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 Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2023 8:37 pm
Before the show, Rex stood in a dark part of the arena behind his wooden podium. He was on a makeshift stage, his sister by his side as he leaned forward and stared down into the mass of robes that stood down in front of him. At least thirteen individuals in hooded robes, all marked with the serpentine S for Rex's symbol stood with their attention on their leader. All of their faces were hidden but that didn't stop Rex from knowing that they were staring up at him with apt admiration. Rex looked out amongst the crowd, studying each member, glaring at them as if he were studying more than they shapeless black they made. He was reading their souls. "My dear family. Tonight is an important night. We have the chance to pull another one or two into our midst. My sister and I will be having a moment with Miss Grace in that ring and we will see if she is ready to join us after her initial refusal. If she says no again, then I'm certain that you all can be very persuasive in your own rights. Just think of how I was able to bring Ramona into the light. And there is another here in these halls that may be able to be dragged to enlightenment." Rex paused for a moment and sniffed the air. A wide smile formed under his own hooded coat and he looked around. There was a presence there. There was someone in the building that he was waiting for. A potential new recruit. A copperhead that would fit will with the pit of vipers. A laugh escaped Rex's lips. "And he is walking amongst us tonight. A presence that I have not sensed in a long time. Someone that is so fit for us that he does not know. Destiny has always guided him toward us, by his chosen name alone. He is coming and we will have him. Oh yes, my beautiful family. By the light of The Serpent, he shall be with us. And by the might of The Serpent we shall be led to the promised lands where she shall sow our venom and spoil the fruits of the gods. We will make heroes fall and corrupt redeemers and clip the wings of those in flight and as hallowed halls run black and the world begs us for mercy, you my dear children, will be able to laugh and deny them the reprieve that they seek as The Almighty Serpent coils about this wretched world and grants it a rebirth in its destruction."
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Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 10:23 pm
Salem had been at the arena for some time before the show, eager to find out who his opponent for the night would be, supposedly a wrestler of The Syndicate's choice. There was a lot riding on him and Erynys both, this evening - either a trip to SummerSlam to get their revenge on Blaze and Marcus Damone, or forfeiting their future chances at tag team gold. So, naturally, one of the first stops he'd made was the GM's office, where he'd spoken to Mick Foley. Rather, one part of Foley, as upon stepping into the office, he'd realized that Mick was fully embracing his "Dude Love" persona, doing the Hustle as he explained the situation.
"YEOW! So you wanna know who's booty it's your duty to fight tonight? Well let The Dudester give you the skinny, and we ain't talking Jenny, "Showtime"! See, I've teamed up with some snakes in my day, baby, you could say the Love Doctor is a real charmer! But this evening you gotta go toe to toe with one, and I think you're in for more harm than charm, if you catch my drift, big daddy! The Syndicate picked your poison, jack, and it's gonna be Rex Kobra vs. Salem Croft, OHHH HAVE MERCY!"
With that, Salem had went about to look for Rex, not sure where to find his friend from so many years ago. Salem hadn't kept in touch with him in a long time, and while Salem knew Rex had recently returned to the WWFG, they hadn't had an opportunity to reconnect yet, what with Salem so busy with other things. Asking around backstage on Rex's whereabouts, aides and staff all seemed anxious and nervous about the subject, hesitant to answer or just avoiding the question to get back to their tasks.
It was then that, as he opted for a dark place to take a nap, he overheard someone talking loudly in the shadows of a remote part of the arena, away from the commotion of the staff. He couldn't make out all the words, but by the tone of voice it sounded reminiscent of a church sermon. Following the voice to a secluded section of the venue, Salem turned the corner and found himself confronted by a group of robed and hooded figures, each wearing a snake-like symbol on their vestments.
Further past them at a makeshift podium, Rex appeared to be addressing his cryptic congregation, the sudden peculiar scene briefly startling Salem as he coughed clumsily, drawing the veiled figures' attention and provoking them to turn around and take notice of his presence. Chuckling uncomfortably at the strange affair going on, Salem looked across the group towards Rex and offered a polite wave of his hand, feeling like he'd just interrupted a very bizarre conference.
"Hey, Rex - my bad, man. If this isn't a good time, I can just go. Love these robes though, who's your tailor?" he quipped, trying to diffuse the awkward tension overpowering the moment.
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Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 10:43 pm
"What did I say, my children? The Copperhead has graced us with our presence. You are not interrupting at all, Salem. I was just informing my family here that I knew that you had arrived. I felt you arrive at this place. I know that you went to the den of false love and falser promises to get my name as your opponent this evening. The Kobra against The Copperhead in a battle for the ages. Oh, it shall be glorious."Rex stepped down from his stage and the lights that were shining on him went out at almost the exact time he had ventured beyond their borders. Above him another light came on, glowing red. As he moved through his followers, those nearest him would take a knee. Rex approached Salem, appearing unholy in his long hooded coat in the crimson glow. Rex placed a hand on Salem's shoulder and gestured toward the dark where his podium was. An act that caused the lights to reignite and show it. "Come, Salem, old friend. Stand before my family and hear the wisdom of The Serpent. Bathe in The Serpent's Glow and learn of the ascension that is to come. You too can know the glory that I intend on sharing with the people of WWF:G. Let me preach to you the knowledge that I found while I was alone in my exile from this place. It will be most useful to you in the times to come. Of that, I can be certain."
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Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:39 pm
Salem felt very leery about walking deeper into what looked like potential trouble, but Rex was a friend, once upon a time. One of the first people he'd met in the business, Kobra and Croft lost touch over the years and it was a point of contention for Salem, who often wondered how his old buddy was doing. But since returning recently, Rex had been amassing followers to a nebulous cause, his words and deeds taking on darker contexts that concerned Salem.
Still, "Showtime", himself, knew what it was like to sometimes take the darker path through life, reminded of his own foreboding group he'd once run called "Salem's Lot", a quartet of people who thrived on aggression and destruction. If anyone should be sympathetic to change, it should be the "Change Jar Superstar", right?
"Heh...okay, Rex. I'll hear the sales pitch, just know I'm not really the religious type so let's not start a prayer circle or anything." he said, approaching the front of the crowd confidently but coiled on the inside and ready for any sudden attack from those surrounding him.
If things did go south, he wasn't sure how many it'd take to bring him down but he could guess how many they'd use to try should push come to shove. Getting up on the platform with Rex, Salem stood next to his old friend, glancing between him and the many veiled faces before them, still not able to put his finger on their ambitions or plans.
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2023 11:44 pm
Rex stood in front of his podium and stared down at the congregation.. The red lights went off and it was just him and Salem and Ramona on the stage bathed in a soft glow of a light. Rex leaned forward and took in a deep breath that morphed into a laugh as he exhaled. Usually, he wasn't preaching to a guest that wasn't a sure thing. But Rex knew. He knew deep down that Salem belonged. He could feel the voice of The Serpent in his bones demanding that he make a great impression. With a quick glance at his guest, he looked out at his minions and cleared his throat. "As I was saying, my children. Salem Croft has graced us with his presence. Did I not tell you that The Serpent would deliver to us The Copperhead. The man so fated to help bring our venom to the world that he has named himself perfectly to join our order. You already have The Kobra and The Vipress and with this man with us, just think what we could accomplish. Our influence could spread farther than Jörmungandr. Our influence could cause more devastation than the serpent in Eden. With Salem Croft by our side, there is not a corner of WWF:G that could escape our darkness. We shall defile these hallowed halls and rule." Rex slammed his hand down on the podium in excitement which prompted whispers of praise to ripple through the congregation. Rex turned and faced Salem, lowered his hood so that Salem could get a full look at his face. Rex placed a hand on Salem's shoulder and peered into his eyes from over top his aviator shades. "My sister has her sights on a new person to join our family and I am assisting in that regard. A new person not just to the family but to F:G. Someone who could take our light and our message of rot and decay out to the masses. Our precious little flying snake. But there is no better venom that I would like to have than yours, my friend. With you by my side, we could show the entire roster the strength and the power and the eternal greatness that is The Serpent."
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