Legacy 001 - Family Creed

[ Von Wolff American Estate ]

[ Off Camera ]

Weren’t congratulations in order? Kanna thoughts were disrupted by the abrupt intrusiveness of a needle. Despite herself; she flinched. Two tubes were filled with blood and her mother had not spoken a word. She went through their routine with barely even a smile.

“Are you still taking the vitamins?” Theo Von Wolff’s accent clicked.

“Yes.” Kanna flexed her arm testing the injection spot.

Her childlike gaze wandered along the room. Brand new house for the family to gather in the states. The cool cleanness interior offered what they required but never seemed to settle the youngest. She remained stiff, weaving her fingers together. No abnormalities upon the first examination of Kanna. Still quiet in the check-up room. Theo noted the irrelevance of her own curiosity revolving around her daughter.

All the attention remained on the portable laptop where examine notes were being taken. All boxes checked as she marked down height and weight, then began on the notes section. She had been concerned when Kanna expressed her intentions on living with Jennifer. One of the middle children who had forgotten the importance of her career. Through an excuse of “wanting to take a break.” then muddling things further by dating. Theo restrained the irritation with an exhale.

This stirred Kanna from her stupor. She had been distracted this session.

The chair rotated, “I took it upon myself to read the line-up for PWE. I am glad that the initial impression went as smoothly as anticipated. Clearly Ophelia Knight has a trained eye. Your father and I,” Kanna’s eyes sparked with life. “Weren’t surprised. You know what you must do, come Upside Down?”

Theo paused for a moment. What a silly name for a show.

“Win.” Kanna replied automatically.

Theo’s eyes eased into a stare that created a shift of her daughter. Kanna’s body shrunk further while she unclasped both hands. Another exhale in order to soften herself enough to continue the conversation. “It would be a shame if this opportunity was squandered in any way. You’re new and need to realize that they do not often happen. Failing here will create a vacuum effect beneath your feet.”

“That won’t happen. Besides, there is already a power vacuum within the company itself. One I intend to mend.” Her brows knitted, mouth twisted as she stared down at the tile floor.

Theo had watched her daughter's interview to figure out what Kanna knew of PWE. It was a test which she had passed wonderfully. “That is what happens when champions fail in their duties.”

That statement could be replaced with just about any other title of importance. Not striving to better one’s field, or achieve greatness was a waste of life. She had watched two of her children mistake ‘relaxing’ for laziness already. Before the move from their family home, there was no need to ever concern herself with Kanna’s wellbeing. Their youngest had always been extremely devoted. Never a question nor a complaint; and she had always succeeded in every test. However, living with Jennifer raised the possibility of losing that work ethic that they had worked so hard on.

After seeing Kanna most of the concerned vanished. She seemed steadfast as always. “After everything we have done, I know you will not disappoint us, Kanna.” Theo dismissed her child when she rose from the chair.

“I will never.” She bowed her head. “When I return it will be with gold. I promise, mama…”

—

“Ah, Mäusezähnchen!” It was a deep chime, like a church bell drawing people in. It drew a smile, a warm little tickle of glee. A flurry of footsteps echoed in the hallway causing Kanna to turn. Her father, with his ever present grin, and warm bright eyes, caught up to her. She wasn’t expecting to see him today. She nearly buckled when his massive frame engulfed her in a hug!

“Mäusezähnchen, never doubted for a second.” A waft of robust coffee came from his coat. Odin Von Wolff was a tower of a man which came in swift contrast to the baby of the family. Kanna vanished completely in his embraces. “Soon, soon, we will have another champion.” He cooed.

“Papa…” She couldn’t quite hug him back but tried. It was nice to have some sort of acknowledgement. "Danke."

Without warning her father released then poked her nose. She was whisked down an intersecting hallway away from the exit. Her wrist captured his grip while they ascended the stairs with their own thundering steps. Each room they passed smelt of chemical cleanliness with not a trace of life in sight. They had constructed another house of suffocating white that only offered small splashes of color. Kanna quickened herself to keep up with him. She realized that one of the doors was actually shut and a small stream of noise came from it. Who was in the house?

“Mama said, all she need do is win, but why speak of it? I ask her again, why? She did not answer! I said, we know, I assured her. Like the sun sets, and gravity tumbles down. We know.” He was excited. “This separation won’t last forever so I wanted to show you what I installed just for you.”

“I wanted to stay with Jen during my employment for PWE.” Kanna explained freeing herself with a gentle tug.

Odin tsk’d but didn’t express anything on the matter of Jennifer. Instead, “There, here, it matters none. You think because you are not here that we forget you are our mäusezähnchen? Feh. That is a fool speaking because distance weakens nothing. Now, come, come. This is for you! This is just what you need, Liebling.” His smile reflected into her own.

It was hard to not feel her own rush of excitement for the surprise. They turned into a room entirely composed of trophy cases all filled with many spoils. Each child seemed to have one in their honor. Silver name plates over each one but the one in the direct center was empty. All it had was the name plate: Kanna Von Wolff.

The room was cold.

“It’ll be filled before our very eyes. I was expecting this. For the first thing added to be something worthy of you.” Odin took a step behind Kanna. “You were born to be a leader. You are a standard of what we all desire. Greatness, my little one.”

The shadows in the room grew suddenly, the warmth of her father melted away, and the silence buzzed like static in her ears. She could feel his presence warp, along with the steady sound of his breathing. His hands gripped her shoulders, his fingers buried into her flesh while they stared at the case. It was not as empty as it had looked upon first glance. No, she noticed just how packed that case was.

Do not let it in. Do not give it life, Kanna.

Her eyes dared not look at any of her other sibling’s cases. She dared not stare just above her line of sight where her father’s eyes lingered.

“You will make us proud.” Odin’s voice lowered. A different bell tolled now. Marred by the same sensation as the needle previously.

Kanna fled from his eyes knowing the look now of them burning into the very glass. She did not look at herself for fear her eyes were wide. A knot bottled inside of her throat created a difficulty to breathe. Quickly something in the case was found to stare at. She inhaled as slowly as possible so he did not detect her nerves. He grip strengthen briefly then fell away completely. The words were in every single one, their family creed. She read it over and over again. That creed branded itself into her skin.


“I will.” Kanna read it once more. “I promise…”

"Ja." Odin hummed when he departed. His humming filled the frozen space until Kanna gasped relief when it finally quieted. She buried her face into her hands...

[ Apartment 1020 ]

[ Off Camera ]

The living room transformed into a cluttered mess. The television displayed a muted wrestling match while a laptop, surrounded by paper, played another one. Kanna sat on the couch staring beyond both screens. The youngest Verger’s eyes spark with quiet intensity. The wheels turn to feed a machine information all being expertly filed away. That was always what Jennifer compared these sessions to. Kanna’s attention suddenly snapped, watching the end of Magnificence where Vhodka Black defeated Damian Ayla. The tv is turned off leaving them with the other scene displaying another match entirely. One figure is recognizable upon even the briefest of glances, Allen Chaney. She doesn’t know who he was facing because Jennifer Verger shuts the laptop.

“Still doing research?”

The youngest Verger rubbed both fists against her eyes with a sigh. “At this rate my eyes might fall out.”

There was monumental pressure on Kanna. From every side of things, competitive, self-inflicted and from the legacy of the Von Wolff family. Each one of them had suffered through it or continued to. It worsened with every child. Failure had never really been an option for any of them and death was preferable.

The stress riddled Kanna's face. She had returned home looking more pale than when she left. Whatever happened with Odin and Theo really… rattled her. Not that Jennifer would ever ask because it was pointless. Unlike the rest of them, their claws were rooted firmly.

It made sense. Most of their parents' dreams, expectations were all falling onto her shoulders now. The siblings didn’t have to compete for their attention these days. Most of them were far enough along in their careers to not need the audience. So now all they had was Kanna. Not only due to their fucked up nature, but because she gave them a reason. Their little prodigy not only aced her tests, but excelled at precisely what they were looking for. Someone to endure each and every obstacle set into her path. For her sister it wasn’t just a matter of trial and error— it was proving that she had uncanny, natural talent. She wasn’t forced into the model they crafted but was born to perfectly fit. Her awareness of this unfortunate truth still seemed unknown. If she did then it was hidden behind ignorant bliss.

Jennifer sat down on the couch shuffling the pillows over. “I think there might be a bit of over studying happening here. At this rate your brain is going to melt! Besides, what else is there to cover? You’ve researched your opponents, right?”

A notebook was nudged forward.

“What were you doing just now?” Jennifer flipped through the well documented pages. It was like a academic paper. She had so hopped that going out with new friends would lessen this.

“Looking at the old champions who held the belt before… I don’t want to go into PWE blind.” Kanna confessed, still rubbing at her face. “I figured it’d help me.”

“Does this type of thing actually help? I never really gained anything by studying what other people were doing. Just focused on me.” Not that she had any experience when it came to combat sports. She knew that Benji often watched footage of his opponents before stepping into his own ring.

“Helps when addressing them.”

“Well, alright. I’d figure that the only important thing to address would be: Why do you want this title?” Jennifer asked.

“If I am to be an apex then I have to start with winning the Excellence Championship. I was trained in order to be… victorious. Every win from here onward is to continue to build our legacy. Being born with a greater purpose means everything I do is to achieve that goal. Mama and papa did not waste their time—”

Jennifer winced and swiftly interjected, “No, Kanna. Why do *you* want that title?”

Kanna’s eyes immediately fled to the trophies and medals on display. Most of them hard earned over the years that Jennifer was actually killing herself for the “Von Wolff legacy.” Nothing else mattered during that time but success by any means. Truth be told, Jennifer wasn’t proud of those accomplishments anymore.

Kanna’s face dawned a near melancholy state. “What else should I want?”

Jennifer frowned. She was afraid of that answer.

“In your honor, we build our thrones.”

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“I’ve questioned the choice of talent in this match numerous times."

Kanna Verge flexes out a freshly taped hand. She stands in a setting of ordinary white walls. Ones that are almost a little painful to stare at. There is something unnerving that can only be compared to a hospital-- a held breath for something to come. The only contrast being her. There is a nonchalant ease about her every action. Like this wasn’t a big deal at all.

"Allen Chaney, the only obvious one. The rest of us are clustered together like a mis-matched set of china. Isaak, a well traveled wrestler, seemed a likely candidate. On the other side of the spectrum, Klayton feels spontaneous. An unknown factor to throw a curveball into the match just to keep it interesting for fans watching. I, myself, was always going to be inevitable. Whether it had been this show or another, my spot never waivered or concerned me. Call it fate or use some floral phrase: “Written in the stars.” my place consistently remained right where I am now.” That earns a smile. She resumes the process of taping up her other hand.

“I’ve wrestled only one pervious gauntlet match and the prize was merely victory. With the risen stakes, I find no extra pressure, though I was expecting some. The simple fact is: that I will have to defeat three people in order to accomplish what is expected of me. I’m sure most people would believe starting a gauntlet match is a disadvantage. A sure way to be exhausted at the very end then fall short of victory.” Kanna scoffs. “For me it is the opposite. This was the worst outcome for my opponents. The longer I am present, the more I have, and the worse it is for them. Through defeating each one, I’ll acquire exactly what I need to conquer all three. First Isaak, Klayton, and by the time I’m against Allen, he’ll be combating an entirely new wrestler. That’s how I was designed.”

Another wind of the white tape.

“It is a result of the accumulation of 23 years of training I’ve endured. Nothing was considered inconsequential to my kin when they began teaching me. My pain tolerance, my stamina, and my entire repertoire are carefully considered so I may be the best.”

The taping is completed. Kanna’s eyes focus beyond the camera while she shifts weight. “Can that be applied to the rest of my opponents?” The inquiry causes a miniature head shake.

“For Klayton Kross, I found nothing to confirm that. He appeared during the very first opening of PWE. Claiming to be the very embodiment of what this company stood for, but that was a lie. It took roughly three matches until he faded straight out of the company. It wasn’t ‘Excellence’ it was…”

Kanna ponders briefly.

“Mediocre. Certainly a source of entertainment for the fans, which is why they should not be surprised by his addition. Still I haven’t quite figured out what he offers. He had every opportunity to lift himself up from the very first failure; from the second. Yet he did not take but one victory. I wouldn’t ever compare him to a ‘dark horse’ but perhaps his placement is to provide silly-ness. While I do not think it has a place in this match— the fans deserve to see a long lost favorite. I guess. PWE does not remember Klayton as a force, but as someone to make them laugh. It reminds me of when my family and I visited the circus. In between of the beautifully orchestrated acts were interludes of clowns. They refreshed our palette and offered some much needed comic relief.” She peers sideways. “That can’t be what he wanted, is it? Luck sometimes visits a fool but never sits down with him… I’d never be satisfied if that were my reality. I’d never be pleased wasting opportunities.”

Kanna dismisses the subject with a passive shrug. Her chin receives a small scratch. In the distance there is a small murmur of voices. A disruption in the silence suddenly. We cannot see it but it continues as does she.

“Though, that is something Klayton shares with Isaak Otto. Isaak is an international man of 3 titles spanning across the world. Most people fall to the feet of wrestlers cut from this cloth. Experience has various forms to influence and provide better insight. A way to work a system to their advantage by providing exactly what people want to hear. Isaak reached wondrous heights through notable perseverance. He charms his way into friendships with people but I’m not sure why. Perhaps he is influenced by an idealistic notion that by doing so it’ll bring him victory? More often he seems to be blinded by those relationships that lead to hindrance rather than advantage. Isaak knows this ,but still repeats the same steps.”

She squints momentarily. “As they say: insanity.” She adds on. Noises appear to distract Verger causing her eyes to wander off. Now her eyes transform into a dull blink. “The question now is simple: Does Isaak have the ability to help shape this new era of PWE?”

Kanna shakes her head. A soft tsk leaves the woman who glances away to double check she ready for whatever was going on in the room.

“Being renowned is a double-edged blade. All eyes follow every word, every action and search for a flaw. I discovered an interesting one: the inability for unique-ness. The last thing he said to one company was exactly the first thing he said to PWE. I find that incredibly lazy. It was a weak effort to recreate magic, but that is not how it works. Is that what plagues Isaak? Failing due to lack of motivation? Of originality? Isaak only delivers occasionally and it is blatantly clear to why! Recycling the same patterns in hopes that it might actually get him a victory. No! I will not allow you to get past me with that... That..." She stammers with a snarl flashing across her visual. Her eyes narrow. "Insulting method! The last thing PWE needs is a champion of that complexion. If Isaak cannot perform to the standard of what he preaches took him all over the world, then I don’t think all the humility in the world amounts to much!”

Kanna steps forward listening to the rustling in the background. She smooths her hands against her cheeks to calm down the burst of rage. The room expands slightly but is more of the same white tile. An almost sad smile appears while she moves in the mysterious space.

“The most impressive person to study has been Allen. PWE’s number one contender, one of the last links we have to last season. He has strived and bled for the Excellence title without even having it in his possession yet. Protesting every moment available to him so PWE did not forget his presence. Like the champions of this company, he became an entity impossible to ignore. A lesson I’ve taken to heart. He wants the belt, deserves it in any right, which transforms this into… an oddity. Not to say I pity his position but find, for the first time, myself at a bizarre crossroads. I’ve never rooted for an opponent’s best possible outcome. Even through a path littered with trial and error he achieved this opportunity. Unlike Isaak, he does not distract himself, even by friendships. Unlike Klayton, he took every single route, even if it led to continuous losses.” Her eyes cast down.

“Unfortunately, Allen shares the same issue as the other two. Faltering when it mattered the most: At Victory and at Coming Home. That isn’t something I have to remind him of. He, unlike most, has no issue admitting his flaws. It almost seems to strengthen him if he repeats them to himself. I can understand that. Awareness limits the chance of error and any of those are fatal in this match. What the biggest challenge isn’t even what we, the competition, inflict. It is all on Allen to prove that he can accomplish this that has eluded him before.”

Now her smile falters altogether. “For his sake, I hope the vicious cycle does not continue. For my own sake, I hope history repeats itself. Where he is left with the realization that, once again, the Excellence Championship is out of reach…”

The next thing said is directly to Allen Chaney, “I cannot lose, Allen, I hope you understand that it doesn’t matter how much you might want the Excellence’s Championship. That want makes you dangerous, I know. Desperation, or determination, I guess, invigorates a person to extremes. Heh, like a step into a den of lions, or something just as foolish. However, I knew what I was doing when I called you out. All roads would lead us to this at some point. Even if they hadn’t picked me, and you beat whoever. Even if you had that title… At some point, this would have happened. Like the sun setting…” Kanna’s eyes flicker off to the side, she takes a deep breath in. Her eyes shut as a strained expression twists her features.

“You aren’t the only one who…”A pause that allows her to stop from explaining more. Kanna’s hands close into fists. “I cannot lose. We have our own stakes and do not think for a second that mine are lesser simply because I am new.”

A swift rotation guides to the sight of a wrestling ring. The room is massive in size and appears to be a training facility. On the furthest wall is something written in kanji, then in German. Just beneath that is the last name Von Wolff. Standing around the ring are a cluster of people. With the lights against their backs, the numerous figures are nothing but towering shadows. They do not move, or even seemingly breathe. Kanna’s back is to us; her stance sturdy.

“I am unlike the rest of my competitors because I have not failed at monumental moments.” The breath she takes is visible. “It takes properly prepare introspective skills to be self-aware. It takes courage to be honest with ourselves when against people who want to see us lose. I’ve already steeled myself for this match mentally. While I do not believe the nature of this match will be as hostile as future bouts; it was a precaution.”

The figures in the ring wait patiently for Kanna to approach but she remains stationary.

“It could be said that my ‘young blood’ lacks certain grit. Something I’d disagree with. My mind does not have the ‘fight to the death’ sentiment in the same way the others do. The concept is present regardless, because victory is a coalescence of every ounce of training spent throughout the entirety of my life. I strive for nothing else, nor does my mind allow alternatives if I lose. While others might believe I have not earned my dues, that strikes me as an excuse for their own failures. My sacrifices do not dawn the same faces, but they are written in my blood all the same. I need not follow their footsteps but carve out a path all my own. I came to Pro Wrestling Excellence to fulfill my purpose, to help preserve a legacy.”

She takes the first step forward while her words seem to almost weigh her.

“For these three men this could be a redemption; a second chance; a selfish fulfillment to be worldly; a misguided goal finally achieved.” Kanna cracks her neck. “For me, it is everything. I want to begin another era of PWE. Not one fueled by feeding violence but one just as dominant. I don’t want to see laziness, or failure, or a fool, being at the forefront of this company. That isn’t what lured people here. It was the idea that this company was where greatness lived. I want to enhance what was already established then craft it differently. This company deserves a brand new legacy, one that endures.”

Now she is at the base of the ring. No movement, and not a sound but Kanna's voice. "The truth is that PWE cannot thrive on being a shrine to violence. It led to chaos that greedily consumed every single person. Those ideals were never about PWE, but the individual. That led to ruin as everyone witnessed with the closing of the first season. PWE doesn’t need another tyrant, not another abandonment, but an everlasting champion. One to encourage growth so it may thrive on what Ophelia Knight pledged to provide. It is not about media, or drama, but wrestling in a pure form."

The young woman plants one hand on the mat and she lowers her head. It is like she is taking a moment to pray. Her voice is nearly haunted.

"After I beat the three… I will see to it that we return to those roots. To build something stronger than before. Something that will be great. Something to be proud of..."

She hoists herself up.

“Mächtige Throne werden für das Kollektiv errichtet, um Größe zu erreichen.”
(Mighty thrones are erected for the collective to attain greatness.)

Kanna strides further to the ring filled with those shadows. She does not hesitate to launch a punch into the nearest one. As the battle begins, the shadows almost appear to consume Verge completely. A roar from within is heard.

The scene fades…