The world is in a constant conspiracy against the brave. It's the age-old struggle: the roar of the crowd on the one side, and the voice of your conscience on the other.
Califa: The blood, it does not stop. El Califa's blood.....
The scene opens to a near barren locker room. Most of the other performers have yet to arrive at the arena, yet El Califa sits alone in his locker room, wearing baggy jeans and a hoodie with the sleaves pulled up while having his left hand grasped firmly around his right arm. Blood is visibly slowly crawling down his arm, falling from the tip of his elbow into a puddle forming underneath him. His breathing is haggard, though one couldn't see past his mask, they could certainly feel the wince of pain ravaging his body at this particular point. He slowly removes his left hand, revealing the deep cuts in his right arm still. He reaches down to grab some wrap, his left hand shaking violently as he does so.
Califa: It was just a dream. Yet why does El Califa bear the scars of nightmares?
He brings the gauze up, placing padding all around his arm before beginning to wrap the material around it. After finishing his work he rips the end off the roll and tapes the gauze tight. He bends his arm, ensuring proper bending and flexibility, streaks of red immediately staining through the cloth. An audible sigh escapes Califa before he reaches into his bag next to him and pulls out black athletic tape. He again goes about wrapping it, but stops and snaps his head towards the door as he hears voices laughing and talking outside. He suddenly sinks deeper into his locker, holding his right arm once more to hide the gauze. A few moments pass and soon the voices disappear and Califa takes a deep breath. He goes back to tending to his arm, finally covering his arm from wrist to elbow. Once more he tears off the end and sticks it firmly.
Califa: Nightmares, conspiracies, El Demonio del Caos (The Demon of Chaos), Aria, what does all of this have to do with El Califa? He wishes to wrestler, yet he is being drawn into something deeper, something, that has absolutely nothing to do with him. Yet I am the one targeted from all sides. El catalizador para la resurrección (The catalyst to the resurrection), yet El Califa doesn't know what it means.
Suddenly the lights go out in the locker room, and pure silence envelopes the luchador. A faint light seems to make a bee line from the corner of the locker room towards El Califa, quickly stopping in front of him. The silver haired woman suddenly appears, her face illuminated by the unnatural light. Califa, also faintly illuminated immediately makes the sign of the cross and begins chanting:
Califa: La Luz de Dios me rodea.
El amor de Dios me envuelve.
El poder de Dios me protege.
La presencia de Dios vela por mí.
La Mente de Dios me guía.
La vida de Dios fluye a través de mí.
Las Leyes de Dios me dirija.
El poder de Dios mora en mí.
La alegría de Dios me eleva.
La fuerza de Dios me renueva.
La belleza de Dios me inspira.
Dondequiera que estoy, está Dios!
(The Light of God surrounds me.
The Love of God enfolds me.
The Power of God protects me.
The Presence of God watches over me.
The Mind of God guides me.
The Life of God flows through me.
The Laws of God direct me.
The Power of God abides within me.
The Joy of God uplifts me.
The Strength of God renews me.
The Beauty of God inspires me.
Wherever I am, God is! )
His head bowed while chanting the prayer, keeping his hands folded in front of him. As he stops he unfolds his hands, looking up at the smirking face of the silver haired woman. She reaches out and caresses Califa's cheek, causing the masked man to pull away from her. Her eyes narrow, but the smile becomes more vicious as she looks at Califa intently.
???: I am waiting for the righteous one
Enlighten us........... the righteous one
I am waiting for....... the righteous one
Enlighten us......... the righteous one
Are you waiting for.......... the righteous one?
With the faith of titans............ with your beauty enlighten us.
Califa: El Califa is not this righteous one!
The silver haired woman shakes her head slowly, her tresses moving slowly with her movements. She suddenly throws her head back and begins laughing maniacally seemingly at the notion of Califa's statement. She lowers her head, her eyes glowing a faint red.
???: The Exalted will rise from his slumber. The balance has been broken. His unbound will shall bring forth the beginning of the end. The cycle shall be preserved, no matter the cost.
Before Califa can respond the woman suddenly let's out an ear shattering scream, forcing Califa to cover his ears over his mask as if a banshee were filling the silence. Califa let's out a loud yell before suddenly the scene shifts and the lights are back on, the silver haired woman now gone. Califa sits hunched over, his hands remain clasped to his head. Just then the door opens and walks in the man himself, Showtime Cougar. Califa slowly looks up as World Champion walks in, dressed to the nines as one would expect of him. Showtime sets his bag down across the room from Califa, seemingly not having seen the luchador. Califa studies him for a few moments, his hand slowly sliding down and pulling his sleeves down, concealing the wrapped up arm.
Califa: Showtime, El Califa must ask you something.
Showtime spins around, a cellphone pressed to his ear. He nods his head towards Califa and motions for one moment. Califa nods his head back and waits patiently. Showtime goes back to his conversation before finishing and hanging up. He turns towards Califa and speaks.
Showtime: Califa right?
Califa: Si.
Showtime: I don't normally see anyone else around here this early. You always come in here like this?
Califa shakes his head, gripping his left hand as he winces in pain behind his mask.
Califa: No, Califa has just found this is the best place and time to find peace even for a few moments.
Showtime chuckles and nods his head, tossing his cell phone up into his locker room. He turns and begins unzipping his bag, but continues to speak to Califa.
Showtime: I don't doubt that. Especially with that nut job Drake Callahan talking about you being Ty Burna and all.
Califa: And what of you Showtime, do you believe El Califa to be the feared Demonio del Caos?
Showtime stops momentarily, his head lifting for a brief moment before looking back at Califa. He remains silent for a brief moment before shaking his head.
Showtime: I don't believe it Califa, but you must admit the coincidences are starting to pile up. The lights, the music, your disapperance at All or Nothing. It's just all too convenient.
Califa: El Califa is not Ty Burna! He has no control over any of that!
Califa springs to his feet and walks towards Showtime. Show puts his hands up and backs away a bit.
Showtime: Whoa, I didn't say I believed you were Ty Burna. All I'm saying is that recent events start to make even those that don't listen to Drake's inane ramblings question your claims.
Califa ponders this for a few moments before lowering his shoulders and his head. Showtime looks ever so slightly hesitant, not in fear, but what he had gone through facing Ty Burna, one could not blame him for showing restrain.
Califa: You know Ty Burna better than anyone Showtime. What was this man like?
Showtime is taken back briefly by the question but he gathers himself and crosses his arms, lowering his chin to his chest.
Showtime: It's no secret Califa that Ty and I were certainly not friends, hell I've stolen his girl in the past just to get to him. He's evil, vile, conniving, and yet, I have no choice but to respect him. He carried the title I hold for so long, defeating everyone in his path. Let's put it this way Califa, while he was arrogant to a fault, he carried himself with a pride that no one else could help to match. He was ruthless. He did what was needed to win. I guess that's what made our rivalry so explosive. Neither of us were ready to back down.
Califa takes this all in for a few moments before nodding his head. He looks up at Showtime and holds his hand out.
Califa: El Califa thanks you Showtime. He now understands Drake's purpose for all this.
Showtime looks down at Califa's hand for a brief moment before extending his own out and shaking it.
Califa: Good luck against Drake Callahan tonight Showtime. El Califa sin duda estará en la esquina del campeón. (El Califa will certainly be in the corner of the champion.)
Califa turns and walks away, exiting through the door of the locker room as Showtime looks on. The scene shifts to the interview part of the backstage area. El Califa stands in his full robe, the hood pulled up over his head. Becky Serra stands next to him, mic in hand.
Becky: I'm here with El Califa Dragon, with an exclusive WZCW.com interview! Dragon, last week you were involved in a fatal four way match where you ended up tapping out to S.H.I.T. Though during the course of the match, you seemed to have changed into a different person. Do you have any comment on that.
Califa stares forward at the camera before turning to Becky and nodding his head.
Califa: Yes, El Califa got caught in a vice by the hombre de metal (metal man). I am not ashamed to say I lost to such a competitor. El Califa does not know what happened. He remembers Steven Holmes corriendo como el cobarde que es escaldada. (running like the scalded coward he is). He remembers being attacked, and left for scraps on the ramp. El Califa remembers nothing more.
Becky: You remember nothing at all?
Califa shakes his head and crosses his arms.
Califa: More importantly amiga, El Califa has Drake Callahan nipping at his heels once more. He grows tired of your treachery Drake. If you wish to settle this once more, El Califa will be more then happy to end it and make you see your theories are just that.
Becky: Dragon, as we saw at the end of Ascension, Drake has found someone that believes him. Does this change the rivalry you two have built up?
Califa stares at Becky for a few moments before turning back to the camera, his arms folded in front of him still.
Califa: It changes nothing Becky! I don't give a damn if Drake Callahan converts the entire locker room to his way of thinking. El Califa will face off against his conspiradores and knock them out one by one. Since this has begun he has converted exactly one person Becky. El Califa does not mind being outnumbered. He has proven himself better than Drake Callahan, and so if someone else wishes to fight El Califa, then he too will fall to the wrath of the Dragon!
Becky: Speaking of fighting, on Aftershock this week you face a rookie in Donny J. What are your thoughts on that?
Califa: Donny J. El Califa doesn't know who you are. He doesn't care who you are. You have crossed the path of the Dragon during his greatest rage. It is unfortunate your wrestling career begins with the Dragon unleashing his wrath upon you, but I will show no mercy. Those that face the Dragon will feel his fiery anger, and they will falter!
Califa takes the mic from Becky and walks up to the camera until his mask completely fills the screen.
Califa: I'm not waiting anymore for you Drake Callahan. The Dragon is ready to destroy everything you hold close to you. The Dragon shall rise above, ready to strike it's prey. I know why you accuse me of being Ty Burna, El Califa can smell the fear on you like the cheap cologne you wear. And so the Dragon will make your ultimate fear become reality. It will devour your soul just as the Demonio del Caos haría! (Demon of Chaos would!)
The scene fades to black.
