12-27-2023, 03:51 PM
01-02-2024, 12:43 AM
Veil of Shadows: Chapter 5
Dagger of The Enigma
In the heart of Thornbrooke, where shadows clung like relentless specters and ancient secrets whispered through the gnarled branches of its trees, our tale unfolds. Elias Veil, driven by an insatiable thirst for answers and tormented by the dark legacy of his family, embarked on a treacherous journey into the very heart of darkness itself. Guided by Old Man Hawthorne, he ventured deep into the foreboding forest, where ominous symbols etched into ancient trees beckoned him toward the abyss.
Elias's relentless pursuit of the truth took him deep into the heart of Thornbrooke's mysteries. He unearthed cryptic secrets buried within the decaying pages of dusty tomes, each revelation sending shivers down his spine. Unsettling artifacts, their surfaces marred by the touch of malevolent hands, exuded an eerie, palpable energy that seemed to seep into his very bones. As he studied the ancient symbols that adorned the artifacts, they pulsed with an otherworldly power, as if trying to communicate their sinister origins.
The forest, with its gnarled trees and twisted branches, enveloped Elias in a suffocating silence. It was a silence pregnant with unseen watchers, as though the very woods themselves were sentient, bearing witness to his journey into the abyss. The sensation of being observed never left him, a constant reminder that Thornbrooke's secrets were not easily relinquished.
Despite the mounting unease that clawed at his psyche, Elias's determination remained unwavering. He was driven by an unquenchable desire to confront the sinister forces that held his family in their suffocating grasp, to break free from the dark web that bound them to the village's unholy past. Each step deeper into the forest was a plunge into a nightmarish abyss, but he would not waver. The Veil family's fate and Thornbrooke's salvation depended on his unwavering resolve.
Now, as he followed a haunting melody deeper into the woods, the mysteries of Thornbrooke continued to unfold before him, each step plunging him further into an abyss of darkness and despair.
Inside the abandoned chapel, a sense of foreboding hung heavy in the air. The flickering candlelight cast eerie, dancing shadows on the crumbling walls, creating an unsettling atmosphere. Elias could feel the weight of the centuries-old rituals that had taken place within these walls, and the palpable presence of the cult members who had once gathered here.
As he cautiously explored the chapel's interior, Elias noticed an intricately carved wooden altar at the center of the room. Its surface was adorned with cryptic symbols and faded bloodstains, remnants of the cult's sinister ceremonies. He approached it with trepidation, recognizing it as the likely location of the hidden artifact.
With a careful touch, Elias began to examine the altar's surface. His fingers traced the symbols, and he realized that some of them matched the ones he had seen in the ancient tomes from Thornbrooke's library. It was as if the symbols held the key to unlocking the secrets of the cult.
As he continued to investigate, Elias discovered a concealed compartment beneath the altar's surface. With trembling hands, he uncovered the first artifact—a small, ornate dagger with an obsidian blade. Its hilt was adorned with more of the sinister symbols, and it emitted an otherworldly chill that sent shivers down Elias's spine.
This was just the beginning of his quest. Elias knew that the artifact held vital information that could lead him closer to unraveling the cult's mysteries, but it also meant that he was one step deeper into the dark web of Thornbrooke's secrets. With the dagger in hand, he made his way out of the chapel, ready to face the next ominous challenge that awaited him in this village shrouded in shadows.
The forest whispered its ancient secrets, and the blood moon loomed overhead as Elias Veil continued his relentless pursuit of the truth, determined to confront the shadows of the past and protect his family from the looming darkness that threatened to consume them all.
As Elias ventured deeper into the heart of Thornbrooke, the forest seemed to grow darker and more oppressive. Trees with twisted, gnarled branches loomed overhead, their branches casting grotesque and elongated shadows on the forest floor. The eerie silence was broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant hoot of an owl.
With the obsidian dagger in his possession, Elias felt a newfound sense of purpose, but also an escalating sense of dread. He knew that the cult's secrets were far from unravelled, and the artifacts he sought were merely pieces of a larger, enigmatic puzzle.
Guided by his determination, Elias continued to follow the faint echoes of the haunting melody that had led him here. The tune seemed to grow more haunting, as if it were a siren's call, pulling him further into the abyss of Thornbrooke's mysteries.
Hours turned into days as Elias traversed the forest, his quest becoming increasingly perilous. He encountered strange, grotesque symbols carved into ancient trees, their meanings lost to time. Dark, shadowy figures would occasionally flit at the edge of his vision, but when he turned to face them, they would vanish like phantoms.
The forest itself seemed to shift and change, its layout becoming a nightmarish labyrinth designed to confound and disorient. Elias relied on his wits and the dagger's otherworldly chill to guide him through the shifting landscape.
And all the while, the blood moon watched over Thornbrooke like an unblinking eye, its crimson glow intensifying as if in anticipation of the secrets Elias was yet to uncover. The forest's malevolent whispers grew louder, and Elias couldn't help but wonder if he was nearing the heart of the darkness that had plagued his family for generations.
As he ventured deeper into the abyss, Elias couldn't help but question what would be left of him when, and if, he emerged on the other side. The shadows of Thornbrooke held their secrets close, and Elias was determined to unlock them, no matter the cost.
In his relentless pursuit of the truth, Elias's journey led him to the edge of Thornbrooke's infamous Deadfall Marsh. The marsh was a place of dread, shrouded in superstition and said to be cursed by the very darkness that permeated the village.
The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the murky waters of the marsh seemed to swallow the dim light that dared to pierce its surface. Elias stood at the marsh's edge, his reflection shimmering on the stagnant water like a distorted apparition.
As he ventured deeper into the marsh, he noticed peculiar markers—twisted branches, eerie totems, and cryptic symbols—indications that he was on the right path, or perhaps the wrong one, depending on how one viewed it.
It was then that Elias heard it—a haunting, mournful wail that echoed through the marsh, sending chills down his spine. The sound seemed to emanate from the very heart of the marsh, drawing him in like a moth to a flame.
With each step, the marsh seemed to resist him, its treacherous terrain attempting to claim him as its own. Elias pressed on, guided by the eerie melody that had become his North Star in this mysterious labyrinth.
Finally, he reached the source of the haunting sound—a dilapidated, rotting structure that rose from the marsh's depths like a grotesque monolith. It was a long-forgotten altar, adorned with the same cryptic symbols that Elias had encountered before. At its center lay a sinister artifact, shrouded in darkness and pulsating with malevolent energy.
Elias knew that he had found another piece of the puzzle, another key to unlocking the secrets that bound Thornbrooke in its grip. But as he reached for the artifact, the marsh itself seemed to come alive, its watery tendrils rising up to ensnare him.
With a fierce struggle, Elias managed to free himself, but not before feeling the marsh's icy grip on his soul. The encounter had left him drained and shaken, but he clung to the artifact, knowing that it was a vital piece of the enigmatic tapestry he sought to unravel.
The moon continued its vigil, casting its blood-red glow over Thornbrooke, as Elias Veil pressed forward, deeper into the heart of darkness. The secrets of the village and the fate of his family remained elusive, but he was determined to confront the shadows that lurked in the darkest corners of his home.
Elias's relentless pursuit of the truth led him to yet another unsettling discovery. As he ventured further into Thornbrooke's forbidding woods, he stumbled upon a long-forgotten cemetery, hidden away from prying eyes. The gravestones were weathered and covered in moss, bearing the names of those who had long departed from this world.
But what caught Elias's attention were the symbols etched into the tombstones. They were the same enigmatic markings he had encountered in the chapel and on the altar in the marsh. It was becoming clear that these symbols were central to the cult's rituals and the village's dark history.
Elias meticulously documented the symbols, their patterns, and their placement, sensing that they held the key to understanding the cult's practices. He knew that deciphering their meaning was crucial to unraveling the enigmatic web of Thornbrooke's past.
As he delved deeper into the cemetery, he discovered an entrance to a hidden underground chamber. The air grew colder, and the atmosphere weighed on him like an invisible shroud. With a mixture of trepidation and determination, Elias descended into the dark abyss below.
The chamber was a macabre tableau, adorned with the remains of the cult's rituals. Candles burned with an otherworldly flame, casting eerie shadows on the walls adorned with cryptic symbols. At the center of the chamber lay an ancient tome, its pages filled with incomprehensible writings that seemed to shift and change as Elias perused them.
But what truly sent shivers down Elias's spine was the discovery of a series of intricate paintings that adorned the chamber's walls. They depicted scenes of unspeakable horror and suffering, as if the very essence of fear and despair had been captured on canvas.
Elias realized that he was standing on the precipice of a revelation, one that would expose the darkest secrets of Thornbrooke and the cult that had plagued his family for generations. He couldn't help but wonder if he was now playing into the hands of The Enigma, who had warned him of the consequences of his relentless pursuit.
As the moon continued to cast its baleful light upon Thornbrooke, Elias Veil knew that he was on the verge of an unsettling truth—one that would force him to confront not only the shadows that lurked within the village but also the enigma of his own destiny.
Amid the chilling revelations of Thornbrooke's secrets, Elias Veil couldn't shake the feeling that his quest for the truth was intertwined with the malevolent forces that had long held the village in their grip. The cryptic symbols, the eerie artifacts, and the disturbing paintings were all pieces of a larger puzzle that begged to be solved.
But Elias had another challenge awaiting him—one that would take him from the depths of the village's darkness to a different kind of enigma. As the moon continued its relentless watch over Thornbrooke, Elias couldn't escape the feeling that he was being led down a path fraught with danger, one that would ultimately lead him into the heart of a wrestling ring where mysteries of a different kind awaited.
The shadows of the village whispered their secrets, and Elias Veil couldn't ignore their call. He had ventured too far to turn back now. The enigma of his family's past and the looming darkness of Thornbrooke had become inextricably linked, and Elias knew that he had to confront them head-on.
Now, with a sense of purpose burning in his heart, the Enigma left the eerie chamber behind and made his way to the depths of the ancient forest, where the enigmatic forces of nature would become his allies and adversaries. In this mysterious place, the stage was set for a different kind of battle, one where the lines between reality and illusion would blur, and where the darkness that had plagued him would be channeled into a new form of enigmatic performance.
As the Enigma stepped into the heart of the forest, he couldn't help but wonder if this was all part of a grand design, a destiny that had been set into motion long before he ever set foot in Thornbrooke. With the moon casting its ominous glow upon the ancient trees, he was prepared to confront whatever enigmatic challenges lay ahead, for he knew that his journey was far from over.
The Enigma's cold, unyielding eyes fixated on the camera, his voice cutting through the stillness like a blade. "Diamond Steele, the decision lies before you like a crossroads in this forsaken forest. Two choices, two paths, each shrouded in darkness."
His words carried a weight that hung heavily in the air. "On one side, you have Crystal Zdunich, an ally who has stood by your side through thick and thin. A partnership built on trust and camaraderie. But remember, Diamond, trust can be a double-edged sword. It can cut deep, revealing hidden truths and betrayals you never saw coming."
The Enigma's tone grew colder, his masked visage an impenetrable enigma of its own. "On the other side, you have me. A force that transcends alliances, a being of unrelenting darkness. Choose me, and together we will wield the shadows as our weapon. We will become an unstoppable force, leaving a trail of chaos and dominance in our wake."
The masked figure's laughter, cold and haunting, echoed through the forest. "But make no mistake, Diamond Steele, your choice will have consequences. Choose wisely, for the shadows have eyes, and they watch your every step."
The masked figure's laughter, cold and haunting, echoed through the forest. "But make no mistake, the choice you make will have consequences," The Enigma hissed, his voice dripping with malevolence. "Choose wisely, for the shadows have eyes, and they watch your every step."
The chilling wind rustled the leaves in the Thornbrooke forest as The Enigma continued his eerie message. "Crystal Zdunich," he said, his words laden with disdain, "you believed you could cage the darkness, imprison me within the confines of a boiler room. But you failed to comprehend the nature of The Enigma. I am not bound by walls or steel."
His voice grew colder, like a shadow creeping over the landscape. "I am the embodiment of the unknown, the essence of what lurks in the deepest recesses of your fears. You may stand beside Diamond Steele, but know this: I am no one's ally, no one's friend."
The Enigma's voice, dripping with malevolence, cut through the darkness like a blade. "Crystal Zdunich, our paths are intertwined in this sinister dance, whether you like it or not. You may have escaped the boiler room, but the darkness that dwells within it remains a part of you now."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "You wanted to extinguish my darkness, but you failed to grasp its boundless nature. It seeps into every corner of your existence, a constant reminder of the enigma you sought to imprison."
As the shadows deepened around him, The Enigma's message carried a foreboding finality. "Choose your path carefully, Crystal Zdunich. In the world of Supreme Championship Wrestling, the shadows have eyes, and they are always watching." With that, his chilling laughter once again filled the forest, leaving an unsettling presence in its wake.
Dagger of The Enigma
In the heart of Thornbrooke, where shadows clung like relentless specters and ancient secrets whispered through the gnarled branches of its trees, our tale unfolds. Elias Veil, driven by an insatiable thirst for answers and tormented by the dark legacy of his family, embarked on a treacherous journey into the very heart of darkness itself. Guided by Old Man Hawthorne, he ventured deep into the foreboding forest, where ominous symbols etched into ancient trees beckoned him toward the abyss.
Elias's relentless pursuit of the truth took him deep into the heart of Thornbrooke's mysteries. He unearthed cryptic secrets buried within the decaying pages of dusty tomes, each revelation sending shivers down his spine. Unsettling artifacts, their surfaces marred by the touch of malevolent hands, exuded an eerie, palpable energy that seemed to seep into his very bones. As he studied the ancient symbols that adorned the artifacts, they pulsed with an otherworldly power, as if trying to communicate their sinister origins.
The forest, with its gnarled trees and twisted branches, enveloped Elias in a suffocating silence. It was a silence pregnant with unseen watchers, as though the very woods themselves were sentient, bearing witness to his journey into the abyss. The sensation of being observed never left him, a constant reminder that Thornbrooke's secrets were not easily relinquished.
Despite the mounting unease that clawed at his psyche, Elias's determination remained unwavering. He was driven by an unquenchable desire to confront the sinister forces that held his family in their suffocating grasp, to break free from the dark web that bound them to the village's unholy past. Each step deeper into the forest was a plunge into a nightmarish abyss, but he would not waver. The Veil family's fate and Thornbrooke's salvation depended on his unwavering resolve.
Now, as he followed a haunting melody deeper into the woods, the mysteries of Thornbrooke continued to unfold before him, each step plunging him further into an abyss of darkness and despair.
Inside the abandoned chapel, a sense of foreboding hung heavy in the air. The flickering candlelight cast eerie, dancing shadows on the crumbling walls, creating an unsettling atmosphere. Elias could feel the weight of the centuries-old rituals that had taken place within these walls, and the palpable presence of the cult members who had once gathered here.
As he cautiously explored the chapel's interior, Elias noticed an intricately carved wooden altar at the center of the room. Its surface was adorned with cryptic symbols and faded bloodstains, remnants of the cult's sinister ceremonies. He approached it with trepidation, recognizing it as the likely location of the hidden artifact.
With a careful touch, Elias began to examine the altar's surface. His fingers traced the symbols, and he realized that some of them matched the ones he had seen in the ancient tomes from Thornbrooke's library. It was as if the symbols held the key to unlocking the secrets of the cult.
As he continued to investigate, Elias discovered a concealed compartment beneath the altar's surface. With trembling hands, he uncovered the first artifact—a small, ornate dagger with an obsidian blade. Its hilt was adorned with more of the sinister symbols, and it emitted an otherworldly chill that sent shivers down Elias's spine.
This was just the beginning of his quest. Elias knew that the artifact held vital information that could lead him closer to unraveling the cult's mysteries, but it also meant that he was one step deeper into the dark web of Thornbrooke's secrets. With the dagger in hand, he made his way out of the chapel, ready to face the next ominous challenge that awaited him in this village shrouded in shadows.
The forest whispered its ancient secrets, and the blood moon loomed overhead as Elias Veil continued his relentless pursuit of the truth, determined to confront the shadows of the past and protect his family from the looming darkness that threatened to consume them all.
As Elias ventured deeper into the heart of Thornbrooke, the forest seemed to grow darker and more oppressive. Trees with twisted, gnarled branches loomed overhead, their branches casting grotesque and elongated shadows on the forest floor. The eerie silence was broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant hoot of an owl.
With the obsidian dagger in his possession, Elias felt a newfound sense of purpose, but also an escalating sense of dread. He knew that the cult's secrets were far from unravelled, and the artifacts he sought were merely pieces of a larger, enigmatic puzzle.
Guided by his determination, Elias continued to follow the faint echoes of the haunting melody that had led him here. The tune seemed to grow more haunting, as if it were a siren's call, pulling him further into the abyss of Thornbrooke's mysteries.
Hours turned into days as Elias traversed the forest, his quest becoming increasingly perilous. He encountered strange, grotesque symbols carved into ancient trees, their meanings lost to time. Dark, shadowy figures would occasionally flit at the edge of his vision, but when he turned to face them, they would vanish like phantoms.
The forest itself seemed to shift and change, its layout becoming a nightmarish labyrinth designed to confound and disorient. Elias relied on his wits and the dagger's otherworldly chill to guide him through the shifting landscape.
And all the while, the blood moon watched over Thornbrooke like an unblinking eye, its crimson glow intensifying as if in anticipation of the secrets Elias was yet to uncover. The forest's malevolent whispers grew louder, and Elias couldn't help but wonder if he was nearing the heart of the darkness that had plagued his family for generations.
As he ventured deeper into the abyss, Elias couldn't help but question what would be left of him when, and if, he emerged on the other side. The shadows of Thornbrooke held their secrets close, and Elias was determined to unlock them, no matter the cost.
In his relentless pursuit of the truth, Elias's journey led him to the edge of Thornbrooke's infamous Deadfall Marsh. The marsh was a place of dread, shrouded in superstition and said to be cursed by the very darkness that permeated the village.
The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the murky waters of the marsh seemed to swallow the dim light that dared to pierce its surface. Elias stood at the marsh's edge, his reflection shimmering on the stagnant water like a distorted apparition.
As he ventured deeper into the marsh, he noticed peculiar markers—twisted branches, eerie totems, and cryptic symbols—indications that he was on the right path, or perhaps the wrong one, depending on how one viewed it.
It was then that Elias heard it—a haunting, mournful wail that echoed through the marsh, sending chills down his spine. The sound seemed to emanate from the very heart of the marsh, drawing him in like a moth to a flame.
With each step, the marsh seemed to resist him, its treacherous terrain attempting to claim him as its own. Elias pressed on, guided by the eerie melody that had become his North Star in this mysterious labyrinth.
Finally, he reached the source of the haunting sound—a dilapidated, rotting structure that rose from the marsh's depths like a grotesque monolith. It was a long-forgotten altar, adorned with the same cryptic symbols that Elias had encountered before. At its center lay a sinister artifact, shrouded in darkness and pulsating with malevolent energy.
Elias knew that he had found another piece of the puzzle, another key to unlocking the secrets that bound Thornbrooke in its grip. But as he reached for the artifact, the marsh itself seemed to come alive, its watery tendrils rising up to ensnare him.
With a fierce struggle, Elias managed to free himself, but not before feeling the marsh's icy grip on his soul. The encounter had left him drained and shaken, but he clung to the artifact, knowing that it was a vital piece of the enigmatic tapestry he sought to unravel.
The moon continued its vigil, casting its blood-red glow over Thornbrooke, as Elias Veil pressed forward, deeper into the heart of darkness. The secrets of the village and the fate of his family remained elusive, but he was determined to confront the shadows that lurked in the darkest corners of his home.
Elias's relentless pursuit of the truth led him to yet another unsettling discovery. As he ventured further into Thornbrooke's forbidding woods, he stumbled upon a long-forgotten cemetery, hidden away from prying eyes. The gravestones were weathered and covered in moss, bearing the names of those who had long departed from this world.
But what caught Elias's attention were the symbols etched into the tombstones. They were the same enigmatic markings he had encountered in the chapel and on the altar in the marsh. It was becoming clear that these symbols were central to the cult's rituals and the village's dark history.
Elias meticulously documented the symbols, their patterns, and their placement, sensing that they held the key to understanding the cult's practices. He knew that deciphering their meaning was crucial to unraveling the enigmatic web of Thornbrooke's past.
As he delved deeper into the cemetery, he discovered an entrance to a hidden underground chamber. The air grew colder, and the atmosphere weighed on him like an invisible shroud. With a mixture of trepidation and determination, Elias descended into the dark abyss below.
The chamber was a macabre tableau, adorned with the remains of the cult's rituals. Candles burned with an otherworldly flame, casting eerie shadows on the walls adorned with cryptic symbols. At the center of the chamber lay an ancient tome, its pages filled with incomprehensible writings that seemed to shift and change as Elias perused them.
But what truly sent shivers down Elias's spine was the discovery of a series of intricate paintings that adorned the chamber's walls. They depicted scenes of unspeakable horror and suffering, as if the very essence of fear and despair had been captured on canvas.
Elias realized that he was standing on the precipice of a revelation, one that would expose the darkest secrets of Thornbrooke and the cult that had plagued his family for generations. He couldn't help but wonder if he was now playing into the hands of The Enigma, who had warned him of the consequences of his relentless pursuit.
As the moon continued to cast its baleful light upon Thornbrooke, Elias Veil knew that he was on the verge of an unsettling truth—one that would force him to confront not only the shadows that lurked within the village but also the enigma of his own destiny.
Amid the chilling revelations of Thornbrooke's secrets, Elias Veil couldn't shake the feeling that his quest for the truth was intertwined with the malevolent forces that had long held the village in their grip. The cryptic symbols, the eerie artifacts, and the disturbing paintings were all pieces of a larger puzzle that begged to be solved.
But Elias had another challenge awaiting him—one that would take him from the depths of the village's darkness to a different kind of enigma. As the moon continued its relentless watch over Thornbrooke, Elias couldn't escape the feeling that he was being led down a path fraught with danger, one that would ultimately lead him into the heart of a wrestling ring where mysteries of a different kind awaited.
The shadows of the village whispered their secrets, and Elias Veil couldn't ignore their call. He had ventured too far to turn back now. The enigma of his family's past and the looming darkness of Thornbrooke had become inextricably linked, and Elias knew that he had to confront them head-on.
Now, with a sense of purpose burning in his heart, the Enigma left the eerie chamber behind and made his way to the depths of the ancient forest, where the enigmatic forces of nature would become his allies and adversaries. In this mysterious place, the stage was set for a different kind of battle, one where the lines between reality and illusion would blur, and where the darkness that had plagued him would be channeled into a new form of enigmatic performance.
As the Enigma stepped into the heart of the forest, he couldn't help but wonder if this was all part of a grand design, a destiny that had been set into motion long before he ever set foot in Thornbrooke. With the moon casting its ominous glow upon the ancient trees, he was prepared to confront whatever enigmatic challenges lay ahead, for he knew that his journey was far from over.
The Enigma's cold, unyielding eyes fixated on the camera, his voice cutting through the stillness like a blade. "Diamond Steele, the decision lies before you like a crossroads in this forsaken forest. Two choices, two paths, each shrouded in darkness."
His words carried a weight that hung heavily in the air. "On one side, you have Crystal Zdunich, an ally who has stood by your side through thick and thin. A partnership built on trust and camaraderie. But remember, Diamond, trust can be a double-edged sword. It can cut deep, revealing hidden truths and betrayals you never saw coming."
The Enigma's tone grew colder, his masked visage an impenetrable enigma of its own. "On the other side, you have me. A force that transcends alliances, a being of unrelenting darkness. Choose me, and together we will wield the shadows as our weapon. We will become an unstoppable force, leaving a trail of chaos and dominance in our wake."
The masked figure's laughter, cold and haunting, echoed through the forest. "But make no mistake, Diamond Steele, your choice will have consequences. Choose wisely, for the shadows have eyes, and they watch your every step."
The masked figure's laughter, cold and haunting, echoed through the forest. "But make no mistake, the choice you make will have consequences," The Enigma hissed, his voice dripping with malevolence. "Choose wisely, for the shadows have eyes, and they watch your every step."
The chilling wind rustled the leaves in the Thornbrooke forest as The Enigma continued his eerie message. "Crystal Zdunich," he said, his words laden with disdain, "you believed you could cage the darkness, imprison me within the confines of a boiler room. But you failed to comprehend the nature of The Enigma. I am not bound by walls or steel."
His voice grew colder, like a shadow creeping over the landscape. "I am the embodiment of the unknown, the essence of what lurks in the deepest recesses of your fears. You may stand beside Diamond Steele, but know this: I am no one's ally, no one's friend."
The Enigma's voice, dripping with malevolence, cut through the darkness like a blade. "Crystal Zdunich, our paths are intertwined in this sinister dance, whether you like it or not. You may have escaped the boiler room, but the darkness that dwells within it remains a part of you now."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "You wanted to extinguish my darkness, but you failed to grasp its boundless nature. It seeps into every corner of your existence, a constant reminder of the enigma you sought to imprison."
As the shadows deepened around him, The Enigma's message carried a foreboding finality. "Choose your path carefully, Crystal Zdunich. In the world of Supreme Championship Wrestling, the shadows have eyes, and they are always watching." With that, his chilling laughter once again filled the forest, leaving an unsettling presence in its wake.
01-03-2024, 05:12 PM
Veil of Shadows Chapter 6
Dagger of the Enigma Part 2
Dagger of the Enigma Part 2
In the heart of the village of Thornbrooke, where shadows clung like relentless specters and the secrets of ages past whispered through the gnarled branches of its ancient trees, our tale unfolds. Elias Veil, consumed by an insatiable thirst for answers and haunted by the dark legacy of his family, embarked on a perilous journey. Guided by Old Man Hawthorne, he ventured deep into the foreboding forest, where cryptic symbols etched into the bark of ancient trees beckoned him toward the unknown.
As Elias delved deeper into the history of Thornbrooke, he uncovered cryptic secrets hidden within dusty tomes, unsettling artifacts that exuded malevolent energies, and eerie symbols that seemed to pulse with otherworldly power. The forest's haunting silence and the ever-present sensation of being watched fueled his unease. Yet, Elias remained unyielding in his determination, resolved to confront the sinister forces that ensnared his family within the dark web of the village's cursed past.
Now, as he followed a haunting melody deeper into the woods, the mysteries of Thornbrooke continued to unveil themselves before him, each step plunging him further into an abyss of darkness and despair. Above, the blood moon cast an eerie crimson glow upon the path that would lead Elias to the very heart of the enigma that shrouded Thornbrooke, with every moment carrying the weight of history's secrets and horrors yet to be uncovered.
Elias's relentless pursuit of the truth led him deeper into the shadowy heart of Thornbrooke. The forest seemed to come alive with ominous whispers as he ventured further, and the twisted branches of ancient trees reached out as if to snatch him away. His path was fraught with danger, but he pressed on.
As he delved deeper into the tangled undergrowth, Elias came across a clearing bathed in the eerie light of the blood moon. At the center of the clearing stood an ancient, gnarled tree unlike any he had seen before. Its trunk was etched with an intricate tapestry of symbols that pulsed with an otherworldly energy.
Elias approached the tree with a mixture of trepidation and fascination. He knew that this was no ordinary tree; it was a key to unlocking the secrets of Thornbrooke. With each step closer, the symbols on the tree seemed to come alive, shifting and rearranging themselves in a mesmerizing dance.
Drawing a deep breath, Elias reached out and placed his hand on the tree's rough bark. The moment his fingers made contact, a surge of knowledge coursed through him, and his mind was flooded with images and revelations. He saw glimpses of the cult's ancient rituals, the sacrifices made to dark forces, and the true purpose of the artifacts he sought.
But with knowledge came a heavy price. The tree's power exacted a toll on Elias, draining his strength and leaving him with a sense of foreboding. He knew that he was now bound to the fate of Thornbrooke and the enigma that had ensnared his family for generations.
As the blood moon cast its crimson glow upon him, Elias Veil understood that his journey had only just begun, and the darkest secrets of Thornbrooke were yet to be unveiled. The enigma that shrouded the village loomed larger and more menacing than ever, and Elias was determined to confront it, no matter the cost.
The forest around Elias seemed to react to his newfound knowledge, the shadows deepening and the whispers growing more intense. It was as though Thornbrooke itself recognized the significance of what Elias had uncovered. As he withdrew his hand from the ancient tree, he felt a strange connection to the village, as if he had become a part of its enigmatic history.
With the revelations came a sense of urgency. Elias knew that time was running out, and the blood moon ritual drew nearer with each passing day. He needed to piece together the fragments of the puzzle and uncover the locations of the remaining artifacts. The fate of Thornbrooke and his family hung in the balance, and Elias was determined to break free from the shadows that had plagued them for so long.
Leaving the clearing behind, Elias ventured deeper into the forest, guided by the cryptic symbols that now etched themselves into his mind. The haunting melody of Thornbrooke's secrets played on, a siren's song that beckoned him toward the unknown. He could no longer turn back, for the enigma that bound him to the village had become an inescapable part of his destiny.
The darkness of the forest seemed to envelop him, and as the blood moon cast its baleful glow upon Thornbrooke, Elias Veil pressed on, ready to confront the malevolent forces that lurked in the shadows. The enigma that had tormented his family for generations would soon face its greatest challenge, and Elias was prepared to pay any price for the truth.
As Elias ventured deeper into the heart of Thornbrooke's ancient forest, the atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive. The gnarled trees seemed to close in around him, their twisted branches forming grotesque shapes that whispered of forgotten horrors. The ground beneath his feet felt uneven, as if concealing hidden traps left behind by generations past.
He followed the trail of cryptic symbols that had become his guide, their eerie glow intensifying as he drew nearer to his destination. The haunting melody that had led him here echoed through the trees, its source still eluding him. Elias knew that he was drawing closer to uncovering the next artifact, but with each step, a sense of unease settled deeper within him.
Suddenly, the forest seemed to come alive with unsettling sounds—the distant rustling of leaves, the creaking of ancient branches, and the eerie laughter of unseen creatures. Thornbrooke's secrets were not easily relinquished, and the very woods appeared to conspire against Elias, as if protecting the enigma that had held sway over the village for centuries.
Elias could feel eyes upon him, hidden in the shadows, watching his every move. The weight of the cult's history, his family's legacy, and the impending blood moon ritual pressed upon him, threatening to overwhelm his resolve. But he steeled himself, determined to confront whatever darkness lay ahead.
With a final step, Elias reached a clearing within the forest. In its center stood an ancient stone pedestal, upon which rested a weathered tome bound in leather that seemed to have endured centuries of wear. The cryptic symbols that adorned the tome's cover matched those etched into the trees, confirming that he had found the next artifact.
As Elias reached out to grasp the book, the forest's silence deepened, and the haunting melody reached a crescendo. He knew that his quest had brought him one step closer to unraveling Thornbrooke's enigmatic mysteries, but with each revelation came the realization that the enigma's grip on his life had tightened, and the shadows that surrounded him grew darker.
The blood moon loomed overhead, its ominous presence a constant reminder of the impending reckoning that awaited Thornbrooke. Elias Veil's journey into the heart of darkness was far from over, and the enigma that bound him to the village would demand a price that he could scarcely imagine.
The ancient tome lay heavy in Elias's hands, its pages seemingly untouched by the passage of time. As he carefully opened it, he was greeted by a chorus of long-forgotten whispers that echoed through the clearing. The words within the book were written in a language that defied his understanding, yet he couldn't deny the strange familiarity that coursed through him.
Elias's fingers traced the eerie symbols on the pages, and he felt a surge of energy coursing through him—a connection to something older, something darker. It was as though the book itself held the key to unlocking the secrets of Thornbrooke, and Elias was determined to decipher its enigmatic contents.
The more he delved into the tome's pages, the clearer the picture became. It spoke of rituals, of sacrifices made to appease an ancient power that had long held sway over the village. The blood moon, he realized, was not merely a celestial event—it was a catalyst for something far more sinister.
The realization sent a chill down his spine. Thornbrooke's secrets were not meant to be uncovered by the faint of heart, and Elias knew that his quest had placed him on a treacherous path. The forest whispered its warnings, its shadows closing in around him as if to prevent him from proceeding.
But Elias was resolute. He had come too far to turn back now, and the fate of his family and the village rested on his shoulders. He knew that he must confront the darkness head-on, decipher the enigma that bound Thornbrooke, and put an end to the malevolent forces that had plagued the village for generations.
With the ancient tome in hand, Elias made his way deeper into the heart of the forest, the haunting melody of the woods serving as both his guide and his tormentor. The blood moon cast an eerie crimson glow over his path, and he knew that the final act of this enigmatic tale was yet to come.
As Elias ventured deeper into the heart of Thornbrooke's forest, the shadows grew denser, and the ancient trees whispered their secrets. The blood moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the landscape. It was a night unlike any other, a night when the enigmatic forces that had plagued the village for centuries seemed to stir with newfound intensity.
Elias couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched, that unseen eyes followed his every move. The haunting melody that had guided him thus far now echoed in his mind, a haunting refrain that both comforted and unnerved him.
In the midst of this surreal journey, Elias's thoughts turned to his mother, a woman who had borne the weight of Thornbrooke's secrets for far too long. He knew that she held answers, that she possessed knowledge passed down through generations, and he needed to confront her with the truth.
With each step, he could feel the weight of his family's legacy pressing upon him like a leaden cloak. The burden of unraveling the enigma that bound Thornbrooke was now his to bear, and he was determined to do so, no matter the cost.
Finally, as Elias ventured deeper into the forest, he reached a clearing bathed in the crimson light of the blood moon. There, amid the gnarled trees and the whispers of the night, he saw her—a spectral figure, his mother, standing before him. It was time for a conversation that would reveal the darkest of truths.
Eliza Veil's presence in that moonlit clearing seemed ethereal, as if she were a specter from a bygone era. Her eyes, filled with a mix of maternal concern and a weariness born of years of secrets, met Elias's gaze. She spoke softly, her voice carrying the weight of untold stories.
"Elias, my dear," Eliza began, her voice barely more than a whisper, "you tread on treacherous ground." She stepped closer to her son, her pale features illuminated by the eerie glow of the blood moon. "The path you've chosen is fraught with danger. The cult's reach extends far, and its darkness knows no bounds."
Elias looked into his mother's eyes, determination burning in his own. "Mother, I must know the truth about the cult, about our family's involvement. It's the only way I can protect us and Thornbrooke."
Eliza sighed, the weight of her own memories and fears apparent in her weary expression. "I understand your need for answers, Elias, but you must be cautious. Your father, Samuel, was once deeply entangled in the cult's web, and it cost him dearly."
The mention of his father's name stirred a torrent of emotions within Elias. He remembered the stories his mother had shared, the pain and regret that seemed to linger in her voice whenever she spoke of Samuel. It was a legacy that Elias couldn't escape, no matter how hard he tried.
"Tell me more about Father," Elias implored, his voice quivering with a mixture of curiosity and longing.
Eliza's voice quivered with the weight of memories long suppressed as she began to recount the harrowing tale of Samuel Veil. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and the flickering moonlight seemed to cast ghostly shadows across her face, accentuating the gravity of her words.
"Your father, Samuel," she began, her voice barely more than a whisper, "was a man of unwavering devotion, not only to our family but also to Thornbrooke itself. He was a pillar of this community, respected by all who knew him."
As she spoke, Elias couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia, recalling the warm and loving father who had raised him, a stark contrast to the darkness that would later consume him.
"But," Eliza continued, her voice growing more somber, "there was a darkness that he carried, a secret burden that he shared with none but the members of the cult. At first, it seemed harmless, a curiosity that led him to explore the hidden depths of Thornbrooke's history."
Elias leaned in, his curiosity piqued by the enigmatic beginnings of his father's involvement.
"In the beginning, it was a mere fascination with the village's history," Eliza explained, her voice trembling with a mix of sorrow and regret. "He spent hours poring over ancient tomes and manuscripts, searching for answers to questions that had plagued him for years."
The chilling winds rustled the leaves of the surrounding trees, as if in sympathy with Eliza's recounting of the past. Elias shivered, not from the cold, but from the eerie sense of foreboding that accompanied the story.
"Then, Elias," she continued, her voice growing even quieter, "he began attending secret meetings, gatherings held by the cult members under the cover of night. I knew not the true nature of these meetings, for he kept them hidden from me, from all of us."
Elias's heart sank as he imagined his father, a man he had admired and loved, being drawn deeper into a web of darkness that he couldn't escape.
"It was as if a veil had descended upon him," Eliza whispered, her voice filled with anguish. "He became distant, secretive, and there were nights when I could hear him whispering in strange tongues, as if he were communing with forces beyond our understanding."
The memories of those nights haunted Eliza, and it was clear that she had lived in fear of what her husband had become. As she continued her tale, the truth about Samuel Veil's descent into darkness became more chilling, painting a portrait of a man who had willingly embraced the malevolent forces that lurked in the heart of Thornbrooke.
Elias listened in stunned silence, his heart heavy with a mixture of sorrow and anger. He couldn't help but wonder how a man like his father could have fallen so far, and what role the artifacts he sought to uncover had played in his transformation.
The chilling winds seemed to carry with them the echoes of Samuel's whispers, as if the forest itself mourned the tragedy that had befallen the Veil family. Eliza's tale was a reminder that the shadows of Thornbrooke ran deep, and the darkness that clung to their family's legacy was a legacy that Elias could not ignore.
In the heart of Thornbrooke, the ominous forest that cradled the village, the ancient trees with their gnarled branches etched with cryptic symbols appeared as silent witnesses to the unfolding drama. As Elias continued his research and Eliza shared her knowledge, they both felt the ever-tightening grip of the enigma that was Thornbrooke—a place where darkness and secrets intertwined with the very fabric of their lives.
The blood moon ritual, a looming specter on the horizon, served as a constant reminder of the darkness that threatened to engulf them. Elias knew that time was running out, and he was determined to unearth the truth before it was too late—for both his family and the village that had borne witness to generations of enigmatic mysteries.
As Elias delved deeper into the history of Thornbrooke, he uncovered cryptic secrets hidden within dusty tomes, unsettling artifacts that exuded malevolent energies, and eerie symbols that seemed to pulse with otherworldly power. The forest's haunting silence and the ever-present sensation of being watched fueled his unease. Yet, Elias remained unyielding in his determination, resolved to confront the sinister forces that ensnared his family within the dark web of the village's cursed past.
Now, as he followed a haunting melody deeper into the woods, the mysteries of Thornbrooke continued to unveil themselves before him, each step plunging him further into an abyss of darkness and despair. Above, the blood moon cast an eerie crimson glow upon the path that would lead Elias to the very heart of the enigma that shrouded Thornbrooke, with every moment carrying the weight of history's secrets and horrors yet to be uncovered.
Elias's relentless pursuit of the truth led him deeper into the shadowy heart of Thornbrooke. The forest seemed to come alive with ominous whispers as he ventured further, and the twisted branches of ancient trees reached out as if to snatch him away. His path was fraught with danger, but he pressed on.
As he delved deeper into the tangled undergrowth, Elias came across a clearing bathed in the eerie light of the blood moon. At the center of the clearing stood an ancient, gnarled tree unlike any he had seen before. Its trunk was etched with an intricate tapestry of symbols that pulsed with an otherworldly energy.
Elias approached the tree with a mixture of trepidation and fascination. He knew that this was no ordinary tree; it was a key to unlocking the secrets of Thornbrooke. With each step closer, the symbols on the tree seemed to come alive, shifting and rearranging themselves in a mesmerizing dance.
Drawing a deep breath, Elias reached out and placed his hand on the tree's rough bark. The moment his fingers made contact, a surge of knowledge coursed through him, and his mind was flooded with images and revelations. He saw glimpses of the cult's ancient rituals, the sacrifices made to dark forces, and the true purpose of the artifacts he sought.
But with knowledge came a heavy price. The tree's power exacted a toll on Elias, draining his strength and leaving him with a sense of foreboding. He knew that he was now bound to the fate of Thornbrooke and the enigma that had ensnared his family for generations.
As the blood moon cast its crimson glow upon him, Elias Veil understood that his journey had only just begun, and the darkest secrets of Thornbrooke were yet to be unveiled. The enigma that shrouded the village loomed larger and more menacing than ever, and Elias was determined to confront it, no matter the cost.
The forest around Elias seemed to react to his newfound knowledge, the shadows deepening and the whispers growing more intense. It was as though Thornbrooke itself recognized the significance of what Elias had uncovered. As he withdrew his hand from the ancient tree, he felt a strange connection to the village, as if he had become a part of its enigmatic history.
With the revelations came a sense of urgency. Elias knew that time was running out, and the blood moon ritual drew nearer with each passing day. He needed to piece together the fragments of the puzzle and uncover the locations of the remaining artifacts. The fate of Thornbrooke and his family hung in the balance, and Elias was determined to break free from the shadows that had plagued them for so long.
Leaving the clearing behind, Elias ventured deeper into the forest, guided by the cryptic symbols that now etched themselves into his mind. The haunting melody of Thornbrooke's secrets played on, a siren's song that beckoned him toward the unknown. He could no longer turn back, for the enigma that bound him to the village had become an inescapable part of his destiny.
The darkness of the forest seemed to envelop him, and as the blood moon cast its baleful glow upon Thornbrooke, Elias Veil pressed on, ready to confront the malevolent forces that lurked in the shadows. The enigma that had tormented his family for generations would soon face its greatest challenge, and Elias was prepared to pay any price for the truth.
As Elias ventured deeper into the heart of Thornbrooke's ancient forest, the atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive. The gnarled trees seemed to close in around him, their twisted branches forming grotesque shapes that whispered of forgotten horrors. The ground beneath his feet felt uneven, as if concealing hidden traps left behind by generations past.
He followed the trail of cryptic symbols that had become his guide, their eerie glow intensifying as he drew nearer to his destination. The haunting melody that had led him here echoed through the trees, its source still eluding him. Elias knew that he was drawing closer to uncovering the next artifact, but with each step, a sense of unease settled deeper within him.
Suddenly, the forest seemed to come alive with unsettling sounds—the distant rustling of leaves, the creaking of ancient branches, and the eerie laughter of unseen creatures. Thornbrooke's secrets were not easily relinquished, and the very woods appeared to conspire against Elias, as if protecting the enigma that had held sway over the village for centuries.
Elias could feel eyes upon him, hidden in the shadows, watching his every move. The weight of the cult's history, his family's legacy, and the impending blood moon ritual pressed upon him, threatening to overwhelm his resolve. But he steeled himself, determined to confront whatever darkness lay ahead.
With a final step, Elias reached a clearing within the forest. In its center stood an ancient stone pedestal, upon which rested a weathered tome bound in leather that seemed to have endured centuries of wear. The cryptic symbols that adorned the tome's cover matched those etched into the trees, confirming that he had found the next artifact.
As Elias reached out to grasp the book, the forest's silence deepened, and the haunting melody reached a crescendo. He knew that his quest had brought him one step closer to unraveling Thornbrooke's enigmatic mysteries, but with each revelation came the realization that the enigma's grip on his life had tightened, and the shadows that surrounded him grew darker.
The blood moon loomed overhead, its ominous presence a constant reminder of the impending reckoning that awaited Thornbrooke. Elias Veil's journey into the heart of darkness was far from over, and the enigma that bound him to the village would demand a price that he could scarcely imagine.
The ancient tome lay heavy in Elias's hands, its pages seemingly untouched by the passage of time. As he carefully opened it, he was greeted by a chorus of long-forgotten whispers that echoed through the clearing. The words within the book were written in a language that defied his understanding, yet he couldn't deny the strange familiarity that coursed through him.
Elias's fingers traced the eerie symbols on the pages, and he felt a surge of energy coursing through him—a connection to something older, something darker. It was as though the book itself held the key to unlocking the secrets of Thornbrooke, and Elias was determined to decipher its enigmatic contents.
The more he delved into the tome's pages, the clearer the picture became. It spoke of rituals, of sacrifices made to appease an ancient power that had long held sway over the village. The blood moon, he realized, was not merely a celestial event—it was a catalyst for something far more sinister.
The realization sent a chill down his spine. Thornbrooke's secrets were not meant to be uncovered by the faint of heart, and Elias knew that his quest had placed him on a treacherous path. The forest whispered its warnings, its shadows closing in around him as if to prevent him from proceeding.
But Elias was resolute. He had come too far to turn back now, and the fate of his family and the village rested on his shoulders. He knew that he must confront the darkness head-on, decipher the enigma that bound Thornbrooke, and put an end to the malevolent forces that had plagued the village for generations.
With the ancient tome in hand, Elias made his way deeper into the heart of the forest, the haunting melody of the woods serving as both his guide and his tormentor. The blood moon cast an eerie crimson glow over his path, and he knew that the final act of this enigmatic tale was yet to come.
As Elias ventured deeper into the heart of Thornbrooke's forest, the shadows grew denser, and the ancient trees whispered their secrets. The blood moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the landscape. It was a night unlike any other, a night when the enigmatic forces that had plagued the village for centuries seemed to stir with newfound intensity.
Elias couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched, that unseen eyes followed his every move. The haunting melody that had guided him thus far now echoed in his mind, a haunting refrain that both comforted and unnerved him.
In the midst of this surreal journey, Elias's thoughts turned to his mother, a woman who had borne the weight of Thornbrooke's secrets for far too long. He knew that she held answers, that she possessed knowledge passed down through generations, and he needed to confront her with the truth.
With each step, he could feel the weight of his family's legacy pressing upon him like a leaden cloak. The burden of unraveling the enigma that bound Thornbrooke was now his to bear, and he was determined to do so, no matter the cost.
Finally, as Elias ventured deeper into the forest, he reached a clearing bathed in the crimson light of the blood moon. There, amid the gnarled trees and the whispers of the night, he saw her—a spectral figure, his mother, standing before him. It was time for a conversation that would reveal the darkest of truths.
Eliza Veil's presence in that moonlit clearing seemed ethereal, as if she were a specter from a bygone era. Her eyes, filled with a mix of maternal concern and a weariness born of years of secrets, met Elias's gaze. She spoke softly, her voice carrying the weight of untold stories.
"Elias, my dear," Eliza began, her voice barely more than a whisper, "you tread on treacherous ground." She stepped closer to her son, her pale features illuminated by the eerie glow of the blood moon. "The path you've chosen is fraught with danger. The cult's reach extends far, and its darkness knows no bounds."
Elias looked into his mother's eyes, determination burning in his own. "Mother, I must know the truth about the cult, about our family's involvement. It's the only way I can protect us and Thornbrooke."
Eliza sighed, the weight of her own memories and fears apparent in her weary expression. "I understand your need for answers, Elias, but you must be cautious. Your father, Samuel, was once deeply entangled in the cult's web, and it cost him dearly."
The mention of his father's name stirred a torrent of emotions within Elias. He remembered the stories his mother had shared, the pain and regret that seemed to linger in her voice whenever she spoke of Samuel. It was a legacy that Elias couldn't escape, no matter how hard he tried.
"Tell me more about Father," Elias implored, his voice quivering with a mixture of curiosity and longing.
Eliza's voice quivered with the weight of memories long suppressed as she began to recount the harrowing tale of Samuel Veil. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and the flickering moonlight seemed to cast ghostly shadows across her face, accentuating the gravity of her words.
"Your father, Samuel," she began, her voice barely more than a whisper, "was a man of unwavering devotion, not only to our family but also to Thornbrooke itself. He was a pillar of this community, respected by all who knew him."
As she spoke, Elias couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia, recalling the warm and loving father who had raised him, a stark contrast to the darkness that would later consume him.
"But," Eliza continued, her voice growing more somber, "there was a darkness that he carried, a secret burden that he shared with none but the members of the cult. At first, it seemed harmless, a curiosity that led him to explore the hidden depths of Thornbrooke's history."
Elias leaned in, his curiosity piqued by the enigmatic beginnings of his father's involvement.
"In the beginning, it was a mere fascination with the village's history," Eliza explained, her voice trembling with a mix of sorrow and regret. "He spent hours poring over ancient tomes and manuscripts, searching for answers to questions that had plagued him for years."
The chilling winds rustled the leaves of the surrounding trees, as if in sympathy with Eliza's recounting of the past. Elias shivered, not from the cold, but from the eerie sense of foreboding that accompanied the story.
"Then, Elias," she continued, her voice growing even quieter, "he began attending secret meetings, gatherings held by the cult members under the cover of night. I knew not the true nature of these meetings, for he kept them hidden from me, from all of us."
Elias's heart sank as he imagined his father, a man he had admired and loved, being drawn deeper into a web of darkness that he couldn't escape.
"It was as if a veil had descended upon him," Eliza whispered, her voice filled with anguish. "He became distant, secretive, and there were nights when I could hear him whispering in strange tongues, as if he were communing with forces beyond our understanding."
The memories of those nights haunted Eliza, and it was clear that she had lived in fear of what her husband had become. As she continued her tale, the truth about Samuel Veil's descent into darkness became more chilling, painting a portrait of a man who had willingly embraced the malevolent forces that lurked in the heart of Thornbrooke.
Elias listened in stunned silence, his heart heavy with a mixture of sorrow and anger. He couldn't help but wonder how a man like his father could have fallen so far, and what role the artifacts he sought to uncover had played in his transformation.
The chilling winds seemed to carry with them the echoes of Samuel's whispers, as if the forest itself mourned the tragedy that had befallen the Veil family. Eliza's tale was a reminder that the shadows of Thornbrooke ran deep, and the darkness that clung to their family's legacy was a legacy that Elias could not ignore.
In the heart of Thornbrooke, the ominous forest that cradled the village, the ancient trees with their gnarled branches etched with cryptic symbols appeared as silent witnesses to the unfolding drama. As Elias continued his research and Eliza shared her knowledge, they both felt the ever-tightening grip of the enigma that was Thornbrooke—a place where darkness and secrets intertwined with the very fabric of their lives.
The blood moon ritual, a looming specter on the horizon, served as a constant reminder of the darkness that threatened to engulf them. Elias knew that time was running out, and he was determined to unearth the truth before it was too late—for both his family and the village that had borne witness to generations of enigmatic mysteries.
01-03-2024, 10:29 PM
OOC: A couple of things... first off, this was just about finished by the time EOTY was posted, but I have gone back and added a few things to acknowledge happenings on that show since I had the time to do so prior to deadline. Also, chronologically, this CD would follow my CD effort for Ivy Plume for the open invitational and acknowledge what happened in that piece, so it might be a necessary read to bridge a few gaps. On one final note... happy birthday to me.
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If Luz and Amelia could describe 2023 in one word, it would be chaotic.
That wasn't necessarily a bad thing, considering how much it had kept them on their toes both for better and for worse which helped them constantly adapt to ever-changing scenarios that were growing more difficult as time went on.
Their ultimate goal for 2023 after returning to SCW was to really put themselves on the map and prove that not only were they here to stay this time, but that they could rise to the challenge that SCW presented them and show the world that management was not misled about what they were capable of when they were first signed years ago before injuries and plummeting self-confidence derailed them. In hindsight, they could say they'd succeeded in that goal between their respective Television Title runs, especially with Luz's current reign still going strong, Amelia making the finals of a tournament for the then-vacant U.S. Championship that included eliminating the woman who currently held that title, and two World Tag Team Title opportunities that had both resulted in match of the year contenders, with the second attempt being the one where they'd finally broken through that glass ceiling together and could now rightfully say they stood atop that mountain. The fact that they had come out of the End of the Year Special earlier tonight being voted as the Tag Team of the Year was effectively the cherry on top of it all.
There had certainly been a few hiccups along the way, though. Both women had to contend once more with crises of self-confidence, Luz when it started to seem like Amelia was pulling away as the more successful singles star of the tandem while she was struggling to even notch a solo victory and Amelia after the accident with James Evans that had thoroughly rattled her and even played into her struggles throughout the remainder of that tournament. They also made the decision to practically exile themselves from Tag Title contention following their failed first attempt at winning the belts, wanting to prove they were ready in the eyes of the then-champions before feeling comfortable pursuing them once more, and that also said nothing of the bumps, bruises and minor injuries they'd sustained along the way.
Matters outside the ring had somehow been a more hectic affair then things inside the squared circle, and all the blame for that could be placed squarely on The Empire. What had started off as simply knowing the group existed as a wrestling stable back in the Britain area where they'd built part of their careers because they wanted a piece of the couple had ultimately spiraled into a twisted fight for survival that had cost them sleep, training time, a sense of safety... so much, in all honesty. How it went from being a wrestling matter that may have never been acknowledged or ended up resolved in fairly straightforward fashion to one giant game of lies, manipulation and even threats both on their lives and to upend them altogether still baffled the girls and everyone around them to this day, but they knew it all revolved around the cryptic and deranged zealot Caleb White... a man who had, unknowingly to Luz and Amelia, had a vital role to play in how they both developed into who they were today and felt entitled to some sense of control over their lives because of it. Gaslighting his followers into helping him spread that toxicity to the public by trying to tarnish Luz's reputation with an imposter or erase Amelia's sexuality with claims of a wedding that she wanted no part in, making deals with Amelia's parents to try and lay some sort of claim to her before she was even born, being responsible in some fashion for the loss of so many lives including Luz's father... there was no low that Caleb wouldn't sink to in his quest to be recognized as the 'savior of humanity' and get everything he felt should come with that belief.
In the face of all this adversity, however, Amelia Blythe and La Pequeña Luz had powered through and made one hell of a statement: no matter how hard you may try to knock them down, they will not stay down and will keep coming back stronger than ever.
If that was what 2023 had thrown at them, they couldn't help but wonder what 2024 would have in store.
At the very top of the list for things they hoped for in the new year was an end to all this madness regarding Caleb and his Empire. If they were to be honest, Amelia and Luz would fully admit that it was constantly taking a Herculean amount of inner strength to continue wrestling at their absolute best without any obvious signs of the wear and tear they were still enduring because of all of Caleb's plots and schemes to get them in his clutches by any means necessary. They were used to blocking out the mental toll of outside problems while in the ring given how little time they had to rest at one point in their careers through regularly competing in both Europe and Mexico, sometimes with the bookings within mere days of each other, but that didn't mean they were infallible. Luz's consistent booking so long as she was Television Champion meant there truly was no rest for the weary, but the couple wanted to hope that Caleb had severely underestimated the sheer willpower that always kept them moving forward if he was hoping he could burn them out to create the opening he needed to strike. The fact that, either through their own planning or the assistance of everyone around them who had become a sort of found family in the past year, they had managed to outwit The Empire at every turn had created a safety net they hoped would ultimately drive home the fact that Caleb just wasn't destined to get anything he wanted at the end of it all.
The only thing he truly deserved was to rot in a prison cell for the rest of his days.
As the remaining time in 2023 ticked away, Luz and Amelia had resolved to simply enjoy this holiday with their loved ones and celebrate all the highs of the past year while trying to remain optimistic about the next one. With the End of the Year Special now in the books, that meant using the time to happily reflect on all they'd accomplished in this past year and celebrate the strong showing Ivy had in the open invitational match, making it clear to their friend that this was concrete proof she was ready for the next level. Part of them hoped SCW would recognize that and sign her to a contract, but even if that didn't end up happening quite yet there was a firm belief that so many more doors would open for her now to companies just like SCW who would give anything to have an athlete of Ivy's caliber on their roster.
Regardless, it was a night to celebrate and step into the new year together, ready to embrace all that 2024 would have to offer them. That meant a rare moment where everyone could simply relax and enjoy themselves without the looming threat of The Empire hanging over their heads, especially now that they'd lost one of their key members in Aleister Blythe and knew that both the FBI and the NCA were trying to take them down. That alone had been a huge blow to their recruitment efforts once that had gone public, and it had been a little over two weeks since they'd dealt with the cult in any way, allowing them to embrace the serenity of this moment and just spend time with the people who mattered to them on this night in Toronto before it was back to work.
“Oh, come on!” Marilyn whined as she held out the bottle, looking a little wobbly on her feet before Camila grabbed her so she didn't fall over. “One drink's not going to kill you. We're ringing in the new year! You can let go of the 'good girl' act for one night!”
“We're no strangers to drinking, Marilyn,” Luz scoffed from her seat at the table in this little room they had managed to rent from the hotel to accommodate everyone to ring in the new year. “Amelia and I just don't want to risk anything since we're defending our Tag Titles later this week.”
“Better safe than sorry since we asked for this and want to start the new year off strong,” Amelia added with a nod.
“A responsible decision, if you ask me,” Camila chimed in, ignoring Marilyn's annoyed glare. “Besides, better that my bebé and her fiancée not be involved if I'm going to drink you under the table, Miss Clauson.”
“Is that so?” Marilyn countered, and it wasn't long before the two of them moved to a nearby table to start slamming down shots... Marilyn had originally offered up the bottle of wine she'd been trying to offer Luz and Amelia, but Camila raised the stakes to tequila and Luz could only watch in shock as her mom proved to be a woman of her word.
“I didn't know mom could hold her alcohol so well...” Valentina mumbled in surprise.
“Truth be told... she ended up drinking a fair bit after dad died,” Luz sadly admitted. “I can't really blame her... she at least never drank enough that it affected her job or turned her into some sort of alcoholic monster, but I guess one good thing that came out of it was a ridiculous tolerance to tequila especially.”
“So no challenging your mom to a drinking contest,” Edward chirped as he raised a glass of wine. “Got it.”
“Edward,” Amelia hissed, shooting her brother a glare before Luz placed a comforting hand on her shoulder to let her know it was alright. It took a moment, but Amelia eventually took a deep breath and let it go. “So, Luz... who do you think we can expect to see standing by Diamond's side on Breakdown this week?”
“Crystal wouldn't surprise me,” Luz admitted, and there were a few nods of approval from their friends.
“They do seem pretty tight,” Gage noted. “Especially with whatever they're doing with that Enigma freak. I think that might be her best bet to try and knock you ladies off.”
“There has been those rumors about The Enigma wanting to be her partner instead, though,” Emily noted, and Amelia noted her sister's concern right away.
“If that does end up being the case, we'll face that challenge head-on all the same,” she confidently stated. “We're making Diamond actually earn this victory the right way this time if that's how this all plays out, regardless of whoever her partner is.”
“And even if she does team with The Enigma and there's some legit supernatural stuff going on,” Luz tacked on, “which would be really cool, just saying—I doubt whatever he can do would compare to half the stuff we've already had to endure because of that lunatic Caleb.”
“That actually reminds me!” Ivy chimed in before Luz and Amelia could take the idea of an actual supernatural phenomenon and fall into a tangent like she knew they might given how much that topic seemed to deeply interest both of them, drawing all eyes to her. “I... might have bumped into Henry a few days ago while I was working out...”
“WHAT!?” the rest of the group collectively shouted.
“You didn't think to fill us in on that!?” Luz yelled.
“Did he try anything? Did he bring any goons?” Amelia quickly asked, but those were the only two questions she got out before Ivy cut her off with a raise of her hand that simply asked for a moment to organize her thoughts.
“He was alone,” she started off with, “and he just wanted to talk.”
From there, Ivy recounted the entirety of the brief encounter she'd had with The Empire's Golden Prodigy, revealing that Caleb had somehow been keeping their group under constant surveillance to track their movements when trying to plan his next moves, a thought that unnerved everybody and led to a group mental note to double check all their electronics before they left Toronto tomorrow. She also told them of how Henry had been doing his own quiet investigation into what they'd revealed to him and confirmed that they'd been telling the truth, along with the expectation that she would actually need to hurt him just to keep up the illusion that he was 'actually' there to abduct her which deeply concerned all of them even though she made it clear she didn't have to or even wanted to do that. The fact that Caleb was currently preoccupied with trying to weed out any traitors and double agents within his own ranks gave them hope that his justified paranoia would keep him busy for a while and they could all continue enjoying this period of peace.
“So he's going to try playing double agent himself and feed us information?” Luz finally asked once Ivy had finished, getting a nod in response.
“Even though he knows how risky that is, especially considering who he is to Caleb?” Amelia also asked.
“I tried to talk him out of it,” Ivy admitted, “but he seemed hellbent on doing this. He honestly believes he's safer having Caleb think he's still in line than willingly coming with us and giving his uncle a greater reason to come after us.”
“I really hate to say it, but I can understand his logic,” Valentina nervously admitted as everyone turned their attention to her. “I think you guys took the right approach in treating his situation like you did mine and showed him a kindness I don't think he's ever known before. Thing is... he knows Caleb even better than I ever did, and he's definitely been through so much more at his hands. I think the only reason I got out relatively unscathed was because of all the work Luz and Amelia put into snapping my chains... that and me not really having a use to him anymore...”
“Henry would definitely still have use to him though,” Gage growled, “considering he's family and all... even though we all know what Caleb did.”
“I really don't like the idea of him trying to martyr himself for us just to keep Caleb from making things worse than they already are,” Ivy lamented. “That said... he also mentioned that Caleb has some 'big plans' for 2024. Apparently Caleb's kept the details all to himself, especially if he now knows he's got some moles in The Empire, but whatever he's planning, Henry knows it's something huge and will supposedly get him everything he's been after.”
“Well that doesn't sound ominous,” Edward lightly joked.
“Then we should enjoy this peace while we can and hope the help we've got is enough to buy us time,” Amelia stated.
“Agreed,” Luz joined in. “We definitely need to pass this along to that Darius guy and Marilyn's FBI contact. Maybe even see if Ryan's willing to help us out again and dig up whatever Caleb's planning?”
There were nods of agreement as a plan slowly started to form, especially if they knew Henry was willing to help them from the inside—as uncomfortable as that thought made all of them given the implications of what Caleb was capable of to even his own followers. Things at least seemed to settle down regarding fears of The Empire for the night as midnight drew closer and a more relaxing atmosphere seemed to settle in, everyone but Luz and Amelia (who continued to abstain) and Marilyn (who'd gotten absolutely smashed) getting comfortably buzzed as the prospect of a new year and hopes that maybe, just maybe, they could cut this Empire cancer out of their lives once and for all.
“Everyone! You need to see this!”
Everyone's attention turned to the doors to the room as Lily burst in, looking frantic as she pointed to her phone with mere minutes to go until 2023 was over.
“Lily, we all know the ball's gonna drop shortly,” Marilyn mumbled as she almost looked ready to pass out after Camila had finally made her stop before she caused herself any harm from drinking too much.
“Is that the sound of Marilyn Clauson drunk beyond all rational comprehension? Truly a sad sight that I wish I could say surprised me.”
It was almost as if a chill had settled into the room at the sound of a familiar voice that immediately sucked all the life out of the final moments of the year. That disturbing voice and its hauntingly calm tone almost immediately sobered Marilyn up as she snapped her head in her sister's direction, with everyone else quickly getting out of their seats and crowding around Lily as she tilted her phone to reveal a video call with none other than Caleb White. There was a split screen that also showed Darius and some of his men as part of this call as well, but Caleb was the only one who looked eerily composed at the moment, almost as though he was feeding on the tension from the stares he was receiving from the other ends of this call.
“How the hell...?” Camila started to ask.
“I was on a video call with Darius discussing something before I joined you all,” Lily explained.
“And then our video call got an unexpected visitor,” Darius growled. “You do know we can-”
“Trace this conversation to find me?” Caleb chuckled. “You can certainly try, Darius. Very clever of you to infiltrate my Empire the way you did, by the way. It certainly made for a rather messy affair of making sure everyone is truly dedicated to my cause now.”
“What do you want?” Amelia angrily cut in, which didn't do anything to wipe the smirk from Caleb's lips.
“Amelia... a shame that you are so insistent on this sinful way of life that you not only missed your own wedding but also saw fit to have your own father arrested.” Caleb responded, unnerving everyone with how little he seemed fazed by any of it. “No matter... all will be made right in the world in the new year.”
“Not if we have anything to say about it,” Luz warned him.
“Oh, I expect you two, in particular, to have plenty to say about that.” Caleb's grin widened. “I'm actually looking forward to what the new year brings for us in terms of our little game.”
“No more games,” Darius warned the zealot.
“I wasn't talking to you,” Caleb scoffed. “Although, I did want to discuss something with the NCA, and I suppose now is as good a time as any. I was hoping to discuss a little deal-”
“Not happening,” Darius immediately cut him off.
“How rude,” Caleb shrugged it off immediately. “Especially when you seem to have no consideration for the life you're putting at risk.”
That got everyone's attention as they watched Caleb walk off to the side a bit, whoever was filming his end of the call carefully following him until they watched him step behind a body that was tied to a chair and had his mouth taped shut. As Caleb grabbed a fistful of the man's hair and lifted his head up, there were audible gasps from the group as they took in the familiar face of Ryan Lumis, who's eyes widened in panic as he tried to say something, only for it to be muffled by the tape.
“Poor Mr. Lumis here.” Caleb slowly shook his head. “Once upon a time, I had hired him to help me with a little project. I'm sure you remember that project quite well, don't you Valentina?”
The former adopted daughter of this madman just growled in response as Luz put a comforting hand on her shoulder, though she and Amelia still held the strongest death glare out of everyone watching Caleb right now.
“It's a shame that he suddenly began to believe his sense of morality was wrong while working for me,” he continued. “He could have truly done some good in this world...”
“What do you want?” Darius snapped, which only drew more chuckles out of Caleb.
“Finally willing to listen?” he asked. “Fair enough... I'm willing to make a little trade. If this lost cause of an investigator is so valuable to you, then I will give him back, safe and sound, in exchange for the release of Aleister Blythe.”
“Are you crazy!?” Amelia screamed. “After he took some of your goons and held us at gunpoint!?”
“Careful Amelia,” Caleb warned. “He is your father after all, and you really should respect your elders... especially since I know than Mr. Lumis here has been such a valuable asset to this false case you've been trying to build against me.”
“Hardly false when all the evidence lines up against you,” Marilyn spat.
“In the eyes of the Lord, I have done no wrong,” Caleb preached without a hint of irony or sarcasm. “He is the one true judge of us all, and no court of tainted mortals could ever truly understand His divine will.”
“Is that why you wanted to talk?” Luz asked. “Looking to make a deal for Amelia's dad's release and trying to act like you've finally gotten one over on us?”
“I was simply taking advantage of an opportunity while it just so happened to present itself,” Caleb replied. “The real reason I reached out, despite all the attempts from my former follower who sadly never found her way to begin with, was to wish you all a happy new year. After all... it will be a year of unity, and the two of you will be a proud part of the cleansing of not only the wrestling business, but all of mankind as well. And before you consider telling me otherwise, ask yourself this: are you willing to risk the life of another human being by continuing to defy me? For the sake of the holidays, I will give the authorities one week to consider my deal. After that... well... Ryan's fate may be up to Luz and Amelia. Consider all of that as we bid 2023 goodbye.”
Caleb's end of the video call cut out before anyone could respond, just in time with the clock striking midnight and 2024 officially beginning. As everyone outside began to celebrate the coming of a new year, Luz and Amelia along with their found family exchanged looks of concern and disgust, knowing that Caleb had unfortunately succeeded in both ruining the celebratory moment and giving them a lot to be concerned about for the new year that was upon them.
One of the many beautiful places to visit in Toledo, Ohio is the Toledo Museum of Art, an incredible spectacle known throughout the world for the creative works it houses. We happen to see tons of people touring through the building in awe of the art all around them, the atmosphere of the building a welcoming one full of so much life and passion. After a moment, we find ourselves in one very specific section of the museum, dubbed the Glass Pavilion both because of its world-renowned glass art collection and the curbed glass walls that blur the lines between interior and exterior spaces. It's here that we find the familiar faces of our 2023 Tag Team of the Year, Amelia Blythe and La Pequeña Luz, both dressed in very nice but still casual attire that gives off the implication that they may be out on a date together. This is further cemented as we see Amelia lean her head onto Luz's shoulder after the two exchange a soft kiss as they take in the beautiful sight in front of them. After a moment, though, Luz subtly nods her head in our direction and Amelia follows her gaze before the two of them exchange smiles and turn to assume a more professional demeanor in front of us, the sight of their World Tag Team Championship belts around their waists revealing that they may have been expecting us and don't seem to mind the interruption. Luz's Television Championship is notably nowhere to be seen, potentially to put any doubts to rest about her being able to shift her focus with a week off from that title to focus on her other one.
“¡Feliz año nuevo! Amelia and I hope all of you had a merry Christmas and rang in the new year with high hopes of whatever the future may hold. We also hope you all enjoyed SCW's End of the Year Special, and we'd like to publicly shout out our best friend Ivy Plume for her performance in the open invitational. I'm willing to say this publicly so the whole world knows: Ivy, you kicked butt, girl, and hopefully that helps prove to both you and anyone who still doubts you what kind of force of nature you truly are and that you're definitely more than ready to step up to the big leagues if SCW or anyone else is willing to draw up the contract.”
“Maybe you guys think we should be focusing on other matters, but just like all the glass surrounding us right now in this pavilion, we've always preferred to be completely transparent with our feelings and believe it's only right to praise our best friend for her efforts and help remind her of what she's capable of so she can keep pushing forward and becoming the kind of wrestler she wants to be. On the subject of transparency though... we know full well that there's a couple of people who aren't very happy with us right now, and we understand why. I mean, the European Fiery Nation apparently didn't like that we weren't about to let them brutalize a man who'd just gone through a fight with mi amor for her Television Championship—even if we weren't too keen on how he carries himself either—and saw fit to attack us as well, perhaps hoping that Dakon and Ludvig might be able to insert their names into the Tag Title discussion that way. Beyond that, we know the likes of Dark Fantasy and Twisted & Sadistic weren't too keen on the little Christmas gift we decided to hand out last Breakdown, but I can promise both of those teams this isn't a slight against them.”
“We have our reasons for doing exactly what we did, and we'll elaborate on them shortly. Simply put, we know Ravyn's made no secret of Dark Fantasy wanting a rematch for these titles, and we do acknowledge all the effort that Glory and Brittany have been putting in to get that shot. We're not playing games, we're not ducking anybody... we want to face both teams, no matter what form that takes. We want to face Dakon and Ludvig at some point if that's what it takes to teach them a lesson. The one thing that matters to us above all else as SCW's World Tag Team Champions is doing our part to further elevate the level of competition that these titles deserve, whether it be our willingness to face anyone and everyone who wants a shot or encouraging others to step up and take that shot no matter what form that takes. Maybe we could encourage new teams to be formed, rivals to set aside their differences and find common ground in the pursuit of something greater, give teams already in the hunt that extra motivation to push harder so that way when they get that title match with us we know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we're getting their absolute best. Not only is that how we're going to do our part, no matter how long this title reign lasts, to help keep tag team wrestling at the forefront of everyone's minds heading into this new year, but it's also how we're going to keep pushing ourselves to get better and rise to that challenge so we can make this reign a long and prosperous one for ourselves and for SCW.”
At this point, Amelia takes a step forward, stopping to look at Luz in reassurance that whatever she's about to do is alright with her partner. Luz simply smiles and nods, quietly saying something that we pick up on but recognize as Spanish before she takes a step back, allowing Amelia to be front and center and have the focus all to herself for the moment. Considering how things got to this point in the first place and thinking back to something Luz said the last time she stood before us, it's easy to understand why Amelia may be about to get quite a lot off her chest.
“Diamond Steele... during Fatal Fortunes, you got what could arguably be considered an extremely lucky draw. You got the chance to team with the reigning U.S. Champion, a woman I've gladly gone to war with and someone I know will always push me to my limits and vice versa, but more importantly, you were essentially handed a handicap match because my drawn partner didn't show up due to what we now know as miscommunication and confusion on management's end. You could've done the fair thing and allowed Luz to step up and team with me in her place, which she gladly would've done even with the foresight of knowing her TV Title defense was the very next match and a non-title win over both Tag Team Champions would certainly look much better on your resume. You could've even respected the wishes of your own partner and simply let the two of us face off which could've still resulted in you technically earning a win. You did neither of those things, deciding instead to not only refuse both options but even jump me while we were still trying to figure out what was going on and even getting in the cheap shot that led to me being pinned... an act that you proceeded to celebrate like you'd just won the World Championship. I get it, being on a losing streak sucks and the longer it goes the more desperate you become to right the ship.
One important thing you need to know about Luz and I, though, is that we've never been one to take losses like that lying down.
We're two people who operate under the mindset of resolving wrestling problems in a wrestling ring, and you gave us a wrestling problem to resolve because we've both been through this song and dance before. You view this as a major win over a reigning champion, and the bragging rights and endless claims of what you've 'accomplished' are never far behind. We both know full well that the resulting ego isn't warranted, but if you're going to insist that you 'beat' me, then it's only fair I give you a chance to truly put your money where your mouth is. If Diamond Steele is truly better than Amelia Blythe, then here's an opportunity to actually earn it. No tricks, no cheap shots, just you giving me your absolute best to prove that this win you want to brag about was truly no fluke... or the result of fate being extremely kind to you on that night at my expense.
If I'm going to keep being completely transparent here, then I suppose it's only fair to let you know that Luz and I were fully willing to put these titles that mean so much to us on the line as bait, in a sense. I know how someone in your position operates Diamond. If I'd have simply walked up to you and challenged you to a one-on-one match, I know you would've turned it down because you've 'already proven' something we both know isn't fully accurate. So, we approached CHBK and pitched this match to him, offering you and a partner of your choosing this opportunity under the premise of you earning it with that big win over me, which isn't entirely a lie. Maybe it's a bit... petty of us to have done that, but it still plays into what we want to do as World Tag Team Champions because these titles are going to be defended against a team that hasn't had that opportunity before, and we've given you all the incentive in the world to truly step up and show us everything that you've got because if there's any truth to the claims you want to make, then now is the perfect time to prove it and shake up the landscape of SCW right out of the gate in this new year. Show me the Diamond Steele who is supposedly able to beat Amelia Blythe at the top of her game and looking to only get better with each passing match. Show the world that if you can beat one-half of the World Tag Team Champions, then surely you and your chosen partner have what it takes to overcome both of us.”
It's at this point that Luz steps up and places a hand on Amelia's shoulder, comforting her and offering the chance to calm down and collect her thoughts after relieving herself of that burden that's been weighing on her shoulder for weeks now. She even leans over and kisses Amelia on the cheek, earning a grateful and relieved smile in response as Amelia takes a deep breath while Luz takes over.
“We could've handled this in a number of ways Diamond, but we decided to be nice and offer you this huge opportunity because we truly want to see if you can back up all this newfound confidence of yours that was earned through tainted means. We've given you everything you could ever ask for: a chance to choose the best possible partner, an opportunity to start 2024 by walking out of Toledo as a champion... the double-edge to this sword, however, is that we've also given you no room for excuses if you don't make the most of this opportunity. This is your chance to truly prove that you are better than Amelia, better than me, better than a team that scratched and clawed and fought tooth and nail for an entire year to get to where we are now. When those lights are the brightest and the stakes are so high, you have to ask yourself Diamond: is the best of you and whoever you've been preparing for this match with truly good enough to snuff out The Light In The Darkness? Do you have what it takes to stop us when we've honestly been on one of the biggest rolls we've ever been on throughout our entire careers? I ask this sincerely because this time Diamond... there will be no jumping us right out of the gate, there will be no unfair advantage to exploit, there is nothing but the skills of you and your partner that is going to win you this match, and we have to wonder...”
“Realizing the situation we've welcomed you into and the fact that we're only going to come out of this match even better for the next challenge that awaits us, regardless of the outcome... was it worth it to desperately grab that tainted win and act like the end of this long losing streak of yours was worth the few weeks you got to stand on top of the world? I hate to say it Diamond, but the harsh reality that Luz and I have learned time and time again in this business is that one win doesn't make your career or truly change your destiny... it's only the beginning of a long and winding road to get to where you truly want to be. We were kind enough to give you this title shot, but don't mistake our kindness for weakness, because this is where your real challenge begins.”
“Especially when we see this match as just another challenge to adapt to so the rest of SCW, especially the tag division, knows what kind of champions they're hunting. We won these titles after going through a war with arguably the greatest tag team in SCW history, we survived the unpredictability of Fatal Fortunes even with the added challenge of knowing we'd be booked multiple times over the course of those two weeks... now we knowingly face the unknown once again because you've kept your partner a secret and likely will continue to do so right up until the bell rings, but even knowing we gave you that advantage, that's the only advantage we've offered you this time around. Choose whoever you want, from a trusted ally you know you can work well with in someone like Crystal Zdunich, to any of the other champions in SCW or simply someone who would love to help you just to watch us fall... maybe you even embrace the request of this figure known as The Enigma wanting to be your partner instead of your enemy, hoping that all his talk of endless darkness will be enough to prove our namesake wrong.”
“Whoever you decide to go with, we simply ask that you and that partner give us nothing less than your absolute best. Give us a fight worthy of backing up all that celebrating you've done in the wake of your 'win' over me Diamond... perhaps, if you watch us leave Toledo, Ohio with these titles still around our waist after weathering this storm, you'll finally realize that you can only go so far relying on what got you that Fatal Fortunes victory, and maybe then there will be hope for the self-reflection that finally turns everything around for you.
It just won't be at our expense again.”
At that, both women nod as Luz reaches her arm over to rub her partner's back, trying to ease some of the tension as they begin to walk away and resume their date, wanting to ensure they're in a truly healthy mindset when Breakdown begins and they have the opportunity to kick off 2024 on the right foot. As we fade out, we're left with the knowledge of just how determined these two women are to be the kind of flag bearers worthy of leading SCW's tag team division, no matter what challenge is thrown their way or they welcome of their own accord.
----------------------------------
If Luz and Amelia could describe 2023 in one word, it would be chaotic.
That wasn't necessarily a bad thing, considering how much it had kept them on their toes both for better and for worse which helped them constantly adapt to ever-changing scenarios that were growing more difficult as time went on.
Their ultimate goal for 2023 after returning to SCW was to really put themselves on the map and prove that not only were they here to stay this time, but that they could rise to the challenge that SCW presented them and show the world that management was not misled about what they were capable of when they were first signed years ago before injuries and plummeting self-confidence derailed them. In hindsight, they could say they'd succeeded in that goal between their respective Television Title runs, especially with Luz's current reign still going strong, Amelia making the finals of a tournament for the then-vacant U.S. Championship that included eliminating the woman who currently held that title, and two World Tag Team Title opportunities that had both resulted in match of the year contenders, with the second attempt being the one where they'd finally broken through that glass ceiling together and could now rightfully say they stood atop that mountain. The fact that they had come out of the End of the Year Special earlier tonight being voted as the Tag Team of the Year was effectively the cherry on top of it all.
There had certainly been a few hiccups along the way, though. Both women had to contend once more with crises of self-confidence, Luz when it started to seem like Amelia was pulling away as the more successful singles star of the tandem while she was struggling to even notch a solo victory and Amelia after the accident with James Evans that had thoroughly rattled her and even played into her struggles throughout the remainder of that tournament. They also made the decision to practically exile themselves from Tag Title contention following their failed first attempt at winning the belts, wanting to prove they were ready in the eyes of the then-champions before feeling comfortable pursuing them once more, and that also said nothing of the bumps, bruises and minor injuries they'd sustained along the way.
Matters outside the ring had somehow been a more hectic affair then things inside the squared circle, and all the blame for that could be placed squarely on The Empire. What had started off as simply knowing the group existed as a wrestling stable back in the Britain area where they'd built part of their careers because they wanted a piece of the couple had ultimately spiraled into a twisted fight for survival that had cost them sleep, training time, a sense of safety... so much, in all honesty. How it went from being a wrestling matter that may have never been acknowledged or ended up resolved in fairly straightforward fashion to one giant game of lies, manipulation and even threats both on their lives and to upend them altogether still baffled the girls and everyone around them to this day, but they knew it all revolved around the cryptic and deranged zealot Caleb White... a man who had, unknowingly to Luz and Amelia, had a vital role to play in how they both developed into who they were today and felt entitled to some sense of control over their lives because of it. Gaslighting his followers into helping him spread that toxicity to the public by trying to tarnish Luz's reputation with an imposter or erase Amelia's sexuality with claims of a wedding that she wanted no part in, making deals with Amelia's parents to try and lay some sort of claim to her before she was even born, being responsible in some fashion for the loss of so many lives including Luz's father... there was no low that Caleb wouldn't sink to in his quest to be recognized as the 'savior of humanity' and get everything he felt should come with that belief.
In the face of all this adversity, however, Amelia Blythe and La Pequeña Luz had powered through and made one hell of a statement: no matter how hard you may try to knock them down, they will not stay down and will keep coming back stronger than ever.
If that was what 2023 had thrown at them, they couldn't help but wonder what 2024 would have in store.
At the very top of the list for things they hoped for in the new year was an end to all this madness regarding Caleb and his Empire. If they were to be honest, Amelia and Luz would fully admit that it was constantly taking a Herculean amount of inner strength to continue wrestling at their absolute best without any obvious signs of the wear and tear they were still enduring because of all of Caleb's plots and schemes to get them in his clutches by any means necessary. They were used to blocking out the mental toll of outside problems while in the ring given how little time they had to rest at one point in their careers through regularly competing in both Europe and Mexico, sometimes with the bookings within mere days of each other, but that didn't mean they were infallible. Luz's consistent booking so long as she was Television Champion meant there truly was no rest for the weary, but the couple wanted to hope that Caleb had severely underestimated the sheer willpower that always kept them moving forward if he was hoping he could burn them out to create the opening he needed to strike. The fact that, either through their own planning or the assistance of everyone around them who had become a sort of found family in the past year, they had managed to outwit The Empire at every turn had created a safety net they hoped would ultimately drive home the fact that Caleb just wasn't destined to get anything he wanted at the end of it all.
The only thing he truly deserved was to rot in a prison cell for the rest of his days.
As the remaining time in 2023 ticked away, Luz and Amelia had resolved to simply enjoy this holiday with their loved ones and celebrate all the highs of the past year while trying to remain optimistic about the next one. With the End of the Year Special now in the books, that meant using the time to happily reflect on all they'd accomplished in this past year and celebrate the strong showing Ivy had in the open invitational match, making it clear to their friend that this was concrete proof she was ready for the next level. Part of them hoped SCW would recognize that and sign her to a contract, but even if that didn't end up happening quite yet there was a firm belief that so many more doors would open for her now to companies just like SCW who would give anything to have an athlete of Ivy's caliber on their roster.
Regardless, it was a night to celebrate and step into the new year together, ready to embrace all that 2024 would have to offer them. That meant a rare moment where everyone could simply relax and enjoy themselves without the looming threat of The Empire hanging over their heads, especially now that they'd lost one of their key members in Aleister Blythe and knew that both the FBI and the NCA were trying to take them down. That alone had been a huge blow to their recruitment efforts once that had gone public, and it had been a little over two weeks since they'd dealt with the cult in any way, allowing them to embrace the serenity of this moment and just spend time with the people who mattered to them on this night in Toronto before it was back to work.
“Oh, come on!” Marilyn whined as she held out the bottle, looking a little wobbly on her feet before Camila grabbed her so she didn't fall over. “One drink's not going to kill you. We're ringing in the new year! You can let go of the 'good girl' act for one night!”
“We're no strangers to drinking, Marilyn,” Luz scoffed from her seat at the table in this little room they had managed to rent from the hotel to accommodate everyone to ring in the new year. “Amelia and I just don't want to risk anything since we're defending our Tag Titles later this week.”
“Better safe than sorry since we asked for this and want to start the new year off strong,” Amelia added with a nod.
“A responsible decision, if you ask me,” Camila chimed in, ignoring Marilyn's annoyed glare. “Besides, better that my bebé and her fiancée not be involved if I'm going to drink you under the table, Miss Clauson.”
“Is that so?” Marilyn countered, and it wasn't long before the two of them moved to a nearby table to start slamming down shots... Marilyn had originally offered up the bottle of wine she'd been trying to offer Luz and Amelia, but Camila raised the stakes to tequila and Luz could only watch in shock as her mom proved to be a woman of her word.
“I didn't know mom could hold her alcohol so well...” Valentina mumbled in surprise.
“Truth be told... she ended up drinking a fair bit after dad died,” Luz sadly admitted. “I can't really blame her... she at least never drank enough that it affected her job or turned her into some sort of alcoholic monster, but I guess one good thing that came out of it was a ridiculous tolerance to tequila especially.”
“So no challenging your mom to a drinking contest,” Edward chirped as he raised a glass of wine. “Got it.”
“Edward,” Amelia hissed, shooting her brother a glare before Luz placed a comforting hand on her shoulder to let her know it was alright. It took a moment, but Amelia eventually took a deep breath and let it go. “So, Luz... who do you think we can expect to see standing by Diamond's side on Breakdown this week?”
“Crystal wouldn't surprise me,” Luz admitted, and there were a few nods of approval from their friends.
“They do seem pretty tight,” Gage noted. “Especially with whatever they're doing with that Enigma freak. I think that might be her best bet to try and knock you ladies off.”
“There has been those rumors about The Enigma wanting to be her partner instead, though,” Emily noted, and Amelia noted her sister's concern right away.
“If that does end up being the case, we'll face that challenge head-on all the same,” she confidently stated. “We're making Diamond actually earn this victory the right way this time if that's how this all plays out, regardless of whoever her partner is.”
“And even if she does team with The Enigma and there's some legit supernatural stuff going on,” Luz tacked on, “which would be really cool, just saying—I doubt whatever he can do would compare to half the stuff we've already had to endure because of that lunatic Caleb.”
“That actually reminds me!” Ivy chimed in before Luz and Amelia could take the idea of an actual supernatural phenomenon and fall into a tangent like she knew they might given how much that topic seemed to deeply interest both of them, drawing all eyes to her. “I... might have bumped into Henry a few days ago while I was working out...”
“WHAT!?” the rest of the group collectively shouted.
“You didn't think to fill us in on that!?” Luz yelled.
“Did he try anything? Did he bring any goons?” Amelia quickly asked, but those were the only two questions she got out before Ivy cut her off with a raise of her hand that simply asked for a moment to organize her thoughts.
“He was alone,” she started off with, “and he just wanted to talk.”
From there, Ivy recounted the entirety of the brief encounter she'd had with The Empire's Golden Prodigy, revealing that Caleb had somehow been keeping their group under constant surveillance to track their movements when trying to plan his next moves, a thought that unnerved everybody and led to a group mental note to double check all their electronics before they left Toronto tomorrow. She also told them of how Henry had been doing his own quiet investigation into what they'd revealed to him and confirmed that they'd been telling the truth, along with the expectation that she would actually need to hurt him just to keep up the illusion that he was 'actually' there to abduct her which deeply concerned all of them even though she made it clear she didn't have to or even wanted to do that. The fact that Caleb was currently preoccupied with trying to weed out any traitors and double agents within his own ranks gave them hope that his justified paranoia would keep him busy for a while and they could all continue enjoying this period of peace.
“So he's going to try playing double agent himself and feed us information?” Luz finally asked once Ivy had finished, getting a nod in response.
“Even though he knows how risky that is, especially considering who he is to Caleb?” Amelia also asked.
“I tried to talk him out of it,” Ivy admitted, “but he seemed hellbent on doing this. He honestly believes he's safer having Caleb think he's still in line than willingly coming with us and giving his uncle a greater reason to come after us.”
“I really hate to say it, but I can understand his logic,” Valentina nervously admitted as everyone turned their attention to her. “I think you guys took the right approach in treating his situation like you did mine and showed him a kindness I don't think he's ever known before. Thing is... he knows Caleb even better than I ever did, and he's definitely been through so much more at his hands. I think the only reason I got out relatively unscathed was because of all the work Luz and Amelia put into snapping my chains... that and me not really having a use to him anymore...”
“Henry would definitely still have use to him though,” Gage growled, “considering he's family and all... even though we all know what Caleb did.”
“I really don't like the idea of him trying to martyr himself for us just to keep Caleb from making things worse than they already are,” Ivy lamented. “That said... he also mentioned that Caleb has some 'big plans' for 2024. Apparently Caleb's kept the details all to himself, especially if he now knows he's got some moles in The Empire, but whatever he's planning, Henry knows it's something huge and will supposedly get him everything he's been after.”
“Well that doesn't sound ominous,” Edward lightly joked.
“Then we should enjoy this peace while we can and hope the help we've got is enough to buy us time,” Amelia stated.
“Agreed,” Luz joined in. “We definitely need to pass this along to that Darius guy and Marilyn's FBI contact. Maybe even see if Ryan's willing to help us out again and dig up whatever Caleb's planning?”
There were nods of agreement as a plan slowly started to form, especially if they knew Henry was willing to help them from the inside—as uncomfortable as that thought made all of them given the implications of what Caleb was capable of to even his own followers. Things at least seemed to settle down regarding fears of The Empire for the night as midnight drew closer and a more relaxing atmosphere seemed to settle in, everyone but Luz and Amelia (who continued to abstain) and Marilyn (who'd gotten absolutely smashed) getting comfortably buzzed as the prospect of a new year and hopes that maybe, just maybe, they could cut this Empire cancer out of their lives once and for all.
“Everyone! You need to see this!”
Everyone's attention turned to the doors to the room as Lily burst in, looking frantic as she pointed to her phone with mere minutes to go until 2023 was over.
“Lily, we all know the ball's gonna drop shortly,” Marilyn mumbled as she almost looked ready to pass out after Camila had finally made her stop before she caused herself any harm from drinking too much.
“Is that the sound of Marilyn Clauson drunk beyond all rational comprehension? Truly a sad sight that I wish I could say surprised me.”
It was almost as if a chill had settled into the room at the sound of a familiar voice that immediately sucked all the life out of the final moments of the year. That disturbing voice and its hauntingly calm tone almost immediately sobered Marilyn up as she snapped her head in her sister's direction, with everyone else quickly getting out of their seats and crowding around Lily as she tilted her phone to reveal a video call with none other than Caleb White. There was a split screen that also showed Darius and some of his men as part of this call as well, but Caleb was the only one who looked eerily composed at the moment, almost as though he was feeding on the tension from the stares he was receiving from the other ends of this call.
“How the hell...?” Camila started to ask.
“I was on a video call with Darius discussing something before I joined you all,” Lily explained.
“And then our video call got an unexpected visitor,” Darius growled. “You do know we can-”
“Trace this conversation to find me?” Caleb chuckled. “You can certainly try, Darius. Very clever of you to infiltrate my Empire the way you did, by the way. It certainly made for a rather messy affair of making sure everyone is truly dedicated to my cause now.”
“What do you want?” Amelia angrily cut in, which didn't do anything to wipe the smirk from Caleb's lips.
“Amelia... a shame that you are so insistent on this sinful way of life that you not only missed your own wedding but also saw fit to have your own father arrested.” Caleb responded, unnerving everyone with how little he seemed fazed by any of it. “No matter... all will be made right in the world in the new year.”
“Not if we have anything to say about it,” Luz warned him.
“Oh, I expect you two, in particular, to have plenty to say about that.” Caleb's grin widened. “I'm actually looking forward to what the new year brings for us in terms of our little game.”
“No more games,” Darius warned the zealot.
“I wasn't talking to you,” Caleb scoffed. “Although, I did want to discuss something with the NCA, and I suppose now is as good a time as any. I was hoping to discuss a little deal-”
“Not happening,” Darius immediately cut him off.
“How rude,” Caleb shrugged it off immediately. “Especially when you seem to have no consideration for the life you're putting at risk.”
That got everyone's attention as they watched Caleb walk off to the side a bit, whoever was filming his end of the call carefully following him until they watched him step behind a body that was tied to a chair and had his mouth taped shut. As Caleb grabbed a fistful of the man's hair and lifted his head up, there were audible gasps from the group as they took in the familiar face of Ryan Lumis, who's eyes widened in panic as he tried to say something, only for it to be muffled by the tape.
“Poor Mr. Lumis here.” Caleb slowly shook his head. “Once upon a time, I had hired him to help me with a little project. I'm sure you remember that project quite well, don't you Valentina?”
The former adopted daughter of this madman just growled in response as Luz put a comforting hand on her shoulder, though she and Amelia still held the strongest death glare out of everyone watching Caleb right now.
“It's a shame that he suddenly began to believe his sense of morality was wrong while working for me,” he continued. “He could have truly done some good in this world...”
“What do you want?” Darius snapped, which only drew more chuckles out of Caleb.
“Finally willing to listen?” he asked. “Fair enough... I'm willing to make a little trade. If this lost cause of an investigator is so valuable to you, then I will give him back, safe and sound, in exchange for the release of Aleister Blythe.”
“Are you crazy!?” Amelia screamed. “After he took some of your goons and held us at gunpoint!?”
“Careful Amelia,” Caleb warned. “He is your father after all, and you really should respect your elders... especially since I know than Mr. Lumis here has been such a valuable asset to this false case you've been trying to build against me.”
“Hardly false when all the evidence lines up against you,” Marilyn spat.
“In the eyes of the Lord, I have done no wrong,” Caleb preached without a hint of irony or sarcasm. “He is the one true judge of us all, and no court of tainted mortals could ever truly understand His divine will.”
“Is that why you wanted to talk?” Luz asked. “Looking to make a deal for Amelia's dad's release and trying to act like you've finally gotten one over on us?”
“I was simply taking advantage of an opportunity while it just so happened to present itself,” Caleb replied. “The real reason I reached out, despite all the attempts from my former follower who sadly never found her way to begin with, was to wish you all a happy new year. After all... it will be a year of unity, and the two of you will be a proud part of the cleansing of not only the wrestling business, but all of mankind as well. And before you consider telling me otherwise, ask yourself this: are you willing to risk the life of another human being by continuing to defy me? For the sake of the holidays, I will give the authorities one week to consider my deal. After that... well... Ryan's fate may be up to Luz and Amelia. Consider all of that as we bid 2023 goodbye.”
Caleb's end of the video call cut out before anyone could respond, just in time with the clock striking midnight and 2024 officially beginning. As everyone outside began to celebrate the coming of a new year, Luz and Amelia along with their found family exchanged looks of concern and disgust, knowing that Caleb had unfortunately succeeded in both ruining the celebratory moment and giving them a lot to be concerned about for the new year that was upon them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the many beautiful places to visit in Toledo, Ohio is the Toledo Museum of Art, an incredible spectacle known throughout the world for the creative works it houses. We happen to see tons of people touring through the building in awe of the art all around them, the atmosphere of the building a welcoming one full of so much life and passion. After a moment, we find ourselves in one very specific section of the museum, dubbed the Glass Pavilion both because of its world-renowned glass art collection and the curbed glass walls that blur the lines between interior and exterior spaces. It's here that we find the familiar faces of our 2023 Tag Team of the Year, Amelia Blythe and La Pequeña Luz, both dressed in very nice but still casual attire that gives off the implication that they may be out on a date together. This is further cemented as we see Amelia lean her head onto Luz's shoulder after the two exchange a soft kiss as they take in the beautiful sight in front of them. After a moment, though, Luz subtly nods her head in our direction and Amelia follows her gaze before the two of them exchange smiles and turn to assume a more professional demeanor in front of us, the sight of their World Tag Team Championship belts around their waists revealing that they may have been expecting us and don't seem to mind the interruption. Luz's Television Championship is notably nowhere to be seen, potentially to put any doubts to rest about her being able to shift her focus with a week off from that title to focus on her other one.
“¡Feliz año nuevo! Amelia and I hope all of you had a merry Christmas and rang in the new year with high hopes of whatever the future may hold. We also hope you all enjoyed SCW's End of the Year Special, and we'd like to publicly shout out our best friend Ivy Plume for her performance in the open invitational. I'm willing to say this publicly so the whole world knows: Ivy, you kicked butt, girl, and hopefully that helps prove to both you and anyone who still doubts you what kind of force of nature you truly are and that you're definitely more than ready to step up to the big leagues if SCW or anyone else is willing to draw up the contract.”
“Maybe you guys think we should be focusing on other matters, but just like all the glass surrounding us right now in this pavilion, we've always preferred to be completely transparent with our feelings and believe it's only right to praise our best friend for her efforts and help remind her of what she's capable of so she can keep pushing forward and becoming the kind of wrestler she wants to be. On the subject of transparency though... we know full well that there's a couple of people who aren't very happy with us right now, and we understand why. I mean, the European Fiery Nation apparently didn't like that we weren't about to let them brutalize a man who'd just gone through a fight with mi amor for her Television Championship—even if we weren't too keen on how he carries himself either—and saw fit to attack us as well, perhaps hoping that Dakon and Ludvig might be able to insert their names into the Tag Title discussion that way. Beyond that, we know the likes of Dark Fantasy and Twisted & Sadistic weren't too keen on the little Christmas gift we decided to hand out last Breakdown, but I can promise both of those teams this isn't a slight against them.”
“We have our reasons for doing exactly what we did, and we'll elaborate on them shortly. Simply put, we know Ravyn's made no secret of Dark Fantasy wanting a rematch for these titles, and we do acknowledge all the effort that Glory and Brittany have been putting in to get that shot. We're not playing games, we're not ducking anybody... we want to face both teams, no matter what form that takes. We want to face Dakon and Ludvig at some point if that's what it takes to teach them a lesson. The one thing that matters to us above all else as SCW's World Tag Team Champions is doing our part to further elevate the level of competition that these titles deserve, whether it be our willingness to face anyone and everyone who wants a shot or encouraging others to step up and take that shot no matter what form that takes. Maybe we could encourage new teams to be formed, rivals to set aside their differences and find common ground in the pursuit of something greater, give teams already in the hunt that extra motivation to push harder so that way when they get that title match with us we know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we're getting their absolute best. Not only is that how we're going to do our part, no matter how long this title reign lasts, to help keep tag team wrestling at the forefront of everyone's minds heading into this new year, but it's also how we're going to keep pushing ourselves to get better and rise to that challenge so we can make this reign a long and prosperous one for ourselves and for SCW.”
At this point, Amelia takes a step forward, stopping to look at Luz in reassurance that whatever she's about to do is alright with her partner. Luz simply smiles and nods, quietly saying something that we pick up on but recognize as Spanish before she takes a step back, allowing Amelia to be front and center and have the focus all to herself for the moment. Considering how things got to this point in the first place and thinking back to something Luz said the last time she stood before us, it's easy to understand why Amelia may be about to get quite a lot off her chest.
“Diamond Steele... during Fatal Fortunes, you got what could arguably be considered an extremely lucky draw. You got the chance to team with the reigning U.S. Champion, a woman I've gladly gone to war with and someone I know will always push me to my limits and vice versa, but more importantly, you were essentially handed a handicap match because my drawn partner didn't show up due to what we now know as miscommunication and confusion on management's end. You could've done the fair thing and allowed Luz to step up and team with me in her place, which she gladly would've done even with the foresight of knowing her TV Title defense was the very next match and a non-title win over both Tag Team Champions would certainly look much better on your resume. You could've even respected the wishes of your own partner and simply let the two of us face off which could've still resulted in you technically earning a win. You did neither of those things, deciding instead to not only refuse both options but even jump me while we were still trying to figure out what was going on and even getting in the cheap shot that led to me being pinned... an act that you proceeded to celebrate like you'd just won the World Championship. I get it, being on a losing streak sucks and the longer it goes the more desperate you become to right the ship.
One important thing you need to know about Luz and I, though, is that we've never been one to take losses like that lying down.
We're two people who operate under the mindset of resolving wrestling problems in a wrestling ring, and you gave us a wrestling problem to resolve because we've both been through this song and dance before. You view this as a major win over a reigning champion, and the bragging rights and endless claims of what you've 'accomplished' are never far behind. We both know full well that the resulting ego isn't warranted, but if you're going to insist that you 'beat' me, then it's only fair I give you a chance to truly put your money where your mouth is. If Diamond Steele is truly better than Amelia Blythe, then here's an opportunity to actually earn it. No tricks, no cheap shots, just you giving me your absolute best to prove that this win you want to brag about was truly no fluke... or the result of fate being extremely kind to you on that night at my expense.
If I'm going to keep being completely transparent here, then I suppose it's only fair to let you know that Luz and I were fully willing to put these titles that mean so much to us on the line as bait, in a sense. I know how someone in your position operates Diamond. If I'd have simply walked up to you and challenged you to a one-on-one match, I know you would've turned it down because you've 'already proven' something we both know isn't fully accurate. So, we approached CHBK and pitched this match to him, offering you and a partner of your choosing this opportunity under the premise of you earning it with that big win over me, which isn't entirely a lie. Maybe it's a bit... petty of us to have done that, but it still plays into what we want to do as World Tag Team Champions because these titles are going to be defended against a team that hasn't had that opportunity before, and we've given you all the incentive in the world to truly step up and show us everything that you've got because if there's any truth to the claims you want to make, then now is the perfect time to prove it and shake up the landscape of SCW right out of the gate in this new year. Show me the Diamond Steele who is supposedly able to beat Amelia Blythe at the top of her game and looking to only get better with each passing match. Show the world that if you can beat one-half of the World Tag Team Champions, then surely you and your chosen partner have what it takes to overcome both of us.”
It's at this point that Luz steps up and places a hand on Amelia's shoulder, comforting her and offering the chance to calm down and collect her thoughts after relieving herself of that burden that's been weighing on her shoulder for weeks now. She even leans over and kisses Amelia on the cheek, earning a grateful and relieved smile in response as Amelia takes a deep breath while Luz takes over.
“We could've handled this in a number of ways Diamond, but we decided to be nice and offer you this huge opportunity because we truly want to see if you can back up all this newfound confidence of yours that was earned through tainted means. We've given you everything you could ever ask for: a chance to choose the best possible partner, an opportunity to start 2024 by walking out of Toledo as a champion... the double-edge to this sword, however, is that we've also given you no room for excuses if you don't make the most of this opportunity. This is your chance to truly prove that you are better than Amelia, better than me, better than a team that scratched and clawed and fought tooth and nail for an entire year to get to where we are now. When those lights are the brightest and the stakes are so high, you have to ask yourself Diamond: is the best of you and whoever you've been preparing for this match with truly good enough to snuff out The Light In The Darkness? Do you have what it takes to stop us when we've honestly been on one of the biggest rolls we've ever been on throughout our entire careers? I ask this sincerely because this time Diamond... there will be no jumping us right out of the gate, there will be no unfair advantage to exploit, there is nothing but the skills of you and your partner that is going to win you this match, and we have to wonder...”
“Realizing the situation we've welcomed you into and the fact that we're only going to come out of this match even better for the next challenge that awaits us, regardless of the outcome... was it worth it to desperately grab that tainted win and act like the end of this long losing streak of yours was worth the few weeks you got to stand on top of the world? I hate to say it Diamond, but the harsh reality that Luz and I have learned time and time again in this business is that one win doesn't make your career or truly change your destiny... it's only the beginning of a long and winding road to get to where you truly want to be. We were kind enough to give you this title shot, but don't mistake our kindness for weakness, because this is where your real challenge begins.”
“Especially when we see this match as just another challenge to adapt to so the rest of SCW, especially the tag division, knows what kind of champions they're hunting. We won these titles after going through a war with arguably the greatest tag team in SCW history, we survived the unpredictability of Fatal Fortunes even with the added challenge of knowing we'd be booked multiple times over the course of those two weeks... now we knowingly face the unknown once again because you've kept your partner a secret and likely will continue to do so right up until the bell rings, but even knowing we gave you that advantage, that's the only advantage we've offered you this time around. Choose whoever you want, from a trusted ally you know you can work well with in someone like Crystal Zdunich, to any of the other champions in SCW or simply someone who would love to help you just to watch us fall... maybe you even embrace the request of this figure known as The Enigma wanting to be your partner instead of your enemy, hoping that all his talk of endless darkness will be enough to prove our namesake wrong.”
“Whoever you decide to go with, we simply ask that you and that partner give us nothing less than your absolute best. Give us a fight worthy of backing up all that celebrating you've done in the wake of your 'win' over me Diamond... perhaps, if you watch us leave Toledo, Ohio with these titles still around our waist after weathering this storm, you'll finally realize that you can only go so far relying on what got you that Fatal Fortunes victory, and maybe then there will be hope for the self-reflection that finally turns everything around for you.
It just won't be at our expense again.”
At that, both women nod as Luz reaches her arm over to rub her partner's back, trying to ease some of the tension as they begin to walk away and resume their date, wanting to ensure they're in a truly healthy mindset when Breakdown begins and they have the opportunity to kick off 2024 on the right foot. As we fade out, we're left with the knowledge of just how determined these two women are to be the kind of flag bearers worthy of leading SCW's tag team division, no matter what challenge is thrown their way or they welcome of their own accord.
01-04-2024, 12:45 AM
San Diego, California
New Year’s Day
Diamond Steele’s life had been a complete up and down affair. Last year started off with her being as happy as she could possibly be. The married life was the best possible life and things were indeed good. However her entire world changed for the worst when Kate did something stupid and it caused for her wife Dawn Lohan to ask for a divorce. Normally a divorce wouldn’t have hurt considering Diamond would have expected it to come. On top of that she would have seen it coming especially seeing as she had been down that road once before with her previous husband Teddy. However what she didn’t expect is for Dawn to ask for an annulment which meant that none of that time spent together really happened in her eyes. It was as if things were non-existent and it was all make pretend.
Diamond’s summer would end up being absolute hell. Despite being caught up in an annulment it just made her want Dawn even more. She could only think about what she lost. She had tried dating but none of that worked. Her mind was locked solely on Dawn Lohan and little did she know that over time Dawn felt the same. The two of them would end up getting back together and life felt right again.
Everything felt to be going in the right direction. Thanksgiving was special, Christmas was even better, and this couple definitely deserved one another. It was New Year’s Eve as Diamond and Dawn both glanced at the television as they were waiting for the ball to drop.
Diamond smirked as she turned her attention over to her girlfriend.
“The New Year is coming doesn’t this feel amazing, we get to break into the New Year together again…”
The countdown appeared on the television screen as Dawn smirked wrapping her arms around Diamond as she looked down into her eyes.
“This is the only way that I want to spend it. I couldn’t imagine spending it with anybody else. I can’t believe that we were split up but as long as we promise to be there for one another life is going to be amazing for the both of us. Maybe this is what life is about for the two of us. We are getting this second chance to really make things right…”
Diamond wraps her arms around Dawn in return as she squeezes as tightly as she possibly can. She keeps her eyes locked on the bigger blonde as a smile escapes her lips.
“I won’t ever hurt you again. I am sorry for breaking your heart. Honestly I don’t know where my life would be if you weren’t in it. Nothing felt the same. Wrestling felt empty to me. Life felt empty, and my heart wasn’t complete but now that we are here together everything is put back to where it needs to be, and my life is now complete…”
Dawn nods her head as she squeezes even tighter. It’s apparent that the two lovebirds couldn’t keep their hands off of one another. The clock started to tick down and Diamond kept her eyes locked on the television as it was about to hit midnight. There it was the final countdown.
10..
9…
8…
7…
6…
5…
4…
3…
2…
1…
Dawn smiled as she yelled out at the top of her lungs.
“Happy New Year!!!”
And as soon as she yelled it that is when she went for a kiss. Diamond on the other hand didn’t even bother with that. Instead the moment that the clock struck midnight is the very moment that she quickly dropped down to her knees. She looked up into Dawn’s eyes as she pulled out a box with a ring in it. She smiled as her eyes met with Lohan’s.
“Will you marry me again, this time we do things the right way?!”
Dawn thought about it as she watched Kate slide the ring onto her finger. So many different emotions were running through Dawn’s mind but after everything that she had been through there was only one thing that Dawn could say as she kept looking into the eyes of her former spouse. She nodded her head in agreement as she quickly lifted Diamond up and squeezed the very life out of her. Dawn’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree as she smiled warmly.
“Yes…”
Diamond didn’t know what to say as she jumped around excitedly.
“Wait… Yes as in you will?!”
“Yes Kate!!! I will marry you again… Let’s just make sure we do things right this time…”
Diamond smirks.
“Sounds like a plan to me… I love you so much…”
With that the couple just kisses one another as we go elsewhere.
How’s it going SCW?!
I just want to say from the bottom of my heart that it feels really good to be booked and I will be the first to tell you that I did not like how my career in this company has been thus far. I know I haven’t really amounted to anything and if there was ever a time for me to step up and make things happen, I know that time would indeed be now. Despite whatever you might know about me nothing in this past matters. The only thing that is relevant is what’s going to happen as soon as I step into that ring and you can rest assure that I am going to do everything in my power to walk away with a win.
Last year my life was in shambles. My love life went right down the toilet and I know that it had an impact on what I did in the ring. I couldn’t focus, I couldn’t sleep, hell I barely could even eat because my mind was on how I lost Dawn Lohan and how she was no longer part of my life. She was everything to me and I had drove a huge wedge in our relationship and that is when the two of us were starting to separate from one another.
I felt like I was at a low and I just kept going further and further into the barrel and dwelling deep in my depression. With the way that the year ended I can personally say that those issues are officially gone. Now I am happy to have her back in my life again. Not only is she back but I can safely see that we are engaged and that this year is going to be a special one.
Since that part of my life is officially fixed now we can focus on the wrestling aspect and despite how bad things might seem it looks like I have a great opportunity that is right in front of me. I have the chance to start the year off with a big bang and I could put some gold around my waist.
I am not going to argue why the champions decided to give me this opportunity. The only thing you need to understand is that I am going to do everything in my power to walk away with a win. It sounds crazy because I have accomplished so much throughout my wrestling career. I have won mid-card championships after mid-card championship. I been hardcore champion elsewhere and I have even risen to the top of the food chain as a former World Champion, but the only thing I have only managed to do just one time was be a tag team champion.
It was a reign that only had occurred when I was teaming up with my husband and it’s something that really didn’t last that long, I will be the first one to tell you that I don’t really play well with others. I am more of a solo act but if people want to be in the Christmas move and hand out title shots I am not going to be one to disagree with how things are being done. You better believe that I am going to make the very most of this opportunity and I am going to strut right down to that ring and wrestle as if it is the match of my entire life.
I have worked too damn hard to be considered an after-thought. I have been on the backburner for far too long and if there was ever a time to personally step up and be the wrestler and woman that I know I could be. I would say that now is definitely that time.
It would have been easier for me to pick a partner of my choosing. That way it would better my chances at walking away with a huge win and I know I would have something to celebrate over. Honestly though it really doesn’t matter to me. If I truly am that good and if I have the ability my own skills should speak for themselves and just like what happened at Fatal Fortune I can walk away with a win.
That’s the type of athlete that I am and I plan to give my all no matter the situation or the circumstance. I have been at this level of mediocrity for far too long. I have been a training dummy far too much for my liking.
However this match everything changes. Champions you better watch out before I will shine bright like a Diamond and I can only go up from here. See you soon…
New Year’s Day
Diamond Steele’s life had been a complete up and down affair. Last year started off with her being as happy as she could possibly be. The married life was the best possible life and things were indeed good. However her entire world changed for the worst when Kate did something stupid and it caused for her wife Dawn Lohan to ask for a divorce. Normally a divorce wouldn’t have hurt considering Diamond would have expected it to come. On top of that she would have seen it coming especially seeing as she had been down that road once before with her previous husband Teddy. However what she didn’t expect is for Dawn to ask for an annulment which meant that none of that time spent together really happened in her eyes. It was as if things were non-existent and it was all make pretend.
Diamond’s summer would end up being absolute hell. Despite being caught up in an annulment it just made her want Dawn even more. She could only think about what she lost. She had tried dating but none of that worked. Her mind was locked solely on Dawn Lohan and little did she know that over time Dawn felt the same. The two of them would end up getting back together and life felt right again.
Everything felt to be going in the right direction. Thanksgiving was special, Christmas was even better, and this couple definitely deserved one another. It was New Year’s Eve as Diamond and Dawn both glanced at the television as they were waiting for the ball to drop.
Diamond smirked as she turned her attention over to her girlfriend.
“The New Year is coming doesn’t this feel amazing, we get to break into the New Year together again…”
The countdown appeared on the television screen as Dawn smirked wrapping her arms around Diamond as she looked down into her eyes.
“This is the only way that I want to spend it. I couldn’t imagine spending it with anybody else. I can’t believe that we were split up but as long as we promise to be there for one another life is going to be amazing for the both of us. Maybe this is what life is about for the two of us. We are getting this second chance to really make things right…”
Diamond wraps her arms around Dawn in return as she squeezes as tightly as she possibly can. She keeps her eyes locked on the bigger blonde as a smile escapes her lips.
“I won’t ever hurt you again. I am sorry for breaking your heart. Honestly I don’t know where my life would be if you weren’t in it. Nothing felt the same. Wrestling felt empty to me. Life felt empty, and my heart wasn’t complete but now that we are here together everything is put back to where it needs to be, and my life is now complete…”
Dawn nods her head as she squeezes even tighter. It’s apparent that the two lovebirds couldn’t keep their hands off of one another. The clock started to tick down and Diamond kept her eyes locked on the television as it was about to hit midnight. There it was the final countdown.
10..
9…
8…
7…
6…
5…
4…
3…
2…
1…
Dawn smiled as she yelled out at the top of her lungs.
“Happy New Year!!!”
And as soon as she yelled it that is when she went for a kiss. Diamond on the other hand didn’t even bother with that. Instead the moment that the clock struck midnight is the very moment that she quickly dropped down to her knees. She looked up into Dawn’s eyes as she pulled out a box with a ring in it. She smiled as her eyes met with Lohan’s.
“Will you marry me again, this time we do things the right way?!”
Dawn thought about it as she watched Kate slide the ring onto her finger. So many different emotions were running through Dawn’s mind but after everything that she had been through there was only one thing that Dawn could say as she kept looking into the eyes of her former spouse. She nodded her head in agreement as she quickly lifted Diamond up and squeezed the very life out of her. Dawn’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree as she smiled warmly.
“Yes…”
Diamond didn’t know what to say as she jumped around excitedly.
“Wait… Yes as in you will?!”
“Yes Kate!!! I will marry you again… Let’s just make sure we do things right this time…”
Diamond smirks.
“Sounds like a plan to me… I love you so much…”
With that the couple just kisses one another as we go elsewhere.
How’s it going SCW?!
I just want to say from the bottom of my heart that it feels really good to be booked and I will be the first to tell you that I did not like how my career in this company has been thus far. I know I haven’t really amounted to anything and if there was ever a time for me to step up and make things happen, I know that time would indeed be now. Despite whatever you might know about me nothing in this past matters. The only thing that is relevant is what’s going to happen as soon as I step into that ring and you can rest assure that I am going to do everything in my power to walk away with a win.
Last year my life was in shambles. My love life went right down the toilet and I know that it had an impact on what I did in the ring. I couldn’t focus, I couldn’t sleep, hell I barely could even eat because my mind was on how I lost Dawn Lohan and how she was no longer part of my life. She was everything to me and I had drove a huge wedge in our relationship and that is when the two of us were starting to separate from one another.
I felt like I was at a low and I just kept going further and further into the barrel and dwelling deep in my depression. With the way that the year ended I can personally say that those issues are officially gone. Now I am happy to have her back in my life again. Not only is she back but I can safely see that we are engaged and that this year is going to be a special one.
Since that part of my life is officially fixed now we can focus on the wrestling aspect and despite how bad things might seem it looks like I have a great opportunity that is right in front of me. I have the chance to start the year off with a big bang and I could put some gold around my waist.
I am not going to argue why the champions decided to give me this opportunity. The only thing you need to understand is that I am going to do everything in my power to walk away with a win. It sounds crazy because I have accomplished so much throughout my wrestling career. I have won mid-card championships after mid-card championship. I been hardcore champion elsewhere and I have even risen to the top of the food chain as a former World Champion, but the only thing I have only managed to do just one time was be a tag team champion.
It was a reign that only had occurred when I was teaming up with my husband and it’s something that really didn’t last that long, I will be the first one to tell you that I don’t really play well with others. I am more of a solo act but if people want to be in the Christmas move and hand out title shots I am not going to be one to disagree with how things are being done. You better believe that I am going to make the very most of this opportunity and I am going to strut right down to that ring and wrestle as if it is the match of my entire life.
I have worked too damn hard to be considered an after-thought. I have been on the backburner for far too long and if there was ever a time to personally step up and be the wrestler and woman that I know I could be. I would say that now is definitely that time.
It would have been easier for me to pick a partner of my choosing. That way it would better my chances at walking away with a huge win and I know I would have something to celebrate over. Honestly though it really doesn’t matter to me. If I truly am that good and if I have the ability my own skills should speak for themselves and just like what happened at Fatal Fortune I can walk away with a win.
That’s the type of athlete that I am and I plan to give my all no matter the situation or the circumstance. I have been at this level of mediocrity for far too long. I have been a training dummy far too much for my liking.
However this match everything changes. Champions you better watch out before I will shine bright like a Diamond and I can only go up from here. See you soon…