Arcadia Underground #2 - Contractual Obligations
Arcadia Underground
The Ninth Circle
Note: Deadline is May 7, 10 am GMT
Word Count: 250
Main Event
Undercard
I walked the edge of the Spires once. I felt the heat rising, I saw vines choking on soot, petals turned to ash, and bees entombed in silence.
It smelled like grief.
And yet… there was something else buried beneath it all.
Hope.
You were that hope once, weren’t you, Herbert? A man of soil and sunlight. A caretaker of beauty.
Now you trade in rot.
You barter narcotic blossoms and whisper secrets of mythic roots... And still… the Spires remain broken.
Why?
Because you forgot something vital.
You cannot buy back what you failed to defend. You cannot revive the world by bending to the worst of it.
I know loss. I watched the Sanctum burn. And like you, I wanted to undo it all.
But resurrection is not reclamation. It is rebirth. It begins within.
You sell seeds as if they sprout forgiveness.
But your garden died because the root rotted—not from the soil, but from the soul.
So hear me now.
You may bring the scent of wilted herbs and the weight of forgotten gardens—but I come bearing the heat of conviction, a fire that refuses to die.
You chase beauty like a rumor in the dirt.
I carry the flame that protects it. Not for indulgence, because beauty must be earned, not engineered.
And only one of us still remembers how to keep that fire alive.
I am Kai Lyr. The last of the Luminous Veil.
And my flame still burns.
Most people love roses.
They’re pretty impressive. Rich vibrant colours, blinkin’ beautiful symmetry. A soft scent, one lil’ sniff can awaken the deepest emotion.
People have many reasons to love roses. Just like they have many reasons to love the Luminous Veil.
The fucking rose of humanity you are, Kai-lee. Devoted to peace, love, sunshine and fuckin’ rainbows. People see you, and they see a perfect bloody rose of a knight.
But I’m not most people. I’m a gardener… and I fuckin’ hate roses.
They’re finicky temperamental bloody plants, the fussiest bloody things in the whole garden. They need their soil just right, to be pruned at just the right time. Watered, cared for meticulously.
If you don’t treat yer roses right, they’ll wither and die on you… Just like the rest of yer little knight buddies Kai-lee.
On the off chance you get a damned rose to bloom, there’s only a matter of time until it wilts. A touch of frost or bad weather, and that rose is a gonner. The Luminous Veil once bloomed, didn’t it, mate?
But that was a long time ago. Since then, you’ve simply been waving in the bloody wind waiting to die like the rest of your friends.
The rest of Arcadia might love looking at roses like you knights.
Not me.
I’m waiting for yer petals to finally fall off so I can be rid if yer Luminous fucks.
Because Roses are nothing but damned work. Bastard bloody pain in the ass flowers.
Guess who's back!?
That's right, it's ya boy, Chet Roderick!
You ever been backstabbed by someone you believed you could trust with your life? Only for him to fucking snitch on you and send you to the slammer?
That was my buddy Quincy for you. He was the guy that I sent out as errand boy to grab some supplies, if you catch me.
One day, he didn't come back after I sent him down to the Slums. Figured he bit the bullet, so I got prepared to send someone else to take what he failed to receive.
Turns out I didn't have to. The douchelord ratted me out to the APD after frisking him. I ended up getting arrested and spent two weeks in jail because of him.
When I got bailed out by my dad, I took care of the rat bastard myself. I ripped his dick off and force fed it to him while he bled out. Dealing with assholes like him requires the party to get a little violent, you hear?
You ever do anything to the dickhead that ruined your drug empire, Javier? Or did you let him walk, letting him get away stitch free for snitching?
Knowing how you couldn't make a geezer like Herb bleed, probably the second thing.
If you're too much of a pussy to kill a snake, then you definitely stand no chance against me.
Ain't no party like a Roderick party! 'Cause they don't stop until you drop dead!
Y’ever notice how everybody’s got a master?
Could be a man. Could be a devil. Could be a voice in your own head whisperin’ sweet nothin’s about redemption, about servin’ somethin’ greater than yourself.
Hell, even I got one.
See, folks like you, Akimitsu, you call it honor. You tell yourself you’re just payin’ back the man who pulled you outta the fire.
But lemme tell you somethin’, cowboy…
That debt?
It don’t ever get paid.
You can bleed for him, break bones for him, even tear through the underworld for him—and it still won’t be enough. You’ll still wake up every mornin’ chasin’ a peace that ain’t comin’.
'Cause the truth is, masters don’t want equals.
They don’t save you to lift you up. They save you to use you.
You’re a tool, son. A hammer with a name. A weapon wrapped in guilt and loyalty.
You make ‘em feel important. Like they’re doin’ the world a favor. You carry their weight, clean up their messes, take their beatings—but they ain’t ever gonna love you for it.
He owns you.
Just like my master owns me.
But the difference between you and me?
I know it.
I know I’ll never be free. I know I’m a gun with no safety and a name scratched off the barrel.
You?
You’re still prayin’ you can make him savin' you worth it.
You’ll learn the cost of servin’ someone else’s cause.
And I’ll be there to collect it.
“To be immune to pain is the worst thing I could wish upon someone”
“To look at someone with cold eyes and brush them aside because you do not feel their suffering? That is a person that I can hardly call human. But far too many strive to reach that position.”
“Far too many fall to schemes and plots laced with honeyed words. All to escape this concept of pain. This fundamental aspect of the human condition. It drives them to do horrible things, doesn't it, Novacaine?”
“You ran away from the pain and adopted the moniker of something made to numb. And explode your anger outwards on people trying to make it all go away.”
“I never forget my pain.”
“Every scar I have tells a story. Each one is more painful than the last. Knives, fire. You name it. And never once did I consider the solution of feeling no pain.”
“I considered a route that would protect people. One that would prevent these stories from being told on another body.”
“There will always be pain in the world Novacaine, that doesn’t mean that it is right to turn your head and pretend to be numb to the pain. You clearly haven’t learned a lesson in ages. So let me add another story to your body.”
"What’s up, buttercups!"
"Alright, so let’s talk about Vinny Hargraves Jnr - Arcadia’s self-declared ‘New King of Sin’ and apparently ‘Sexiest Man Alive.’ Yawn. If I had a credit for every greasy pretty-boy who called himself a king, I’d own a whole level in Arcadia."
"Vinny, sweetie, being born in a brothel and inheriting daddy’s dirty empire doesn’t make you royalty - it makes you a reboot nobody asked for."
"He’s out here building this sleaze network like it’s innovation. Newsflash, cupcake: just because your club has chrome poles and synth-pop remixes, it doesn’t make it culture. It’s just your trauma in sparkly wrapping paper."
"And I’m not here to kink-shame, okay? I roll with glitter and leather in the same breath when the lights get low - but what Vinny’s selling isn’t liberation, it’s exploitation dressed like empowerment. It’s old control in new heels."
"Vinny thinks credits make him untouchable. The bass might be thumping, but underneath it? You can hear the empire rotting, one beat at a time. Thing is, buttercups, empires like his don’t collapse overnight. They hollow out slowly, until there’s nothing left but glitter and ghosts."
"Vinny, your daddy ruled with fear. You’re trying to rule with filters and pheromones. But charisma without conscience? That burns out, fast."
"You might run Arcadia’s nights for now, Vinny, but the day always comes. And when it does, we’ll see what’s left after the smoke clears and the high wears off."
"Until then? I’ve been lux. Lights out, lovers."
“You felt that, didn’t you?
That silence when the lights came back on.
Myu blood on the mat. I felt it too.
I stood over that steel chair, vision full of dirt, face split wide open,
and all I could think was—
they’re gonna forget me.
Arcadia don’t give a damn what you did last week. It don’t care who you buried. It don’t care about empires, bloodlines, or body counts. It moves fast. Loud. Ruthless.
And I ain’t lettin’ it move without me.
I ain’t beggin’. I ain’t askin’.
I’m takin’.
You think I was dangerous when I sold power by the brick?
Watch what happens when I become the frequency.
Every screen. Every corner. Every whisper.
Calderón.
You don’t tune me out.
You live in me.
You pull the plug?
I’ll crawl through the static
and strangle you with your own silence.
Chet…
You were next before.
Now you’re the message.
You walk like a celebrity.
Smile like Arcadia’s a red carpet.
But when I hit you,
no one’s gonna cheer.
They’re gonna flinch.
You’re not a star.
You’re a stain waiting to happen.
I’m gonna split that arrogant little jaw,
smear your name across the floor,
and when I’m done,
they won’t remember your entrance.
They’ll remember your silence.
I’m not chasing the throne anymore.
I’m the broadcast.
And if they can’t hear you?
You’re already FUCKIN dead.”
You know the problem with kids nowdays?
It’s all instant gratification. A whole generation of attention starved morons who need it all now. There’s no buildup, not anticipation. The seretonin needs to flow into your brain immediately otherwise you get bored and move on.
As a result, your pain, your pleasure, your entertainment fluctuates from moment to moment and lux is the latest flash in the pan to enthrall the masses. Big, bright personality, tight twink in leather pants who needs to maximise his time before it all fades away.
Because let’s face it buttercup, there ain’t jack shit behind those flashing lights and dazzling smile. Surface level entertainment that fades from their mind the moment they look away from the screen. Just another androgenous cumbucket only good for a quick orgasm while they search for the real thing.
Cause unlike you, on and off that screen Vinny Hargraves is someone you never forget. The moment I grace your presence your life changes. Colors become more vivid, the world becomes brighter and the content…oh the content is something you never look away from.
So congrats sweetie, it’s about time you had a collab with a real trendsetter. One that will put your name on their watchlist forever. Don’t worry, the King is for everyone so he’ll make this nice and slow just for you.
As the video we make in that ring.. and out, is gonna be something your ass never forgets.
ARCADIA UNDERGROUND
Show Open:
A cloaked figure walks into the maintenance room of The Ninth Circle. They produce an unmarked canister from beneath their clothing, cracking it open and unleashing a violent red smoke. They place it into the air vents, closing it tight before cranking the A/C to max.
Flash.
We see the members of the Underground crowd as traces of this mixture fills the air. They grow rowdier, cheers for violence become cheers for blood as they begin shouting belligerently, begging for brutality.
Flash.
The members of the Underground Roster, all scattered through the bar, begin to breathe heavily. Their faces contorting into looks of sheer rage, their fists clenched.
Flash.
Mr. Ash stands at his office window, overlooking the crowd, a drink in hand. He smiles, saying that it's time for obligations to be fulfilled.
Vinny Hargraves Jr vs. lux
- Both competitors attack as soon as the cage lowers. lux is uncharacteristically violent as they slam Vinny's face off the steel walls.
- Hargraves trades brutal blows with the Trendsetter, a Red Light Special big boot sending them careening into the cage.
- Vinny drags lux face first across the cage when Chet Roderick appears! He sprays mace through the bars into Vinny's eyes!
- lux capitalizes with a spike DDT, the Viral Smash landing flush allowing them to escape through a now opened cage door.
Winner: lux
Backstage:
Kai Lyr grits his teeth, talking to Akimitsu about his match. Neither man seems to be on the same page, both of them uncharacteristically angry, even anxious. Itou tells Kai he knows how to fight, he doesn't need a pep talk. Kai merely tells him he's on his own then, urging him to go feed himself to the lion. Itou says the only one feasting on victory will be himself, shoving Kai away in anger and leaving to go get ready for his match.
Javier Calderón vs. Chet Roderick
- Chet is cocky as the match begins, taunting Javier, riling him up as he ducks and counters any offense from the frustrated kingpin.
- Javier finally gets momentum, reversing a hurricanrana into a Powder Bomb that breaks him in half!
- Chet crawls towards the ropes, looking up expectantly at the entrance. When nothing happens he pulls brass knuckles from his suit and swings at Javier.
- Calderón ducks the swing, nailing White Line Wrath as he plants Chet with a facebuster, pummeling him with punch after punch after punch, leaving him in a bloody heap before climbing out over the top!
Winner: Javier Calderón
Ringside:
Chet looks out of the ring, cussing, yelling and asking where lux is. The titantron flickers to life to reveal Vinny Hargraves beating the holy hell out of lux! He breaks a stool across the influencer's back, looking to the camera and telling Chet he's next. All the while Javier looks on at the video with a knowing grin.
Novacaine vs Akimitsu Itou
- Itou pounces on Novacaine like a lion, laying into him with well placed strikes. He finishes with a running face wash in the corner that bloodies Nova.
- The Painkiller is quick to his feet, returning the favor with a flurry of brutal blows. Itou catches a haymaker only to get a vicious elbow to the nose!
- Akimitsu fights back with all of his might, kicking Nova in the jaw before trying to climb up the cage to his escape! But Nova stops him from Skipping Bail as he yanks him to the ground with a rear mat slam!
- The Dissection Warrior stumbles to his feet, a jaw crushing Nighty Night knee putting him down for the count as Nova goes for the pin.
Winner: Novacaine
Ringside:
The crowd is rowdy, yelling for more as they throw things at the ring! Beer bottles smash against the cage and Nova follows the lead, beating the hell out of a dazed Itou! Novacaine places him against the cage, nailing a Shotgun Blast dropkick that leaves Itou barely responsive! Kai Lyr rushes to ringside, yanking on the locked cage, telling Novacaine he'll kill him. The Painkiller tells him he can try before the lights go out, Nova disappearing and leaving Lyr to drag Itou out of the ring.
Backstage:
Dirty Herb approaches lux and Chet, both competitors arguing loudly. Chet calls lux useless, lux calls Chet a soyboy. However, the Bloomstalker comes between them, offering a little help. He tells them he's set up a meeting with Javier and Vinny for next week, and if they want revenge, he's happy to tell them where. For a price, of course. Herb leaves them to ponder the idea before heading towards the ring.
Kai Lyr vs Herb Dirt
- Kai ravages Herb with massive lefts and rights, bloodying the old man's nose as he assaults him.
- Dirty Herb Uproots Kai with a scoop slam, following up with a leg drop across the chest! He follows up with a slew of elbows that bust open Kai's lip.
- Herb runs Kai head first into the steel, calling for the end as he grabs him for the Photoslamthesis only for Kai to thumb him in the eye!
- The Sentinel nails a Sentinel's Slam spinebuster that downs Herb. He forces in the Luminous Lock Sharpshooter, wrenching back with every last bit of his strength until Herb is forced to tap in the middle of the ring!
Winner: Kai Lyr
Ringside:
Kai Lyr lets go of the hold, yet he doesn't look ready to end the brutality! The cage rises and both men continue to brawl like men possessed, spilling out to ringside as the crowd roars in approval.
Flash.
Javier brawls backstage with Novacaine, chairs breaking, bottles smashing. Elsewhere Vinny, Akimitsu, lux, and Chet fight throughout the Ninth Circle, unable to help themselves as they lay waste to everything in their path.
Flash.
Mr. Ash is once again in his office, a cigarette between his teeth and a bone chilling smile on his face. He says the contract's thirst has been sated for now, but that next week the final preparations will finally be ready, then the tournament can commence.