Post by raze on Apr 26, 2024 18:13:17 GMT -8
Somewhere, away from the usual place he's been seen training, stands Raze. This place is somewhat nondescript with mostly plain white walls and a hardwood floor and a ring. Off to one side, there are blue mats, while weight racks line another side, near bench presses and high racks for squat sets.
Raze is using the heavy bag, making quite a bit of noise from the repeated impacts as he practices his buzzsaw kicks, which he calls synapse breaker. He kicks low on the bag to simulate its usual execution on a seated or kneeling opponent, slamming into the bag with his shin and top of his foot like he's trying to kill it. The echoes don't get much chance to fade away before another shot goes out. He then changes the height of the kicks, aiming at head height, as we saw when he hit the move on a standing Douglas Crane. Fortunate, then, that they're the same height. He blasts the bag again at head height and then goes in with a rapid-fire combination of strikes, from jabs and crosses to hooks and elbows.
When he steps back, he lets the bag sway back and forth, giving a side glance at the camera without saying anything at first. After a moment, he walks away from the bag and closer to camera, looking laser focused.
"Another match has been and gone. Another match that blew the house down. Another match that saw me compete for the Glory championship."
He cracks the knuckles on his right hand as he smirks
"Granted, I didn't win, but I regret nothing. It was a hell of a match. In all honesty, I didn't care about the title very much, but I wasn't passing up the opportunity. Against Rowena, it was personal, and with Douglas, it was about knowing where we stood with one another. We solved it in the heat of battle, the only thing I truly cared about since getting here."
He turns a little to his left, about to start pacing, but decides against it. His hands go to his hips, but then come back up to gesticulate while he speaks.
"But that match changed something, that's why I'm pushing myself harder, why I want to do better, gather some steam going forward. That old bug found me again. The desire for gold that I haven't felt since my last stint in the indies before retiring."
His breathing picks up, becoming heavier until he has to get it out. His voice gets louder as he goes on, reflecting the intensity within him.
"That old itch that I'm now feeling the need to scratch and I don't want to rule out anything, but I'm not going to be content only with the thrill of battle anymore. No, from here on, I can feel it. I can FEEL that need rising up that can only be satisfied with the gold!"
He begins pacing as he lays out his thoughts, running both hands through his hair to get it out of his face. His eyes become a little wider, almost manic, but it's not from becoming unhinged, but from passion
"Which way to go, hmm? Challenge Douglas again? Could do, sounds good. Or do I find people to beat on until another champ takes notice? Maybe. I know in the latter case, there is a political obstacle to get past, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp. So I'm reaching. Call this a statement of intent."
He steps forward until he's right up close to the camera, his hard breathing clearly audible, but his voice is lower, calmer sounding as he concentrates on keeping it cool.
"I'm watching all champions and challengers closely. I'll stake my claim when the time is right. I'll fight my way there. I know how to carve a bloody path to gold. Nothing will stop me".
The scene fades out as he makes his way back to the heavy bag for more punishment.
Raze is using the heavy bag, making quite a bit of noise from the repeated impacts as he practices his buzzsaw kicks, which he calls synapse breaker. He kicks low on the bag to simulate its usual execution on a seated or kneeling opponent, slamming into the bag with his shin and top of his foot like he's trying to kill it. The echoes don't get much chance to fade away before another shot goes out. He then changes the height of the kicks, aiming at head height, as we saw when he hit the move on a standing Douglas Crane. Fortunate, then, that they're the same height. He blasts the bag again at head height and then goes in with a rapid-fire combination of strikes, from jabs and crosses to hooks and elbows.
When he steps back, he lets the bag sway back and forth, giving a side glance at the camera without saying anything at first. After a moment, he walks away from the bag and closer to camera, looking laser focused.
"Another match has been and gone. Another match that blew the house down. Another match that saw me compete for the Glory championship."
He cracks the knuckles on his right hand as he smirks
"Granted, I didn't win, but I regret nothing. It was a hell of a match. In all honesty, I didn't care about the title very much, but I wasn't passing up the opportunity. Against Rowena, it was personal, and with Douglas, it was about knowing where we stood with one another. We solved it in the heat of battle, the only thing I truly cared about since getting here."
He turns a little to his left, about to start pacing, but decides against it. His hands go to his hips, but then come back up to gesticulate while he speaks.
"But that match changed something, that's why I'm pushing myself harder, why I want to do better, gather some steam going forward. That old bug found me again. The desire for gold that I haven't felt since my last stint in the indies before retiring."
His breathing picks up, becoming heavier until he has to get it out. His voice gets louder as he goes on, reflecting the intensity within him.
"That old itch that I'm now feeling the need to scratch and I don't want to rule out anything, but I'm not going to be content only with the thrill of battle anymore. No, from here on, I can feel it. I can FEEL that need rising up that can only be satisfied with the gold!"
He begins pacing as he lays out his thoughts, running both hands through his hair to get it out of his face. His eyes become a little wider, almost manic, but it's not from becoming unhinged, but from passion
"Which way to go, hmm? Challenge Douglas again? Could do, sounds good. Or do I find people to beat on until another champ takes notice? Maybe. I know in the latter case, there is a political obstacle to get past, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp. So I'm reaching. Call this a statement of intent."
He steps forward until he's right up close to the camera, his hard breathing clearly audible, but his voice is lower, calmer sounding as he concentrates on keeping it cool.
"I'm watching all champions and challengers closely. I'll stake my claim when the time is right. I'll fight my way there. I know how to carve a bloody path to gold. Nothing will stop me".
The scene fades out as he makes his way back to the heavy bag for more punishment.