Let's take a trip down memory lane, shall we? A gander into the recent past. And for this? We will not need some spell or incantation, nor a time machine if you are the spawn of a certain Hall of Famer. For this, it would be a simple reflection to depict something that happens just out of our line of sight, so that it might escape our attention.
Salem, Massachusetts
Mere days ago
Massachusetts, one of the six states set in the territory of the United States and designated as 'New England,' the name given by Captain John Smith and approved by England's king at the time.
The Victorian home was a breath taking sight to see, the charm of the old world style popular yet to this day and in much demand. It was well known that the classic and original Victorian homes, the older ones to say the least, were the most beautiful and the most popular, and thus the most expensive. This particular one was no different, and those who called it home on this secluded piece of land, away from the prying of neighbors too close for comfort, had paid an impressive amount in order to claim it as their own. It was surrounded by trees on this plot of land, far enough away from the prying eyes of neighbors who believed it was their right to spy on those that lived close by, for the betterment of their own lives and safety, as well as that of the neighborhood itself.
And if one just so happened to discover you had a Satanic warlock for a neighbor? It was almost assured that sense of right and wrong would go through the roof. Most adults would smartly keep their distance, yet the younger generation would take not only an interest, but would openly approach to satiate their curiosity.
It was why decision. Kedron Williams, long before he had even met and married his soul mate Rinoa, chose this as his own personal domain. Rinoa’s approval later on in his life simply solidified his decision. The beauty of the houses architecture was noticed by even the random passerby. It was over three stories tall not including attic and basement. And as much upkeep as the house took on over the years, it had never lost any of its original beauty or charm. One could simply gaze at it and see its history.
Just two days after Climax Control had ended where not one but two challenges had been laid out at the doorstep of the master of this house, the Williams had returned home to a somewhat appreciative audience. As the front door opened into the foyer of the house, a soft but reserved voice spoke up.
“Oh huzzah, the mistress is home.”
Rinoa set foot onto the threshold of the home she shared with her husband and smiled quite congenial as an elderly matron of a woman approached from out of the Parlor. This was a Missus Adele Hansel, the housekeeper who kept the home in proper care and order both while the Williams were away as well as when they were at home. She had been in their employ for a great many years, and suspected that there was indeed something different about the husband and wife oh, but she did not pry nor ask questions. It was not proper nor her place. Her iron gray hair matched her expression as well as her disposition in all she handled within the homestead. Some might think her as old fashioned or old school and how she addressed the lady and Lord of the home oh, but it was simply her way and only one of the many reasons why she is employed by the two.
And despite her advanced years, she showed no signs of slowing down nor at being unable to fulfil her duties as she slipped her hand into the baggage handle in the possession of Rinoa while Kedron was outside, dealing with the cab driver and the remainder of their luggage. And there was a symphony of greetings toward Rinoa, as three felines hurried into the room, each greeting her with their own voices and looking up at her with adoration in their feline eyes. The three were Sphinx cats, hairless and unique in color and breeding. And each absolutely adored by the woman of the home as if they were her own children. Some would make jokes or harsh insults towards these hairless breeds; insulting them. Calling them ugly or comparing them to hairless rats. One resembled a classic Siamese cat. The second was a soft white with a patch of gray on its scalp and ears, and the third? Tan skin with dark markings all along its head, back and tail. But to Rinoa? They were beautiful.
Rinoa Williams: Oh hello my darlings!
She lowered herself into a crouch, and she was immediately swarmed by the three cats. Each rubbed up against her, leaving their scent on her clothes as they “claimed” her as their own, loving her as much as she did them. As her fingers glided over their soft, supple skin, she practically cooed.
Rinoa Williams: And did mommy’s babies miss her?
As if they understood her question, they looked up at her as one and continued meowing their greetings.
Adele Hansel: Oh yes ma’am, quite. You know they are just not the same when you are away from home. They sing and cry, almost non stop. Makes it quite difficult to get a good night's sleep with that going on at all hours..
Rinoa Williams: Ohhh!
She ran the palm of her hand along each of the cat's backs with an expression of sorrow and pity, more so for the cats themselves missing her than the plight of the housekeeper herself.
Adele Hansel: And how was your trip, if I may ask?
Rinoa Williams: Quite pleasant, Adele. Thank you. Benjamin Jordan wants another match with Kedron on this cruise ship show it would seem, and another fellow showed up out of nowhere to challenge my husband to a match as well.
Adele Hansel: Well, that certainly is a first. And your 'other' bit of business, ma'am?
Rinoa looked up at the elderly matron of a woman, her expression neutral.
Adele Hansel: How did that turn out?
Slowly, Rinoa stood upright as her 'babies' settled in around her feet and she dusted her hands off on her legs.
Rinoa Williams: Very well, I should think.
Kedron Williams: And just what other business is this?
The women's heads turned as Kedron set foot into his house, followed by the Uber driver who aided him with their luggage, but there was clearly a sign of apprehension on the woman's face as she did so. Perhaps she felt unsettled by Kedron as a person, or there was some sense of wrongness about the house that she felt that others did not or ignored. Once the luggage was settled and the driver paid, it was all the woman could do to literally not run from the premises and the relative safety of her vehicle so she could get the hell out of there and away from Kedron. Kedron stepped further into the foyer and kissed an appreciative Rinoa on the cheek before he looked down at her three pets. They all arched their backs on instinct and as one, hissed at the man of the house before they scattered out of the room and went their separate ways.
Rinoa Williams: Kedron, you promised that you wouldn't scare them.
Kedron Williams: All I did was look at them. It's not as if I tried to pet them, not after the last time!
He held his hand up and the two ladies turned their eyes to see the noticeable thin scar that ran across the back of his hand. He kept his hand up as his attention returned to the love of his life.
Kedron Williams: This was thanks to your beloved Cleopatra and it still has yet to heal completely.
Rinoa simply smiled, and said not a word because there was little that she could say. Cats were phenomenal creatures when dealing with the supernatural, and their open hostility toward Kedron as a result was hardly a surprise.
Adele Hansel: I'll just get your luggage to your room.
That being said, the older woman displayed a youthful vigor and strength as she took hold of the luggage rack and wheeled it behind her and toward the spiral staircase in the center of the foyer which led to the second floor and the main living quarters of the Williams. The entirety of the house's interior was from top to bottom, decorated in a lavish, Victorian style much to Kedron's own preferences. Wood paneling and dark colors. Elaborate carpets on hard wood floors and paintings and ornately carved furniture. Once she started her way up the steps, Kedron turned to his wife with an inquisitive smile.
Kedron Williams: Are you keeping secrets from me?
Rinoa Williams: Oh darling...
She extended her hand and caressed the pale flesh of her husband's face.
Rinoa Williams: What possible secrets could I keep from you?
Primm, Nevada -
July 14
What's that you say? A flashback within a flashback? Well this is the world of professional wrestling, and stranger things have happened. This in itself happened just hours after the conclusion of Climax Control at the famed Star of the Desert Arena. And the chosen destination for where we found ourselves? The Primm Valley Resort and Casino, located by the California-Nevada border, spread out over three hotels and less than a two minute walk from the fashion outlet malls of Las Vegas itself.
Inside it was like any other casino that the state of Nevada was famed for; games and gamblers everywhere, as far as the eye could see. Rows of slot machines. The roulette wheel and tables. Blackjack. Craps. And yes, drinking. There was a interior lounge inside of the resort and casino where guests and tourists could stop in and have a drink before they went about their merry way. But the one we see seated in a corner lounge did not look as comfortable as those around him, despite the fact there was a tall mug half filled on the table in front of him. Nor that he was dressed in a bright,, coloured shirt and matching slacks. If anything, he looked cautious, his blue eyes with a tinge of brown shifting slightly so as not to appear too obvious in the fact he was waiting to meet with someone who had asked him for this meeting.
The man was Ben Jordan, and the one he was waiting for...?
Rinoa Williams: Benjamin....
He set the mug down on the table with an audible 'clunk' and looked up at the smiling face of Rinoa Williams, the bride of a man who had fast become what he never thought to have in life; a hated enemy. She was dressed much like he, in clothes that were casual but even for her, what she wore had a trace of elegance to them. Her hand rested on the back of the booth as their eyes met and only she wore even the faintest trace of smiles between them as she slid into the seat opposite him.
Rinoa Williams: Thank you for meeting with me. I must admit I am surprised you accepted my invitation.
Ben Jordan: That makes two of us then. But then I figured after everything that's went down between that husband of yours and myself, and you and Evie, this should be a dilly of a spot.
Ben then took his eyes from her and they roamed the remainder of the casino, as if searching. And in fact, he was.
Ben Jordan: Where is...?
Rinoa smiled, this time with genuine purpose.
Rinoa Williams: Relax, Benjamin. Were Kedron here, then don't you think he would have already made his presence known?
Ben did not answer, not exactly. His answer was non verbal as his lips pressed into a thin line and he gave her a slight scoff.
Rinoa Williams: Benjamin, I asked you here fir a simple reason. To end this ridiculous farce between my husband and yourself.
Ben Jordan: For a 'ridiculous farce,' as you call it, you wasted no time in getting involved. Did you?
Rinoa Williams: Please, Benjamin. Let's not erase history? It was your wife, Evie, who got involved first when you attacked Kedron. It was Evie who stood by your side in that attack and threatened to hunt Kedron. Hm, yes? Fair is fair, I suppose, but let's not be hypocritical. You are far better than that.
Ben shook his head and, placing his hands on the edge of the booth's table, pushed himself to his feet.
Ben Jordan: Okay, I've heard enough! I can't think of one good reason why I should have even bothered coming here...
Rinoa Williams: Your life.
Ben blinked, then frowned.
Ben Jordan: Excuse me?
Rinoa Williams: Your life, Benjamin. Is that not worth a moment of your time to hear what I have to say?
Ben Jordan: Is that a threat?
Rinoa Williams: Far from it, actually. I am merely answering your question. Several months ago, you were in bad health, am I correct? You believed yourself to be on the verge of having a heart attack or a stroke?
She raised her brow in question and slowly, ben started to sit back down. How did she know, when he had confided in only a select few on his recent health scare.
Rinoa Williams: All across Europe you were suffering the ill effects. And despite you showing all signs and symptoms, all medical diagnosis could not explain it. Your body was suffering what the doctors stated was unexplainable.
Ben swallowed, and his hand extended for his glass as a waitress came to take Rinoa's order of a dry, red wine. Only when the waitress had retreated to fill the order, did this conversation continue.
Rinoa Williams: And you lost consciousness, did you not? Fully expecting to never again wake up to the light of day.
Finally, Ben showed some sign of himself, and found his voice.
Ben Jordan: Kedron.
Rinoa remained stoic, her face betraying no sign of answer as her eyes stared into Ben's own.
Rinoa Williams: Then did you also not wonder, why you did, in fact, wake up? Why, since then, you are not, in your own words, pushing up daisies? Why, since then, you have remained untouched?
It took Ben a moment of thought, it was quite the impossible and illogical answer as it came to him, but there it was. Right in front of him.
Ben Jordan: You...? Wait, are you saying that you...?
Rinoa nodded.
Rinoa Williams: Yes. I am saying exactly that.
Ben closed his eyes and used his fingers to massage his temple. Magic? The very concept or idea... it was unbelievable. Even though in the back of his mind, the entire time, he had known Kedron Williams was -- somehow -- behind it.
Ben Jordan: Why... why would you...?
Rinoa Williams: Because I love my husband, Benjamin. That is why. And that is why I am here, now. To ask for your help in return for my own.
Ben frowned.
Ben Jordan: My help? With what?
And for the first time, Ben saw emotion in the cold eyes and expressionless face of Rinoa Williams. Her voice wavered as she answered.
Rinoa Williams: In saving my husband's soul.
“You know, when I first came to Sin City Wrestling, I did so with a single purpose in mind. To avenge my bloodline and collect the soul of a certain Cockney Superstar. I won't mention any names, but his initials are Benjamin Jordan. I leave the mystery up in the air.”
“But now? Just this past Sunday, quite the miraculous occurrence happened. I was challenged not once, but twice! I have no issues stepping inside of the Ring against anyone. If you're selective about opposition, and there really is not much point of you being in any form of physical contact sport. You do not get better by picking and choosing the opponents that you set foot inside of the ring against. Do you seriously think that you will make yourself look better by hand selecting weaker opposition so that you will look stronger? Don't get me wrong. Human beings by rote are fools. But this? This would be simply too much.”
“Certainly, there are certain names that I have yet to test myself against but am quite anxious to do so. At the top of the list would be the representatives of His word, the Good Shepherds.Any goddamned fool who claims that their soul is filled with the Holy Spirit in my opinion deserves to be brought down to reality, and their heads dragged from the clouds into the fiery pits of reality. I also would not mind delivering this same to the Wolfslair, especially as they looked down their nose toward Rinoa and my own personal accomplishment. Now I will admit that as a champion, Alicia Lukas has fulfilled her goals quite well. Austin James Mercer, on the other hand? Not so much, if you ask me. I mean, let’s face it. Who has he really defended his championship against in order to have such a high sense of self esteem? Certainly not the same level of challenges that Alicia has, that much is certain.”
“I admit that I was fully expecting the challenge from Benjamin Jordan, especially after he suffered the rare sting of defeat at the hands of yours truly. Now he and I both hold a victory over the other, I just find that mine was just that much more satisfying since I did so with my lovely wife at my side wild Benjamin had to do the walk of shame and explain to his own wife why her rare return to the ring went unsuccessful.”
“No, what caught me completely unaware was the challenge from none other than Jake Raab. When I was first told of it, I had to pause to process the fact because I had no idea the man had it in him. After all, Jake has hardly been the epitome of valor during his time here. From the moment he stepped foot in SCW, his goal was to get out from under the collective shadows of his more famous brethren, and forge his own ideals, his own identity.”
“And failed miserably.”
“No matter how hard Jake struggled, still everyone talks Lord Raab this and Samuel McPherson that. And with the Monstimals now joining SCU, it will be even more of a struggle for poor, poor Jake to rise out on his own and away from his more talented and much more famous relation. So in one last ditch effort for his career to have some semblance of meaning, he made a critical mistake in judgment. He got in between Ben Jordan and myself. Jake spoke up in defense of Benjamin and spoke out against my actions against that very same man. My only question to Jake Raab is; why now?”
“Hm? Answer me that Jake. What has been happening between Ben Jordan and myself has been taking place since March! Almost a full four months now has taken place since I drew first blood, and it has been going back and forth since. I attacked Benjamin, he paid me back in kind. He defeated me in the ring, Rinoa and I bested he and Evie. So again, Jake… why now? If you were so bothered by the fact, why then did you wait near four months before you decided to bitch and moan about how so unfair and unjust my actions toward your ‘friend’ happened to be? Why did you wait so long to cry foul about me and my own, and declare it to be your intentions to right what was my own wrong?”
“Don’t think I can’t see what your up to Jake, what your end goal just so happens to be. After all, did I not address this very issue at the start of this lecture between us? I admit, until my win over Benjamin Jordan, my in-ring career has not been everything that I had envisioned, even if victories are not what the long-term goals just so happen to be. I have suffered more losses than celebrated victories, and Jake saw this. He saw what he believed to be a weak link on the roster to help boost his own standing.”
"Yes, I will admit that you did manage to pull one from out of your own ass by defeating a clearly superior athlete in Senor Vinnie at Into the Void VIII, but that was just evidence that miracles have a sick and twisted sense of humor. You defeat the number one contender to the World Championship, only to fall in defeat to the Son of Salem? Now, a little bird whispered to me that you were possibly in line for a championship opportunity when you defeated Vinnie, but after this Sunday?"
"I dare say it will be I who whom Austin James Mercer had best keep a close eye upon."
