Raven sat alone in the middle of the ring, staring down at the blood soaked canvas. His faithful muse flapped his wings, darting from turnbuckle to turnbuckle.
“Jackson, tell me something, do you ever feel like we’re pawns in a much larger scheme? You, yourself have been a loyal servant of the gods, destined to protect their precious way of life at all costs. However, what have you received for all of your efforts, Jackson? For your loyal service to the cause, you’ve been summoned here, with me, to participate in an ancient battle of strength and brutality,” Raven chided, feeling the frustration building inside his body.
“For all the scars you’ve lent them, you’re still trapped here, pitted against members of Arcadia’s outcast society. You hold no value to them, I hold no value to them. We are simply here for their demented entertainment. They clap for each drop of blood. They scream for each ‘FATALITY.’ Yet, you continue to give your all for them. Why?”
Raven gets up from his seated position and walks towards his perched ‘partner.’ The raven cried out as the man known as Vengeance placed his hand on the turnbuckle.
“I, at least, know my role here, Jackson. I don’t pretend to serve a higher purpose. I’m not here to protect and serve. Each week, I play my part to perfection. I’m matched up against an opponent who enjoys pain, suffering, and carnage as much as I do. The official yells ‘FIGHT’ and we engage in the great contest,” Raven sarcastically states, bringing a sly grin to form across his painted face.
“I know there is no saving grace for Arcadia. There is no higher purpose to what we’re doing. We’re performers, Jackson, expendable performers. Our lives are meaningless to those pulling the strings in OSW. We fight, we win, we move on to the next foe in line. If we fall, our carcass is scraped from this canvas and thrown away in the streets. This is the reality of things, Jackson. Everything you’ve devoted your life to is nothing more than a lie. But, perhaps, it is not too late for you to see and hear the truth.”
Raven hopped out of the ring and made his way towards the seating area.
“This week, we’ll stand across from each other, striking our most intimidating pose. We’ll go blow for blow…placing blood, sweat, and tears on that mat,” Raven stated, pointing towards the ring. “They’ll be moments where defeat surely feels at hand for each of us…only for the next ‘round’ to begin. We’ll both glance into the sea of faces that surround us, watching the blood lust grow. Soon, after the Final Approach will be delivered. Glancing up at me from the mat, you’ll hear their screams pulsating throughout the room. I’ll show you your pursuit for the law was a waste, one that’s fallen on deaf ears of the masses. In unison, they’ll scream ‘FINISH HIM’ and Death’s Grasp will overtake you. It will be a ‘FLAWLESS VICTORY.’ It’s a cycle we’re destined to repeat. Quote the Raven, nevermore.”