The scene opens in a simple tavern in an unknown village. The room is illuminated low, the fireplace crackling softly in the corner while the barmaid walks around with drinks, serving the few customers in the tavern. Off in another corner sits The Warblade Theron Daggershield and his girlfriend Tiffany, who is working on bandaging a wound on Theron's arm. A look of disappointment is upon his face. He winces a bit as she tightens the bandage, shaking his arm a bit before leaning back and sighing.
Tiffany: I do not understand Theron. Your bravery should have guided you to victory over Zeus at Apocalypse.
Theron: I have failed you Kirilah, and more importantly I have failed Mystra. The World Gladiatorial Heavyweight Championship remains in the hands of darkness.
Theron lowers his head, rubbing his bandaged arm when suddenly the shadows contort around them. Theron looks up briefly as Tiffany feels the change in energy herself. She readies begins praying as the shadows converge around them.
Tiffany: Theron! Prepare yourself! Heavenly Father, watch over us please!
Theron withdraws his falchion as the two slowly get to their feet. The flames from the torches and fireplace flicker back and forth when suddenly Ty Burna and El Caidos Dragon appear in front of Tiffany and Theron, the WZCW World Tag Team Titles held to their sides. Ty's head is lowered down, as is El Caidos's. They simultaneously lift their heads slowly, their eyes glowing bright red. A solemn look is upon Ty's face, staring directly at Theron. Theron sighs in relief, sheathing his falchion, but Tiffany steps directly in between Ty and Theron.
Tiffany: An agent of darkness! You will pay for intruding upon us!
Ty laughs at the threat, crossing his arms as Tiffany stares angrily at him. Theron quickly grabs Tiffany's shoulder, shaking his head.
Theron: Kirilah! The Draconic Liches are not our enemies. This is Tiberius Scorch.
Tiffany: Ty.....Ty Burna?! What do you want? Should you not be back performing your rituals and sacrifices to darkness?
Ty quirks an eyebrow, setting his WZCW tag title bet on the table briefly before looking over to El Caidos.
El Caidos: Perhaps you could tell El Caidos and Demonio del Caos exactly what you are talking about?
Ty: The only sacrifices being made will be Zeus's head when I sever it from the rest of his body. I have no time for wild accusations or your little fantasies about what is good and wrong woman. I have business with Theron here to attend to. Now stand aside!
Ty's voice deepens as he looks menacingly towards Tiffany, his hand slowly forming into a fist. Tiffany looks back to Theron, who nods reassuringly to his girlfriend. She steps aside, though with a very unhappy look upon her face as Theron sits down, clasping his hands in front of him.
Theron: Tiberius, before anything else I want to say what an honor....
Ty: Before anything else get my damn name right. It is Ty Burna, not Tiberius Scorch. And let's get one thing straight Theron, we're here on business, not pleasantries so do not bother with the speech. It falls on deaf ears.
Theron: I have nothing but respect for you Tiberius, and you as well Czar of Dragons. Either way though you are both denizens of darkness, and an enemy to the light.
Ty: And yet you plead for an alliance with the Phantoms. Tell me Theron, you pretend your morals are so high and mighty that you would never become one with the darkness you so hate, yet you so conveniently request an alliance with the King of Darkness no less when you know full well you are in over your head.
Theron shakes his head, slowly standing up but wincing in pain as he looks to El Caidos.
Theron: And what of you Czar? Have you truly embraced such evil as well?
El Caidos looks towards Theron, his black reptilian tongue sticking out at the former champion. His eyes change from red to yellow as he spreads his wings out briefly.
El Caidos: El Caidos is no Czar, no caliph, no king. He is the fallen one now Theron. He has embraced Chaos in order to set things right.
Theron: You were once an honorable warrior, it is a shame to see you resorting to desperation in your quest to destroy Davkas.
Ty: Enough! It's already been proven you don't have what it takes to end Zeus. It's just as I said Theron, in order to defeat a monster, you must become one yourself. You don't have it in you to do what is necessary! And now he still runs rampant with his so called Trinity. Do you see this Theron?
Ty angrily grabs his WZCW Tag Team Title belt, holding it right in Theron's face as Ty stands mere inches from him, his eyes wild and his voice echoing through the tavern, causing the other customers to scramble out of the building. Theron doesn't back down however, his eyes glancing over at the title.
Ty: They thought they had the perfect plan. The perfect way to take us out. And yet here we stand, ripping the Tag Team titles from their clutches. We are the ones that did what was necessary, and now John Doe is a marked man, his time will come soon enough. And you sit here pouting about your loss. How destiny was not on your side. Where was your precious god when you needed him or her most? They turned their back on you Theron, and you failed to realize that it is all on you to do what needs to be done. If you and I were in different spots, I would be digging Zeus's grave as we speak.
Theron: I am above all that.
Ty: Of course you are. Just like every high and mighty idiot that claims to be the shining light in the dark.
Theron: I refuse to resort to your levels Tiberius. Darkness and Chaos are pawns for evil to defeat the Light. I have everything I need to defeat Davkas and purge this land of his evil.
Ty: Just like you did at Apocalypse? Pray tell me Theron, what was your strategy walking into MY domain? I'm genuinely curious what went through your mind walking into the hell I have made famous?
Theron: My plan was simple, walk in there and defeat Davkas. I am the superior warrior to him, and I was going to take back the World Gladiatorial Heavyweight Championship.
Ty stares, almost bemused before he throws his head back laughing, walking back towards El Caidos who can't help but shake his head. Theron looks over to Tiffany with a confused look on his, while she cannot hide her contempt for Ty's manner.
El Caidos: Young Theron, you have a lot to learn still. To claim to be the best warrior, El Caidos tells you now that you have not reached that point yet.
Ty: And that is exactly why Zeus defeated you. You walked right into the trap that you fully knew was right there without so much as a plan? Zeus may be a fool but he is not an idiot. He pushed every button to send you into a blind rage. Maybe he cannot defeat you based on pure skill, but skill is only part of the equation Theron! Do you not see the weakness in your abilities? You believe yourself capable of cutting through whatever is put in front of you. Commendable perhaps, but foolish as well! You walked straight into the fire, believing yourself to be impervious to the raging embers, and you were charred. You have impressive skills Theron, but you are not versed in the art of war as the Harbinger of Chaos is!
Theron: Strategy? I research every opponent I face to know how they work. I did exactly that before facing you Tiberius. I read about the Cyric Armies. I know exactly what Chaos brings.
Ty: Do you now? Well that is certainly a surprise to me because if I recall correctly, I defeated you.
Theron You defeated me because of an interference by Davkas! How is that possibly something you can hold over me?
Ty walks around the table, running his fingers along the old warped wood before picking up a glass of wine. He takes a slow sip from it before leaning against the corner, El Caidos walking in front of Theron now.
El Caidos: Because the conditions of war change at a moment's notice Theron. El Caidos tells you now that it is up to you to adapt to the changes. There is no complaining about what may happen, for it could mean your head served on a silver platter to your enemies.
Theron: I can assure you, Czar, that the next time I face Tiberius, I will defeat him, with no one interfering in our battle!
The shadows suddenly shift and Ty appears right behind Theron, his voice lowered but still deepened.
Ty: You think of me as an ally, but you have no idea how prepared I am to destroy you.
Theron's eyes go wide as he turns and swings wildly behind him. Ty laughs and disappears into the shadows, reappearing in front of him as Theron looks angrily at him. Ty holds a hand up as Theron draws his falchion.
Theron: Enough of this! I know we are to be on a team at Elevation, but as soon as that is over we will end this Tiberius!
Ty: I see now that we must settle this the only way you know how Theron. If that is what you want, then so be it!
Ty holds his hand up as the shadows wrap around all four of them, Tiffany screaming as she strikes at the shadows to no avail. Suddenly they appear in a coliseum, though no one is in the stands. The sun beats down upon them as they stand atop the dirt grounds. Theron and Tiffany look around when suddenly they can hear a blade unsheathe as Ty stands holding his katana. Theron turns towards Ty, holding his falchion.
Ty: You believe yourself to be a great warrior Theron? I see you as nothing more than an impotent welp. Prove me wrong!
Ty rushes forward in a flash and slices at Theron who can barely duck out of the way. He follows up with a knee to Theron's chest, knocking the Warblade backwards. Theron let's out a yell as he swings wildly at Ty, who deftly dodges it, flanking Theron and placing side of his blade to his neck.
Ty: Where is your composure Theron? This battle has just begun and you're already losing focus! How are you considered such a great fighter in WZCW? I have faced down legends, and I have defeated them all. You pale in comparison to those I consider great Theron. You're below me, your mind nothing more than strings that I pull to my own amusement.
Theron: You will not be so amused when you face the end of my blade!
Theron turns and swings again, Ty ducking the strike easily once more. Theron rushes forward, stabbing and slashing at Ty without reservation. Ty continues to dance around Theron's strikes, laughing maniacally throughout. Ty slams his katana down onto the falchion, knocking Theron's arm down before grabbing him by the collar.
Ty: Focus on the enemy and not his words Theron! If you cannot do that then you are a bigger joke than I had originally anticipated.
Theron: I will never listen to the likes of you. I will stop the spreading of your poison!
Theron shoves Ty away who stumbles back momentarily but sidesteps and trips Theron as he rushes forward. Theron falls to his knees as Ty lifts his free hand up, his eyes flashing red. Flames erupt from the ground around Theron, who screams out in pain as the fire surrounds him, seemingly binding him in place. As the agonizing sounds of suffering echoes through the coliseum, Ty walks around Theron slowly, dragging the end of his sword along the ground as El Caidos remains stoic, his arms crossed as he watches intently. Tiffany is stunned at what happened, almost stuck in place herself.
Ty: Your greatest weakness Theron is your inability to understand your enemies. You claim to research them at all times, yet you fail to utilize that information and turn it into knowledge you can use in the middle of battle. In order to defeat the likes of Zeus, you must empathize with his position, delve deep into the mind of a mad man. Only then can you understand his desires, and what takes him off his game. This is a lesson you will learn one way or another today, Theron.
Theron grits his teeth as the fire rages around him, his arms locked against his body. He tries to move his arm, attempting to break free from the binding as Ty sheathes his katana behind him. He crosses his arms as he watches Theron intently. The fire lashes out at him, burning his flesh and the bandages to the wounds he already had.
Theron: I....do.....NOT need the assistance of something so vile as you! I am the Warblade, and when I get another chance I will defeat Davkas just as I am, untainted by darkness!
Ty: Do you not understand it yet Theron? This has nothing to do with the light or the dark. This is the way of the warrior, a path you have chosen. The mental fight is far more important than the physical. You believe yourself to be so skilled in the arts that you can rely on your skill alone. This is something I will impart upon you today. Until then you will continue to fail to defeat Zeus, and so it will be up to me to do so once again. I have done it before, and I will do it again. At this point there is no other option. The almighty hero has been slain by the monster he swore to defeat. While you buy into the thrall of being a hero, I am the one that will put in the dirty work to do what is necessary. I have been through more wars than you could even hope to see in your lifetime.
El Caidos: Where you have failed Theron, the Phantoms will succeed. If you wish to join us in this endeavor, than take Demonio del Caos's words to heart!
Ty: If you cannot see the value of my wisdom Theron, then you shall burn in attrition for such a mistake!
Ty lifts his hand up and the fire intensifies, Theron yelling out in immense pain now as Tiffany suddenly rushes forward towards Ty, her own weapon drawn.
Tiffany: That is enough of this Ty! Let him go or I will bring down the wrath of God upon you!
Ty simply holds his hand up towards her, his head snapping in her direction as a guttural growl escapes him.
Ty: Silence woman! This is what must be done!
Suddenly a flash of purple darts between Tiffany and Ty, a woman in a purple cloak. She has her head down as Tiffany suddenly stops. The woman pulls back her hood, revealing herself to be Arianna. Her eyes glow purple as her raven locks cascade down around her face, a look of calm upon her as well.
Arianna: Do you not see?
Tiffany: See what? That Ty is killing Theron?
Arianna: No my dear. Do you not see that this must be done to strengthen Theron's resolve? The loss to Zeus has affected him in ways you cannot see, Tiffany.
Tiffany: Affected him? He is hurt is all that has happened, and I have to stop this from getting worse!
Arianna shakes her head, reaching out and taking Tiffany's hand in hers, looking her right in the eyes.
Arianna: Listen, I was in your shoes once, wanting to defend my beloved's honor whenever something had happened to him. But for right now you must notice that Ty is simply trying to sharpen the edge Theron had that has become dull. This is the only way to do so, and if you wish for Theron to grow, you must let this continue. He must figure this out on his own. Do you understand now?
Tiffany looks towards Theron and then back to Arianna, shifting between the two as Arianna squeezes her hand reassuringly. A tear falls from the corner of Tiffany's eye as she nods her head.
Tiffany: I do. I understand it now.
Arianna smiles at this as she turns towards Ty, nodding her head to him. He nods back and turns back towards Theron, reaching out and tilting his head up towards him.
Ty: Look at you Theron, you bow down before the Harbinger of Chaos, not of your own will. You allow the flames of Chaos to harm you, to bind you in such a manner? Are you not this shining light in a sea darkness?
Theron: I am that shining light. I am the one to dispel it!
Ty: Then why do you let it control you so?! Stand up and shed your mortal fear Theron Daggershield! Gaze into the abyss and understand the truth of the universe! Light and darkness are one in the same. Without one the other cannot exist! We are one in the same Theron, mirror images of one another.
Theron: No! I am not like you Tiberius. I have never accepted darkness and I never will!
Ty sighs and shakes his head at Theron's steadfast refusal to meet him at the middle. He slowly crouches down in front of Theron, his eyes glowing red as he stares at the struggling Warblade.
Ty: Look at me Theron. I am the epitome of what you hate. What you fight against every single day. And yet at this moment you allow yourself to be handled by the very thing you hate so easily. Look past this notion of alignment Theron, and look at the true enemy right now. It is not me, Zeus, or this very fire that binds you. It is your own inability to recognize your weakness. Your mind holds you back due to your steadfast belief in black and white. You refuse to understand the teachings I am bestowing upon you. And so you shall suffer for that. Unless you stand up right now and recognize what is truly happening and cast aside your own doubts!
Theron stares at Ty, taking in his words, when he suddenly yells out, able to stand finally and thrusts his arms out, casting the flames away in a show of power. He drops to one knee once more after overexerting himself as Ty stands up, withdrawing his blade. He holds the blade out and his free hand out to Theron.
Ty: Now you must make a choice Theron, accept my offer for aid, or fight against me once more and die.
Theron trembles a bit as the superficial burn wounds disappear from his body. He stares up at Ty for a moment before looking between the sword and Ty's hand. He speaks slowly yet haggard.
Theron: I will be the best, I will become the greatest warrior, and in order to do that I must defeat you Tiberius.
Theron suddenly reaches out and grabs Ty's hand, and he is pulled to his feet, the two warriors inches from each other. Ty grins as he holds his katana slightly behind him, as Theron does the same with his falchion.
Ty: Understand this Theron. You will never join the likes of Chaos or darkness that I offer. It is simply not in you. But also know that your belief in the Light is not an otherworldly power, it is the manifestation of your belief in yourself. This is what I needed you to see. Understand though that Chaos is mine, and it is my manifestation as well. Now Theron, face me in battle once more, and show your renewed valor!
Theron nods and the two back away from one another, weapons drawn before rushing towards one another. This time however Theron strikes with precision, Ty deflecting his strikes with a little more difficulty. The battle wages on as El Caidos, Tiffany, and Arianna watch intently, the sound of steel meeting steel clashing throughout the coliseum. With each passing moment Theron strikes faster, Ty now backpedaling a bit from the ferocity of Theron's attacks. Ty suddenly sidesteps one and goes to place his blade at Theron's neck once more but Theron turns and the two blades meet each other in a stalemate, the two warriors pressing for the advantage. Ty smirks as he suddenly pushes forward and then jumps back, sheathing his blade and dropping it on the ground. Theron does the same as the two catch their breath.
Theron: I understand now Tiberius. There is far more to being a warrior than simply swinging a blade. You have opened my eyes and shown me I need to sharpen my mind as well as my blade. Though I will continue to fight against the darkness, I now see that you do not believe in Chaos so much as utilize it as a tool to use in your own wars. I cannot agree with such a method, but I do see the effectiveness that you wield it with. Tiberius, thank you for bringing my effort back into focus.
Ty laughs as he throws his head back before reaching down and picking up his katana. He points the handle at Theron, shaking his head.
Ty: Oh you have just begun to learn the arts young Theron. This was just lesson one. If you wish to learn from me, than perhaps you shall be a worthy opponent to me one day. But for now we must focus on our opponents this week. A team full of egos, men that believe they have been held down for so long. We shall show them why they have not been held down, they're simply not good enough. And this team of Justin Cooper and Mark Keaton will fully understand the hell they are going up against if they want to take the Tag Team Titles from us. Keaton is their weak link, and it is who we shall target simply for his inexperience. And if I have to I'll break Cooper's jaw so he'll shut up, but in the meantime let them talk, they will create their own distraction that we will take advantage of.
Theron: As for Garr Fahl, he could be the most dangerous. He has nothing to lose in his mind as he will never be given what is rightfully his. A man like that could take risks we are not fully prepared for. We must neutralize him first of all to minimize those risks.
Ty: You pick up quickly Theron. Before you would read a book about me and dismiss my capabilities as inferior to yours. Now you see the true threat an enemy can provide. Be humble Theron, for your skills alone cannot be the determining factor. Strike at your enemy's weaknesses, thwart their strengths, and then truly those skills will shine.
Theron: I shall Tiberius. And one day you and I will have that battle to determine the better warrior. For now we make a formidable team that can defeat anyone in front of us!
The two men shake hands as El Caidos walks up to them as well. Theron and Caidos shake hands as the Phantoms and Theron look up at the blazing sun.
Theron: May the way of the Warblade lead to the light!
Ty: Thus it is written.
El Caidos: So it shall come to pass.
The scene fades out.