Steve Matthews Vs. Ahyma

The flashing lights, the thunderous applause. The vision begins to blur. “I must stay.” Colors in the distance desaturate, silhouettes stretch. “I must stay.” A touch of the hand, arm lifted. The feeling of an adrenaline rush, disjointed voices. “Please let me stay.” Muffled music becoming distorted, the shadow consuming all. “I don’t want to go..” Darkness, compression. “Was any of it even real?” Several blinks, then a long look around the room. White walls, nothing around aside from the door and the chair she found herself sitting in. The woman calling herself Ahmya, calling herself Shiori, had a neutral expression on her face. She had the urge to look perplexed but couldn’t. This inability made her mind wander. Did she know what was going on and lost the knowledge in the shift? Before any real attempt can be made to figure out what is going on, the door in the distance slowly opened. The gaze of the young woman remained focus, this fact and who she saw leading her to understand that once again she was truly lost.

“So it appears as though we’re stuck in yet another meeting? Tell me now, what is the last thing you remember?” The question was a strange one, however looking into the face of the one asking, her familiar features made the question seem so normal in comparison. With a heavy sigh and no will to search for an escape, she decided to allow her company to continue the rather one sided conversation. “I see you’ve chosen this route once again, which is fine, but it does leave a lot to be desired. You of all should know how being the right kind of conversationalist in the correct setting can lead to such wonderful things. Now look, we don’t have much time here so I wanted to try and once again talk some sense into you.” Not much time, clocks around the room. Wait no, that’s not the true setting. Letting out a short cough, the Ahmya/Shiori hybrid shook her head, the throbbing once again coming into play. She wanted to note the changes in the room but found herself unable to. Initially that halt came from her aching but the fourth time, she was hushed by the other who appears as though she’s getting frustrated. “I really do wish you would take better notes or at the very least try to face what you did. You can’t keep running from this —. Management handled the coverage but with you continuing to put yourself out there, going from place to place, living in this disguise, you’re risking exposure. Neither of us can afford this so you need to confront this while having your wits about you. Using these methods to further your delusion, only heightens the risk even more. You need to make the right decision here, choose to wake up, don’t cloud your mind. Stay here and face the truth. It’s the only way you’ll live through this tragedy. Maybe you can even continue this fun little charade but get to have fun with it.” None of this made sense, what was she hiding, who was she hiding from? She wanted answers but had this pain in her gut which prevented her from speaking these thoughts. Was the truth that frightening? “Don’t do that..you’re slipping again TE—. That isn’t the point of this meeting, or any of the other ones. We’re trying to get you back on track. You need to stay grounded! You have too much on the line. They all have worked too hard for you to screw this all up. You have to listen to —.”

The words faded, static filled her ears. The woman with that face vanished and any sense this made went away with the white of the walls. Where did she go? There has to be a way to find the answer. Close your eyes, breathe. Don’t lose what sense you have. Breathe. Stay. Four walls, the safe haven. “I made it.” Her eyes snapped open, her gaze darting along the room and with a sigh of relief she realized that she was back in the lovely little place she was growing to call a home. Did she dare face her reflection? She was told to face herself but was this the right time? She had so much she needed to prepare for. After all, if she remembered correctly, her match against Kat Jones was successful and she was set to face the new Chaos Champion Steve Matthews for the championship. Shaking her head, she knew she had to at least look, see the new scars, put together what is real and what is fiction. It was almost tradition at this point during the times she woke up in her room. Though she dreaded who she’d see, the woman behind Ahmya, the woman calling herself Shiori walked over to the vanity. A tired expression, red eyes, a few scratches with unknown origins. Nothing too bad. “Live with what you did!” There she was, turning to face her, she let out a scream but following it all, found herself in an unfamiliar position, a new location as far as she knew. What now?

Trying to get a feel for the atmosphere, she took in a deep breath, looking carefully starting with the exhale. It’s spacious, there’s recording equipment everywhere. It’s a studio, she must have found her way here so that she may do something for Chaos 102. Stepping it up with the production? It’s fitting considering she’s going from newcomer to a contender in this match. She couldn’t help smirking at the thought. Just a few short months ago, she hadn’t even had the simplest of experiences with this profession and now she could be winning her first championship. Wait, has it been a few months? It’s hard to tell. “Nevermind that.” The woman known as Shiori let out a gasp. She didn’t mean to voice that out loud but there went the slip. She had been doing that a lot lately, if she recalled correctly. That is something that will need to change, champions need to manage themselves better, lest they lose their mind and status in quick succession. “I have to be better now.”

“Oh? Are you feeling under the weather or something Ahmya?” The question forced her away from her mental tangent, the woman offering the man a smile as a way to bring forth a feeling of assurance. “Oh no, I just mean this whole side of the business. I’m growing more comfortable in my own skin out there but on camera, I still haven’t gotten used to all that.” She received a confused look in response, one which brought about a few concerning thoughts. Thankfully all that was squashed by a smile sent her way. “I never would have guessed that from the way you present yourself. You stand tall and have conviction behind your words. I always get a feel of genuine determination and it’s great. I mean it’s good to know you’re human but you need to give yourself more credit than you do.” A blush, of course, though innocent in nature, she knew too much of that can lead to more trouble. Apparently she has enough of that if what was told to her was the truth so she shouldn’t add more to that for the sake of pretending she matters to someone for a night. “That is sweet, thank you. You’d think with the choice I made career wise that I’d have this huge ego about me but it’s sort of the opposite. Of course I’ll try to work on that. I don’t want to make your job any harder than it has to be.” A little wink, careful now. “Well how about we get started on helping out with that right now? This could very well be your last address before you become a champion, may as well tackle the beast of self doubt and turn into one of those egotistical stars.” Sharing a laugh, the presumed Shiori then smiled. Unsafe territory, dangerous lumber. After giving a soft nod, the two went into work mode. He set up the cameras, the lights and she cleared her mind of all the strife. Once given the signal, she stepped into the center frame, offering the public her gorgeous smile before getting the madness going.

“Greetings to the lovely faithful of Carnage Wrestling. Ahmya here and my oh my do I have a number of things to discuss. While I’ve done a decent enough job to stay away from the dramatics, I still find myself with some in ring craziness. Now before I get started on the future, I need to reflect on what transpired most recently. Kat Jones, my dear, we did it. We gave a memorable match, worthy of any main event and showed why Havoc will certainly be a show to catch. Now obviously one of us had to leave that match just a tad disappointed and while many believed that would be me, here I stand as the victor, ready to make the most of what I earned. We must do this again dear, perhaps with that one being for a newly won championship? I’m not one with the ability to tell the future but I would absolutely be open for that idea. I know you feel the same. Still though, even in defeat you continued to show why you are deserving of being in Carnage Wrestling and being one of its most prominent stars. With your defeat though, came my victory and now we have Chaos 102 right around the corner. To think I have a title shot so soon? That’s crazy.” A few laughs escaped from the young Ahmya, with her needing about a minute to regain her composure and continue.

“Now I’m safely assuming in this situation that I’m seen as the underdog so I will be taking advantage of that by talking about how much this opportunity means to me and how much I think about my opponent in this match, the reigning Chaos Champion Steve Matthews. Oh and no, I’m not being sarcastic, I actually respect my opponents and am truly thankful for what I have, unlike some others who are a bit more on the unsavory side. I won’t name names of course but I’m sure you know who you are. You all do. Just because I have what some may refer to as rose colored glasses, doesn’t mean I don’t pay attention. The way Steve won the title wasn’t without controversy and it would be fitting in a way if he lost the title in a similar fashion. Not by the actual actions of course, I don’t really think a match like that could or should be replicated, I mean in the whole losing it to a relative newcomer nobody’s giving a second look to because she’s not a drama queen. Oh my, did I say that out loud? Please forgive me.” Some laughs escaped from Ahmya but it was obvious by her tone before that there were a few underlying emotions with her words. She has never been a fan of the theatrics, as far as she knew, and with what’s happening within her, her detest for all that only grew. “Seriously though, this match is my biggest to date, it’s my first title shot and while some may try to downplay the nervousness, I choose to embrace it and show it off as a way of letting you see who I am. I’m not hiding anything with a gimmick, I’m simply a young woman who loves this business, and while seemingly new to it, has the tools to be something greater than herself. Facing someone Steve’s caliber can be intimidating, but what is more anxiety inducing is what he has. That Chaos Championship already has a lot attached to it and for the chance to be another part of that is heavy. I can’t deny that. Now while I believe I can win this, I also know that win or lose, this will be a difficult match for me. I also know that with everything he has going on that he may come at me just a tad more aggressive than he normally would. Someone who’s obsessed with their appearance would beg for anything but their face to be touched. Me on the other hand, I welcome all the shots in exchange for the chance to let all mine loose without consequence. While my business is not all out there for the world to see, I may have some things pent up. The only difference is I won’t let that cover my eyes, cloud my strategic mind. That seems to be an issue with a few people here, Steve included. Of course I want the top tier he can offer, but knowing what I do, seeing what you’ve all seen, I’m prepared for all versions. I made sure to do my homework while I was here and think I have it within me to tackle all he has. I may even believe I’ll find myself able to walk away from the ordeal as champion. Well actually I have to believe that, if I didn’t, I have no business being a part of any of this. Outsider or not, I know in that ring, I belong. This is where I prove that point more.”

Taking a deep breath, Ahmya gathered her thoughts together as best as she could before shaking her head, muttering her haze away. Stay, just stay. Say one more thing, they need to know your plans, they need to feel your desire. This is your chance to reach them all, warn them all. Don’t go. Stay. Please. You need this, you don’t even realize how much you need this. “I’m sorry to come into this match ready to play spoiler on your title reign Steve. You must understand that we all want that status, that glory so I will be doing all it takes to claim it as my own. Let’s have some fun along the way though.” Another wink, he probably thinks it’s meant for him. Such a troublemaker, knowing how this goes most of the time, there will be another new location introduced later today. Oh well, at least it will be fun, hopefully. “I’ll see you out there sweetheart.” Blowing a kiss, Ahmya gives the agreed upon signal that she was done. This whole talking game was something she wasn’t so fond of so to have it all done in one take was a blessing. While it doesn’t equal what goes on out there, it does make a difference so hopefully it was enough. She went to approach the cameraman but it started again. Vision blurring, his voice hushing. Stay, breathe, anything. Damnit. Heavy eyes, don’t close. Take him now, maybe that can let you remain, maybe..

The camera was gone, the spotlight replaced by a natural one. Outside? It appears to be the case. Before her stood an establishment she had heard of in passing but never been to. “You have to go inside now. You must learn.” Despite her being urged on, she was hesitant to approach the door. Would this really bring any answers? Did she want to know the truth? There was only one way to find out. Worst case scenario, she’ll have to take care of someone else now. Wait, someone else? Her hand touches the door, she slowly makes her way inside, there’s no turning back now. “Time to face yourself, face us.”