Post by The Anarchist on Mar 9, 2017 2:52:24 GMT -5
Days after putting together the video for Trauma, Seromine gathered HIS faithful around the Eternal Flame to go over the next steps to take. No, he wasn’t booked to be in Greenville the night of 208, but he planned on having his presence there in a second way. A way that nobody would have any idea about.
“What do you propose, Father?” asked the calm, yet calculating Abraham. His gruff voice indicated he was readily available to carry out any dirty work ordered on the behalf of his leader. Seromine had remained pensive shortly after gathering the troops. He initially let his body language do the talking for him. That was until the question was asked.
“I haven’t decided just yet. We have to be smart about this, Brothers and Sisters.” Seromine trailed off as he studied the features of his International Title in the dancing light of the fire. From the gold side and face plates with their respective etchings, to SEROMINE stretching across the name plate, he was examining his trinket with laser focus on the centered globe. It was almost like he was picturing it being on fire rather than the pit they were gathered around.
“Father?” came the baby-ish voice of Esther. Her vocals fluctuated between grown woman and little girl seamlessly depending on the situation she was involved in. “What’s wrong?”
Someone had to ask the obvious. Destiny was not there for the occasion, deciding instead to spend some time with the children while he conducted business in the groves.
“She’s the only person to beat me since I returned. I’m not foolish enough to dismiss her ability to do it again. Nor will I accept defeat a second time by her hands. I offered her the same chance to accept Salvation that I did to each and every one of you. I took you from places of squalor. From harmful creatures within your own bloodline. From the sinful tongues who seeked termination of your life’s work. I saved you all, and in turn, you saved me.
But Keliska found a cause to mock and degrade us. She was never our first target, but she quickly made herself known as an enemy. Still...I tried to show her the way. Thinking I could tame the wicked beast that lives inside of her filthy body. The demon that possesses her deceitful ways. James Chapter One, Verse Twenty-One spoke of this. It reads: Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”
Seromine was beginning to become agitated with each passing word against his future challenger, and with it, more animated around his followers.
“I no longer wish to aid. I no longer offer her a safe haven from the manipulative company she keeps. God forgive me, I want to coat the ring in her blood and have it stain the canvas for every generation that steps through those ropes into MY church! MY sanctuary! She’s seen as the beacon of hope for the faithful, those who reject what I try to do for them, and it is my sworn duty to end that. Ephesians Chapter Three, Verse Seven says, “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.”
PRAISE SEROMINE! PRAISE THE LORD!
PRAISE SEROMINE! PRAISE THE LORD!
PRAISE SEROMINE! PRAISE THE LORD!
The followers unify in the double chant as they join the preacher in reaching high to the heavens.
“Brothers and Sisters, I want you to go to the show and keep a close watch on her. Go as part of the crowd and blend in. The faces of the faithful and of our enemies do not know yours. Keliska has a scheduled match. Should she leave the door open at any point of the evening, kick it in and deliver a message. If not, I’ll deliver that message myself at Mass Destruction.”
***
The eight arrived to the show dressed like ordinary fans, but had backstage clearance granted in advance courtesy of a call from Seromine. This would allow them to break into pairs. Three had been assigned ringside seats, but did not physically take them until the entrance of Kelli Starr commenced. The trio shadow her all the way to their spots behind the commentary team, never losing sight of the lovable manic. The ratio was two-to-one in favor of the males for this. Lazarus, Judith, and Josiah were given the task.
The match itself was as even as expected and did not disappoint those in attendance. Back and forth she and Olivia Xavier went, bringing the best out of one another in what some could’ve been persuaded early enough to deem match of the night, no matter what else was to follow. As the crowd roared with appreciation for both Kelli and Olivia, the trio of unknown guests stayed silent. Their eyes surveyed everything Dollface did in (and out) of the ring. They relished seeing the pain she was feeling before submission. The noise around them was of no distraction nor consequence. For them it was all about the hope that Kelli would be foolish enough to invite danger to her doorstep.
She never did.
Just as they had when she made her way down the ramp, the trio followed her every step back up it before going backstage. The second three person pairing again was a two-to-one ratio, but this time it favored the females. Rebekah, Abraham and Esther stationed themselves just around the corner from the tunnel that leads out to the ramp. They watched crew film the two superstars as they split up to wherever they were heading off. Using props to hide behind and scattered staff to use as human walls, they remained at a safe distance as Kelli skipped-to-her-lou over to the candy station.
Stoic stares pierced any open space given as they watched her eat the very thing she had turned herself into from within her wooden coffin nearly a year ago. Even then she hadn't a clue. They moved in closer, trading humans and inanimate objects for the comforting blanket of darkness. Out of sight, out of mind, but not out of hearing range to eavesdrop on what she was saying. Even with the barbs she leveled against rising newcomer AND Underground Champion, Kyle Shane, they remained patient and ready to abduct if she dared get within reach.
She never did.
They watched her go skipping around the corridor, unable to strike due to faces with names getting in the way at the most opportune moment. With the moment lost, they retreated to a predetermined meeting place with the others; Eli and Hannah were down in the boiler room. In her hand was a small envelope with a single piece of paper inside. The anxious look in her eyes told the whole story. The menacing Eli welcomed the others back with a nod.
“How did it go?” he asked.
They shook their heads from side to side and gave a rundown as to what they witnessed. Eli nodded in understanding. It was something Seromine had prepared them for. Mass Destruction would be where Kelli Starr would be dealt with.
“What’s with the envelope?” Judith curiously asks.
“It’s something Father won’t be happy about. Kelli won’t be the only matter at hand...” Hannah sighed with concern. Not because of the content discovered. But for what his reaction would be.
They wasted no time in showing themselves the way back home to Labyrinth Grove. The issue at heart would be presented at dawn’s light.
***
“Ha, daddy you look so silly!”
“What? I do not.”
Seromine was in his preacher attire, sans the hat, while this was going on. Usually it would be something more casual, but not on this day. This was the first time his youngest had seen their father dressed this way, and to them, it was something to laugh about. No lengthy explanations from either as to why.
“Yes you do!”
“Daddy, you look, um, you look funny!”
Seromine glances at his giggling twin daughters of terror, bubbling with such fits and unable to contain their self entertainment at his expense any longer. This is to be expected from seven year olds.
“Oh yeah? Well, YOUR MAMA!”
“What about their mama?”
Destiny has overheard her husband’s swift reply and was fast approaching him playfully for clarification. Seromine laughs nervously to himself and begins backing up without much place to go.
“You didn’t let me fin---girls, tell your mom to let me finish.”
“Daddy’s in trouble.”
“Uh ohhh!”
“Well?”
“Well...have I told you how beautiful you look today?”
“That’s not going to save you, mister.”
“How bout I love you?”
“Mm, try again.”
Seromine gets to floor level and hides behind his children, huddling close to them and doing the best he can to hide.
“Would somebody please think of these children?!” comes complete with a faux southern accent and pleading saucer eyes.
KNOCK KNOCK.
Seromine looks behind himself at the door to his office. Standing there was Hannah, clutching onto the small envelope she had from the show. She smiles warmly at the children, nods towards Destiny and motions towards the cult leader that there is news she has to deliver.
“Good morning, Miss Hannah!” speaks Madeleine, overjoyed to see her as she greets with a sudden hug. Following a pat of the head, she and her sister are shooed off by their parents as Hannah comes inside the room to deliver the news.
“Did you sleep okay?” he asks with faint concern, noticing the weariness in her eyes.
“Well, ye---” Hannah pauses and lowers her head. “No Father. I tossed and turned all night. We did as you said at the show, but...”
“Go on.”
Destiny takes possession of the mystery item. She opens it and scans the content inside. Whatever smile she had drops into a scowl. This isn’t lost on Seromine, who has said info passed onto him.
You can count on one hand how long it took before he exploded.
“ARE YOU SERIOUS?! A TRIPLE THREAT?! What in the name of all that is Holy...”
Seromine rips the paper in as many pieces as he can, fuming to see plans had been changed. The shreds are thrown in the air, resting where they may. He expected Kelli Starr to be the lone challenger. After all, that was why he sent the others to the show. But now RICK MAJORS (as it had read in black ink) was also named a challenger. Michael Wryght didn’t add him to the match based on the language of his video at show’s end. Not unless he previewed it before it was added to the format for the evening…
As such, his own words may have just haunted him in a way he didn't think about.
And even worse...ended his reign as International Champion.
“What do you propose, Father?” asked the calm, yet calculating Abraham. His gruff voice indicated he was readily available to carry out any dirty work ordered on the behalf of his leader. Seromine had remained pensive shortly after gathering the troops. He initially let his body language do the talking for him. That was until the question was asked.
“I haven’t decided just yet. We have to be smart about this, Brothers and Sisters.” Seromine trailed off as he studied the features of his International Title in the dancing light of the fire. From the gold side and face plates with their respective etchings, to SEROMINE stretching across the name plate, he was examining his trinket with laser focus on the centered globe. It was almost like he was picturing it being on fire rather than the pit they were gathered around.
“Father?” came the baby-ish voice of Esther. Her vocals fluctuated between grown woman and little girl seamlessly depending on the situation she was involved in. “What’s wrong?”
Someone had to ask the obvious. Destiny was not there for the occasion, deciding instead to spend some time with the children while he conducted business in the groves.
“She’s the only person to beat me since I returned. I’m not foolish enough to dismiss her ability to do it again. Nor will I accept defeat a second time by her hands. I offered her the same chance to accept Salvation that I did to each and every one of you. I took you from places of squalor. From harmful creatures within your own bloodline. From the sinful tongues who seeked termination of your life’s work. I saved you all, and in turn, you saved me.
But Keliska found a cause to mock and degrade us. She was never our first target, but she quickly made herself known as an enemy. Still...I tried to show her the way. Thinking I could tame the wicked beast that lives inside of her filthy body. The demon that possesses her deceitful ways. James Chapter One, Verse Twenty-One spoke of this. It reads: Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”
Seromine was beginning to become agitated with each passing word against his future challenger, and with it, more animated around his followers.
“I no longer wish to aid. I no longer offer her a safe haven from the manipulative company she keeps. God forgive me, I want to coat the ring in her blood and have it stain the canvas for every generation that steps through those ropes into MY church! MY sanctuary! She’s seen as the beacon of hope for the faithful, those who reject what I try to do for them, and it is my sworn duty to end that. Ephesians Chapter Three, Verse Seven says, “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.”
PRAISE SEROMINE! PRAISE THE LORD!
PRAISE SEROMINE! PRAISE THE LORD!
PRAISE SEROMINE! PRAISE THE LORD!
The followers unify in the double chant as they join the preacher in reaching high to the heavens.
“Brothers and Sisters, I want you to go to the show and keep a close watch on her. Go as part of the crowd and blend in. The faces of the faithful and of our enemies do not know yours. Keliska has a scheduled match. Should she leave the door open at any point of the evening, kick it in and deliver a message. If not, I’ll deliver that message myself at Mass Destruction.”
***
The eight arrived to the show dressed like ordinary fans, but had backstage clearance granted in advance courtesy of a call from Seromine. This would allow them to break into pairs. Three had been assigned ringside seats, but did not physically take them until the entrance of Kelli Starr commenced. The trio shadow her all the way to their spots behind the commentary team, never losing sight of the lovable manic. The ratio was two-to-one in favor of the males for this. Lazarus, Judith, and Josiah were given the task.
The match itself was as even as expected and did not disappoint those in attendance. Back and forth she and Olivia Xavier went, bringing the best out of one another in what some could’ve been persuaded early enough to deem match of the night, no matter what else was to follow. As the crowd roared with appreciation for both Kelli and Olivia, the trio of unknown guests stayed silent. Their eyes surveyed everything Dollface did in (and out) of the ring. They relished seeing the pain she was feeling before submission. The noise around them was of no distraction nor consequence. For them it was all about the hope that Kelli would be foolish enough to invite danger to her doorstep.
She never did.
Just as they had when she made her way down the ramp, the trio followed her every step back up it before going backstage. The second three person pairing again was a two-to-one ratio, but this time it favored the females. Rebekah, Abraham and Esther stationed themselves just around the corner from the tunnel that leads out to the ramp. They watched crew film the two superstars as they split up to wherever they were heading off. Using props to hide behind and scattered staff to use as human walls, they remained at a safe distance as Kelli skipped-to-her-lou over to the candy station.
Stoic stares pierced any open space given as they watched her eat the very thing she had turned herself into from within her wooden coffin nearly a year ago. Even then she hadn't a clue. They moved in closer, trading humans and inanimate objects for the comforting blanket of darkness. Out of sight, out of mind, but not out of hearing range to eavesdrop on what she was saying. Even with the barbs she leveled against rising newcomer AND Underground Champion, Kyle Shane, they remained patient and ready to abduct if she dared get within reach.
She never did.
They watched her go skipping around the corridor, unable to strike due to faces with names getting in the way at the most opportune moment. With the moment lost, they retreated to a predetermined meeting place with the others; Eli and Hannah were down in the boiler room. In her hand was a small envelope with a single piece of paper inside. The anxious look in her eyes told the whole story. The menacing Eli welcomed the others back with a nod.
“How did it go?” he asked.
They shook their heads from side to side and gave a rundown as to what they witnessed. Eli nodded in understanding. It was something Seromine had prepared them for. Mass Destruction would be where Kelli Starr would be dealt with.
“What’s with the envelope?” Judith curiously asks.
“It’s something Father won’t be happy about. Kelli won’t be the only matter at hand...” Hannah sighed with concern. Not because of the content discovered. But for what his reaction would be.
They wasted no time in showing themselves the way back home to Labyrinth Grove. The issue at heart would be presented at dawn’s light.
***
“Ha, daddy you look so silly!”
“What? I do not.”
Seromine was in his preacher attire, sans the hat, while this was going on. Usually it would be something more casual, but not on this day. This was the first time his youngest had seen their father dressed this way, and to them, it was something to laugh about. No lengthy explanations from either as to why.
“Yes you do!”
“Daddy, you look, um, you look funny!”
Seromine glances at his giggling twin daughters of terror, bubbling with such fits and unable to contain their self entertainment at his expense any longer. This is to be expected from seven year olds.
“Oh yeah? Well, YOUR MAMA!”
“What about their mama?”
Destiny has overheard her husband’s swift reply and was fast approaching him playfully for clarification. Seromine laughs nervously to himself and begins backing up without much place to go.
“You didn’t let me fin---girls, tell your mom to let me finish.”
“Daddy’s in trouble.”
“Uh ohhh!”
“Well?”
“Well...have I told you how beautiful you look today?”
“That’s not going to save you, mister.”
“How bout I love you?”
“Mm, try again.”
Seromine gets to floor level and hides behind his children, huddling close to them and doing the best he can to hide.
“Would somebody please think of these children?!” comes complete with a faux southern accent and pleading saucer eyes.
KNOCK KNOCK.
Seromine looks behind himself at the door to his office. Standing there was Hannah, clutching onto the small envelope she had from the show. She smiles warmly at the children, nods towards Destiny and motions towards the cult leader that there is news she has to deliver.
“Good morning, Miss Hannah!” speaks Madeleine, overjoyed to see her as she greets with a sudden hug. Following a pat of the head, she and her sister are shooed off by their parents as Hannah comes inside the room to deliver the news.
“Did you sleep okay?” he asks with faint concern, noticing the weariness in her eyes.
“Well, ye---” Hannah pauses and lowers her head. “No Father. I tossed and turned all night. We did as you said at the show, but...”
“Go on.”
Destiny takes possession of the mystery item. She opens it and scans the content inside. Whatever smile she had drops into a scowl. This isn’t lost on Seromine, who has said info passed onto him.
You can count on one hand how long it took before he exploded.
“ARE YOU SERIOUS?! A TRIPLE THREAT?! What in the name of all that is Holy...”
Seromine rips the paper in as many pieces as he can, fuming to see plans had been changed. The shreds are thrown in the air, resting where they may. He expected Kelli Starr to be the lone challenger. After all, that was why he sent the others to the show. But now RICK MAJORS (as it had read in black ink) was also named a challenger. Michael Wryght didn’t add him to the match based on the language of his video at show’s end. Not unless he previewed it before it was added to the format for the evening…
As such, his own words may have just haunted him in a way he didn't think about.
And even worse...ended his reign as International Champion.