Post by TLS on Mar 25, 2022 17:08:38 GMT -5
~He felt his body go cold, then suddenly a rush of heat flowed through his veins. He could feel his face heating up, sweat forming at the base of his forehead, soaking into the mask he's wearing. His vision began to blur, but it seems that the field around him is on fire The voice again calls out to him.~
The Voice: Come with me.
~TLS follows the voice as it makes it's way through the fire.~
The Voice: All the riches and wealth in the world will be at your feet should you so desire. You will be my champion, a warrior for the ages. You will fight back to take what is rightfully mine.
~TLS can feel the flames on his side and on his back, he starts slashing away with the old brass sword. The voice seems to be getting further away.~
The Voice: No foe will defeat you, no enemy will be able to pierce your armor. Follow me into the darkness.
TLS: Who are you?
The Voice: I am the true king.
TLS: If you are the true king, show me your crown!
~Suddenly things get quiet. The blaze gets stronger, TLS controls his breathing. He uses the sword to balance himself, and then with one hand he lifts up his mask. He wipes the sweat from his brow and his eyes and he can see a little clear now. Stars in the sky seemed to have aligned and make the image of a crown.~
The Voice: Take my lead, help me fulfill my destiny. Help me destroy the enemy of my people, and you will be rewarded. Fight for me.
TLS: NO! NO! This isn't right. I fight for myself.
~In an instant, the fires die down and TLS is standing in the dark. The stars have disappeared and the moon is
nowhere to be found. A soft growl reverberates in thee dark, he can feel the sound get closer. He can smell death in the breath of this creature.~
TLS: Whatever is out there, I've got a sword.
~The creature lets out a loud roar and attacks the Stranger. He feels a swipe on his arm, and the another on his back. He swings blindly in the darkness. Things go quiet again. TLS reaches with his free hand to investigate his injuries. All of a sudden a silhouette appears, it is glowing. A man in a golden robe and with an lustrous crown on the top of his head begins to slowly float towards the Stranger. He reaches his hand towards him. TLS recognizes his voice as the one from earlier.~
the Voice: You've been hurt. I can heal you. You are damaged. I can fix you. We can be one, You and I. Deliver your soul to me, and together we can make this world what we want it to be.
~As the figure gets closer, TLS grips the handle of his sword tight. He can feel the heat emanating from the golden silhouette. TLS reaches with his free hand to motion for the King like figure to get closer. The kind reaches out his hand as well. Their fingers almost touch when TLS swipes at the king with his sword. The blow shatters the golden shield around the king. His crown drops to the ground, his robe vanishes, his body bursts into a million stardust. TLS shields his eyes from the blinding light. Once the light fades, there is a new figure standing in front of The Stranger. It's the image of a woman who looks eerily similar to his opponent at Luck of the Violent.~
Lady figure: You will never defeat me. hahaha.
~She points at him, her eyes red with anger. She opens her mouth and snarls at him, her tongue split in the middle.~
TLS: I will defeat you demon lady. Just like I have defeated many before you. I don't need luck on my side. I will strike you down.
~The figure then begins to contort and shift, and a small female child is curled up weeping, she looks at the Stranger.~
Small child: Dad? Dad. Why couldn't you save me? Where were you?
TLS : It's not you. This isn't real.
Small child: it's your fault. It's all your fault.
~TLS drops the sword as a single tear trickles down his cheek. he drops the sword.~
TLS: I'm sorry, I'm sorry....
~The child looks up slowly, it's flames flicker in it's eyes. The body of the child contorts and shivers and shakes, and then a new image appears. This time it's an angelic looking figure, only it's wings are bloodied and it's eyes are red. It reaches it's arms out to touch the Stranger on the forehead, it burns. TLS plops his body down to the ground. The demonic angel lifts it's arms up to strike a final blow, but the Stranger in one grabs the sword and with a swing that would make Ken Griffey jr. proud, he is able to slice the head of the figure clean from it's body. The figures crumples to the ground, and it's body again bursts into flames. This time when the flame dies out, a golden crown is left. TLS goes to reach for the crown but suddenly he feels a knock on the back of his head, and he blacks out.~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TLS: I've had it all, but I've also lost it all. I've been to the top and then found myself down in the dumps. Sometimes you have to lose yourself to find out who you really are. And it seems like you've lost yourself Vee Strader. You've lost your way. I will guide you back home. With every punch and every kick and every slam. If there are 17 different versions of you trapped inside that little body, all 17 of them will be beaten out of you until there is nothing left but you're true self. And maybe, when that true self is found, you'll realize that you're better off fading into oblivion, just like Erin Gordon and many others before you.
Male Voice: Sir? Sir, are you awake?
~The Stranger opens his eyes and sees a man's face staring down at him. He realizes he is in an ambulance.~
EMT: You're lucky we found you when we did. The marsh might have swallowed you up.
TLS: Where are we?
EMT: We're headed towards the hospital in Limerick sir. We're not sure what happened to you, but you've got some scratches on your body, might have been a red fox that got to you.
TLS: Where's my sword? Where's the crown? I had it in my grasp.
~The EMT chuckles.~
EMT: Oh, is that why you were out there? Someone did mention a crazy man yelling and screaming in the Bog. You know that's just an old folklore. The Sword of Cerdaigi, the crown it's not real. There's nothing out there. And who's this Vee Strader you're talking about? Sounds like a total looney.
TLS: She is.
EMT: I do have another question sir if you don't mind?
TLS: go ahead.
EMT: Has that mark there always been on your forehead, it looks like a nasty burn.
~The EMT pulls out a phone so that TLS can see his reflection. TLS runs his fingers along the scars tissue on his face. He then sees a circular burn mark on his forehead. One that wasn't there before.~
TLS: It's there, the scars have always been there.
EMT: it looks pretty new, you want me to bandage it up for you?
TLS: No. just give me my mask, I'll be ok.
EMT: I know you talked about fighting this Vee Strader person. I don't think that's a good idea. You might want to stay in the hospital for a couple of days, just be be safe. You were out there in the bog for a long time. I know the local authorities might want to have a word with you as well.
~The Stranger sits himself up and searches around for his mask. he spots it hanging on the side.~
TLS: Fighting has always been a good idea. Vee Strader took it upon herself to make this match happened. She goaded me and begged me to make this match happen. So there's no turning back now. This is a fight that people want to see. Nobody gives a shit about Outcast and Vargas, 2 old fucks fucking around in the ring. Nobody wants to see a a crackhead and a chubby guy with a dadbod roll around in the ring. People could care less about Mark storm and Easton Alexander, nobody knows who the fuck they are anyway. But they do want to see TLS and Vee Strader in a cage with no holds barred, no sanctions and leprechauns. People want to see Vee Strader baptized in her own menstruation. People want to see VIOLENCE!
~Getting a sense that the Stranger is getting a bit agitated, the EMT reaches for some anesthesia. TLS kicks his hand away and grabs the needle and jabs the EMT with the anesthetic. The care worker's body goes limp. TLS grabs his mask and waits for the ambulance to come to a stop before quickly opening the doors and hopping out. He lands with a thud on the ground. A small leather shoes falls out of one of his pockets. TLS looks into the ambulance with the door swinging open as it drives off. In a shelf where a ventilator mask should be, there appears to be a crown. And hanging on the side where an emergency kit should be, there appears to be an old rusted sword. He thinks about chasing after the Ambulance, but it's already gone. He picks up the small leather buckled shoe and begins walking towards Limerick......~
The Voice: Come with me.
~TLS follows the voice as it makes it's way through the fire.~
The Voice: All the riches and wealth in the world will be at your feet should you so desire. You will be my champion, a warrior for the ages. You will fight back to take what is rightfully mine.
~TLS can feel the flames on his side and on his back, he starts slashing away with the old brass sword. The voice seems to be getting further away.~
The Voice: No foe will defeat you, no enemy will be able to pierce your armor. Follow me into the darkness.
TLS: Who are you?
The Voice: I am the true king.
TLS: If you are the true king, show me your crown!
~Suddenly things get quiet. The blaze gets stronger, TLS controls his breathing. He uses the sword to balance himself, and then with one hand he lifts up his mask. He wipes the sweat from his brow and his eyes and he can see a little clear now. Stars in the sky seemed to have aligned and make the image of a crown.~
The Voice: Take my lead, help me fulfill my destiny. Help me destroy the enemy of my people, and you will be rewarded. Fight for me.
TLS: NO! NO! This isn't right. I fight for myself.
~In an instant, the fires die down and TLS is standing in the dark. The stars have disappeared and the moon is
nowhere to be found. A soft growl reverberates in thee dark, he can feel the sound get closer. He can smell death in the breath of this creature.~
TLS: Whatever is out there, I've got a sword.
~The creature lets out a loud roar and attacks the Stranger. He feels a swipe on his arm, and the another on his back. He swings blindly in the darkness. Things go quiet again. TLS reaches with his free hand to investigate his injuries. All of a sudden a silhouette appears, it is glowing. A man in a golden robe and with an lustrous crown on the top of his head begins to slowly float towards the Stranger. He reaches his hand towards him. TLS recognizes his voice as the one from earlier.~
the Voice: You've been hurt. I can heal you. You are damaged. I can fix you. We can be one, You and I. Deliver your soul to me, and together we can make this world what we want it to be.
~As the figure gets closer, TLS grips the handle of his sword tight. He can feel the heat emanating from the golden silhouette. TLS reaches with his free hand to motion for the King like figure to get closer. The kind reaches out his hand as well. Their fingers almost touch when TLS swipes at the king with his sword. The blow shatters the golden shield around the king. His crown drops to the ground, his robe vanishes, his body bursts into a million stardust. TLS shields his eyes from the blinding light. Once the light fades, there is a new figure standing in front of The Stranger. It's the image of a woman who looks eerily similar to his opponent at Luck of the Violent.~
Lady figure: You will never defeat me. hahaha.
~She points at him, her eyes red with anger. She opens her mouth and snarls at him, her tongue split in the middle.~
TLS: I will defeat you demon lady. Just like I have defeated many before you. I don't need luck on my side. I will strike you down.
~The figure then begins to contort and shift, and a small female child is curled up weeping, she looks at the Stranger.~
Small child: Dad? Dad. Why couldn't you save me? Where were you?
TLS : It's not you. This isn't real.
Small child: it's your fault. It's all your fault.
~TLS drops the sword as a single tear trickles down his cheek. he drops the sword.~
TLS: I'm sorry, I'm sorry....
~The child looks up slowly, it's flames flicker in it's eyes. The body of the child contorts and shivers and shakes, and then a new image appears. This time it's an angelic looking figure, only it's wings are bloodied and it's eyes are red. It reaches it's arms out to touch the Stranger on the forehead, it burns. TLS plops his body down to the ground. The demonic angel lifts it's arms up to strike a final blow, but the Stranger in one grabs the sword and with a swing that would make Ken Griffey jr. proud, he is able to slice the head of the figure clean from it's body. The figures crumples to the ground, and it's body again bursts into flames. This time when the flame dies out, a golden crown is left. TLS goes to reach for the crown but suddenly he feels a knock on the back of his head, and he blacks out.~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TLS: I've had it all, but I've also lost it all. I've been to the top and then found myself down in the dumps. Sometimes you have to lose yourself to find out who you really are. And it seems like you've lost yourself Vee Strader. You've lost your way. I will guide you back home. With every punch and every kick and every slam. If there are 17 different versions of you trapped inside that little body, all 17 of them will be beaten out of you until there is nothing left but you're true self. And maybe, when that true self is found, you'll realize that you're better off fading into oblivion, just like Erin Gordon and many others before you.
Male Voice: Sir? Sir, are you awake?
~The Stranger opens his eyes and sees a man's face staring down at him. He realizes he is in an ambulance.~
EMT: You're lucky we found you when we did. The marsh might have swallowed you up.
TLS: Where are we?
EMT: We're headed towards the hospital in Limerick sir. We're not sure what happened to you, but you've got some scratches on your body, might have been a red fox that got to you.
TLS: Where's my sword? Where's the crown? I had it in my grasp.
~The EMT chuckles.~
EMT: Oh, is that why you were out there? Someone did mention a crazy man yelling and screaming in the Bog. You know that's just an old folklore. The Sword of Cerdaigi, the crown it's not real. There's nothing out there. And who's this Vee Strader you're talking about? Sounds like a total looney.
TLS: She is.
EMT: I do have another question sir if you don't mind?
TLS: go ahead.
EMT: Has that mark there always been on your forehead, it looks like a nasty burn.
~The EMT pulls out a phone so that TLS can see his reflection. TLS runs his fingers along the scars tissue on his face. He then sees a circular burn mark on his forehead. One that wasn't there before.~
TLS: It's there, the scars have always been there.
EMT: it looks pretty new, you want me to bandage it up for you?
TLS: No. just give me my mask, I'll be ok.
EMT: I know you talked about fighting this Vee Strader person. I don't think that's a good idea. You might want to stay in the hospital for a couple of days, just be be safe. You were out there in the bog for a long time. I know the local authorities might want to have a word with you as well.
~The Stranger sits himself up and searches around for his mask. he spots it hanging on the side.~
TLS: Fighting has always been a good idea. Vee Strader took it upon herself to make this match happened. She goaded me and begged me to make this match happen. So there's no turning back now. This is a fight that people want to see. Nobody gives a shit about Outcast and Vargas, 2 old fucks fucking around in the ring. Nobody wants to see a a crackhead and a chubby guy with a dadbod roll around in the ring. People could care less about Mark storm and Easton Alexander, nobody knows who the fuck they are anyway. But they do want to see TLS and Vee Strader in a cage with no holds barred, no sanctions and leprechauns. People want to see Vee Strader baptized in her own menstruation. People want to see VIOLENCE!
~Getting a sense that the Stranger is getting a bit agitated, the EMT reaches for some anesthesia. TLS kicks his hand away and grabs the needle and jabs the EMT with the anesthetic. The care worker's body goes limp. TLS grabs his mask and waits for the ambulance to come to a stop before quickly opening the doors and hopping out. He lands with a thud on the ground. A small leather shoes falls out of one of his pockets. TLS looks into the ambulance with the door swinging open as it drives off. In a shelf where a ventilator mask should be, there appears to be a crown. And hanging on the side where an emergency kit should be, there appears to be an old rusted sword. He thinks about chasing after the Ambulance, but it's already gone. He picks up the small leather buckled shoe and begins walking towards Limerick......~