SUMMARY

SCENE: APRIL 10, 2023 // WATZMANN-OSTWAND PEAK, MUNICH, BAVERIA, GERMANY

Simon is wearing a grey tank top, dark, olive green sweatpants, and brown hiking loafers.

TIME: 17:15 CET

SIMON HIU
It's been four days since I had my second round fight for the UKWW Championship Tournament against Devin. Another fight I won. But this time, I'm not just feeling that post-victory high.. I feel... different. Conflicted. What happened towards the end of that match?

As I sit and meditate on the Watzmann-Ostwand Peak, the mountain I visited a few hours prior to that match, I begin to reach in and remember the match. I remember...

FLASH

Devin slams me against the canvas and as I go to get up he slips in a nasty headlock. Something started slipping in this moment. I scoop him up and off me, slamming him down to get the headlock off... and immediately mount him, pounding in his sides... why did I do that?

FLASH

I take control of his arms and lock his legs and go for the frontal straightjacket... He knocks out immeidately but I don't... I don't register that. I keep the hold on... why did I keep the hold on?

FLASH

My arm is raised, I walk around the ring, I rush back to Devin... he pushes me away and rushes out of the ring with the help of his assistant manager... "DEVIN!" I hear myself call to him in a concerned voice.

FLASH

What was it that I was feeling? Why did it all feel so hazy? But I remember it all so clearly, especially now...

FLASH

It's dark. But suddenly, I see red. I'm looking down, seeing Devin's face as it winces and writhes in struggle as he feels each punch connect with his sides, his hands briefly pinned to the canvas, only for his arms to be dragged across his neck... His face struggles and winces in a brief pain very briefly... only to then relax as he passes out. My face, the entire time in that finishing sequence? A cold glare. I can feel it. A mercilessness that I have felt but never expressed. But I've seen it.

FLASH

What is this that just popped into my mind? Rob? This was three years ago. When I was Jackson. When he blacked out... then punched me out. That face. The cold glare. Suddenly, snow starts falling around me as I witness this distant memory. This didn't happen here... I hold out my hands and look around. Suddenly...

FLASH

I'm back at ringside, watching myself this time using the cobra straightjacket choke on Ben, DrifterBoy... Wait... I did feel AND express this cold aggression before. It was here. Steadily, autumn leaves started drifting down all around me. This didn't happen here...

FLASH

Now, almost 3.5 years ago... when I was Jackson again, fighting Havoc as he ambushed me in Paris. An arrogance that blended with rage as I saught to not put him down, but humiliate him.. only for it to come crashing back at me. Slowly, the room around me begins to turn red.

FLASH

I see a glimpse. Something refreshing. Peaceful... Almost heavenly. But right now... it's all concealed in fog.

FLASH

My physical body takes a long, soothing, deep breathe and I slowly open my eyes. I feel... at peace now. I did what I did. I gave into anger. Into fear. I might host the Guardian Spirit, destined to be this Guardian, but I'm also still human. I made some mistakes. I went... a little excessive, but... what's passed has passed. I can't change what I did, only how I feel about it.. and how I can let it rest. Devin is not ready to talk yet, but when he is, he'll reach out. I know it. Ben and I are on good terms despite how I got the win from him... Havoc... I know I have to face him... And when I'm ready to again, he's going down.

TIME: 18:15 CET

I slowly rise to my feet and take another deep breath, taking in the crisp air on this peak. The Mountain of Destiny... how aptly named. As I take in the view one more time and begin to head down from the peak back into the city, I come to peace with moving on to the semifinals. Now, I know that no matter who I face... I'm ready, and with every fight, I will give it everything I have.

TO BE CONTINUED

Published: 2023-04-11, viewed 19 times.