...[Thursday August 26, 2004]...
I arrived early in the morning at the Kansai airport in Osaka, Japan. I was set to make my long awaited return to the Orients for the three nights of the Burning Soul Pro Wrestling King of Deathmatch tournament. The Osaka Jo Hall treated me like royalty as I strode down to the ring to add some Gaijin incite to the first round of play. I watched eight matches transpire, each comparable to the other in measurement of brutality. It was to the point that even I cringed in horror at some of the antics.
I arrived at my hotel late that night after sharing a round of drinks with a few of the Gaijins that had worked the event. As I entered my room I was surprised by a hard right hand that turned my left eye socket into a crimson mess. I fell to the floor, wiping the forthcoming blood from my vision. I looked up, staring at a man of massive proportions. Broad shouldered, covered in a fancy suit. He wore a dark grimace equal to that of the shadowy patch over his left eye. The punch did more of a number on me than I had previously given it credit for and as a result I began to feel a bit off balance. At my last thought I felt a great wind rise over my face and then a crushing blow of what I believed to be a foot grazing the side of my head. A grinding ring filled my ears as I felt all light of consiousness escape me...
I awoke hours later to the feeling of cold water. I scrambled out of the shower in which I had been contained, my clothes stuck to me as if held down by adhesive. From the bathroom floor I saw the enemy sitting in a chair facing away from me. I gathered my wits and arose to my feet. I stepped into the room and grabbed the mysterious man around the throat, driving him to the ground with hellacious force. With my elbow driven into the base of his vertebrae he had no where to go. Seconds after I felt a light touch on my shoulder. I took my time in turning this time, preparing for what might be in store. Before me stood the most beautiful woman I'd ever laid eyes on. Shiny hazel eyes peaked out from behind a black shroud. Her lips curled into a provacative smile. She extended her hand to me but I refused. I climbed back to my feet, towering over the small woman. She burnt holes into me without fear then dropped down beside the fallen man.
Sutton: I told him I was no longer interested in his services. I have chosen a different path now.
She, as I had imagined, ignored my statement. She helped the large man back to his feet and he once again shot me his evil grimace. I heard her faint voice tell him to wait outside and I slowly began to feel a bit more at ease. I sat at the edge of my bed, watching her movements closely.
???: Please forgive Drake, he tends to 'up the ante' a little too much from time to time.
Sutton: Drake?
???: Mmhmm... I take it you two have never been introduced then?
Sutton: Lady, the only introduction that has been given to me by him is a fist and a kick that still has my temples throbbing. Now, if we can get on with this charade?
???: But of course. You already know why I am here.
Sutton: Victor...
She nodded at me then withdrew the shroud that covered the majority of her face. I was treated to something far greater than a mere woman. I was looking at a goddess. She saw my mouth agape and giggled, shaking her head.
Sutton: Do you have a name?
???: I am the one they call Jenova.
Sutton: I've heard legendary stories of you...
Jenova: My legacy proceeds me then?
Sutton: Something like that... What did you say your friends' name was?
Jenova: Drake Nathanial Dukes... Retired Cuban kickboxer, at one time an assassin for hire. Used several times by Fidel Castro himself. He now serves under me as my personal bodyguard.
Sutton: Quite a list of credentials.
Jenova: Shall we cut to the chase, Mr. Sutton?
Sutton: Aww, and I was beginning to think you came all this way for chit-chat.
She approached me slowly, straddling my lap. I felt her hands wrap around my neck as she looked down into my eyes. A sharp pain shot through my back as she had skillfully pinched several nerves in my neck. He lifted me to her eye level. Her pupils burned like hellfire.
Jenova: Victor warned me about your sarcastic sense of humor. I would oblige you to cease further use of it... Unless you would like to suffer the same fate as Drake outside.
Sutton: What are you talking about?
Jenova: Drake, honey, could you come back for a moment?
He walked into the room, a sole trickle of blood running from the side of his lip. He stood at attention in front of Jenova, as if to await orders.
Jenova: Show Mr. Sutton what happens when you disobey...
Sutton: Now wait a God damn minute. I'm sick...
I was silenced as Jenova's other hand stretched out over my mouth, pressing into my teeth harshly. Drake leaned in and opened his mouth. Where there should have been a tongue laid... nothing. Deeper down you could see a small end of where it used to be attached. I left out a scream though it muffled through Jenova's hand. She stared down with at me with an insane gleam, as if to test my will then moved her hand away.
Sutton: Holy shit! You guys are fucking insane!
Jenova: Victor is very displeased with your decision to leave the Corporation. Especially after everything he's done for you. You owe him your life Mr. Sutton. And if it not for him, I would take just that here today.
Sutton: I don't owe him or you shit!
I had finally come to the end of my rope. I heaved Jenova to the floor and squared off with Drake. Drake swung but I sidestepped and smacked his skull off the wooden bedpost. He staggered off but caught my oncoming punch, chopping me downward across the ribs and bringing me across his knee. I felt the sharp edge of a high heel burrow into the back of my head.
Jenova: You don't know how badly I'd love to smash your puny little skull under my foot. I will be informing Victor of your actions on this day, Mr. Sutton. Victor has requested a meeting with you in four days... If you don't show up... We'll find you again. And when we do, I'll cut off a lot more than just your tongue.
With a shriek-like laugh they were gone. I was left alone on my hotel room floor to comtemplate my next move. Would I give in to their demands... or continue doing things my way? I was really between a rock and a hard place on this one..........