¥The Odds of Obtainment¥ {End of Days Tournament #1}

[¥Ezriel¥]

{My god… what have I become? I can’t even bring myself to look in the mirror anymore. What happened to my self control, to being able to think straight, to having a semblance of humanity? Has it all finally disappeared? I thought this transformation would make things easier, give me more power, more control. This isn’t what I expected, it wasn’t what I was promised… you son of a bitch. I was lied to. This isn’t everything I’d ever dreamed of at all. All of my fantasies becoming realities? This is about as far away from that as you could get. This is torture. This is suffering. This is sacrifice with no gain. What happens next? What is my purpose? I’m no vessel… no wielder of great power. I am a husk… a robot. A slave.}



{I never thought I could sink so low, to lash out and hurt somebody that only wanted to show me compassion. I’m sorry… but I had no choice. I was so tired, so scared, so alone. I don’t know how long I can carry on like this. Every inch of my body aches, my mind won’t just be still and shut the hell up, not even for one second. Is this what it feels like to go insane? Am I mad? The voices are growing louder, more lucid in their persuasions. Shut up… damn you demon, shut up! Leave me be! I need some way to drown them out… I don’t think I can hurt anyone again.}



“This surge of human emotions and questioning is only natural. I know how much you’ve been through, don’t you remember? I’m always here, watching you, keeping you safe, keeping you sane. I am not the root of this. I am the only thing stopping you from losing that last thread of your sanity, your precious control. I am the only barrier between you and that monster that haunts your waking nightmares. Without me everything goes away. Is that what you want Ezriel? You wish me to leave you with nothing? You’re not alone my son. You have me, and I love you.”



“Now… wake up.”

The camera fades in and out, mirroring the blinking of awakening from a deep slumber. The air is cold and crisp, as the clear fall weather harbours a brisk chilled wind. A few golden brown leaves dance on the early morning breeze as we focus around us. The town of Bethesda, sleepy and waking up from one of the more uneventful nights as of late. We hear movement, a rustling coming from somewhere nearby and a few pained mutterings as we search around for the source. Ezriel comes into view as he hobbles his way from a nearby, obviously custom made, sheltered area. A make shift canvasing tops a few wobbly looking metal poles that protrude from several cracks in the concrete. The street had been his home since the last time he resided in any sort of civil accommodation. A paranoid fear had set in since his encounter with the young bar owner that she had more than likely notified the authorities by now, and they in turn would be monitoring the area carefully, in search of a man who really wasn’t that hard to spot in the first place. He had been in his head for days, his only respite coming in the form of combat, Prestige 6.



It had been another long night in the ring, not terribly challenging per say but taxing on his body none the less. He had truly excelled himself in his execution of offence against the mediocre opposition he had encountered, of this he could be assured. The aches and pains that ravished his body solidified his convictions. Ezriel pulls a small duffel bag up to his side and then hoists it up, shouldering it. It is packed with wrestling gear and a few of his favourite civi attire and was beginning to kick off quite the pungent aroma. He would have to make a stop today for clean underwear and a few more basics, of which he was running short. His large thick trench coat had served him well, as had his black beanie, gloves and riding boots, all of which he is bundled up in to fend off the torrid weather. A new acquisition, a black and red striped scarf, is wrapped tightly around his face, leaving only his eyes visible. Ezriel shoves his hands deep into his pockets as his warm breath rises up around him. After surveying the area he sets off, making his way down the street.



“I think that’s everything for me today. Thanks hun.”



Beeps from a nearby cash register ring out as several clothing items are shown being scanned. The camera turns from the cashier and faces the customer on the other side of a desk, a petite blonde woman with her hair tied back. A faint genuine but hindered smile etches over her thin lips as she darts her sparkling green eyes to the registrar and then down to her purse. She fumbles for a second before producing her card and begins to pay for the items. Over her shoulder the main double doors of the store slide open and a small courtesy bell sounds. A rather suspect looking figure, wrapped head to toe in winter time garb enters and begins to head straight for the menswear section. Rose looks up, not turning around but almost sensing the presence of something or someone familiar. She smiles once more at the cashier and takes her bags as she turns to leave the store. Her eyes narrow as she has to shake off the feeling of a recognisable presence still in the back of her head. Just as she makes her way to the exit she stops dead in her tracks. She turns slightly, a little apprehensive as the figure comes back into focus. Ezriel is rifling through the clothes rack, laser focused on picking out what he needs. After a second, the same strange feeling of recognition begins to sink into Ezriel’s consciousness. The two lock eyes, Rose’s widening slightly as Ezriel quickly looks back down to the rack.



{Damnit. Ok don’t panic… just be cool. Be cool and walk to the door.}



As luck, or the lack thereof would have it, at that moment a balding middle aged security guard saunters by, whistling aloud and twirling a night stick in his hand. Ezriel notices this and in turn, Rose notices Ezriel noticing this. The two lock eyes again as Ezriel appears to look slightly shaken despite trying to keep a calm demeanour. He starts to inch his way back towards the exit as the guard’s relaxed expression changes to one of suspicion. The two stare down, spaghetti western style. Ezriel suddenly breaks his gaze and moves directly to the double doors. He shouts as he holsters his stick and begins to break into a run.



“Hey you… hey sir… stop right there… HEY!”



Ezriel blazes out of the store as the guard makes after him. The uniformed man is reaching full speed when Rose appears as a looming obstacle in his path, unable to get out of the way. The guard suddenly spills into the air, floundering around as his face looks on in terror, helplessly accepting his fate and splatting on the hard floor beneath him. He winces in pain as he stares up at the ceiling. Around him he is surrounded by five shopping bags filled with clothes. Rose’s blustered face pops into view above him, looking down at him with concern.



“I’m so sorry sir, I’m such a klutz! Are you ok?”



Rose smiles at the floored man as the camera cuts.



{Fleeing like a coward. It’s all you seem to do these days.}



The camera comes back up as we see Ezriel hunched over, his lungs on fire and gasping for breath. He looks towards a set of metal shutters on a nearby building, walking slowly up to them. He crouches down and tries to raise the shutter which appears to be tightly locked. He slams his fists against the metal in rage and then sinks to the ground defeated. His day seems to have turned into a wasted one. He digs his hands back in his pockets and stretches his feet out, leaning back onto the shutter.



¥ “I can’t keep running like this, running from my life. I can’t keep giving in to the shame and guilt that’s been eating me up day after day for all these years. My mind and body seem to keep evolving and strengthening, but my will is completely broken. It’s a struggle just to open my eyes in the morning. Pretty pathetic huh? Sure, I may be feeling sorry for myself, and some people may judge me for that. Well… I’m done. I’m done caring about what they they think, I’m done caring about what anyone thinks. I’m done caring about what YOU think!!!” ¥



Ezriel raises a finger to his head as he utters the word: “you”. He slams his fists against the steel again as the shutters rock back and forth. As he does so a small wooden spinning top and two silver coins jump from his pocket and scatter across the ground in front of him. He stares at the items for a second or two, eerily calming him down in an instant. Suddenly, we hear footsteps approaching at a jog from in the distance. The camera turns in time to see Rose race round the corner. She stands there panting as Ezriel stares blankly back at her, realising there’s nowhere else to flee to.



“… T… Todd… What… why did you run from me?”



Ezriel shakes his head, half ignoring her as he gets to his feet. He shoulders his duffel bag in anticipation of leaving. He walks towards Rose, staring straight ahead of him as he continues to ignore her presence. They come face to face as Rose gets in his way. Ezriel looks down at her, a look of annoyance etched over his skulled face. Her green eyes gaze wildly into his, unintimidated by his glare.



“So… it’s your move. What? You gonna put your hands on me again tough guy?”



Ezriel closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He turns and walks slowly to the shutters and gets back into his previous sitting position. He opens his eyes and looks back up at Rose who stands there with her hands on her hips.



¥“I could say the same thing to you. You weren’t exactly keeping your hands to yourself that night from what I remember. Are you really that desperate… huh?”¥



“Well… at least I ain’t some kind of weird ass lookin’, break down having... tattooed FREAK!”



Ezriel snaps his head forward and stares at the ground. The silence is deafening. Rose stands there for a moment then throws her hands up in the air. She walks over slowly and sits down next to him. A few more seconds pass before she breaks the hushed tension.



“Look… I didn’t mean that. I… I just don’t really have a lot of luck with men y’know? Had a few cheat on me, leech off of me, hell even beat on me. What you did just shocked me… kinda brought back old memories. Wasn’t as bad as all that, I’m a lot tougher than I look. It’s just been a while. It can get real lonely in this town and… well I’m only human. We’ve all got urges and needs. So… why did you run?”



Ezriel looks up and turns to Rose.



¥“I wasn’t running from you. That rent-a-cop in the store was giving me funny looks, figured that you might have…”¥



Rose raises an eyebrow at Ezriel and then erupts in laughter at the realisation of what he’s implying.



“Let me assure you, the chances of me having anything to do with those good for nothing wastes of space are about as high as you breaking a smile.”



Ezriel’s face softens but he doesn’t take the bait, refusing to return a smile.



“You’ve got nothing to worry about Todd. Those bastards did nothing for me when I was in real danger and actually needed the help. I’m a big girl now, I’ve learned to take care of myself.”



Rose grins half heartedly, glancing up at the metal shutter and the building behind her.



“You’re not sleeping here are you? I mean I know my place is a run down sack of crap but it’s gotta be better than this!”



¥“I was thinking about it. I managed to get in here about a month ago and knew it was somewhere that I could at least have the comfort of a roof over my head. It’s… got a certain sense of meaning to me, not sure how to really explain it, but by the looks of it the people who own the place have made sure that nobody else gets back in.”¥



Rose nods and gets to her feet. She stretches a little and starts making her way round the corner.



“Well I tell you what. When you come to your senses you know where to find me. I can offer you the same room at the same rate and don’t worry, I know where we both stand now. I’ll behave. I’ll be expecting an apology too, you owe me that much. Oh… and Ezriel…”



Ezriel looks shocked, almost alarmed, to hear his name coming from her mouth. Rose chuckles as she disappears out of sight, her voice trailing off.



“Bethesda’s a very small town. I may not like the wrestlers but I’d have to be living under a rock not to have seen the shows. Dinner is at seven.”



As soon as Rose has vanished from his sight Ezriel breaks into a small smile. He scoots across the ground a couple of feet and repositions himself on top of the duffel bag, making himself a little more comfortable.



¥“The universe is a fickle and complex creature, I’ll say that much. Prestige on the other hand couldn’t have been more simple. What the AWF witnessed was the utilisation of a highly functioning and well oiled machine. No, I’m not talking about the forced partnership of me and T-Bone because let’s be honest, there was no partnership, no team work involved. I told all of you well in advance that it would be a solo dismantlement of two other men. T-Bone played it smart and I really don’t blame him. He stayed out of my way and fought his insatiable urge to be the man in the spotlight. I systematically took apart B.A.N.G and loved every single minute of it. T-Bone… I have no qualms with you as of right now my complicit friend, you can rest easy. No doubt I’ll see you down the road.”¥



¥“So that brings us up to date and to something that truly excites me, a first for this company. The End of Days tournament and the chance for my message to finally be brought to more than a handful of people in a sweaty hall or sorry excuse for a baseball field. What’s more, on top of that, the chance to challenge one of these “champions” here in the AWF. This is the chance I’ve been waiting for since I got here, hell, longer than that. It’s the chance I’ve been waiting for my whole life. So it seems I have been blessed, or cursed, depending on the way you look at it with the announcement of my opponent in the first round, another legend of this institution, Michael Storm.”¥



¥“Alex Jones was quick to sing your praises Mr. Storm, your reputation proceeds you. It seems like I’ve been granted a match so similar to the one against your friend AJ that one could almost find it prophetic. I wasn’t able to beat Alex, you’re absolutely right and I was hugely disappointed in myself for that. This is my chance to rectify the situation. So Michael, I see that you’re big on statistics and weighing up the odds to give yourself an idea of your chances in combat. As you so rightly identified yourself, this isn’t a perfect science. You don’t bet on the favourite and come up a winner every time, circumstances do not always dictate that this works out. I do however see your sense in logic. If something is the most logical conclusion, then nine out of ten times, it can be assumed to be more or less correct. I am a man who works in logic and fact, so I can appreciate this. The error that you have made in your equation though is glaringly obvious. It’s me.”¥



¥“Call it the Ezriel factor if you will. It is not a number, it is not a unit of measurement, it is not a constant. I am an unknown substance that encroaches on your perfect solution, the proverbial spanner in the works. Think of me as a wild card. No calculations or odds can predict what I’m going to do or how bad it’s going to hurt you. The hunger within me to progress in this tournament in addition to the thousands of eyes that will bare witness to the battle we partake in will give me more than just a little of an incentive. I understand you have been doing some research on my work, another very scientific approach, bravo. Well if that truly is the case then you will be in no doubt that I have grown immeasurably from the first time that bell rang and I undertook my chosen task. Even the small amount of time between my match against Alex Jones until now has bore an incredibly fruitful improvement in my attitude, intelligence and physical dominance in the ring. You see I evolve… a little quicker than most people. I adapt to my surroundings and absolutely get better with every passing second and every waking day. For me, it’s like breathing.”¥



¥“I understand that you used to be a monster Michael. Out of all of the people that could relate to you on that, it’s probably a safe bet that I know the feeling more than most. It’s a difficult one to fully grasp the scope of, isn’t it? How far is too far? When have you lost yourself? Can I find my way back? I understand that Storm. You seem to have done a stand up job of suppressing that side of you, which deserves commendation. It’s not an easy task to control the most vile, barbaric and savage side of a human being. I seem to be struggling with that myself as of late. You should never be ashamed of this side of you though Michael. Sometimes it’s worth embracing it if you feel you fully have control of it. If you feel like you won’t go back to that horrible monster that you knew so well. Thus the question is asked, will I be the one to bring out that monster once again? Will I have the upmost privilege of standing toe to toe with one of the baddest men the AWF has ever seen? I sincerely hope that I will be granted with that honour Michael. I wish it, I hope for it, I desire it. In the mean time, come Sunday it will be time for this monster to bare his teeth. I will feast on opponent after opponent until I beat everyone who stands in my way in this competition. I hope you will do me the courtesy of returning the favour. In honesty… it’s just a shame one of us has to lose. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have an apology to make. See you soon Mikey.”¥



Ezriel gets to his feet and pulls the bag up after him. He taps the metal shutters gently a few times and makes his way round the corner that Rose exited to. A gust of wind blows by as it whips up a few leaves in the corner of the compound.



“So you return to her. As you wish. Rest well my apostle.”



STATIC.

[ForeverKuroi]

You ASSHOLE. How am I supposed to win with RPs like this?

[¥Ezriel¥]

Dude, your last RP brought this one out of me. It's gonna be a hell of a match my man!