Post by EmbodimentOfFear on May 8, 2021 19:08:42 GMT -5
Robert Ooley, the Director of Human Resources of the Unified Global Wrestling Coalition, pours himself a helping of Maker’s Mark as he stands in his office in the middle of a work day.
“Robert.”
Ooley startles, spilling the liquid on his shirt.
“Fuck’s sake, I’ve told you to stop fucking doing that.”
Ooley grabs a napkin and dabs his shirt, before glaring at his visitor.
“The fuck you want, Scared?”
“It occured to me that perhaps too much time has passed since either of us sought the counsel of the other. Evidently far too much, given your reaction.”
“Or not nearly enough. You’ve actually got a lot of nerve showing up here right now.”
“What leads you to that conclusion?”
Ooley grunts and pours himself a fresh drink.
“Incursion was a disaster. Balls got dropped left and right, Hamstrings had what I can only assume was a psychotic break of some kind, and one of our supposed pillars of UGWC, that would be your worthless ass, couldn’t be fucked to show up.”
“I was recovering from an unfortunate chain of events at Ignition.”
“You fell down a fire pit. You’re supposed to walk that shit off.”
“A fascinating hypothesis. It was an unfortunate set of circumstances, to be certain, but I did find illumination.”
Ooley, about to sip his drink, stops and goes back to the bottle to pour more into the glass.
“I recognize now that I am burdened with great purpose.”
“Well fuck me sideways. Did your diary get torched too, or can you just go write this shit in there?”
“The time has come for a change, and I shall be the catalyst.”
Ooley stares at him before chugging his double shot. He turns to pour himself another shot, and as he turns back Phrixus is gone.
“I’m gonna padlock the goddamn door and bar the fucking windows.”
May 7
I have seen many faces come and go over the years, one era fading into the next, some things changing while other things remain constant. The Devil’s Most Wanted nearly tore UGWC asunder. Lucy Wylde upended the apple cart. The Cool Kids realigned entire dynamics. Every time that the roster becomes too comfortable, someone or someones come along to remind everyone just how fragile their place truly is, a Sloane Taylor or Hide Yamazaki or either a literal or figurative tempest. The next game-changing superstar is always waiting around the corner.
I have come to recognize that Centurion may be that next star. By Monday night, his reign as Cross-Hemisphere Champion will be the fourth longest in the UGWC era. While not the most dominant force to come through the coalition, he is consistent and has established a proven track record of success in the moments that matter most.
It was only a few months ago when Centurion defeated me for the Cross-Hemisphere Title, but that is when my mind was clouded and my purpose unclear. I had allowed myself to be led astray and consumed by a darkness that did not suit me, a darkness I nearly lost myself to. Yet I have been reborn in the flames, done a great service by the fate that befell me at Ignition. I see clearly for the first time in far too long, and I know what it is that must be done.
Two months ago I believed that defeating Centurion was my responsibility and obligation, that it was something that was best for all of us, both he and I as well as the title itself. I was right, but my logic and reasoning was flawed. Now I go to Synergy once again to challenge Centurion for the Cross-Hemisphere Championship, but my purpose has at last been fully revealed to me.
I see now that Centurion has been a champion that the Cross-Hemisphere Title deserved, and I must honor him in the only way that is appropriate.
By defeating him for it.
The static of your feed fades into the image of a poorly lit room, a few flickering candles providing the only illuminance. Phrixus is oriented facing the camera, his head down as he sits backwards on a chair.
“Centurion.”
He lifts his head to look at the camera.
“I owe you an apology. Not that long ago I misjudged you.”
Phrixus slowly stands and begins to walk around the chair, keeping one hand in contact with it.
“I sat in this very room, circled this chair as I am right now, and I pontificated on your actions and achievements. I thought you to be a pretender to the throne. You had come to UGWC as a grizzled veteran come to conquer new territory, and I was under the belief that you view the precious Cross-Hemisphere Championship as a mere pit stop on your journey to that which you viewed to be bigger and better things. I recall telling you very specifically that your greed had tainted my legacy and that your reach had exceeded your grasp. Yet my recent experiences has altered my perspective, my time of recovery allowing me to step back and observe the larger scope of events.”
Phrixus stops directly in front of the camera.
“I speak to you today to tell you that you have done justice by the Cross-Hemisphere Championship after all.”
Phrixus continues his slow orbit.
“You won the championship at Horizons, and there is no grander stage on which to do so. You represented the championship in the Global Challenge tournament, spotlighting it as you defended the title in the finals of the tournament, the main event of Infinity while the World Title was defended as an afterthought in the undercard. You have been prepared to defend against all comers, unfazed by the potential for various challengers at Ignition. You represented UGWC as the Cross-Hemisphere Champion and were victorious at Incursion. Through it all you have carried yourself with distinction and honor. I am here today to tell you that you have done your part. You can rest now.”
Having completed his orbit, Phrixus returns to his seat.
“You have elevated the Cross-Hemisphere Title with your actions during your reign, and its legacy is grateful to you for it. It is time now for you to move on. You are the Keeper of the Global Challenge Key. Doubtless you will wish to challenge yourself in the Outlast Tournament or the Battleground Match in the months ahead, and there is no reason to doubt that you will be a serious contender in both. Eventually you will turn your attention to the pursuit of the main event of Horizons. I am here to relieve you of the burden of the Cross-Hemisphere legacy and free you to pursue your next conquest. You have but one final task to complete, and that is for our match on Synergy to honor the legacy as your reign has done all along. This is why I focused on the others in our match last week, I sought to protect you so that you are at your best for your swan song. The championship and I thank you for all that you have done, but now the time has come for me to take the baton from you, and I will keep it safe until a new worthy holder can be found to honor the both of us as you have. I bid you good fortune in your next chapter, but for now, you may simply rest.”
Phrixus lowers his head.
“Your watch is ended.”
The image of the feed fades back to static.
“Robert.”
Ooley startles, spilling the liquid on his shirt.
“Fuck’s sake, I’ve told you to stop fucking doing that.”
Ooley grabs a napkin and dabs his shirt, before glaring at his visitor.
“The fuck you want, Scared?”
“It occured to me that perhaps too much time has passed since either of us sought the counsel of the other. Evidently far too much, given your reaction.”
“Or not nearly enough. You’ve actually got a lot of nerve showing up here right now.”
“What leads you to that conclusion?”
Ooley grunts and pours himself a fresh drink.
“Incursion was a disaster. Balls got dropped left and right, Hamstrings had what I can only assume was a psychotic break of some kind, and one of our supposed pillars of UGWC, that would be your worthless ass, couldn’t be fucked to show up.”
“I was recovering from an unfortunate chain of events at Ignition.”
“You fell down a fire pit. You’re supposed to walk that shit off.”
“A fascinating hypothesis. It was an unfortunate set of circumstances, to be certain, but I did find illumination.”
Ooley, about to sip his drink, stops and goes back to the bottle to pour more into the glass.
“I recognize now that I am burdened with great purpose.”
“Well fuck me sideways. Did your diary get torched too, or can you just go write this shit in there?”
“The time has come for a change, and I shall be the catalyst.”
Ooley stares at him before chugging his double shot. He turns to pour himself another shot, and as he turns back Phrixus is gone.
“I’m gonna padlock the goddamn door and bar the fucking windows.”
* * * * *
May 7
I have seen many faces come and go over the years, one era fading into the next, some things changing while other things remain constant. The Devil’s Most Wanted nearly tore UGWC asunder. Lucy Wylde upended the apple cart. The Cool Kids realigned entire dynamics. Every time that the roster becomes too comfortable, someone or someones come along to remind everyone just how fragile their place truly is, a Sloane Taylor or Hide Yamazaki or either a literal or figurative tempest. The next game-changing superstar is always waiting around the corner.
I have come to recognize that Centurion may be that next star. By Monday night, his reign as Cross-Hemisphere Champion will be the fourth longest in the UGWC era. While not the most dominant force to come through the coalition, he is consistent and has established a proven track record of success in the moments that matter most.
It was only a few months ago when Centurion defeated me for the Cross-Hemisphere Title, but that is when my mind was clouded and my purpose unclear. I had allowed myself to be led astray and consumed by a darkness that did not suit me, a darkness I nearly lost myself to. Yet I have been reborn in the flames, done a great service by the fate that befell me at Ignition. I see clearly for the first time in far too long, and I know what it is that must be done.
Two months ago I believed that defeating Centurion was my responsibility and obligation, that it was something that was best for all of us, both he and I as well as the title itself. I was right, but my logic and reasoning was flawed. Now I go to Synergy once again to challenge Centurion for the Cross-Hemisphere Championship, but my purpose has at last been fully revealed to me.
I see now that Centurion has been a champion that the Cross-Hemisphere Title deserved, and I must honor him in the only way that is appropriate.
By defeating him for it.
* * * * *
The static of your feed fades into the image of a poorly lit room, a few flickering candles providing the only illuminance. Phrixus is oriented facing the camera, his head down as he sits backwards on a chair.
“Centurion.”
He lifts his head to look at the camera.
“I owe you an apology. Not that long ago I misjudged you.”
Phrixus slowly stands and begins to walk around the chair, keeping one hand in contact with it.
“I sat in this very room, circled this chair as I am right now, and I pontificated on your actions and achievements. I thought you to be a pretender to the throne. You had come to UGWC as a grizzled veteran come to conquer new territory, and I was under the belief that you view the precious Cross-Hemisphere Championship as a mere pit stop on your journey to that which you viewed to be bigger and better things. I recall telling you very specifically that your greed had tainted my legacy and that your reach had exceeded your grasp. Yet my recent experiences has altered my perspective, my time of recovery allowing me to step back and observe the larger scope of events.”
Phrixus stops directly in front of the camera.
“I speak to you today to tell you that you have done justice by the Cross-Hemisphere Championship after all.”
Phrixus continues his slow orbit.
“You won the championship at Horizons, and there is no grander stage on which to do so. You represented the championship in the Global Challenge tournament, spotlighting it as you defended the title in the finals of the tournament, the main event of Infinity while the World Title was defended as an afterthought in the undercard. You have been prepared to defend against all comers, unfazed by the potential for various challengers at Ignition. You represented UGWC as the Cross-Hemisphere Champion and were victorious at Incursion. Through it all you have carried yourself with distinction and honor. I am here today to tell you that you have done your part. You can rest now.”
Having completed his orbit, Phrixus returns to his seat.
“You have elevated the Cross-Hemisphere Title with your actions during your reign, and its legacy is grateful to you for it. It is time now for you to move on. You are the Keeper of the Global Challenge Key. Doubtless you will wish to challenge yourself in the Outlast Tournament or the Battleground Match in the months ahead, and there is no reason to doubt that you will be a serious contender in both. Eventually you will turn your attention to the pursuit of the main event of Horizons. I am here to relieve you of the burden of the Cross-Hemisphere legacy and free you to pursue your next conquest. You have but one final task to complete, and that is for our match on Synergy to honor the legacy as your reign has done all along. This is why I focused on the others in our match last week, I sought to protect you so that you are at your best for your swan song. The championship and I thank you for all that you have done, but now the time has come for me to take the baton from you, and I will keep it safe until a new worthy holder can be found to honor the both of us as you have. I bid you good fortune in your next chapter, but for now, you may simply rest.”
Phrixus lowers his head.
“Your watch is ended.”
The image of the feed fades back to static.
