Post by Chris Eno on Dec 18, 2018 19:21:58 GMT
SYPNOSIS: Chris advanced to the semi-finals. However, his insecurities return to choke him. Will he overcome it before his match in GOL?
Sidenote: This might take a while to read.
December 8, 2018
Backstage in Guerreros of Lucha
10:45 pm
Coach Tino and Black Onyx were standing in the walls of the area waiting for someone. And here it is, Chris and Charlotte appeared towards them. Smiles exchanged from both parties as they cheered Chris for the win. It was a great moment for him.
“Look how good you have become!” Coach Tino commended Chris. “Not only have you beat the likes of Dark Tiger, Evander Cage or even Apex Onyx in Action Wrestling, but also the likes of Jana Rakar and Larry Gowan here in Guerreros of Lucha.”
“This might be the redemption that you are looking for, Chris. After two years of your loss here in GOL, you managed to pull out your first win in GOL.” Black Onyx added.
“Wait just a minute. Managed to pull out? Good?” Charlotte wanted to rectify their comments. “Let me remind you that he just won thrice in a row since he had his first win in Action Wrestling and it was all just good? I would say it is outstanding.”
The rest of them laughed at Charlotte for being ignorant of its significance. “That’s nice, Charlotte. But that won’t mean anything. I still have to fight the semi-finals to win the tournament.” Chris explained.
“Oh and here’s your modesty again.” Charlotte got fed of it. “You know one day, people will never look at you seriously if you keep doing that. Apex Onyx almost got your soft spot. Luckily, you managed to survive.”
Wait, are they not going to take me seriously? Did Onyx get my soft spot? I kept asking myself all day since Charlotte brought that up. Though quite contradictory to what her point was, it did make sense to me. Did I expose my weakness to everyone? Why? Is it to show that I'm just an ordinary man with flaws? Or, did I just gave my opponent an advantage? I remember a fellow wrestler by the name of Casey Holliday. She called out Dark Tiger for his weakness, his philosophy of respect. That gave her victory over him. It also made me perplex of what I have become since my transformation. I told Larry Gowan that we should fight again someday once the tournament is over. I have shown respect towards Evander Cage and Dark Tiger. Have I gone soft that made me vulnerable?
Chris was zone-out in the middle of their celebration. Concerned about him, Black Onyx checked, “You all right?” Chris pulled himself together and assured to anyone that he is fine. “I’m good. So guys, shall we head back home once I get the paycheck?”
They all agreed. The paycheck was mostly for Sakuya. She needed that money for her father’s hospital bill. It was all he can do to help.
In Super Awesomo Epico Tournament (that was a mouthful title, GOL), nine participants competed in the first round. Only four of them walked out victorious, and I was one of them. I was surprised, guess I’m just lucky. I thought that I screw this up. I also assumed that Larry Gowan would pin me or Jana Rakar proved herself right that the ladder match would get myself some disadvantage. But we found ourselves wrong. But this asked me, why did I win that match? Is it because I did it for Sakuya? For the paycheck?
December 10, 2018
Eno Residence
5:30 pm
Chris punched out some numbers on his smartphone trying to reach out someone. “Hello, Chris?” A voice resonated from his hand.
“Sakuya? Hey. So how’s your father doing?” Chris wanted to know her father’s condition.
“He’s still laying on the bed. We would pray for his remission from cancer. What’s worse is that I’m also worried sick about you.” Sakuya grew warily.
“I told you, I’m going to be there, I promise. Also, did you get the money that I’ve sent you?”
“Yes. I got it. Thank you, Chris.”
“All I want is to see you guys okay.” Chris paused for a moment. He could announce his victory in GOL. But the circumstances were too depressing to announce. How could he celebrate at this time of distress? “Chris?” Sakuya snapped her husband out unintentionally from his trance
“Y-yes?” Chris replied. “How are you? How’s the tournament coming? Do you have an upcoming match?" Chris already knew the situation. He didn’t know what to say here. He had no choice but to answer. “I have advanced to semi-finals.”
“I’m… happy!” Sakuya conveyed her response to him. “I knew you could do it. I wish I could watch, but my father—“
“It-it’s fine…. We know we didn’t want this to happen. But your father needs you.” Sakuya discerned, “I know that. It’s…just unfair.”
“Life’s unfair,” Chris reminded Sakuya the harsh reality of it. His wife, in turn, gave a hint of melancholic sigh to Chris. He had no choice. Both of them caught in a rock and a hard place. He might not want to make her sadness any longer. “I’ll get there after my upcoming match. Stay put!”
“Okay…..” Sakuya replied. He was about to hang on her until…. “Issen…. My finisher.”
“What about it?”
“Know that every time you will use it, you should know that I will always be with you no matter what.”
“Thank you, Sakuya. I will show everyone how great you were.”
“Also….”
“Yes?”
“I love you, Chris…… Very, very much…..” Sakuya said it with passion. “I love you too. Please take care otousan for me.”
“I will.” Sakuya’s last word before Chris hung her up.
I was lucky to have a wife like her. Do I deserve it though? As a breadwinner, I have to do what I can to support her even her family. However, is my efforts enough? I haven’t got into college ever since. If I have more money to continue my studies, I would graduate from college and get a real job. It could help her very much financially. But here I am, a lowly middle class, with nothing to be proud of even his wrestling boots. Why did she love someone like me?
Apex Onyx’s words…. Good thing, I defeated him in the last bout. But it didn’t answer his point. Should I be ashamed of myself? Maybe Charlotte was right after all. I am soft. People aren't going to take me seriously. Maybe, just maybe. My opponent… No…. Everyone would think that Sakuya would be better off with another man than I am. I guess it was a mistake for me to marry someone like her. I’m not a hero to anyone (not even Sakuya). I'm just a mere boy….. a joke….. Why do I feel insecure? Why I can't focus on my upcoming match?
December 15, 2018
Household Dungeon – Training Gym
1:35 pm
“So your opponent in semi-final match is no other than JT Saint,” Douglas recalled Chris’s match in GOL. “Boy, if Jana Riker’s not going to defeat you, maybe this guy will.”
“Thanks. I feel a lot better.” Chris sarcastically thanked his friend. “Now, now. You may think that it is hopeless. But we got our solution.” Douglas began to search something from his bag and revealed a disc case. “Here you go.” He handed it to Chris. He, in turn, looked at its content and saw a label, Madness Wrestling Alliance Archives.
“Who gave this to you?” Chris asked.
“I’m afraid that’s classified.”
Chris arched his eyebrow on Douglas, but he didn’t have much time for unneeded questions. Douglas explained, “Someone told me that you participated in a tournament before in MWA.”
Chris began to refresh his memory, and Douglas was right. Aside from Passion of the Juniors Cup in 2016, he joined a tournament for the MWA World Championship. Like the POTJ, he did reach to the Finals facing his former rival, Angel Lina. Her words proved to mightier than his sullen fist, as she beat him. Despite that, it was memorable for him. That is until he went deep and arrived something dear to him in the past.
“Fione.” A Freudian slip came from Chris’ mouth. “What?”
“Nothing” Chris shook his head. “So what’s the plan?” he asked as his smile dissipated.
“We need Ravenous back. GOL put you in a death match against JT Saint, but with you as Ravenous, we have at least a chance to win the tournament. With his expertise in hardcore matches….”
Stop, I already beat you, Onyx! Chris coerced his mind it. But deep down, maybe he was right. Ravenous might be enough to beat him. Especially…. Fione.
Chris began to see it like a plague. He decided to hand it back to Douglas. “Sorry, but no.”
“But—“
“Enough, no more.” Chris retreated from the gym. Douglas was unhappy. He said to himself, “What is his problem? He wants to lose, isn’t he?”
Finally, Chris found his refuge at a local convenience store. He snatched his phone from his pocket and began to investigate his opponent. Jacob Tyler Saint. “A cocky son of a bitch with a heart of gold…. He also loves to play to the crowd and humiliate his opponent,” GOL Roster Page said. In his twitter feed, it showed his career record: 45 wins, 11 losses, and 1 draw. It was a good resume for Chris to being back his insecurities. Chris contemplated his twitter feed. Wrestlers such as the likes of Adam Stryker and Eli Buchanan respected him.
JT Saint has an impressive record in his professional wrestling career. He established his name in Seattle Pro Wrestling and Indianapolis Wrestling Syndicate. No wonder he advanced to semi-finals by defeating Tiger Mask Red… Sorry, I’m mean… Undead. Facing him is like standing with the likes of Larry Gowan, Cartwright, and other famous wrestlers. The challenge may be tough, yet am I able to overcome it?
JT Saint, respected by many…. Chris Eno, an insecure failure in his mind, lost all of his friends…
I never have many friends as much as him. I guess he worked hard. Me? Ravenous was a man to be fear, dominating all over the world, but only in his imagination. Deep down, he was insecure just as I do. Pride, ambition, presumptuousness, the reason for his downfall and probably his loss of his dear one. How can I even focus on my match? Why can’t my insecurities fade away?
December 16, 2018
Cemetery
12:35 pm
These were the lines he befitted to himself right now. Weakness. Insecurities. Inferiority. Helplessness. Shame. And now a lost friend. Chris strolled on this halcyon place filled with memorial tombs of everyone’s dear ones. As for Chris, he saw his in a shape of her gravestone.
He then sat on a ground facing the tomb like having a conversation with his dearest. He had a frolic moments with his friend. They went through the dark moments while living under the same roof. And later, she became the figure that created someone’s empire. Florence Kingsworth. Ravenous’ very own Fione. One of three founding members of the House of Serena. The second was here with her while the other was nowhere in sight.
He remembered the times they spent their day together, traveling across the region, sparring one another, enjoying their innocent merriment with their leader. It was all gone when she took her own life. This left remaining members shudder and remorse. But it made them stronger. Ravenous became faction’s own ace. The leader currently owns an empire to reach into the tops of the world.
And now Ravenous, who became Chris Eno is here, being himself as a plebeian.
“Hey, Fione. How are you?”
Deep breathes for Chris. He tried to get his emotion in tame.
“I remembered back when we used to spar in the open fields. We used to visualize ourselves as little kids playing ruff and tumble. Despite that, we cherished the laughs that we had. You were once the happiness I’ve found. The times I was depressed, numb and degenerate, you were there to nuzzle me telling that I’m not alone.”
“You were a great friend. That’s why I loved you so much before Sakuya came to my life. I saw her the same aura as yours. I vowed that I will take care of her and will comfort her just as what you did to me. Sadly though, I have doubts. I doubt myself to be a dear husband to her. Someone did try to offend her and called me out for being unfit. I defeated him, yet his point remained. That’s where my insecurities grow. I wished you were there giving me some advice. And now you’re here, resting in peace.”
“To be fair, I was not a good boyfriend either. I never thought that behind your smile is a hidden void extracting your true self. You were bickering with other people badgering my prowess. All this time, you believed in me and yet I didn’t recognize it. With my ignorance, you went into a dangerous addiction trying to take the pain away. That was until you thought desperately of making a final escape. And you did. You killed yourself.”
“It was my fault, I should’ve paid your kindness back. No wonder I have never reached to finals, and if I did, I ended up losing. I never appreciated your efforts towards me until now. I wanted to say, I'm sorry. But it’s too late. I can’t take you back. And now I’m helplessly watched Sakuya and her family in grief. For I can’t even do anything significant for them.”
“That was quite some honest words there…” sudden words came out from a woman. “Coming from a working middle-class who ask for an apology.” Chris suddenly turned around, and he can’t believe in his eyes.
A woman from the previous entries emerged from out of nowhere. “S-Serena?”
“Is that how you called your mother?” Serena arched her eyebrows. Chris as Ravenous had a maternal bond with the leader. When he took a sabbatical from the world of wrestling, that bond ceased. “After all, this is quite of a reunion of the founding members there.” Serena, the matriarch is the lost third member of the group. She’s now congregated with Chris, the late Ravenous, and the fallen founding member, Fione.
“Sorry, but I’m not Ravenous anymore. I’m just myself,” Chris explained.
Both of them began to talk in this graveyard, asking how’s life for them or what did they do for a living, etc. They had a long discussion until the point where Chris spoke his opinion of his past persona.
“Is that why you said to Douglas that you had enough with Ravenous persona? You think that he was the cause of all of this?” Chris nodded. But Serena argued, “You know that you are the one who manifested it.”
“Maybe. Maybe you’re right.”
“And you think that will solve all the problems. Right?”
“Like I have other options…”
“There is…. You’re just forgetful… like all the time.”
“What?”
“You forgot that you stated your insecurities against your match against Apex Onyx. But you reminded yourself that there is another way other than sinking into your guilt.”
Chris did recall that, “Your point?”
“What I’m saying that if you want to pay her back, then you will do what exactly you were doing before coming here in the first place. Train hard, win the tournament. That is what she wishes for you.”
“Really?” Chris widened his eyes in amusement.
“She shared with me back then before she died, that all she wanted is to win that MWA tournament. But you lost. However, she hoped that you would win some other time. You went a lot of tournaments in the past to compete. The problem is that you have lost sight of what you are winning for.”
“What am I winning for?”
“Yes, the House of Serena was founded as a trio of nobodies striving for greatness. It grew stronger when Fione died not that because she was a heavy burden, but because she was the inspiration of all of this. House of Serena was a homage to a people like her. The real reason we had her signature, Fione’s Disgrace Kick (Superkick) in the first place, is because we want to remind anyone of her prowess before her final days.”
Fione’s Disgrace Kick was a known trademark move that has past to Chris and Serena. Chris began to shorten its name to FDK. Serena further added, “It is like your finisher, Issen. You have that because you want everyone to know how great she was in the ring.”
He did, but… “Maybe I’m not fit to use it.” He could refer to Issen, used it for countless victories. Or it could be the FDK. He never used the move in Action Wrestling ever since.
“Why? Because you were not a good boyfriend for her? Just as you were a good husband to Sakuya? Look I’ll be talking to you every day to snap you out.” Serena assured. “You beat Apex Onyx in a singles match, right?” Chris nodded. Serena asked, “Does it never mean to you after all he commented to your wife? You showed him who’s the strong here. You proved to yourself that you are strong enough to be with her.” Chris began to fathom it.
“See this?” Serena revealed a sniper rifle under her black Victorian coat and threw it to Chris. He then caught it and recognized what he was holding. It was the same rifle that Douglas gave to him. He never understood the significance of it. Serena explained, “A rifle can be used either for good or for bad. You can do a bad thing and kill innocent people. Or you can use it for good and protect someone you loved. Likewise, your strength can be for good or bad intentions. You used it to prove that either you are the best and shove it to everyone else or to bring honor to someone.”
Her premise became more lucid to Chris. “Each time you compete, you prove yourself to be Sakuya’s legacy. Now it’s time for you prove that you are also Fione’s legacy.”
With that said, he brought up a smile on his face. However, one thing concerned him. “Even if that’s the case, then how am I supposed to win?”
Serena left him a final answer for today, “Ask Douglas. It’s up to you whether to take it or not.” Then she sauntered away.
December 18, 2018
Household Dungeon – Training Gym
5:30 pm
Douglas and Coach Tino circled the ring surveying Chris. Around of it were bags of pebbles, a great substitute of Legos in his upcoming Lego Deathmatch. It was a double standardize match. Chris is sparring with a new signee of the Household Dungeon, known by his moniker as Draven X.
He is 6 foot 2 inches tall, a heavyweight of 243 pounds. He came from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to train in this gym. A technical wrestler who can beat someone like in a street fight. A perfect sparring partner for Chris. He was a great sparring partner for Chris. Pebbles covered the ring, some of it stained with blood. It also colored to both of their faces along with their sweat.
Chris grabbed Draven X and shoved himself to the ring. Draven managed to roll out of him and countered him with Step-Up Enzuigiri. Weakness Detected! (He called it.) Chris was then staggered giving his opponent an opening to his finisher. Draven began to lift him upside-down with his leg hooked. But Chris used his strength preventing this to happen. He then reversed and carried Draven up and dropped him over from behind landing his back with a minefield of pebbles.
Chris then lunged himself to the rope and called it with Rapid Shot Kick (Running Leg Lariat). Both men were down in the mat, painting themselves with sweat, blood, and pebbles on the top. While at it, Chris was having some flashback coming from his two dear ones, Fione and Sakuya. He loved them so much that he smiled. However, it was more than just a smile. It reminded of the moves they gave to him.
While Chris was busy daydreaming, Draven grabbed his head and started to talk trash like it was personal. He lunged himself to ropes and kicked him to the head with a Big Boot. It was meant to set up with his finisher. He picked his head up then basked the humiliation of his opponent. It was no stranger to Chris. Apex Onyx pull off the same trick before getting knocked out with his finisher, Issen. With that, Chris gave a taste of Draven’s medicine by hitting him in the groin. Then he sipped his wrist and sprayed from his mouth at his face with Black Asian Mist. While Draven rubbed the paint off from his face, Chris then scooped his head, heaved him up hooking the leg and drove his head down to the mat with Michinoku Driver II-B.
Douglas and Coach Tino dropped their jaw down when Chris executed it. They just witnessed the revival of two of Chris’ classic moves. Chris attempted for the pin while the referee counted…
1…2…TH—
NO! It was close. Chris wiped the black stain from his mouth and began to stalk Draven from behind. Chris winded up, calling for Sakuya’s Issen but Draven again caught his leg and transitioned into a Proto-bomb right into scattered pebbles. Chris had never been in pain in his training session. But it was to prepare for his match. Draven was finished rubbing the paint off from his face and set up his finisher. But Chris evaded and picked up some of the pebbles into his hand. He then smacked it across Draven’s face, making him staggered. He then grabbed his arm and rolled him over to the mat followed by a Superkick on Draven’s head. It was Chris performing Fione’s Flowing Grace then her Disgrace Kick. It named as the Classic FDK.
Chris hooked his leg for cover…
1…2…3…
Douglas and Coach Tino gave Chris a round of applause for his performance. Though it was a double standard match leaving both Chris and Draven in bloodstains, it was worth it. Both gave themselves a handshake as a sign for respect and went down from the ring. Coach Tino and Douglas met him to discuss further on what he did.
“You sure surprised us at the end,” Coach Tino commented. “Yeah, you went from Chris Eno to classic Ravenous,” Douglas added.
“Thank you,” Chris said. He took wobbly steps before he sat on the floor for a sec. He had a little blood loss from that training, so he was given bottled water to replenish. “So you’re coming back as Ravenous?” Coach Tino asked.
Almost a month ago, I told everyone that I'm abandoning my wrestling style and skills as Ravenous. The reason for that was accountability for pushing someone to suicide. Now people began asking me whether I'm coming back as Ravenous. A friend of mine told me that I made him manifested which brings more reasons to hate myself. I was held responsible for pushing her to an end for I was presumptuous back then. However, she liked me to point this out. Everyone makes mistakes in their career. Instead of just sitting there in guilt, one should move on and learn from it.
However, the way that I showed in the training gym, that wasn't Ravenous. He was already dead. I killed it. I borrow some moves in the past useful enough to face JT Saint in the Lego Deathmatch. I know that the crowd loves him. Fellow wrestlers respected him. He learned from his mistakes and struggled to climb up to the top. He both had a goal in our mind, and that is to win the tournament. But what is the motivation?
All I see is that he wants to bring back the glory of his golden days. He wants to become the "Rey de Reyes... the King of Kings... the GOD of Wrestling." However, this begs me to ask. What will do when he achieve it? Will he try to keep living his dream until he reaches loftiness and soon falls deeper? If that will be the case, then the cycle of a man's pursuit of glory and face continues. Or perhaps there's something deeper that pushes him, something that I would not comprehend.
What about me? What is my motivation? I made a vow to Sakuya that I will go to Japan telling her that I have advanced to the finals. I made a promise to Fione that one day, I will dedicate my victory to her once I won the tournament.
Everyone thinks that I've made an empty promise to both of them. But I have gone well prepared. Don't believe me? Just ask those who were there in Household Dungeon. They have witnessed blood, sweat and tears poured into my sessions. I worked every single night so that I could win this tournament.
There's one thing that you don't have, the strength of the loved ones. I have a loving wife who gave me one of her moves reminding myself that I'm not alone. And I have a fallen friend who gave me the remnants of her prowess. These are my homage to both of them.
In Chapter Dieciocho, four participants compete in semi-finals. Only two of them will hail as a winner. There's only one winner for both of us, JT Saint. And that’s going to be me. You may have an outstanding career record, and other wrestlers respect you. You may have ambitions to pursue...
…But I have promises to keep.
Sidenote: This might take a while to read.
December 8, 2018
Backstage in Guerreros of Lucha
10:45 pm
Coach Tino and Black Onyx were standing in the walls of the area waiting for someone. And here it is, Chris and Charlotte appeared towards them. Smiles exchanged from both parties as they cheered Chris for the win. It was a great moment for him.
“Look how good you have become!” Coach Tino commended Chris. “Not only have you beat the likes of Dark Tiger, Evander Cage or even Apex Onyx in Action Wrestling, but also the likes of Jana Rakar and Larry Gowan here in Guerreros of Lucha.”
“This might be the redemption that you are looking for, Chris. After two years of your loss here in GOL, you managed to pull out your first win in GOL.” Black Onyx added.
“Wait just a minute. Managed to pull out? Good?” Charlotte wanted to rectify their comments. “Let me remind you that he just won thrice in a row since he had his first win in Action Wrestling and it was all just good? I would say it is outstanding.”
The rest of them laughed at Charlotte for being ignorant of its significance. “That’s nice, Charlotte. But that won’t mean anything. I still have to fight the semi-finals to win the tournament.” Chris explained.
“Oh and here’s your modesty again.” Charlotte got fed of it. “You know one day, people will never look at you seriously if you keep doing that. Apex Onyx almost got your soft spot. Luckily, you managed to survive.”
Wait, are they not going to take me seriously? Did Onyx get my soft spot? I kept asking myself all day since Charlotte brought that up. Though quite contradictory to what her point was, it did make sense to me. Did I expose my weakness to everyone? Why? Is it to show that I'm just an ordinary man with flaws? Or, did I just gave my opponent an advantage? I remember a fellow wrestler by the name of Casey Holliday. She called out Dark Tiger for his weakness, his philosophy of respect. That gave her victory over him. It also made me perplex of what I have become since my transformation. I told Larry Gowan that we should fight again someday once the tournament is over. I have shown respect towards Evander Cage and Dark Tiger. Have I gone soft that made me vulnerable?
Chris was zone-out in the middle of their celebration. Concerned about him, Black Onyx checked, “You all right?” Chris pulled himself together and assured to anyone that he is fine. “I’m good. So guys, shall we head back home once I get the paycheck?”
They all agreed. The paycheck was mostly for Sakuya. She needed that money for her father’s hospital bill. It was all he can do to help.
In Super Awesomo Epico Tournament (that was a mouthful title, GOL), nine participants competed in the first round. Only four of them walked out victorious, and I was one of them. I was surprised, guess I’m just lucky. I thought that I screw this up. I also assumed that Larry Gowan would pin me or Jana Rakar proved herself right that the ladder match would get myself some disadvantage. But we found ourselves wrong. But this asked me, why did I win that match? Is it because I did it for Sakuya? For the paycheck?
December 10, 2018
Eno Residence
5:30 pm
Chris punched out some numbers on his smartphone trying to reach out someone. “Hello, Chris?” A voice resonated from his hand.
“Sakuya? Hey. So how’s your father doing?” Chris wanted to know her father’s condition.
“He’s still laying on the bed. We would pray for his remission from cancer. What’s worse is that I’m also worried sick about you.” Sakuya grew warily.
“I told you, I’m going to be there, I promise. Also, did you get the money that I’ve sent you?”
“Yes. I got it. Thank you, Chris.”
“All I want is to see you guys okay.” Chris paused for a moment. He could announce his victory in GOL. But the circumstances were too depressing to announce. How could he celebrate at this time of distress? “Chris?” Sakuya snapped her husband out unintentionally from his trance
“Y-yes?” Chris replied. “How are you? How’s the tournament coming? Do you have an upcoming match?" Chris already knew the situation. He didn’t know what to say here. He had no choice but to answer. “I have advanced to semi-finals.”
“I’m… happy!” Sakuya conveyed her response to him. “I knew you could do it. I wish I could watch, but my father—“
“It-it’s fine…. We know we didn’t want this to happen. But your father needs you.” Sakuya discerned, “I know that. It’s…just unfair.”
“Life’s unfair,” Chris reminded Sakuya the harsh reality of it. His wife, in turn, gave a hint of melancholic sigh to Chris. He had no choice. Both of them caught in a rock and a hard place. He might not want to make her sadness any longer. “I’ll get there after my upcoming match. Stay put!”
“Okay…..” Sakuya replied. He was about to hang on her until…. “Issen…. My finisher.”
“What about it?”
“Know that every time you will use it, you should know that I will always be with you no matter what.”
“Thank you, Sakuya. I will show everyone how great you were.”
“Also….”
“Yes?”
“I love you, Chris…… Very, very much…..” Sakuya said it with passion. “I love you too. Please take care otousan for me.”
“I will.” Sakuya’s last word before Chris hung her up.
I was lucky to have a wife like her. Do I deserve it though? As a breadwinner, I have to do what I can to support her even her family. However, is my efforts enough? I haven’t got into college ever since. If I have more money to continue my studies, I would graduate from college and get a real job. It could help her very much financially. But here I am, a lowly middle class, with nothing to be proud of even his wrestling boots. Why did she love someone like me?
“Speaking of coming and going, how’s Sakuya? Tell her I said hi. Maybe while you recover, I could show her a good time. Let me know what you think, I know she’s down. So don’t forget to ask her about it.”
Chris Hell No, Apex Onyx
Action Wrestling, December 3, 2018
Action Wrestling, December 3, 2018
Apex Onyx’s words…. Good thing, I defeated him in the last bout. But it didn’t answer his point. Should I be ashamed of myself? Maybe Charlotte was right after all. I am soft. People aren't going to take me seriously. Maybe, just maybe. My opponent… No…. Everyone would think that Sakuya would be better off with another man than I am. I guess it was a mistake for me to marry someone like her. I’m not a hero to anyone (not even Sakuya). I'm just a mere boy….. a joke….. Why do I feel insecure? Why I can't focus on my upcoming match?
December 15, 2018
Household Dungeon – Training Gym
1:35 pm
“So your opponent in semi-final match is no other than JT Saint,” Douglas recalled Chris’s match in GOL. “Boy, if Jana Riker’s not going to defeat you, maybe this guy will.”
“Thanks. I feel a lot better.” Chris sarcastically thanked his friend. “Now, now. You may think that it is hopeless. But we got our solution.” Douglas began to search something from his bag and revealed a disc case. “Here you go.” He handed it to Chris. He, in turn, looked at its content and saw a label, Madness Wrestling Alliance Archives.
“Who gave this to you?” Chris asked.
“I’m afraid that’s classified.”
Chris arched his eyebrow on Douglas, but he didn’t have much time for unneeded questions. Douglas explained, “Someone told me that you participated in a tournament before in MWA.”
Chris began to refresh his memory, and Douglas was right. Aside from Passion of the Juniors Cup in 2016, he joined a tournament for the MWA World Championship. Like the POTJ, he did reach to the Finals facing his former rival, Angel Lina. Her words proved to mightier than his sullen fist, as she beat him. Despite that, it was memorable for him. That is until he went deep and arrived something dear to him in the past.
“Fione.” A Freudian slip came from Chris’ mouth. “What?”
“Nothing” Chris shook his head. “So what’s the plan?” he asked as his smile dissipated.
“We need Ravenous back. GOL put you in a death match against JT Saint, but with you as Ravenous, we have at least a chance to win the tournament. With his expertise in hardcore matches….”
“Well I don’t care how well rested you are, you're not ready for this. This, (Apex points at his chest) this is better than you are today, this is better than you were yesterday, and this is better than you will be tomorrow. Bottom line, I am better than you can ever hope to be.”
Chris Hell No, Apex Onyx
Action Wrestling, December 3, 2018
Action Wrestling, December 3, 2018
Stop, I already beat you, Onyx! Chris coerced his mind it. But deep down, maybe he was right. Ravenous might be enough to beat him. Especially…. Fione.
Chris began to see it like a plague. He decided to hand it back to Douglas. “Sorry, but no.”
“But—“
“Enough, no more.” Chris retreated from the gym. Douglas was unhappy. He said to himself, “What is his problem? He wants to lose, isn’t he?”
Finally, Chris found his refuge at a local convenience store. He snatched his phone from his pocket and began to investigate his opponent. Jacob Tyler Saint. “A cocky son of a bitch with a heart of gold…. He also loves to play to the crowd and humiliate his opponent,” GOL Roster Page said. In his twitter feed, it showed his career record: 45 wins, 11 losses, and 1 draw. It was a good resume for Chris to being back his insecurities. Chris contemplated his twitter feed. Wrestlers such as the likes of Adam Stryker and Eli Buchanan respected him.
JT Saint has an impressive record in his professional wrestling career. He established his name in Seattle Pro Wrestling and Indianapolis Wrestling Syndicate. No wonder he advanced to semi-finals by defeating Tiger Mask Red… Sorry, I’m mean… Undead. Facing him is like standing with the likes of Larry Gowan, Cartwright, and other famous wrestlers. The challenge may be tough, yet am I able to overcome it?
JT Saint, respected by many…. Chris Eno, an insecure failure in his mind, lost all of his friends…
I never have many friends as much as him. I guess he worked hard. Me? Ravenous was a man to be fear, dominating all over the world, but only in his imagination. Deep down, he was insecure just as I do. Pride, ambition, presumptuousness, the reason for his downfall and probably his loss of his dear one. How can I even focus on my match? Why can’t my insecurities fade away?
December 16, 2018
Cemetery
12:35 pm
These were the lines he befitted to himself right now. Weakness. Insecurities. Inferiority. Helplessness. Shame. And now a lost friend. Chris strolled on this halcyon place filled with memorial tombs of everyone’s dear ones. As for Chris, he saw his in a shape of her gravestone.
He then sat on a ground facing the tomb like having a conversation with his dearest. He had a frolic moments with his friend. They went through the dark moments while living under the same roof. And later, she became the figure that created someone’s empire. Florence Kingsworth. Ravenous’ very own Fione. One of three founding members of the House of Serena. The second was here with her while the other was nowhere in sight.
He remembered the times they spent their day together, traveling across the region, sparring one another, enjoying their innocent merriment with their leader. It was all gone when she took her own life. This left remaining members shudder and remorse. But it made them stronger. Ravenous became faction’s own ace. The leader currently owns an empire to reach into the tops of the world.
And now Ravenous, who became Chris Eno is here, being himself as a plebeian.
“Hey, Fione. How are you?”
Deep breathes for Chris. He tried to get his emotion in tame.
“I remembered back when we used to spar in the open fields. We used to visualize ourselves as little kids playing ruff and tumble. Despite that, we cherished the laughs that we had. You were once the happiness I’ve found. The times I was depressed, numb and degenerate, you were there to nuzzle me telling that I’m not alone.”
“You were a great friend. That’s why I loved you so much before Sakuya came to my life. I saw her the same aura as yours. I vowed that I will take care of her and will comfort her just as what you did to me. Sadly though, I have doubts. I doubt myself to be a dear husband to her. Someone did try to offend her and called me out for being unfit. I defeated him, yet his point remained. That’s where my insecurities grow. I wished you were there giving me some advice. And now you’re here, resting in peace.”
“To be fair, I was not a good boyfriend either. I never thought that behind your smile is a hidden void extracting your true self. You were bickering with other people badgering my prowess. All this time, you believed in me and yet I didn’t recognize it. With my ignorance, you went into a dangerous addiction trying to take the pain away. That was until you thought desperately of making a final escape. And you did. You killed yourself.”
“It was my fault, I should’ve paid your kindness back. No wonder I have never reached to finals, and if I did, I ended up losing. I never appreciated your efforts towards me until now. I wanted to say, I'm sorry. But it’s too late. I can’t take you back. And now I’m helplessly watched Sakuya and her family in grief. For I can’t even do anything significant for them.”
“That was quite some honest words there…” sudden words came out from a woman. “Coming from a working middle-class who ask for an apology.” Chris suddenly turned around, and he can’t believe in his eyes.
A woman from the previous entries emerged from out of nowhere. “S-Serena?”
“Is that how you called your mother?” Serena arched her eyebrows. Chris as Ravenous had a maternal bond with the leader. When he took a sabbatical from the world of wrestling, that bond ceased. “After all, this is quite of a reunion of the founding members there.” Serena, the matriarch is the lost third member of the group. She’s now congregated with Chris, the late Ravenous, and the fallen founding member, Fione.
“Sorry, but I’m not Ravenous anymore. I’m just myself,” Chris explained.
Both of them began to talk in this graveyard, asking how’s life for them or what did they do for a living, etc. They had a long discussion until the point where Chris spoke his opinion of his past persona.
“Is that why you said to Douglas that you had enough with Ravenous persona? You think that he was the cause of all of this?” Chris nodded. But Serena argued, “You know that you are the one who manifested it.”
“Maybe. Maybe you’re right.”
“And you think that will solve all the problems. Right?”
“Like I have other options…”
“There is…. You’re just forgetful… like all the time.”
“What?”
“You forgot that you stated your insecurities against your match against Apex Onyx. But you reminded yourself that there is another way other than sinking into your guilt.”
Chris did recall that, “Your point?”
“What I’m saying that if you want to pay her back, then you will do what exactly you were doing before coming here in the first place. Train hard, win the tournament. That is what she wishes for you.”
“Really?” Chris widened his eyes in amusement.
“She shared with me back then before she died, that all she wanted is to win that MWA tournament. But you lost. However, she hoped that you would win some other time. You went a lot of tournaments in the past to compete. The problem is that you have lost sight of what you are winning for.”
“What am I winning for?”
“Yes, the House of Serena was founded as a trio of nobodies striving for greatness. It grew stronger when Fione died not that because she was a heavy burden, but because she was the inspiration of all of this. House of Serena was a homage to a people like her. The real reason we had her signature, Fione’s Disgrace Kick (Superkick) in the first place, is because we want to remind anyone of her prowess before her final days.”
Fione’s Disgrace Kick was a known trademark move that has past to Chris and Serena. Chris began to shorten its name to FDK. Serena further added, “It is like your finisher, Issen. You have that because you want everyone to know how great she was in the ring.”
He did, but… “Maybe I’m not fit to use it.” He could refer to Issen, used it for countless victories. Or it could be the FDK. He never used the move in Action Wrestling ever since.
“Why? Because you were not a good boyfriend for her? Just as you were a good husband to Sakuya? Look I’ll be talking to you every day to snap you out.” Serena assured. “You beat Apex Onyx in a singles match, right?” Chris nodded. Serena asked, “Does it never mean to you after all he commented to your wife? You showed him who’s the strong here. You proved to yourself that you are strong enough to be with her.” Chris began to fathom it.
“See this?” Serena revealed a sniper rifle under her black Victorian coat and threw it to Chris. He then caught it and recognized what he was holding. It was the same rifle that Douglas gave to him. He never understood the significance of it. Serena explained, “A rifle can be used either for good or for bad. You can do a bad thing and kill innocent people. Or you can use it for good and protect someone you loved. Likewise, your strength can be for good or bad intentions. You used it to prove that either you are the best and shove it to everyone else or to bring honor to someone.”
Her premise became more lucid to Chris. “Each time you compete, you prove yourself to be Sakuya’s legacy. Now it’s time for you prove that you are also Fione’s legacy.”
With that said, he brought up a smile on his face. However, one thing concerned him. “Even if that’s the case, then how am I supposed to win?”
Serena left him a final answer for today, “Ask Douglas. It’s up to you whether to take it or not.” Then she sauntered away.
December 18, 2018
Household Dungeon – Training Gym
5:30 pm
Douglas and Coach Tino circled the ring surveying Chris. Around of it were bags of pebbles, a great substitute of Legos in his upcoming Lego Deathmatch. It was a double standardize match. Chris is sparring with a new signee of the Household Dungeon, known by his moniker as Draven X.
He is 6 foot 2 inches tall, a heavyweight of 243 pounds. He came from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to train in this gym. A technical wrestler who can beat someone like in a street fight. A perfect sparring partner for Chris. He was a great sparring partner for Chris. Pebbles covered the ring, some of it stained with blood. It also colored to both of their faces along with their sweat.
Chris grabbed Draven X and shoved himself to the ring. Draven managed to roll out of him and countered him with Step-Up Enzuigiri. Weakness Detected! (He called it.) Chris was then staggered giving his opponent an opening to his finisher. Draven began to lift him upside-down with his leg hooked. But Chris used his strength preventing this to happen. He then reversed and carried Draven up and dropped him over from behind landing his back with a minefield of pebbles.
Chris then lunged himself to the rope and called it with Rapid Shot Kick (Running Leg Lariat). Both men were down in the mat, painting themselves with sweat, blood, and pebbles on the top. While at it, Chris was having some flashback coming from his two dear ones, Fione and Sakuya. He loved them so much that he smiled. However, it was more than just a smile. It reminded of the moves they gave to him.
While Chris was busy daydreaming, Draven grabbed his head and started to talk trash like it was personal. He lunged himself to ropes and kicked him to the head with a Big Boot. It was meant to set up with his finisher. He picked his head up then basked the humiliation of his opponent. It was no stranger to Chris. Apex Onyx pull off the same trick before getting knocked out with his finisher, Issen. With that, Chris gave a taste of Draven’s medicine by hitting him in the groin. Then he sipped his wrist and sprayed from his mouth at his face with Black Asian Mist. While Draven rubbed the paint off from his face, Chris then scooped his head, heaved him up hooking the leg and drove his head down to the mat with Michinoku Driver II-B.
Douglas and Coach Tino dropped their jaw down when Chris executed it. They just witnessed the revival of two of Chris’ classic moves. Chris attempted for the pin while the referee counted…
1…2…TH—
NO! It was close. Chris wiped the black stain from his mouth and began to stalk Draven from behind. Chris winded up, calling for Sakuya’s Issen but Draven again caught his leg and transitioned into a Proto-bomb right into scattered pebbles. Chris had never been in pain in his training session. But it was to prepare for his match. Draven was finished rubbing the paint off from his face and set up his finisher. But Chris evaded and picked up some of the pebbles into his hand. He then smacked it across Draven’s face, making him staggered. He then grabbed his arm and rolled him over to the mat followed by a Superkick on Draven’s head. It was Chris performing Fione’s Flowing Grace then her Disgrace Kick. It named as the Classic FDK.
Chris hooked his leg for cover…
1…2…3…
Douglas and Coach Tino gave Chris a round of applause for his performance. Though it was a double standard match leaving both Chris and Draven in bloodstains, it was worth it. Both gave themselves a handshake as a sign for respect and went down from the ring. Coach Tino and Douglas met him to discuss further on what he did.
“You sure surprised us at the end,” Coach Tino commented. “Yeah, you went from Chris Eno to classic Ravenous,” Douglas added.
“Thank you,” Chris said. He took wobbly steps before he sat on the floor for a sec. He had a little blood loss from that training, so he was given bottled water to replenish. “So you’re coming back as Ravenous?” Coach Tino asked.
Almost a month ago, I told everyone that I'm abandoning my wrestling style and skills as Ravenous. The reason for that was accountability for pushing someone to suicide. Now people began asking me whether I'm coming back as Ravenous. A friend of mine told me that I made him manifested which brings more reasons to hate myself. I was held responsible for pushing her to an end for I was presumptuous back then. However, she liked me to point this out. Everyone makes mistakes in their career. Instead of just sitting there in guilt, one should move on and learn from it.
However, the way that I showed in the training gym, that wasn't Ravenous. He was already dead. I killed it. I borrow some moves in the past useful enough to face JT Saint in the Lego Deathmatch. I know that the crowd loves him. Fellow wrestlers respected him. He learned from his mistakes and struggled to climb up to the top. He both had a goal in our mind, and that is to win the tournament. But what is the motivation?
All I see is that he wants to bring back the glory of his golden days. He wants to become the "Rey de Reyes... the King of Kings... the GOD of Wrestling." However, this begs me to ask. What will do when he achieve it? Will he try to keep living his dream until he reaches loftiness and soon falls deeper? If that will be the case, then the cycle of a man's pursuit of glory and face continues. Or perhaps there's something deeper that pushes him, something that I would not comprehend.
What about me? What is my motivation? I made a vow to Sakuya that I will go to Japan telling her that I have advanced to the finals. I made a promise to Fione that one day, I will dedicate my victory to her once I won the tournament.
Everyone thinks that I've made an empty promise to both of them. But I have gone well prepared. Don't believe me? Just ask those who were there in Household Dungeon. They have witnessed blood, sweat and tears poured into my sessions. I worked every single night so that I could win this tournament.
There's one thing that you don't have, the strength of the loved ones. I have a loving wife who gave me one of her moves reminding myself that I'm not alone. And I have a fallen friend who gave me the remnants of her prowess. These are my homage to both of them.
In Chapter Dieciocho, four participants compete in semi-finals. Only two of them will hail as a winner. There's only one winner for both of us, JT Saint. And that’s going to be me. You may have an outstanding career record, and other wrestlers respect you. You may have ambitions to pursue...
…But I have promises to keep.