Aired - August 28, 2026
PART 1 is HERE
0. SHOW RUNDOWN
1. SHOW OPENING
2. CROWD SHOT AND WELCOMING
3. MATCH 1
4. MORE BLOOD-MOON WARNINGS
5. MATCH 2
6. MATCH 3
7. UNLIKELY ALLIES
PART 2 8. MATCH 4 9. MATCH 5 10. WITCH HUNTER OR GHOST HUNTER? 11. MAIN EVENT 12. CLOSING POST SHOW TEASER
Referee: “Honest” Abe
The camera returns to Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
For several seconds, there is no entrance music.
Instead, the great screen goes completely black.
A single silver line appears through the darkness.
It becomes the outline of a key.
Then a door.
The door opens.
Severin Crowne steps through the entrance curtain.
He is dressed for competition now rather than business, but the transformation changes remarkably little about him.
The same control.
The same immaculate presentation.
The same expression of a man who seems to believe everyone around him is simply reaching conclusions he reached weeks ago.
He stops beneath the entrance arch.
The crowd responds with a mixture of curiosity and hostility.
Julian Ward: “Very few men have altered the structure of this division as quickly as Severin Crowne has without ever holding an official position inside it.”
Brick Brody: “Official positions are overrated.”
Julian Ward: “Last week alone, Sir Agravaine abandoned the Broken Crown after publicly acknowledging an arrangement with Crowne. Then the Sheriff of Nottingham, moments after retaining the Eternal Flame Championship, walked away from Prince John and left alongside this man.”
Brick Brody: “That is what happens when somebody makes you a better offer.”
Julian Ward: “We still do not know precisely what is being offered.”
Brick Brody: “Which makes it better.”
Severin Crowne begins toward the ring.
He reaches ringside and steps onto the apron.
Before entering, he looks toward the aisle behind him.
The lighting changes subtly.
Not enough for another entrance.
Enough for the audience to recognize movement.
Sir Agravaine walks through the curtain.
Beside him is the reigning Eternal Flame Champion, the Sheriff of Nottingham.
The championship rests across the Sheriff’s shoulder.
The reaction intensifies.
Neither man walks ahead of the other.
Neither follows like a subordinate.
They simply make their way toward ringside together.
Julian Ward: “And there they are.”
Brick Brody: “That is a dangerous collection.”
Julian Ward: “Sir Agravaine abandoned the Broken Crown last week. The Sheriff of Nottingham rejected Prince John after forty-six minutes of championship competition.”
Brick Brody: “And notice something.”
Julian Ward: “What?”
Brick Brody: “Neither one is carrying Crowne’s luggage.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “That matters.”
Sir Agravaine and the Sheriff of Nottingham stop at ringside.
Severin Crowne enters the ring.
He does not turn toward them.
He apparently expected them.
Then a distant metallic clang sounds.
The silver key disappears.
The screen fills with yellow brick beneath a storm-dark sky.
A deep lion’s roar rolls through the Coliseum.
The crowd responds loudly.
Tin Man emerges first.
Silver armor catches the arena light.
Beside him comes Scarecrow, loose-limbed but alert, his eyes already scanning toward ringside.
Then Lion steps between them.
The roar sounds again.
The three men stop together beneath the entrance arch.
The Wizard’s Warriors.
Julian Ward: “And this has become considerably larger than the scheduled singles match.”
Brick Brody: “You think?”
Julian Ward: “Tin Man has already received one of Severin Crowne’s black cards.”
The camera tightens on Tin Man.
His eyes are fixed directly upon Severin Crowne.
Julian Ward: “Unlike Sir Agravaine and the Sheriff, Tin Man has not accepted whatever invitation that card represented.”
Brick Brody: “Maybe he is taking too long to read the fine print.”
Julian Ward: “Or perhaps he does not trust the man who handed it to him.”
Brick Brody: “Trust is expensive.”
The three Wizard’s Warriors begin down the aisle.
Inside the ring, Severin Crowne walks toward the ropes.
He does not look at Lion.
He looks at Tin Man.
Tin Man looks back.
No gesture.
No words.
But the exchange is unmistakable.
Lion reaches ringside and steps forward.
Scarecrow and Tin Man take positions outside.
Across the ring, the Sheriff of Nottingham and Sir Agravaine stand together near Severin Crowne’s corner.
For a moment the symmetry is impossible to miss.
Three on one side.
Three on the other.
Only two scheduled to compete.
Julian Ward: “There may be a larger confrontation developing around this match whether anyone has formally declared one or not.”
Brick Brody: “Then stop pretending we are here for subtlety.”
At center ring, Louie Linville raises the microphone.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall!”
The crowd responds.
Louie Linville: “Introducing first…”
He turns toward Severin Crowne.
Louie Linville: “Accompanied at ringside by the Eternal Flame Champion, the Sheriff of Nottingham, and Sir Agravaine… strategist, negotiator, and architect of opportunities… SEVERIN CROWNE!”
A mixed reaction moves through the Coliseum.
Severin Crowne gives no acknowledgement.
His eyes remain on Tin Man.
Louie Linville turns.
Louie Linville: “And his opponent, accompanied to the ring by Tin Man and Scarecrow… ferocity given courage… LION!”
The crowd cheers loudly.
Lion pounds one fist against his chest.
Tin Man stands behind him.
Scarecrow leans against the barricade, watching the opposite side carefully.
Louie Linville exits.
“Honest” Abe checks both men.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Neither man attacks immediately.
Lion circles to his left.
Severin Crowne follows without overcommitting.
They engage.
Separate.
Another approach.
This time Severin Crowne gets control.
He catches Lion around the upper body and drives him backward.
Hard.
Lion’s back crashes into the turnbuckles.
Before Crowne can follow, Lion fires out with a Knife Edge Chop.
The sound cracks across the Coliseum.
Another chop.
Crowne absorbs it and takes half a step backward.
Julian Ward: “Early power from Severin Crowne, but Lion answers immediately with those chops.”
Brick Brody: “Everybody thinks Crowne is just the man with the cards and contracts.”
Julian Ward: “You believe that is a mistake?”
Brick Brody: “Absolutely. Men do not build influence around wrestlers unless they are very sure what happens when one of those wrestlers decides to test them.”
Severin Crowne regains control.
He drives Lion back into the corner again.
Then he steps away.
But rather than looking at Lion—
he turns toward Tin Man.
Severin Crowne: “Observe carefully.”
The crowd reacts.
Tin Man’s expression hardens.
Severin Crowne: “Opportunity rarely announces itself twice.”
Lion charges out of the corner.
Crowne turns just in time to avoid being caught completely.
Julian Ward: “That was directed entirely at Tin Man.”
Brick Brody: “He is not wrestling only Lion.”
Julian Ward: “No. He appears to be conducting another conversation while doing it.”
Minute 2
That distraction nearly costs Crowne.
Lion catches him before he can establish another hold.
He lifts.
Brainbuster!
Severin Crowne is driven down hard.
The crowd surges.
Lion sits up first.
He looks toward Tin Man.
Tin Man gives a short nod.
Scarecrow slaps the apron.
Julian Ward: “Brainbuster from Lion! And that is the danger of treating a competitor as a vehicle for another message.”
Brick Brody: “Maybe.”
Julian Ward: “Maybe?”
Brick Brody: “Maybe the message still matters more to Crowne than the move.”
Lion rises.
He stands over Severin Crowne.
Lion: “Look at me!”
The crowd responds.
Lion: “I’m the one you’re fighting!”
Severin Crowne looks up at him.
Then smiles faintly.
Severin Crowne: “For the moment.”
That answer angers Lion even more.
Brick Brody: “There it is.”
Julian Ward: “That may not be wise.”
Brick Brody: “It is absolutely not wise.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “That is why I like it.”
Minute 3
Lion reaches for Severin Crowne.
Crowne turns the position.
He drives Lion toward the ropes.
Lion catches him from behind during the struggle.
Full Nelson.
Severin Crowne immediately shifts his weight.
The two men struggle near the ropes.
Crowne breaks the hold.
He turns.
And sends Lion over the top rope.
Lion crashes to the floor.
The crowd reacts.
Julian Ward: “Lion thrown to the outside!”
Severin Crowne walks toward the ropes.
Again, he does not look down at Lion.
He looks directly at Tin Man.
Severin Crowne: “You see?”
Tin Man steps closer to the apron.
Severin Crowne: “Strength is useful.”
A pause.
Severin Crowne: “Judgment is more valuable.”
Tin Man: “Keep talking.”
Severin Crowne: “I intend to.”
Behind Tin Man, movement begins.
The Sheriff of Nottingham walks toward him.
The Eternal Flame Championship remains across his shoulder.
Sheriff of Nottingham: “He offered you a choice.”
Tin Man turns.
Tin Man: “Did he offer you one?”
The Sheriff’s expression hardens.
Sheriff of Nottingham: “He reminded me I had one.”
Scarecrow moves beside Tin Man.
Scarecrow: “Funny thing about choices.”
He looks toward Sir Agravaine.
Scarecrow: “They’re easier when nobody’s surrounding you.”
The two sides begin arguing.
Tin Man and Scarecrow step toward the Sheriff of Nottingham.
Inside the ring, “Honest” Abe turns toward the disturbance.
Julian Ward: “Watch ringside.”
The referee points toward the three men and orders them apart.
That is the moment.
From the opposite side—
Sir Agravaine moves.
Lion is pulling himself upright near the apron.
He never sees the knight coming.
Sir Agravaine drives a brutal strike into Lion from behind.
Lion crashes forward against the edge of the ring.
The crowd erupts in boos.
Julian Ward: “Sir Agravaine!”
Brick Brody: “Perfect.”
Julian Ward: “Behind the referee’s back!”
Brick Brody: “That is generally where you want to do it.”
Sir Agravaine immediately steps away.
By the time “Honest” Abe turns back, Lion is down.
The referee begins counting.
ONE!
Tin Man turns.
He sees Lion on the floor.
TWO!
Tin Man: “What happened?”
Scarecrow looks toward the opposite side.
He sees Sir Agravaine.
THREE!
Scarecrow: “Agravaine.”
Tin Man’s eyes snap toward him.
FOUR!
Inside the ring, Severin Crowne calmly adjusts one wrist.
FIVE!
Lion reaches one arm toward the apron.
SIX!
He drags himself onto a knee.
SEVEN!
Tin Man reaches toward him.
“Honest” Abe warns him not to physically assist.
EIGHT!
Lion grabs the bottom rope from the floor.
His body cannot follow quickly enough.
NINE!
He tries to pull himself upward.
TEN!
The bell rings.
The Coliseum explodes in boos.
Julian Ward: “Count-out!”
Brick Brody: “Three minutes.”
Julian Ward: “And Lion was not defeated by anything Severin Crowne did after sending him outside. Sir Agravaine struck him behind the referee’s back.”
Inside the ring, Severin Crowne does not celebrate.
He simply looks at Tin Man.
Louie Linville steps through the ropes.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, as a result of a count-out… your winner… SEVERIN CROWNE!”
“Honest” Abe raises Crowne’s arm.
Crowne lowers it almost immediately.
On the floor, Lion gets back to his feet.
He is furious.
Tin Man is angrier.
He slides beneath the bottom rope.
The crowd erupts.
Scarecrow follows.
Lion rolls into the ring behind them.
Severin Crowne does not retreat.
He remains in the center.
Tin Man walks straight toward him.
They stop inches apart.
Neither man speaks.
The arena noise builds around them.
Julian Ward: “This has been coming.”
Brick Brody: “Good.”
Tin Man looks down briefly.
Then back into Severin Crowne’s eyes.
Tin Man: “Your card.”
A beat.
Tin Man: “Your offers.”
Another.
Tin Man: “Your little lessons.”
His voice hardens.
Tin Man: “I’m done listening.”
Severin Crowne: “No.”
That answer catches him.
Severin Crowne: “You have only now begun.”
The crowd reacts.
Tin Man steps closer.
Tin Man: “You think everybody has a price.”
Severin Crowne: “No.”
A small pause.
Severin Crowne: “I think everyone has terms.”
Tin Man: “Not me.”
Severin Crowne: “Then why are you still discussing them?”
Tin Man clenches both fists.
Behind him, Scarecrow moves forward.
Lion joins him.
Then movement appears on the opposite side.
Sir Agravaine steps into the ring.
The crowd boos.
The Eternal Flame Champion follows.
The Sheriff of Nottingham enters carrying his championship.
Now the two groups stand fully assembled.
On one side:
Tin Man.
Scarecrow.
Lion.
On the other:
Severin Crowne.
Sheriff of Nottingham.
Sir Agravaine.
Julian Ward: “There it is.”
Brick Brody: “Three and three.”
Julian Ward: “And whatever has been forming around Severin Crowne now stands directly opposite the Wizard’s Warriors.”
Sheriff of Nottingham steps beside Severin Crowne.
He looks directly at Tin Man.
Tin Man’s eyes move toward the Eternal Flame Championship.
The Sheriff notices.
He shifts the title higher onto his shoulder.
Sheriff of Nottingham: “Interested?”
Tin Man: “Very.”
Sheriff of Nottingham: “Then stop staring.”
A beat.
Sheriff of Nottingham: “Earn the right to touch it.”
Tin Man begins stepping forward.
Lion does the same toward Sir Agravaine.
Scarecrow squares himself toward Severin Crowne.
The entire Coliseum rises.
Then—
Elias Coldmere: “No.”
The voice cuts through the arena.
Everyone turns.
Elias Coldmere stands beneath the entrance arch.
The Mythic Commissioner holds no microphone in his hand.
He does not need one.
The arena system carries his voice.
Elias Coldmere: “I believe we have established that everyone involved possesses the ability to stand several feet apart and look threatening.”
A small reaction from the crowd.
Brick Brody: “He ruins everything.”
Julian Ward: “He may be preventing six men from tearing the ring apart.”
Brick Brody: “Exactly.”
Elias Coldmere begins walking slowly toward the ring.
Elias Coldmere: “We have also established that Sir Agravaine remains perfectly capable of attacking someone while my referee is looking elsewhere.”
Sir Agravaine does not react.
Elias Coldmere: “Do not mistake my acknowledgement for approval.”
He stops halfway down the aisle.
Elias Coldmere: “But since none of you appear interested in resolving this through conversation…”
He looks toward Severin Crowne.
Then toward Tin Man.
Elias Coldmere: “…perhaps we should choose a more appropriate venue.”
The audience begins buzzing.
Elias Coldmere: “Earlier tonight, I promised the first matches for Age of Ruin would begin to reveal themselves.”
A pause.
The great screen goes black.
Cracks appear.
Red fire burns through them.
AGE OF RUIN
SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
The crowd erupts.
Inside the ring, neither group moves.
Elias Coldmere: “I believe we have found the first one.”
The reaction rises further.
Elias Coldmere: “At Age of Ruin…”
He gestures toward one side.
Elias Coldmere: “Tin Man.”
Elias Coldmere: “Scarecrow.”
Elias Coldmere: “Lion.”
The graphic begins forming.
WIZARD’S WARRIORS
Then the opposite side.
Elias Coldmere: “Against…”
Elias Coldmere: “Severin Crowne.”
Elias Coldmere: “The Eternal Flame Champion, Sheriff of Nottingham.”
Elias Coldmere: “And Sir Agravaine.”
The full match graphic appears.
AGE OF RUIN
WIZARD’S WARRIORS
TIN MAN — SCARECROW — LION
vs
SEVERIN CROWNE — SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM — SIR AGRAVAINE
The Coliseum explodes.
Julian Ward: “There is the first match made official for Age of Ruin!”
Brick Brody: “Now that I like.”
Elias Coldmere: “September 27th.”
A pause.
Elias Coldmere: “Six men.”
Another.
Elias Coldmere: “No negotiations required.”
Inside the ring, Tin Man looks directly at Severin Crowne.
Crowne smiles faintly.
But Elias Coldmere raises one hand.
Elias Coldmere: “However…”
The graphic disappears.
Another appears.
The Eternal Flame Championship burns across the great screen.
The Sheriff of Nottingham looks toward it.
So does Tin Man.
Elias Coldmere: “Age of Ruin remains one month away.”
A beat.
Elias Coldmere: “And I see no reason everyone should spend that month merely waiting.”
The crowd begins reacting.
Elias Coldmere: “Sheriff of Nottingham.”
The champion turns toward the Commissioner.
Elias Coldmere: “You invited Tin Man to earn the right to touch your championship.”
The Sheriff says nothing.
Elias Coldmere: “I am simplifying the process.”
The full graphic appears.
NEXT WEEK
ETERNAL FLAME CHAMPIONSHIP
SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM vs TIN MAN
The crowd erupts.
Tin Man slowly turns toward the Sheriff.
The Sheriff lifts the Eternal Flame Championship between them.
Elias Coldmere: “Next week, you will defend the Eternal Flame Championship against Tin Man.”
The champion looks toward Tin Man.
No protest.
If anything, there is approval.
Sheriff of Nottingham: “Good.”
Tin Man: “Very.”
Brick Brody: “That championship may be changing hands before Age of Ruin ever arrives.”
Julian Ward: “Or the Sheriff may walk into that six-man match still holding it.”
Elias Coldmere: “And since tonight’s contest has also demonstrated that Sir Agravaine and Lion have unresolved differences…”
Sir Agravaine looks toward Lion.
Lion bares his teeth.
Elias Coldmere: “…while Scarecrow appears equally interested in the affairs of Severin Crowne…”
Another graphic appears.
NEXT WEEK
SEVERIN CROWNE & SIR AGRAVAINE
vs
LION & SCARECROW
The crowd reacts again.
Elias Coldmere: “Next week, Severin Crowne and Sir Agravaine face Lion and Scarecrow in tag team competition.”
Scarecrow tilts his head.
Scarecrow: “Now that sounds educational.”
Severin Crowne: “For one of us.”
Scarecrow: “Oh, I’ve always been a quick learner.”
Lion points toward Sir Agravaine.
Lion: “You won’t have a referee looking the other way next time.”
Sir Agravaine: “I will not need one.”
The crowd reacts.
Elias Coldmere: “Excellent.”
Everyone turns toward him again.
Elias Coldmere: “Then we appear to have reached agreement.”
A faint smile.
Elias Coldmere: “It is remarkable what proper scheduling can accomplish.”
Brick Brody: “I hate when he does that.”
Julian Ward: “Creates matches?”
Brick Brody: “Makes organization sound threatening.”
Elias Coldmere’s expression becomes serious again.
Elias Coldmere: “Tonight ends here.”
A beat.
Elias Coldmere: “Next week, you begin settling it.”
Another.
Elias Coldmere: “September 27th…”
The Age of Ruin logo returns.
Elias Coldmere: “…we find out what remains.”
He turns and walks back through the entrance.
Inside the ring, neither side leaves.
The Sheriff of Nottingham raises the Eternal Flame Championship.
Tin Man stares directly at it.
Scarecrow and Lion stand beside him.
Across from them, Sir Agravaine moves to Severin Crowne’s right.
The Sheriff stands to his left.
And for the first time, the three men look less like separate negotiations.
More like a unit.
Julian Ward: “The first match for Age of Ruin is official.”
The graphic appears one final time.
WIZARD’S WARRIORS
vs
SEVERIN CROWNE — SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM — SIR AGRAVAINE
Julian Ward: “But before September 27th arrives, next week may fundamentally alter what that match looks like.”
The screen changes.
SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM vs TIN MAN
ETERNAL FLAME CHAMPIONSHIP
Then—
SEVERIN CROWNE & SIR AGRAVAINE vs LION & SCARECROW
Brick Brody: “Good.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “If these six men want to keep staring at each other, somebody ought to start charging admission by the punch.”
The final image is Tin Man and Severin Crowne.
Still staring.
The black card no longer between them.
Only the ring.
RESULT: SEVERIN CROWNE DEFEATED LION BY COUNT-OUT IN THE 3RD MINUTE AFTER THROWING HIM THROUGH THE ROPES AND SIR AGRAVAINE ATTACKED LION BEHIND THE REFEREE’S BACK.
Referee: “Honest” Abe
The camera returns to Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
For a moment, the Age of Ruin graphic from the previous segment remains visible across the great screen.
Cracked stone.
Red fire.
Then it disappears.
A low hiss replaces the crowd noise.
Green light twists through the entrance arch.
Violet follows it.
The colors coil together across the floor like something alive.
Serpenta Veyne steps through the curtain first.
She stops beneath the arch and surveys the Coliseum with the cold satisfaction of someone returning to a place where she has already caused damage.
Behind her comes Hydra Veyne.
Restless.
Sharp.
Every movement carries the suggestion of another one beginning before the first has finished.
Then Medussa Nemesis appears.
Heavier.
Slower.
Not because she lacks speed.
Because nothing in her posture suggests she believes anyone can make her hurry.
The Monsters of Myth stand behind Serpenta Veyne.
The crowd immediately begins booing.
Julian Ward: “There is considerable history surrounding this match.”
Brick Brody: “Meaning these four already know they dislike each other.”
Julian Ward: “The last time the Monsters of Myth met Lark of Sherwood and Maid Marion, Serpenta Veyne created the opening that decided the match.”
The camera tightens on Serpenta Veyne.
A slow smile appears.
Brick Brody: “And she remembers.”
Julian Ward: “I suspect Maid Marion does as well.”
Serpenta Veyne begins toward the ring.
Hydra Veyne and Medussa Nemesis follow.
Julian Ward: “The strength of the Monsters of Myth has never been limited to individual offense. Their most dangerous stretches occur when Hydra Veyne and Medussa Nemesis begin layering attacks together.”
Brick Brody: “And when that woman on the floor finds somebody dumb enough to watch her instead of the legal wrestler.”
Serpenta Veyne reaches ringside.
She turns toward the camera.
One hand lifts slowly.
Two fingers curl inward.
Behind her, both monsters climb onto the apron.
Medussa Nemesis steps through the ropes.
Hydra Veyne vaults over them.
They take their corner.
The serpentine lighting vanishes.
Darkness.
Then—
A bowstring snaps.
An arrow streaks across the great screen.
It tears through the darkness and strikes a royal seal.
The seal fractures.
Green-and-gold light floods the entrance.
The crowd rises.
Lark of Sherwood steps through the curtain.
Beside her comes Maid Marion.
Neither woman is smiling.
They stop at the top of the aisle.
Their attention goes first to the ring.
Then directly to Serpenta Veyne.
Julian Ward: “There is the recognition.”
Brick Brody: “Good.”
Julian Ward: “Good?”
Brick Brody: “You get beaten because somebody outside the ring stuck her scales into your business, you should remember her face.”
Maid Marion says something quietly to Lark of Sherwood.
Lark nods.
They begin walking.
Green-and-gold banners rise among the crowd.
Julian Ward: “Lark of Sherwood and Maid Marion have always represented a different side of Sherwood than the Merry Band we will see later tonight. But the principle remains the same.”
Brick Brody: “Refuse authority?”
Julian Ward: “Refuse intimidation.”
Brick Brody: “Same thing on a good night.”
They reach ringside.
Maid Marion stops directly across from Serpenta Veyne.
For several seconds, neither woman moves.
Serpenta Veyne smiles.
Maid Marion does not.
Lark of Sherwood touches her partner lightly on the shoulder.
Not restraint.
Reminder.
The match is inside.
They enter.
At center ring stands Louie Linville.
“Honest” Abe checks both corners.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall with a thirty-minute time limit.”
The crowd responds.
Louie Linville: “Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Serpenta Veyne…”
He turns toward the darker corner.
Louie Linville: “Predators drawn from nightmare and legend… Hydra Veyne and Medussa Nemesis… the MONSTERS OF MYTH!”
Boos roll through the building.
Hydra Veyne leans through the ropes.
Medussa Nemesis remains completely still.
Serpenta Veyne spreads both arms from the floor.
Louie Linville turns.
Louie Linville: “And their opponents… defenders of Sherwood… LARK OF SHERWOOD and MAID MARION!”
The crowd cheers.
Lark of Sherwood raises one arm.
Maid Marion remains focused on the opposite corner.
Louie Linville exits.
Hydra Veyne begins.
Lark of Sherwood steps forward.
“Honest” Abe signals.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
Hydra Veyne and Lark of Sherwood meet immediately.
No cautious opening.
Hydra Veyne spins first and cracks Lark with a spinning back fist.
Lark of Sherwood absorbs the blow, catches the head during the follow-through and drops Hydra Veyne with a Rolling Cutter.
Both women hit hard.
Both recover quickly.
Julian Ward: “An absolutely even collision to begin this match.”
Brick Brody: “And neither one liked the answer she got.”
Hydra Veyne looks toward her corner.
Tag to Medussa Nemesis.
Lark of Sherwood responds immediately.
Tag to Maid Marion.
Julian Ward: “Both teams change personnel after one exchange.”
Brick Brody: “Nobody wants the other side choosing the matchup alone.”
Minute 2
Maid Marion enters quickly.
Medussa Nemesis meets her.
Within seconds, both partners enter as well.
All four women collide.
Medussa Nemesis catches Maid Marion near the ropes and drives her down with a rope-hung DDT.
Hydra Veyne throws Lark of Sherwood with a Release German Suplex.
But the women from Sherwood answer immediately.
Maid Marion launches onto Medussa Nemesis with a Lou Thesz Press.
Across the ring, Lark of Sherwood hoists Hydra Veyne and drives her down with a Fireman’s Carry Cutter.
Bodies scatter.
Julian Ward: “Four attacks. Four different directions.”
Brick Brody: “This match is going to be impossible to control if they keep doing that.”
Julian Ward: “You say that with approval.”
Brick Brody: “Of course.”
“Honest” Abe forces Hydra Veyne and Lark of Sherwood back to their corners.
Medussa Nemesis and Maid Marion remain legal.
Minute 3
For several seconds, neither woman commits.
Maid Marion circles.
Medussa Nemesis waits.
They engage.
Break.
Reset.
Again.
Neither finds the opening.
Then everything accelerates.
Medussa Nemesis brings Hydra Veyne into the exchange.
Lark of Sherwood answers from the opposite side.
Medussa Nemesis launches into a moonsault.
Hydra Veyne crashes in with another spinning back fist.
Maid Marion takes Medussa Nemesis down with another Lou Thesz Press.
Lark of Sherwood catches Hydra Veyne and plants her with a Double Chickenwing Facebuster.
The crowd rises.
Julian Ward: “Again, the teams become most dangerous when the ring stops belonging to only two people.”
Brick Brody: “And right now neither side is winning those collisions.”
Julian Ward: “They are matching one another almost attack for attack.”
“Honest” Abe restores order.
Minute 4
Medussa Nemesis catches Maid Marion.
She lifts her.
PETRIFY!
The Piledriver drives Maid Marion headfirst into the canvas.
The crowd recoils.
But Maid Marion forces herself back up and catches Medussa Nemesis with a Flapjack.
Both women stagger.
Then Maid Marion’s eyes move.
Toward ringside.
Toward Serpenta Veyne.
The atmosphere changes instantly.
Julian Ward: “Watch Maid Marion.”
Brick Brody: “Oh, she remembers.”
Serpenta Veyne steps closer to the apron.
She says something through a smile.
Whatever it is, Maid Marion has heard enough.
She leaves Medussa Nemesis behind.
Moves directly toward the floor.
And attacks Serpenta Veyne.
The crowd erupts.
Julian Ward: “Maid Marion has gone after Serpenta Veyne!”
Brick Brody: “About time!”
The sudden assault knocks Serpenta Veyne down hard.
Officials rush toward her.
For once, the serpent is not smiling.
She is left stunned at ringside as attendants move between her and the apron.
Julian Ward: “That is months of frustration being answered in one moment.”
Brick Brody: “Last time Serpenta Veyne cost them the match. Maid Marion just removed the problem herself.”
Maid Marion returns toward the ring before “Honest” Abe can lose control completely.
Behind her, Serpenta Veyne remains down and unable to involve herself.
Minute 5
Maid Marion returns to the legal contest with aggression still burning through her.
She catches Medussa Nemesis.
Arm-Trap Neckbreaker!
Medussa Nemesis tries to resist the setup but cannot.
She lands hard and immediately reaches for her corner.
Tag.
Hydra Veyne enters.
Julian Ward: “The retaliation against Serpenta Veyne appears to have sharpened Maid Marion, not distracted her.”
Brick Brody: “That is the difference between revenge that costs you and revenge that clears your head.”
At ringside, officials continue checking Serpenta Veyne.
She is nowhere near the apron.
Minute 6
Hydra Veyne steps forward.
Maid Marion suddenly drops beneath her.
Surprise Small Package!
Hydra Veyne is caught completely off balance.
She twists desperately and escapes before a decisive count can develop.
Julian Ward: “Excellent surprise from Maid Marion.”
Brick Brody: “And notice something else.”
Julian Ward: “Serpenta Veyne?”
Brick Brody: “Exactly. No scales moving around outside. No voice in the referee’s ear. No distraction.”
Hydra Veyne sits up and looks toward the floor.
For the first time, the Monsters of Myth are operating without their guide.
Minute 7
The loss of Serpenta Veyne does not make them less dangerous.
Hydra Veyne calls Medussa Nemesis into the ring.
They attack together.
Hydra Veyne catches Maid Marion.
NINE HEADED END!
The Poisonrana whips her over directly into a brutal knee strike.
Before Maid Marion can recover, Medussa Nemesis drives her down with a Legsweep DDT.
But Maid Marion refuses to disappear.
She spins through the chaos—
KISS GOODNIGHT!
The Roundhouse Kick catches one of the monsters flush.
Julian Ward: “Nine Headed End! Legsweep DDT! And Maid Marion still finds Kiss Goodnight!”
Brick Brody: “That is a woman refusing to be buried.”
Lark of Sherwood reaches desperately from the apron.
The double-team continues.
Minute 8
Hydra Veyne and Medussa Nemesis swarm Maid Marion again.
Another Nine Headed End.
Another Legsweep DDT.
This time Maid Marion sees the combination forming.
She tries to cover.
Tries to turn away.
It does not matter.
Both attacks land.
Maid Marion is left flat on the canvas.
Julian Ward: “This is exactly the danger we discussed before the match. Once the Monsters of Myth begin layering attacks, survival becomes the immediate objective.”
Brick Brody: “And Maid Marion has taken that same combination twice.”
Julian Ward: “She needs Lark of Sherwood.”
Lark stretches as far as the tag rope allows.
Maid Marion begins crawling.
Minute 9
Hydra Veyne tries to stop her.
Maid Marion explodes upward with another Lou Thesz Press.
She drives Hydra Veyne down.
Throws strikes.
Then rolls toward her corner.
Tag.
Lark of Sherwood enters.
The crowd surges.
Julian Ward: “There is the tag.”
Brick Brody: “Good timing. Maid Marion was starting to get eaten alive.”
Lark of Sherwood comes in fresh and immediately moves toward Hydra Veyne.
At ringside, Serpenta Veyne is still being kept away from the action.
Minute 10
Hydra Veyne calls for Medussa Nemesis again.
The Monsters of Myth attempt to trap the fresh competitor immediately.
Nine Headed End from Hydra Veyne.
Legsweep DDT from Medussa Nemesis.
But Lark of Sherwood fires back in the middle of the assault.
SHERWOOD DESTROYER!
The impact changes everything.
Julian Ward: “Sherwood Destroyer!”
Brick Brody: “That is how you stop a double-team from becoming a funeral.”
Lark of Sherwood rolls away.
Hydra Veyne and Medussa Nemesis regroup quickly.
Julian Ward: “The Monsters found their combination again, but Lark made certain they paid for using it.”
Minute 11
The double-team continues.
Medussa Nemesis crushes Lark of Sherwood with a Big Splash.
Lark rolls toward the ropes.
Hydra Veyne follows.
That proves costly.
Lark of Sherwood launches herself through the ropes with a Diving Crossbody to the floor.
She takes Hydra Veyne down outside.
The crowd erupts.
“Honest” Abe begins counting.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Hydra Veyne rolls toward the apron.
FOUR!
FIVE!
She reaches one knee.
SIX!
Medussa Nemesis calls toward her.
SEVEN!
Hydra Veyne slides inside.
Julian Ward: “Back at seven.”
Brick Brody: “And Lark turned the numbers into a location problem. Get one monster outside and make her climb back.”
Minute 12
Hydra Veyne returns angry.
The Monsters of Myth complete one final coordinated assault.
Hydra Veyne launches with a Diving Crossbody.
Medussa Nemesis follows with a German Suplex.
Lark of Sherwood absorbs both attacks and falls hard.
The double-team finally ends.
At ringside, movement appears.
Serpenta Veyne is standing again.
The crowd immediately begins booing.
She pushes away the officials who had been checking her.
Her eyes are locked on Maid Marion.
Julian Ward: “And Serpenta Veyne is back on her feet.”
Brick Brody: “Now we find out whether Maid Marion solved the problem or merely made it angry.”
Serpenta Veyne returns to her corner.
There is no smile now.
Minute 13
Hydra Veyne catches Lark of Sherwood with a Double Underhook Suplex.
Lark answers with another Rolling Cutter.
Both hit hard.
Both immediately recognize the need for change.
Hydra Veyne tags Medussa Nemesis.
Lark of Sherwood tags Maid Marion.
Julian Ward: “Fresh competitors again.”
Brick Brody: “And now Maid Marion has Serpenta Veyne standing ten feet away.”
Maid Marion enters.
She looks once toward Serpenta.
Then refuses to look again.
Minute 14
The ring breaks down.
All four enter.
Medussa Nemesis climbs and drives a Diving Guillotine Leg Drop into the chaos.
Hydra Veyne throws Maid Marion with a Release German Suplex.
The Sherwood pair answer.
Maid Marion crashes down with a Diving Seated Senton.
Lark of Sherwood plants Hydra Veyne with a Sitout Gourdbuster.
Everyone goes down.
Julian Ward: “Every time these teams lose structure, damage multiplies.”
Brick Brody: “Then stop restoring structure.”
Julian Ward: “That remains the referee’s responsibility.”
Brick Brody: “Poor man.”
“Honest” Abe separates the illegal competitors.
Minute 15
The Monsters of Myth immediately rebuild the trap around Maid Marion.
Medussa Nemesis crashes down with a Big Splash.
Hydra Veyne follows with a Galaxy Missile Dropkick.
Maid Marion fires back with Kiss Goodnight.
The Roundhouse Kick lands cleanly.
But the numbers remain against her.
Julian Ward: “Kiss Goodnight interrupts the assault, but the Monsters of Myth still have her isolated.”
Brick Brody: “That is the problem with hurting one monster when there are two.”
At ringside, Serpenta Veyne applauds slowly.
Maid Marion hears it.
She refuses to turn.
Minute 16
Medussa Nemesis launches into another moonsault.
Hydra Veyne follows with another Galaxy Missile Dropkick.
This time Maid Marion cannot answer.
Both attacks land.
She collapses near the center of the ring.
Julian Ward: “Moonsault. Missile Dropkick. Maid Marion has absorbed two consecutive minutes of coordinated punishment.”
Brick Brody: “And now the old temptation is sitting right outside again.”
The camera catches Serpenta Veyne.
Brick Brody: “But Maid Marion is not looking.”
Julian Ward: “An important adjustment.”
Minute 17
The Monsters of Myth hesitate.
The double-team alignment breaks.
That is enough.
Maid Marion surges forward.
Lou Thesz Press!
She takes Medussa Nemesis down and throws everything she has into the attack.
Hydra Veyne cannot establish another combination.
The double-team ends.
Julian Ward: “That may have saved the match.”
Brick Brody: “Not pretty. Didn’t need to be.”
Maid Marion rolls away.
Lark of Sherwood reaches toward her.
But Maid Marion remains legal.
Minute 18
Medussa Nemesis rises first.
She drives through Maid Marion with a Spear.
The impact folds her backward.
Maid Marion still fires a Low-Angle Front Dropkick during the next exchange.
Both women stagger.
Medussa Nemesis decides to leave.
Tag.
Hydra Veyne returns.
Julian Ward: “Maid Marion continues finding offense, but the Monsters of Myth are forcing her to work through accumulated damage.”
Brick Brody: “And they keep rotating.”
Minute 19
Hydra Veyne steps directly onto Maid Marion with a Standing Double Stomp.
Maid Marion absorbs the blow and races toward the ropes.
She climbs.
Diving Seated Senton!
The impact sends both women sprawling.
Julian Ward: “Equal punishment again.”
Brick Brody: “Nineteen minutes and nobody has figured out how to keep control.”
Maid Marion looks toward her corner.
Lark of Sherwood is ready.
Minute 20
The tag-team structure breaks again.
Maid Marion calls Lark of Sherwood into the ring.
They attack Hydra Veyne together.
Maid Marion targets low with the Front Dropkick.
Lark of Sherwood comes from the opposite angle with a Single Leg Dropkick.
But Hydra Veyne sees the formation.
She twists away.
The coordinated attack misses its intended effect.
Julian Ward: “Excellent defense from Hydra Veyne. She neutralized the Sherwood double-team completely.”
Brick Brody: “That is important this late. Everybody is tired enough that wasting an attack hurts almost as much as taking one.”
Serpenta Veyne shouts something from the floor.
This time Hydra Veyne acknowledges her.
Minute 21
The double-team window remains open for Sherwood, but the coordination has been disrupted.
Maid Marion attacks alone with another Lou Thesz Press.
Lark of Sherwood cannot establish the follow-up.
Hydra Veyne recovers and drives both feet down with another Standing Double Stomp.
Julian Ward: “Maid Marion lands, but Lark cannot complete the combination.”
Brick Brody: “And Hydra Veyne punishes the hesitation.”
The extra bodies are finally forced out.
Maid Marion and Hydra Veyne remain.
Minute 22
They meet in the center.
Standing Double Stomp from Hydra Veyne.
Low-Angle Front Dropkick from Maid Marion.
Neither gives ground for long.
Hydra Veyne reaches backward.
Tag.
Medussa Nemesis enters.
Julian Ward: “The pace has changed.”
Brick Brody: “Fatigue.”
Julian Ward: “Yes. Earlier the exchanges came in waves. Now every successful attack requires recovery.”
Minute 23
For several seconds, nothing happens.
Medussa Nemesis waits.
Maid Marion waits.
They approach.
Break.
Circle again.
Another false start.
Then both finally commit.
Medussa Nemesis sweeps Maid Marion down into a Legsweep DDT.
Maid Marion fires back with another Low-Angle Front Dropkick.
Both fall.
Julian Ward: “Neither woman was willing to make the first mistake.”
Brick Brody: “So eventually they both made one.”
Medussa Nemesis reaches her corner first.
Tag.
Hydra Veyne returns.
Minute 24
Hydra Veyne gets underneath Maid Marion.
Double Underhook Suplex.
Maid Marion lands hard.
She gets up and fires another Low-Angle Front Dropkick.
Again, both women connect within the same minute.
Julian Ward: “The match remains almost perfectly balanced.”
Brick Brody: “Twenty-four minutes. Somebody better start finding an ending.”
Hydra Veyne agrees.
She tags Medussa Nemesis back in.
Minute 25
Medussa Nemesis immediately gets behind Maid Marion.
German Suplex.
Maid Marion rolls through the landing.
Catches the arm.
Arm-Trap Neckbreaker!
Both women go down.
Julian Ward: “German Suplex answered by the Arm-Trap Neckbreaker.”
Brick Brody: “And Maid Marion finally makes the tag.”
She reaches the corner.
Lark of Sherwood enters.
The crowd rises again.
Five minutes remain.
Minute 26
Medussa Nemesis immediately brings Hydra Veyne into the exchange.
The Monsters of Myth try to overwhelm the fresh Lark of Sherwood.
Medussa Nemesis traps the legs.
Sharpshooter.
Hydra Veyne adds a Release German Suplex during the chaotic sequence.
But Lark of Sherwood escapes toward the ropes.
Then launches herself outward.
Diving Crossbody to the floor!
Medussa Nemesis crashes outside.
“Honest” Abe begins counting.
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
Medussa Nemesis rolls onto her side.
FOUR!
She rises.
FIVE!
She returns beneath the ropes.
Julian Ward: “Back at five.”
Brick Brody: “And the clock is becoming another opponent.”
Julian Ward: “Four minutes remain.”
Minute 27
The Monsters of Myth attempt to continue their tandem pressure.
Hydra Veyne traps Lark of Sherwood in an Arm-Trap Crossface.
The hold wrenches the shoulder and neck.
Lark fights through it.
Creates enough room.
Gets underneath her opponent.
Sitout Gourdbuster!
The crowd erupts.
Julian Ward: “Crossface from Hydra Veyne, but Lark of Sherwood powers through into the Gourdbuster!”
Brick Brody: “Three minutes.”
Serpenta Veyne begins shouting from ringside.
For the first time since her return, urgency enters her voice.
Minute 28
The Monsters of Myth attack together one final time.
Medussa Nemesis catches Lark of Sherwood.
PETRIFY!
The Piledriver drives her down.
Hydra Veyne follows with a Spinning Back Fist.
But Lark refuses to vanish.
She catches Medussa Nemesis.
Fireman’s Carry Cutter!
All three women hit the canvas.
Julian Ward: “Petrify! Back fist! Fireman’s Carry Cutter!”
Brick Brody: “Two minutes!”
Maid Marion begins pounding the turnbuckle.
The crowd joins her.
Lark of Sherwood starts crawling.
Minute 29
Medussa Nemesis gets to her first.
She reaches down.
Lark of Sherwood suddenly rises beneath her.
Chokeslam!
The crowd explodes as Medussa Nemesis crashes onto her back.
Julian Ward: “Chokeslam from Lark of Sherwood!”
Brick Brody: “One minute!”
Both women crawl.
Medussa Nemesis reaches Hydra Veyne.
Tag.
At the same moment—
Lark of Sherwood reaches Maid Marion.
Tag.
The Coliseum rises.
Julian Ward: “Fresh women for the final minute!”
Minute 30
Maid Marion and Hydra Veyne rush into the center.
Lark of Sherwood follows her partner.
Sherwood attacks together.
Maid Marion spins—
ROBIN’S ARROW!
The Superkick catches Hydra Veyne.
Lark of Sherwood grabs her—
Chokeslam!
But Hydra Veyne refuses to disappear beneath the combination.
She fires a Spinning Back Fist into the exchange.
All three women stagger.
Thirty seconds.
Maid Marion reaches for Hydra Veyne again.
Medussa Nemesis begins entering from the opposite side.
“Honest” Abe shouts for order.
Twenty seconds.
Lark of Sherwood tries to position Hydra Veyne for another attack.
Hydra breaks away.
Ten.
The audience begins counting.
NINE!
EIGHT!
Maid Marion charges.
SEVEN!
Hydra Veyne turns.
SIX!
Lark of Sherwood moves in.
FIVE!
Medussa Nemesis reaches through the ropes.
FOUR!
Bodies collide.
THREE!
No one can establish the finishing position.
TWO!
ONE!
The bell rings.
Everyone stops.
For a moment, confusion.
Then “Honest” Abe points toward the timekeeper.
Thirty minutes.
The match is over.
The crowd responds with a mixture of cheers, frustration, and applause.
Maid Marion leans against the ropes.
Lark of Sherwood stands beside her.
Across the ring, Hydra Veyne sits against the bottom turnbuckle.
Medussa Nemesis enters and stands over her.
At ringside, Serpenta Veyne looks furious.
Not because her team lost.
Because they did not win.
Louie Linville enters the ring.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the thirty-minute time limit has expired. This match has been declared a draw.”
The crowd applauds the effort.
Neither team acknowledges the other.
Julian Ward: “Thirty minutes without separation.”
Brick Brody: “And Maid Marion finally did what she should have done months ago.”
Julian Ward: “You are referring to Serpenta Veyne.”
Brick Brody: “She removed her from the match for nearly eight minutes.”
The replay shows Maid Marion attacking Serpenta Veyne.
Then the sustained double-teams from the Monsters of Myth.
The Nine Headed End.
Petrify.
The late Sherwood rally.
Robin’s Arrow.
The final Chokeslam.
Julian Ward: “That decision had consequences. Without Serpenta Veyne actively directing events, Hydra Veyne and Medussa Nemesis were still able to create long stretches of punishing tandem offense.”
Brick Brody: “Because they are monsters with or without the snake.”
Julian Ward: “But they could not finish.”
The camera shows Lark of Sherwood helping Maid Marion stand fully upright.
Julian Ward: “And neither could Sherwood. Maid Marion and Lark of Sherwood repeatedly fought out of isolation, answered the tandem attacks, and came within seconds of creating a decisive final sequence.”
Brick Brody: “That last minute was there.”
A beat.
Brick Brody: “One more clean opening and somebody wins.”
Julian Ward: “But there was no additional opening.”
The camera shifts toward Serpenta Veyne.
She climbs onto the apron.
Maid Marion immediately sees her.
The two women lock eyes again.
This time Serpenta Veyne does not smile.
Julian Ward: “And perhaps the larger consequence is that Maid Marion has made something very clear.”
Brick Brody: “She is done letting Serpenta Veyne decide when she gets involved.”
Maid Marion steps toward the ropes.
Serpenta Veyne does the same from the apron.
“Honest” Abe immediately moves between them.
Hydra Veyne and Medussa Nemesis rise behind their leader.
Lark of Sherwood joins Maid Marion.
Two teams.
Still divided.
Still unresolved.
Julian Ward: “The last time these teams met, Serpenta Veyne’s intervention helped produce a winner.”
A pause.
Julian Ward: “Tonight, Maid Marion removed that advantage—and thirty minutes were not enough to produce one.”
Brick Brody: “Then run it again sometime.”
The camera tightens on the stare between Maid Marion and Serpenta Veyne.
Brick Brody: “Preferably without a time limit.”
Julian Ward: “That decision belongs to Elias Coldmere.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “Then somebody give the Commissioner a pen.”
The final image holds.
Serpenta Veyne outside the ropes.
Maid Marion inside them.
Neither looking away.
RESULT: THE MONSTERS OF MYTH AND LARK OF SHERWOOD & MAID MARION BATTLE TO A 30-MINUTE TIME-LIMIT DRAW.
The broadcast cuts backstage.
The Dark Fable interview area is framed in cold silver light tonight.
No royal banners.
No faction colors.
Behind Hana Nakamura, the stone wall has been left bare except for the black iron crest of the Mythic Division.
Standing beside her is Hansel of the Hunter’s Enclave.
He is dressed for travel rather than competition.
Dark leather.
Worn straps.
Silvered fastenings.
The practical equipment of a man whose profession has always begun with finding things other people would rather remain hidden.
There is no Gretel beside him tonight.
No other member of the Enclave.
Hansel has come alone.
And he looks irritated.
Hana Nakamura: “I’m backstage with Hansel of the Hunter’s Enclave, and Hansel, you specifically asked for this time tonight.”
Hansel: “I did.”
Hana Nakamura: “You’re not scheduled to compete.”
Hansel: “That’s part of the problem.”
Hana Nakamura pauses.
Hana Nakamura: “What do you mean?”
Hansel looks directly into the camera.
Hansel: “I mean Dark Fable has spent two months pretending something isn’t strange because everybody’s gotten used to it.”
A beat.
Hansel: “So I thought I’d say it out loud.”
He turns slightly toward Hana Nakamura.
Hansel: “Where is the Universal Champion?”
The crowd watching inside Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum reacts.
Hana Nakamura: “You’re talking about the Ghost of Christmas Past.”
Hansel: “I’m talking about the man carrying a championship with the word Universal on it who apparently believes Camelot is outside his jurisdiction.”
His expression tightens.
Hansel: “June.”
A pause.
Hansel: “That is the last time he stepped foot here.”
Hansel: “June.”
He looks back toward the camera.
Hansel: “We are nearly at the end of August.”
Hansel: “Two months since anybody in the Mythic Division has seen the so-called Universal Champion in this building.”
Hana Nakamura: “The Ghost of Christmas Past has continued defending that championship in the North.”
Hansel: “Exactly.”
The answer comes immediately.
Hansel: “The North.”
A beat.
Hansel: “Again.”
Another.
Hansel: “And again.”
He spreads his hands.
Hansel: “Fine.”
Hansel: “Stay at the North Pole.”
Hansel: “Walk through the snow.”
Hansel: “Hide behind Fenwick.”
Hansel: “Tell everybody how untouchable you are.”
His voice becomes sharper.
Hansel: “But stop calling yourself Universal if the only direction you ever travel is back home.”
The crowd reacts loudly.
Hana Nakamura: “The champion has suggested there isn’t anyone here in the Mythic Division worthy of challenging him.”
Hansel gives a short, humorless laugh.
Hansel: “Yes.”
A beat.
Hansel: “I heard that.”
He looks toward Hana Nakamura.
Hansel: “That’s convenient, isn’t it?”
Hana Nakamura: “Convenient?”
Hansel: “Very.”
He begins counting on one hand.
Hansel: “Stay hundreds of miles away.”
One finger.
Hansel: “Never walk through the Camelot curtain.”
Second.
Hansel: “Never stand in the ring with anybody here.”
Third.
Hansel: “Then announce from a safe distance that nobody is worthy.”
He lowers his hand.
Hansel: “That isn’t judgment.”
A pause.
Hansel: “That’s avoidance.”
The crowd responds.
Hana Nakamura: “You think the Universal Champion is avoiding this division?”
Hansel: “I think he’s scared of it.”
That lands heavily.
Hana Nakamura’s eyes widen slightly.
Hana Nakamura: “Scared.”
Hansel: “You heard me.”
His voice remains controlled.
No shouting.
No bravado.
Hansel: “The Ghost of Christmas Past says there is nobody worthy in Camelot?”
Hansel steps closer to the camera.
Hansel: “Then come to Camelot.”
A beat.
Hansel: “Walk through that entrance.”
Another.
Hansel: “Bring the Universal Championship.”
His expression hardens.
Hansel: “And say it while you’re standing in front of us.”
A loud reaction from the Coliseum.
Hansel: “Say it to King Arthur.”
Hansel: “Say it to Robin Hood.”
Hansel: “Say it to John Henry.”
Hansel: “Say it to every knight, outlaw, monster, hunter and lunatic who walks these halls every Friday night.”
He pauses.
Hansel: “Better yet…”
His eyes narrow.
Hansel: “…say it to me.”
The crowd grows louder.
Hana Nakamura: “Are you challenging the Ghost of Christmas Past?”
Hansel: “I’m inviting him to prove himself.”
A beat.
Hansel: “He’s the one making the claim.”
Hansel: “Not me.”
He taps his chest once.
Hansel: “I have spent my life hunting things that hide.”
A pause.
Hansel: “Witches.”
Another.
Hansel: “Monsters.”
Another.
Hansel: “Creatures that live behind old doors and convince frightened people that being unseen makes them powerful.”
His tone grows colder.
Hansel: “They all make the same mistake eventually.”
Hana Nakamura: “Which is?”
Hansel: “They think hiding and winning are the same thing.”
Silence settles around the interview area.
Hansel: “They’re not.”
He turns fully toward the camera.
Hansel: “So maybe it’s time I change specialties.”
A beat.
Hansel: “Maybe the witch hunter becomes a ghost hunter.”
The Coliseum erupts.
Hana Nakamura looks toward him.
Hana Nakamura: “That sounds very much like a challenge.”
Hansel: “Good.”
He never looks away from the camera.
Hansel: “Then let him hear it that way.”
A pause.
Hansel: “Ghost of Christmas Past…”
His voice lowers.
Hansel: “You say there is nobody here worth your time.”
Another.
Hansel: “I say you haven’t been here long enough to know.”
His jaw tightens.
Hansel: “Two months.”
A beat.
Hansel: “Two months without walking into Camelot.”
Another.
Hansel: “Two months telling everybody from a distance how far beneath you we are.”
He shakes his head.
Hansel: “I’ve hunted cowardice before.”
Hansel: “It usually wears a better disguise.”
The audience reacts sharply.
Hana Nakamura: “And if he comes?”
Hansel finally turns toward her.
There is no smile.
Hansel: “Then I’ll welcome him.”
Hana Nakamura: “How?”
Hansel looks down briefly at the silver fittings across his gear.
Then back up.
Hansel: “The way the Hunter’s Enclave welcomes anything that thinks nobody can touch it.”
A beat.
Hansel: “We test the legend.”
He turns toward the camera one final time.
Hansel: “Come to Camelot, Ghost.”
A pause.
Hansel: “Or stop pretending you’re haunting it.”
Hansel walks out of frame.
Hana Nakamura watches him leave.
For several seconds, she says nothing.
Then she turns back toward the camera.
Hana Nakamura: “The Universal Champion has not appeared on Dark Fable since June.”
A beat.
Hana Nakamura: “Tonight, Hansel has decided that absence is no longer going to pass without challenge.”
She glances toward the corridor through which he disappeared.
Hana Nakamura: “And the Hunter’s Enclave may have just found something new to hunt.”
The camera holds on the empty corridor.
Then fades.
Referee: “Slow-Count” Sam
The camera returns to Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
No graphic appears immediately.
No music plays.
Instead, four enormous blue-and-gold banners slowly descend from the rafters.
The crest of Camelot fills the great screen.
Trumpets sound.
The first ceremonial note is answered by another.
Then the full royal fanfare rolls through the Coliseum.
Gold light spills across the entranceway.
Merlin appears first.
His staff strikes the stone once.
Behind him comes Sir Galahad.
Then Sir Gawain.
Then Sir Lancelot.
Three knights of Camelot spread across the entrance stage.
The crowd reaction is strong.
But divided.
The fanfare reaches its peak.
King Arthur steps through the curtain.
The Mythic Crown Championship rests around his waist.
He stops beneath the royal crest.
His eyes move across the audience.
Not searching for approval.
Receiving what he believes is owed.
Julian Ward: “For weeks, the language surrounding King Arthur has changed. Champion became king. Responsibility became sovereignty. And increasingly, disagreement with the Crown has been treated not as opposition…but as disobedience.”
Brick Brody: “He is the Mythic Crown Champion.”
Julian Ward: “He is.”
Brick Brody: “Then until somebody takes that championship away from him, everyone objecting to the way he carries himself is still objecting from underneath him.”
Julian Ward: “That is precisely the interpretation causing concern.”
Brick Brody: “Concern is free.”
A beat.
Brick Brody: “Gold isn’t.”
King Arthur begins walking.
The three knights follow.
Merlin walks several paces behind.
The procession reaches ringside.
Sir Galahad, Sir Gawain, and Sir Lancelot enter first.
King Arthur stops on the apron.
He turns toward the crowd.
Then steps through the ropes.
He moves to the center of the ring and unfastens the Mythic Crown Championship.
He raises it.
The response becomes even more divided.
Then—
A bowstring snaps.
The royal music cuts dead.
An arrow tears across the great screen.
It strikes the Camelot crest directly through the center.
Green light spreads across the entrance.
The Coliseum erupts.
Friar Tuck emerges first.
Beside him comes Little John.
Then Allan A Dale.
And finally—
Robin Hood.
Black and white.
The familiar green is absent.
White markings cut across his face beneath darkened eyes.
The outlaw stops beneath the shattered royal crest.
His gaze fixes upon the ring.
Upon Arthur.
Julian Ward: “And perhaps that image explains the conflict better than any speech could.”
Brick Brody: “A king and an outlaw.”
Julian Ward: “One man increasingly insists authority comes from the Crown.”
Brick Brody: “And the other one built his entire reputation stealing from people wearing one.”
The Merry Band begin down the aisle together.
There is no playful procession tonight.
No teasing of the royal banners.
They know what this represents.
Robin Hood walks in front.
Little John, Friar Tuck, and Allan A Dale follow.
Inside the ring, King Arthur watches their approach.
He does not look amused.
Julian Ward: “There has always been ideological distance between Camelot and Sherwood.”
Brick Brody: “Tonight it looks about twenty feet wide.”
Robin Hood reaches ringside.
He looks up at King Arthur.
Then climbs onto the apron.
The rest of the Merry Band join him.
All four enter together.
Eight men now stand inside the ring.
Merlin remains outside.
The noise is enormous.
At center stands Louie Linville.
Beside him is “Slow-Count” Sam.
Louie Linville waits.
The Coliseum gradually settles.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is your MAIN EVENT!”
The crowd erupts.
Louie Linville: “It is an eight-man tag team match scheduled for one fall!”
He turns toward Sherwood.
Louie Linville: “Introducing first…”
A roar begins.
Louie Linville: “Representing Sherwood…”
Louie Linville: “The Battling Bard, ALLAN A DALE!”
Allan A Dale raises one arm.
Louie Linville: “The towering guardian of the greenwood, LITTLE JOHN!”
Little John steps forward.
Louie Linville: “The fighting friar of Sherwood, FRIAR TUCK!”
Friar Tuck nods.
Then the reaction rises further.
Louie Linville: “And the outlaw whose arrow has challenged kings and tyrants alike…”
A pause.
Louie Linville: “ROBIN HOOD!”
The Coliseum explodes.
Robin Hood raises one arm.
His eyes remain on Arthur.
Louie Linville turns.
Blue-and-gold light intensifies.
Louie Linville: “And their opponents…”
Louie Linville: “Representing Camelot…”
Louie Linville: “The knight of the Grail, SIR GALAHAD!”
Sir Galahad steps forward.
Louie Linville: “The Verdant Knight, SIR GAWAIN!”
Sir Gawain raises one fist.
Louie Linville: “The first knight of Camelot, SIR LANCELOT!”
The crowd responds loudly.
Then Louie Linville turns toward the champion.
Louie Linville: “And their captain…”
A pause.
Louie Linville: “The reigning MYTHIC CROWN CHAMPION…”
The noise rises.
Louie Linville: “KING ARTHUR!”
Arthur raises the Mythic Crown Championship.
Louie Linville lowers the microphone.
But Arthur holds out one hand.
He wants it.
Louie Linville hesitates.
Then passes the microphone to the champion.
The crowd begins reacting.
Robin Hood folds his arms.
King Arthur steps into the center of the ring.
The championship remains over one shoulder.
King Arthur: “Before this contest begins…”
Boos begin.
Arthur waits for them to diminish.
They do not.
His expression hardens.
King Arthur: “You will be silent when your king speaks.”
The reaction becomes louder.
Robin Hood smiles faintly.
That only irritates Arthur further.
King Arthur: “Tonight is not merely a contest.”
He looks toward the four men of Sherwood.
King Arthur: “It is judgment.”
The crowd responds.
King Arthur: “For too long, the Merry Band has treated law as suggestion.”
King Arthur: “Royal decree as entertainment.”
King Arthur: “Order as something to be mocked whenever obedience proves inconvenient.”
Friar Tuck shakes his head.
Little John takes one step forward.
Robin Hood stops him with an arm.
King Arthur: “You steal.”
King Arthur: “You trespass.”
King Arthur: “You defy authority.”
His eyes settle on Robin Hood.
King Arthur: “And worse…”
A pause.
King Arthur: “…you convince others that rebellion is virtue.”
Robin Hood gives him a look of complete contempt.
King Arthur: “Therefore, by decree of the Crown…”
The boos rise.
King Arthur: “…the age of outlaws ends tonight.”
The crowd explodes.
King Arthur: “Robin Hood.”
A beat.
King Arthur: “Friar Tuck.”
King Arthur: “Little John.”
King Arthur: “Allan A Dale.”
He points toward them one at a time.
King Arthur: “You stand accused of repeated defiance of the Crown.”
King Arthur: “You have ignored royal decree.”
King Arthur: “Rejected lawful authority.”
King Arthur: “And treated the patience of Camelot as weakness.”
He steps closer to Robin Hood.
King Arthur: “Tonight, that patience ends.”
Robin Hood holds out one hand.
He wants the microphone.
Arthur stares at it.
Then hands it over.
Robin Hood: “You know what’s changed, Arthur?”
A pause.
Robin Hood: “Not us.”
The crowd reacts.
Robin Hood: “We were outlaws yesterday.”
Robin Hood: “We’ll probably be outlaws tomorrow.”
A faint smile.
Then it disappears.
Robin Hood: “You’re the one who started believing everybody who refuses to bow must be guilty of something.”
The reaction rises.
Arthur’s jaw tightens.
Robin Hood: “You want to call Sherwood criminal?”
A beat.
Robin Hood: “Fine.”
Robin Hood: “You want to call me disobedient?”
Another.
Robin Hood: “Absolutely.”
He steps closer.
Robin Hood: “But don’t confuse disobedience with fear.”
The crowd erupts.
Robin Hood: “Because none of us came here to ask permission.”
He hands the microphone back to Louie Linville.
Arthur does not move.
For several seconds, king and outlaw stare at one another.
Then “Slow-Count” Sam steps between them.
Louie Linville exits.
The Mythic Crown Championship is taken to ringside.
Friar Tuck begins for Sherwood.
King Arthur insists on beginning for Camelot.
The other six men move to their corners.
Merlin watches from the floor.
The bell rings.
Minute 1
King Arthur and Friar Tuck meet in the center.
There is no extended feeling-out process.
Arthur catches both arms.
KING’S DECREE!
The Pedigree drives Friar Tuck down.
But Tuck rolls through the impact, catches the champion when he rises, and answers with a Snap Suplex.
Both men hit hard.
Both get back up.
Julian Ward: “King’s Decree immediately from Arthur, answered by the Snap Suplex.”
Brick Brody: “That was Tuck telling the king sermons work both ways.”
Julian Ward: “Neither man establishing clear control.”
Brick Brody: “But Arthur wanted to start.”
A beat.
Brick Brody: “Remember that.”
Minute 2
Arthur drives forward again.
Clothesline.
The strike catches Friar Tuck across the chest.
Tuck absorbs it and answers with another Snap Suplex.
Arthur lands hard.
Friar Tuck immediately reaches backward.
Tag.
Little John enters.
The crowd rises.
Julian Ward: “Friar Tuck gives way to perhaps the strongest member of the Merry Band.”
Brick Brody: “Now the king gets the big one.”
Arthur does not tag.
He remains.
Minute 3
Little John steps toward Arthur.
Before they engage, Merlin moves closer to the apron.
His eyes settle upon “Slow-Count” Sam.
The wizard raises one hand.
The referee turns.
His expression empties.
His focus drifts.
Julian Ward: “There is Merlin.”
Brick Brody: “And there goes the referee.”
Julian Ward: “We have seen this before.”
Little John notices.
He turns toward Merlin.
That moment costs him his concentration.
“Slow-Count” Sam blinks several times, confused.
Arthur remains poised inside the ring.
No attack follows immediately.
But the rhythm has been broken.
Julian Ward: “That influence did not create direct offense, but it absolutely disrupted Little John.”
Brick Brody: “Sometimes that is enough.”
Minute 4
Little John responds by putting both hands on the champion.
He traps the shoulder and neck.
Shoulder Claw.
Arthur grimaces as the enormous hand digs into the muscle.
He tries to shift his weight.
Little John simply squeezes harder.
Julian Ward: “Shoulder Claw from Little John.”
Brick Brody: “That is a problem you cannot decree away.”
Arthur struggles toward the ropes.
Little John keeps him trapped long enough to force real damage before the champion escapes.
Minute 5
Little John attacks again.
Robin Hood briefly enters from the corner as Sherwood creates a quick two-man opening.
Little John drives Arthur down with a Back Smash.
The outlaw presence creates enough confusion for Little John to hammer the champion again before Robin Hood retreats.
Arthur attempts to brace.
Cannot.
Julian Ward: “Sherwood beginning to use numbers.”
Brick Brody: “Which is interesting after that speech about lawlessness.”
Julian Ward: “The rules permit tandem offense within the referee’s count.”
Brick Brody: “Never let legality ruin a good accusation.”
Minute 6
Little John gets underneath Arthur.
He lifts the Mythic Crown Champion high.
Towering Suplex!
Arthur crashes onto his back.
For the first time, Sir Lancelot steps forward on the apron, calling toward his king.
Arthur still refuses the tag.
Julian Ward: “Arthur has now absorbed several uninterrupted minutes of offense.”
Brick Brody: “And he still will not leave.”
Julian Ward: “Pride?”
Brick Brody: “Kings prefer ‘resolve.’”
Little John reaches his corner.
Tag.
Allan A Dale enters.
Minute 7
Allan A Dale comes in.
And immediately the Merry Band flood the ring.
Allan A Dale drives a Dropkick into Arthur.
Friar Tuck follows with a Cross Body Block.
Little John traps the champion long enough to deliver Headlock Punches.
Then Robin Hood catches Arthur—
DDT!
The building erupts.
But Arthur refuses to disappear beneath the assault.
He gets to his knees and drives a Jumping Knee Drop into Allan A Dale during the breakdown.
Julian Ward: “Sherwood has surrounded the king!”
Brick Brody: “And the king still got his shot in.”
Julian Ward: “Dropkick, Cross Body, punches, DDT—and Arthur still found the knee.”
Brick Brody: “That is why he carries the crown.”
“Slow-Count” Sam forces the illegal men back.
Allan A Dale remains.
Minute 8
Arthur catches Allan A Dale before he can retreat.
FLOWING DDT!
Allan attempts to brace himself.
Cannot.
His head and shoulders drive into the canvas.
Julian Ward: “Flowing DDT from King Arthur.”
Brick Brody: “There is the recovery.”
Arthur rises.
He turns toward Sherwood.
His expression says he remembers every attack from the previous minute.
Minute 9
Now Camelot answers.
Sir Galahad, Sir Gawain, and Sir Lancelot enter.
Arthur catches Allan A Dale.
KING’S DECREE!
Sir Galahad follows by twisting Allan into a Horizontal Gory Special.
Sir Gawain drives him across the knee with a Backbreaker.
Sir Lancelot closes the sequence with a Rolling Elbow.
Allan A Dale somehow manages to catch one of the knights during the chaos and fire back with a Gutwrench Suplex.
Julian Ward: “Camelot returning the four-man assault!”
Brick Brody: “That is how you answer Sherwood.”
Julian Ward: “King’s Decree. Gory Special. Backbreaker. Rolling Elbow.”
Brick Brody: “And somehow the bard still found a Suplex.”
The attack continues.
Minute 10
Arthur drops another Jumping Knee.
Sir Galahad catches Allan A Dale with a Jumping Reverse Bulldog.
Sir Gawain adds another Backbreaker.
Sir Lancelot drives him down with a Running Bulldog.
But Allan A Dale refuses to vanish.
He catches Arthur during the continuing chaos—
FINAL VERSE!
The crowd erupts.
Julian Ward: “Final Verse!”
Brick Brody: “In the middle of four knights!”
Julian Ward: “That is the same weapon Allan A Dale used during his recent pursuit of the Eternal Flame Championship.”
Brick Brody: “And he just reminded Arthur he is not decoration.”
The referee finally restores order.
Arthur and Allan A Dale remain legal.
Minute 11
Arthur gets up first.
Flowing DDT.
Allan A Dale fires a Knee Lift during the exchange.
Both men stagger.
Julian Ward: “Flowing DDT answered by the Knee Lift.”
Brick Brody: “Nobody is keeping momentum long enough to own it.”
Arthur pulls himself upright against the ropes.
Allan does the same.
Minute 12
Arthur catches Allan A Dale.
Atomic Drop.
Allan falls forward.
The champion covers.
“Slow-Count” Sam drops.
ONE!
TWO!
Allan A Dale kicks out.
The crowd reacts.
Julian Ward: “First serious cover from Camelot.”
Brick Brody: “And despite the name, that count looked normal enough.”
Arthur does not argue.
He finally turns toward his corner.
Tag.
Sir Galahad enters.
Julian Ward: “At last, Arthur leaves the legal position.”
Minute 13
Sir Galahad waits for Allan A Dale to stand.
Jumping Reverse Bulldog!
Allan attempts to defend.
Cannot.
Galahad covers.
ONE!
TWO!
Allan A Dale kicks out.
Julian Ward: “Another two-count.”
Brick Brody: “Sherwood’s bard has been isolated for too long.”
Sir Galahad immediately reaches his corner.
Tag.
Sir Gawain enters.
Minute 14
Sir Gawain catches Allan A Dale.
Rolling Fireman’s Carry!
Allan rolls through the impact and grabs both arms.
Double Arm DDT!
Both men land hard.
Julian Ward: “Perfectly answered.”
Brick Brody: “That is why Allan keeps surviving.”
Sir Gawain decides against continuing the exchange.
He reaches back.
Tag.
King Arthur returns.
Minute 15
Arthur attacks the legs.
Indian Deathlock.
But Allan A Dale twists before the hold can be fully established and reaches for Final Verse.
Neither man secures his intended position.
They break apart.
Julian Ward: “Both men had the opening and neither completed it.”
Brick Brody: “Fatigue.”
Allan A Dale looks toward his corner.
He has taken enough.
Tag.
Little John returns.
Minute 16
The moment Little John enters, Camelot swarms.
Arthur catches him with an Atomic Drop.
Sir Galahad flashes through with a Pele Kick.
Sir Gawain charges—
VERDANT OATH!
The Brogue Kick lands flush.
Sir Lancelot enters as part of the formation but cannot connect cleanly before Little John collapses beneath the other attacks.
Julian Ward: “Camelot converging on Little John!”
Brick Brody: “Atomic Drop, Pele Kick, Verdant Oath. That is a lot of kingdom landing on one man.”
Little John tries to defend.
The assault overwhelms him.
Then the referee restores order.
Minute 17
Sherwood retaliates immediately.
Little John catches Arthur in an Arm Drag Series.
Friar Tuck enters and cinches a Sleeperhold.
Robin Hood blasts Arthur with a Superkick.
Allan A Dale adds a Dropkick.
The champion fights through the wave long enough to land another Jumping Knee Drop.
The crowd is roaring.
Julian Ward: “And now Sherwood answers with all four men!”
Brick Brody: “This stopped being civilized about ten minutes ago.”
Julian Ward: “Arm drags. Sleeper. Superkick. Dropkick.”
Brick Brody: “And Arthur still found the knee again.”
The melee continues.
Minute 18
Little John hammers Arthur with another Back Smash.
Friar Tuck wraps the Sleeper around the champion.
Robin Hood and Allan A Dale try to position themselves for additional offense but cannot establish clean attacks before the referee begins driving them away.
Arthur creates enough room to catch Little John with another Atomic Drop.
Julian Ward: “Even during the Merry Band’s sustained assault, Arthur is finding ways to answer.”
Brick Brody: “You can dislike what he says.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “You cannot pretend he is fragile.”
Minute 19
Order returns.
Little John remains legal.
He climbs.
Axe Handle Drop!
The blow crashes down on Arthur.
The champion tries to cover.
Fails.
Julian Ward: “A clean Axe Handle from Little John.”
Brick Brody: “And the king is slowing.”
Arthur crawls toward the ropes.
But instead of tagging, he turns back toward Little John.
Minute 20
Camelot enters again.
Arthur drives a Clothesline into Little John.
Sir Galahad follows with the Benadryller.
Sir Gawain lifts and drives Little John down with White Noise.
Sir Lancelot blasts him with a Superkick.
Yet Little John somehow catches one of the attacking knights and powers through with a Bodyslam amid the chaos.
Julian Ward: “Another complete assault from Camelot!”
Brick Brody: “And Little John is still throwing people.”
Julian Ward: “Clothesline. Benadryller. White Noise. Superkick.”
Brick Brody: “That ought to stop a normal man.”
Julian Ward: “Little John has never been particularly interested in that category.”
The referee restores order again.
Minute 21
Arthur steps forward.
Jumping Knee Drop.
Little John absorbs it.
Then catches the champion.
Backbreaker!
Arthur folds across the knee.
Little John covers.
“Slow-Count” Sam drops.
ONE!
TWO!
Arthur kicks out.
The building erupts.
Julian Ward: “Two!”
Brick Brody: “That was close.”
Little John sits upright.
Arthur rolls toward the ropes.
For the first time, the king looks genuinely shaken.
Minute 22
Everything collapses.
All eight men enter.
Arthur catches Little John with a Short-Arm Clothesline.
Sir Galahad launches into a Flying Body Splash.
Sir Gawain drives an opponent across the knee with another Backbreaker.
Sir Lancelot lands an Enzuigiri.
Sherwood answers everywhere.
Little John drives another Back Smash into Arthur.
Friar Tuck traps one of the knights in a Sleeperhold.
Robin Hood takes another down and locks in the Sharpshooter.
Allan A Dale joins the melee but cannot secure a clean attack before bodies begin crashing into one another.
The crowd is standing.
Julian Ward: “All eight men!”
Brick Brody: “Forget tags!”
Julian Ward: “Short-Arm Clothesline! Flying Splash! Backbreaker! Enzuigiri! Back Smash! Sleeperhold! Sharpshooter!”
Brick Brody: “This is Camelot and Sherwood trying to settle everything at once!”
“Slow-Count” Sam screams for order.
Eventually, six men retreat.
Arthur and Little John remain.
Minute 23
Little John drives a fist directly into Arthur’s midsection.
The champion folds.
He attempts to cover the body.
Cannot.
Little John follows him down and keeps pressure on him.
Julian Ward: “Little John has spent much of this match forcing the champion into a kind of fight Arthur cannot control ceremonially.”
Brick Brody: “There is nothing ceremonial about getting punched in the stomach.”
Minute 24
Sherwood floods the ring again.
Little John grabs Arthur in a Headlock and begins throwing punches.
Friar Tuck reaches for a Reverse Chinlock.
Robin Hood tries to position for another DDT.
Allan A Dale looks for a Scoop Powerslam.
But this time Arthur sees the entire formation.
He shifts.
Breaks one grip.
Escapes another.
Turns out of the DDT setup.
Avoids the Powerslam.
The entire double-team collapses without landing cleanly.
The crowd reacts.
Julian Ward: “Extraordinary defense from King Arthur!”
Brick Brody: “That was four men trying to trap him and none of them finished the attack.”
Arthur backs toward the ropes.
Breathing heavily.
But standing.
Minute 25
The Merry Band continue the pressure.
Little John, Friar Tuck, and Robin Hood cannot establish their follow-ups after the failed sequence.
But Allan A Dale finds the opening.
Gutwrench Suplex!
Arthur crashes down.
Julian Ward: “Allan A Dale finally breaks through!”
Brick Brody: “Everybody else missed. The bard didn’t.”
Arthur remains on the canvas.
At ringside, Merlin watches.
His expression changes.
Minute 26
Merlin moves toward the apron again.
His hand rises.
“Slow-Count” Sam turns.
The referee’s focus drifts.
His eyes become distant.
Julian Ward: “Again.”
Brick Brody: “The wizard is back.”
Little John sees it.
He turns toward Merlin.
The same disruption from earlier returns.
The moment stretches.
Robin Hood begins shouting toward the referee.
Friar Tuck points toward Merlin.
Arthur begins rising behind Little John.
Julian Ward: “Sherwood knows exactly what is happening, but recognition is not stopping it.”
The referee finally shakes himself awake.
Little John turns.
Too late.
Minute 27
Arthur catches him.
FLOWING DDT!
Little John is driven into the canvas.
The champion immediately covers.
“Slow-Count” Sam drops.
ONE!
Robin Hood begins entering.
Sir Lancelot cuts him off.
TWO!
Friar Tuck moves.
Sir Gawain intercepts.
THREE!
The bell rings.
The Coliseum explodes.
Julian Ward: “Three!”
Arthur releases the cover.
He remains on both knees.
Exhausted.
But victorious.
The three knights enter.
Sir Galahad helps Arthur stand.
Sir Gawain and Sir Lancelot move beside him.
At ringside, Merlin watches.
Louie Linville receives the result.
Louie Linville: “Ladies and gentlemen, your winners…”
A pause.
Louie Linville: “SIR LANCELOT!”
Louie Linville: “SIR GALAHAD!”
Louie Linville: “SIR GAWAIN!”
Another.
Louie Linville: “And the MYTHIC CROWN CHAMPION…”
Louie Linville: “KING ARTHUR!”
The reaction is divided.
The Mythic Crown Championship is handed back through the ropes.
Arthur takes it.
He looks down at Little John.
Then across at Robin Hood.
The celebration never begins.
Instead, Arthur extends one hand toward Louie Linville.
The microphone is given to him.
Julian Ward: “The match is over.”
Brick Brody: “I don’t think the king is.”
Arthur steps away from his knights.
The championship is draped across one shoulder.
Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, and Allan A Dale enter the ring.
Little John is already beginning to sit up.
The Merry Band gathers together.
King Arthur: “Enough.”
The crowd begins booing.
King Arthur: “You were warned.”
He looks at them.
King Arthur: “You were charged.”
A pause.
King Arthur: “And now you have been defeated.”
Robin Hood stares back.
King Arthur: “The Crown has rendered judgment.”
He takes another step.
King Arthur: “Kneel.”
The crowd explodes.
Friar Tuck’s expression hardens.
Little John gets fully upright.
Allan A Dale looks toward Robin Hood.
The outlaw does not move.
King Arthur: “I said…”
His voice becomes louder.
King Arthur: “…KNEEL.”
The chants begin.
“NO!”
“NO!”
“NO!”
Robin Hood walks forward.
He stops directly in front of Arthur.
Robin Hood: “No.”
The Coliseum erupts.
Arthur cannot quite believe the simplicity of it.
King Arthur: “You stand in the presence of your king.”
Robin Hood: “I stand in the presence of a champion.”
A beat.
Robin Hood: “There’s a difference.”
The reaction becomes deafening.
Arthur steps closer.
King Arthur: “You lost.”
Robin Hood: “Little John got pinned.”
He points toward his partner.
Then back toward Arthur.
Robin Hood: “You want me on my knees?”
A pause.
Robin Hood: “Do it yourself.”
The entire building explodes.
Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, and Sir Gawain move forward.
Little John, Friar Tuck, and Allan A Dale respond.
Eight men begin closing distance again.
Merlin steps toward the apron.
Then—
Elias Coldmere: “That will be enough.”
The crowd erupts again.
Everyone turns.
Elias Coldmere stands beneath the entrance arch.
The Mythic Commissioner has a microphone in hand.
Arthur’s expression turns immediately sour.
Elias Coldmere: “I realize the eight of you have apparently developed an enthusiasm for continuing this match after the bell.”
A small pause.
Elias Coldmere: “You will resist it.”
King Arthur: “Commissioner—”
Elias Coldmere: “No.”
The single word stops him.
Elias Coldmere: “You have already delivered your decree.”
A beat.
Elias Coldmere: “Now I will deliver mine.”
The crowd reacts.
Elias Coldmere looks toward Robin Hood.
Then toward King Arthur.
Elias Coldmere: “Earlier tonight, I announced the first contest for Age of Ruin.”
The great screen goes dark.
Red fractures appear.
AGE OF RUIN
SEPTEMBER 27, 2026
The crowd rises.
Elias Coldmere: “We now have another.”
Arthur looks toward the screen.
His grip tightens around the Mythic Crown Championship.
Elias Coldmere: “On September 27th…”
A pause.
Elias Coldmere: “The Mythic Crown Championship will be defended.”
The reaction becomes enormous.
King Arthur: “Against whom?”
Elias Coldmere looks directly at Robin Hood.
The answer is obvious before he gives it.
Elias Coldmere: “Robin Hood.”
The Coliseum explodes.
The graphic forms.
AGE OF RUIN
MYTHIC CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP
KING ARTHUR
vs
ROBIN HOOD
Inside the ring, Robin Hood looks toward the screen.
Then toward the championship.
Then toward Arthur.
The king’s expression changes from disbelief to insult.
King Arthur: “Absolutely not.”
Boos rain down.
King Arthur: “He is unworthy.”
Elias Coldmere almost smiles.
Almost.
King Arthur: “He is an outlaw.”
King Arthur: “A thief.”
King Arthur: “A man without title, station, or claim.”
A beat.
King Arthur: “He has done nothing to deserve an audience with the Mythic Crown.”
Elias Coldmere: “There is that word again.”
Arthur stares at him.
King Arthur: “What word?”
Elias Coldmere: “Worthy.”
A small reaction from the crowd.
Elias Coldmere: “You have developed a habit of treating your personal assessment of another competitor’s worth as though it were administrative policy.”
A pause.
Elias Coldmere: “It is not.”
The crowd reacts loudly.
King Arthur: “I am the king.”
Elias Coldmere: “You are the Mythic Crown Champion.”
That lands.
Elias Coldmere: “An extraordinary accomplishment.”
A beat.
Elias Coldmere: “And one whose responsibilities include defending the championship against challengers selected by this division.”
Arthur’s eyes narrow.
Elias Coldmere: “You believe Robin Hood is beneath you?”
A pause.
Elias Coldmere: “Excellent.”
He gestures toward the graphic.
Elias Coldmere: “September 27th gives you an opportunity to demonstrate it.”
Brick Brody: “He did it again.”
Julian Ward: “The Commissioner appears very comfortable allowing Arthur’s objections to become matches.”
Brick Brody: “At least he is consistent.”
Inside the ring, Arthur looks toward Robin Hood.
Then back toward Elias Coldmere.
King Arthur: “He refuses the authority of the Crown.”
Elias Coldmere: “I noticed.”
A beat.
King Arthur: “Then if you insist upon rewarding rebellion…”
His eyes move toward Robin Hood.
A cold idea forms.
King Arthur: “…attach consequence to failure.”
The crowd grows quieter.
Elias Coldmere: “Explain.”
Arthur steps toward Robin Hood.
King Arthur: “If this outlaw believes himself worthy to stand before his king…”
A pause.
King Arthur: “…then let him stake more than ambition.”
Robin Hood says nothing.
King Arthur: “If Robin Hood loses at Age of Ruin…”
His voice rises.
King Arthur: “…he kneels.”
The crowd erupts in boos.
Arthur continues.
King Arthur: “In the center of this ring.”
A beat.
King Arthur: “Before the people of Camelot.”
Another.
King Arthur: “Before the Mythic Crown.”
His eyes harden.
King Arthur: “Before me.”
The crowd chants again.
“NO!”
“NO!”
“NO!”
Elias Coldmere looks toward Robin Hood.
Elias Coldmere: “That condition affects you.”
A pause.
Elias Coldmere: “Therefore I will not impose it without your acceptance.”
Arthur looks furious at even that concession.
Elias Coldmere: “Robin?”
Robin Hood asks Allan A Dale for the microphone.
Allan passes him one from ringside.
Robin Hood steps into the center.
He looks first toward Arthur.
Then toward the Mythic Crown Championship.
Robin Hood: “If I lose…”
A pause.
Robin Hood: “…I kneel.”
The crowd reacts with shock.
Friar Tuck looks toward him.
Little John does the same.
Robin Hood never looks away from Arthur.
Robin Hood: “But if I win…”
He points toward the championship.
Robin Hood: “…you don’t get to tell anybody where to stand anymore.”
The Coliseum explodes.
Robin Hood: “Because that crown comes back to Sherwood with me.”
Arthur steps forward.
King Arthur: “You will never touch it.”
Robin Hood: “Then you’ve got nothing to worry about.”
The crowd erupts again.
Elias Coldmere: “Then we have an agreement.”
The graphic changes.
AGE OF RUIN
MYTHIC CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP
KING ARTHUR vs ROBIN HOOD
IF ROBIN HOOD LOSES, HE MUST KNEEL TO KING ARTHUR
The reaction is enormous.
Elias Coldmere: “September 27th.”
A pause.
Elias Coldmere: “King Arthur defends the Mythic Crown Championship against Robin Hood.”
Another.
Elias Coldmere: “If Robin Hood loses…”
His eyes move toward the outlaw.
Elias Coldmere: “…he kneels.”
A beat.
Elias Coldmere: “If he wins…”
His attention shifts to Arthur.
Elias Coldmere: “…he leaves Age of Ruin as Mythic Crown Champion.”
The two men stare at one another.
Elias Coldmere: “Until then…”
A warning enters his voice.
Elias Coldmere: “…neither of you needs to prove anything else tonight.”
He lowers the microphone.
The Age of Ruin graphic remains.
Inside the ring, the two sides slowly separate.
Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, and Sir Gawain gather behind Arthur.
Friar Tuck, Little John, and Allan A Dale stand behind Robin Hood.
Merlin remains at ringside.
His attention is not on Sherwood.
It is on King Arthur.
The champion raises the Mythic Crown Championship.
Robin Hood does not look at the belt.
He looks at the man holding it.
Julian Ward: “Tonight began with King Arthur declaring that the age of outlaws would end.”
A pause.
Julian Ward: “Instead, the outlaw now has a date with the Crown.”
Brick Brody: “And if Robin Hood loses, he has to do the one thing he has spent his entire life refusing to do.”
Julian Ward: “Kneel.”
Brick Brody: “Not to the championship.”
A beat.
Brick Brody: “To Arthur.”
The camera tightens on Robin Hood.
Black-and-white paint.
No smile.
No fear.
Then on Arthur.
Gold over his shoulder.
Anger in his eyes.
Julian Ward: “At Age of Ruin, one man risks his championship.”
A pause.
Julian Ward: “The other risks submission.”
Another.
Julian Ward: “And perhaps, by then, we will finally learn whether the Crown commands loyalty…”
The camera pulls back.
Camelot on one side.
Sherwood on the other.
The Age of Ruin logo burning above them.
Julian Ward: “…or merely demands obedience.”
RESULT: THE CHAMPIONS OF CAMELOT DEFEAT THE MERRY BAND WHEN KING ARTHUR PINS LITTLE JOHN WITH A FLOWING DDT IN THE 27TH MINUTE.
AGE OF RUIN: KING ARTHUR will defend the MYTHIC CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP against ROBIN HOOD. If ROBIN HOOD loses, he must kneel to KING ARTHUR.
The broadcast returns to ringside.
Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum remains loud after the confrontation that ended the main event.
The ring has finally cleared.
At the commentary desk, Julian Ward sits with his notes arranged in front of him.
Beside him, Brick Brody looks back toward the entranceway, where the Age of Ruin logo still burns across the great screen.
Julian Ward: “What began tonight as another chapter of Dark Fable has ended with the road to Age of Ruin becoming considerably clearer.”
Highlights begin rolling.
Dorothy driving Yurei Rinn down with the final bodyslam.
Three.
Julian Ward: “Dorothy opened the night by surviving twenty-two minutes against Yurei Rinn, repeatedly enduring the pressure of the Blood Oni Syndicate before securing the victory.”
The screen changes.
The Dread Knights and Scalekeepers exchanging attacks as the clock expires.
Julian Ward: “The Dread Knights and Scalekeepers then fought for thirty full minutes without producing a winner.”
Brick Brody: “Two teams hit each other for half an hour and still walked away arguing over who was better.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “That means they should do it again.”
The footage changes.
John Henry drives the Hammer Drop into Heracles.
Three.
Julian Ward: “John Henry defeated Heracles, overcoming not only the strength of Olympus but repeated involvement from Zeus.”
Brick Brody: “Zeus threw the referee out of the ring and still couldn’t manufacture the victory.”
Another replay.
Raigen, his scars visible, stands beside Takuma Ryujin and John Henry.
The handshake between Raigen and Takuma Ryujin.
Julian Ward: “And afterward, something perhaps even more important happened. Raigen returned after last week’s fireball attack, thanked the two men who came to his aid, and finally put longstanding differences with Takuma Ryujin behind him.”
The footage changes again.
Severin Crowne throwing Lion through the ropes.
Sir Agravaine attacking from behind.
The count reaching ten.
Then the confrontation afterward.
Tin Man.
Scarecrow.
Lion.
Across from—
Severin Crowne.
Sheriff of Nottingham.
Sir Agravaine.
Julian Ward: “Severin Crowne defeated Lion by count-out after Sir Agravaine’s intervention, but the result became secondary almost immediately.”
The Age of Ruin logo appears.
WIZARD’S WARRIORS
vs
SEVERIN CROWNE — SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM — SIR AGRAVAINE
Julian Ward: “Because Elias Coldmere made the first match official for September 27th.”
Brick Brody: “And there is no mystery left there.”
Julian Ward: “At Age of Ruin, the Wizard’s Warriors—Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Lion—will face Severin Crowne, Eternal Flame Champion Sheriff of Nottingham, and Sir Agravaine.”
Brick Brody: “That is six men who already needed separating tonight.”
The footage changes.
Maid Marion attacking Serpenta Veyne.
The Monsters of Myth and Sherwood exchanging tandem offense.
The thirty-minute bell.
Julian Ward: “The Monsters of Myth and Lark of Sherwood and Maid Marion also reached the thirty-minute limit, with neither side able to settle a rivalry that became considerably more personal when Maid Marion finally turned her attention directly toward Serpenta Veyne.”
Then—
Hansel.
His words replay.
“Maybe the witch hunter becomes a ghost hunter.”
Julian Ward: “And Hansel publicly challenged the continued absence of the Universal Champion, accusing the Ghost of Christmas Past of remaining at the North Pole because he is unwilling to face the Mythic Division.”
Brick Brody: “That was not a subtle invitation.”
Julian Ward: “We will return to that in a moment.”
The final highlights begin.
King Arthur stands in the ring before the main event.
“The age of outlaws ends tonight.”
The eight-man battle.
Camelot and Sherwood repeatedly flooding the ring.
Little John backbreaking Arthur.
Merlin influencing Slow-Count Sam.
Then—
Flowing DDT.
Three.
Julian Ward: “In tonight’s main event, the Champions of Camelot defeated the Merry Band when King Arthur pinned Little John.”
The footage continues.
Arthur demanding the Merry Band kneel.
Robin Hood refusing.
The two factions closing around one another.
Then Elias Coldmere appearing.
The Age of Ruin graphic returns.
MYTHIC CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP
KING ARTHUR vs ROBIN HOOD
IF ROBIN HOOD LOSES, HE MUST KNEEL TO KING ARTHUR
The Coliseum reacts again.
Julian Ward: “And from that confrontation came the second match now official for Age of Ruin.”
A pause.
Julian Ward: “On September 27th, King Arthur will defend the Mythic Crown Championship against Robin Hood.”
Brick Brody: “And if the outlaw loses…”
He looks toward the camera.
Brick Brody: “…he kneels.”
Julian Ward: “By Robin Hood’s own acceptance of the condition.”
A beat.
Julian Ward: “If he wins, however, the Mythic Crown leaves Camelot with him.”
The graphic holds.
Two matches.
Two very different battles over authority.
Julian Ward: “Those are the first two matches announced for Age of Ruin.”
The screen changes.
AGE OF RUIN — SEPTEMBER 27
WIZARD’S WARRIORS vs SEVERIN CROWNE, SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM & SIR AGRAVAINE
MYTHIC CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP — KING ARTHUR vs ROBIN HOOD
IF ROBIN HOOD LOSES, HE MUST KNEEL TO KING ARTHUR
Brick Brody: “Two matches announced.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “And this place is already starting to come apart.”
The Age of Ruin graphic disappears.
NEXT WEEK ON DARK FABLE
The crowd responds immediately.
Julian Ward: “And next week, several of tonight’s consequences become matches.”
The first graphic appears.
SIR AGRAVAINE & SEVERIN CROWNE
vs
LION & SCARECROW
Julian Ward: “Sir Agravaine and Severin Crowne face Lion and Scarecrow.”
Brick Brody: “A preview of Age of Ruin, with everybody already knowing exactly where the other side stands.”
The graphic changes.
TAKUMA RYUJIN — JOHN HENRY — RAIGEN
vs
TARO OKAMI & KAMINARI HONO
The crowd reacts loudly.
Julian Ward: “After what happened to Raigen last week, he joins Takuma Ryujin and John Henry against Taro Okami and Kaminari Hono.”
Brick Brody: “Raigen wanted answers.”
A beat.
Brick Brody: “Next week he gets close enough to beat them out of somebody.”
The screen changes again.
WAR COUNCIL
vs
MOTHER EARTH & SAYAKA MIZUHANA
Julian Ward: “The War Council attempts to recover from tonight’s difficult result when they face Mother Earth and Sayaka Mizuhana.”
Brick Brody: “That is not what I would call an easy rebound.”
Next.
WILL SCARLETT
vs
SIR LANCELOT
Julian Ward: “Will Scarlett meets Sir Lancelot.”
Brick Brody: “Nottingham and Camelot. There is enough pride in that match to start another kingdom.”
Next.
RAPUNZEL
vs
YUREI RINN
Julian Ward: “Rapunzel faces Yurei Rinn.”
Brick Brody: “After what Dorothy did tonight, Yurei Rinn is going to want something back from the Blonde Bombshells.”
Then the arena lighting turns orange.
Flames fill the screen.
The Eternal Flame Championship appears.
ETERNAL FLAME CHAMPIONSHIP
TWO OUT OF THREE FALLS
SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM
vs
TIN MAN
The Coliseum erupts.
Julian Ward: “And in next week’s main championship attraction, Tin Man challenges the Sheriff of Nottingham for the Eternal Flame Championship.”
A beat.
Additional text appears.
TWO OUT OF THREE FALLS
Julian Ward: “And we can now confirm that championship match will be contested under two-out-of-three-falls rules.”
Brick Brody: “Excellent.”
Julian Ward: “The Sheriff survived forty-six minutes and three falls against Allan A Dale last week.”
Brick Brody: “And now he gets to do it again with a man who already wants to tear apart everyone standing beside him at Age of Ruin.”
Julian Ward: “There is also one additional development.”
The match card disappears.
The screen goes black.
Cold wind can suddenly be heard through the arena speakers.
A faint blue light spreads across the great screen.
Snow begins falling across the image.
Then—
a ghostly championship silhouette appears.
The crowd reacts.
Julian Ward: “We have just received confirmation during the closing moments of tonight’s broadcast.”
The image sharpens.
THE UNIVERSAL CHAMPION
GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST
NEXT WEEK ON DARK FABLE
The reaction grows louder.
Brick Brody: “Well.”
A pause.
Brick Brody: “Looks like the ghost heard him.”
Julian Ward: “After Hansel accused the Universal Champion of hiding at the North Pole and challenged him to return to Camelot…”
The graphic remains.
Julian Ward: “…the Ghost of Christmas Past will be here next week.”
Another surge from the crowd.
Julian Ward: “And he will answer Hansel.”
Brick Brody: “That witch hunter wanted to become a ghost hunter.”
A beat.
Brick Brody: “Next week he gets to find out what happens when the ghost comes looking for him.”
The screen cycles rapidly through the key images awaiting next week.
Raigen and Taro Okami.
Tin Man staring at the Eternal Flame Championship.
Severin Crowne and Sir Agravaine opposite Lion and Scarecrow.
Hansel.
The Ghost of Christmas Past.
Then finally—
King Arthur holding the Mythic Crown Championship.
Across from him—
Robin Hood in black and white.
The Age of Ruin logo burns between them.
Julian Ward: “Tonight, Dorothy survived the Blood Oni Syndicate.”
Julian Ward: “John Henry defeated the strength of Olympus.”
Julian Ward: “Two tag team battles reached their limits without resolution.”
Julian Ward: “Raigen returned from fire and found allies where rivalry once stood.”
Julian Ward: “Severin Crowne’s growing alliance finally gained an enemy and an Age of Ruin battlefield.”
A pause.
Julian Ward: “And King Arthur demanded that an outlaw kneel.”
The camera tightens on the Age of Ruin graphic.
Julian Ward: “Instead, Robin Hood demanded the Crown.”
Brick Brody: “September 27th, one of them gets humbled.”
A beat.
Brick Brody: “I don’t particularly care which one.”
Julian Ward: “And next week, the consequences continue.”
The Dark Fable crest slowly appears.
Torchlight flickers across it.
Julian Ward: “For Brick Brody, I am Julian Ward.”
A final pause.
Julian Ward: “The story changed again tonight.”
The Age of Ruin crest flashes behind the Dark Fable logo.
Julian Ward: “Good night from Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.”
The final image remains.
A crown.
An arrow.
And between them—
red fractures spreading through stone.
DARK FABLE
AGE OF RUIN APPROACHES
The broadcast fades to black.
Black screen.
For several seconds, there is nothing.
No music.
No announcer.
No Dark Fable crest.
Then—
the faint sound of wind against stone.
The image slowly returns.
Not to Scrooge’s Camelot Coliseum.
Not to the ring.
Not backstage.
Camelot.
The castle proper.
The camera moves through an enormous corridor lit only by scattered torches.
Royal banners hang motionless from the walls.
There should be servants here.
Guards.
Courtiers.
Messengers crossing between chambers.
There is no one.
The camera continues toward a pair of massive wooden doors.
They stand open.
Beyond them waits the throne room.
Once, this chamber seemed to breathe with Camelot.
Knights assembling before battle.
Attendants crossing beneath the stained-glass windows.
Counselors gathered around maps.
Lady Guinevere beside the throne.
Merlin standing close enough to advise but far enough away to let the king command.
Tonight—
nothing.
The room is almost unnaturally empty.
Rows of benches sit abandoned.
The council table has been cleared.
No guards stand at the doors.
No knights occupy the chamber.
No Guinevere.
At the far end of the room, elevated above the silent hall, sits the throne of Camelot.
And upon it—
King Arthur.
He is still dressed in the ceremonial clothing worn after returning from Dark Fable.
The armor has been partially removed.
His cloak falls across one side of the throne.
His elbows rest against the carved arms.
His hands hang together in front of him.
His head is lowered.
Not asleep.
Thinking.
Beside the throne stands Merlin.
The old wizard says nothing.
His staff rests against the stone floor.
Between them and the empty chamber, upon a raised dais of dark wood and blue velvet, sits the Mythic Crown Championship.
Gold catches the low firelight.
For once, the title is not around Arthur’s waist.
Not across his shoulder.
Not held above his head.
It simply sits there.
Waiting.
The room remains silent.
Eventually, Arthur speaks.
His voice is quiet.
King Arthur: “He accepted.”
Merlin does not ask who.
There is no need.
King Arthur: “He stood before me…”
A pause.
King Arthur: “…and accepted the condition.”
His eyes remain lowered.
King Arthur: “If Robin Hood loses, he kneels.”
The faintest echo returns those words from the empty chamber.
Kneels.
Kneels.
Kneels.
Merlin: “Yes.”
Arthur’s eyes move toward the championship.
King Arthur: “He should have refused.”
Merlin: “Why?”
That question irritates him.
King Arthur: “Because he knows what I am.”
Merlin: “Does he?”
Arthur looks toward him.
King Arthur: “You have become remarkably comfortable questioning me.”
Merlin: “I have always questioned you.”
A beat.
Merlin: “You merely used to listen.”
The words settle into the room.
Arthur’s expression hardens.
But before he can answer—
a voice cuts through the chamber.
Deep.
Masculine.
Regal.
A voice that does not request permission to enter the presence of kings.
Unknown Voice: “Arthur.”
Everything stops.
Arthur slowly lifts his head.
Merlin turns first.
His expression changes.
Not surprise exactly.
Recognition restrained beneath something much more serious.
The camera moves toward the open doors.
Three figures stand in the entrance to the throne room.
None were there a moment ago.
At the center is a large, broad-shouldered man.
A dark beard frames a face marked by age, travel, and battle.
His armor is heavy but unmistakably royal.
Not ornamental.
Used.
Across the breastplate rests an ancient crest.
A lion.
The torchlight catches it.
For half a second, the lion seems almost alive.
To his right stands a woman dressed entirely in white.
Not ivory.
Not silver.
White.
Her robes fall in clean layers around her.
A staff rests in one hand.
There is nothing fragile about her appearance.
She carries herself with the confidence of someone accustomed to standing beside rulers without bowing to them.
To the armored man’s left stands someone considerably younger.
A man dressed in green tights and travel-worn boots.
No armor.
No royal insignia.
His posture is alert.
His eyes move immediately through the throne room, measuring doors, corners, and distances.
The contrast between the three is striking.
Warrior.
Mystic.
Youth.
Arthur rises slowly from the throne.
For once, the King of Camelot appears completely unprepared.
His eyes remain fixed on the armored man.
The man begins walking forward.
Each footstep echoes through the empty chamber.
Arthur stares.
Something about the face.
The armor.
The lion.
A memory pulls at him.
Not immediately a name.
Images.
An older court.
A different banner hanging above these walls.
A strong hand gripping his shoulder.
Laughter at a feast.
Arguments over maps.
A sword raised beneath sunlight.
The Lion of England.
Arthur’s expression changes.
Certainty disappears.
His mind searches.
The man stops halfway across the throne room.
Arthur whispers the name before he fully seems to believe it.
King Arthur: “Richard?”
A long silence.
The armored man gives the smallest nod.
The camera moves closer.
King.
Warrior.
Lionheart.
King Richard the Lionheart: “It has been too long.”
Arthur steps away from the throne.
His eyes move briefly to the woman in white.
Then the younger man in green.
Then back to Richard.
King Arthur: “How?”
Richard does not answer the question.
Not yet.
Instead, his eyes move toward the empty chamber.
The abandoned seats.
The silent council table.
The absence of guards.
Then finally—
the Mythic Crown Championship.
He studies it longer than anything else.
Arthur notices.
King Arthur: “Why are you here?”
Richard looks at him.
The warmth of recognition is gone now.
Whatever brought him to Camelot is heavier than reunion.
King Richard the Lionheart: “Because there are things happening beyond these walls that no longer permit distance.”
Arthur: “What things?”
Richard glances toward Merlin.
The wizard’s face has become grave.
That worries Arthur more than anything yet said.
King Richard the Lionheart: “Messages stopped reaching me.”
A pause.
King Richard the Lionheart: “Then messengers stopped returning.”
Another.
King Richard the Lionheart: “Borders that have remained quiet for years are moving.”
The woman in white takes one step forward.
She says nothing.
But the staff in her hand touches the floor.
A faint sound moves through the chamber.
Not magic displayed.
Something sensed.
The younger man in green looks toward one of the high stained-glass windows.
His expression tightens.
Richard continues.
King Richard the Lionheart: “Men I trust have disappeared.”
Arthur: “Who?”
Richard: “Enough.”
The answer is grim.
Arthur descends from the raised platform.
Now the two kings stand on the same level.
King Arthur: “You crossed half the world to tell me travelers have gone missing?”
Richard’s eyes narrow.
King Richard the Lionheart: “No.”
A beat.
King Richard the Lionheart: “I came because some of those trails lead here.”
Silence.
Arthur: “To Camelot?”
Richard: “To the Crown.”
That word changes everything.
Arthur turns slightly.
His eyes move toward the Mythic Crown Championship.
Merlin does the same.
Richard watches both reactions.
King Richard the Lionheart: “Arthur…”
His voice becomes quieter.
More urgent.
King Richard the Lionheart: “We need to talk.”
A pause.
King Richard the Lionheart: “Now.”
Arthur looks back toward him.
Richard’s expression is no longer that of a returning friend.
It is the expression of a king delivering warning to another.
King Richard the Lionheart: “Because I believe Camelot may be in danger.”
The torches along one wall suddenly flicker.
Once.
Twice.
Then settle.
No one speaks.
The woman in white tightens her grip around the staff.
The younger man in green turns toward the darkness beyond the open doors.
Merlin looks toward Arthur.
But Arthur is staring only at Richard.
The camera begins pulling backward.
Past the two kings.
Past Merlin.
Past the championship resting alone upon its dais.
The Mythic Crown Championship remains in the center of the frame as everything around it recedes into shadow.
Richard’s final words echo through the room.
King Richard the Lionheart: “And this time, Arthur…”
A pause.
The camera tightens on the gold.
King Richard the Lionheart: “…I do not believe the danger is outside the walls.”
Cut to black.
No music.
No logo.
Only silence.
Then—
a lion roars.
END TEASER
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