Jhator (བྱ་གཏོར་), or giving alms to the birds, otherwise known as Sky Burial is the Buddhist practice of breaking the bones of the dead and allowing vultures to pick the meat until there is nothing left. Nothing goes to waste.
In my past life, before the mask, I served a few times as a bone breaker. It was an honor and privilege. It is beautiful, nature taking her course, but it’s not for the faint of heart.
First, the monks perform their rituals, chanting and praying. Much like Judd Hollow and that charlatan Malachi Graves, it’s all a show. They rely on words and a false front that gives them a sense of power. But ultimately the body is an empty vessel. The tree bears no fruit.
Second, the bone breakers descend, carefully dissecting the corpse and breaking it down into morsels for the circling birds. The pieces have to be perfect so the vultures can swallow them without choking. No sense in more death when they believe all life is sacred. Tommy Wish is an unequal third, a definitive second in the pecking order of the T.H.U.G.S. He pulls his weight more than Reginald, but is less respected than John Black. He often falls apart given the right amount of pressure. He may have won the X-Treme title in the past, but he’s not built for long-term success.
Third is the seasoning. To ensure the bones are eaten along with the sinew, muscles and flesh, the breakers grind them up and mix them with barley flour. Even vultures have to be tricked into eating them. Ozymandias is the bones. Solid, sturdy, reliable, but ultimately can be ground into a fine powder and in itself is detestable, but with a little of this and that…digestible. An obstacle, but not a threat.
In the end, all that’s left is for the vultures to swoop down and feast on the human carrion. At the top of the mountain is an ending. One life sustains another. I am the vulture. These three men will fight, scratch, claw and desperately try to escape the cage, but I’m the only one who can fly. I’m the only one with talons. This won’t be a match, it will be a burial. A feast for the birds and frankly, I’m starving.
Our champion has had success, that much is clear, but he’s never faced me. Four is the number of competitors in this match. It also happens to be the number of months I was away and the number championships on the Anarchy brand, if you include the X-Treme title. I’ve already held two of them, beaten Oz in the past and if the current and past X-Treme champions want to step to the plate, know that although I may not be the champion going in, I am the benchmark. I am not here to test myself against Judd Hollow. He’s here to see if he can survive being in the ring with me.
XXXVI stands at the precipice of an obstacle course, inspired by American Ninja Warrior. The first obstacle is a series of alternating steps over water. He meditates, cross-legged before embarking. A few feet away, his confidant and valet CIX sits.
“How does it feel to be back?” Asks Cierra.
XXXVI stands and does some stretches. “Surreal.”
He leaps. Left foot. Right. Repeat. Toes suspended in air mere moments from touching the water. He makes it across.
“I underestimated Vita in the Saloon Brawl. I expected to walk in and beat all comers and it was my downfall. Lesson learned. Recalculate and dominate.”
“You can do it!” She yells, knowing he’s coming up against the obstacle he’s fallen short on the last dozen tries. He centers himself and jumps to the hanging device resembling handlebars, but also a bit like bike pedals. He uses his arms to row, propelling him forward. He knows letting go too early or too late will cause him to miss the target. Cierra watches closely. He swings, releases and…both feet hit the mat below.
He takes a moment to relish it, but not too long, knowing he’s not done yet.
“I’ve been here before. I’m no stranger to main events nor title matches. I’ve won and lost in these situations. I don’t chase the X-Treme title under 24/7 rules. I asked to be included and Lichter saw fit to grant me this opportunity. In my time away, Sam Dyson held that title and completed the gauntlet,” says XXXVI.
“He cashed in and won the Universal championship. Then his flame died out just as quickly. I took no pleasure in watching karma get the best of my former partner Jordan. I gain nothing from reveling in his downfall. I’d rather focus on making the best of my own opportunities.”
The last challenge is the warped wall, an 18-foot wooden monstrosity standing about the same height as the walls of a steel cage, but without any of the forgiving flexibility. It requires singular focus, determination and skill. One misstep and you find yourself sliding down in defeat.
“The Japanese call it the Soritatsu Kabe. The final obstacle is the only thing standing between me and the X-Treme championship, a champion once more, that and three imposing figures, stronger, younger, more unhinged. Their advantages? You name it”.
“But I was a double champion on Anarchy. I had one of the longest title reigns in the modern era. I’m undefeated against Thunder Knuckles. Oz knows full well what I’m capable of. I left him buried under a pile of motorcycles. Tommy isn’t ready. Judd might think this is just another test, a walk in the park, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m here to remind the world just who the hell I am. I am the vulture and it’s time to feast.”
XXXVI takes one last look at CIX and she him. He takes a deep breath, runs up one side and ascends.
TICK TOCK
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