Post by FarCry on Jan 19, 2018 19:59:47 GMT
----FARCRY----
(Monday Bloody Monday- An Excerpt from the Match with Corey Bull)
“I lifted Noah’s head and forced hit teeth to bare wide. He looked like an uncaged mutt as I forced his broken body to its feet and began an all-out frontal assault on the monster known as Corey Bull.
The beast stood no chance against our onslaught as I forced Knox to continue sending forceful blows into the hard body of the man standing before him, finally forcing the monsters knees to buckle. I knew at this point that it would take a hard attack to send the monster to the ground…”
“I flew out of the ring and hard to the mat below. I tried to force Knox to reenter the ring when I saw it. He was already in the ring writhing in pain. I looked and saw the man whose soul I had been inhabiting far away from me, for the first time aside from looking in a mirror I could see the man I had been torturing all these years. And for the first time I realized that I am no beast, nor a man. I am merely a figment of this man’s imagin…”
---Noah Knox---
(Pinelawn Cemetery)
He felt so lonely.
Maybe it was the knowledge that he KNEW that as long as he followed his own baser instincts that he could be successful in American Wrestling that set him free. But it was a freedom he wasn’t quite ready for. Much like Stockholm’s Syndrome he felt like he deserved to have this evil angel looking over his shoulder and telling him to do the things that he truly felt he wanted to do. He felt like he deserved to be tortured for his actions, and without FarCry driving him insane the silence was doing the job.
He took to listening to books on tape as he tended the cemetery. With his recent winnings he invested in a new phone with the ability to download the Overdrive App and he joined a local library. Currently he was listening to a James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell Novel about Religious Vampires, actually quite the interesting read. It mentioned Rasputin and his torrid past and the whole thing seemed to be a metaphor for Noah’s life at this moment.
In the book the main character is a special type of Vampire Priest called a Sanguine, who rather than drinking blood drank Holy Wine. This particular Sanguine was cursed to live in the darkness as a young man. He had taken many lives before he found the light and became a demon of God. However his greatest sin was sucking the life out of a woman who he loved and who was dying in order to give her everlasting life as he had, and he had hoped she would follow in the ways of the Sanguine as well. She refused and after a battle he was forced to destroy her to the best of his ability. And for the rest of his death he was forced to relive the memory of his awful deeds each time he took a sip of Holy Wine as it burned its way down his throat.
Noah felt a strange kinship with this fictional man beast. He too felt as though as each time he looked in the mirror he was forced to relive the errors of his past. Each time he would get a condescending email from his father patronizing him to return to Australia he was reminded of the young man whose face he busted up so bad that it was unrecognizable. And even though the 17 year old was far larger and seemingly stronger than Noah was at the time it was still an assault on a minor and he could never forget that. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to fight a grown man as a child who doesn’t even know what college he’s going to yet; with his whole life in front of him Noah took it all away from that boy and left him a crumbled mess, never able to play Rugby again and without the skillset to enter a true University in England. And in that one instance he ruined two lives.
Noah was finally beginning to feel normal again. He was finally able to build up the courage to introduce himself to the mourning woman that frequented her father’s gravesite. He made sure that he was manicuring the area by her this time so the altercation could seem as organic as possible. He looked at her looking extra sharp in a tightly fit red pea coat with a wool scarf draped across her skinny neck.
Noah: I’ll take extra special care of him for you.
He said while he raked frozen leaves off a nearby site. She simply turned and smiled before returning her gaze to the fallen champion in front of her. He imagined the life that the man gave her daughter. He imagined the love and support that she got from this man that would force someone to dedicate so much time to being worshipped in the afterlife. Noah knew that if he died in the ring right now no one would so much as bat an eye. His parents may never find out for years and the funeral would be just him and whoever from NBW felt the business obligation to join it.
Woman: He died when I was 21, on my birthday.
She began to Noah’s astonishment while still looking down.
Woman: I was celebrating with my friends and I was piss drunk. When I woke up the next afternoon my mother had told me that he passed away in his sleep while I was sleeping.
She looked up at Noah who had his hands and chin on the bottom of the rake as he listened intently.
Woman: I was a good kid. I never touched a drink other than the occasional sip of champagne at a celebration. I never did drugs; I was valedictorian of my high school. I did everything right and was on top of the world. I go out and enjoy myself with my sorority sisters like that one time and when I come home… ha.
Noah: It’s not your fault.
He didn’t know what else to say, and obviously he chose poorly.
Woman: I know it wasn’t my fault. But it didn’t stop me from sobering up right quick. I never touched the stuff since, not even a sip of champagne for celebration. But there hasn’t been much to celebrate since then.
Noah: I didn’t mean to…
Woman: Don’t worry about it. I’m sorry for venting to you like this. I’ve got a lot of emotion pent up inside and sometimes it just vomits out of me uncontrollably.
She motioned with her hands the words coming from her mouth as she finally looked at Noah, not just towards him. His kind blue eyes stared back at her. His apprehensive look endeared to her.
Woman: My name is Gabriella Pelicane.
She reached a hand out.
Noah: Noah Knox.
He accepted her hand and gave a gentle squeeze to her cold fingers, warming them up instantaneously. She smiled and returned her gaze to her father’s gravesite. Knox took this as a sign to get lost and he continued tending to the rest of the cemetery leaving her be.
The next day she returned, and Noah happened to be tending the same patch of land when he saw her. The next day the same thing happened and the two of them began to laugh while talking to each other, the biggest joke being how the rest of the site was becoming overgrown since he continues to tend to the same spot every day. As feelings he had not felt in some time grew within him, and the loneliness of being alone for the first time lessened he manned up and asked her on a date. She accepted and they were set to meet up next weekend at La Bistro, an Italian Restaurant nearby.
Jerry: As your manager… yes, with your newfound success you’re going to need yourself a behind the scenes manager to handle your finances and bookings, and flights and whatnots. Make sure you have nothing to worry about and maybe I can even start getting paid. General take is 45% but we’ll work something out.
The fast talking Jerry Seaton sat across Noah Knox at the Peter Pan Diner off of Hempstead Turnpike. The upscale diner sat about 150 people but currently only had about 4 tables full of guests. It was quiet just as Noah liked it. Jerry was Noah’s lawyer and apparently his new manager as well. He continued talking while Noah sipped from his cooling coffee mug only half hearing what he was saying.
Jerry… I mean if you want me to be an on air personality I can think about it, but that 45% would likely have to go up to 60% because that’s standard going rate, but that ain’t nothing. A story for another time. Why don’t you tell me how you beat that giant guy, Corey Bull. I didn’t make it to the fights but I love me a good fight story.
Jerry pulled a flask out of his thrift store coat pocket and poured something from the metal container into the coffee mug.
Noah: You know they sell alcohol here, right?
Jerry: I ain’t payin’ five dollar for a shot of whiskey. Now, Corey Bull. How do you chop down a giant.
Noah: I would really rather not talk about it.
Jerry: So modest, that’s what I love about ya, and that’s what the people are gonna love about ya. You see you can’t just go out there and have amazing matches every week. You gotta become one with the people. You gotta show that personality, and that million dollar smile. You gotta maybe hook up with that Mya Denton chick that is following you around.
Noah put his coffee down, seeming to finally hear the words coming out of the shady dealer.
Noah: Who?
Jerry: Modesty, it works. Maybe it will work for you. Keep playing that card alright. It’ll stick soon enough. So you don’t want to talk about Corey Bull… how do you feel about going for that First blood title. Very exciting, 2 weeks in and you’re already named the number one contender.
Noah: I would rather not talk about that either.
Jerry: Well, it seems like I’m the only one doing all the talking here. Maybe I WILL have to become that on air personality after all. Uh, yea, top ‘er off, please.
An older waitress came by with a pot of steaming coffee and topped off their cups. Jerry grabbed sugar packets and creamers and made his coffee. Noah drank his the way it was.
Noah: Did you see that?
Jerry: Yea, it’s called service. Now that you’re a big star you’ll be getting a lot of that.
Noah: Yea, not that though. She filled up our coffee.
Jerry: Service, yea.
Noah: Not the service. Think about it. She brings over fresh cups of coffee. You tear up 2 sugar packets and dump them in. You open up 3 creamers and pour them in and you stir it up. You work that hard to get the coffee the way you want it and even though you’re only halfway done you let her fill it up. So this time you have to adapt. You only need 1 sugar packet and a creamer and a half to get it to your liking.
It’s just funny isn’t it? It’s funny that we work so hard to get things the way we like it and just allow it to be messed with and you acclimate to your new reality. The more you have, and the more you need the more often you have to do this.
That’s why I like my things simple. I like my coffee black. Because life is always throwing you curveballs and they’re always at different parts of the plate. You want to know why I don’t want to talk about Corey Bull, because that was the past. It’s done. I’ve learned from it and I have to move on to the next one. You wanna know why I don’t want to talk about the First Blood Title, because that’s too far in the future, and I have too much to learn yet. I can’t be bothered with that just now when I have another fight staring me in the face right in front of me.
This week I have to not only face off against a vicious trust fund Asian man but the man who defeated me in our first match. All the while teaming up with the man I will be facing in that First Blood title match in a few weeks coming. I can’t be distracted with things that I’ve done and I can’t be distracted with things that I will be doing. I’ve got to keep my head focused and my head on straight.
Too many times have I let myself go. I’ve convinced myself that the world is black and white and when it was time for it to be black I would let the darkness overcome me and make decisions that would detriment me. That’s why I lost to Andre Aquarius. Two weeks ago I allowed myself to see the world in black and white and Andre took advantage of that and pinned me. I wasn’t ready for an attack in the gray which is right where he struck.
Andre has been living in the gray area for some time now. No one lives there better than he does. He’s toeing the line between gangster and entrepreneur. He knows what to say to get people to do things for him, he knows what to do to stay relevant in the eyes of others and he knows how to act to make people think a certain way about him.
People underestimate him. He plays himself off as a lovable and broken man. He lets the world see the side of him that he wants them to see. But when he steps into the ring he brings the pain, and he brings the hate. He brings the frustrations that being a black man in a white man’s world gives him and he unleashes it with fury. I felt that fury, I felt that hate. It’s uncontrollable. It’s defiant and it’s harmful to others. It’s great for this business but it’s hard for him to hold back. Eventually he’s going to let his true colors show. Eventually he won’t be able to hold back any longer and when that day comes, it will come down to him.
Will he be ready for the waitress to pour him a cup of coffee and will he be able to adapt or will he burn himself on the fresh brew?
Noah sipped his coffee and took a bite of what was left of his toast and jelly. Jerry sat there stunned. For the entirety of their relationship Noah had FarCry hovering over him and stopping him from feeling and wanting. But since Noah was freed of that burden he was able to express himself in a way that Jerry had never experienced.
Jerry: You gotta take that shit to the ring! Tell the people what you told me!
Noah: They’ll find out what I said. There are cameras everywhere. Nothing can be kept secret anymore. And this wasn’t for the people. Sure, having their acceptance would be great, but I’m not going out there for anyone’s approval but my own. I’m not fighting who I am or what I am. Not like Son Nyeo.
I actually feel pity for my opponent this week. You see I spent many days of my life alone. I spent them in solitary confinement because it was the safest place for a man like me. In that time I did a lot of reflecting. I really figured out who I am and what I stand for.
I am Noah Knox. I believe in justice. I believe in myself. I believe that people who wrong other people should be punished. And last week, the way that Son Nyeo was treating his opponent was embarrassing for him. He realized that he couldn’t outmatch the man so he decided to out hurt him. Dark Spectre was a fighter. He was doing everything right, but just couldn’t get one over on Nyeo.
Nyeo should have seen this and should have merely adjusted his sugar and cream rather than resorting to the tactics that he resorted to. He got overly violent overly quick and he showed his hand way too early. And in doing so he allowed Spectre to overcome, overwhelm and pick up the victory.
I understand this darkness he keeps inside of him. The confusion, the anger, the struggle to belong. I understand it because I went through it, and I still fall victim to it. It’s fair, and it’s hard, but it’s just. It’s passable. It can be overcome and needs to be overcome. The thing is that I don’t know if Nyeo is ready to overcome it. When the waitress comes by and pours that scalding hot liquid what will he do?
Jerry carefully takes the final sip of his coffee and refuses a refill. Noah accepts his and warms his insides with a refreshing sip. His eyes open, and his mind opens. He feels alive and he feels vulnerable in the most amazing way he can imagine. For so long he was buried under the darkness. So much so he created another voice in his head to show him some light, but that voice was weak because all along he needed to hear his own voice.
When he was setting up the finish of the match with Corey Bull he was presented with a choice. Bull-rush Bull or step back, examine and take control of the situation. The same situation arose with Andre Aquarius and he chose bull rush. He saw Andre struggling for breath, he saw him in agonizing pain and rather than pick up the victory he went for one last big move and got caught and lost.
He saw Corey Bull struggling as well. Noah understood that sometimes it takes high risk moves to get high rewards and against a man the size and stature and strength of Corey Bull he had to take those risks to get the rewards. But each risk was calculated and done with caution. And the decision to power up the monster and deliver Neutralize was deliberately done as well.
Noah showed his hands there as well, showing the strength that prison gives you, but it gives people more things to worry about, allowing him to pull more tricks out of his pocket as well. They may have seen his hands but they haven't seen what's up his sleeve.
Jerry: Check please.
He says to the waitress who obliges, reaches into her apron and pulls out the check.
Jerry: It’s on you.
He smiles as he pushes the billfold his way. Noah opens it up and reads it, happily willing to pick up the bill.
Noah: Funny, 2 coffees charged. One for each of us. Regardless of how many times she refilled it and threw us a curveball there was only one for each of us at the end of the day.
(Monday Bloody Monday- An Excerpt from the Match with Corey Bull)
Corey Bull gets up and lifts FarCry up with him. He throws FarCry into the ropes and delivers a vicious lariat clothesline sending FarCry inside out and hard to the ground. Bull raises his hands in the air and the crowd revels in the brutality. He then wipes his forehead and licks the blood off his fingers before lifting up FarCry and slapping him across the face leaving a handprint of his own blood against the smaller competitors face.
“I lifted Noah’s head and forced hit teeth to bare wide. He looked like an uncaged mutt as I forced his broken body to its feet and began an all-out frontal assault on the monster known as Corey Bull.
The beast stood no chance against our onslaught as I forced Knox to continue sending forceful blows into the hard body of the man standing before him, finally forcing the monsters knees to buckle. I knew at this point that it would take a hard attack to send the monster to the ground…”
On wobbly legs (Corey Bull) stands in the middle of the ring. FarCry runs off the ropes and charges towards Bull again who catches FarCry and delivers a nasty choke slam for his trouble.
“I flew out of the ring and hard to the mat below. I tried to force Knox to reenter the ring when I saw it. He was already in the ring writhing in pain. I looked and saw the man whose soul I had been inhabiting far away from me, for the first time aside from looking in a mirror I could see the man I had been torturing all these years. And for the first time I realized that I am no beast, nor a man. I am merely a figment of this man’s imagin…”
---Noah Knox---
(Pinelawn Cemetery)
He felt so lonely.
Maybe it was the knowledge that he KNEW that as long as he followed his own baser instincts that he could be successful in American Wrestling that set him free. But it was a freedom he wasn’t quite ready for. Much like Stockholm’s Syndrome he felt like he deserved to have this evil angel looking over his shoulder and telling him to do the things that he truly felt he wanted to do. He felt like he deserved to be tortured for his actions, and without FarCry driving him insane the silence was doing the job.
He took to listening to books on tape as he tended the cemetery. With his recent winnings he invested in a new phone with the ability to download the Overdrive App and he joined a local library. Currently he was listening to a James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell Novel about Religious Vampires, actually quite the interesting read. It mentioned Rasputin and his torrid past and the whole thing seemed to be a metaphor for Noah’s life at this moment.
In the book the main character is a special type of Vampire Priest called a Sanguine, who rather than drinking blood drank Holy Wine. This particular Sanguine was cursed to live in the darkness as a young man. He had taken many lives before he found the light and became a demon of God. However his greatest sin was sucking the life out of a woman who he loved and who was dying in order to give her everlasting life as he had, and he had hoped she would follow in the ways of the Sanguine as well. She refused and after a battle he was forced to destroy her to the best of his ability. And for the rest of his death he was forced to relive the memory of his awful deeds each time he took a sip of Holy Wine as it burned its way down his throat.
Noah felt a strange kinship with this fictional man beast. He too felt as though as each time he looked in the mirror he was forced to relive the errors of his past. Each time he would get a condescending email from his father patronizing him to return to Australia he was reminded of the young man whose face he busted up so bad that it was unrecognizable. And even though the 17 year old was far larger and seemingly stronger than Noah was at the time it was still an assault on a minor and he could never forget that. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to fight a grown man as a child who doesn’t even know what college he’s going to yet; with his whole life in front of him Noah took it all away from that boy and left him a crumbled mess, never able to play Rugby again and without the skillset to enter a true University in England. And in that one instance he ruined two lives.
Noah was finally beginning to feel normal again. He was finally able to build up the courage to introduce himself to the mourning woman that frequented her father’s gravesite. He made sure that he was manicuring the area by her this time so the altercation could seem as organic as possible. He looked at her looking extra sharp in a tightly fit red pea coat with a wool scarf draped across her skinny neck.
Noah: I’ll take extra special care of him for you.
He said while he raked frozen leaves off a nearby site. She simply turned and smiled before returning her gaze to the fallen champion in front of her. He imagined the life that the man gave her daughter. He imagined the love and support that she got from this man that would force someone to dedicate so much time to being worshipped in the afterlife. Noah knew that if he died in the ring right now no one would so much as bat an eye. His parents may never find out for years and the funeral would be just him and whoever from NBW felt the business obligation to join it.
Woman: He died when I was 21, on my birthday.
She began to Noah’s astonishment while still looking down.
Woman: I was celebrating with my friends and I was piss drunk. When I woke up the next afternoon my mother had told me that he passed away in his sleep while I was sleeping.
She looked up at Noah who had his hands and chin on the bottom of the rake as he listened intently.
Woman: I was a good kid. I never touched a drink other than the occasional sip of champagne at a celebration. I never did drugs; I was valedictorian of my high school. I did everything right and was on top of the world. I go out and enjoy myself with my sorority sisters like that one time and when I come home… ha.
Noah: It’s not your fault.
He didn’t know what else to say, and obviously he chose poorly.
Woman: I know it wasn’t my fault. But it didn’t stop me from sobering up right quick. I never touched the stuff since, not even a sip of champagne for celebration. But there hasn’t been much to celebrate since then.
Noah: I didn’t mean to…
Woman: Don’t worry about it. I’m sorry for venting to you like this. I’ve got a lot of emotion pent up inside and sometimes it just vomits out of me uncontrollably.
She motioned with her hands the words coming from her mouth as she finally looked at Noah, not just towards him. His kind blue eyes stared back at her. His apprehensive look endeared to her.
Woman: My name is Gabriella Pelicane.
She reached a hand out.
Noah: Noah Knox.
He accepted her hand and gave a gentle squeeze to her cold fingers, warming them up instantaneously. She smiled and returned her gaze to her father’s gravesite. Knox took this as a sign to get lost and he continued tending to the rest of the cemetery leaving her be.
The next day she returned, and Noah happened to be tending the same patch of land when he saw her. The next day the same thing happened and the two of them began to laugh while talking to each other, the biggest joke being how the rest of the site was becoming overgrown since he continues to tend to the same spot every day. As feelings he had not felt in some time grew within him, and the loneliness of being alone for the first time lessened he manned up and asked her on a date. She accepted and they were set to meet up next weekend at La Bistro, an Italian Restaurant nearby.
---Noah Knox and Jerry Seaton---
(Peter Pan Diner)
Jerry: As your manager… yes, with your newfound success you’re going to need yourself a behind the scenes manager to handle your finances and bookings, and flights and whatnots. Make sure you have nothing to worry about and maybe I can even start getting paid. General take is 45% but we’ll work something out.
The fast talking Jerry Seaton sat across Noah Knox at the Peter Pan Diner off of Hempstead Turnpike. The upscale diner sat about 150 people but currently only had about 4 tables full of guests. It was quiet just as Noah liked it. Jerry was Noah’s lawyer and apparently his new manager as well. He continued talking while Noah sipped from his cooling coffee mug only half hearing what he was saying.
Jerry… I mean if you want me to be an on air personality I can think about it, but that 45% would likely have to go up to 60% because that’s standard going rate, but that ain’t nothing. A story for another time. Why don’t you tell me how you beat that giant guy, Corey Bull. I didn’t make it to the fights but I love me a good fight story.
Jerry pulled a flask out of his thrift store coat pocket and poured something from the metal container into the coffee mug.
Noah: You know they sell alcohol here, right?
Jerry: I ain’t payin’ five dollar for a shot of whiskey. Now, Corey Bull. How do you chop down a giant.
Noah: I would really rather not talk about it.
Jerry: So modest, that’s what I love about ya, and that’s what the people are gonna love about ya. You see you can’t just go out there and have amazing matches every week. You gotta become one with the people. You gotta show that personality, and that million dollar smile. You gotta maybe hook up with that Mya Denton chick that is following you around.
Noah put his coffee down, seeming to finally hear the words coming out of the shady dealer.
Noah: Who?
Jerry: Modesty, it works. Maybe it will work for you. Keep playing that card alright. It’ll stick soon enough. So you don’t want to talk about Corey Bull… how do you feel about going for that First blood title. Very exciting, 2 weeks in and you’re already named the number one contender.
Noah: I would rather not talk about that either.
Jerry: Well, it seems like I’m the only one doing all the talking here. Maybe I WILL have to become that on air personality after all. Uh, yea, top ‘er off, please.
An older waitress came by with a pot of steaming coffee and topped off their cups. Jerry grabbed sugar packets and creamers and made his coffee. Noah drank his the way it was.
Noah: Did you see that?
Jerry: Yea, it’s called service. Now that you’re a big star you’ll be getting a lot of that.
Noah: Yea, not that though. She filled up our coffee.
Jerry: Service, yea.
Noah: Not the service. Think about it. She brings over fresh cups of coffee. You tear up 2 sugar packets and dump them in. You open up 3 creamers and pour them in and you stir it up. You work that hard to get the coffee the way you want it and even though you’re only halfway done you let her fill it up. So this time you have to adapt. You only need 1 sugar packet and a creamer and a half to get it to your liking.
It’s just funny isn’t it? It’s funny that we work so hard to get things the way we like it and just allow it to be messed with and you acclimate to your new reality. The more you have, and the more you need the more often you have to do this.
That’s why I like my things simple. I like my coffee black. Because life is always throwing you curveballs and they’re always at different parts of the plate. You want to know why I don’t want to talk about Corey Bull, because that was the past. It’s done. I’ve learned from it and I have to move on to the next one. You wanna know why I don’t want to talk about the First Blood Title, because that’s too far in the future, and I have too much to learn yet. I can’t be bothered with that just now when I have another fight staring me in the face right in front of me.
This week I have to not only face off against a vicious trust fund Asian man but the man who defeated me in our first match. All the while teaming up with the man I will be facing in that First Blood title match in a few weeks coming. I can’t be distracted with things that I’ve done and I can’t be distracted with things that I will be doing. I’ve got to keep my head focused and my head on straight.
Too many times have I let myself go. I’ve convinced myself that the world is black and white and when it was time for it to be black I would let the darkness overcome me and make decisions that would detriment me. That’s why I lost to Andre Aquarius. Two weeks ago I allowed myself to see the world in black and white and Andre took advantage of that and pinned me. I wasn’t ready for an attack in the gray which is right where he struck.
Andre has been living in the gray area for some time now. No one lives there better than he does. He’s toeing the line between gangster and entrepreneur. He knows what to say to get people to do things for him, he knows what to do to stay relevant in the eyes of others and he knows how to act to make people think a certain way about him.
People underestimate him. He plays himself off as a lovable and broken man. He lets the world see the side of him that he wants them to see. But when he steps into the ring he brings the pain, and he brings the hate. He brings the frustrations that being a black man in a white man’s world gives him and he unleashes it with fury. I felt that fury, I felt that hate. It’s uncontrollable. It’s defiant and it’s harmful to others. It’s great for this business but it’s hard for him to hold back. Eventually he’s going to let his true colors show. Eventually he won’t be able to hold back any longer and when that day comes, it will come down to him.
Will he be ready for the waitress to pour him a cup of coffee and will he be able to adapt or will he burn himself on the fresh brew?
Noah sipped his coffee and took a bite of what was left of his toast and jelly. Jerry sat there stunned. For the entirety of their relationship Noah had FarCry hovering over him and stopping him from feeling and wanting. But since Noah was freed of that burden he was able to express himself in a way that Jerry had never experienced.
Jerry: You gotta take that shit to the ring! Tell the people what you told me!
Noah: They’ll find out what I said. There are cameras everywhere. Nothing can be kept secret anymore. And this wasn’t for the people. Sure, having their acceptance would be great, but I’m not going out there for anyone’s approval but my own. I’m not fighting who I am or what I am. Not like Son Nyeo.
I actually feel pity for my opponent this week. You see I spent many days of my life alone. I spent them in solitary confinement because it was the safest place for a man like me. In that time I did a lot of reflecting. I really figured out who I am and what I stand for.
I am Noah Knox. I believe in justice. I believe in myself. I believe that people who wrong other people should be punished. And last week, the way that Son Nyeo was treating his opponent was embarrassing for him. He realized that he couldn’t outmatch the man so he decided to out hurt him. Dark Spectre was a fighter. He was doing everything right, but just couldn’t get one over on Nyeo.
Nyeo should have seen this and should have merely adjusted his sugar and cream rather than resorting to the tactics that he resorted to. He got overly violent overly quick and he showed his hand way too early. And in doing so he allowed Spectre to overcome, overwhelm and pick up the victory.
I understand this darkness he keeps inside of him. The confusion, the anger, the struggle to belong. I understand it because I went through it, and I still fall victim to it. It’s fair, and it’s hard, but it’s just. It’s passable. It can be overcome and needs to be overcome. The thing is that I don’t know if Nyeo is ready to overcome it. When the waitress comes by and pours that scalding hot liquid what will he do?
Jerry carefully takes the final sip of his coffee and refuses a refill. Noah accepts his and warms his insides with a refreshing sip. His eyes open, and his mind opens. He feels alive and he feels vulnerable in the most amazing way he can imagine. For so long he was buried under the darkness. So much so he created another voice in his head to show him some light, but that voice was weak because all along he needed to hear his own voice.
When he was setting up the finish of the match with Corey Bull he was presented with a choice. Bull-rush Bull or step back, examine and take control of the situation. The same situation arose with Andre Aquarius and he chose bull rush. He saw Andre struggling for breath, he saw him in agonizing pain and rather than pick up the victory he went for one last big move and got caught and lost.
He saw Corey Bull struggling as well. Noah understood that sometimes it takes high risk moves to get high rewards and against a man the size and stature and strength of Corey Bull he had to take those risks to get the rewards. But each risk was calculated and done with caution. And the decision to power up the monster and deliver Neutralize was deliberately done as well.
Noah showed his hands there as well, showing the strength that prison gives you, but it gives people more things to worry about, allowing him to pull more tricks out of his pocket as well. They may have seen his hands but they haven't seen what's up his sleeve.
Jerry: Check please.
He says to the waitress who obliges, reaches into her apron and pulls out the check.
Jerry: It’s on you.
He smiles as he pushes the billfold his way. Noah opens it up and reads it, happily willing to pick up the bill.
Noah: Funny, 2 coffees charged. One for each of us. Regardless of how many times she refilled it and threw us a curveball there was only one for each of us at the end of the day.