Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2023 5:36:36 GMT
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Texas
11/28/23
The night hung heavy, a velvety curtain painted with the glow of distant stars. The hum of the Harley's engine cut through the quiet as John Strader guided the bike through the winding roads. Alexandra Calaway held onto him, the wind weaving through her hair like whispers of the night. The Harley rumbled to a stop in a place untouched by the city's cacophony. A vast expanse of the Guadalupe Mountains lay before them, bathed in the silver luminescence of the moon. Rocks and trees stood like ancient sentinels, their branches reaching for the heavens.
"Found this spot years back," John said, cutting the engine. "Ain't nobody around for miles. Just us and the night."
They dismounted, the only sounds now the soft rustle of leaves and the distant murmur of a nearby stream. John leaned against the Harley, and Alexandra stood before him, the moonlight tracing the contours of her face. They took in the night together in silence for a while, before she spoke up.
"Why here?" she asked, looking around at the quiet grandeur of the wilderness.
John gazed at her, his eyes reflecting the subtle light. "Figured we needed a quiet place for a not-so-quiet conversation."
She nodded, the unspoken weight of their impending conversation hanging in the air. She knew what this was about, a very uneasy subject for both of them.
"I hate it, Alex," John began, his voice a low rumble. "I hate that you're going off to Imperial Wrestling, facing Nick Knight, and I can't be there with you. I should be there and I feel like I’ve let you down by leaving."
Alexandra sighed, her eyes reflecting the moonlit sadness. "I know, John. It's tearing me apart too. But you've got your reasons for stepping away from the ring. I understand the reasons behind it all and I don’t fault you for that." Her hand moves to touch his cheek. “You didn’t let me down, you never could John.”
He ran a hand through his hair, frustration etched on his face. "I know, I know. But damn, Alex, you're going into this big match, defending the Invictus Title, and I'm not there to watch your back."
She stepped closer, placing a hand on his chest. "You've watched my back for so long, John. But I can handle this. I've faced worse odds. I mean, look at what just happened in Phoenix. Tempest and I tore the house down."
He looked down at her, his eyes searching hers. "It ain't about you handling it, Alex. It's about me wanting to be there for you, in that corner, cheering you on, just like always."
She smiled, a bittersweet curve of her lips. "I've felt your presence, even when you're not physically there. It's like a part of you stays with me in that ring. But I understand. It's hard for both of us. Despite not being there in person, I know you are always rooting for me."
He pulled her into a tight embrace, the night embracing them in return. "I love you, Alex. Always have, always will. I just... I wish I could be there in Portland, watching you kick ass and take names. Just promise me you’ll show him exactly who you are."
She tilted her head up, meeting his gaze. "I love you too John. You've always been my biggest supporter, you and the kids. And even if you're all not there in person, I'll feel your support. Nick Knight might think he's a challenge, but he doesn't know what he's up against. Especially not when it comes to being a champion."
John kissed her forehead, a silent promise lingering in the night air. She wrapped her arms around him. The Harley stood sentinel, witnessing a moment between two souls entwined by the road, the ring, and the unspoken bond that transcended distance. As they lingered in the moonlit quiet, the night held its breath, a witness to a love that thrived even in the spaces between stars.
Fort Stevens
Hammond, Oregon
12/2/23
The ruins of a decaying fort in Portland, Oregon, stood as a haunting backdrop to Alexandra Calaway's soliloquy. The cold wind carried whispers of forgotten battles, and the crumbling stones bore the scars of time, mirroring the indelible marks on Alexandra's own journey. She stood at the heart of this desolation, the Invictus Championship clasped in one hand, its gleam an echo of resilience amidst the decay.
“In the hushed shadows of history, in the fading echoes of fallen empires, I stand, a Queen in the ruins of a once mighty fort. This battleground in Portland, Oregon, carries the weight of stories untold, much like the chapters etched in the saga of my journey as the Invictus Champion.”
She slowly makes her way around the decaying fort. She finds a moment, pausing to continue, this match wasn’t going to be easy and she knew that. She knew he would try to end her reign.
“The Invictus Championship, a crown forged not in the glimmer of spotlights but in the crucible of solitude, is more than gold and leather. It is a symbol of defiance, a testament to the unyielding spirit that courses through my veins. As I stand amidst these decaying walls, I am reminded that, like these ruins, I bear the scars of battles fought in the arena and the shadows of my own past.”
Nick Knight is a man who believes himself to be God’s Gift to professional wrestling. The Hollywood Butcher, a joke that has to run off to film a movie and come back, it hasn’t worked for others before, it won't work for him. And his intimidation tactics are mid at best.
“From the heart of Texas, where the Lone Star witnessed the rise of a phoenix, to the neon-lit landscapes of countless cities around the world, each match, each victory, and each defense became a verse in the anthem of resilience. The Invictus Championship isn't just a title; it's the echo of my footsteps in the dark, the rhythm of empowerment that resonates when allies turn to shadows.”
She stood alone in the middle of it all, as she had so many times before. It seemed that no matter where she went, there was always one person so hellbent on trying to make her leave the industry. This was no different than any other. Nick Knight, would see that he was foolish for ever considering coming after her.
“In this journey, I've faced adversaries who sought not only the championship but to unravel the enigma I've become. The wrestling world watched as former allies turned their backs, as camaraderie turned to betrayal. My partner in and out of the ring, John Strader, departed from the company, leaving me to navigate these tumultuous waters alone. Yet, in this solitude, I found a strength untapped. The shadows that once whispered of abandonment became allies, and the echoes of my own footsteps in the dark became a rhythm of empowerment. The Invictus Championship, now more than ever, symbolizes not just victory but the ability to stand tall amidst the ruins of fractured alliances.”
The doubters and the nay-sayers, only fueled her fire more with their words. After she got rid of Nick Knight, she would go on to do more things. If she lost, then it would simply be time for her to move on.
“The matches, the setbacks, the moments when victory hung in the balance — each became a chapter in the ongoing saga of my resilience. The Invictus Champion isn't just me in the ring; it's a persona that permeates every facet of my existence. It's an emblem for those who face their battles alone, a testament that strength isn't derived from the number of allies but from the unyielding will to persevere. So, as I stand here, surrounded by the ghosts of the past, I carry the weight of the Invictus Championship with regality befitting the queens of old. This isn't just a promo; it's a proclamation from the Queen of Shadows. In this ruinous arena, where the whispers of the past intertwine with the roars of the present, I declare that I am the living embodiment of resilience, the queen who refuses to be dethroned.”
She turned away from the camera and then back again. It was time to address Nick directly, to let him know exactly where he went wrong in all of this.
"Nick Knight," she began, her voice carrying a cadence that resonated with the ancient stones around her, "here, in the remnants of battles long past, I find a reflection of my own struggles. This fort, like me, has weathered storms, faced adversaries, and stood tall against the passage of time."
Her gaze wandered over the dilapidated walls, memories of past triumphs and betrayals flickering in her mind like ghosts of the fallen.
"You think you can seize this title, claim it for yourself amidst the echoes of forgotten wars. But, Nick, this isn't just a belt; this is a symbol of unyielding spirit, a defiance that transcends the decay around us."
The wind howled through the cracks in the stones, carrying with it the whispers of challenges yet to be faced. Alexandra's eyes, pools of determination, locked onto the Invictus Championship as if communing with a silent ally.
"I've stood in the ring, faced opponents who thought they could break me. But every time, I rose from the ashes, stronger, more indomitable. And now, in the shadow of these ruins, I stand as the Invictus Champion."
She paced among the fragments of a forgotten era, the crunch of gravel beneath her boots mirroring the weight of her words.
"You see, Nick, this isn't just about a match. This is about facing the darkness, confronting the demons that lurk in the corners of our existence. This championship isn't a reward for victories; it's a testament to the battles fought when the world turned its back."
As she climbed the remnants of a stairwell, the wind whipped her hair into a dance of shadows.
"Every betrayal, every abandonment, etched itself into the chapters of my story. But here, in this desolation, I've found a strength that surpasses the transient alliances of a 'crew.' It's the strength of one who walks alone, unburdened by the weight of false loyalties."
The Invictus Championship gleamed in the pale sunlight, a beacon against the backdrop of decay.
"You talk about taking this title from me, about being the one to finally break the Queen of Shadows. But Nick, you underestimate the resilience forged in solitude. You see, I don't just fight for the glory of victory; I fight for those who've stood alone in the face of adversity."
A raven, black as the shadows that enveloped Alexandra's spirit, perched on a crumbling wall, as if drawn by the intensity of the moment.
"This isn't just a wrestling match, Nick Knight. This is a confrontation of destinies, a clash of spirits amidst the ruins of expectation. The Invictus Championship isn't a prize to be claimed; it's a legacy, earned through the echoes of silent struggles."
The wind carried away her words, carrying them beyond the crumbling walls, into the vast expanse of the unknown. Alexandra stood at the precipice of the fort, the city of Portland sprawling beneath her like a tapestry of forgotten tales.
"Odyssey awaits, Nick. In that ring, amidst the cheers and jeers, we'll inscribe a new chapter. But know this, as long as these ruins stand, as long as the wind whispers through the stones, the Invictus title will remain draped over my shoulder."
She descended from the fort, the raven taking flight in tandem with her descent. The ancient stones bore witness to her departure, and as she vanished into the city below, the ruins stood as a silent testament to the relentless march of time, and the unyielding spirit of the Invictus Champion.
Texas
11/28/23
The night hung heavy, a velvety curtain painted with the glow of distant stars. The hum of the Harley's engine cut through the quiet as John Strader guided the bike through the winding roads. Alexandra Calaway held onto him, the wind weaving through her hair like whispers of the night. The Harley rumbled to a stop in a place untouched by the city's cacophony. A vast expanse of the Guadalupe Mountains lay before them, bathed in the silver luminescence of the moon. Rocks and trees stood like ancient sentinels, their branches reaching for the heavens.
"Found this spot years back," John said, cutting the engine. "Ain't nobody around for miles. Just us and the night."
They dismounted, the only sounds now the soft rustle of leaves and the distant murmur of a nearby stream. John leaned against the Harley, and Alexandra stood before him, the moonlight tracing the contours of her face. They took in the night together in silence for a while, before she spoke up.
"Why here?" she asked, looking around at the quiet grandeur of the wilderness.
John gazed at her, his eyes reflecting the subtle light. "Figured we needed a quiet place for a not-so-quiet conversation."
She nodded, the unspoken weight of their impending conversation hanging in the air. She knew what this was about, a very uneasy subject for both of them.
"I hate it, Alex," John began, his voice a low rumble. "I hate that you're going off to Imperial Wrestling, facing Nick Knight, and I can't be there with you. I should be there and I feel like I’ve let you down by leaving."
Alexandra sighed, her eyes reflecting the moonlit sadness. "I know, John. It's tearing me apart too. But you've got your reasons for stepping away from the ring. I understand the reasons behind it all and I don’t fault you for that." Her hand moves to touch his cheek. “You didn’t let me down, you never could John.”
He ran a hand through his hair, frustration etched on his face. "I know, I know. But damn, Alex, you're going into this big match, defending the Invictus Title, and I'm not there to watch your back."
She stepped closer, placing a hand on his chest. "You've watched my back for so long, John. But I can handle this. I've faced worse odds. I mean, look at what just happened in Phoenix. Tempest and I tore the house down."
He looked down at her, his eyes searching hers. "It ain't about you handling it, Alex. It's about me wanting to be there for you, in that corner, cheering you on, just like always."
She smiled, a bittersweet curve of her lips. "I've felt your presence, even when you're not physically there. It's like a part of you stays with me in that ring. But I understand. It's hard for both of us. Despite not being there in person, I know you are always rooting for me."
He pulled her into a tight embrace, the night embracing them in return. "I love you, Alex. Always have, always will. I just... I wish I could be there in Portland, watching you kick ass and take names. Just promise me you’ll show him exactly who you are."
She tilted her head up, meeting his gaze. "I love you too John. You've always been my biggest supporter, you and the kids. And even if you're all not there in person, I'll feel your support. Nick Knight might think he's a challenge, but he doesn't know what he's up against. Especially not when it comes to being a champion."
John kissed her forehead, a silent promise lingering in the night air. She wrapped her arms around him. The Harley stood sentinel, witnessing a moment between two souls entwined by the road, the ring, and the unspoken bond that transcended distance. As they lingered in the moonlit quiet, the night held its breath, a witness to a love that thrived even in the spaces between stars.
Fort Stevens
Hammond, Oregon
12/2/23
The ruins of a decaying fort in Portland, Oregon, stood as a haunting backdrop to Alexandra Calaway's soliloquy. The cold wind carried whispers of forgotten battles, and the crumbling stones bore the scars of time, mirroring the indelible marks on Alexandra's own journey. She stood at the heart of this desolation, the Invictus Championship clasped in one hand, its gleam an echo of resilience amidst the decay.
“In the hushed shadows of history, in the fading echoes of fallen empires, I stand, a Queen in the ruins of a once mighty fort. This battleground in Portland, Oregon, carries the weight of stories untold, much like the chapters etched in the saga of my journey as the Invictus Champion.”
She slowly makes her way around the decaying fort. She finds a moment, pausing to continue, this match wasn’t going to be easy and she knew that. She knew he would try to end her reign.
“The Invictus Championship, a crown forged not in the glimmer of spotlights but in the crucible of solitude, is more than gold and leather. It is a symbol of defiance, a testament to the unyielding spirit that courses through my veins. As I stand amidst these decaying walls, I am reminded that, like these ruins, I bear the scars of battles fought in the arena and the shadows of my own past.”
Nick Knight is a man who believes himself to be God’s Gift to professional wrestling. The Hollywood Butcher, a joke that has to run off to film a movie and come back, it hasn’t worked for others before, it won't work for him. And his intimidation tactics are mid at best.
“From the heart of Texas, where the Lone Star witnessed the rise of a phoenix, to the neon-lit landscapes of countless cities around the world, each match, each victory, and each defense became a verse in the anthem of resilience. The Invictus Championship isn't just a title; it's the echo of my footsteps in the dark, the rhythm of empowerment that resonates when allies turn to shadows.”
She stood alone in the middle of it all, as she had so many times before. It seemed that no matter where she went, there was always one person so hellbent on trying to make her leave the industry. This was no different than any other. Nick Knight, would see that he was foolish for ever considering coming after her.
“In this journey, I've faced adversaries who sought not only the championship but to unravel the enigma I've become. The wrestling world watched as former allies turned their backs, as camaraderie turned to betrayal. My partner in and out of the ring, John Strader, departed from the company, leaving me to navigate these tumultuous waters alone. Yet, in this solitude, I found a strength untapped. The shadows that once whispered of abandonment became allies, and the echoes of my own footsteps in the dark became a rhythm of empowerment. The Invictus Championship, now more than ever, symbolizes not just victory but the ability to stand tall amidst the ruins of fractured alliances.”
The doubters and the nay-sayers, only fueled her fire more with their words. After she got rid of Nick Knight, she would go on to do more things. If she lost, then it would simply be time for her to move on.
“The matches, the setbacks, the moments when victory hung in the balance — each became a chapter in the ongoing saga of my resilience. The Invictus Champion isn't just me in the ring; it's a persona that permeates every facet of my existence. It's an emblem for those who face their battles alone, a testament that strength isn't derived from the number of allies but from the unyielding will to persevere. So, as I stand here, surrounded by the ghosts of the past, I carry the weight of the Invictus Championship with regality befitting the queens of old. This isn't just a promo; it's a proclamation from the Queen of Shadows. In this ruinous arena, where the whispers of the past intertwine with the roars of the present, I declare that I am the living embodiment of resilience, the queen who refuses to be dethroned.”
She turned away from the camera and then back again. It was time to address Nick directly, to let him know exactly where he went wrong in all of this.
"Nick Knight," she began, her voice carrying a cadence that resonated with the ancient stones around her, "here, in the remnants of battles long past, I find a reflection of my own struggles. This fort, like me, has weathered storms, faced adversaries, and stood tall against the passage of time."
Her gaze wandered over the dilapidated walls, memories of past triumphs and betrayals flickering in her mind like ghosts of the fallen.
"You think you can seize this title, claim it for yourself amidst the echoes of forgotten wars. But, Nick, this isn't just a belt; this is a symbol of unyielding spirit, a defiance that transcends the decay around us."
The wind howled through the cracks in the stones, carrying with it the whispers of challenges yet to be faced. Alexandra's eyes, pools of determination, locked onto the Invictus Championship as if communing with a silent ally.
"I've stood in the ring, faced opponents who thought they could break me. But every time, I rose from the ashes, stronger, more indomitable. And now, in the shadow of these ruins, I stand as the Invictus Champion."
She paced among the fragments of a forgotten era, the crunch of gravel beneath her boots mirroring the weight of her words.
"You see, Nick, this isn't just about a match. This is about facing the darkness, confronting the demons that lurk in the corners of our existence. This championship isn't a reward for victories; it's a testament to the battles fought when the world turned its back."
As she climbed the remnants of a stairwell, the wind whipped her hair into a dance of shadows.
"Every betrayal, every abandonment, etched itself into the chapters of my story. But here, in this desolation, I've found a strength that surpasses the transient alliances of a 'crew.' It's the strength of one who walks alone, unburdened by the weight of false loyalties."
The Invictus Championship gleamed in the pale sunlight, a beacon against the backdrop of decay.
"You talk about taking this title from me, about being the one to finally break the Queen of Shadows. But Nick, you underestimate the resilience forged in solitude. You see, I don't just fight for the glory of victory; I fight for those who've stood alone in the face of adversity."
A raven, black as the shadows that enveloped Alexandra's spirit, perched on a crumbling wall, as if drawn by the intensity of the moment.
"This isn't just a wrestling match, Nick Knight. This is a confrontation of destinies, a clash of spirits amidst the ruins of expectation. The Invictus Championship isn't a prize to be claimed; it's a legacy, earned through the echoes of silent struggles."
The wind carried away her words, carrying them beyond the crumbling walls, into the vast expanse of the unknown. Alexandra stood at the precipice of the fort, the city of Portland sprawling beneath her like a tapestry of forgotten tales.
"Odyssey awaits, Nick. In that ring, amidst the cheers and jeers, we'll inscribe a new chapter. But know this, as long as these ruins stand, as long as the wind whispers through the stones, the Invictus title will remain draped over my shoulder."
She descended from the fort, the raven taking flight in tandem with her descent. The ancient stones bore witness to her departure, and as she vanished into the city below, the ruins stood as a silent testament to the relentless march of time, and the unyielding spirit of the Invictus Champion.
Well howdy there pardner.