Showdown VI: Eliza Harenwood vs Ryan Knight

Ryan Knight was no stranger to glory and pay per views, as befitting a man of his stature and prowess. The man had been in Showdown more than once and claimed victory, the Rebelling Paragon would prepare himself for tonight's battle. Against his ex girlfriend Eliza Harenwood. The last thorn in his side to that past self of his, a high and mighty cow that preached atop a soapbox. Yet she had darkness in her too, that match she had with Sin attested to it. Ryan licked his lips at the thought, feeling his sharpened canine teeth.

A subtle touch that his alpha female Claudia Kwon had enticed him to take up, he felt more better than ever having embraced his wilder side. He felt.......free, unconstrained by petty ideals to cling to. It was just.....liberating. Ryan thought Eliza wouldn't have even been up on his radar, but alas the higher ups demanded this match to occur and the Rebelling Paragon decided to humour them for this one time.  Because now, besting Eliza would signal the end of his past and he could continue to wage war and chaos on the land of Tension. The lad followed an intense regime, camping outdoors in doing so to further draw into a primal side. His hair grew further and he was seldom seen during the day, at night he'd prepare so that none save for those close to him could see his progress save for that stupid interview he had to do.

He sat alone, Ryan requested it from John and Lucy and his dear Hellhound. Claudia and him had a rousing night of scrapping it out followed by a passionate mating session, following a basking in the afterglow Ryan was renewed. He stood in the mirror and traced a mark on his neck, left by the hellhound from last night. The lad felt on top of the world right now, he'd finally prove his point and defeat the dancing passion. Ryan stood in front of the mirror, flashing a toothy grin as he bounced from side to side. Before letting out a big chuckle. He headbutted the nearest locker and grinned, before breathing deep. He could feel it in his veins, Ryan would at last fully shed himself of that foolish moniker he once claimed and burn a new path forward! Ryan had paid little attention to the rest of the Showdown card, for only this warranted his one eye.......

Spoiler:

The Rebelling Paragon grabbed his fur cloak, donned it and stormed out his locker room after grabbing an elaborate spear with a golden wing shaped blade and damn near blasting the door off its hinges. Ryan grinned darkly under the darkened window of his hair, just in time for his music Raise Thy Sword (Symphonic Metal Cover) to blare from the speakers. Ryan stood at the middle of the entrance ramp as murky black fog lurked around his ankles before nearly going to his waist, his once large grin lowered to a focused glare. Clenching a fist Mr Knight would stride down the ramp and give a massive roar as he gripped the apron ring mat tightly. Before giving a deep breath and letting his wilder side flow further into him, making his way to the steel steps he lept over the top rope into the middle of the ring with ease and swung his spear around like a madman. Dreaming and thinking of slicing Eliza in half with it and ending it all there and then.......

Calmly Ryan removed his fur cloak, before clinging it tightly to his neck with his arms around his chest and neck as he strode towards the ropes and getting to his knees. Displaying his sharpened teeth Ryan would chomp down on the middle rope with a wild expression in his eye as he snarled loudly, before jolting up and sulking away to his corner and flinging his cloak over the iron turnbuckle post as he glared at the entrance ramp for his opponent Eliza. The Rebelling Paragon inwardly could hardly contain himself, but Ryan kept a hard vigil as he leaned on his spear while slavering at the thought of defeating Eliza here tonight. Just hold it in a bit longer, wouldn't be long before she showed and then he could lay it all to rest.........

To think that this would mark the second time that she would see herself in a Pay-Per-View.

Well, technically third if you were to count the Tension Battle Royale.

Despite the still increasing popularity in Tension, Eliza Harenwood rarely sees herself in this kind of position. Even during her time here, her storied career of brilliant displays of offence, levied by her dancing background, the British Aristocrat barely gotten chances to fight for the title. Not to say that Eliza would constantly seek the title. She always believed that if she was to fight for the title, it should be when she deserves it.

The afterformentioned Tension Battle Royale had a number one contender spot on the line, and she found herself being placed in that match that had the likes of Clyde Gastin, Jonny Higurashi, Ro Larsen, and the crazy catgirl Bree. While there are several relative newcomers at the time, Eliza, known as ‘Tension’s classiest gal’ at the time, was placed into it based on popularity, people praising the fighting style that incorporates her ballet techniques. But she was less proven at the time and didn’t have the best start to her career either, resulting in not performing as well as she’d like, despite showing some fabulous displays. The same could be said when she faced WhiteGale for the Tension Tag Team championship with her then-lover Clyde. But of course, they would not be lucky in grabbing the title from them.

And now here she was, in Showdown. Her first appearance in Tension’s only PPV, in perhaps the biggest test yet for the Dancing Passion. If only this came on better terms.

She knew that she would eventually fight her ex-boyfriend Ryan Knight. It was something that fans have been looking forward to ever since they first stepped into the brand. Even Eliza knew that it was inevitable that this day would come. But just like her time with John Carnaby, she wished that had come in more favourable circumstances. When she could face Ryan and not be in sorrow for how he had turned out.

His shocking turn was well documented; even during the interview for the match, Eliza could tell that he was a different person. A monster even. And that was without him changing more of his appearance in different ways. The sharpened fangs were a touch that Eliza could do without. The more he changed, the less the Dancing Passion recognized from her former flame. But during the press release, there seemed to be a flicker of the old Ryan that she used to know. Just like there was with Eliza. But the flame inside had been growing since then that she couldn’t ignore. Rather than submitting to the flame itself, Eliza would fight to pull Ryan out of the darkness. Lest she found herself being consumed by the darkness itself, masquerading as the light.

There was more at stake than this, and previous versions of Eliza would be woefully unprepared. But she had been through challenges before, and no matter what, a Harenwood would always give more than 100% in everything they do.

Not long has passed since Ryan had made his appearance, which the crowd saw that it was less than frequent since his dark change, no doubt that this change has also made him impatient. But there was a reason for all of this.

Shown as soon as an unfamiliar theme would play on the speakers. It was unlike the oriental music playing since her last appearance but taking a more western approach. But it was unlike the classiness of her other theme also. Adding to the crowd’s confusion, men clad in black and red armour would appear first, marching in unison as they come in pairs. It was unknown as to who those are, but what was is that they were of varying sizes. The first pair was 6’7” and 6’9”, respectively, another was no shorter than 5’5”. The next shared the same height at 5’10”. One paired with a 6’1” who towered over someone who seems around 5’9”. The other pair is perhaps the shortest of all at 5’5” and 5”, respectively. A 5’9” tall man was paired with a 6”. The next few were around 5’8” and 5’6”. Not a lot of them were tall or big, but if one looked closely, they had a clue as to whom those could be. All of them held spears and shields as they would part on the side of the ramp. A collective thump of their shields to the ground would create a quake that could be felt in the ring. All men moving in formation, seamless in movement. As if they were preparing to herald someone’s appearance.

Which came as soon as the woman everyone was waiting for would arrive. But her entrance wasn’t in the form of a silhouette dance behind the curtain or even a mask. No, this was Showdown. So she wanted to do something special.

Reach For My Hand...:

The Darling of Tension made her appearance, but she wouldn’t be the one walking down the ramp. Eliza would be seen on top of a white stallion that galloped down on top of the entrance ramp. Soon as she appeared, the men would prostrate to one knee, the spears with Eliza’s family insignia would rise up and away to clear the way for her. The familiar red of her attire remains, but the addition of gold made this even more striking. As if it was similar to Ryan’s new look. With her hardened gaze, she looked ready for war with the Rebelling Paragon. The horse would make its way down the ramp, Eliza putting on a brave front as the crowd looked on in awe. Ms Harenwood took it seriously, and her entrance really was given respect. Especially for a decorated fighter like Eliza. Soon as she got towards the apron of the ring, Eliza would suddenly get on top of the horse’s back, fully capable of taking on her weight. All before leaping off and over the top rope and landing near the center, Eliza’s own cape fluttering behind. Rising up to her feet, she would remove her silk robe, detaching it from her shoulders with a twirl as it would fly out of the ring. She looked much different as she stared down Ryan, but even the Dancing Passion knew that she had to evolve. This wasn’t the classiest gal of Tension that most would know. She was much greater than that.

And Ryan will learn that the hard way.

Ryan was barely able to contain himself here, just a little longer and he'd be able to finally crush Eliza and be done with his past at long bloody last. He leaned on his spear and glared harshly at the entrance ramp, knowing his ex she'd likely have a whole elaborate ceremony for this thing. Sure enough the dancing passion had herself a whole military group with her, Ryan yelled out loudly with "BORING!" making a very rude hand gesture at the whole sight, once he was done with Eliza they were all next he reasoned. He'd be hard to please otherwise, but for now he'd focus on demolishing the last remnant of his stupid past.

Then the prissy bitch decided to take it one step further by riding in on a bloody horse too! All that horse needed was a cardboard tube roll and it'd look like a bloody unicorn, Ryan showed his lack of being impressed by feigning about to fall asleep on his spear here. He hoped Eliza bloody fell off that horse there, but lo and behold she looked ever so fucking graceful. She made her way into the middle of the ring and undid her silk robe to fully display her new attire that hugged her curves ever so gracefully.

Ryan decided to one up her entrance there and the instant she had taken that robe off Ryan shuffled forward and raised his spear upwards, the tip of the blade would damn near grace her chin there. The gleam of the light off the blade no doubt getting into her eyes there too, Ryan gave a haggard little chuckle. The Rebelling Paragon was motioned by the ref to back away from pressing it any further into her, he gave them a side glance at best.

"Mehehehehe......HAHAHAHAHAHAAHA!" Ryan laughed before shuffling the spear to the side and yanking back, slicing off a few strands of Eliza's hair in the process before he tossed it out the ring and stood back to his corner and calmly removed the upper body armour of his. One could certainly say that despite his fall from grace Ryan ever so lived up to his moniker of Paragon here with his body carved out of the earth itself. "Hey Eliza........Let's have a match for the ages, you better bloody make this worth my time. Would be a shame if all that effort went to waste~" Ryan flashed his sharpened fangs and thought to himself that perhaps at the end of all of this he could leave a piece of the semi aware Eliza for his dear hellhound. But first the match would begin shortly, with the Rebelling Paragon walking straight towards the dancing passion and aiming to simply slap her across the cheek. Knowing that she was injured in her match with John, that still hadn't been healed fully yet.....so he wondered what Eliza would do here in the opening engagement.......

Eliza sighed as the charge dissipated through her body, coming down just a little from the high of her entrance. Her mind thought back to all the times she had shared the ring, primarily to be her white knight in shining armour, especially with the Ryona Brotherhood and Killer King. But now, the British Aristocrat wasn’t the damsel in distress that needed saving; Ms Harenwood had shown that she’s capable of saving herself and handling any problems that an antagonist brings. But this was the first time that she is standing in the ring with him as a competitor. To think it would be only now that they finally meet. Just not in favourable circumstances. As much of a sadistic beast, Ryan has become, as much as this was way more personal than it should be, a part of Eliza relished in this.

It was her chance to be tested and to prove her worth. To make history and stamp her mark in the annals of Tension’s history books.

It was that thought that had her shivering as she looked up at the Rebelling Paragon. She knew that Ryan in this state wouldn’t be so easily impressed, but the show wasn’t for him. Many have made their mark with their PPV entrances, and so Eliza had to step up with the production value. And the crowd seemed to dig it, showing their approval for the Dancing Passion. Both of their entrances showed two different ideals already. But Ryan, however, felt the need to take things further. In a dangerous way.

She should have expected that Ryan wasn’t going to let her upstage him, even if he hypocritically showed his disinterest in the whole thing. The moment her robe detached from her shoulders, Eliza saw the tip of the spear almost grazing her own chin. Way too close for comfort, her eyes widened in shock that he would even go this far. Eliza knew that his time in the mansion had him more proficient with weapons, especially ones of western origin, but Ryan showed such callous disregard for Eliza’s safety. Especially as she narrowly escaped a fatal moment, only coming out with a few strands of hair being cut. “Dammit, Ryan! Stop!” With his deteriorating mental state shown for the world to see, the Darling of Tension must handle things carefully. Dispatching her foe quickly was the utmost priority, not just for her but for everyone else. Especially if he’s ok

“I battle because I must. Not to entertain you.” The Dancing Pasion steeled herself before Ryan as he walked towards her, her body tensed. Seeing those fanged teeth made her sick, and this was her chance to save him. It reminded her to deal with this Hellhound soon as this is done.

The brief moment that her mind thought about Claudia would be smacked out of her soon as Ryan slapped her hard across the cheek. Her head snapped to the side, Eliza clutching her face as she looked at Ryan. A few steps were taken back as she’d stared in disbelief. That was when the flame sparked, calling out to her. Her fist clenched, and it looked as if she would fall back into her own dark ways.

“No.”

The shaking fist relaxed as she took a deep breath, falling back to her stance that mixed her dance background and martial prowess. Her gaze seemed empty, but she calmed herself. Ryan wouldn’t know, but that was another test that was set before her.

Perfect, Ryan had just delivered a nice slap across Eliza's cheek there. Earning a loud gasp from many in attendance, the lad had wanted to do that to her for quite some time now. That was just the start of putting the stupid dancing passion in her place, but that, that was because Ryan bloody well felt like it! Eliza wanted to step up, she wanted to try and stop him, so Ryan was going to show what he thought of that.

Best that she knew it here and now Ryan reasoned, said reasoning came from a mind that was further and further unhinged and wilder. The lad had even spent weeks camping out and living off the ground itself, laying on the ground gazing up into the sun till he felt his lenses blur. To further immerse himself in his own ways, Claudia's nature acted as an enabler with the hellhound further encouraging him as his alpha male. And now Eliza came in trying to ruin it all........

That really, really grinded Ryan's gears. The Rebelling Paragon would chuckle at it all, he was happier far more than he'd ever been! More so than he'd ever been in fact! He felt so free! No longer was he constrained by petty things, now Ryan would finally take what he wanted and let the rest burn! Ryan gazed into Eliza's eyes there, he saw the empty gaze. Good, perhaps here tonight Ryan would show her what it all was like truthfully. Perhaps Eliza would make for a fine addition to Claudia's wolfpack alongside that dumb bimbo Hayley. He tilted her head when she said no, keeping a smirk on his face as his one eye peered inwards.

"Oh? No? Muda.....MudaMudaMudaMudaMudaMudaMudaMuda!!!!! I'll do as I please!" Ryan said as he chuckled loudly as Eliza settled into her stance, oh didn't she look so delightful! The anticipation was killing Ryan here, he actually began scratching his head in eagerness. Oh this was the greatest high! But he must further restrain himself, after all the end would be all the more sweeter and hence he too took a deep breath. Eliza was all ready it seemed and the bell would ring. Mr Knight wasted no time in getting things set up as he'd march right towards the dancing passion and simply seek to advance slowly to her, Ryan would keep his arms raised up in a classic grappling stance before trying to shift himself to the side and deliver a light jab towards the dancing passion. Just as a little size up for Eliza to deal with, he like so many was aware of her prowess in the striking game. But he figured nothing better could force her to react than an offer like this one......

Eliza shouldn’t be surprised that Ryan would do that. And yet she was. Despite not being the same man that she used to know, this was her ex. Her first flame. Such an act was bound to hurt her more than just the sting he left with. His reckless behaviour, not even caring about her wellbeing, content with leaving her battered if not worse…

This is something she must stop.

The Dancing Passion remained calm, suppressing such anger that the slap was meant to arouse. No doubt Ryan would know what she did to John, and despite Eliza telling herself it isn’t her, she cannot avoid it. She cannot run away from the problem anymore; this is something she must do. Face the worst fears head-on and prove she can be among the elite! Tension’s Darling settled into a stance while Ryan cackled, showcasing his evil intent. While Eliza was focused on the Rebelling Paragon in front of her, she cannot deny that Claudia managed to be made enemy number one for what she did to her friends. Once this is done, a meeting would have to be in order.

Ryan would soon march down the ring towards Eliza while the blonde remained still. Eliza isn’t the same woman from all those years back and despite Ryan knowing her for a long time, she still had things that not even he knew. Just as he came close enough, Eliza gradually raised her leg, slowly forming herself in half-pointe and taking careful breaths as the looming paragon storms towards her. Mr Knight wasted no time throwing a jab, something that Eliza had seen from him in his earlier days. Despite his immense strength, he was still the pugilist, if not a bit wilder. Whereas with John, she’d have to be wary of his submission prowess, Eliza always never backs down from a battle of strikes. And her legs have never failed her in this contest!

Once the jab is thrown, Eliza leaned back, letting the fist fly just past her face while the raised leg flicked up outwardly, seeking to counter with her twisting kick to the side of his head. If she managed to clock the paragon, the Dancing Passion would leap off the other leg for a hard-hitting Pele kick!

Ryan knew that striking was something that Eliza loved to do, which was why he started with it here. Mostly to try and get her moving and go from there, despite his wilder nature he still often retained enough mental stability to prod people into getting going. Sure enough Eliza responded in kind, Ryan fully expected her to either counter or dodge his fist. In fact had he actually connected with it he'd have chided Eliza for being so inept that she'd be tagged by this attack, sure enough as the former Brit suspected his attack just missed. He wasn't bothering trying to feint or be careful not to give anything away there, time to see how Eliza would respond to his attack. Most likely some kind of kick attack Ryan reckoned knowing Eliza's bread and butter offence. 

Sure enough the prissy little bitch did what she did best, Ryan didn't hesitate or wince in the ensuing attack. In fact he grinned ear to ear as her kick connected, the former Paragon rolled with the punch so to speak. Taking it and absorbing it like a champ, Eliza might have been able to floor people like it was nothing. But most people didn't have the legendary jaw and endurance of Ryan Knight, with his fall from grace he took his relationship with pain to a whole nother level during his regular 'sparring' sessions with his pet hellhound Claudia who'd freely punt his skull and get off during it. Eliza would get a loud grunt from Ryan and feel that skin on skin contact of the blow and know it connected surely, Ryan wobbled a bit. But he wasn't down, he retained enough of his mental faculties to keep active even as the pain rang through his skull. Rather than dismay him, the pain merely wetted his appetite!

"Nhehe......" Ryan muttered out, but he was aware that Eliza would want to continue her offence. So he simply just.....stepped backwards a bit just like she did and got his arms up to take the blow. Damn that stung even harder there, but Mr Knight was a pillar of stone with beer biceps and they tensed up for the shock. Ryan staggered back a couple of steps, his instincts screaming in hunger to keep going and he'd simply have to indulge them and he'd attempt to bolt at Eliza as she rose from her pele kick and spear her to the ground!

It wasn’t the first time anyone thought they could hang with Eliza when it comes to striking. Very few have tried and get to leave the ring with their consciousness. At least until the dancer-trained legs that struck her foes don’t end up wrapping around their neck for the Ballroom Roller. This was where she made a name for herself, despite the Dancing Passion building her skills throughout her career. Ryan would no doubt be aware of this fact, and even though he has been growing feral by the minute, Eliza must place her shots well. Even those that choose savagery over skill needs to be approached with caution. Those in the audience must remember Ryan’s MMA experience, and his attacks can be debilitating for those on the other end of it.

Thus, the Dancing Passion’s path to victory was clear, and her twin strikes struck Ryan’s noggin to perfection. Mind you, those wouldn’t be enough to make Ryan come back to his senses; the Rebelling Paragon still had a hard skull than anyone in Tension. But it was a start, and it made him wobble and unsettled. Ms Harenwood chose not to be deterred once she felt the Pele kick smack on his arms; his defences are bound to falter the more she struck upon it. There will always be a chink to the armour, after all, no matter how anyone boasts otherwise.

Still, this brought the Darling of Tension in a precarious position. One where upon landing after the Pele Kick, Eliza was open for Ryan’s response. A response that came just as instant as Eliza spun around to face the man. Ryan bolted towards the Dancing Passion and speared her clean off her feet. Eliza gasped, her body folded forward upon impact before she would tumble down to the ground. As much progress as she made over the years, the size difference is still something Eliza can’t ignore. Eventually, Eliza was going to get caught and oh boy, she did!

Even Ryan with his wild nature and often abandoning morals and caution day by day demeanour could tell that Eliza's strikes were powerful, sure the pair had never fought but he knew and saw her kicks and knew that as much as Ms Harenwood might deny it she'd go for them on a subconscious level. Ryan knew that he'd have to ensure his head was protected as best he could while he made headway towards destroying Eliza and leaving her a crumpled heap, perhaps he could offer her up to Claudia when all was said and done. 

Just like with what had happened to that foolish maid in the employ of the Harenwoods with his dear hellhound claiming her as property! The thought made Ryan feel all the more giddy and feral, it was this that helped drive onwards further into the dark. Eliza would come to know this by the time it all ended he thought to himself. After taking the hits as best he could Ryan would take to trying to exploit Eliza's opening, she put her utmost into those attacks and Ryan made sure to try and take advantage of this opening after the Rebelling Paragon managed to tackle the dancing passion down onto the mat. He knew that Eliza had a good ground game too, but Ryan was confident in himself too thanks to his classical wrestling background and MMA dabbling. 

Hence he took to the offence as best he could while he hunted his ex girlfriend down here, Ryan's sharpened fangs shined bright as he tried to get atop Eliza like a lion chasing a gazelle and try and get into a full guard sort of situation and try and deliver some shots to her chest area with some basic fisticuffs and trying to get the dancing passion to dance there and catch these hands!