Post by New Brotherhood on Dec 7, 2023 11:46:25 GMT -5
My Shot
In the quiet sanctuary of Owen's apartment, the warm glow of lamplight danced softly against the walls. The ambiance was set by the gentle hum of contentment as Lexa, the radiant red-haired enchantress, reclined on the couch. Adorned in nothing but an oversized Foo Fighters T-shirt, she embodied a serene charm that echoed the simplicity of their shared moments.
Fenrir, the once ominous hellhound turned loyal German Shepherd, sprawled nearby, a testament to the mystical journey they'd embarked upon together. The apartment, now touched by Lexa's presence, resonated with a unique magic—the kind that comes not from incantations or enchantments, but from the ordinary moments shared by two souls entwined.
As Owen absorbed the scene before him, a sense of gratitude welled within. Amidst the chaos of a world brimming with mystical wonders, there was an unparalleled enchantment in the ordinary. He marveled at the beauty of these simple moments, where the love he held for Lexa and the loyalty of Fenrir blended seamlessly, creating a magical tapestry of their everyday existence.
“What are you looking at?” Lexa said with a seductive, sly smile.
“Nothing… everything… I don’t know. I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
She stopped petting Fenrir and sat up.
“I know it seems absurd. But this is real. Everything we’ve been through is real, from the Shadow Walkers to the Infernal architects, all the way to that thing you let me do to you last night.”
“Not in front of the dog!”
“What I’m saying is that it’s all real. This world we’re living in is real. You deserve it. I watched you step into that ring last week and saw a man with a conviction beyond anything I’ve ever seen before. I watched a man hold onto something that he cherished and stop anyone who tried to take it from him. I saw you defending your title. And this week you finally get a chance to prove that you can do it without that damn cult leader stealing the glory.”
“It’s not about glory…” He looked at her, a profound sincerity in his expression. "It's about storytelling, Lexa. Every match is a chapter, every move is a sentence, and the ring is my canvas. It's a chance to weave tales with my body, to express things that words can't capture. When I wrestle, it's like writing poetry with my actions. The win is just the punctuation mark at the end."
Lexa listened, her eyes reflecting understanding. "So, it's about leaving a piece of yourself in that ring, isn't it?"
Owen nodded. "Exactly. It's about creating moments that people remember, connecting with them through the art of wrestling. And maybe, just maybe, inspiring someone out there to chase their own dreams… just like you did with mine.”
He leaned in to give her a kiss when his phone rang.
"Kevin Bishop."
“He can wait a few minutes,” Lexa said seductively as their lips embraced and Owen left the phone on the coffee table.
At the New Brotherhood Facility Cipher chatted with the enigmatic and beautiful Elara Thornwood, resident Druid and Magical Advisor of Kevin Bishop. Her office in the New Brotherhood facility is a unique blend of nature and technology, seamlessly integrated into the underground surroundings. The walls are covered with intricately woven vines and moss, creating a living tapestry that breathes life into the room. Bioluminescent plants cast a soft, ethereal glow, illuminating the space with a calming green light.
Large windows provide a mesmerizing view of an underground garden, where mystical flora and fauna thrive. The soothing sounds of a babbling brook and the distant rustle of leaves enhance the ambiance. A comfortable seating area features cushions made from sustainable materials, offering a cozy spot for meetings or moments of contemplation.
“So the Truck Driver said, get your own wheel, mine’s taken!” Elara laughed at the punchline of a joke that Cipher was unclear of. He was distracted seeing Karma Bishop gardening in the back. He bid adieu to Elara and headed toward Karma.
“How’s it growing?” He punned.
“Hey, Owen. Good. This is a mix of Ginseng, Rhodiola Rosea, and Maca Root. I’m just trying to think of a way other than mystical to wake Darren… I just can’t imagine what’s going on in his mind. Does he know we’re with him all the time, I hope he’s not lonely. Kevin’s there now.”
“I’m sorry we lost that elixir…”
She stopped him immediately. “Don’t even mention that to Kevin. He’s convinced he can still get it. No one is being harder on him than himself. You guys put your lives on the line for Darren, I can’t repay you enough. Not to mention having to compete at Turmoil after that. It seems unreasonable, but you guys surprised us all again by winning.”
“Hard to feel like winners watching you two suffer.” Owen knew what it was like to lose a loved one, but not a child. It must be even harder not having lost them but not having them either. A juxtaposition of dichotomy that he was not envious of. They continued chatting for another moment before Owen parted ways again.
He was becoming a true member of this community. There was an incredibly technologically advanced and mystically enhanced operation going on under the bustling lights of Las Vegas, but there was also a community of people helping people. He watched as children played underneath the glow of magically created sunlight. He saw men playing cards, and women having a soccer game on the other side.
They all greeted him with a smile as he walked by and offered him refreshments, or entry into their games, which he reluctantly refused. He ended up at Darren’s room and as he knocked on the door it opened revealing Kevin kneeling at Darren’s bedside.
“I’ve got a few ideas to add to the ranks,” Kevin said barely looking up.
“It doesn’t need to be all business, Kevin.”
“It’s ALWAYS business, Owen. Everything I do brings me one step closer to curing Darren. Everything WE do unlocks another piece of the puzzle.”
Kevin looked like a man possessed. Owen had never seen Kevin so disheveled. He had been distracted since Egypt. Luckily he got his stuff together for Turmoil but he looks worse for wear. Kevin walked over to a shelf where an old tome sat. He opened it and a moth flew out.
“Look at this passage. What is lost can only be found where lost things are… you know what this means…” Owen looked incredulously at Kevin. “Get on your SCUBA gear… we’re going to the lost city of Atlantis, baby!!!”
—-------------------
*record scratch*
“No, Kevin. This is barely a clue. You can’t expect me to go with you 20 thousand leagues under the sea…”
“Actually, leagues indicate distance traveled, not depth. So technically we’ll be a few miles under the ocean.”
“Kevin, listen to yourself. I believe that something mystical happened to that elixir. I’ll hold out hope that it’s out there somewhere, but I can’t go with you on this adventure. Not now, not with what I have on the line.
I’ve been asking for this opportunity, Kevin. I’ve been in Action Wrestling for a few months and other than a quick little spat with Max Daemon I’ve had the opportunity to prove myself to the fans, but most importantly to myself.
And you’ve been advocating for me, man. You more than anyone should understand how important this is. If I beat Odin Balfore and Vespertine then I get a shot at Sitcom. It’s simple on paper, but harder to execute in reality.”
“Execute is the key word there, Owen. Execution is key. You have a plan, and you need to see it through. It started last week at Turmoil when you faced the unstoppable force of Odin and pinned his partner. And you need to execute this plan by taking out Vespertine this week. And that’s why I need you too. To execute my plan. Think of it… you ever want to hook up with a mermaid.”
Owen ponders this thought briefly but his words escaped his lips before his mind fully formed the thought.
“I can’t.”
Two words that Kevin generally only hears from Karma. He’s heard it from Sable recently, and now Owen. You can see the frustration build in him, but almost as though he believes that his son can see him he maintains as calm of a demeanor as possible. Owen continues…
“I need to do this for me this time, Kevin. This is my first true challenge as a singles competitor. I won a battle royal, I bested a few guys but this week I step into the ring with two true, competitors.
We know Odin’s accomplishments. We know what he’s done, and how he’s done it. He’s conquered every opportunity that he’s put his mind to and continues to have the passion to do more. He is a legend and someone who despite his actions can be looked up to.
And Vespertine is hungry. She’s got this dark spirit about her that’s similar to what we’ve been dealing with. She’s a viper, she’s dangerous, and she’s tasted a shot at the US title already, and she’s hungry for more. She may be even more dangerous than Odin, which is saying something.
And together they’ll be in the ring with me for one purpose. For one goal. To continue building their legacies and to face off against Sitcom for the United States title. Not because it’s a stepping stone to something greater, but because the accomplishment of winning it is a testament to the drive and passion a person has to succeed in this business. The knowledge of knowing that someone understands the way to get to the top is to work your way there, to climb. To create the hand holes and the foot holes and claw your way up there. We all have that focus and determination.
But I need to be more focused.
I need to be more determined…”
He looks at Kevin thoughtfully.
“I need to be on solid ground, Kevin. I’m going to help you find the cure for your son, but when the oxygen masks drop down you affix it to yourself before you help your loved ones. You too need to focus on yourself. You need to fix your mind right and get back into the game. When you have a viable lead I’ll be there with you. But until then… get some rest.”
Karma walked into the room at the tail end and agreed with Owen. Kevin got up, silently kissed his wife, and bumped into Owen’s shoulder as he forced his way out the door. Owen left shortly after.
In the dimly lit corridors of the New Brotherhood facility, Cipher paces back and forth, his mind a tempest of conflicting emotions. The impending triple threat match against Odin Balfore and Vespertine looms large, a pivotal moment that could elevate him to new heights in the world of professional wrestling. The opportunity is tantalizing, and Cipher can feel the weight of its significance pressing on his shoulders.
Yet, a discordant note plays in the background—the lingering tension between him and Kevin Bishop. Their fundamental differences in approaching challenges, the clash of ideologies, threatens to fracture their partnership. As the echoes of heated arguments reverberate in his mind, Cipher knows that maintaining focus amid the chaos of a triple threat match is paramount.
The allure of victory, the taste of success, propels Cipher forward. With every step, he mentally reaffirms his commitment to this moment. The distractions, the disagreements, they all fade into the background as he envisions the glorious outcome he seeks. Cipher is a man possessed, driven not only by the desire for personal triumph but also by the responsibility he feels toward the New Brotherhood, his comrades, and the trust they've placed in him.