{{Behind the Scenes}}

{{Catch Up With The Salazars}}

{{San Diego, California}}

A few months. That’s what it had been since you’ve actually seen Greg Salazar on your TV. He lost the Elite Championship to Father Nathan, mostly due to interference by those who had taken offense to the words of the man who now held that Elite Title. 

The Eternal Grove. 

In particular the returning Viktor Kreigson. 

And now, three shows later, Greg is going to get a chance to get a little payback. 

But in the meantime… he’s been home. Helping Callie deal with a 2 year old boy, and a now couple month old girl: Amelia Marie Simone Salazar. 

Yeah, Greg likes long names. Then again, his own wife, Callie has four names. So why not keep it going. 

As soon as they could, the couple had taken both children to San Diego, to visit Callie’s dad, Maximilian Fortune,  and her brother Seth. 

Some who have followed the story might remember that Seth is Callie’s Fraternal Twin, the older of the two. And her father is a former Naval Rear Admiral who worked as a liaison with the organization known as the Order. 

Callie’s dad lives in an estate in La Jolla (La  Hoy-Ya) near the submarine base in San Diego. He has been wheelchair ridden for a long time, and usually uses a scooter to get around. Seth lives with him to help take care of him. 

But, Grandpa Fortune was getting older every year, and Callie was his 13th child. So she wanted to make sure he didn’t wait too long to meet his grand children. 

They were out in the backyard, where Greg and Callie had actually had their wedding ceremony. Seth was working the grill while Callie and Greg sat with her dad. Greg had a tablet setup for Daniel, but not for a video. They were both taking turns on a game that was helping him identify numbers. 

“So, hate to ask this, but Mr. Salazar? While you have been successful in your career since leaving the military. I guess I should ask you, now that you have two children… are you working on the financial situation for when you can’t wrestle anymore?”

Greg and Callie both turned their heads to him. 

Greg looked a bit surprised, “Uhm… Not sure when that will be. I mean, I’m for all intents and purposes, immortal. I heal really fast. Both of us are part angel for all intents and purposes.”

Max shook his head, “You know that’s not going to be good for your whole life. Most wrestlers have to stop eventually. You may look young for a long time, but eventually you’re going to need to bow out. Make up a story about being too banged up from all the stuff over the years and call it quits. 

After that, being immortal means your job options are limited. Callie’s Godfather, or similar or really nothing.”

Callie, who was feeding Amelia her dinner, “What are you suggesting? I mean not something we’ve thought of really.”

Max smiled what he could, he had his dentures out now, “Well… invest. I know you’re successful. You were the first CWF wrestler to be guaranteed a million a year, right? How much did you make last year with merchandise and that?”

Greg looked to Callie. 

She sighed, and pulled out her phone, using her thumb on her one free hand, “Merch is shared with the rest of the stable except for GMS only stuff. Plus the music and tour… both of us made around 6 after taxes.”

Callie’s dad frowned at that, “And you paid taxes on all of that?”

She nodded, “Yeah.”

Now he really shook his head, “Okay, you need to look into trusts. For both of them. Keep them from paying taxes on stuff you’ve already paid taxes on, and… I know you’re both special now. I won’t say Immortal. That’s not proven until..”

Greg looked down, “Well, I should have been dead during the battle at the Order’s compound.  If not for Raziel’s interference I would have been.”

Callie spoke, “Yes, but she not only healed you but then gave you the weapon that allowed you to absorb the essence of Asbeel. That was before you were… upgraded.”

Max interrupts, “Look,  I’ve been around the Order for a while. You have enemies. These babies… they’re targets as well. You’re both part Angel. You, Greg, you’ve killed a few of the fallen now as pointed out.. Hell, Callie went to war with them when they attacked Ian’s fortress. 

One of the 5 Satans is dead, and now part of you Greg. One of the others has threatened your grandmother at least. 

And you have the fact that both of you made these babies after your first upgrades… What are they? Amelia after the death of Asbeel.  Mortal born beings that are part angel are… “

Greg looked at his son, Daniel, “Hybrids.”

“Nephilim Hybrids. Now you might end up with the other side getting involved. Sariel is already in the know. I mean… Daniel is named after the human that became Sariel, Danielle Northsky. So at least that Seraph knows of him. But that means she’ll know about Amelia as well. Ian knows.”

Callie nodded, “He has blessed both of them and declared them under his protection.”

Daddy Fortune leaned back in his hover-round at that, “Well, that is at least one saving grace. Their own agreement with the Paragon of North America means they have to at least go to him first. But these babies are special. We need to be careful. 

But also, you two are targets as well. Get a lawyer, get things situated in case something happens. 

I… I won’t be here too much longer. I’m not sure anyone would be ready to take care of two nephilim babies.”

Callie adjusted, “Dad… the thing is. We’ve had one other, Eschiel… Eve, who has said that we are what are called Archons. What do you know of those?”

Her father shook his head, “Not much. But I can dig into the books. How did you find this?”

Greg let out a nervous chuckle, “A couple of angels, Sariel, Daniel and one other gave me the information as well as Ian. I also have one of Raziel’s books now. Well the tablets she uses to send messages. It’s been dormant for a while. 

But, I… folded space. Like the Angels do. Appeared in Ishram’s manor in Praugue. His angel, who is also his grandmother was there. She filled me in on a few things. 

I am one type of Archon, Callie is another. She says I shouldn’t have been able to handle Angelic metal as just a paragon, let alone kill Remiel. Now, I’ve also killed Asbeel… So I personally don’t think absorbing the Oathbreaker… ascended me. More like just adding more legos to the model. 

But that leads to a question we’re not thought about. Would that make the babies Nephilim or… something else?”

Max looked at Greg, trying to read something. His words were direct though, “Two things would breed true, right? Two archons would make more archons. But what are Archons?”

Callie sniffed a moment, “Eve told him there had been no other Archons after her. But they were something from before.”

Max nodded at that, “Before the gap… before tohu and bohu?”

Callie seemed to consider it, “Maybe? That is the time before Eve’s true creation. But there are not many writings before that. I mean there is only what we have.”

Greg, “Well, mortal and immortal advise. We’ll look into things. But on the immortal side, still almost a dead end.”

Max seemed to be thinking, “Maybe… maybe not. You might try asking someone else… you asked Ishram’s angel. But maybe Caim’s would know something they didn’t or they won’t tell you?”

“Shemyaza?” Greg asked.

“Yes. If he doesn’t know, he might be able to point you in the right direction.”

Greg grinned, “Well I have been meaning to give Caim a visit after sending Malik to threaten me. Might be time… “

(to Be continued)

 

{{The Promo}}

Greg is standing in an area with a bunch of waterfalls behind him. Behind those are the buildings of Greenville, South Carolina’s downtown. This was Falls Park, just downtown. 

He’s standing there, in his ‘Civies’, jean shorts with some various band patches sewn onto the pockets, the front right pocket one for his band, Cryptic Writings, and a Bad Company shirt that’s in a classic tank top style.. 

It’s been a while, but it’s obvious he’s not done a touch up on the blue streaks in his hair, and he’s definitely got more than a 5 o’clock shadow going. 

The cut of the shirt shows off his tattoos, and especially a new one on his arm. Three name plates. Since the footage is in 4k, if someone were to stop the video and zoom in they’d see three names, yes: Calleen Aine Gaile Fortune-Salazar, Daniel Lane Jacobi Salazar, and Amelia Marie Simone Salazar. 

He’s… eating an icecream bar. 

As the camera zooms in on him, he stops. 

“So, last you all saw me… I was being pinned by Father Nathan for the Elite Title after a couple of asshats decided to get involved, as we knew they would… in our match. Now Nathan gets to face off with Eoin O’Rourke in a stereotypical Irishman vs Irishman match. 

If you ask me, it's predictable and boring. If it had been me going against O’Rourke I would have asked for a fucking deathmatch… But, you know… not my monkeys, not my circus type of thing. 

But I will weigh in on the match they’re having: Father Nathan… you’re not the dipshit that O’Rourke is. So please, smash his… What's the Irish term? Gob… yeah, smash his Gob with a bottle of the cheap shit. Save the good stuff for after the match. Don’t waste it on him. 

But in the case of O’rourke, just know this. I don’t like HIM. Don’t want him to beat the good Father Nathan O’Connnell. 

And the sad part here, is that Father Nathan who had called out the Eternal Grove finds himself fighting the Dynasty Era instead… so on the same side as the Grove. 

I think O’Rourke is a fucking shitbird. BUT… I want his wife, known in wrestling as Apathy to fucking all but Murder Samael Drago. All but, because we don’t need no actual murder in the ring. 

That would make her a monster.” 

He adds a sly smile at that comment. 

“And yeah, I could talk about what I think of the other Bad Company match, Kara taking on Valora Salinas. But let’s just say, outside of wrestling, I have an on and off again professional relationship with Valora Salinas… I have zero issue with her. 

But, Kara has her issues. 

They’re going to fight to settle them. That’s their thing. I’ve explained this to Kara, and know I don’t have to explain it to Valora. I wish both of them luck.”

He takes a moment to eat some more ice cream. 

When he stops, he looks at the camera directly, “As for what I’ve been doing? Well… a small update. New baby, new tattoo. Back in Puerto Rico, right before my match with Father Nathan, Callie went into labor while visiting with my father… our daughter was born less than 24 hours before Warzone. 

Now that’s not an excuse. The biggest factor in the decided winner was the shitbirds in the Eternal Grove. And you know what, rules of the game right. They didn’t break any… one two three happened, and Father Nathan claimed a title. And really, I’d rather him go on to face Eoin O’Rourke, as I said. I mean… I’ve not seen an Eoin O’Rourke match that didn’t fucking almost bore me to death. 

Work is cut out for ya, Padre.”

Again a sly smirk.

“But no… been spending time with the family, now extended by one more. When the loss happened, I asked for some time to spend with my new baby girl… and well… I guess having your wife be the head of HR/TR my vacation got approved. 

Same time her’s did. I mean she did all the damn work to deliver little Amy into the world.

But, I’m a happy man. But that little bit of time off has come to an end. And what do I see when I get the notice? The man who came back and really is the primary on what happened to take the Elite Title away from me. 

Viktor Kriegson…”

He tosses what’s left of the ice cream into a bin, and then shakes his head. 

He looks up at the camera, and brings a fist up, shaking it. 

“We meet again!”

Then he stops, and drops the fist. 

“Yeah, listened to your wee little promo, man. Seems maybe when you had your time off… you might have… bumped your head? Forgot we’ve met before already!

Let me remind you. Season 4, Episode 4…” 

He points and a small picture-in-picture  comes up. Him and Kara Reinhardt beating Viktor Kriegson back into his locker room with weapons and then barring the door. This was as Samael Drago had gone out for one of his matches against Kronin Reinhardt. 

“And then the following episode, number 5 if you can’t count… Abby Dresden and I teamed up in what became a handicap match against you. If you had won, the rule the CWF uses, then you would have been added to the match that followed for the Conquest Title. 

Now, I don’t really need to remind you how that match ended do I?”

Then he chuckled, “Well maybe I do. Seems you seem to have forgotten.”

The picture-in-picture returns. It shows GMS lifting Viktor Kriegson up onto his shoulders. Abby Dresden bounces off the ropes and pushes Kriegson’s legs vertical to help deliver the move that has had a few names: psychodriver, Oni driver, and now Greg has been calling it the Dark Disquiet. 

“Oh, poor boy. Did you forget I did that to you? You disappeared after that for a bit didn’t you. Had to go get the neck healed up? You don’t have to admit it. But I know that’s probably the reason. 

You see, Viktor, we have a history. We have a past. And just like every time I’ve faced your teammate and mentor, I’ve come out on top. 

Because there is one thing that’s for sure. If you’re name isn’t Rob Fucking Riot, there is no guarantee you’re going to beat me. In fact, you read off all my accolades… you’re climbing an uphill battle already, Viktor. 

You read them off. I don’t need to now, huh? But let me get this straight to make sure you didn’t miss any…”

He starts to count on his fingers, rattling off things.

“First Conquest Champion, Former Elite Champoin, Technically two time tag team champion due to our freebird rule, but I’ll just count one so far. Former Innagural Dyad Champoins for four winds, And from other feds a few other belts. Former Marine, Marine Scout Sniper, achieved the rank of Sergeant before being medically discharged. 

Yeah, you missed one… One. Pretty good.”

He leans back a bit, on the metal fencing he’d been leaning on, clasps his hands together in his lap. 

“You see, Viktor… you’re not a monster. You’re not a boogeyman. You’re not scary. At least not to me. If you are monster material, you’re a fucking amateur.

I’m a monster. Or at one time was. Fuck, they gave me a fucking medal for it. Bronze Star with V for valor device. For what? For killing motherfuckers before they could kill me or my teammates. And some of those motherfuckers I killed… were scary. Scarier than you can ever be.

I’m not a paragon of virtue. By far not… I am THE Paragon of wrestling though. I am a total package. I’m not too big, I can still move. But,  I have power and strength and I have the training to hurt a motherfucker three ways till sunday at any one time. And I’m going to make sure you know you’ve been hurt. 

You… are a one trick pony. Big, powerful, but slow. I know how to take you down.”

He chuckles a bit. 

“I mean, I could go into all of the physiological reasons you’re big and powerful. It gets into some spooky shit that you seem to be into. But I don’t want to bore the shit out of my intended audience here.

The one thing you can do that other big guys can’t… you are mentally articulated.

I’m glad you can speak better than most big men. I’m glad I don’t have to go into Mongo from Blazing Saddles jokes. 

But bottom line? You’re in over your head, Viktor.”

He points to the camera, “I’m your boogeyman. “

He looks a bit to the side as he continues, his hand dropping back down to his lap region.

|I’m the motherfucker you don’t want to go bad. Look back at my deathmatch with Eddie Williams back in season 3. I can take punishment and dish it out in ways you don’t want. 

And if you push me… I can and will break you. I will hurt you. I will put you on the shelf again. Why? Because I know you would do it to me if you got the chance. You might have had a concussion from when I dropped you on your head in the past. You forgot about me. 

That’s fine. Not everyone gets to RELEARN what it’s like to face me.”

The smirk reforms and he chews the inside of his cheek a bit before he continues.

“The Hound of Hades… aka Cerberus. Spotted… a big puppy dog. You want to be a monster. But I’ve seen and fought things that were bigger, more powerful and were definitely monsters. Even before I put on the mask of Tetsuo Oni. Even before I ever entered the wrestling side of the business. 

When I wore the uniform and carried an M40A5 and a rucksack through the Afghanistan desert four fucking times I saw and killed  things bigger and badder than you. 

When I fought in the underground rings in Southeast Asia… bigger and badder than you. 

I lose no sleep over the thought of facing you. Drago is a bigger monster than you because he’s intelligent. But, even he failed to overcome the Paragon. 

Even your partner had dodged me and not mentioned my name. He has his hands full with Apathy. If he wins, and if Kara wins he’ll have Kara snapping at his heels. 

But, what will I be doing after Civil Warfare? Will I put my foot back into the Conquest Title line up? Or do I try to get the first grand slam? Oh, wait. Grand slam, claim the Valor title… and then win five times and claim a Conquest Title shot? Yeah. Sounds like a plan. 

And you Viktor are just a warmup. You’re a speed bump. 

Especially after I call you a bad doggy and then drop you on your head again. And don’t think because I had Dresden’s help last time, I won’t try to get you up onto my shoulders, and drop your ass down on my own. You’re a big motherfucker, but from what I’ve seen, you’re 90% mouth. So you're a little head heavy anyway. "