HWA Message Board: Shadows in the Ring. Prt 3 promo time

Off camera

We open where we last left off...

Kratos: He’s pushing himself harder than I expected. If he breaks through tonight… your promo might write itself.

He looks back at Maniac, expression sharpening.

Kratos: So tell me when the cameras roll, are you planning to answer Jeremy… or bury him?

Maniac smiles and nods.

Maniac: I’ll be ready, don’t worry. Just pray your boy over there is ready, this isn’t like any fight any of you have ever experienced. I’m curious to hear what he’ll say, especially to Hans.

Maniac watches Jesse and Luna as they work, he sees Jesse’s face change to the faintest hint of concern and tightens his jaw then turns back to Kratos who starts talking again. Maniac chuckles and nods as he holds his hands up, palms up and shrugs his shoulders.

Maniac: What can I say? I’ve had plenty of time and practice to sharpen my juggling skills, especially when it comes to messes I make. As for the explosion created by this, if all goes to plan all we’ll have to deal with is a pissed off and unemployed Jeremy Branson.

He watches Jesse a few more minutes as he and Luna get deeper into their the training as he listens to Kratos talk. Maniac hears Luna’s voice rise and fall in a calm cadence as she guides Jesse through another emotional shift. His breathing is uneven, but Maniac can tell he’s really fighting to stay in control. The air around them feels heavier, like the emotions themselves are thick enough to touch. A sudden pulse of energy ripples through the bus walls and Wolfy’s ears perk up. Kratos’ eyes narrow and Maniac turns back to face him.

Maniac: Definitely, once under control his emotions will be his greatest weapon. Not only to beat the demon but starve it first, beat it in its own demented game. Yeah maybe it will, you sure she should be pushing him so hard? And as for Jeremy…

Maniac scratches his chin as he thinks for a moment.

Maniac: I’m going to answer him, the burial comes at Art of War. It’s Jeremy’s funeral, I’m just seeing him off.

Maniac heads over to the bar and motions for Kratos to follow. Maniac makes himself a jack and coke and asks if Kratos wants a drink. Kratos follows Maniac to the bar, the floorboards giving a low groan under his weight. He watches Maniac pour the drink with that familiar mix of curiosity and judgment only an ancient warrior can manage.

Kratos: A double, then. If we are to speak of funerals and demons, my throat should not be dry.

He sets his massive forearms on the counter, the leather bracers creaking. His eyes flick briefly toward Jesse and Luna again another pulse of energy rolls through the bus, this one sharper, like a blade dragged across metal.

Kratos: Luna pushes him because she must. Control is not born from comfort. It is forged in strain. But… she walks a thin line. If he breaks, it will not be quiet.

Maniac hands him Jack and Coke. Kratos takes it, sniffing it once before taking a slow, deliberate sip. His expression doesn’t change, but the tension in his shoulders eases just a fraction. Luna circles Jesse slowly, her steps measured, her voice steady as a metronome.

Luna Rain: Breathe in… hold… let it rise. Don’t run from it this time.

Jesse’s jaw tightens. His hands tremble at his sides. The air around him thickens, vibrating with the pressure of emotions he’s spent years trying to bury. A faint shimmer pulses off his skin like heat off asphalt. Luna doesn’t flinch.

Luna Rain: Good. Let it come up. Don’t fight the feeling, fight the loss of control.

Another pulse ripples outward. Wolfy’s ears twitch. Maniac and Kratos both glance over, sensing the shift. Jesse’s breathing stutters. His eyes flicker with that dangerous inner glow, the demon pushing, testing, waiting for a crack. Luna steps closer, voice dropping to a calm, grounding rhythm.

Luna Rain: Name it.

Jesse:…Fear.

Luna Rain: Name the next.

Jesse:…Anger.

Luna Rain: And the one beneath that.

Jesse’s chest heaves. His voice breaks.

Jesse:…Guilt.

The glow in his eyes flares then sputters. The demon reacts, but Jesse doesn’t collapse this time. He plants his feet, fists clenched, breath shaking but steadying. Luna nods once, approving.

Luna Rain: Now hold all three. Don’t let them scatter. Stack them. Feel the weight and stay standing.”

Jesse grits his teeth. The air around him warps again, but this time the pulse is controlled, like a heartbeat instead of an explosion. Sweat beads on his forehead, but he doesn’t lose himself. Luna raises her hand, palm open.

Luna Rain:Push it into my hand. Not at me — through me. Direct it.

Jesse focuses. The glow in his eyes sharpens, no longer wild but concentrated. A controlled surge of energy flows from him, channeled into Luna’s waiting palm. She absorbs it with a soft grunt, boots sliding half an inch on the floor. But she stays upright. And so does he. The glow fades. The air settles. Jesse’s breathing evens out for the first time since the session began. Luna lowers her hand.

Luna Rain: That… was controlled.

Jesse blinks, stunned. For a moment, he looks lighter like he’s finally tasted what it feels like to win against the thing inside him. Luna steps back, giving him space.

Luna Rain: You didn’t suppress it. You didn’t let it take you. You guided it. That’s the difference between being haunted… and being powerful.

Jesse lets out a shaky laugh, half relief, half disbelief.

Jesse: I… actually did it.

Luna Rain: You did. And next time, you’ll do more.

Kratos rumbles approvingly from across the bus.

Kratos: The boy is learning.

Maniac watches Jesse with a new understanding of the kind that sees potential instead of danger. Wolfy trots over and nudges Jesse’s hand, sensing the calm settling over him. For the first time in a long time, Jesse doesn’t pull away. Maniac watches Jesse and Wolfy smiling then turns back to Kratos.

Maniac: That'll definitely come in handy, you think he'll be ready for Art of War? Also, I'm curious to your thoughts about Hans being the special guest referee.

Maniac finishes off his drink and then makes him another one, he sets the glass on the bar and then takes out a pack of cigarettes, takes one out, put it in his mouth, and lights it. He takes a deep drag and holds it before releasing the smoke and then taking a drink from his glass. Kratos would take all of that in with that slow, deliberate way he has like he’s weighing every variable before he speaks. He’d watch the smoke curl upward, glance at Jesse and Wolfy, then settle those heavy eyes back on Maniac.

I believe with all the training he has endured and everything he has learned that the pay per view Art of War will be a match that people will talk about.”

He’d pause there, letting that hang in the air while Maniac takes another drag. Then, on the subject of Hans, you’d get that tiny shift in Kratos’ expression, the one that means he’s not thrilled, but he’s not surprised either. Kratos gets ready to speak his mind on the wild card Hans, Jesse leaps up and stands between Maniac and Kratos as they sweat is still falling.

Jesse: I'm so tired of a lot of you veterans looking down on us new guys like Hans he trains us in the HWA academy and now he thinks that he is all knowing acting like our father William Draconis didn't teach us before letting us go and learn from different people. My father trusts us to make decisions for ourselves without hovering over us and acting like we are still his children and I know that it kills him a bit when we do things without him being involved.

Jesse grabs Kratos's double jack and coke and slams it back.

Then Hans steps into this match acting like he is my savior or something. Because what he has faced Off against DreamMaster so he has to protect us from the big bad scary monster!?

Jesse wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, the empty glass clacking onto the table as he steps forward, eyes locked on Kratos and Maniac.

Hans walks around like he’s the guardian of the new generation, but he forgets something important, we're not children anymore. My father didn’t raise us to hide behind anyone. William Draconis taught us to stand on our own feet, to take our hits, to make our choices, and to live with the consequences. He didn’t build us to be babysat.”

He jabs a finger towards Maniac who is making another drink.

Hans thinks because he’s stared down DreamMaster once or twice, that gives him the right to swoop in and ‘save’ us? Please. DreamMaster isn’t some bedtime story monster we’re scared of. We’ve bled in the same rings, fought in the same wars, and earned our place here without Hans holding our hands.”

Jesse steps closer to Kratos, the tension thick enough to cut.

Jesse: “So no he’s not my savior. He’s not my protector. And he sure as hell isn’t my father. If Hans wants to be in this match, fine. But he better understands he’s stepping in with people who don’t need him… and won’t hesitate to go through him.”

The room goes quiet for a beat, the weight of Jesse’s words hanging in the air. Maniac finishes making the drink and slides it to Kratos, then makes another one sliding it to Jesse this time.

Maniac: He's right, we have to trust in Jesse that he knows what to do when the time comes. As for Hans...

Maniac sighs as he shakes his head.

Maniac: He's just trying to look out for you, I know it's hard to understand now but when you get older and get to where we are in this business...and trust me you will, you'll understand. A part of being a veteran and a teacher is looking out for the younger generation.

Maniac takes a drink and then finishes his cigarette.

Maniac: Not to be cliché here, but I think the perfect way in this little meeting and training session is with a good old-fashioned promo.

Maniac smiles as he finishes his drink, setting the glass on the bar. Kratos inclines his head slightly, a gesture he offers to very few.

Kratos: Your words carry weight. Not because they are loud, but because they come from conviction.

He folds his arms, posture steady and grounded.

Strength is not only in the body. It is in the will. You have shown both. William Draconis is the only other man that has taught me how to talk like you.

A brief pause, almost contemplative.

If you lead this training, I will follow. Not as a servant… but as a warrior who recognizes another's worth.

Jesse straightens up, the usual smirk replaced with something more sincere.

Jesse: Gotta say, Maniac… that was solid. Not just tough‑guy talk you meant every word.

He nods, impressed rather than amused.

I respect that. A lot of people try to sound like you and my father just did, but they don’t have the presence to back it up.

He lifts his hands in a small, open gesture.

So yeah. I’m with you. If this is your session, I’m ready to learn whatever you’re putting down.

Maniac: Thank you guys, I appreciate that. And yes Kratos, we go into this as equal warriors because we call carry special skills that will help us in our journeys in life and especially with this situation we’re dealing with right now.

Maniac takes his phone out of his pocket and then looked over at Mandy.

Maniac: Would you do us the honor of filming for us?

Mandy smiles and heads over to the bar, taking the phone and getting everything set up.

Mandy: Ok, whenever, you guys are ready.

Maniac makes him another drink and then nods for Mandy to start recording…
___________________________________________________

On camera

The scene opens inside Maniac’s bus, standing behind the bar is the champion himself enjoying a drink, ready for anything to come.

Maniac: Fate, funny how it works out, huh Jeremy? But as you and everyone else already know it came with its fair share of setbacks. People were hurt, tortured, and a career was lost.

Maniac takes a drink and continues.

Maniac: And while I’ve been fighting and clawing to get out of that darkness here I am right back in the middle of it, in more ways than one. And you’ve played right into it Jeremy, following in Matt’s footsteps is exactly what the demon wants. But we can’t stop now can we? The date has already been set and the people are asking for it, besides you’re all hyped up ready to go just like Matt just a year ago. Just like him your hatred has blinded you and like him it’s going to cost you big, the only difference between you two is that Matt left because of an injury from the Asylum, which he won if you remember. But that’s where the differences end, you’re not going to leave because of an injury you’re leaving because I’m going to end your career. That, and you sure as hell aren’t gonna win, I’m keeping MY HWA Championship and unlike your little punk ass, I really don’t care If you come watch. On TV, buy a ticket and come see us live, Hell even bring Matt along I’d love to see him again.

Maniac turns, looking off camera.

Maniac: Wouldn’t it though?

The camera pans to reveal Jesse Draconis and Kratos sitting at the bar, Jesse Draconis sits there like he owns the shadows, Kratos beside him looking like he’s judging the entire mortal race. Jesse Draconis lets out a low laugh, the kind that makes bartenders rethink their career choices.

DreamMaster… buddy… pal… demonic tourist… you keep talking like you’ve already foreseen the outcome of our match. Cute. Really cute. I love a demon with confidence. Especially when it’s completely misplaced.

He swirls his drink, watching the ice melt like it owes him money.

You wander around acting like you’re some cosmic entity. Newsflash: if you were really dreaming, you’d be the kind of person who wakes up from sweating, confused, and deeply disappointed. You’re not a prophecy. You’re a nap. A light one. The kind toddlers take.

Kratos grunts — the kind of grunt that sounds like a death sentence.Jesse leans in, voice dropping to a razor‑thin whisper.

You think you’re going to destroy me? My guy… I just need to show up. You’re out here floating in the ether, and I’m the one dragging you back down to the dirt where real fights happen.

He stands, cracking his neck like he’s warming up for a homicide.

When that bell rings, DreamMaster, I’m not stepping into your world. You’re stepping into mine. And in my world, nightmares don’t scare me. I eat them. With hot sauce.

He pats Kratos on the shoulder.

And he’s the mild one.

Jesse walks off into the dark hallway behind the bar. Kratos follows, the camera shaking slightly as if even it knows better than to get in their way. The camera paints back to Maniac who has a giant grin on his face.

Maniac: Jeremy, you think you're saving HWA's traditions? Do you even know what those traditions are? Because they're not the ones that you and everyone else have envisioned, no, they are the traditions of what HWA is and will always be. A blend of wrestling and theatrics, all fueled by real life emotions. If anything, I'm protecting the traditions of HWA while you are the one trying to tear them down and build new ones because they make you feel safer. Life isn't safe, and you're gonna find that out come Art of War. See you then Jeremy...

Maniac raises his glass and then take the drink as the scene fades the black.