Rayven had found a way to win once again.  Coming into the match, she had worried that her submission finisher might not work on Steve Murdock, but she wasn’t her father or her aunt who would pre-plan the fight move by move.  She would let the match play out, and go where the vibes of the match directed.  She valued adaptability over planning.  

 

As it had turned out, the vibes of the match meant she didn’t need to try her submission finisher.  She was given an opening and flipped into the air and dropped Steve to the mat head first.  3 seconds later, she had defended her title once more.

 

As was her usual ritual, the moment she came out of the shower, she was streaming live to her fans.  “Bad Kharma for Steve Murdock, huh?  Props to him for a hell of a fight, but it seems to me that I’m still the champ.  You know, I gotta say that this is really seeming to be fun!  Guaranteed booking every week, a nice range of new talent and established talent to test yourself against.  I gotta say, I’m gonna miss this if I make it to 5 defenses.”

 

Rayven pauses and looks at some of the comments coming in and shrugs.  “Wow.. what title will I challenge for?  Hard to say, I mean, Abigail and Apathy both went right for the big belt.  I think with me, if I make it to 5, I’ll take a look at the sitch and see.  I mean let’s say Karlie Nash takes the Skirmish title from Akame.  I might just go for that belt then.  If Akame is still champ if I get to 5, I’d be much less likely to go for it.  So, guess we’ll see what the landscape looks like and if I can get to 5 title defenses.”

 

Rayven raises an eyebrow as some donations and another question comes in.  “Wow, hey thanks for the donations, guys, always appreciated.  As for the question, well when you’re a professional fighter, you spend a lot of time on the road so I can’t speak for others but I mostly live on fast food, diners, and other restaurant type places.  Oh, and hotel room service, obviously.  Alright, well, quick post match update and thoughts are over for now, keep an eye on the channel and I’ll be back later with the next chat.”

 

Rayven ended the stream and finished getting dressed.  She ended up hanging out later at the arena than usual because there were fans that wanted autographs and so she stayed and made sure the fans that were in line got an autograph and got to talk with her for a few moments.

 

It was a couple days later that she learned how much her investment with the fans had paid off when she awoke to an email from CWF indicating that sales of her merch was starting to peak and when she checked her social media channels, she noticed she was getting a surge of followers as well.  This meant she was set for an increase in the money she got from both things.  The other CWF email was informing her of her next match.  Vanguard.  Pittsburgh.  Against Anthony Khalil Savage.  She pulled him up and noticed right away the accent.  She was not the only one, Abby poked her head up from video games and walked over. “Right.  Pure London, that accent.”  Abby listened and tilted her head to the side.  “Not rich.  Least not born into money.  Educated though.  Typical Londoner though.. Has the smug sense of superiority down.  Talkin’ like he’s better than whoever he’s speaking to.”

 

Rayven grins then hits Abby with a question.  “He made reference to council flats?  What’s that?”

 

Abby shrugged.  “Council housing?  Government housing for people who can’t afford it.  Tories and other conservative shites look down on it.  Council flats would be what the yanks refer to as apartments.”

 

Rayven took notes and Abby looked, watching the video as well.  “Why you studying him?”    Rayven shrugged.  “Because he has a shot at my Valor title this cycle.”  Rayven adds as she takes some more notes.  “Huh.  Well he doesn’t like social media.  Just like every other dinosaur.  He’s gonna hate me then.”

 

The two went through their training and work out routines for the day and then were getting ready for lunch.  As they walked out of the gym, Rayven took her phone and was soon streaming again.  “Well hey there, fans!  Just finished morning workouts and training.  On my way to lunch now, but first.  I want to touch on a few things my opponent said last cycle.  He’s got a point with corporate brands and their reputation and all that jazz.  But brick and mortar?  Wow, that’s so 20th century.  It might still be important and yes, there is good that can be done and profit that can be made in that, but to write off social media?  My guy, If I were to go social media full time, I could probably match my salary that CWF pays me within a few months, in less than a year?  Making more than what CWF gets me.  And yeah, you’re gonna say that it could all go poof.  So could this career.  A wrestler can blow out their knee, wreck the ACL, MCL, or hell, get a blood clot and then you’re sidelined like Jaylen Hurts.  You might knock it, but I see social media as a chance to talk to my fans directly.”

 

Rayven holds up a finger.  “But let’s look at your business.  There’s a man who got a job he doesn’t deserve because someone in his family invested money in your company.  The guy is unqualified, cutting corners, making your company look bad, ruining the reputation.  Instead of being a good company taking a loss to help people who need it, your company risks being known as the shit company who takes shortcuts and does shoddy work that can’t be trusted.”  Rayven pauses for a moment.  “How much of a threat to your company is that?  Life is chaos, Tony.  There is no such thing as a sure thing.  You and I both take risks, both when we step into the ring and in our pursuits outside of it.  The money I bring in from social media.  That’s what I live on.  My CWF salary and bonuses?  Bank account, and invested in things I believe society needs.  Not always something that will get me a return.  Things I believe will benefit humanity.”

 

Rayven smirks a bit as she nods.  “One more thing from your last promo.  A promise behind your brand to kick the ass of whoever you’re lined up against?  Well, I’m not Mysterion.  I’m not Alex Nelson.  I’m a second generation talent.  Also, I didn’t just have this job handed to me.  I grew up in this business.  Grew up watching my father take names and kick ass all over the world.  I’ve been training for this most of my life and that’s largely why I’m here.  CWF Valor Champion.  Only one person in CWF can claim to have a win over me.  Former Conquest champion, Abigail Dresden.  Now, being that a fellow Brit is the one who holds a win over me, maybe that feeds your ego and your confidence.  I don’t know.  What I do know, is I’m getting to know you.  There’s more coming but I need lunch first, so stay tuned both Tony and my fans.  There’s more to come.”

 

After the stream ended, Abby resumed her spot next to Rayven and nodded.  “He’s gonna come at you like I did.  British wrestling style.  You’ve got to stay on your feet and stay moving if you want to have a chance.”

 

Rayven nods.  “Yeah, but his confidence borders on hubris.. And he’s a lot like dad in a lot of ways, his theory of wrestling is a throwback to an older time.  Might work for nostalgia and feels but I’m going to prove that we’re in a new age and if he can’t evolve, he won’t be getting a new title on his wall.”

 

As the duo made their way out into the Pittsburgh night, Rayven glanced off to the side and sighed, shaking her head.  Before Abby could ask, Rayven answered the question.  “Biker chick over by the vending machine.  The woman at the bar with the sunglasses, reading the newspaper.”  Abby nods.  “I see them.”  Rayven nods.  “Vampires.  Both of them.  I’m getting tired of them harassing me.  Let’s try something.”  Rayven says before walking over to the vending machine and making a purchase.  As she does so, she gives a slight glance to the biker girl.  “You really need to back the hell off.”  

 

The biker girl makes a motion of buying the drink for Rayven and nods.  “You need to be careful.  The boss is leaning towards getting physical and you and your little fae friend over there won’t be much challenge.”  Rayven narrows her eyes a bit and nods.  “Tell your boss we’re coming for her.  She might be lower on the priority list, but I’ve watched my horror movies.  I know how to deal with your kind.”

 

The biker girl smirked and nodded.  “Uh huh.  Did it ever occur to you that maybe my kind were behind those movies?  We crafted the myths and legends.  You can never be completely sure of how to deal with us until you’re actually fighting us.  Which has one drawback.  If you pick the wrong myth, you’re dead.”

 

Rayven winked and blew a kiss to the biker girl.  “Guess I’ll have to pick the right one then.”  She says, switching effortlessly to the language of her people.  The biker girl smirked and replied in the same language.  “Be careful that confidence doesn’t grow into hubris.”  The biker girl gave Rayven’s face a coupe of light, soft slaps  and walked away.

 

Rayven had thought that was the end of it.  She was wrong.  It happened in the night.  Abby was spending time with Akame which meant Rayven was alone.  She saw it out of the corner of her eye.  A brief flash of shadow moving.  As she looks around, she gets that feeling she describes as her spidey senses tingling.  She places her earbuds in and a few moments later she’s listening to music.  It was one of the first things her mother had taught her about magic.  Unlike supernatural creatures like Fae and other such beings, humans had different rules for magic.  For one, they all needed foci.  Some channeled magic from an entity.  Others drew magic from nature. Rayven liked to joke that she was one the mages that literally used sex, drugs, and/or Rock and roll (or any music really).  But she had no way of really knowing for sure how true it was.  She could use magic.  That was enough for her.  

 

The second major thing she had learned regarding magic was that, when possible, you should blend it in so that mortal witnesses don’t see it as blatant magic.  For example, if one wanted money, you didn’t just make a pile of money appear.  You buy a lottery ticket and use magic to make it a winning ticket.  Rayven picked up a can of hairspray and lighter and waited.  Finally, she saw it.  The intruder stumbled.  Rayven wasted no time.  She activated the lighter and sprayed the hairspray.  Her magic kept the can from exploding in her hand and she increased the range.  She heard it.  The figure came out on fire, screaming in agony and, fairly quickly, seemingly disintegrating into dust.  Rayven sighed.  “Vampires.”

 

Then something grabbed her from her behind , grabbing her wrist and yanking her arm back forcing her to drop the can as the vampire seemingly appeared out of shadow itself.  “That will be enough of that, little mage.”  She said before grabbing Rayven up by the throat as if she weighed nothing.  The woman seemed to enjoy Rayven’s struggles and nodded.  “Hmm well.. Might as well get a drink before I kill you.”  Rayven watched as the woman ripped Rayven’s t-shirt away and bit into her breast, drinking some of the blood within.

 

Outside of the room, everything seemed silent.  While there was some fire damage done to the room, there was no active fire and the sounds coming from Rayven’s room might have been considered someone watching the TV a bit too loud..

 

That was until the door to Rayven’s door exploded as a bloody and half naked Rayven flew through it en route to flying across the hall and slamming into the wall on the other side.  The shadow vampire and her goons came out.  She turned to them and sighed.  “Finish her quickly and don’t forget to do it in a way that doesn’t harm the masquerade.”

 

With that, she melted into the shadows and one of the vampires drew a knife and came at Rayven.  Rayven grabbed the wrist of the attacker and forced herself to stand as she followed her training.  Keep the knife away from her body. 

 

She did this pretty well until her attacker drew a second knife and slashed, missing her neck by inches but cutting the upper part of her torso.  The vampire followed this up by hitting her in the gut with a knee and throwing her into the wall.  She advanced slowly when the biker girl from earlier grabbed the vampire from behind and staked her in the heart.  “I’ll deal with you later.”  She said as she threw the vampire down.  Kara came up behind the biker girl and knelt down, checking Rayven.  The biker girl sighed.  “She needs blood.  I know the Lasombra who led this group.  She fed from her.”

 

Kara sighed.  “I won’t let you make her like me.”  The biker girl shrugged.  “I wouldn’t feed her my blood anyways.. She’s been fed from.  I don’t know how much blood she’s lost.. My blood might try to embrace her.  That would be a death sentence for both me and her.”

 

Another two vampires came out of the room.  One drew a gun but Kara tried to stake him, causing him to drop the gun before using it to fight Kara off.  The biker girl came over and joined the brawl.  Suddenly, a glowing light opened behind Rayven and Abby stepped through.  Another portal opened in Rayven’s room and the vampire who had gotten the advantage on Kara, having thrown her into the wall, suddenly disappeared as Akame stabbed him causing him to poof.  Kara looked up at her savior and sighed.  “I’m never gonna hear the end of this.”  

 

“Probably not.”  Akame said.  Kara turned to Abby.  “Get Rayven out of here!  She needs blood and medical attention.”  Akame nodded and, seeing the staked vampire on the ground, walked over and used her sword to decapitate her.

 

Abby nodded and grabbed Rayven, pulling her up.  A moment later, they were gone.  By now, security and police were en route.  The Biker Girl sighed and nodded, looking at Akame.  “Get the ghoul out of here.  I’ll make myself scarce.”

 

With that, she was gone and Akame sighed and grabbed Kara.  “Hold close.  We’ll be passing through a realm not made for you.  Get too far away from me and it’ll go bad for you.”  With that, they were gone.

 

A short time later, Akame and Kara were in the hotel room with Fiona, Abby, and Rayven.  Fiona looking her over.  “She took a beating.”  Kara nodded.  “She’s lost a lot of blood, apparently the vampire who attacked her fed from her.”

 

Fiona nods.  “I think I can help with that.  She’ll need to rest for a couple of days but she should be okay.”

 

Kara smiled and walked over to assist Fiona’s magic and medical skills with her own medical skills.  She looked up at Akame.  “Thank you.”

 

Akame takes a breath.  “Did it for Abby and for Rayven.”  Kara shrugs.  “Still. Thank you.”  Akame looks over at Rayven and then back to Kara.  “What happened?  Why was she attacked in the first place?”  

 

Kara lets out a sigh.  “I don’t know.  I had been given a chance to handle things myself.  According to the vampire who helped me, the others took matters into their own hands.  I intend to find out.”

 

As the show neared, Rayven had recovered, with some help from Fiona and the others and decided to do one more stream prior to the match.  She turned on her phone as she left Acrisure Stadium and she smiled.  “Hey there fans.  Just left the game between the Steelers and the Browns. Still more of a football fan than an American football fan but it's still fun.  So, another day in the life of the Valor champion.  This is me, enjoying America.  After all, after this season, we’ll finally be going to Europe.  As excited as I am to get back home, I’ll miss the U.S.  My dad wrestled for a lot of companies here in the U.S. so I’ve spent a lot of time here.  I have to tell you all.  I’m gonna miss this belt when it’s gone.  I love fighting to defend a belt everytime you step into the ring.  See, even though she and my dad have been rivals for a long time, I always respected her view that whenever a champion steps into the ring, their title should be at risk.  I respect a fighting champion.  Even more so now that I am a fighting champion myself.  Now, just to be clear.  When I say I’ll miss this title when it’s gone, I mean that whether I make it the five defenses and have to relinquish it or lose the title to someone else, I will lose this title sometime before or around the end of season pay per view, Cyber Warfare.  Obviously, I plan to defend the belt five times but best laid plans and all.”

 

Rayven pauses as she walks and crosses the street and reads the chat.  “Ah the old standby.  Have I decided what belt I’ll go for?  No.  I don’t want to get ahead of myself and I want to see what the title picture looks like and I want to get all five defenses done before I make a final decision.  Hmm another question, my only loss so far was to a British wrestler.  Am I worried about taking on another British wrestler?”

 

Rayven considers this a bit and shrugs.  “He’s bigger than me.  Both taller and heavier and boxing, freestyle wrestling and MMA divide themselves by weight class for a reason.  No matter how skilled you are, weight is a solid advantage.  So I am keenly aware of the threat Mr. Savage poses.  But I’m also aware that I’ve spent my entire life fighting and beating people bigger than me.  Training with and to fight people bigger than me.  I also am pretty sure I can move faster than he can and do so longer than he can.  So.  I feel good about my chances to win.”

 

A couple of people overhear the streaming Rayven and recognize her, beginning to move over to her asking for her autograph.  Rayven smiles and nods, signing the autographs.  After a bit of signing autographs, she walks away, continuing on her path.  “You and I are both new to the company, Tony.  You certainly have potential, but at the risk of my confidence sounding like arrogance, this is my time now.  I have a goal to become only the 4th person to make it all five title defenses and you are in my way of that.  So come Vanguard, I plan to remove you from my way and continue on my way towards five defenses.  See you then, Tony.  As for the rest of you fans, don’t forget to tune in or come by the stadium to watch Vanguard.  As for me, stay tuned.  I’m going to continue my exploration of the new city.  I’ll have highlights on my account later.  See ya!”

 

After ending the stream, she tucked her phone away and continued her exploration of the city