He provides will not be put to waste as they have already proven their usefulness. He has brought forth acolytes to assist in defending this championship from the knaves and thieves who would intend to steal it. The dark power He has been able to offer unto me and all of the gifts that have followed behind it, you cannot deny the validity of what they have become. There are no fabricated voices bringing this all to fruition. There is no imaginary friend guiding this industry towards the new era through calamity. It is His will for this to happen and as his vessel, I am the one who will enact His will upon those who dare oppose it. However, you have presented a decent question throughout the guile you have stated.

What happens when He has vanished from this vessel and I am forced to return to my former self?

You are right that there have been many before me who have been able to be given the honor to be a vessel for Him. He has been in this world for many eons and could be considered a great darkness that you have many names for. Many have considered Him to be a great evil, the greatest enemy of the world itself, but I consider Him to be the greatest ally I have ever been gifted with. For these acolytes who stand by my side in Alex Carter, Lazarus Arjen, and even Michelangelo for a mere few moments, they are only here because of the path provided by Him. Without Him, where would I be right now? Still left in the shadows of The Dynasty while you and Matt Miles fought for the spotlight to be placed upon you? It is horrible to even ponder upon, but I was blessed as being a chosen vessel for Him to do what needs to be done in this industry. We have a common bond in the desire we both share for this industry. Deliver a calamity upon the current regime of this industry, reduce it down into ruin with nothing of the past left remaining, and rebuild the foundation from the rubble into a new kingdom under His rule. As His vessel, it would become my rule as Goetial King for this new kingdom to be ruled through His will. This is the difference between what these other gods and entities have been failing to do because you are right that in most cases, one grand fall is all it takes to lose those gifts in the snap of their fingers. One moment and everything they had been promised, every gift they have been provided, it is taken away from them and they are returned to their mortal self. As for Him, I have found through my experiences and conversations with Him, He is more determined and resolute in his desire than what you would probably give him credit for. He has waited eons for this without a vessel to serve as his host, lost in the void and waiting for a desperate soul to create a pact with, what would a loss to cause the mission to need another few years be in His eyes? What would the loss of this Immortal Heavyweight Championship be at Game Over if there was an opportunity to reclaim the crown in what could be a fleeting moment to Him? Do not let this lead you to believe that I will not fight with every inch of my soul and body to make sure this crown stays with me. Do not allow yourself to be fooled into thinking that you will not have to kill me inside of those ropes to secure this championship in your possession. However, I find Him to be more patient and unyielding in his desire to see this kingdom born out of calamity. Even with all of that, if there was a chance that He would abandon me if He found me to no longer be a suitable vessel for Him?

There would be no change in my desire. There would be no chance of being a hero for this industry. I would still desire the same ivory towers of vanity and greed in this industry to be made into ruin and build my kingdom of prestige and honor on top of them.

I think that’s what you have me confused about, Elijah. You think I want a clean slate after all of this has been done, but I already told you before that I don’t have anything to atone for. I did what was right and everyone around me who finds themselves too proud to see that, they are the ones who should seek atonement. They are the ones who should bow down onto their hands and knees before me and seek forgiveness for what they allowed The Dynasty to do to me. Seek absolution for the crime of making it where the only way out of the pit of obscurity The Dynasty placed me within was to accept this pact with Him. You believe me to be someone as weak as Chris Sabertooth, wiping his mask of Havoc away to claim to have been in a fugue state during that time, not accepting what he had done? You are not the only one who has the memory of an elephant because not only do I intend to not forget about these moments under His will, but I don’t want you to forget about this either. I want the memories of the pain I inflicted upon you to be eternal, I want them to haunt your memory for the rest of your days, and I want you to suffer in knowing that you tried everything possible to put an end to this only to be met with disappointing failure by my hand. All of this anger that you have stored within you, all of the wrath you have in your soul, the burning hatred that pierces through your eyes, all of those feelings are the same ones I felt when I was left behind by you and the rest of my false brothers when they decided to choose themselves over the brotherhood. Every feeling of hurt and betrayal you felt, I felt when I was left alone in the shadows of the creation I made. Choosing yourself when you abandoned me in the middle of the ring at Hardcore Havoc to protect your Prestige Championship. Choosing yourself when you decided to care more about the spotlight at Civil War instead of the brotherhood. And even now? Only unless you have had something to gain from it, you have come to be a way to retribution for the false brothers you claim to represent in this match. I’ve wanted you to suffer as I have suffered. I want you to experience the pain of being someone who has been not only betrayed, but who has been wronged at every single opportunity to have it be so. I want you to experience the loneliness as everyone around you has been dismantled to the point of no return, know the harrowing feeling that there is no escape for the eventual plummet into the pit of obscurity, and to realize that everything that you have worked towards has been for naught when you are left with the visage of me standing over you with the Immortal Heavyweight Championship remaining on my shoulder.

With this match, I want you to do the one thing that you will have never expected to be able to do in this entire journey to Game Over. I want you to gain perspective. My perspective.

There is only one way for you to be able to gain that perspective and that’s through your destruction at Game Over. Whether you will accept that perspective or remain the stubborn Hero that will not allow any sort of empathy to be shared to the villain of your story, that’s entirely up to you. The only things I hope to achieve from this confrontation between us is that you share in the suffering I have been forced to endure, as if you were staring out a window to view my state in the shadows of The Dynasty, and leave you broken to the point of no return to remain Immortal Heavyweight Champion. For me to be able to allow you to gain any sort of insight into the state I was in when I decided to accept this pact, you’ll have to reach a point of misery where no light of hope can break through the darkness. I’ll have to break your bones in ways that you never thought your bones could be harmed in. I’ll have to tear your muscles to the point where the slightest movement would cause a searing pain throughout your body and reduce a man of pride like you to tears. I will have to make sure the crimson plasma flows to the point where the canvas is covered in an ocean for you to drown in and you are on the brink of blacking out from the blood loss. I will have to shatter your psyche to the point where you are in constant despair and pleading for the suffering to end. That is the fate and destiny awaiting you at Game Over, Elijah. That’s the punishment you will endure for your pride and arrogance. Once your penance has been served, maybe you will see what I saw. Maybe my perspective will be known and two words will be uttered when the new kingdom arises.

Thank you.