Post by KingSlayer on Nov 3, 2016 18:38:59 GMT -5
In 1976, the band Rush was falling on hard times. Their last album was met with mediocre reviews, due to their experimental nature of their music. Their producers told them to give up the 12 minute epics and focus on more radio-friendly music. They were almost certain this was going to be their last album, but they weren’t going to back down. It was fight or flight, and they chose to fight. They released the album 2112, which contained a 20 minute epic of the same name. The song, split into 7 parts, told the story of one man’s fight against the world. This album solidified Rush and one of the greatest rock bands the world over. Their beautiful music accompanied by a moving tale of one vs all, made people all over the world fall in love with Rush.
This RP is based off 2112 and the story that accompanies.
And the meek shall inherit the earth...
Overture
The train traces the horizon, racing across the fields of long grass. As I enter the city I take a look out my window...
A line of trees sit on top of a hill, overshadowing the train tracks. The long branches hide the explosion of orange and yellow that disrupts the blue of the sky. Ripples from the sunset bleed through the leaves and flood the fields with light. As I venture further into the vastness of Calgary, the city seems to erect before my eyes. The train tracks split the sea of buildings. I watch the patches of suburbia as they come and go, and an unknown yet familiar feeling arises.
Darkness slowly seeps into the blue sky. Orange windows paint the skyline. The skyscrapers impale the clouds, and the peaks of the buildings vanish in the smog. Lights rapidly exchange on distant roads. The feeling of insignificance gives me a rush of comfort.
This is home.
Goliath
The sound of humming streetlamps brings me back...
December 4th, 2000
The sidewalk is entombed by sparkling piles of snow. Vass’ breath sticks to the window. The usually lively neighborhood is near silent. A crimson truck emerges from behind the sea of houses. Violently, it rips through the snow.
“Daddy’s home!”
Vass was a peculiar boy. He wasn't athletic nor exceptionally smart. When faced with a task, he did only what needed to be done. Nothing more, nothing less. He kept to himself for the most part, which in turn left Vass with only a few friends. Vass was an observer.
The door opens and a burly man steps through the door. His jeans are soaked. He shrugs off his worn leather jacket and throws it aside. Vass and Jen run and clutch his knees.
He chuckles and says.
“It’s past your bedtime.”
Lifting the children, he puts them on either shoulder and carries them to their bedroom. He places them down.
“Dad, can you tell us a story before bed?”
Vass quietly asks his father.
He sighs and pulls a chair toward the bed.
“This is a story about a young boy named David. David was a shepherd in a small village. But there was a giant named Goliath. He was a seven foot tall warrior fighting with the Philistines, who came with an army to take over the village he lived in. The people of the village told stories of Goliath’s strength; he was unbeatable. The King even offered a reward to whoever could slay this giant. David had slain lions before, and he thought he could defeat Goliath.”
The children stare, and listen attentively.
“So with the King’s permission, he took his father’s armor and 5 smooth stones. He marched to battle. He faced the giant with great bravery. Goliath laughed and accepted the challenge. Goliath charged and David, and David pulled out his slingshot. He hit Goliath right in the forehead and the beast fell to the ground. Armed with only a slingshot and a few rocks, he slayed the mighty behemoth. The Philistines saw Goliath and retreated. The End.”
Jen was already asleep, but Vass gazed at his father, his mouth open.
“Go to bed now, Vass.”
His father said. He shuffled over to Vass and kissed him on the head. Vass quietly obeyed and rest his head on his pillow.
This story stuck with Vass for a long time afterward. He knew that one day, he’d face an incredible Goliath of his own.
When that day came, he’d know what to do.
Discovery
UNION CEMETERY
The sign beckons from above. I pull up my collar and continue my trek. The wind tries to push me back, whispering in my ear:
“Turn back.”
I disregard the warning, and navigate through the tombstones. The sky gets darker the closer I get. The weeping wind seems to sympathise with my heartache.
From a distance, I see it. A marble crucifix, engraved with my fathers name.
I rest my hand on the memorial and collapse. Then, I feel a cold hand on my shoulder.
“You don’t remember, do you?”
The voice hits me like a blow to the head.
I turn around to see Terry Robinson.
“Remember what?”
I tremble.
“Your father... he wasn’t the person you think he was.”
I stammer, trying to make out words. Terry cuts me off before I can speak.
“I’ve known him for a long time. In a world full of evil people, your dad was a diamond in the rough. He truly was an amazing person. Nobody in the world was more daring than Slayer. But injuries added up, and he changed.”
A tear rolls down his cheek. He gulps.
“You’re dad… he… neglected you. He abused you, Vass. He was terrible. I just...”
Just like that, everything changed. Vanished memories, all coming back. A dam of broken dreams, torn down. The culmination of emotions overwhelms me.
He sees the helplessness in my eyes, and embraces me as I start to sob.
“I remember.”
Home
“She's all yours.”
A man tells me, handing me a set of keys.
I slip the key ring in my pocket and take a look around. Pale blue walls enclose around me. The room is completely empty, with the exception of a rolled up rug leaning on a wall. Opposite me, a door slowly creaks open. I step through the door and into a smaller room. I throw my backpack to the ground.
All of this… is mine.
I think to myself.
The honking of cars draw me toward the window. I look down to street below. People scramble on the sidewalks. People with places to be, problems of their own. I pivot and lean against the wall, sliding to the floor. I take a deep breath and absorb my surroundings. I think about everything it took for me to be here right now. Everything I've done in the past doesn't matter anymore.
I've made it.
I get to travel the world, doing what I love. Doing what I was born to do. Wrestle.
My eyes draw closed...
The Dream
I stand in the middle of a field. The long grass sways in rhythmic motion. Lightning flashes in the night sky.
I fall to my knees.
Leaves are thrown around by the wind. They circle me. Images of Jen and my father flash before my eyes. Shrieks are heard from a distance, becoming louder and louder. I hold my head and shut my eyes.
Suddenly, the noise is gone. I open my eyes. I’m in a wrestling ring. I look around and see the arena is completely empty. Except for one person. In front of me stands a figure. An oracle. My father is standing in front of me, staring. Slowly, he begins to fade. I climb to my knees and try to charge at him. Before I can make contact, he vanishes.
Soliloquy
I jolt awake, panting, clutching my chest.
A church bell tolls, shaking the walls of my apartment.
I try to talk. I can only make out a few words.
“God-damn… Church.”
I try to smile, but it quickly fades. I've ignored my past for too long. The things Terry told me… He gave me my life back. For the first time in years I feel like… I feel like Vass.
I climb to my feet and walk over to a punching bag, suspended from the ceiling.
I deliver blow after blow, uppercut after uppercut.
I was debating giving up the ‘slayer’ moniker. My father may have been the original, but I still am the slayer. It is no longer a nickname, it's become a way of life.
I strike the bag with ferocious forearms.
I've been in the WFWF for a few months now. I've fought hall of famers, porn stars and weird egg people. But this isn't just another pay-per-view. This is the big one. 9 years of legacy. 9 years of the greatest wrestling the world over. This is huge. The kick-start that my career needs. I've never wrestled 5 other men at the same time, but I'm confident I'm going to win this. The roster better hope I do anyways. 6 men for the last spot in the golden opportunity I've been coming up short as of late, but not this time. I'm going to fight until I can't fight anymore. Until I can't stand any longer and I collapse. This means too much to me to stand idly by as my career slips through my fingers.
The chain breaks and the punching bag falls to the floor. I stare at the bag, panting.
It's fight or flight, and I choose to fight.
Rose Bowl, Pasadena CA
Grande Finale
I lean upon a locker backstage. The cries of the fans can be heard through the walls of the arena.
“You're on in 10, Vass.”
I nod and grab my wrist tape from my bag.
So here I am, standing at a crossroads. This is it. This is my chance to make it in wrestling. This is my chance to fulfill my childhood dream. I’m not doing it for my dad, I’m doing it for me. I will stop at nothing to win. I will make the mighty bow. I will make it to the top, regardless of who I have to get through. There are people who are making fools out of themselves for a spot at the top. Not me.
I rip the tape with my teeth and grab my vest.
"I am The Slayer."
