Unknown location: Somewhere in Appalachian mountain Range
Kira stares into the mist of the mountains from her cabin porch. She leans against the rails, cup of coffee in her hands. Her face is sullen and in deep thought of the weeks past events. Her fingers run over the mug in some form of comfort as she watches the woods around her home. Slowly she sighs and stands back up turning around,facing the cabin. Her steps are soft and light across the wooden porch. Little songbirds sit along the rails corner post, they pay her no mind as she passes by.
The hard rains the night before during a spring storm had cleansed the air. Honeysuckle and sweet phlox fragrance the air in their sugary aromas. It is a tranquil morning in the mountains, the mist starts to lift from the valleys below. Billowy fingers retract from the gorges and ridges revealing the lay of the land. Spring showing off all her glory in the warm morning sun.
Kira takes it all in as she takes another sip of her coffee. Her Daddy called it her hummingbird food, or ask the classic “Want some coffee with that?” His hazel eyes would gleam being a smartass. She smiles at the long distant memory. Her hand on the rail she begins to descend the long staircase to the ground. The fog is still hovering around the bottom level as she reaches the second stoop.
Phoenix stops and opens a door to a tack room, all bits, saddles and bridals hung in order. She keeps it tidy and clean for the most part. Setting her coffee down on a old workbench she selects an older black leather saddle. Her fingers trace every lace, every little piece so important to her heart. “Daddy made the rope horn from a piece of locust post. Carved it by hands that were wore out from work,but every sliver was shed for love.”
She admires the stitches, fingers carefully glide over the rows. “Mommy rabbit cut and stretched each bit of leather she could find to make the rest. Carved my initials into the skirt just for me. I got this as my Yule present for all the hard work I did that year...I was 15 then. Time really flies by don't it?” She asks the dust swirling through the sunlight in the cracks of the wall.
A chuckle escapes her lips as another voice speaks out. “Yes they love you very much priestess. Taught you a lot of valuable things not heard of anymore. Helped you up when you fell down...but now you must help yourself.”
Kira picks the saddle and blanket up and a bridle from the wall then leaves the room. She shuts the door with her boot on the way out. Taking the blanket from underneath the saddle she drapes it over her shoulder. Then the bridle with reins goes on top, horn in the other hand she carries it all down the wooden staircase. At the end of the stairs stands an old hitching post worn through the years. Placing her load over the old timber log marked like a cutters wrist scars from all the straps over the eons.
Standing for a moment in the clouds, using one hand over her eyes for a sun visor she looks for something. Her odd eyes catch movement in the treeline. They focus sharply on the disruption, a dark shadow stands eating from the dew covered grass. Kira straightens herself and cups her hands together, bringing them to her lips she blows into them. The whistle starts low then begins to warbler like a whip-poor-will.
The large shadow stops and lifts its head in high alert, twisting its neck back towards the whistle Kira released. Turning around the animal comes into the filtered sunlight. Her friesian mare trots over throwing it's long mane back and forth. The Phoenix holds out her hand palm side to the spirited horse as it approaches. It's warm velvet muzzle nudges her hand in greetings, lowering its head looking at her with big eyes. One solid brown the other smudged with light blue, eyes unique much like her own.
The horse showers her with love framing it's neck over her to squeeze a hug. Rubbing and headbutting her repeatedly then calms down. Kira and the mare walk back over to the hitching post and retrieve the bridle. Carefully she slides it over the animals nose and cheeks. Both hands on each side of the horse's head she speaks to her pet. “You and me have some work to do today, you and me are just alike. They didn't want you because you were flawed like me, that's their loss not ours. Let's show em how we do things in the mountains girl.”
The horse shakes its head up and down in agreement making Kira laugh as she starts buckling the headgear to the animal. Next the patchwork blanket is thrown across the mares back, she lines up the sides and then goes for the worn saddle. Taking the stirrup she hooks it over the horn before she lifts it onto the beast. The mare stands perfectly still as Kira adjusts the saddle and blanket. She reaches under and grabs the cinch belt and loops it through the buckle and pulls quickly and tightly.
As she pulls the belt the horse throws its head up and down,shaking the reins in Kiras face. She looks at the animal who is doing the same to her, and leans forward till her forehead meets the mares. “Now little girl...there are things to do that I need your help with...please be reasonable Athena. Quit holding your breath, I'm not a big fan of your loose saddle joke”As she leans back to the horse's belly she pokes it, making Athena let go of the air in her lungs a little more. “Gotcha this time Sally!Whew!”The gentle giant looks at her owner and wiggles her ears back and forth in an annoyed glance,then looks back forward.
Reins in hand Kira hitches Athena to the post briefly to retrieve some things in the basement of the cabin. Carved inside the mountain rock itself her cellar is massive. Rows of shelves full of jars of food and herbs of all sizes and types. All in select order from gallons to tiny half pint jars. One side of the stone room is vegetables and savory herbs. Fresh green beans, tomatoes and other garden fair sit preserved ready to be used at any given notion. The other side is jams and jellies and pie filling, awaiting a crust and ice cream melting over top.
The far wall has a tapestry tethered across a cotton rope, a giant pentacle surrounded by Celtic knotwork. Intricate and fully embroidered by hand, countless hours, weeks,and years dedicated by a mother's unconditional love. She warmly pets the fabric then pulls it to the side exposing a wall of oddities. Different corked and sealed bottles of various colors and sizes. From Paris Green to bearded casket fungus, she has it all. Mugwort, coltsfoot, white sage hanging in bundles along with lavender and other dried wild flowers.
Kira picks each item with precision and takes them all to a butcher's table in the middle of the cool root cellar. A basket of cut cheesecloth sits to the side, she takes two from the small pile. Placing them in front of her she begins to him a little tune as she measures out each ingredient. After the last item is in the mix she reaches for some butcher's twine and ties the little satchel up. Placing the other ingredients back into their spots in her apothecary, she closes back the tapestry. Retrieving the small bundle from the table, she walks back towards the heavy oak doorway.
Closing the door and latching it tight she returns to a antsy and eager to go Athena. She gathers up the reins and swings gracefully into the saddle, the mare dances a bit and hops excited to get moving. Kira pulls the reins a little tighter to gain control of the large animal. Athena's neck arches and she tosses her mane across it. Making the horse step sideways to the stairway, Kira leans over holding the saddles horn and the reins and grabs a rifle hidden off the rail. Straightening back up she slides the gun over her shoulder and directs Athena to the trail.
The morning air is cool and crisp from the heavy dew. Branches above the pair drip onto their shoulder but doesn't bother these two. Carefully the mare navigates the foot trail until they reach the old overgrown road. The long stone wall overgrown with moss greets them. Along with the warm sun peeping through the canopy of fog lifting from the earth. The field of clover begins to hum with the sounds of insects buzzing about.
Spiders hide amongst the cool shade of the trees and the moss of the rock fence. Their abandoned webs shine and sparkle like diamond necklaces in the grass and trees. Birds are flitting and flying about getting insects being too slow, or the many drowned earthworms the springs ran out of the ground. Deer graze in the field paying little attention to Kira and her mount. Their tails swishing annoying flies away. A small fawn watches intently, hiding behind it's mother's legs. Athena whinnys at the herd making the little baby jump in surprise, Kira smiles and pats her steed on the neck as they walk on.
A little ways down the old forgotten road a gate emerges out of the stone fence. Bringing Athena to a stop for a second the wrestler unlocks the chain and opens the gate wide. The horse prances enthusiastic as to what she knows is about to happen. Kira leans into the animal's ear, “Are you ready old girl?”
Athena jumps forward and takes off with Kira on her back full gallop through the open field. Faster and faster the horse runs full speed then slows as her owner tightens the reins. They work together beautifully in fluid motion. No bond can be tighter than that between rider and horse and the pair show their stuff. Finally the duo stop in the middle of the clover, Athena breathes heavy then calms down and chills while Kira pets her neck and side. She sits back straight in the saddle and directs her four legged partner back towards the shady treeline.
Something is hanging from a post on one corner of the fence. A roll of barb wire coiled for use and a pair of fence pliers. Phoenix reaches out and plucks them from the post, hanging the wire over her saddle horn the pliers into a side bag. “Let's get this over with girl, gotta lot of ground to cover before ritual tonight “ Nudging Athena with her heel the horse turns around heading back towards the gate. As they wade through the tall grass, a bird flies up out of the brush. A red tailed hawk screeches at them from up high, in displeasure of its hunt being interrupted.
They march onwards and through the gate back to the old road to nowhere. Kira hops off the horse and keeps the reins in hand. “Let us walk together friend and enjoy the scenery hahaha!”Athena bumps Kira with her muzzle a little as they walk along. Down the long gypsy road the pair wade through the grass and fauna growing lush in this protected forest. The windchimes Kira has hung amongst the trees sing a merry melody along with the songbirds flying about. The different colored glass twinkle in the filtered light as if fairies were jumping leaf to leaf.
At the end of the road a large rod iron gate is overgrown with Ivy and different trumpet flower vines. On the opposite side Kiras big black Dodge Ram 1500 is parked. Leaves have fallen along with a few small twigs from the trees above. She stops Athena from stepping any further then turns to her longtime companion. “Well my sweet treasure I must depart for a while again my girl.” The large animal seems to know exactly what her master is saying and blinks slowly pushing her forelock against Kira head. They just stand for a moment, Phoenix rubbing the side of the creatures neck. She takes a step to the side and begins to loosen the saddles cinch. As soon as it is loose she grabs the saddle and pulls it off the horse. Next the blanket then she comes back to undo the bridle and bit, she unbuckles the head gear and slides it down Athena's black muzzle. The horse stands still and stares at Kira,as if she doesn't want her to go.
“Don't look at me that way hun, I’ll be back before you know it. I have to do things before it gets too late sweetpea. Now you go on and find your brother Zeus alright. He should be near the cabin last time I checked. Go on now.” Kira pats the horse one last time and gathers the saddle and tack in her arms and goes for the gate. Athena takes a few steps following her owner,only to stop abruptly acting like she is grazing when Kira looks back at her. “I hate you can't go, but I don't think the arena can hold you and hundreds of fans Athena hahahaha!”
She keeps walking to the rusty gate, the horse creeping behind. A stone pillar with a wooden door holds the massive gate up, years of weather has eroded most of the top bit still solid. Kira wrangles the saddle and other gear to one arm and opens the door with her free hand. Inside the cubby hole is a saddle rack and nail from a timber at the threshold. She places her saddle on the rack and hangs the bridle on the nail, taking the barb wire and pliers. She then takes the rifle off her shoulder and places it behind the saddle.
Athena watches as Kira closes and latches the door. The wrestler then turns back to her mare. “You will know when to come down to get me, just listen close and I will call. Blessed Be my pet, now go...before I have to get mean about it alright?” The horse snorts then slowly turns around looking back one more time then starts walking down the old gypsy road. Back into the mountain to wait for the witch to return home.
A sigh escapes Kira’s lips and she shakes her head smiling, taking a key from her pocket she unlocks the rusty gate. The metal groans from the movement in it's hinges. The vines snap and break free allowing her to finally open it more to get out. She closes it back and uses the skeleton key to lock it once again. Tossing the barb wire in the bed and the pliers, her left hand opens the cab door. As she gets inside her truck,a gasp emits from her throat. Her purse is ransacked all over the seat and floorboard. “What the fuck?...Oh to the Goddess what a mess!..ugh! What's this?” A note had been placed in amongst the strewn out contents reading Kira on the front. She flips the card open to see a note from her hubby Tommy Crimson.
“Had to borrow your lipstick Dollface Killah. See you soon.
T.C.”
Kira sits back in the seat and breathes a sigh of relief. “Goddamnit baby, give me a fucking panic attack thinking my shit was gone! Coulda just asked!...Ah at least he left a note hahaha!” She speaks to herself in the truck. Finding her keys she slides it into the ignition, the truck roars to life it's V8 engine purring like a cougar.
Throwing the other junk back into her purse she tidies the interior a little before putting the truck in reverse. Rolling the windows down to enjoy the air, she unclips her shades from the visor. Placing them on her face she proceeds to back out into another open field a hundred feet down the approach. Turning the truck quickly then putting it in drive, spinning mud as she digs into the field doing a doughnut. Swiftly she corrects the wheels and drifts back to the long road to the highway. Back to SCW, back to face her greatest match ever against a true champion.
“It's time to play Mercedes, our playdate is long overdue”
Henderson,Nevada
Live Feed:
Night is across the desert as a Fury Studios drone flies across what seems like nothing but a sea of sage and prickly trees. A light is seen in the distance brightly shining. A fire is burning with something on a tripod in the middle of the flames. The camera slows as it approaches the scene exposing the object, a large cast iron cauldron hangs with something bubbling in the middle. A red velvet hooded figure stirs the liquid slowly, paying the drone no heed. Another hooded figure adds more logs to the fire. A few more emerge from the surrounding brush and darkness,together they form a circle of six around the cauldron. The one who was stirring the pot stops and joins the others. They cross their arms like monks in a monastery and begin to chant in Latin and Gaelic a low tone melody begins to resound throughout the desert. The sound starts to change to where it is now in English verse from the covens mouths.
Curse my enemies,
Curse my fears,
Curse those who have brought me tears,
Curse those who have done me wrong,
Make their punishment long and strong,
This is my will so mote it be.
The chanting continues to grow louder and louder the voices merging into one louder than the rest. A single ember pops and floats to the ground igniting a long chain of flames leading to a sandy knoll. The voice resonating loudest above the others comes from a blue hooded figure atop the small hill. The caped member turns and begins walking down the sand fine along the lit pathway to the fire. Gracefully they walk barefoot across the sandy earth,toenails painted with black lacquer. Reaching the other hooded figures, they reach up and pull their hood back to reveal the mysterious Kira Phoenix.
She nods to the other coven sisters, who bow their heads in response. Phoenix then walks slowly around the outer circle, the drone hovers following her every move. Suddenly she stops in place and looks directly at the lens. Her odd eyes dance in the firelight, she beckons the drone closer with her finger.
“Hello SCW and my dear opponent Mercedes Vargas...a well overdue how do you you do to you too! Finally! We get a chance to throw out all fear and doubt as to how we do business now don't we Mercedes? Or..can Your math riddled brain handle anymore information crammed into it? I figured that to remember alllll those titles...you don't have much room for anything else after all.”
Kira places her hands on the shoulders of two of the other witches, eyes still intent on the drone. It dips a little and resumes filming a little closer to her face. Now don't be mislead by my remarks to be unrespectful quite the opposite in fact!” Holding up her finger like a scientist making a discovery, she pats one member on the shoulder. The hooded figure then steps back and bows then departs from view.
“You have been quite a busy little beaver as of late. Your reign has been very impressive...however everything has an end eventually Mercedes. Life is short,Death is always certain.
The question being though, why do you waste your life counting? Why fight the tide so much you lose yourself in it my dear? Let go..let go and live for once!”
Phoenix squeezes the next members shoulders then pats the seconds back to signal to leave. They do the same as the first one bowing to their high priestess respectfully then disappearing into the dark. Kira brushes her black and blue hair back from over her shoulder. The fire snaps and crackles under the oversized cauldron, the liquid continues to simmer. Coming to the third practicing witch she stands to their side talking to them as if they was Mercedes herself.
“Such a shame to keep living in the past that you can't see what's coming straight at you. Yes, you can mock my craft all you wish and slay me with your big bad list of names. That would be a first wouldn't it? Young wrestler dies from papercut...that I could see along with a spork related death too...in the funny section of reader's digest. Hahaha! To the Gods Mercedes you are soooo fucked for what I am about to do to you and your petty little list!”
Kira spins with ankle bracelets jingling, tip tapping her fingers across the third person to depart her presence. Gracefully she dips and curtseys as the member leaves the sacred circle. Standing back upright she sidesteps and leans her elbow on the fourth red caped figure, her fingers intertwined together. Her weight slightly propped by the shoulder of her follower. She lowers her head down till her lips meet her crossed fingers. Staring into the fire the tone turns to a more serious note. Her eyes show anger as she studies the flames as she berates her opponent some more.
“You must understand that though I may respect your talent, doesn't mean I have to like you. Instead you're more the type that seriously pisses me off to no end. Acting like you are all that and a bag of potatoes chips. When in reality you are a last year's leftover sub, forgotten in the back of the fridge with a nice dose of penicillin mold right on top.” Phoenix snaps her fingers and the fourth practitioner leaves the premises.
The drone continues to film from eye level, Kira it's sole focus in the shot. She strides over to the fifth figure, their arms still crossed hidden in the robes sleeves. Her eyes look over the witch, then she copies the pose and stands next to them. Glancing sideways at the fifth member she then throws out her arms in a huff. “Ah hell with being a copycat! That's what makes us so unique don't you think Mercedes!? Why be a dead clone when you can be so much more! That's what I am sweetheart...something much more dangerous than what you have ever come across...that you can write on your fabled list...depending if I don't break every...single..bone in your hands that is. I'm not here to play nice, or kiss your ass or anyone else's for that matter.”
Cracking her knuckles and popping her neck signals the fifth to vacate quicker than the rest. As she walks to the final member of the circle, she reaches her hand down to the burning timbers and retrieves a torch of sorts. Kira stands directly in front of the sixth and final witch, the torch fluttering in the cool dry air. She waves it back and forth above them and brings it back down full circle, then holds steady. Her green and brown eyes look hypnotized by the torch, they then turn to the camera that hovers to the side of her cheek. The hooded member doesn't move an inch, even with the torch being mere inches away.
Phoenix chuckles to herself, her lips curled into a sneer.
“I'm going to enjoy making you suffer Mercedes...I will use your blood as my paint and the ring my canvas. The people of Henderson,Nevada will remember the day when they got to witness what a real witch is capable of demonstrating. I'm going to tear every..single..piece of paper off and cram them one..by..one in your oversized boastful mouth. Enjoying the gagging sound you'll make begging for me to stop. You see it's not about lists or titles or who has the biggest tits. It's about you and me in that arena bringing the house down unlike any show before! Now are you going to go half assed or full bore, my chips are all in!”
Kira hold the torch straight into the air as she yells at her opponent, challenging the multi champion to bring a fight like none other. The sixth member exits the circle, leaving the high priestess alone with the flames and cauldron. She turns back around facing the pit and walks over to the bubbling pot. Steam rises from the scalding brew below. She reaches into her black corset and pulls out the satchel that she made in the root cellar back home.
“A small party favor made just for you sweet Mercedes. No it's not eye of newt or tongue of rat oh no dear one...its something much, much worse. Will you ever know what my spice is? No. A great chef never reveals their secrets...shhhh” Carefully the mountain witch drops the bundle into the iron cauldron. Almost instantly the liquid changes colors turning from a black goo to red and other colors of the rainbow to finally a light powdery blue. Frothing violently the kettle shakes on the spit chain suspending it above the flame.
Phoenix steps back away from the jumping pot, then without a care tosses the torch directly into the liquid.
BABOOOM!!!!
The heavy cauldron explodes into the air, the contents rain across the desert in flames. The kettle lands quite a distance always from the drone which had floated upwards to avoid being the next target. It hovers back down briefly to Kira who watches the burning brush in the landscape surrounding them. She stares and speaks for the last time into the camera.
“No matter how many belts you win Mercedes...you will remain as hollow as the rest who have succumbed to greeds nasty web. No matter how many ways you may maim or destroy me.
From the Ashes, I...Shall...Rise.”
The drone lifts off and rises above the desert showing off Kiras calling card. A burning blue Phoenix scorches the darkness steering the image into the screen as it fades out to black.
