Post by Devlin Knight on Feb 23, 2024 17:53:23 GMT -5
As he wakes up to the eerie stillness of a house that is all but empty, sunlight filters through the dusty curtains which cast long shadows across the bedroom… After a moment his breath catches in his throat, as he realises he is in fact, alone… He slowly sits himself up from the bed and runs his hand across his face, paying close attention to his eyes and chin before standing and listening to the creak of the floorboards echoing through the silence. His attention is caught by a cardboard flyer sat on the bedside table which reads “Welcome to New Orleans”.
He picks up the receiver of the old style black rotary phone, situated next to the flyer, but there is no dial tone, there is just nothing. Outside, the streets of New Orleans should be bursting with life, but instead, there is just a haunting emptiness that lingers like a heavy fog… He moves toward the window, slowly pushing the dusty cloth aside and peering outside. Rows of abandoned houses line the street, with windows ruined and doors left ajar… There isn't a single soul in sight.
He steps out onto the deserted NOLA street, footsteps echoing on the paving stones and as he approaches a car and cups his hands over his eyes to look inside, we see who we're with, for the first time, it's “Gods Given”, Devlin Knight… He stands back up and scopes the area, with a look of bewilderment plastered across his face, the once vibrant city, now feeling like a ghost town, frozen in time…
He picks up the receiver of the old style black rotary phone, situated next to the flyer, but there is no dial tone, there is just nothing. Outside, the streets of New Orleans should be bursting with life, but instead, there is just a haunting emptiness that lingers like a heavy fog… He moves toward the window, slowly pushing the dusty cloth aside and peering outside. Rows of abandoned houses line the street, with windows ruined and doors left ajar… There isn't a single soul in sight.
He steps out onto the deserted NOLA street, footsteps echoing on the paving stones and as he approaches a car and cups his hands over his eyes to look inside, we see who we're with, for the first time, it's “Gods Given”, Devlin Knight… He stands back up and scopes the area, with a look of bewilderment plastered across his face, the once vibrant city, now feeling like a ghost town, frozen in time…
Devlin: ”What the hell is going on??”
Strange noises fill the air, triggering Devlin to turn his ear in every direction… The distant cry of birds, the rustle of leaves in the wind, but Devlin senses something else, something extremely more unsettling, beneath the surface.
As he wanders further on, he catches a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye… - A flash of feathers, the darting shadow of an animal, but there is still no sign of human life… He presses on, his heart pounding on his chest.
As he wanders further on, he catches a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye… - A flash of feathers, the darting shadow of an animal, but there is still no sign of human life… He presses on, his heart pounding on his chest.
Devlin: ”What has happened to this place…? Where the hell did everybody go?!”
A flicker of gold over to his left, catches Devlin's eye… He looks up and over, towards a fountain situated on a roundabout at the end of the road… Following it, Devlin continues to keep an eye on the glimmer that radiates like a jewel in a crown; and then he recognises exactly what it is, as he gets within five feet…
The WGWF Intercontinental Title…
Devlin slowly picks up the belt and as he does, there is another bright glow which isn't coming from the belt, but somewhere up in the distance. He closes his eyes and holds onto the Intercontinental Title as he feels the warmth of the glow and slowly, vibrationally, music starts up…
There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He's ordinary…
There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He's ordinary…
The WGWF Intercontinental Title…
Devlin slowly picks up the belt and as he does, there is another bright glow which isn't coming from the belt, but somewhere up in the distance. He closes his eyes and holds onto the Intercontinental Title as he feels the warmth of the glow and slowly, vibrationally, music starts up…
There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He's ordinary…
There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He's ordinary…
Voice 1: ”Yes it's another sunny one here in Las Vegas, you're listening to Scott and Jeremy in the morning here on Kool 102! And that was My Hero by Foo Fighters. Now we've got some news regarding Las Vegas based Wrestling promotion The WGWF, as we head into their next PPV, WrestleWars. Last Monday night on Brawl after J Mont pulled off a surprising clean win against Chris Page, Devlin Knight made the challenge to J Mont for the WGWF WrestleWars PPV which J Mont still hasn't answered yet…”
Devlin: ”Man that was some weird ass dream…”
Voice 2: ”And on top of that Jer, the matches for next week's Monday Night Brawl are out and the main event is for the now vacant WGWF Intercontinental Championship which will see Peter Vaughn, Tristan Slater, CJ Phoenix and of course Devlin Knight, squaring off for the belt!”
Devlin sits up, smirking and wags a finger at the radio…
Devlin: ”Ahh, the power of manifestation… Damn I'm going to have my work cut out for me, for sure…”
He then looks up at his JIWC World Title, sat on his mantle by the bedroom mirror and does a gun finger motion towards it…
Devlin: ”Another one joining you soon, hopefully…”
Devlin stretches and stands from the bed heading for the shower as the scene slowly dissipates…
Devlin opens his eyes and finds himself once again at the roundabout with the sun beating down on the different New Orleans streets, but this time he is without the WGWF Intercontinental Title… His gaze shifts from one street to another, confirming the location when he reads the sign that says “Bourbon Street'', the liveliest, craziest street in the entire state of Louisiana, but right now the emptiness is suffocating…
In the distance, he spots movement - three figures that appear to be emerging from the shadows… Devlin's heart quickens slightly as he recognises each one… Vaughn, Slater, Phoenix… Three names that are etched into Devlin Knight’s mind currently, obstacles he must overcome and overcome alone, without the help of the friendship circle he's been building lately with The Show Stealerz, The Lone Wolves, John Cable and Lexi Gold.
Devlin takes a deep breath, steeling himself for what's coming up. Vaughn with his icy piercing gaze and puzzling aura, Phoenix, the sheer embodiment of fiery determination… And Slater, shrouded in mystery and exuding an air of unpredictability…
And he knows… He knows he must navigate what each of the three has prepared for him, he's well aware of the fact the match he will face them in, is a fatal fourway, but to Devlin Knight no matter what, it's him versus the world and he won't change that thought process for anyone… He steps forward as Vaughn does the same.
Devlin opens his eyes and finds himself once again at the roundabout with the sun beating down on the different New Orleans streets, but this time he is without the WGWF Intercontinental Title… His gaze shifts from one street to another, confirming the location when he reads the sign that says “Bourbon Street'', the liveliest, craziest street in the entire state of Louisiana, but right now the emptiness is suffocating…
In the distance, he spots movement - three figures that appear to be emerging from the shadows… Devlin's heart quickens slightly as he recognises each one… Vaughn, Slater, Phoenix… Three names that are etched into Devlin Knight’s mind currently, obstacles he must overcome and overcome alone, without the help of the friendship circle he's been building lately with The Show Stealerz, The Lone Wolves, John Cable and Lexi Gold.
Devlin takes a deep breath, steeling himself for what's coming up. Vaughn with his icy piercing gaze and puzzling aura, Phoenix, the sheer embodiment of fiery determination… And Slater, shrouded in mystery and exuding an air of unpredictability…
And he knows… He knows he must navigate what each of the three has prepared for him, he's well aware of the fact the match he will face them in, is a fatal fourway, but to Devlin Knight no matter what, it's him versus the world and he won't change that thought process for anyone… He steps forward as Vaughn does the same.
Vaughn: ”You’re seeking answers, traveler…”
Devlin: ”I am…”
Vaughn: ”But first, you must prove yourself worthy…*
Suddenly there is silence within the silence as Devlin gives Vaughn an incredulous look…
Devlin: ”Haha, sorry that's a joke right? I mean don't get me wrong you're some big ass, intimidating deity but you're not real and if you were you'd know just as the true Peter Vaughn does know that Devlin Knight doesn't need to prove shit, not even to you… All I've ever heard from you, Vaughn have been the grandiose musings of a seasoned vet in the Wrestling world… Honestly, it's been amusing to witness your self-assured proclamations since I first entered the WGWF and granted whilst the one time I took you on one on one it was a losing effort, there was a takeaway from that I'll never forget…
In your career Vaughn you've amassed accolades, you've crushed dreams and you've left a trail of turmoil in your wake and you've also had my back in the day… But something you've failed to grasp in your time inside the ring, Vaughn. Evolution waits for absolutely nobody. Your desire to keep doing this, Vaughn, is commendable, I mean granted I'm no spring chicken but comparably I'm still the elite of tomorrow… So, dear Mechanic as you eagerly await your next conquest, remember this… In the ever shifting landscape of our business the only certainty is change and regardless of any outcome before now, one thing is clear… The tides of change are rolling, the winds of evolution are blowing and they spare nobody, not even a legend like yourself…”
Devlin’s eyes shift away from Vaughn without a second glance, which means he doesn't see the rise in anger, smoking from the entity's ears… His eyes fix on Slater and he nods his head towards him…
Devlin: ”And you… When we first met, Slater, you introduced yourself to me “live and in living color”, I believe that was at a time I had Vaughn watching my back, please remind me what happened there, eh? I was very intrigued with how you approached me back then Slater because it didn't even need you to tell me what kind of force you were in this game, everybody and their mother lauded you, everyone told me just what you were capable of Slater and I saw it…
We've run this gauntlet a few times haven't we? We've danced the tango more times than I have with most and a little bit of banter makes it that much spicier, doesn't it, Slater? But there is one thing that confuses me boss, with all this talk and testimony about who you are, what you represent and why I should be careful, what exactly have you done since my tenure in the WGWF? I mean that isn't a slight, well okay I suppose it is but it's also a genuinely curious question. Have you held any kind of belt? Any kind of accolade? You just seem to appear out of nowhere, linger like a bad smell without ever actually doing much and then you disappear again like a fart in the wind… Do you plan on being as disruptive as you have been any other time we've faced one another??”
Devlin shakes his head slowly and turns his attention away from Slater and onto Phoenix, the red flaming aura snaking behind him he bites his lip as if in thought…
Devlin: ”Then there's you… One half of King Shit alongside Spencer Adams who, just like me, had his shot at the WGWF Intercontinental Title ruined by a cheat and in all honesty a Scheister, in Dubois… But as the dust settles on the history that we all wish we could nix to this point, you're gonna speak up but your words will be hollow, Phoenix and hang heavy in the air… Phoenix, you and these other two men may cast long shadows but I'm not one to cower in the darkness and even though you don't know me, I know you're aware of my story.
I am Devlin Knight, the bringer of light, the Gods Given, the Initiated… I walk my own path, unafraid to face the challenges put before me. You may question my motives, Phoenix, my intentions, if you recall quite a few did but soon realised that what you see with me is what you get as it always has been, when I was the evilest son of a bitch on the planet I never shied away from that take or responsibility and I don't do any different now… Let me assure you, Phoenix, your assumptions of me that you will no doubt have prior to us walking into Brawl, are nothing but smoke and mirrors…”
Devlin takes another step forward which surprisingly sees Vaughn, Slater and Phoenix begin to echo the step backwards. His lip curls in a slight smirk as he realises he's gaining ground on these three “beings”. He continues to watch them, one by one… And slowly their mouths begin to move
Vaughn: ”Mr. Knight?? Devlin??”
Phoenix: Mr. Knight…?”
Slater: ”Devlin can you hear me??”
Devlin shuffles as it feels like the floor around him is shaking…
…He feels the shaking again which suddenly causes Devlin to blink and open his eyes slowly… He pushes himself back into a seated position and looks around realising he's in the waiting area of what appears to be a Doctor's office. He looks in front of him at the young receptionist dressed in a pencil skirt and top, her glasses running along the bridge of her nose… She smiles politely and points to a door on the left.
…He feels the shaking again which suddenly causes Devlin to blink and open his eyes slowly… He pushes himself back into a seated position and looks around realising he's in the waiting area of what appears to be a Doctor's office. He looks in front of him at the young receptionist dressed in a pencil skirt and top, her glasses running along the bridge of her nose… She smiles politely and points to a door on the left.
Receptionist: ”Doctor Lee will see you now…”
Devlin smiles apologetically and stands, heading towards the door of Doctor Lee… Visually he didn't know her, but she definitely resembled everything that Max had told him. She had helped Max at his time of need and now he was referring her to Devlin… She welcomed him in and as he walked past the threshold and could smell a lavender aroma fill the air, calming him instantly.
There are no windows in the room that is bathed in a soft glow from side lamps on the wall, but the whir of the Air-Con unit above his head is doing its job… A plus couch of nestled invitation with throw pillows in all soothing shades adorns the centre of the space. On the other side of the small coffee table that sits beside the couch, is a large armchair which Doctor Lee has now sat down in as Devlin takes the couch…
There are no windows in the room that is bathed in a soft glow from side lamps on the wall, but the whir of the Air-Con unit above his head is doing its job… A plus couch of nestled invitation with throw pillows in all soothing shades adorns the centre of the space. On the other side of the small coffee table that sits beside the couch, is a large armchair which Doctor Lee has now sat down in as Devlin takes the couch…
Dr. Lee: ”So, Devlin… What brings you to see me today?”
Devlin: ”Well, as you know Doc… I'm here on account of our mutual acquaintance, Maxwell Stone…”
Dr. Lee: ”Ahh yes, how is Max?”
Devlin: ”Well, he hasn't been in here in a bit, has he?”
Devlin chuckles nervously, clearing his throat when he sees the “Doctor’s smile of sympathy” from Doctor Lee.
Dr. Lee: ”You're right, he hasn't… But let's talk about you now Devlin because you are here.”
Devlin: ”I am and I'm not sure what's going on… I seem to find myself falling asleep at the most inappropriate times and when I do, I find myself in strange places…”
Dr. Lee: ”So you're having dreams…?”
Devlin: ”The problem is, I don't think they're just dreams Doc… It's like I'm really there…”
Dr. Lee: ”Vivid dreams then?”
Devlin stands and taps the side of his chin as he paces…
Devlin: ”I don't quite think I'm explaining myself right… Take this morning for example, before coming here. I'd dreamed I was in a New Orleans that was desolate, a wasteland not a person in sight, but what I did find, was the WGWF Intercontinental Title…”
Dr. Lee: ”I assume there’s significance there, Devlin?”
Devlin: ”It’s the belt I've been chasing since Cholo had to drop it because he beat me, for the vacant WGWF World Title… The thing is, when I woke up from this dream, I'd heard we were going to New Orleans for the next Brawl and I'm in a Fatal Fourway, for the Intercontinental Championship…”
Dr. Lee: ”Okay, I admit that's very intriguing… Fatal Fourway you say? So there are three others involved?”
Devlin: ”That's right and just before I came to your office today I had another strange dream which involved them…”
Dr. Lee: ”So, who are they Devlin? Tell me about them…”
Devlin stops pacing and looks over at Doctor Lee,
Devlin: ”Okay so, firstly we have Peter Vaughn. Who, for as long as I've known him, has been showing some facade of being a hot shot but honestly? He's had a right to be with all the Championships and accolades he's held but notice how I say “had” a right? That stopped the moment Enigma beat him in the WGWF World Heavyweight Championship match, after that I don't think we ever saw a viable version of Peter Vaughn.
I mean he calls himself “The Mechanic” right? But they're supposed to fix things when Vaughn can't even get his own career back on track! He's ruined Doc, just like almost anyone else who tried to run with the football too many times and fumbled… Peter Vaughn is just a broken man, desperately clinging on to past glories and whatever reputation he has left…”
Devlin takes a deep breath and bows his head before looking back up at Doctor Lee…
Devlin: ”And then we have Tristan Slater, someone I've also got history with… Now I've heard his spiel before this a while back and it doesn't sit right with me, honestly never has… Especially since he has shown his true colors. And I don't care if he turned his back on what's right because he felt Cholo “let people down” regarding J Mont.
Who's the one who came back here and stood the gauntlet up with J Mont to begin with? That's right, me and when I asked HIM about helping me and asked for us to shake on that partnership what did HE do? He turned his back on me and walked away… So his attitude is a little too rich for my liking, Doc…”
Devlin finally sits down again and rubs his face with his hands as if trying to keep himself awake…
Devlin: ”And finally there's CJ Phoenix, one half of King Shit who many would have you believe only got this shot because his partner in crime, Spencer Adams, is unavailable to participate… But not me! Oh no I'm fully aware of what Phoenix brings to the table and what he's capable of… The funny thing is though, Phoenix tries way too hard! I've heard him talking about ego trains whilst hiding behind a facade of self righteousness… Speaks of leading horses to water when he's drowning in his own hypocrisy.
Something I have noticed about this man, Doc, is his tendency to tear people down to lift himself whereas I'm lifted by seeing others progress… All I'm hearing here are empty gaslighting sermons and actions speak louder than words, for all three men believe me I've no plans to jump you like obstacles, I'm ploughing through all three of you and I'm going to have fun doing it…-”
Doctor Lee puts her hand up before Devlin can go on and points to the clock…
Dr. Lee: ”And I'm sorry Devlin, that's all we have time for today…”
Devlin: ”Oh… Okay well, thank you Doc. I will make an appointment to come back after Brawl?”
Dr. Lee: ”That'll be good and we can continue from there…”
Devlin stands, shakes Doctor Lee’s hand and leaves. Whilst in the foyer something on the wall mounted TV catches his attention. He recognises the aerial view instantly. He asks the receptionist to turn it up…
Reporter: ”The scene from Paradox Pines, here in Oregon, looks like something from a Zombie action movie, with a Police spokesperson confirming several fatalities at the scene, including leader, of The Paradox, Stewart Crestfield”
Devlin: ”Holy shit, Max…!”
To be continued…