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Damn the Masks We Wear; Cross vs. Iser
Topic Started: Dec 12 2012, 07:55 PM (79 Views)
Xandor Cross
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TheMessiah
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PRAELUSIO

A Couple Days Ago: Hilton Garden Inn - Lafayette, Louisiana

Alexis Castellano: "No, Xandor, listen to me. I've seen you in your nightmares, how something seems to be eating you up, something evil. I know that because when my father used to come to me in my dreams, that was how I acted. But I watched the two shows I missed and I realized that it isn't someone evil that is hurting you," Alexis paused, "but something within you."

These words haunted Xandor. They hurt too. They hurt because they were true. No one from the Monastery could sense the origins of his darkness, not even his mentor Oren. Xandor had put up an impenetrable psychological and spiritual fortress around the darkness that Oren was compelled to study the works of St. Francis of Asisi to gain the sufficient knowledge to restrain it. Once Oren couldn't restrain the darkness, he taught Xandor how to do it for himself. Obviously, Xandor could not restrain it anymore.

Alexis, however, had found the door to the fortress. Somehow, some way, she had become a key to the impenetrable shield. As Xandor waited on the couch for the bellboy to come get he and Alexis' bags for their trip to Lafayette, he made the connection that her kidnapping was connected to the emerging darkness. Someone wants the darkness to emerge. Someone wants Xandor to forfeit his eternal destiny, mission, and very life.

But until Xandor could find the answers to these mysteries, he had to keep wearing a mask of serenity and focus.

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EVANGELIUM

Evening, Today: University of Louisiana Lafayette Medical Center

The automatic doors of the Critical Care Unit at University Medical Center simultaneously popped open. Standing behind the doors, waiting for them to lock into place, was "The Messiah" Xandor Cross. The Messiah was dressed in all black: Canali pin-striped button-down shirt, Salvatore Ferragamo belt, Canali slacks, and Prada dress shoes. He wore a long black BOSS top coat over his quality ensemble. The Messiah's facial expression is stoic behind his polarized Oakley Whisker sunglasses and straightened long black hair.

The Messiah walked ominously through the double doors towards the ULL Critical Care Unit nurses station. He placed his hands on the counter and leaned forward to speak to the attending nurse, startingly her a bit with physique and presence. After giving his name, the attending nurse pointed to the CCU room just to the left of the Messiah. He nodded in gratitude for the information and walked over to the dimly lit room. He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled before entering the room.

A lovely young woman with strawberry blonde hair, no more than 18 or 19 years old, sat alone next to a severely battered man, obviously in grave condition. She watched him closely but he was motionless. She held his wired right hand, caressing it, imploring that her touch would miraculously heal him. Her eyes were swollen from endless tears. The expression on her face was haunting; it was sadness beyond measure.

The man in the bed was wrapped tightly in bandages around his head, shoulders, and chest. Dried blood and other internal bodily fluids glued the bandages to his skin. There was a needle in his left wrist delivering vital fluids intravaneouly. A metal halo kept his head and neck immobile. Tubes ran across his body while drips pumped saline into his veins. A monitor was clipped to his left index finger, connecthing it to an LED monitor above the bed. A respirator mask was taped to his face. The nauseating sound of the respirator overwhelmed the room as it forced oxygen in and out of the man's chest.

The Messiah watched for a few moments and was about to address the young woman then decided otherwise. What could he say? What words could he give to her that would reverse the reality lying in the bed? How could he ask her to keep hoping for a miracle when her loved one refused to acknowledge miracles much less a higher power greater than him.

The Messiah felt helpless, but more than anything, he felt sympathy for the young woman.


The Messiah: "Damn you, Shark. What have you done?"

The Messiah tried to speak so as not to disturb the young man. She heard the whispering behind her. She slowly turned around and stared vacantly at the Messiah without letting go of the man's hand.

Young Woman: "Can I... help you?"

The young woman's voice cracked. The Messiah bowed his head and removed his Oakley sunglasses, revealing his piercing blue eyes.

The Messiah: "You must be Ms. Doherty, Pete's daughter."

The young woman's face contorted in confusion to this man knowledge of her name. The Messiah took a few quiet steps towards the end of the bed. He paused for a couple moment and motioned the sign of the cross with his hand.

Michelle Doherty: "Are you the hospital chaplain?"

The Messiah gave Michelle a small empathetic smile.

The Messiah: "No, Ms. Doherty, I'm not the chaplain. I'm just an acquaintance. My name is Xandor Cross. I work for Ascension Championship Wrestling."

At the sound of the promotion name, Michelle eyes filled with tears.

Michelle Doherty: "ACW? I already informed Ms. Janason that my father is unavailable for your pre-show. Doesn't she understand the meaning of the word 'No'?"

Peter Doherty was injured a couple weeks back during a local wrestling promotion show. In a botched move, Pete was piledrived through three burning tables rigged with pyrotechnics. Along with the severe burns, Pete broke his neck. When the ACW brass was given notice that he was unavailable for the ACW: Initiative 19 pre-show, General Manager Vanessa sent the Messiah to represent the company and offer Michelle some support during this critical time.

The Messiah: "Actually, Ms. Janason and Mr. Murdock send their thoughts and prayers. They apologize for not being able to come in person but they did send a card and a small token of our appreciation for Pete."

The Messiah took out two envelopes from the inside pocket of his top coat. One looked like a greeting card envelope. The other was an official envelope from ACW's Business Office in New York. Michelle reached up to grab the envelopes with a trembling hand.

Michelle Doherty: "Thank you. "

The Messiah allowed Michelle to open both envelopes. Tears began to run down her face.

Michelle Doherty: "Thank you. God bless all of you for your kindness."

The Messiah: "Pete's good guy. He always gave a great show."

Michelle Doherty: "Do you know my father?"

The Messiah: "Actually I met him a couple years back while on tour with another wrestling promotion. He's a relentless competitor."

Michelle grimaced with a mixture of anger and sadness.

Michelle Doherty: "More like a stubborn old fool!"

The anger in her voice perplexed the Messiah. He turned from watching Pete's chest rise and fall and looked intently at Michelle.

Michelle Doherty: "This is the result of wearing masks! And I'm not talking about that damn Shark mask!"

The Messiah: "I mean you no disrespect, Ms. Doherty, but then what are you talking about?"

Michelle Doherty: "I'm talking about his mask of pride."

Michelle let a couple sobs rise up before continuing.

Michelle Doherty: "You know how it is in the wrestling business. I've grown up watching my Dad put life and limb in jeopardy for me since my Mom died. But his body was breaking down long before this happened. The doctors told him two years ago to retire. One more wrong suplex. One more top rope headbutt. And he could die. We have more than enough money to live a modest life. He even paid my entire tuition to Stanford University! But he could not take off his stupid mask of pride. He had to prove everyone wrong."

Michelle looked deeply into the Messiah's eyes. To him, it felt like she saw to his soul.

Michelle Doherty: "Mr. Cross, is it?

The Messiah: "Yes?"

Michelle Doherty: "Do yourself and your loved ones a favor. Take it from me. Remove the mask. All you ring warriors are the same. Be real with yourself and those who love you most. When you realize it's time to let go, please, let go. You don't want to end like my father."

As she finished her words, a doctor stepped into the room. He looked at Michelle with somberness.

Doctor: "Ms. Doherty. It's time."

The Messiah made a gesture that he would see himself out. Michelle mouthed a "Thank You" to him. As he turned around, he heard a final exchange.

Doctor: "Are you sure you're ready to do this now? You have until tomorrow noon."

Michelle Doherty: "Yes, Doctor, I'm ready. I have to do what he could never do. I have to let go."

The Messiah walked out of the room and stood outside for what seemed like endless moments, contemplating Michelle's words. After a couple minutes, he heard both Michelle and Pete let go.

BEEP... BEEP... BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Peter "The Great White Shark" Doherty was finally unmasked. His daughter had to do it for him, but at least now Pete was face to face with his Creator... unmasked.

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EPILOGO

"The mask. The mask shields the person's feelings, weaknesses, and other shortcomings of their personality. The mask is basically what other people expect and want to see. It is mostly what others have said, not what the person wearing it is truly feeling or thinking."

"The mask is not reality. It is not the real person. It is not the face behind it. Yet the person would rather become the mask than show their true self."

"Masks do not solve anything. They don't protect from physical or emotional damage. The mask does not heal wounds. Sooner or later, the mask becomes chipped, torn, and shattered, leaving the person vulnerable and exposed."

"Peter Doherty wore his mask until the very end. His mask was pride. Even when reality told him that it was time to walk away from the brutality of our industry, Pete kept on. Not even the love and pleas of his daughter persuaded him to remove his mask. Sadly, she had to remove it for him."

"Seth Iser makes his in-ring return to ACW at Initiative 19. And he has to face me. Seth would rather that I hide my emotions. He would rather that I learn from a veteran like himself and wear a mask. He wants me to wear the mask of the consummate professional. But I ask, when have I lost my professionalism? When I beat on Orlando Ocean? When I crucified Tori Devine's so called 'legacy?' Or when I allowed my feelings for Alexis to emerge?"

"Seth fears me."

"Seth is afraid that I will expose him for who he truly is: a decrepit, broken down wrestler hanging on to glory days long past."

"I do not wish for him to follow in Peter Doherty's footsteps, but I will not hesitate to do what I need to do."

"If I am wearing a mask, I am wearing a mask to protect others from my darkness. But I will not wear a mask to keep back the truth."

"But until I find the answer to my darkness, I will protect others and not myself."

"Damn these masks we wear."

"Damn them to Hell."

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Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done!
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