07-31-2014, 09:37 AM
I sit quietly in my private office, staring down at my latest gold addition. My Trios title win is something I'm sort of proud of. It's my second reign but at the same time, it's the first one I actually earned. The first one was given to me by Peter Gilmour of all people. Of course that reign was short lived. I made it known that I'd sabotage that title defense and that's exactly what I did. Do I regret it? Not even a little. I told Pete not to pick a weak link like Cam Lang and he did it anyway.
It was Pete's choice. I tried to guide him. I tried to steer him in the right direction. I tried to befriend him even though I had to boot him out of my Brotherhood. I vowed to be there to help him when he needed it. None of it mattered. He continued to make the same mistakes. He continued to walk into situations he couldn't get out of.
So I did what anyone would do. He did not or could not make the right call so I ended his reign. I did all I could to sabotage the match and make sure his reign as Trios champion didn't last one more day. That was successful. This new reign is different. I'm proud of this title win because I've accomplished it with my little brother and my friend.
As I stare at my latest accomplishment, something inside me causes me to look over at my trophy case. Inside it, virtually every XWF title. The Universal, Xtreme, Tag... all of them.
Knock, knock.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Come in.”
My father enters the room. He sits down across from me.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “What is it?”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “I see Caitlyn has moved back in.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “You have wonderful vision.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Do not get sarcastic, Sebastian.”
I lean back in my chair, thinking about the million things I want to say to him.
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “You've put the Illuminatus in a precarious position.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I've made it famous.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “YOU ARE TO REMAIN SILENT!”
As he yells, he slams his fists on my desk and stands up.
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Your little murder spree has resulted in the light of the press and the authorities being shown right here on the Compound. The very base of our operations!
“From this point forward, Sebastian, you will seek out my permission for any and all things you want to do. Is that understood?”
Initially, I do not respond.
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Do I make myself clear?”
I'm not sure what made me do it. He stood up to make his point more powerful. So, I guess I stood up to intimidate him. He's not even six feet tall. I'm probably a foot taller than he.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I will do no such thing, Asmodeus.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “I beg your pardon?”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I didn't stutter.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “As I'm aware. Though, I believe you forget just who runs the roost around here. It's not you, Sebastian, it's me.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “In case you haven't noticed, you're getting old.”
He gives himself a once over, before asking the obvious question.
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Just what in hell is that supposed to mean?”
I place my Trios title in my trophy case and sit back in my chair before answering.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “It means exactly what you think. You're the leader of this whole damn thing, Asmodeus. But your days are numbered.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Contrary to what you obviously think, Sebastian. I am still quite healthy.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Yes, but how's your mental capacity?”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Excuse me?”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Is senility setting in yet?”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “I'm completely sane, Sebastian. I am of sound mind.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “You realize that I have friends? I have friends all over the world. I have connections and I can make sure that you absolutely do not have a sane mind. Do you realize that?”
He takes seat with the aid of his cane. He looks hurt that I'd even consider doing such a thing.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I can completely take you out of the game, Asmodeus. I may be a little crazy, dad. But I can still out think you. I can still take you out at a moments notice.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “I fear we've reached an impasse.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “You mind your P's and Q's, Asmodeus. I won't be forced to do it.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “I'm not trying to say that you're a liability, you're an asset, actually.
“I'm well aware of the connections you have, son. But you need to realize just who holds the reigns of the Illuminatus, here.”
I stand up again. After making my way around the desk and behind my father, I begin to pace a little.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “You hold the reigns, that much is true. The question is, for how much longer?”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “What are you trying to say, Sebastian?”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “There was a time where I held the power. You even gave me the crown to signify the transfer of power. I held the power, Asmodeus, then you ripped it away from me. You gave me the power, dad, and now I want it back.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Isn't that interesting?”
My fathers gets back to his feet. We stand just a few feet from one another.
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Boy, you still have a lot to learn.”
I say nothing at first.
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “If you think you were given power, Sebastian, then you never had it. Power, true power boy, is something you take!”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “If you don't give me the reigns willingly, Asmodeus. Then you're going to force my hand.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Meaning what, exactly?”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “If you force my hand, dad, I won't stop until I have the reigns of the Illuminatus within my hands. I leave bodies in my wake. I've done it for years.
“One of them could be yours.
“If power is something you take, like you just said, then don't be surprised when I take it from you. One eay or another.”
He doesn't immediately respond.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Don't make me do it, Asmodeus. You know I won't hesitate.”
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “Well then...
“Here we are.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Here we are.”
He begins to leave my office, but stops just as he opens the door.
FATHER ASMODEUS, THE HIGH PRIEST: “There are other potential heirs, Sebastian. Eric, for one. My blood flows through his veins just as much as yours. If you think I'm not beyond ending any threat to the Illuminatus, including one from you, then you're dead wrong!”
He slams the door behind him. I retake my seat and as I do so, Jacob enters and takes a seat.
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Just saw Father Asmodeus storm out of here.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “What of it?”
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “It just made me curious as to what went on in here. That's all.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “What went on in here, is an old man that doesn't know when his time is up.”
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Excuse me?”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Asmodeus' days as leader of the Illuminatus are numbered. I'd suggest you get yourself on the right side.”
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Is that a threat?”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “An order, actually.”
Jake sits silently for a moment.
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Sebastian, you know what side I'm on.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Good. Because I honestly don't know how far he'd go.”
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “And how far are you willing to go?”
I hesitate for a few seconds as I think about his question very seriously. I love my father, at least as much as I have the capacity to do so. But there really isn't anything in existence that will deter me from my goal of reclaiming the Illuminatus as my own.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Until the bitter, bloody end. If that's what it takes.”
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “You know, I could get it done rather quickly. And painlessly.”
It's something to remember, but we're nowhere near that point yet.
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Relax, Jake. If it comes down to that, I want it bloody and painful, but we're not there yet.”
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “Do you think he'd make a move on your life?”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I don't know. He might. In which case we need to be prepared.”
INCOMING CALL
My phone begins to vibrate as the notification plays allowed.
CALL FROM...
GRIFFIN MacALISTER
JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “You gotta be shitting me.”
SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Sitting here isn't getting prepared.”
Jake takes the hint and makes his exit as I hit the “answer” key on my phone.
Fade to Darkness.