"And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it. (Luke 19:41)
A late night mass is underway in a grand cathedral. A gathering of hundreds are in attendance, many young impressionable young adults. In the upper balconies, remaining in the shadows…a gathering of unknown individuals with large security details behind them. Moments later, everyone rises as Senester takes to the pulpit. There are cheers and applause…he stands there a few moments before raising his hand to bring them to silence and back to their seats. A few moments more he stands there looking across the crowd of hundreds, now utterly silent and attentively waiting for him to speak. Fewer times in recent history have such a serious visage been seen across his face. There is a sense of disappointment in his eyes, a sorrow of the soul that transcends the material ideals of mortal man.
(Senester): Apostles…what do you know of history? History as you know…repeats itself. It is endlessly cyclical. In the beginning, man was given near absolute dominion over the earth. “Near”…except one tree from which he was forbidden. Breaking the laws of God man was faced with severe penalty. Equivalent scenarios of man’s transgressions against the word of God and its consequences have played out countless times. They did so days ago at Havoc when Butch Parker decided that he too should pluck fruit from the tree of knowledge. He captured the World Heavyweight Championship and discarded my words of warning. “Pride” is a terrible sin. His grew from a faint whisper in his ear to a booming barrage. Then at Havoc Butch Parker, you happily elected to play God. The decision you made in those final moments was not for yourself alone, but for your fellow man. You presume to command their fates, yet only expose your career of alleged virtues for the vanity that truly lies within you. You have deliberately forced my hand. You have taken from my tree, and brought about a cascade of irreparable damages.
Looking around there is a mixture of emotions seen on the faces within the crowd. Some are angered by recent events, some are sad, some sit in fear, and some simply do not know how to feel.
(Senester): You’ve referred to me countless times as a “necessary evil.” I am God Butch Parker and you are a mere man who thinks himself vindicated. Do you know what you have done to your fellow man? I weep for them. I weep knowing what I must do to restore the balance you have shifted towards their illusions. You have fed their greedy nature standing as a symbol of defiance instead of obedience. You have encouraged sloth for those who use you as an idol to their own deficiencies, taking from them the satisfaction of prayer in my name. You stand before them like a shield to block the light of the lord, and they envy you for it, foolish envy for a man who suppresses their right to my good grace. When you look at that World Title Butch Parker, be not fooled by your own reflection. What lie within is not the laurels of a man, but his lust…Butch Parker’s insatiable desire for greatness, your lust veiled by false modesties. You have eaten from my table, time and time again, a glutton long having had your fill giving no praise, and no glory to God. You deceive them Butch Parker. You mislead your brethren down the wide path and they follow. They follow for their own sins are too great to bear, or overcome to travel down the narrow road, and upon your broad back is room for them all. You were warned…from the very mouth of your lord and master who implored you. Willingly you accept for them, and for yourself the wrath of God.
Senester looks out amongst the gathered, a dark coldness to his eyes.
(Senester): In your defiance Butch Parker, you will tell the world that these are the ramblings of a delusional man. Words, promises, threats you have heard before. Casually you will dismiss me, making certain to keep a watchful eye nonetheless. Blasphemer. For nearly ten years Butch Parker the stories between us have mounted one by one, and you think that time has given you wisdom into knowing me. You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live. Do not be fooled, you know nothing Butch Parker, you never will, but I will remind you of my power. I will jolt your complacency with harsh reality. When you are long gone…when you are flesh and bone have returned to ash… the sins of the father will bear down upon your daughter, on your grandchildren and so on. Their existences will be wrought from your decisions and I will drag your wretched name into eternal damnation one generation at time.
The media is going to plaster your face across the globe. Magazines, news articles, television shows, a multitude of interviews, and there you will be. The World Title on your shoulder and false humility etched on your brow and flowing from your lips. The World Title that you never asked for, but gladly accept. The return to the ring you never wanted, but tack yourself to so vehemently. Do you remember day one Butch Parker? "I Stand Alone" by Godsmack hit the arena and there you came out onto the stage. I could see the nervousness in your body, your jittery hand and foot gestures before you made your way to the ring. "I'm Broken" by Pantera came along and there you were, a few months in, your confidence starting to build. Then…oh then Butch Parker it was "Onward Battle." The deep boom and roll of the drums, that melody that signified a warrior making his way into battle. You were coming into your own then. That confidence was overtaken by an unyielding sense of superiority that would build the foundation for your future sins. Then some ridiculous concoction “Bad Ass Orchestral” by Black Label Society roared into arenas and there you were, pep in your step…the untouchable Butch Parker long removed from his debut jitters, a few championships under your belt, a few war wounds…you were heading into the prime years of your career. What was it then Parker? "Halo" by Machine Head…once again something with a little thrust in it to see you erupt from backstage still throwing your fist and feet in the air like a monkey for the crowd. So sanctimonious, some of your greatest matches fought, some won, some lost and the Rampant Lion roared on still. “Ground Shaker” by Focus then brought you to the ring…something darker, something to blur the lines of your legendary, your iconic, veteran status. The Gladiator of God you were then, and while you stood beside me for your sister’s sake, the dark corner of your soul enjoyed every moment. Minvera, the men you mauled, the man you willingly killed in a demonstration of your superiority. Last but not least "Face the Pain" by Stemm…complete with all the ego to show for it. Only you mask your heightened sense of self so well for the people.
Senester flails his arms and legs like Butch making his entrance, some laugh the mockery others simply watch.
(Senester): The Symphony of Butch Parker. The melodies that have carried him through countless victories, and defeats. One sonata of sin after another. What song will be played for you Butch Parker when I destroy you from the inside out? Will it be the old “Onward Battle” easily used to send a warrior to rest as it is sending him to war? Will it be a somber tune…something those after you can martyr you by? What kind of concerto will carry you into the afterlife to knock at the gates of heaven hoping I will let you in? Before the end comes Butch Parker you will know a suffering so deep you’ll beg me for deliverance. Your allies, your fans, your friends, your family, and anyone in-between shall join you. For now Butch Parker, rest, relax, recuperate. I want your knees in working order when you bend them to bow to me. Let there be no doubt, no deliberation…the best days you’ve ever had, or will ever have are behind you. Nothing in the arsenal you have amassed will help you. At Havoc you sounded the drum Butch Parker…at Havoc you marched onward into battle with God instead of retreat, and regardless of how you identify it…you know this is a war you cannot win.
Senester walks off the pulpit and the people stand in unison cheering his name, as he stands before them. He knows what there is to come, the roles that will be played both by his apostles and those who stand against the will of God.
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