The audience built themselves into a frenzy as the final straps were fastened on the straitjacket, Salem's fingers trembling from both pain and anticipation as he was literally securing his grip on the Asylum Championship with every belt he threaded. The orderlies had already started descending the ramp as the final snap was made, Salem falling back against the arena floor in a state of utter exhaustion. His fight was over, but the war had only just begun. He was still young, and he'd have to prove that tonight was more than just an upset - but rather, the start of a new legacy. The only thing on Salem's mind, however, was trying to stay awake long enough to see Three put up on the stretcher and carried out of the arena as the bell rang, signalling the end of the match.
"...And the winner of this contest...and NEW Asylum Champion..." the announcer would begin as the timekeeper helped Salem to his feet, handing him his newly earned belt, draped across his blood-covered shoulder.
"Salem...Croft!"
As Salem heard his name called, his legs gave out from beneath him. The moment was too much for him to bear, not on the fumes that were keeping him going. Rather, all Salem could do was sit there and look down at his title, seeing his bloody reflection in its surface. For a moment, Salem didn't recognize himself. He passed it off as just a symptom of the fatigue...but as Salem looked up into the stands, surveying the fans that were going wild for the insanity they'd witnessed here, tonight...it was clear that he'd never be the same man, again.
"...And the winner of this contest...and NEW Asylum Champion..." the announcer would begin as the timekeeper helped Salem to his feet, handing him his newly earned belt, draped across his blood-covered shoulder.
"Salem...Croft!"
As Salem heard his name called, his legs gave out from beneath him. The moment was too much for him to bear, not on the fumes that were keeping him going. Rather, all Salem could do was sit there and look down at his title, seeing his bloody reflection in its surface. For a moment, Salem didn't recognize himself. He passed it off as just a symptom of the fatigue...but as Salem looked up into the stands, surveying the fans that were going wild for the insanity they'd witnessed here, tonight...it was clear that he'd never be the same man, again.
