A Divine Encounter

[Vladimir Strife]

As rain pounds against the cement outside of a Concord cathedral, our scene comes in with the white noise. It is dark outside, the day retired as a louder patter of boots becomes audible. A figure climbs the steps before the towering structure as a flash of lightning illuminates it's plentiful colored glass windows, depicting the most iconic scenes of the literature preached within it's confines. The coattails of the silhouette's flowing jacket flap in the breeze of the oncoming storm, the trailing seam snapping like a whip. The shadow tugs at the door and it swings wide, the wind nearly stealing it from his grasp. Light bathes the misplaced Monarch of Madness, who crosses the threshold and leaves the bitter weather behind him.

He paces down the aisle slowly and deliberately, drawing ever closer to the stage before stopping to slip into the second to front pew. He leans back and kicks up his feet, resting them upon the bench before him, looking around to take in the gaudy decor of the establishment. A bit of wonderment filled him, as if he'd discovered some vast new land, such places long foreign to him. It had been many a years since the GodKing had found himself inside a house of the Lord, since his sister had wed, long before the onset of his career.

"Don't think this is some grand coincidence.. You and I both know I didn't come for the complimentary wafers.. I wouldn't be opposed to some wine, however, though it's my understanding that water will suffice in lieu of that."


TBCB a certain Jackass

[Tamatoa Harikoa]

Hayden had heard the Godking approach long before Vladimir had sat down. The emptiness of the hall, the polished marble floor and the high arching ceiling all lead to very live acoustics in the cathedral. Each footstep that Strife had taken had echoed tenfold around the ceiling. So Hayden wasn't surprised at the opening statement from the Godking, however, he was surprised to see Vladimir Strife... in a church.

The Jackass lifts his head from where it had been resting - on his hands, clasped together in a 'prayer-pose' and lent against the front-most pew. He flashes a glance at Vladimir, noticing the mixture of wonderment and uneasiness in his demeanor. Hayden speaks softly, without any vinegar in his voice to speak of.

"It's customary to have the two together though, blood without the body... That'd be a little morbid. This is no small moment, Vladimir Strife, in the flesh, in a church..."


Hayden stops for a moment and takes the moment in. This only serves to make Vladimir more uneasy about the whole situation.

"So, I take it you have been doing some thinking then? What internal battles and demons have led you to set foot here today Vlad. I'm half surprised that you haven't burst into flames on entry. Have you finally decided to take me up on my offer to pray with you?"


Hayden smiles at the behemoth of EVPW, a friendly smile intended to ease the tension. With Vladimir's demeanor going unchanged, he is unable to see if his attempt had been successful.

TBCB Vlad

[Vladimir Strife]

"Ah, prayer.. I never did quite understand that. If God has this grand plan, then what is the point of pleading for him to change something?"

Hayden smiles, his eyes drifting to the large cross situated behind the altar and the man upon it, clad in a simple cloth and a crown of thorns.

"The truth is that I don't know. None of us truly know the bigger questions, Vlad, but we don't have to. If I had to wager a guess though, I'd say it's because He values humility and mercy. They say that He never gives more than what He knows you can handle, but perhaps sometimes He does sometimes and merely shows that mercy when we admit that it's too much.."

He looks back to to the Romanian, finding a smirk upon his face. Although he is glad to see a break in his previously stoic demeanor, he is a bit confused by it.

"Humility... mercy... more than we can personally handle.. this all sounds rather foreign to me. You were more along my lines with the internal struggles. You know what really kills me about all of this?"

"I haven't the slightest clue."

Hayden's voice was quite comforting, like that of an old friend. In spite of the vicious battle the pair would have in the near future, there was no hostility within him toward the Solid Core veteran. It tripped up Vladimir momentarily, who was unfamiliar with such kindness.

"This right here... all of this.. is the variable in our equation. We each come from foreign countries, debuted around the same time, each incredible talented stars. We even began our careers with winning streaks and became known for our abilities in hardcore wrestling. We went on to become two of the biggest names in the industry of the business who hold more honors and have had more titles that entire stables. By all means, we were afforded nearly identically equal opportunity in this business. Yet we walk so very different paths..'

"You were always the stand up guy who fought for what is right and I terrorized everyone in sight, punishing and tormenting opponents. You fell in love with Amanda and nearly eloped and I... well, I'm not proud of what I did and it needn't be said.. You found balance to life and career and I poured myself into this and watched my personal life go to hell. You always walked the righteous path.. you're probably the most moral man I've ever met.. and I the most immoral villain."

The Kiwi nods and leans back against the pew.

"How has that worked out for you?"

The GodKing looks around the grandeous cathedral and again begins to feel a bit uneasy at it all.

"It's made me a millionaire and possibly the most infamous legend that there is.. so I can't truly complain.. but those little demons you spoke up.. the internal struggles.. I probably have enough of those to construct Hades.."

Vladimir closes his eyes and shakes his head, trying to shrug off the topic and the thoughts.

"And what have you found along your path?"

tbcb Hayden

[Tamatoa Harikoa]

Hayden watches Vladimir Strife, the struggle inside of him as clear to see as the light of day. The Kiwi, in an attempt to take the conversation away from the touchy subject for a moment, focuses the scope on himself.

"We might have chosen different paths, but the end product is still the same Vlad. I did fall in love with Amanda, she's still the only person I can say I have ever truly loved. The day that I lost her hurts more than all of the title losses, all of the pain that I've ever gone through in that ring - the broken bones heal, but a broken heart... that's a wound to the soul, irreparable.

At the end of the day, we both find ourselves here; seeking answers to questions we dare not ask and wondering if there is really a point behind all of our trials. You're not alone in this Vladimir."

The words seem to comfort Vladimir. The tortured Romanian opens his eyes once more. Hayden smiles at him, a sheepish smile that attempts to break the uncomfortable air.

"We've both done well for ourselves, both risen to the top of the mountain and both can look back over long careers with pride. But both of us have our demons inside - yes, you perhaps more than me... I've come to terms with my shortcomings and failures, I have felt that weight lift off my soul. Just imagine how great it would feel to have the weight of Hades lift off your soul. Nothing is unsalvageable Vlad. A legacy is nothing to look back on if the struggle inside yourself is killing you.

Don't you want to look back over your kingdom and know that the greatest battle of all was one that you won? The battle within yourself, Vladimir versus Vladimir... There is a part of you crying out for the peace that I feel inside."

Hayden looks directly at Vladimir now, letting the GodKing know that the ball is in his court. The Kiwi knows that Vladimir is uneasy in his surroundings, but he also knows that deep down inside, Vladimir actually wants to be here.

TBCB Vladimir

[Vladimir Strife]

A feint smile comes over the face of the GodKing as he takes another glance around the sanctuary. He eventually rests his eyes upon what will be his final challenge.

"I'm afraid it's far too late for that, my friend. We're different creatures, I'm afraid. I've had peace in my heart before.. albeit not the one that you have.. and I enjoyed it. Such a serene contentment. It only ever temporarily satisfies me. The truth, as sad as it may seem, is that I'm addicted to all of this rage I carry. That internal struggle fuels me. Like an automobile, I only seem to be going anywhere when those multitude of combustion propel me. I don't think I could do what we do with peace in my heart.. It's just not who I am."

Vlad leans back against the seat, seeming to finally take a bit of comfort in his surroundings. His expression turns serious though as he contemplates how to proceed.

"I respect who you are, Hayden. I respect what you believe and how you lead your life... but I can't do it. I've been here before.. so many damn times. Just circling the place, sometimes parking in the lot and just sitting there for hours on end. Every bit of me wishing I had that.. that I could believe these creeds and tales.. but I can't. I worried for a time that I was broken or shun by your God and told myself that it was simply because there was nothing to feel and that it's silly. There is something to feel.. regardless of it's veracity, which I don't profess to be able to swear to in either sense.. people feel something when it comes to all of this."

The GodKing chuckles a little and thumbs the pendant on his necklace, a miniature Sword of Mars that had brought him good fortune.

"I don't suppose it's all that more strange than this, however. A necklace that's supposed to protect me and give me strength.. not that different from yours at all, really."

Vlad tucks it back in under his shirt and tries to gauge Hayden's reaction.

"I'm curious.. but afraid it seems this is the one thing that I can't do. Tell me, Hayden... this match we'll be walking into.. this hell.. are you ready?"

tbcb HH

[Tamatoa Harikoa]

Hayden waits a very long time before responding, the silence in the air seeming to scream at the pure tension caught up in Hayden's reply. When the Kiwi finally does reply, he looks straight in Vladimir's eyes; cold steely determination that let both him and the GodKing know that in fact his words were a revelation of his true beliefs.

"I am more ready for this in my heart than any other decision I have made in my life, bar coming to faith. Vladimir, my entire career has let to this point. All the twists and turns, all the curveballs and intersections - all roads lead to the Asylum Cage... All roads lead to Hayden versus Vladimir strife.

I really don't want to step into the ring with you, purely because I know just what hell it will be. I'm not ignorant and I'm not blind... I simply must. There is no peace, no rest until we both have this closure..."

Hayden stops mid-sentence, an ambivalent look of thoughtfulness and turmoil on his face. He seems caught between his thoughts in the previous thirty seconds and what he is about to say. Finally, the Kiwi closes his eyes, blinking for an abnormally long time. When he opens them again, the look of steely determination had returned.

"I mean it when I say, victory or die trying. I am literally willing to put my life on the line in there. I know that neither of us are going to walk out of that arena. I realise that this match is going to be the most brutal, violent encounter that these people have ever seen. I know in my soul that this match is going to be the thing that goes down in history for the both of us. This will be the match that we talk about in ten years time.

There is not going to be a happy ending to this Vlad. We're not going to walk out of that arena arm in arm and singing each other's praises. As you say, it's going to be hell - I realise that... I've made my peace with the fact that I will never wrestle again. I don't need to protect my body for the next match and I am willing to do everything that it takes... So, yes, I am ready to go through hell and back."

Hayden adjusts his position in the pew while his words echo around the high ceiling of the cathedral. A figure of Jesus nailed to the cross stares down at the pair from behind the sacred altar. Subconsciously, Hayden grabs at the crucifix pendant under his shirt momentarily before asking Vladimir the inevitable flip side of the GodKing's question.

"So, are you ready? Are you ready to step foot into that arena, knowing that it will be for the last time... ever?"

Again, the words ring around the ceiling of the church before Vladimir is able to respond.

tbcb Vlad

[Vladimir Strife]

A quite serious and contemplative look washes over the features of the Romanian as he considers how to proceed with his answer. It was a question he had asked himself many times over but always seemed to cycle back around to, knowing in his heart that he was not content with the answer that he knew to be true.

"No.. but the truth is that I never would be. I'm sure you have quite a lot going on for you out here in this world, Hayden. You family, your friends, your religion, perhaps some hobbies. I don't. I've never felt quite so comfortable out here in the 'real world' as I do inside of that ring. In there... I'm the greatest of all times. I'm a legend whose very name oozes with granduer and prestige. Out here, I'm just some tempermental dick in need of anger management. Heh.. maybe that's why I've always done so well. There's nothing to hold me back, nothing to distract me, and my time outside of the lockerroom is mostly consumed by a constant consideration of what lies ahead for me in this business and what I can do to advance my legacy."

The GodKing sighs and looks over to the cross upon the altar, looking at the sorrowful eyes of the reedemer a moment before shaking his head and breaking the gaze, having always been perterbed by the lifeless stare of nonsentient eyes.

"The truth though is that I don't really have much of an option here. I can't continue to just go out there week in and week out and do this.. I've put it all on the line time and time again and while I've been so lucky or gifted, all depending on who you ask, as to come ahead almost every time.. It's taken a huge toll on my body. And well.. This will kill me if I don't suck up my pride and walk away while I'm still able.."

Strife looks at his opponent and then down and off to the side, unsure of how much to tell the Kiwi. He was one of the few persons in this business that he felt like he could trust, but he was to be the opponent of the biggest match of his career and far be it from him to elicit and pity or mercy that might restrain the yin to his yang.

"Look.. those internal struggles you talked about... I've got quite a bit of them. A bit more than anyone knows. And frankly, there's something I have to do in regards to that... and simply put, I can't do what I need to and give that the full attention that it deserves and also give this business my full attention. And you know as well as I do that I'm not willing to half-ass anything that I care about. Besides... the last thing I want is to sully my legacy.. sticking around until the problems stack up so high that I become a parody of what I am. No thank you. I've always wanted to go out with the kind of match that would keep my legacy cemented for the rest of eternity. I want people, when they hear or think of my name.. to think of top tier, high octane entertainment.. not some pitiful man withering away and embarassing himself."

TBCB Hayden

[Tamatoa Harikoa]

Hayden simply nods, understanding every word that the GodKing speaks on a personal level. The pair, sitting together in the pews of the cathedral, mull over the similarities in their own walks. The silence that accompanies the thinking is not an awkward silence, yet it is equally as uncomfortable. Both men face the reality of life in different ways, both men face their career's end - at the hands of the very person that they are opening up to. The irony is not lost on Hayden, who begins to laugh quietly to himself after a while.

"Did I miss something?"

The chuckling had woken Vladimir from his thoughts. He looks inquisitively at Hayden, unsure if he has become the short end of a joke at his expense by opening up to the Jackass. Hayden smiles at him, clapping him on the shoulder.

"It's nothing really. Just the irony of this all - in theory, we are the last people that we both should be talking to about all this. Hell, we are about to end each others' careers here Vlad. The magnitude of that statement is huge.

Very soon, there will be a wrestling world without Hayden HardKore and Vladimir Strife in it - very soon, all we are going to be is legacies and memories. As much as I have prepared myself for that day, the reality is that it is still going to hit me like a bus when it finally comes. Maybe that is why I am pouring everything I have into this match - the win or die trying attitude. I don't want to walk out of that arena, I will need to be carried out... Because the reality is that I'm not sure I could bring myself to walk back through that curtain after our match, knowing that it is all over - I don't have that kind of will power.

So, please, Vlad... With all of the legacies, faith and internal demons that we are battling with... Kick my ass, give me the beating of a lifetime. Beat me to within an inch of my life. I promise that I will repay the same favour."

Hayden looks at Vladimir once more, unable to read the expression on the GodKing's face, as his head is bowed and almost touching the pew in front of him.

"This match, it is going to set the tone of the future of this business. We need to go out there and set the example of what other should aim towards, what others should aspire to live up to. This match needs to be the greatest that each of us have ever fought Vladimir - you realise that is going to be one hell of an ask?

When people remember each of us, they will remember us at the very top of our games. We need to show people that we are in fact going out on top - cement the legacy. Then, and only then, will either of us be at peace about this retirement."

Hayden stands, walking over to the altar of the church. Reaching over the altar, he picks up a chalice, full of red wine. Vladimir watches him as he does, not speaking a word. With the chalice in one hand, Hayden grabs two small slices of flat bread. With the items in hand, Hayden walks back over to Vlaimir.

"Forget Jesus, forget faith - this is about two gods clashing. From one god to the next, Vladimir... You need to know that I will continue to pray for your soul, whether you like it or not. But come our match, this is my legacy..."

Hayden takes the bread, putting the chalice down on the marbled floor for a moment. He lifts one of the pieces up, almost ceremoniously.

"Hold out your hands."

Vladimir, albeit reluctantly, abides Hayden's request.

"The only way that we are going to put on a show worthy of the magnitude that this deserves is by giving absolutely everything we have got. A covenant, Vladimir Tepes Strife, worthy of a god.

This is my covenant...

Vladimir, this is a symbol of my body - that I am willing to lay on the line. My body, broken for you."

With that, Hayden breaks the small circle of bread and places it into Vladimir's reluctantly waiting hands. Strife's hands, now filled with two unevenly broken halves of the flat bread, do not move from their position, resting on the pew in front of him. Hayden continues his covenant declaration, holding up the chalice once more.

"Vladimir, this is a symbol of my blood - that will undoubtedly be spilled at your hands. My blood, poured out for you."

Hayden holds up the chalice, beckoning for Vladimir to first eat the bread, then to take a sip of the wine within.

Tbcb Vlad

[Vladimir Strife]

The GodKing pops the bread into his mouth, mulling it over with his molars awkwardly. His eyes on Hayden the entire time, he finally swallows it after a few seconds and takes the chalice, sipping a bit of wine from the lip of the cup. He gives an uneasy smile and returns the favor, allowing his future opponent to reciprocate the ritual, albeit with less hesitation.

"Hayden.. I have searched for years for the endgame to this madness. For a lot of that time, I believed that endgame to be defeat. I thought that if I could merely find someone to best me in the ring, I could feel free from it. That I wouldn't feel so compelled to do this, that I could at least find my stay in this business to be a choice, not a necessity. I thought the end of the streak gave way to the conclusion of my story. Barring that, I knew I couldn't stop. I couldn't just walk away undefeated and leave that hanging there, wondering how it would have turned out."

"I sought out the best I could find, over and over. When I finally found it though, when KingBear defeated me, it just wasn't what I wanted. A loss, sure, but I felt like the question still hung as to if I were the best and that it was very strong. The same thing I felt when Desperado defeated me and when Rhaps defeated me. And I've realized that that will never end. The best I can hope for is to give the most definitive answer I can against you in the hopes that even if it doesn't answer the question... I can rest peacefully knowing I've given the best answer that I can."

Vladimir straightens his coat out as he stands before the fellow legend, his eyes and demeanor stiffened with determination and seriousness.

"I have made a legacy that resonates throughout the world... by taking people to their very limits and beyond. By breaking bodies and spilling blood.. by way of total carnage, I suppose one might say. When we step into the Asylum Cage together... a sort of hell you just can't really grasp until you've seen it first-hand.. I am going to throw everything left in this old beaten and battered body at you.. and I know better than to expect anything less from you. And if we don't find that epic conclusion to our two legendary stories that we seek somewhere within that chaos.. we can at least find peace in the understanding that it doesn't exist."

TBCB Hayden or EOT