I suppose this is partially my fault. I pride myself on being the guy who is playing chess while those around him play checkers. The guy who is thinking about 10 moves ahead of him, while other struggle with what to do in the here and now. It is what has made me so successful both in the business world and in my short time in the XWF. It’s what allowed me to show up in the XWF and quickly become a part of the most dominate force this federation has ever seen, The Black Circle. I parlayed that into becoming the federations second and for all intents and purposes last King of The XWF, and coup de grace, leading the team that won World War X. Nothing I do is without much thought and effort. Nothing is by accident, nothing a surprise, until now.

Azrael Erebus, a fellow member of the XWF, a man that joined me in leaving the aforementioned Black Circle in ruins a move that paved the way for The Company. One of the members who stood on the winning side of this federation’s biggest pay per view event. He was there on the team I put together, the one that took down Eli James and his followers. Azrael played an integral role in that victory. Since joining The Black Circle and then the Company after that, and even since, Azrael has remained my closest ally, my closest friend. And yet on Wednesday he and I will stand on opposites ends of the battlefield. As an additional source of frustration Azrael will be teamed up with two men who almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat at World War X. Eli James and Dimwit. I’ve said all I need to say about Eli and I have no desire to address Dim.

While this comes as a bit of a shock I can’t say it’s a complete surprise. The truth is, the most frustrating part about all of this is that the warning signs were there, and I was too dense to see it. Several months ago in what in retrospect is the most prophetic thing of all time, Azrael flat out told me this was coming, and yet I ignored it because Azrael told me, he assured me that the words were meant simply as a way to force me into action. The end result of which was selling to the onlookers of the role I was playing in Azrael’s little ploy. I did it gladly because that is what friends do. And yet here we are. For a point of reference allow me to replay for you what Azrael said a few months ago…

Quote:Am I? You ever check into my background at all? Did you see exactly; who, I ran with before? If you had, you'd know I was good friends with Mr. Donathan De Sade, also known briefly as Your Angel. He was famous for saying he was going to bring the power enlightenment to people. Now, what does Eli James promise? Enlightenment. You see, it's all coming together, Theo. I was never on board with you. The Company? What? Are you fucking kidding me? Why would I be a part of a group of people insuring human order and control? I don't care if you all get along and play nice! No, this was a set up from the beginning and on the night of the PPV, this plan will hit its culmination. Then the entire fed will see Eli James as their leader and you all will be illuminated by the only man preaching - true enlightenment and enhancement. I played you Theo. I played all of you. And come the pay-per-view, 'Team Theo' is fucking screwed.

Coincidence or a prophecy coming true?

Time will tell.

In the mean time I have to try and put on a face for Lila, I need to pretend like everything is ok, unfortunately that is much easier said than done. Maybe it’s because I don’t want to lie to her, or because I’m so annoyed that I am incapable of masking how I am feeling, either way, I kept things my feelings buried deep inside for all of about 15 minutes..and then they boiled to the surface.


“Just so I am clear. You are annoyed because my father is on a team with two enemies of yours? Is that right?”

“Well more like one and a half, the other guy is sort of just there, like a rash that just won’t go away.”

“Have you talked to my father about this?”

“No, he’s been dodging my calls.”

“Or perhaps he’s been busy.”

“Perhaps.”

“I really don’t see the issue here.”

“Really? How can you not? This would be like if one of your girlfriends suddenly started hanging out the girl you like least in the world.”

“I don’t dislike anyone.”

“Well than consider yourself lucky but in the real world people have enemies and now your father is teaming up with one of mine.”

“How do you know it was his choice? That he isn’t being forced to do this?”

“Your father isn’t the type to be forced into anything. We both know that.”

“Ok you are right, he is on the team by choice. Eli asked him and said yes.”

"What? How do you know that?"

"I talked to him the other day and he mentioned that Eli asked him to be on the team and he said yes, he likes to spice things up. He didn't seem concerned about it."

"What the fuck?

"What? What's wrong? He seemed to believe that this was your own doing, that you could have had him as a partner and chose not to."

"He said that?"

"He did. He's also not too fond of your partner. Mark something or other."

"I wonder what his beef is with Flynn?"

"I don't believe he had an issue with him so much as he found him to be unreliable. And again, I think to a degree he is a bit bummed you didn't ask him first."

"That's interesting. That's not really how I remember it but whatever."

"Are you saying that my father is lying to me?"

"I'm not saying that at all. Just that he and I seem to have a difference recollection of how things went down."

"How do I know you aren't lying to me right now?"

"You don't. But I'm not. I've never lied to you. That's not to say that I don't lie as a general practice, there are times when a lie is functionally more effective than the truth and yes from time to time I do in fact lie. But I have never nor have any desire to lie to you."

"So you are saying that my father is lying?"

"How about we just move past that, as I don't think this particular point is one worth delving into further."

“Fine. You said he has two partners right? Maybe you and he won’t even have to face each other.”

“Oh make no mistake, I absolutely want to face him and I want to give him the worst beating of his life. I hope for his sake he doesn’t expect me to show him any mercy. Mercy is the child of charity and the sister of justice. You know how I feel about charity and I’m not too concerned with justice. What I am concerned with is getting what I want.”

“And what do you want?”

“The trios titles.”

“You sound like a child throwing a fit because he didn’t get his way.”

“Hey, you are the young one here, you don’t get to tell me to man up.”

“Then don’t give me a reason to.

“And what happens after the match, between you and him I mean?”

“Well he sure as shit isn’t invited to 4th of July that’s for damn sure.”

“Oh stop. I’m sure you two will work things out, you don’t seem like the type to hold a grudge.”

“Really? That’s sweet that you think that but believe me, I can hold the kind of grudge that would make Hitler jealous.”

“Haven’t my father and that Luca character fought a few times? They seem to still get a long,”

“Well Luca is usually high so his memory isn’t what it used to be.”

“Somehow I think that’s not why.”

“Are you a doctor now? Did you go to Medical School? I thought you majored in Art History.”

“You know you can be a real jerk sometimes.”

“It’s more than sometimes I assure you.”

“Why are you being like this? This isn’t my fault. Take it up with my father. Is this what it is going to be like every time the two of you have a tiff?”

“No because from here on out I know where I stand. I know who he is and that he cannot be trusted. And that’s fine. I can work with that. Things will be different but that doesn’t mean they will be bad. Look at Nathaniel and Erica, things seem to be ok there and Nathaniel poisoned me not too long ago.”

“That reminds me, what happened when he showed you a tour of the house? When you two came back things were totally different, as if the two of you beat each other into being friends again.”

“That’s not what guys really do you know, But yes, we had a chat, talked some things out, and for the time being things are better than they were.”

“Well than maybe once you and my father talk things out than the two of you can get past this. He does consider you a friend Theo, I know that for a fact.”

“You forget he also hung me in the air above my own building when he found out we were dating. The man is prone to bouts of extreme anger.”

“That was just him playing the role of protective father. Can you blame him?”

“I can. But I suppose you are right.”

“Of course I’m right, I’m always right.”

“Except when you aren’t.”

“Jerk.”

“Yep.”

“So now what?”

“I don’t know, I think I’m going to get drunk.”

“That doesn’t sound like a productive way to spend your time.”

“Really? I come up with all my best ideas when I’m drunk.”

“Name one.”

“Well I have to get drunk first, it’s one of those, you have to be in the same frame of mind type deals.”

“Yeah I’m sure.”


Theo walks over to the bar and pours himself a double serving of Whiskey and then looks at Lila to see her reaction.


“Well, while you are over there how about you pour me one as well?”

“That’s what I thought,”