Thinking he realized he couldn't beat Valor in a match. Not in a match that was just based on physical strength and skill, but Legion was more then just the body, it was the soul, it was his mind. He would wear down Valor day after day until he felt ready to put him on the mat.

  Searching the building he found the card for tomorrow. Middle of the show Valor versus someone named Silver Seb. Well now they were gonna have to run long. He smiled and found a spot to rest, tomorrow would be his first true test.

  ***

  The arena had come alive. The stands were packed, the halls cramped, and the feel of energy ran through everything. It was almost time to start his plan, and Legion had been going over it since he woke up. Now with time running down he looked for anyone who looked like they were in charge backstage.

  About ten minutes before the match Legion finally found the guy he thought he needed. He was watching the screens, and talking into a headset mic likely organizing the movement of the show, even if it was real it still needed structure. "Hey man, can I talk to you?"

  "Um." The man backed away slightly at the sight of Legion. "Sure. Can I help you?"

  "Yes. I'm gonna be interrupting the next match and was wondering if you could play some dark, slow, goth metal. I also know im new but maybe some fog?"

  The man blinked at the request and slowly nodded his head. "Sure whatever you want new guy."

  Legion slapped the mans shoulder making him jump. "Welcome to Legion, We are many!."

  He made himself scarce until after Valor and Sebs entrance letting the match play out a bit before standing in the rampway jumping up and down visualizing what was about to happen. "The music. The Fog. The promo. The Music. The Fog. The promo."

  The lights in the arena cut out and the crowd gasped as a heavy power chord echoed through the arena. Fog began bellowing from the entrance way. Murmuring broke out, the wrestlers broke apart. A slow plotting riff began, and a deep male voice began to croon.

  'Such a way, such a way

  To end the day, end the day

  We watch the angel bleed

  While we bite and feed'

  "Perfect!" Legion thought. "Now the microphone. Oh crap." Legion just realized he had no idea where the mics were and scrambled. The music scratched out and the lights came back on, leaving everyone confused. Finally after a awkward moment he found one by the entrance, and the lights went out again.

  He walked out the crowd tried to shine there phone lights to see who it was. The music hit a crescendo, and the lights came on, revealing Legion standing in a cross pose. The crowd booed, some chanting 'You suck' due to his performance the night before.

  "ENOUGH SHEEP." His voice bellowed through the arena. "I have come out here to set the record straight, to show how the...prophecy will begin today." The crowd went silent. "I stand here a Demon unbeaten. What you saw yesterday, was a small fragment of what I AM. A incomplete vessel."He let his hair fall over his painted face. "You see Valor, you fake superhero. You twisted moral maggot. I have come to tell you in seven days. SEVEN DAYS. I will be getting my victory over you. Mark it down. It is foretold. I AM LEGION AND I AM MANY!"

  If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  The crowd’s booing turned into murmurs, a mixture of confusion and intrigue. The challenge had been laid out, clear as day, and the name Legion echoed through the arena. Terry could feel the energy shift—some of them were angry, others entertained, but all of them were watching. He had their attention now.

  Valor stood in the ring, his face a mask of controlled emotion. He stared at Legion, his blue eyes narrowing as he took in the words that had just been spoken. For a moment, the two locked eyes across the arena, the tension thick between them. Valor raised a mic to his lips, his voice calm but laced with determination.

  “You want me in seven days, Legion?” Valor said, his gaze unwavering. “You got it. But don’t think for a second that you can intimidate me, that you can scare me with your smoke and your words. I see through you, and in seven days, I’m going to put an end to your little prophecy.”

  The crowd erupted into cheers for Valor, the clear-cut hero, the man who stood for everything they believed in. Legion smirked, shaking his head slowly. This was exactly what he wanted—the crowd invested, Valor forced into a confrontation that he wasn’t ready for, and everyone questioning just what Legion was capable of.

  Legion slowly lowered his arms, breaking the cross pose, and brought the mic back to his lips. “You think you can end infinity?” he said, his voice dripping with disdain. “You think you’re the hero in this story? In seven days, everyone here will see the truth. I am not some monster for you to slay. I am not just another opponent. I am Legion, and I am here to break you.”

  He turned on his heel, the fog swirling around him, the dark music still echoing through the speakers. He walked slowly back up the ramp, ignoring the boos, the jeers, the hatred of the crowd. It didn’t matter to him. He was here to make his mark, and if that meant becoming the villain, then so be it.

  The Challenge Was Set. Seven days. One week until Legion would stand across from Valor again, and this time, it wouldn’t be the same. This time, he wouldn’t be the one lying on the mat, staring at the ceiling while the crowd cheered for their hero. This time, he would be the one with his arm raised in victory, and Valor would know exactly what it meant to face a demon who had nothing left to lose.

  Legion finally made his way backstage, his adrenaline still pumping, his mind racing. He knew this was only the beginning, the first step in wearing Valor down—both physically and mentally. He couldn’t beat Valor in a straightforward match, not yet. The kid was stronger, faster, and had the crowd behind him. But Legion had something else—fear, and the willingness to use it.

  He found an empty hallway, leaning against the wall, letting out a long breath. His heart pounded in his chest, the rush of what he’d just done still fresh. He’d put himself on the map, made a statement. But now came the hard part—following through.

  He heard footsteps approaching, and glanced up to see the guy from before, the one with the headset. The man gave him a wary look, clearly still unsure of what to make of Legion.

  “Hey, uh… new guy,” the man said, scratching his head. “You, uh, really stirred things up out there. The boss... well, let’s just say you’ve got their attention.”

  Legion grinned, pushing himself off the wall. “Good. That’s exactly what I wanted.”

  The man nodded slowly, still looking unsure. “Just, uh, be careful, alright? Valor’s a big deal around here. The crowd loves him, and, well... you know how it goes.”

  Legion’s smile widened, his eyes narrowing. “I’m not here to make friends,” he said, his voice low. “I’m here to be remembered. And they’re all gonna remember Legion.” He made his way to leave. "Oh thanks for the lights, fog and music it was exactly what I had in mind."

  The man gave a small nod. "That wasn't me man. That was all you." He then walked away, clearly wanting to be as far from Legion as possible. Terry watched him go, the smirk never leaving his face. Did he mean that? Was what happened that fit so perfect, did he really make that happen?

  Seven days. He had seven days to see if it was true. He had seven days to make sure that when he stepped into the ring again, he wouldn’t just be another guy. He’d be the guy—the one who changed everything.

  Every day leading up to the match, Terry had a plan. He would stalk Valor, appear when least expected—at training, at promo shoots, even in the crowd during matches. Legion was more than just physical strength; he was everywhere, a constant reminder that Valor had a target on his back. He’d get into Valor’s head, make the hero second-guess himself, turn his confidence into fear.

  Terry found himself back at the locker from before, opening it up and pulling out the supplies he needed. The face paint, the gear—it wasn’t just part of a costume anymore. It was who he was. He wasn’t Terry anymore, not here. He was Legion, and Legion was here to stay.

  As he stared into the cracked mirror, Reapplying the black lines across his face, he felt it—the transformation. The fear, the doubt, the uncertainty—it all melted away, replaced by something colder, stronger. Legion wasn’t afraid. Legion wasn’t here to play games. He was here to win, to be who he always knew he could be.

  The music, the fog, the promo—it had all worked perfectly. But that was just the start. In seven days, the real battle would begin.

  And when it did, everyone—Valor, the crowd, and whoever else was watching—would see just what Legion was capable of.