---

It seems like I have waited an age.

But at last, I stepped up to the man behind the counter.

...Or to be more accurate, the kid. He looked no older than 17, if I could read faces well. The nervous beads of sweat trickled down his acne-dotted face as his indifferent colleague stared daggers at him.

Kid: H-hello, sir. Can I-

Dio: -get my name? Sure thing, though I bet you already know it.

Kid: ...Steve?

Dio: ...No. Dionysus.

Kid: ...

Dio: Lord of the Vine, Master of Revels...XWF Wrestler? Any of those ringing a bell?

The kid gave me a look like I was speaking gibberish.

Dio: Well nevermind that; the name is Dionysus...or Dio, I suppose, if you want to be less formal.

Kid: O-okay, Dio. How-

Dio: -Long has it been?

I leaned against the counter, getting close to the kid's face.

Dio: Gimme a second...I think its been seven...no, eight months since anyone's really seen me.

Kid: Oh. So what-

Dio: -have I been up to all this time? Well I suppose I can tell you, since it seems like you've got time to spare.

I heard a loud sigh from the man behind the kid. I waved him off; he seemed pretty rude to interrupt our conversation.

Dio: Well, like most things in life, a lot started to catch up to me all at once. I needed to settle some affairs and work on myself, I guess you could say.

Kid: But-

Dio: I know, it took a long time, right? Well, I had to start with settling the vineyard. Oh right, I own a vineyard. But I have trusted friends and family working at that vineyard while I took care of other things. William, my right hand, Daniel and Devin, who run my tap room, and Wade, my director of sales.

I lowered my voice into a whisper.

Dio: He's not really a director; he just wanted a fancier title is all.

The kid shrugged, looking nervous with a twinge of annoyance.

Dio: Anyway, while that was going on, I helped my father move into an assisted living center. Good ol' papa Hector. He's been dealing with terrible back pain for years, you see, and he wants to work on his mobility. It was nice to bring him home; he had been missing for most of my life, and by some twist of fate I was able to reconnect with him. I think that might have been why I wanted to take some time off, y'know.

Kid: Sure. So how-

Dio: -did all that go? Hmm...

I started to stroke my beard in thought.

Dio: It was hard, kid-I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name.

Kid: Oh! Its Larry, sir. Like on the name tag.

He lifted part of his shirt to push his nametag closer to my face.

Dio: Ah, so it is. Sorry, that was rude of me.

Larry: Its okay. So now that you know, why-

Dio: Right, why was it difficult. I mean, the man had been missing for a long time. He used to be a wrestler too, and he traveled to Japan to work for more money. Over time, though, we heard from him less and less. My mother felt like he up and abandoned us, especially when the promotion he worked for contacted us to see if he was visiting us. His disappearance hurt her more than it hurt me, you see. She still hasn't seen him yet. I guess since she moved on and remarried to our family friend Benjamin, so she's been busy with a new lease on life. But my dad is here now, and we just need to work things out.

Larry: That's-

Dio: Tragic, I know. Its one of those-

I was interrupted by a light tap on my shoulder. I ignored it and tried to continue.

Dio: You know how every family can have its share of-

A much firmer poke went into my shoulder blade. I lifted myself off the counter and turned to face a small, mousey woman who was about to say something, but I interrupted her first.

Dio: Excuse me, I'm trying to have a conversation. If you want to talk more later, we can.

I turned back to face Larry.

Dio: Sorry about that. People can be so rude sometimes. Now where was I...

Larry: ...I think you were about to-

Dio: Oh right! I was about to tell you about my new relationship. Sweet Elli. She's been my rock the last few months; you can imagine the stress I've been under trying to get all of my affairs in order. She's a personal trainer, you see, and she's been helping me get back in shape for my big return to the ring.

Larry: Oh that sounds great, sir-

Dio: Dio, please. I think we know each other well enough to be on first name terms. But anyway, Elli and I had a complicated friendship before we actually got together. A bit like those unrequited love stories, though we both knew we had an interest in each other, at least in some way. She took a chance on another guy, he didn't like that we were friends, it led to complications, and he decided to leave.

Larry: Okay, but I really need to-

Dio: Exactly; that's what he was saying. "I really need to go." Just left for another job and left her behind. At first, I wasn't super comfortable with the idea of jumping into a relationship, but-

The man standing behind Larry uncrossed his arms and walked over angrily toward the two of us.

Man: Hey buddy, you're holding everyone up.

Dio: What do you mean?

Man: Sir, I'm glad you want to tell people your life story, but-

Dio: But what? What could be so important that you had to interrupt our conversation?

Larry: Uhh, sir...this is a Wendy's.

...

I blinked for a moment, then turned to get my bearings. The woman behind me was angrily tapping her toe with her arms crossed. There were a few people sitting in the dining area, enjoying their food along with their company. The dim glow that was irritating me before was the glow coming off of the Wendy's Value Menu. I hadn't even recognized Larry's attire, and that it matched the man behind him. I just assumed they were friends and were coordinating.

Dio: ...Ah. So I am. Sorry, my head's been awash with a lot lately, I guess I forgot where I was.

Larry: Its okay, s-Dio. So, what can I get for you?

Dio: ...Baconator and a small Frosty, please.

---

---

Five minutes.

I carried on an overly long conversation about my life for over five minutes.

At least the Baconator was good. Only half of it was cold this time.

I took a seat out at a bench in the park nearby the restaurant. It was a beautiful spring day; kids playing on the swings, a young couple taking a nice, slow walk around the pond nearby, an old man playing fetch with his canine companion. I took a bite of my Frosty, thankful for the cool treat in the warm weather. I took in a deep breath, delighted by the smell of spring...but not so much of the smell of the city around us.

I sneezed. Damn pollen.

I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. Retrieving it, I unlocked the screen to see that Elli was trying to call. I answered promptly.

Dio: I was hoping you would call.

Elli: Are you always going to answer the phone this way, D?

Dio: Probably, unless you want me to stop.

Elli: *sigh* No, D. Its still cute. My heart skips a beat every time I hear those honeyed words.

Dio: Nice, some sarcasm.

We both giggled over the line.

Dio: So what's up?

Elli: Your mom called and invited us over for Mother's Day brunch.

Dio: ...Oh right, I forgot about that. Yeah, I should be able to make it. I just need to figure out some other plans with dad, and I know that-

Elli: Hang on...I know when you start talking fast, you're trying to keep something from me.

I sighed loudly. Just like her uncle Johannes, Elli was analytical to a fault.

Dio: You know, you're getting to be as good at reading me as Elbrook is.

Elli: We should see him too, but that's not the point, D. You're hiding something from me...or something is wrong. You can tell me, right?

Dio: Its just...I haven't told her about dad yet.

There was silence on the line. It was true; I kept dad's return a secret from my mother Josephine. She was enjoying life now and I was worried about dredging up old wounds.

Elli: Dio...that's a pretty big secret to keep from her.

Dio: I know, but you have to understand; its been years since he disappeared. She still thinks he's dead and gone. I don't even really know if she'd want to see him if she knew he was alive. Hell, I've been helping him get settled in and I'm still feeling resentment toward his sudden disappearance and long absence. I can't help but feel like no matter what I'd do, its going to be the right decision. It just makes things more...difficult, y'know?

Elli: *sigh* That's a good point. But I still think you should tell her. She is better off knowing, after all. Besides, if she really wants nothing to do with him, then that's her choice. But you can't keep this from her forever.

I hated it when she was right.

Dio: Okay, but I'm not bringing it up on Sunday.

Elli: Deal.

I could feel the smirk from her coming over the phoneline. Her playful smugness is why I fell for her in the first place.

Elli: Oh yeah, the paperwork came in from Thad, along with a plane ticket to North Carolina. When were you going to tell me that you'd be back on the road?

Dio: I made some...special arrangements. That ticket has a return flight for the day after the show. Still have a few things to settle here before I'm on the road full time.

Elli: Does that mean...you'll be leaving me here by my lonesome?

I could only picture here batting her eyelashes with the puppy-dog eye expression she wanted to show over the phone.

Dio: I mean, maybe for a month or two out of the year, but-

Elli: Well I guess I could just find someone else that can give me their full attention.

Dio: ...What?

Elli: ...Wow, D, you know that I'm kidding with that, right?

Dio: That would've been better in-person, you know.

Elli: Oh. Right.

Dio: Look, I've been giving this a lot of thought. I don't necessarily want to uproot you or anything, but...I know that you've been wanting to be a remote trainer for a while now, and life on the road is usually more fun with a friend...or partner, I suppose in this case.

Elli: Dio...are you asking me to come with you?

Dio: Only if you want to. And only when I'm ready to do this full-time.

Elli: I'm...I'm gonna need to think about it, okay?

Dio: Sure! Take as much time as you need. I'll be home soon; its bad movie night after all.

Elli: Oooo, what is it this time? The Room? Batman and Robin?

Dio: Manos: The Hands of Fate

There was a loud, audible groan on the other line.

Elli: You've warned me about this movie before.

Dio: Well now we get to share this horrible movie together.

Elli: You really know how to show me you love me, huh D?

Dio: I sure hope so.

---

---

Hello XWF. I'm back inside you.

...Don't think too much into that; I sure as hell didn't.

So, where have I been? What have I been doing? Did my "humiliating" defeats give me some perspective?

In short response; I've been away for a bit, I've done some things, mostly things I am proud of, and of course my more recent defeats gave me perspective. Though "humiliating" would be the wrong word to use.

"Humbling" is more like it.

I'm not going to sit here and pretend that calling myself "The Catalyst" was a good idea. It was a moment in my life where I was riding the highs of success while losing perspective of where I really sat; a guy who took advantage of the momentum he had, but quickly found himself on the opposite end. It was a fun time, admittedly; at long last, in a career full of setbacks, I was gaining momentum, interest, and notice of my peers. I saw an XWF that needed a shot in the arm, and that momentum brought in a fresh crop of talent. I thought I was the cause of it, but I was wrong.

And I'm more than happy to be wrong, on occasion.

It was wrong of me to place the growth of XWF on my shoulders. It isn't a one-man operation. I was shortsighted and that led to my downfall.

Now, you're probably thinking, "Dionysus, you have the most luxurious red beard in all of professional wrestling, and I think you might be oversharing your setbacks a bit." Well first off, of course I have the most luxurious red beard in all of professional wrestling, thank you for noticing. But second, I've never been one to shy away from my shortcomings. Knowing where you fell flat and learning from those setbacks not only makes you a better person, but in my case, it makes me a better worker. A stronger performer.

And of course, about fifty steps ahead of Madison Dyson.

Why? Self-awareness is a valuable skill that anyone should have. I could go the cheap route and call her dips into her psyche an untreated mental illness, but as we all know, a goddamn genie split me four ways and now they're all off doing their own thing. Wide Dio is probably trying on a new pair of pants as we speak.

It isn't that level of self-awareness I am talking about. I am talking about the self-awareness that allows you to see the flaws in your own plans, and finds ways to counteract them. Madison, like many of her contemporaries, relies on her carefully crafted plans working to perfection; extensive research, banter online, you know the drill. However, unlike other opponents who have made their feelings known about Dyson, I've been more or less radio silent since taking time away. I've been busy, after all.

At the same time, Dyson has been on a hot streak, beating several of the best XWF has to offer, even if she herself would say they aren't worth her time. Hell, she's probably going to think that this match is a babysitting moment for her, a reprieve while she gears up for a world title chase or whatever that may look like. And on paper, that may be the case.

Dyson, as mentioned before, is on a hot streak.

I am returning to action, immediately thrust into an Xtreme title match, after taking an 8-month leave. I'm sure as hell gonna be rusty. I'm sure as hell not going to be on top of my game as I normally would be.

This is a horrendous match-up for me to return to.

...And yet...

XWF management still saw fit to have this be my return match.

You know what that should tell you, Dyson?

That despite your posturing, despite anything you may have to say, management has confidence in a rusty, returning wrestler giving you a five-star performance. That a former Xtreme Champion has a chance, slim as it may be, to add a count to your loss column and take what is yours.

I might need a match to get back up to speed, but when I walked out at Ides of March, I walked out with a proclamation of war. That I was coming for the Xtreme title, no matter what, or who, would stand in my way.

Now, you may know that I am in the wine-making business. Seemed appropriate, given my name.

I like to think of my time in XWF as different vintages.

The 2023 vintage was excellent; an award-winning vintage that had an exciting splash of flavor and depth that took the federation by storm. People were, naturally, thirsty for more, and I delivered.

The 2024 vintage, on the other hand, did not deliver to acceptable standards to many. It didn't age properly and left a sour taste in everyone's mouth, including my own. It lacked clarity. It needed more time to age and develop before it could be properly bottled.

And now, in these days of wine and roses, the 2025 vintage has arrived. Fully fermented, clarified...and ready to age.

Win or lose, this match will dictate where I stand and how much time I will need for the vintage to reach the same success.

So I will simply raise a glassl; to the XWF, to a worthy opponent...and to the Xtreme championship.