Chapter two: Return to the game. Part Four.
Jun 23, 2021 11:29:22 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2021 11:29:22 GMT -5
After facing Kuma, he had decided to return to Atlanta once more. The sudden appearance of Esmeralda Von Krauss in NPW and Justice’s presence within his domain concerned him as much as, or more than, his pledge to do nothing about it for Alyssa’s sake.
From his rooftop garden, he stood still as a statue and continued to look out past the potted peach trees and out over Bankhead, watching, waiting. What would Justice’s next move be?
They’d forcefully evicted entire building, after entire building. In each case, going to almost super villain type measures to ensure that those who lost, lost everything. It was especially cruel, even for ’them’. It didn’t make sense, not that much had lately.
Having his former fiancé inserted back into his life had brought upon a flood of calamity to the enigma known as ’D’. Now he stood a hunted man, figuratively via the competition with Northern Pro Wrestling and quite possibly literally via Justice.
The difference was, in NPW he knew who was coming for him. Shockwave would see him face a promotional newcomer in Tony Rios.
Not content to sit and wait, Rios had demanded competition. An attitude he could definitely respect. Seeing ’D’s’ own dance card lacking a partner for the XHF/NPW co-branded event, NPW owner Gus Arnold himself presented the match to him and he was happy to accept.
Rios was new to NPW, but not new to competition. At six foot five, the thirty five year old was an athletic two hundred and seventy-five pound technician that seemed more than capable of pulling off a stunning debut if taken lightly.
No, this would be a message to Esmeralda Von Krauss, this performance would show them that he was more than just physically capable, but that his heart was truly in the attempt. A larger, more muscular opponent. He’d have to set a pace the big man simply couldn’t physically keep up with, better him from the outside, use speed, technique.
If they wanted to play, he would play. There would be no holding back now. Which would be unfortunate for Mr. Rios. Impressive or not, he would be analyzed, dissected and ultimately broken.
”Do you ever sleep?” Came her voice from behind him. Soft and sweet, not just in voice. Alyssa Lucchi was the one the got away.
”Seven hours nightly.” He answered flatly, taking note mentally that he never gave her a key. ”You’re learning. They might just convert you yet.”
Keeping his back to her, it was a sign of trust. Had she been literally anyone else, he have met her face to face.
”Never.” She spat the words out quickly as though they burnt her mouth. ”This life…your life, it isn’t for me.”
A barb that was meant to wound missed its mark. She was right, he never should have told her about what he did. Those year’s should have remained buried. He needed to shake off her aggression. ”It was once my dear, but you mean to tell me they didn’t teach you to pick the lock on the building’s door? You’re closer than you think, be careful Alyssa.”
Moving an errand strand of her dark hair back behind her ear, he could see she was nervous. ”Be careful? As long as you stay out of whatever they’re up to, i’m free by fall.”
Turning his head so he could see her now, ”Do you really believe that?” He asked, fearing he knew the answer. Of course she didn’t believe that, but she had no choice but to play along.
Stepping closer, she joins him starring out over Bankhead. ”If I’m being honest…” She sighed before continuing. These past few weeks had been tough on her. ”…it’s become painfully apparent that what I believe doesn’t matter. I believed I was in love and that that was enough. Now, I believe love is a cruel joke we play on one another. A farce, the greatest practical joke in all of nature. So, I play my part. I play my part because that’s all anyone can do. Play their role until the part is no longer needed.”
He nodded at first and then invited her to come stand next to him with the wave of his arm. ”You’ve seen a lot lately, haven’t you?” His voice was soft, but steady, reassuring. ”I promise nothing will happen to your family, i’ll figure out what they’re up to and stop them.”
Her voice was frail, but a whisper. ”How can you be so sure?” She leaned on him now as they stood.
”Because I have to.” He said flatly, determination strengthening his voice. ”Esmerelda got away with what she did to us both. Now, we’ve been gifted a chance to make that right. A chance I can’t afford to let slip by again.”
His confidence had never been something she questioned, but how he could believe that he would take down an entire organization was beyond her. ”What’s the first step?”
Watching the thin pillars of smoke bellow from the dumpsters Justice was using to burn their victim’s belongings, his voice ran cold. ”Making sure she sees what happens to Tony Rios. The pace I set, the ruthlessness I show him, the painstaking way I go about picking him apart. He’s been around the block, sure, but nothing like me my dear. I have to start hunting, and unfortunately for Mr. Rios that puts him squarely in my sights. I promise you that his debut will be remembered but not for the reasons he would like.”
Turning to face him, she felt her heart flutter. ”Aren’t you worried you’re taking him lightly?”
Looking into eyes, he remembered how much he had loved her and what he would have done to protect her had they gotten married and then he answered.
”No…I’m worried i’m going to hurt him trying to prove my point.”
From his rooftop garden, he stood still as a statue and continued to look out past the potted peach trees and out over Bankhead, watching, waiting. What would Justice’s next move be?
They’d forcefully evicted entire building, after entire building. In each case, going to almost super villain type measures to ensure that those who lost, lost everything. It was especially cruel, even for ’them’. It didn’t make sense, not that much had lately.
Having his former fiancé inserted back into his life had brought upon a flood of calamity to the enigma known as ’D’. Now he stood a hunted man, figuratively via the competition with Northern Pro Wrestling and quite possibly literally via Justice.
The difference was, in NPW he knew who was coming for him. Shockwave would see him face a promotional newcomer in Tony Rios.
Not content to sit and wait, Rios had demanded competition. An attitude he could definitely respect. Seeing ’D’s’ own dance card lacking a partner for the XHF/NPW co-branded event, NPW owner Gus Arnold himself presented the match to him and he was happy to accept.
Rios was new to NPW, but not new to competition. At six foot five, the thirty five year old was an athletic two hundred and seventy-five pound technician that seemed more than capable of pulling off a stunning debut if taken lightly.
No, this would be a message to Esmeralda Von Krauss, this performance would show them that he was more than just physically capable, but that his heart was truly in the attempt. A larger, more muscular opponent. He’d have to set a pace the big man simply couldn’t physically keep up with, better him from the outside, use speed, technique.
If they wanted to play, he would play. There would be no holding back now. Which would be unfortunate for Mr. Rios. Impressive or not, he would be analyzed, dissected and ultimately broken.
”Do you ever sleep?” Came her voice from behind him. Soft and sweet, not just in voice. Alyssa Lucchi was the one the got away.
”Seven hours nightly.” He answered flatly, taking note mentally that he never gave her a key. ”You’re learning. They might just convert you yet.”
Keeping his back to her, it was a sign of trust. Had she been literally anyone else, he have met her face to face.
”Never.” She spat the words out quickly as though they burnt her mouth. ”This life…your life, it isn’t for me.”
A barb that was meant to wound missed its mark. She was right, he never should have told her about what he did. Those year’s should have remained buried. He needed to shake off her aggression. ”It was once my dear, but you mean to tell me they didn’t teach you to pick the lock on the building’s door? You’re closer than you think, be careful Alyssa.”
Moving an errand strand of her dark hair back behind her ear, he could see she was nervous. ”Be careful? As long as you stay out of whatever they’re up to, i’m free by fall.”
Turning his head so he could see her now, ”Do you really believe that?” He asked, fearing he knew the answer. Of course she didn’t believe that, but she had no choice but to play along.
Stepping closer, she joins him starring out over Bankhead. ”If I’m being honest…” She sighed before continuing. These past few weeks had been tough on her. ”…it’s become painfully apparent that what I believe doesn’t matter. I believed I was in love and that that was enough. Now, I believe love is a cruel joke we play on one another. A farce, the greatest practical joke in all of nature. So, I play my part. I play my part because that’s all anyone can do. Play their role until the part is no longer needed.”
He nodded at first and then invited her to come stand next to him with the wave of his arm. ”You’ve seen a lot lately, haven’t you?” His voice was soft, but steady, reassuring. ”I promise nothing will happen to your family, i’ll figure out what they’re up to and stop them.”
Her voice was frail, but a whisper. ”How can you be so sure?” She leaned on him now as they stood.
”Because I have to.” He said flatly, determination strengthening his voice. ”Esmerelda got away with what she did to us both. Now, we’ve been gifted a chance to make that right. A chance I can’t afford to let slip by again.”
His confidence had never been something she questioned, but how he could believe that he would take down an entire organization was beyond her. ”What’s the first step?”
Watching the thin pillars of smoke bellow from the dumpsters Justice was using to burn their victim’s belongings, his voice ran cold. ”Making sure she sees what happens to Tony Rios. The pace I set, the ruthlessness I show him, the painstaking way I go about picking him apart. He’s been around the block, sure, but nothing like me my dear. I have to start hunting, and unfortunately for Mr. Rios that puts him squarely in my sights. I promise you that his debut will be remembered but not for the reasons he would like.”
Turning to face him, she felt her heart flutter. ”Aren’t you worried you’re taking him lightly?”
Looking into eyes, he remembered how much he had loved her and what he would have done to protect her had they gotten married and then he answered.
”No…I’m worried i’m going to hurt him trying to prove my point.”