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XXXVI · **10-18-2025, 05:40 PM**

CIX: I had been assigned to the masked man for just over a year now. It was about this time last year. Preliminary missions had been completed. Our purpose was still…a little murky.

CIX: The Director himself had not gotten involved directly. He trusted me enough to carry out his directives. But one day, he told me to bring XXXVI to Prague. We were given a location, but not a specific expectation.

CIX: There, we met with the Director. He explained that XXXVI had been a fighter before. Before the losses. Before the mask, when he had a different name. The Director too had a life, not just before, but currently. That’s why he wore the mask, he explained. He apparently has a high position in business and his position has afforded him a certain amount of leeway. His words. I had to look up that word. Whatever. He said in his past, he was also a fighter, specifically bare knuckle. Personally? I think it’s a bit barbaric, but he said it was “important.”

CIX: XXXVI and I came to this place, where the Director apparently used to fight. He told XXXVI that he got special permissions to have him fight in his stead. Normally, just like they don’t allow gloves or padding, they don’t allow people to fight wearing a mask. Let’s just say Mr. Director can be very convincing and he insisted that XXXVI must conceal his identity. They let it slide.

CIX: Cut to fight one, the dude was massive. Twice thirty-six’s size, at least. Big guy swung, 36 dodged. What he had in power, he lacked in movement and my masked man had in droves. 36 managed to land enough blows while taking fewer and I guess he won. I still don’t understand how they judge these things.

CIX: In wrestling, they explained, there is something called a handicapped match? Is that right? Sounds…wrong. Anyway, it’s where there is a team against just one person. So, they have a similar concept in bare knuckle. If they feel someone has an unfair advantage, they find a way to even the odds. They said 36 only won because he had the mask on. He and the Director refused to remove it, so they said okay, he’ll fight blindfolded. All things considered, 36 did ok, but he lost. He couldn’t focus enough without his sight and got some good hits in, but not enough. Mr. Director called it a lesson.

CIX: Third fight, 36 was allowed to fight without the blindfold, but he was tired. He barely managed to eke out a win against a guy around his size. It was breathtaking to watch. The way he moved, I just…I mean he was efficient.

Behind the mask

“In truth, I never wanted any of this. At least not at first. When I returned to the XWF, I had changed so much from the man I was before. But I am still him, underneath. I still long for glory. I have since remembered the thrill of winning and winning when the odds are against me. I felt it when I took down Thunder Knuckles and claimed the Revolution championship. It felt good. Despite all the outside noise, he who is me, the man behind the mask…I felt incredible.”

“So now he wants to drag the Director into this on Anarchy. It seems…ill advised, but perhaps we will delve into that more in the days to come. For now, I asked to be part of War Games. I have been made a weapon and I am ready, but perhaps it’s better I defend my title at War Games. I have not shied away from it, purposefully. This…Jigsaw, he says I hide behind my mask. I wear this to protect everyone. I wear this…is he right? Am I afraid to face the charges levied against me? I know I’m not guilty, but is my conscience fooled? No. I have my reasons and all will be revealed when the time is right. It’s my decision. So if my punishment is to be blinded, to wear a heavier mask, so be it.”

“I’ve fought blind before and I learned from it. My opponent, well she is among the ilk that seem to be multiplying. She plays at being a threat, but she is only a threat to the sanity of those who try to listen to her ramblings. Will she bring Razor Blade or the Bit Luchador. It seems she has family on the way as well. I have my own backup, but I won’t need it. Even blind, even with both hands tied behind my back, I refuse to lose to someone like Latoya Hixx. It is unbecoming of the Revolution champion to lose this match.”

“So take my sight. I don’t believe my opponent is intelligent enough to beat me or remove her own mask. In time, I will face the things that make me wear this mask, but for now, I will take on any comer. I will learn from my missteps, current or past. I turn this back on Jigsaw. I hide behind a garish mask? What about you? You are a disembodied voice, speaking through an antiquated cassette player, hiding behind a puppet on a tricycle. I will walk into Spooky Savage, get strapped into an iron mask and I will emerge victorious. If I fail, then perhaps I don’t deserve to call myself a champion. I hope you are prepared to dance a violent dance with me, Ms. Hixx, because I am. See you Monday.”

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