DC sits with the look of a bored teenager in a science class. Next to him is David Whitman. These two men have traveled all over the world, fought and teamed together in countless companies. They have had the adulation of millions because they were the best. But their destinies are linked beyond what they have known to this point. There’s no way that they could have pictured themselves here together at this point in time. Not with this man in front of them.
“War is coming gentlemen and the time for games will soon be over. We have bent to the rules of WZCW for long enough and the time has come to impose our own will on the company. It will follow our destiny as we demonstrate what will be in the future.”
DC grimaces, his couldn’t-care-less mannerisms shine. He glances at Whitman but his friend is statuesque. David’s eyes are glazed over, he looks bored.
“We need to show some substance.”
“We need you to get your finger out G.” The biting comment draws no reaction from the masked leader. “You said we would destroy them. You said they were falling apart, had nothing left.”
“And -”
“And nothing! I’m sick of your bullsh*t! What was the point of agreeing to be in whatever this is supposed to be if we are not the best? You may not know what it is to be the best but we are used to being the best in the damn world. You have no idea what you are doing and we are wasted.”
“I understand you are feeling hard done by, let down. You didn’t expect your journeys within the Altar to be smooth did you?” DC raises his hands as he openly questions the Grand Mystique once more. “You are being tested. Your paths to this point have been laden with obstacles and pitfalls that have brought you down to all time lows, personally and professionally. Have faith that we will see you rise to the pinnacle of this company. But believe me when I say that your return must be alongside us because you cannot do this alone. And you were alone, more than you ever had been and you hated it. You couldn’t run with Michaels or Cannon, hell, even Sharpman and Bridges rejected you like a piece of trash. But with no family, you were beyond vulnerable.”
The names that GM mentions gets a reaction from both men but their lacklustre energies mean that their responses are low-key, barely noticeable.
“You and David have that in common. You have been left to rot in hell and we are picked up the pieces. I can tell you why you struggle so much, why you have nothing left and I can tell you why that struggle will end.”
“Oh this will be good.” Whitman glances at him. “I’m intrigued.” Both men smirk but it’s an empty gesture.
“Because Destiny has been kind enough to lay Mikey Stormrage at our feet a little early and I expect you to take what has been given to you in the manner that it is intended.”
“You’re crazy. You are clueless! For all the good it does us being able to destroy Stormrage, you get isolated in the same way?”
“You don’t understand -”
“Please, don’t you dare say “What the Lord giveth, he taketh away”, I’m not in the mood for that sh*t right now.” His normal arrogance replaced by a worn-down frustration.
“You feel the same David?”
“Heh.” His ironic chuckle is muted and muffled. “I’m in but I don’t like your odds.”
“Fear is something for them to dwell on. Let them mull it over in the days leading to come. Mikey Stormrage should be petrified about what faces him in your match. Howard, Runn and Jacobs will look in my eyes and see their own fear reflected back at them. I will torture them with their weaknesses and what I do in the ring will break their spirits and echo in eternity at Kingdom Come when they are ready to be sacrificed in front of the world.”
“So you want us to break the spirit of Mikey Stormrage?” D sounds fed up and he doesn’t even try to hide it.
“You think that is going to be simple?”
“Nothing is simple but I have had him on the edge of sanity for too long.”
“I would have believed you before the Lethal Lottery but he seems to have found his way again.”
“Every single superstar in WZCW wears a facade. My mask is more honest than most. Mikey’s is most fragile and he is ready to crack. He simply believes he is better because he has a semblance of normality back in his life. Howard is all he knows and we have crushed that aspect of his life, he will never have that crutch to support him and that is all down to the work Mason and I have put in. Stormrage is the physical and mental representation of everything that we are aiming to crush and it is nearly time for our project to come to fruition.”
“Really, what is that then?”
“You haven’t realised yet?”
“No, brain-ache, I’m not Sherlock Holmes and I cannot read your mind. I have no idea what your end game is.” D is tired and becoming stressed with the cryptic talk of the Altar’s leader but it’s the most energy either man has shown yet..
“Your final lesson will come in time and then all will become clear.”
__________________________
We see the same room. Mason Westhoff, a much bulkier man akin to the Grand Mystique's own size, sit around the same table and it is instantly clear that the relationship between the two is much more amicable.
“What troubles you Brother Mason.”
“I fear for the stability of our Altar my liege. DC and Whitman have hardly caused shockwaves with their arrivals.”
“Doubt is a powerful tool Brother Mason and it should be coursing through your veins. Doubt me, be suspicious of our cause and you will emerge better for the experience.”
“I didn’t mean to be so obvious.”
“You weren’t. I see it in your eyes. Your heart was to embrace these two men, it is in your nature to see them as brothers but I never said that it would be easy to nurture that relationship to the point that is natural and reciprocated. I understand your hesitation and I hope your concerns will be allayed shortly.”
“We are hardly a cohesive unit and we are not ready for the battle that awaits us.”
“It is not about being cohesive or organised.”
“Then pardon my doubt sire but what is the point?”
“The time will come for my lessons to come about and reveal themselves because Kingdom Come is the beginning of our journey, not the end.”
“So what is next?”
“Justice appears in many forms. There are countless events that are unjust in WZCW. The Sacrificial Altar is the solution to these injustices. This company just doesn’t know about it but they will. ” Mason tries to hide disappointment but fails. “For now, just remember what I told you when we first met.”
