Kingdom Come 7: Theron Daggershield (c) vs. Dr. Zeus - World Heavyweight Championship

[Richard Blonoff]

(Description to come later)

Deadline is Tuesday, November 10th, at 11:59PM CST. Extensions available upon request.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

Deadline has been extended by 24 hours.

 

[Con T.]

Ellie opened the door of her car, and rushed as quickly as possible to the door of her house. Already almost at tears, she braced herself for what she knew would be immensely uncomfortable. She caught her breath, and closed her eyes, subtly grimacing as she opened the door. As she walked in, she found Dorian in the hallway, arms folded, looking more angry than he ever had before. She stepped backward a little bit, frightened, before she stammered, "Dor-Dorian I realize that this doesn't look good-"

"Glad you came to that realization" he grunted, his teeth grit and his tone very low.

"Hold on, Dorian, Dorian," she already began to plead, tears starting to well. "I can- I can explain, ok?"

"Then what is it?" For the first time since Ellie had known him, Dorian yelled at her. It rattled her very being, and her knees grew weak, as she looked for a place to sit. She openly wept, as she opened her mouth to speak. But as she did, a low vibration could be heard. Dorian checked his pager, and sighed in exasperation. "Shit." He placed his pager down in his pocket, and looked to his wife with stone gray eyes. "Work needs me back. You're coming with me." Ellie looked to Dorian with a confused expression. "Look, we don't have much time, an emergency's cropped up. And since it looks like you're feeling a bit better, I assume you'll have no problem saying hi to the people you lied to, and explaining to me just exactly what's going on along the way."

Ellie gulped, as Dorian grabbed his keys. The sound of his fist hitting the oak wood of the table made a loud thud, and Ellie arose out of sheer fear. She shuffled towards the car, trying to make as little eye contact with Dorian as possible. She folded her arms as she walked outside. Dorian was already opening his car door and revving the engine for his car. Ellie haphazardly forced herself into the passenger seat, and finally looked to her husband, who now looked more hurt than anything. There was no anger in his eyes, nor anywhere else. The tension remained, but was layered with a sense of betrayal.


The car ride was quiet for some time, as the two rode in stone silence. Dorian's face was now expressionless. Ellie was still shaken, and looked as though she was on the brink of tears. Dorian finally broke the silence. "Still waiting whenever you're ready, Ellie. You told me there was a good explanation." His voice carried no expression; she could barely register it was his voice.

"There is," she muttered. She fidgeted, as she tried to form the words. "Dorian...Dorian, I'm sorry."

Dorian gave a rueful smile, before another pause of silence. "I don't doubt that, Ellie." Again, he allowed for a pause, as he explained, "It's everything else I'm doubting now, Ellie."

"I understand," Ellie weakly offered.

Dorian finally looked at his wife with exasperation. "Do you, Ellie?" He calmed down, and looked back to the road. "It's not I haven't been worried for a while, Ellie. I've noticed when you've woken up in the middle of the night. How on edge you've been, sometimes. And then there are times when it seems like nothing effects. My God, Ellie, when you're on edge...it's like you're possessed. You scream at our colleagues, you scream at me, for God's sake!" His face was a beet red, as he realized his own anger. "I'm sorry...I just don't understand, Ellie. Please, just help me understand...what's going on?

As they reached closer to the hospital, a black fog seemed to cover the area. It was a dark black, that seemed to ooze from the ground.

"Construction," Dorian muttered to no one in particular. But Ellie began to get really frightened. She gripped the edge of her seat, as she looked to Dorian.

"Dorian, is there a detour?" She barked this out, more as a command than a question.

"...No?" Dorian uttered, more as a question than a response. "Ellie, we always go this way. You know they're just laying down tar to pave the roads." She tensed up as the fog surrounded the car, and seemed to filter a bit into the car. She tried to hold her breath, as she felt it strangle her. Her eyes grew wide, as she tossed in her chair. Dorian braked, and looked to his wife. He panicked as well, as he rushed to grab her by the shoulders.

"Ellie!"

He shook her, out of desperation. As she came to, Dorian relaxed a little himself. Amidst the fog that surrounded them, Ellie's eyes grew a slight glimmer of yellow. From her panicked state, she awoke to a laugh. Dorian looked on in, completely perplexed. "Ellie....Ellie, what is it?"

She continued to laugh, as the fog cleared up around them. She spoke in a cool tenor; it was the same voice, though there was no wavering in her voice. She spoke with confidence, almost an arrogance. It was still her voice, and yet it sounded nothing like the woman Dorian loved.

"Poor, poor Dorian...never to see your wife for who she truly is." It was now Ellie that let out a scornful chuckle, as she played with her fingernails. "Does it hurt, Dorian? Hurt to know someone you love so dearly can feel like such a stranger?"

Dorian's voice now became wavey, as his brow furrowed. "This...this isn't my wife..."

This time, an even louder scornful laugh from Ellie. "Oh, you have no idea."

Dorian cocked his head, with no idea where this tone arose from. "I...Ellie, how-"

Ellie shot back with a rueful look. "The Ellie you know is gone!" She adjusted the mirror above her seat, to look into her eyes. "In fact, you might just say this is a side to your wife that no one's seen." Another laugh, as she considered this. "Ok, maybe one or two more people..."

Dorian put the car in drive again, and drove as fast as he could to the hospital.

"Does it bother you, Dorian? Does it bother you to see your wife like this?"

"This isn't my wife," he said, not even looking at the person sitting next to him. "I don't know who you are, but this isn't the woman I married!"

Ellie smirked in the mirror, as Dorian raced along to the hospital. In another thirty seconds they were in the parking lot, before Dorian breathlessly blurted out, "You are not the woman I loved. But if this is who you decide you want to be, I'm not going to stop you!"

Dorian opened up his door, as Ellie shook her head. She watched as Dorian left in an angry haste, and called out, "Dorian! Dorian...just, listen to me, please!"

Dorian stopped, and looked at Ellie with pure rage. "I've heard enough!"

Ellie sobbed, as she looked into her mirror. But as she looked in the mirror, she did not see any tears. Instead, she saw pure yellow eyes. The face in the mirror smiled at her; it was definitely Ellie, and yet not Ellie at the same time. From her mouth, a deep bass of a voice oozed out.

"Time's Up, bitch..."

Ellie unfastened her safety belt, as the face in the mirror stared intently at her. "Have a great day at work...I'll be seeing you soon, dear."

Chastity entered the dark hallowed halls of Dr. Zeus' church, intent on finding the good Doctor.

"Doctor!"

The echo resonated throughout the church, as her eyes shot around the room. At the very back of the room, she noticed a small dot of an ember, and ran to find the Doctor, hovering over it. As he stared intently into the fire, he mumbled over and over,

"As the flames below me rise and rise,
I command you, unshackle me from my Godly ties."

Dr. Zeus fed the fire more, as Chastity attempted to grab Zeus' attention. "Doctor, Doctor, snap out of it! Doctor, what's going on?! I leave you, and this is what you turn to! You bring Fallout and John Doe to where they are now?! You're supposed to help them, you're supposed to help me! And instead, here you are summoning whatever help you can!"

Dorian did not react to Chastity's rant at all. Instead, he poured gasoline upon the fire, to cause it to rise more. Again, he chanted.

"As the flames below me rise and rise,
I command you, unshackle me from my Godly ties."

Chastity stood in front of the Doctor, before he can pour even more gasoline, and cause the decrepit church to fall. Now, the tiny ember had become a roaring fire, completely untamed and ready to attach itself to any stray wandered that met its gaze.

"Doctor, I-"

Dorian instead sat down and rocked to himself. Again, he chanted.

"As the flames below me rise and rise,
I command you, unshackle me from my Godly ties."

Chastity noticed a notepad of paper next to the Doctor. She looked for any scribbled notes the Doctor typically writes of his opponents. Instead, she found drawings.

Spoiler

Chastity grabbed at the Doctor's face. "Doctor, we can do this without the help of these foul demons! Theron is just one more foe, and you have beaten him before!"

It was at this that Dr. Zeus finally broke his gaze from his ritual. He offered a smile, but certainly not a smile that made Chastity feel any sort of comfort. It was a smile that screamed in your face; a smile that hid murderous intent, under the presumption of everyday duty.

"My dear, sweet child, you don't understand,
The type of suffering, for Theron Daggershield, that I have planned!"

Dr. Zeus turned his attention to Chastity, as he stalked her. She backed away, but he continued to creep towards her.

"Defeating Theron will not be my goal!
I've taken Theron's body, his mind...but I've yet to take his soul!
That's why you've walked into my ritual, my dear.
So I can make it so very clear.
I conjure up a demon to possess this soul of mine!
To drag that worthless wretchs' soul to Hell, I will cross every single last line!"

Dr. Zeus returned to his fire, as Chastity pulled his arm. "I will not let yourself be corrupted in this way! I will not work for a man that allows himself to be consumed by the devil!"

A smile formed on Zeus' face, as he listened to his most loyal companion.

"My dear, Chastity, don't you see,
How much making this deal has already helped me?
Accepting the darkness has paved the way!
Every villain in our path, we have conquered and slain!
The blood of so many now falls on my hands!"

Dr. Zeus raised his hand, to show a bloody palm.

"And now I call on the devil once more, for our final stand!"

Chastity began to feel many, many people fill the room, as Doctor Zeus chanted loudly into the fire:

"As the flames below me rise and rise,
I command you, unshackle me from my Godly ties!"

The choir began to sing, as the flames rose higher and higher.

[YOUTUBE]xMoCbXIDJ7k[/YOUTUBE]

The room lit up from the flames around Zeus, Chastity, and the choir. Zeus laughed as the flames soared, and the smoke that came from the flames consumed his body. Chastity reached to stop this act, but she was too late. Dr. Zeus was consumed in dark smoke, and the only thing she could make out was the glimmer of yellow eyes. Dr. Zeus walked out of the smoke, laughing, with a black robe and yellow eyes. The choir was silent, as Zeus maniacal laughter took up the room.

"You...you are not the man I know."

The voice that arose from Dr. Zeus was not his own, but rather, the bassy voice of Alistair.

"You'd be surprised by how much I get that..."

"What have you done with him?!"

A chuckle, as Dr. Zeus walked toward his charge, Chastity. Chastity heard the voice of Alistair, again, emanating from the body of Zeus.

"Can't you see? He is still your Good Doctor. This is the deal he's made...bring us back the soul of Theron, and we shall bring him the soul of his loved one!"

"You never said anything about claiming his soul!"

A laugh, this time echoing throughout the church. "Kind of comes with the nature of these deals."

The smoke had finally cleared, and the choir stood in a circle, all around Chastity.

"You know why you humans flank so much to us, child?" Chastity shook her head, but also backed away. "You see, you need us to know that there's some fairness to it all. You know...this world, your world. You need us to know that even if someone doesn't get his on Earth, that he'll rot away the rest of his life in Hell! How many times did they tell you that, child?!"

"You're not Dorian, you're a monster!"

"I am Dorian! And I am a monster!"

This silenced Chastity, as Alistair continued. "You see, the truth is, child, it's just as arbitrary with us, too. God, us...it really doesn't matter. When you die, your soul is ours, to do as we please with it! And some can escape the fire...Theron did, that's for sure. But it's only quite temporary, you see. As soon as Theron drank from the water of Mystra and purified himself, we had a plan! We knew we could take God's warrior, and make him ours!"

Alistair chuckled, as he looked down at Dr. Zeus' hands. "And we did. You see, God used to care about saving your souls, he really did. Until you proved you were unworthy of saving, you see. So, he left it us to sort it all out. The war was over."

"Then why could I hear the Lord's voice?!"

Coolly, Alistair replied, "Because we needed you to find him. Just like Fallout, Doe. And before even that, Warren....Beard...God, there were so many. We even toyed with taking Vega, just for fun!"

"And...and Theron tried to save him."

"Theron failed," Alistair corrected. "That's the issue with Theron. He thinks he can be saved; that by purifying himself, he's any different than the rest of us. He isn't; he thinks he can save the world, and he'll fail at that, too. Just like he failed against Fallout, just like he failed to save Vega, and just like he failed so many times before-"

"But he has succeeded! He succeeded to become champion!"

Dr. Zeus looked to his charge with shock, before smirking, "So he could run into the Good Doctor, at his Kingdom Come."

Chastity's mouth was agape, as she considered this.

"You fancy you have free will. You fancy that you can change your fate. The reality is, all roads lead to Kingdom Come, and all of your miserable fates wind up in our hands. Theron is no different; he was meant to succeed. Much like Job before him, he did succeed for some time. And much like Job, he, too, will fall. Much like Job, he will suffer the agonies of torture. Much like Job, he will lose all that he holds precious! And much like Job, he, too, will meet his grisly fate. The only question I have is...care to join The Good Doctor for the ride?"

Chastity broke the circle of the choir, as she ran away from the manically laughing Dr. Zeus. His body, possessed by the demon, harnessed an unspeakable power. Amidst the cloaked figures, a smaller figure breaks free of everyone. Dr. Zeus commands for the child to sing, and offers one final warning to Theron Daggershield.

Dr. Zeus' final warning for Theron Daggershield may be found here....

 

[Dagger Dias]

Theron's Merry Band Of Misfits

Scene opens to a view of dark catacomb tunnel. Murals line the walls but due to the darkness, very little can be seen. A few torches light up bits and pieces of the walls of the path, but not enough to make out the images. It is completely silent other than the crackling of fire burning in the small torches on the wall and the occassional squeaking of rats as they run across the floor in the tunnel. A source of light is noticeable from the far left side of the tunnel, it is growing brighter and brighter from the distance. A few seconds pass and the light source is now visible, it is a handheld torch larger than the ones on the walls of the tunnel. The person holding the larger torch can now be seen as he walks onscreen, it is the World Gladiatorial Heavyweight Champion, Theron Daggershield! His Merry Band of Misfits are behind him, each also carrying a torch. Theron stops and observes the surrounding area.

Theron: We're here. The Ancient Temple of Mystra's Catacombs of Chosen Champions.

Each of the five Misfits surround Theron in circular formation, facing the fearless leader. Theron's girlfriend, Kirilah the Paladin of Mystra, is directly in front of Theron.

Kirilah: Tonight Mystra will reveal your destiny. All Chosen warriors of Mystra have made this pilgrimage. The three chambers inside are geared towards one's Past, Present, and Future. You must first let go of your Past, then understand your Present, and finally ask Mystra for guidance to your Future. Fear not, for our Mother of Magic is watching you.

Kaleesta: The Triad of Tyr, Ilmater, and Torm are watching over you as well. Are you prepared?

The Warblade nods his head.

Theron: I'm ready. Let's go.

The Misfits all cheer in unison as Theron makes his way to the front of their formation, and the group begin walking down the path. An epic heroic march instrumental starts playing in the background, and continues to play through the rest of the following scenes.

[YOUTUBE]MTNhgb0s6qE[/YOUTUBE]​

The party procceed forward and stop as Theron notices a mural to his right. He turns to take a closer look and the angle changes to a view from behind Theron so that the mural is visible. It depicts a battle between 5 warriors. A knight in full platemail, a rogue ninja, a necromancer, and a samurai all lay on the ground fallen as a Sorceror stands at the top of a tall platform having won the battle. Above the mural is ancient text in Common that reads "LET GO OF YOUR PAST".

Theron: This looks a lot like what was going on at last year's Empire Rally event. I was in a Ladder match for the Global Championship against Kaitlyn Onyx, humbleBEE, N, and Father Apple the veteran Sorceror who surprised all by winning the match.

Sheshmish: Ye have come a long way since that day, Captain.

Kirilah: Look at this. There's a verse from the Tome of Mystra written next to the Knight if you look closely.

Angle zooms in on the verse and it can be seen.

"Warriors, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to battles that are ahead, I press on toward embracing the abilities given to me by Mystra and The Triad." ~ Prestidigitation 3: 13-14

The angle remains focused on the verse long enough for it to be read and then zooms back out to a view of Theron from behind.

Theron: My past failures no longer matter. I am not the same warrior I was a year ago. Back then I was distracted. I had to find my focus. I needed a better strategy going into more difficult matches.

The Warblade turns around to face his allies.

Theron: The Theron who stepped into the ring at Empire Rally 6 year ago is long gone. That loss made me re-think everything. My new strategy led to a win against the dangerous Beardacus at Resurrection 2015.

Keifasar: And also that La Charisma guy.

Theron: That's absolutely right. I defeated La Charisma not once but twice, at both Elevation 88 and 89.... Then I went on a Crusade....

Kaleesta: Where The Triad of Tyr, Ilmater, and Torm picked you to be the one to earn an unprecedented win against The Garmr Dogs. One after another they fell, darkness was overcome by the light.

Theron: Graven Darksbane at Elevation 90.... Frank Physique at Elevation 91.... And then Ella Teague lost her Global Championship to me at Treasure Hunt 2015 in what I at the time thought was my career defining moment....

The Warblade has a wide smile as he thinks back on his consecutive wins against each member of The Garmr Dogs triumvirate.

Kaleesta: It was a time of immense excitement both for you and for your fans.

Theron: I never would have won any of those matches, let alone the Global Championship, had I not changed my strategy after last year's Empire Rally.

The smile turns more serious as another memory is recalled by Theron.

Theron: I made friends during that time too. Soft Golem Infiltration, a tag team made up of Alakablue the Wizard and CRAP the Golem. I also made a friend on a deeper level, with Clovis The Stunning Fist.

He closes his eyes and sighs.

Sheshmish: Clovis and The Captain, ye were a formidable team!

Kaleesta: Until the fixed point in time, at Uncalled For 2015.

Theron opens his eyes and responds.

Theron: Clovis may have been my strongest ally yet. We were undefeated as a tag team, but he had already earned a title shot for my Global Championship so I knew this alliance would be short-lived. I again lost focus as I was too concerned about retaining my friendship rather than my title, and in one split second my Global Championship was gone. Soon afterwards, Clovis HIMSELF was also gone. I lost my closest friend AND my Global Championship.

Kirilah: The Mother of Magic gives, and The Mother of Magic takes away. Mystra had bigger plans for you. Is what transpired after that not proof?

Theron: I thought I had reached my biggest accomplishment when I won The Global Championship, but Mystra DID bigger plans for me. Bigger than I ever come have envisioned.

The Warblade steps forward toward a doorway beyond the mural.

Theron: I have let go of my past. Let's keep moving along.

Angle remains on the doorway as Theron and his allies all walk through it, exiting the chamber. As The Merry Band Of Misfits each leave the room the light fades darker and darker until the murals and walls can no longer be seen due to the darkness. The screen fades completely to black for a second, then fades back in to a view of another mural, but it is too dark to make out what is going on in the image. A light source from the left side of the screen appears and begins getting brighter. Theron and his allies walk onscreen and once they reach the mural it is now visible thanks to their torches which are all still burning. Theron walks up to the mural.

Theron: Here's another mural.

He looks up and the angle shows it in its entirety. A Triadic Knight holds up a Longsword in one hand and a Tower Shield in the other. The Tower Shield shows the symbols of the three deities Tyr, Ilmater, and Torm. Rays of light are also depicted surrounding the Triadic Knight. Above the image is ancient text in Common that reads "UNDERSTAND YOUR PRESENT IDENTITY IN MYSTRA".

Kirilah: This one also has a verse from the Tome of Mystra. Do you see it? Over there next to the Triadic Knight's Longsword.

Angle zooms in on the verse and it can be read.

"Let light shine out of darkness, our Mother of Magic made her light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of Mystra's glory displayed in the face of The Triad." ~ 2 Conjuration 4:6

Theron is still viewing the mural as the angle zooms back out.

Theron: Ever since the week I defeated The Dread Necromancer Deangelo Genocide at Burnup 120, I have felt it was up to me to be the light in this world of darkness. I found myself coming to the rescue of the very man I thought I needed to save the World Gladiatorial Combat Federation from. Instead it was Deangelo who needed saving following a brutal attack by Kaiser.

The Warblade turns around to look at the Merry Band of Misfits.

Theron: Mystra chose me to usher in a new era of Light. When I re-dedicated my life to Mystra at The Lake Of Revival it was a turning point where ALL my past failures were washed away. Then I had my defining moment, I won the World Gladiatorial Heavyweight Championship, a beautiful belt lined with the scales of a powerful Prismatic Dragon. However, where there are champions fighting for good, evil is always nearby. This year's Risky Raffle showed exactly that as Davkas Diamonddeath won the Raffle that same night!

Theron walks over to the mural depicted on the other side of the chamber. This mural depicts an evil Jester who is standing in between three large statues of Tyr, Ilmater, and Torm that are in a triangle formation. A life-sized six foot tall statue of Crashcup is standing on display next to wall at the edge of the mural as well.

Theron: They call him one of the most feared dictators in history. Crashcup, a maniacal genius Jester who went insane after reading The Tomes of the two evil deities Cyric and Shar. Crashcup did the unthinkable by moving the Triad's Statues out of formation, which caused a Tear in the Weave of Magic so severe that it led to the world itself ripping apart into ruin. He ruled the world with his dangerous army of magicians called The Cult of Crashcup for an entire year before a rebellion force of 14 Chosen Mystrian Warriors defeated him. If Davkas Diamonddeath were to become World Gladiatorial Heavyweight Champion, it would be no different than when Crashcup was ruling the world! The federation would fall into ruin and be ripped apart!

He turns around and faces his allies, who are all looking in fear at the mural.

Theron: It's all up to me. I am the last line of defense that the World Gladiatorial Combat Federation has before it falls victim to a ruthless dictator, guys! At Empire Rally 7 tomorrow I have a Final Fighter Remaining match where the rules state I must continue to fight until Davkas is unable to respond following a count of 10. I cannot give up. No, I refuse to give up!

Keifasar: Can you beat him? You're comparing Davkas to an infamous villain who it took an army of 14 to defeat! You tried to prove me wrong about the handicap match at Elevation 100 and look how that ended up. The odds aren't really in your favor, dude.

The Warblade walks up to Keifasar.

Theron: The odds weren't in the heroes' favor in countless situations where THE HERO STILL WON. Look at one of the most classic examples. The very first Super Stereo Brothers game, for example. Stereo has to save Princess Plum from The Kappa King and faces the entire Kappa army on the way to the final castle. Did Stereo give up? No! Stereo kept going until he outsmarted The Kappa King to defeat him, leaving Stereo as the Final Fighter Remaining!

Keifasar: Ok, but -

Theron: In the greatest video game ever made, First Reality 7, did Fog the spiky haired protagonist give up when the platinum haired warrior Rubeus summoned a meteor to destroy the world? NO! He kept going, until the epic final battle when one final Omega-Slash maneuver finished off the iconic villain, leaving Fog as the Final Fighter Remaining!

Keifasar: Yeah, well-

Theron: In The Myth Of Esmerelda series, has Sync EVER given up in ANY of those games when the Shadowcaster Elmendorf tries to gain control over the Triangles? NO! Sync keeps going until the last battle each time, defeating his nemesis with a Platinum Arrow. Leaving Sync as the Final Fighter Remaining!

The Necromancer responds in a very sacrastic tone.

Keifasar: I guess you've proved your point. The heroes in video games always win against the final boss.

Kellia: What is "final boss"?

Theron: The POINT, Keifasar, is that in all those games the hero had to keep going until he won, no matter what it took, in the final battle. I must now do the same. Empire Rally 7 is where the final battle between good and evil will take place. I've always wanted to be a hero. I dreamed of main eventing Empire Rally just like Tidarthian, Tiberius Scorch, and other legends have in the past. Now I have that chance to do the exact same thing.

The Necromancer smiles obnoxiously and gives Theron a "thumbs up". Theron knows deep down Keifasar supports him, despite the sarcasm. Kirilah walks over to Theron and taps him on the shoulder. He turns around and looks at her.

Kirilah: We are about to enter the final chamber. When you were speaking of the heroic video game characters, Mystra gave me a word from scripture for you. I will share that with you after the others have encouraged you. Then you must pray for revelation of your destiny.

Theron: I'm ready. I understand my present identity in Mystra. Now, let's press on to the end of this quest.

The group goes inside the last chamber. It is lit brightly by very large torches but everyone keeps holding the torch they had been carrying. There is an altar with a large symbol of Mystra hanging on the wall above it at the far right end of the chamber. Above the altar and holy symbol is ancient text in Common that reads "ASK AND YOUR FUTURE WILL BE REVEALED".

Kirilah: Let us all lay hands on Theron using your hand you are not holding a torch in. He needs our words of encouragement and prayer. If you do not feel comfortable praying then just encourage him. I will pray us in, then we will each go around the circle from left to right and I will close us out with the word Mystra gave me earlier.

The Misfits all circle around Theron as the heroic instrumental keeps playing. Kirilah is directly in front of Theron. Clockwise to her left is Sheshmish, then Keifasar, then Kaleesta, then Kellia who is to Kirilah's right. They each extend a hand to Theron. The Warblade himself holds onto his torch with both hands.

Kirilah: Oh Mother of Magic, I lift up Theron to you now and just ask that you give us divine words of encouragement, that you would speak to him through us Mystra.

A few seconds pass with no one speaking up. Kirilah clears her throat. No one speaks. Kirilah clears her throat even louder, still no response. The others all look at Sheshmish.

Sheshmish: What? Be it my turn to speak? Sorry. Well, Captain.... Ye be a fearless leader, and a fearless Champion. I've seen ye make landlubbers of all sizes walk the plank, so even though I don't be a follower of Mystra, I know ye do believe in her and I hope she blesses ye with a big win, Captain. Next round of rum is on me after ye win!

Everyone still has a hand extended to Theron. Kaleesta and Kirilah both have their eyes closed, seeming to be in deep thought. A few more seconds pass and then Keifasar speaks.

Keifasar: I know I give you a hard time frequently man, but.... You've got this. Anyone who can beat me in Yutendo tournaments can retain the World Gladiatorial Heavyweight Championship. For as skilled as you may be when holding a Yutendo controller, you are ten times as gifted in the world of gladiatorial combat. Davkas is the one who should be fearing YOU.

A couple of more seconds pass then Kaleesta the Healer opens her eyes and speaks.

Kaleesta: It is not the time that elapses while someone holds the World Gladiatorial Heavyweight Championship matters, it is the person representing the forces of good and justice, who does. Theron, you are the greatest gladiatorial fighter in the entire world today. You are also a hero and a role model. You fight for what is right, if only others did the same. I pray The Triad of Tyr, Ilmater, and Torm see to it that the right outcome will take place.

The Healer closes her eyes again. Kellia looks up at Theron and begins speaking to him in perfect Elven.

Kellia: Oavsett vad som händer på din match, du är en modig Världsmästare. Någon jag är glad att kalla min vän. Var försiktig där ute, och gör ditt bästa för alla som ser upp till dig!
((((No matter what happens at your match, you are a brave World Champion. Someone I am happy to call my friend. Be careful out there, and do your best for all who look up to you!))))

The Warblade responds to her in Elven but without the proper accents.

Theron: Tack sa mycket.
((((Thanks a lot))))

Several seconds pass as Theron's friends keep their hands extended out to him. Kirilah's eyes open after having been closed this whole time.

Kirilah: So Mystra gave me a verse for you from the Tome of Mystra, I'll pray it over you now. It is from the book of Evocation chapter 6 verses 10 to 17.

She closes her eyes again and recites "Evocation 6: 10-17" from memory.

Kirilah: "Finally, be strong in the Mother of Magic and in her mighty power. Put on the full armor of Mystra, so that you can take your stand against the darkness. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of darkness and against the spiritual forces of evil. Therefore put on the full armor of Mystra, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of champions buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of warriors in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the weave of magic. In addition to all this, take up the shield of heroes, with which you can deflect all the attacks of those who are evil. Take the artifacts of The Triad and the weapon of the Spirit, which is the word of Mystra." ~ Evocation 6: 10-18.

She pauses for a moment and then speaks again.

Kirilah: Thank you Mystra, for Theron, for all the things you are doing through him and for all of the lives he is impacting in his sphere of influence. I pray safety over him in his Empire Rally 7 match, and I just ask that your will be done. Reveal to Theron his true destiny, what you have for him. Amen.

They all let go of Theron, who walks a few steps away. Theron kneels, closes his eyes, and begins to pray quietly to himself. The Misfits watch on as Theron prays. Theron's thoughts can be heard.

Theron: (Voice-over) Mystra.... I come to you in prayer asking for a sign.... Show me what I must do in order to defeat Davkas Diamonddeath at Empire Rally 7....

He takes a few deep breaths and suddenly feels a warm sensation in his heart and a burst of adrenaline. Theron sees a vision of the only other time he battled Davkas Diamonddeath in singles competition, Elevation 76. It all comes back to him, as the outcome of the match was clear. He remembers winning this match. Theron stand up again, his eyes are still closed and he is facing away from his allies.

Theron: Thank you, Mystra.

Kirilah: Did Mystra give you the answer you were looking for?

The Warblade turns around and faces his allies, with a look of confidence on his face.

Theron: I asked for Mystra to give me a sign. She did.... in the form of a flashback of the only other time Davkas and I have ever battled in singles competition. I defeated him at Elevation 76. Davkas has never defeated me without the aid of a tag team partner. He had Beardacus helping him at Everybody Or Nobody 2014. He had Kaiser and Tidarthian helping him at Burnup 123. He had The Character Sheet helping him at Elevation 100. This time, he has NOBODY to tag in when I go to unleash a Critical Hit!

He looks over at the altar and up at the symbol of his deity, Mystra, hanging above it for a moment. He then faces his allies again.

Theron: Earlier I stated that I'm the last line of defense before Davkas takes over. This couldn't be more true. Tidarthian turned to the dark side and no longer remembers what it means to be a hero. The Mighty Sweets are arguing with each other. Even The Czar of Dragons and Tiberius Scorch cannot help as they must defend the honor of the tag team division. I'm literally the fans' last hope. It is up to me to save them from Davkas. I say with full confidence that I will be the Final Fighter Remaining. The fate of the World Gladiatorial Combat Federation itself depends on it. I trust in Mystra, therefore I have NOTHING to fear.

Kirilah: Then let us head over to the Colosseum of Champions where Empire Rally 7 is taking place. Do you want me to walk out to the ring with you?

Theron: No. You must remain where you are safe, in the fan seating area with the others. Davkas will regret sending Marrmell after you and putting you in danger. The trials I have been through ever since he stole the Triad's Pyramid of Power from me have made me STRONGER! I'm entering the final battle and I will deliver as many Critical Hits as it takes to defeat Davkas. Empire Rally 7 will end with the image of the hero having successfully defended his golden prize from the villain, I will be the Final Fighter Remaining.

Kirilah walks over to Theron and kisses him. She smiles proudly at him. The Merry Band of Misfits begin exiting the chamber and the music stops playing. They walk back toward the entrance. Once they reach the previous chamber, Theron stops at the life-sized statue of Crashcup. The others look over to their leader as they notice he stopped walking with them.

Sheshmish: Everything alright, Captain?

Theron: Everyone stand back.... NOW!!!!

They make room and move back toward the wall opposite the statue. Theron feels a burst of adrenaline, he stares up at the statue into its sinister grin. He lets out a loud primal scream and unleashes his Critical Hit gladiatorial finishing maneuver on the Crashcup statue! It falls down to the ground, breaking on impact. Theron stands up as his allies look on, each with eyes wide open. Angle zooms in on the fallen statue, focused on the evil grin on the statue's face as Theron is heard yelling in adrenalized anger.

Theron: ONE......... TWO......... THREE......... FOUR......... FIVE......... SIX ......... SEVEN......... EIGHT......... NINE.........TEN!

Angle zooms out showing Theron standing over the statue.

Theron: I can do all things through Mystra who strengthens me! Tonight, I will smite evil. Your attempt to plunge the World Gladiatorial Combat Federation into a time of evil and terror ENDS TONIGHT, Davkas Diamonddeath! I am The World Gladiatorial Heavyweight Champion, and I WILL BE THE FINAL FIGHTER REMAINING!!!!

Fade to black.