[The scene opens in a dense, twisted forest. The moonlight barely penetrates the canopy of gnarled trees, casting eerie shadows along the forest floor. A faint trail of breadcrumbs winds deeper into the darkness. Reverend Ezekiel Graves appears, his black robe billowing as he holds a lantern, its light flickering weakly against the gloom. His gaze is cold, intense, as he surveys the landscape.]
“Once, there were two children-Hansel and Gretel-lost in the woods. They followed a trail of breadcrumbs, thinking it would lead them to safety. But in their innocence, they didn’t see the danger ahead. They didn’t realize they were walking toward a house made of lies, toward a fire that would consume them. At Grimm Tales, we walk a similar path, one littered with false promises of glory. But in the end, all paths lead to judgment.”
[The wind howls through the trees, as if the forest itself is whispering warnings.]
“Hansel and Gretel thought they could outwit the darkness, that they could escape the fire. But the fire was always waiting. Just as it waits for Burned Man, Nick Morningstar, Klaus Way, and myself. We are all lost in the woods of Arcadia, following trails of sin, thinking we can find our way. But the woods show no mercy to the lost.”
[Graves’ steps deeper into the forest, the lantern flickering as if the flame might die.]
“At Grimm Tales, there will be no escape. Each of us has followed our own breadcrumbs-breadcrumbs of deceit, vengeance, pride. But they all lead to the same place. The fire of judgment. While my opponents walk this path blind, I have been chosen to carry the burden of judgment. I walk not as a fool, but as the hand of divine justice.”
[Graves stops beside a fallen tree, his voice growing colder.]
“Hansel and Gretel thought they could outsmart the witch who waited for them in the dark. They were wrong. In the end, they were consumed by the flames they thought they could avoid. Burned Man, Nick Morningstar, Klaus Way-you think you can escape judgment, but like those children, you have no idea what awaits.”
[He turns, his eyes narrowing as the forest darkens, the trees creaking ominously.]
“The NXT Level Championship is not a fairy tale prize. It is a mantle of responsibility, one that only the righteous can bear. You fight for glory, for power, for yourselves. I fight for the Lord’s will. I bring judgment to those who are lost. I lead the children of Arcadia out of the forest and into the light.”
[Graves’ voice drops to a chilling whisper, the lantern’s light flickering.]
“Burned Man, Nick Morningstar, Klaus Way… you’ve followed your breadcrumbs into the heart of the fire. At Grimm Tales, you will face the judgment you cannot escape. May God have mercy on your souls… because I will not.”
[The path of breadcrumbs begin disappearing into the darkness as the scene fades to black.]