Immortal Love (Closed for Veroe)

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro

He kicked her stick back over to her. "Now get up and try to kill me again, because the only way I'll let you take Acheron down is over my dead body."

"Careful how you word stuff," He watched Sonam get up dusting herself off and glaring at him, "You might sound like you are one of that vermin's henchmen."

"He'd have no use for me...I'm a sardine compared to his Great White," Brother Mogoro shook his head, "The truth is that I'm a pushover, little girl. I can count the heads I've taken on one hand. I have survived by being too small to be challenged by the other Immortals. So if you can't beat me here now, how can you possibly hope to defeat someone like Acheron. My wife says the watchers count the number of kills he's garnered over the centuries as somewhere over a hundred and thirty. That's face to face duels against people who've practiced the sword for centuries rather than the handful of lessons Gitana has given you."

She began a different routine which Mogoro blocked easily but on the last move Sonam slipped underneath his stick and he felt the wooden stick in her hand finally connect painfully to his side.

"As for trusting them he did help me survive a sniper," She said smiling up at him a little smugly.

"Who...Dominique and Donnovan," He asked rubbing his side.

She nodded adding, "Though they seemed to try to make it clear about any of us getting Gitana killed."

"So would you still trust them around yourself or Selena now that she did die at Acheron's hands?"

----------------X

IC: Alain De'Montreau

They slept for a few hours, but Alain was awakened by Selena tossing and turning from a nightmare. He considered waking her, but instead slipped beside her arms wrapping her up within the shelter of his arms. It was incredibly forward of him, but it seemed to calm her slumber, and he continued laying there watching her sleep in peace.

 

[Asa]

Hearing that Gitana was in fact dead she changed. Her overprotective air turned cold. A growl slithering from her gritted teeth. Deep down she already suspected but the confirmation did little to aid her.

Trusting them now I don't know but Donnovan bowed to mom... I have only ever seen two others do that. Gitana and some other immortal we saw in passing he knew mom and she seemed calm around him. She told me he was a monk or something. Guess religious types flock together somewhat.


~~~~~~~~
Suddenly being held she whimpered tensing but soon calmed as the hold was relaxed and soothing unlike the monsters within her nightmare. She eventually curled into the relaxed embrace a faint smile warming her face as she slept.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro

"So would you still trust them around yourself or Selena now that she did die at Acheron's hands?"

"Trusting them, now? I don't know, but Donnovan bowed to mom..." She replied, "I have only ever seen two others do that."

"Really," He asked, "Who?"

"Gitana and some other immortal we saw in passing he knew mom and she seemed calm around him. She told me he was a monk or something. Guess religious types flock together somewhat," She answered.

His side was still a little sore but he returned back to position his stick held at the ready like he would with Masa's cavalry sabre. "You still haven't taken my head yet. Ready to try again?"

---------------X

IC: Alain De'Montreau

They slept for a few hours, but Alain was awakened by Selena tossing and turning from a nightmare. He considered waking her, but instead slipped beside her arms wrapping her up within the shelter of his arms. It was incredibly forward of him, but it seemed to calm her slumber, and he continued laying there watching her sleep in peace.

He lay there holding her as the morning sun rose to shine a new day over the plague stricken city of Cairo. When she awakened he watched her eyes open and focus upon his face.

He smiled to her, "Good morning."

 

[Asa]

Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes for a moment Sonam lifts the stick and opening her eyes prepares again to spar. Setting back into the training she stood there as if watching him or seeing past him into each possible move and counter she could imagine

You're right I haven't... Let's go.

With that she began to move in attack.

----------

Initial reaction was to recoil her mind sent back in time till she truly saw Alain's face and calmed a little but still tried to warily put distance between them.

Good morning we have work to do.

With that she quickly hurried back to the medical tent

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro

His side was still a little sore but he returned back to position his stick held at the ready like he would with Masa's cavalry sabre. "You still haven't taken my head yet. Ready to try again?"

"You're right, I haven't..." She agreed lifting the stick and setting herself for another attack.

"Are you ready," He asked raising the stick to receive her attack.

"Let's go." She said charging forward. He blocked her attack, but she immediately went after a sweep that took his leg out from under him. He fell on his back with Sonam standing over him with her stick pressing against his throat.

"Okay," He groaned out a little painfully, "You've got some talent, little girl."

------------------------X

IC: Alain De'Montreau

He smiled to her, "Good morning."

Alain watched her pull back before recognizing him after a moment. She pulled back saying, "Good morning."

He looked at her lost for a moment. He hadn't accounted for how beautiful her eyes would be, and it struck him now looking into them.

"We have work to do."

So they got up, refreshed and got back into the fight all doctors and nurses fought. The unending war against death and disease and suffering. Alain watched Selena as the morning became afternoon and then evening was relentless and inspirational. She never gave up as long as someone else was in pain or hopelessness. It was one of the most amazing things Alain ever witnessed in his centuries long life.

By the end of the day Alain was exhausted and sat back in his chair watching Selena go and serve people tirelessly. Fortunately more of their patients seemed to be on the path to recovery than getting worse from this plague. Perhaps this city had weathered this storm after all.

 

[Asa]

Sonam moved to help him up.

The monks always told me that hwa rang do was one of the most lethal forms. With far more weapons than any other form I also know long spear... Too bad you can't really take a head with one. Though taking his head would probably be easy for someone after I got through with him with long spear.

She smiled as if plotting.

Selena roused from her sleep... An immortal was near. It was not Acheron or Alain she slowly stood reaching for the scimitar she danced with and carefully began to open the door to their traincar.

--------------
One of the older women who had been helping walked over and sat down next to Alain.

Ra blessed us returning the priestess of legend to us. She puzzles you? Ask what you will I have know our desert mystery for many years. At least in this life. The young one looks like and has the compassion of the ancient one. Ask what you wish... I will tell you all I can.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau
Cairo Egypt May 1878

By the end of the day Alain was exhausted and sat back in his chair watching Selena go and serve people tirelessly. Fortunately more of their patients seemed to be on the path to recovery than getting worse from this plague. Perhaps this city had weathered this storm after all.

One of the elder women that had been serving as nurses in the tents came over to him. "Good evening, mademoiselle," He greeted her, "You've worked hard today. Care to sit with me?"

She did sitting down on the stool beside him, and they watched Selena still going headfirst and without tiring. "Amazing isn't she," He commented to the other woman.

"Ra blessed us returning the priestess of legend to us," She confirmed.

He shrugged at that uneased talking of such a religious topic given his past, "She is full of surprises. I'll give you that."

"She puzzles you?" She commented, " Ask what you will."

"What do you mean," He asked, "Do you know her well?"

"I have know our desert mystery for many years. At least in this life," She answered, "The young one looks like and has the compassion of the ancient one."

"I shouldn't pry into her privacy," He shrugged watching Selena still working, "And I won't ask you to betray her confidence."

The old woman having lived long enough to gain wisdom persisted, "Ask what you wish... I will tell you all I can."

"It's probably foolish to think of a man like me and a woman like her could be anything more than tolerable to one another...its destined to never work out after all...not in the end, anyway." He smiled to the old woman before turning her eyes back to Selena, "Also I feel like Selena has closed off the possibility of exploring any relation with any man. Did something happen to her? Did she lose someone she cared for in her past? Something so horrible it made her afraid of reaching out to another now?"

------------------------X

IC: Brother Mogoro

"Okay," He groaned out a little painfully, "You've got some talent, little girl."

He took her hand to help him back up onto his feet. He nodded his thanks to her as she said, "The monks always told me that hwa rang do was one of the most lethal forms."

"My ribs would concur with them," He agreed as he rubbed his sore side.

"With far more weapons than any other form I also know long spear... Too bad you can't really take a head with one." She continued with a mischievous smile on her face, "Though taking his head would probably be easy for someone after I got through with him with long spear."

"Don't get overconfident, little girl," He chided, "Knocking me on my ass is a much easier task than taking him down."

He froze then feeling the quickening of another immortal. "Go to your mother, Sonam. I need my sabre."

 

[Asa]

The old woman sighed.

We all have demons in the darkness. She is no exception but her demons I think are a little more real than most. Her work is her soul... It has become who she is... It is like she has to do all of this good to atone for something. This old soul would be so happy to see her find someone like you. Such things are long overdue for the priestess.

The old woman looked to him.

You... You ask her if her heart could accept you to draw closer to. I think... I think our priestess accept you. She let you help her rest... This is good sign very good sign.

She smiled knowingly before moving over to take over and send the priestess over to him.

---------
Sonam nodded and moved to the train car as her mother was opening the door.

Who is here?

Selena called out a sword in trembling hand.

Sonam pointed out the immortal she had been sparring with.

Its another acquaintance of Alain mom. So far he seems harmless.

Selena straightened up and stood there watching him as Sonam slowly took the sword from her.

Not sure what Gitana gave you but you slept deep mom.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro

He froze then feeling the quickening of another immortal. "Go to your mother, Sonam. I need my sabre."

She nodded turning to the boxcar her mother was asleep within. With any luck he'd be able to draw off whatever new immortal was approaching away from either of them. So Mogoro rushed back to his rental car and retrieved his guitar case.

Opening it he pulled free his former Masa's old cavalry sabre. Masa had been the first Immortal he had taken the head of-even though he hadn't known anything about Immortals at the time. He'd only ever taken maybe a dozen since or maybe even just shy of that-he didn't keep count. He'd survived so far by keeping a low profile. He left the wars to be fought by Alain or even that Highlander guy he ran across a couple years ago.

He looked into the car and clasped his hand on Althea's shoulder. Tenderly he kissed her and peered deep into her eyes. "I love you, wife."

One hand cruelly made frail by the advance of years closed over his.

That was all the communication they needed. Mogoro headed back to confront the new Immortal and stopped when he saw none other than Selena standing there with Sonam behind her. She had a sword in hand.

He lifted Masa's sabre in his own hand and asked her, "Am I going to need this?"

-----------------------------X

IC: Alain De'Montreau

"It's probably foolish to think of a man like me and a woman like her could be anything more than tolerable to one another...its destined to never work out after all...not in the end, anyway." He smiled to the old woman before turning her eyes back to Selena, "Also I feel like Selena has closed off the possibility of exploring any relation with any man. Did something happen to her? Did she lose someone she cared for in her past? Something so horrible it made her afraid of reaching out to another now?"

"We all have demons in the darkness," The old woman said with a sigh, "She is no exception but her demons I think are a little more real than most."

He nodded at that. Every Immortal knew that if you lived long enough your demons tended to grow darker and more numerous. "Whatever it is it drives her, somehow."

"Her work is her soul..." She agreed, "It has become who she is... It is like she has to do all of this good to atone for something."

He looked at her...an Egyptian woman...there was a time long ago he would've see her as only a heathen...or a serveant of the devil... "I can relate with that."

"This old soul would be so happy to see her find someone like you. Such things are long overdue for the priestess," She said looking at him speculatively, "You... You ask her if her heart could accept you to draw closer to. I think... I think our priestess accept you. She let you help her rest... This is good sign very good sign."

His eyes returned to Selena tirelessly still going, "You really think so?"

In response the old woman merely smiled to him before rising to take over caring for the patients inside the tent and sending over Selena back to him.

"Come," He told her gesturing to the other chair, "Take a break for a moment before entering back into the fray."

He smiled to her, "You are really an inspiration to these people. They seem to respect and love all that you do for them so much."

 

[Asa]

Sonam trusts you and you also call Alain friend so I would suspect neither of us will require swords.

Selena spoke watching him closely for now. Sonam now had the sword and left it down as she watched to see if there would be any issues.

What brings you here? Hunting Alain or him.

She refused to say his name her fear of him that strong.

--------
Selena sighed.

I have to do all I can for the descendants of my people. Your reason for being here. Why did Amir send for you? What is the old man up to?

She sat down taking a deep breath as she tried to humor the old woman and rest by the strange outsider.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

He smiled to her, "You are really an inspiration to these people. They seem to respect and love all that you do for them so much."

"I have to do all I can for the descendants of my people," She replied with a small sigh.

"I wish I could say the same," He mused with a little chuckle, "I haven't been to my homeland in many many years...so long I think I may have even forgotten the way my name in a French accent sounds like."

"Your reason for being here." She said taking his proffered seat, "Why did Amir send for you?"

He shrugged, "He thought the medicine you were using to treat the fever in this epidemic I would be interested in shipping out for treating other breakouts. Or that's what he wrote in his letter to me at least."

She nodded, "What is the old man up to?"

"To be fair I am the only one he knows who could ship it and get in the hands of the people who could spread it into hospitals worldwide," He nodded back, "Unless you're thinking he had a nefarious ulterior motive getting the two of us in the same tent together."

He offered her his hand, "So with that said perhaps we should just get it out in the open. Madam Selena, would you fancy being courted by me this evening?"

-----------------------X

IC: Brother Mogoro

He lifted Masa's sabre in his own hand and asked her, "Am I going to need this?"

"Sonam trusts you and you also call Alain friend so I would suspect neither of us will require swords," She replied.

He lowered Masa's sabre, "That's reassuring. Just between you and me, I was hard-pressed sparring with your daughter and I can safely say. I'm very glad she'll have no reason to be angry with me."

"What brings you here," Selena asked, "Hunting Alain or him."

He shook his head noting how she avoided saying Acheron's name, "Neither. I am here because of my wife, my watcher." He turned pointed behind him, "She's back there in the car."

He turned back to regard her, "So why can you not say his name? Is the fear of him that debilitating to you?"

 

[Asa]

She wrinkled her brows looking to Alain unsure of his words as the old woman hobbled past her.

The best answer would be yes child. He offers a chance at happiness.

Selena pondered his words and nodded.

Very well what do you wish us to do?

She understood him but was curious why an outsider would seek her company romantically.

---------------------------
Sonam listened and placed the sword back inside the door but kept an eye on things just in case. Selena nodded.

I have recently learned of Watchers. Does she wish to speak with us?

Selena looked past him to the car then back to the immortal before her. She calmed some till he asked her about him.

I do not like to speak of him directly when I know he is or could be close by. Foolish I know but I have had many years to learn to fear his true reach.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau
Cairo Egypt 1876

He offered her his hand, "So with that said perhaps we should just get it out in the open. Madam Selena, would you fancy being courted by me this evening?"

"Very well what do you wish us to do?" She said cautiously.

"I'm not certain, I must admit," He mused at her question, "What is there to do in Cairo, when its beset by plague at the moment...any shows or recitals I could take you to."

He shrugged smiling to her, "Perhaps I could just cook you something. I may not have been back to France in centuries, but somethings never leave you."

--------------------------X

IC: Brother Mogoro
Present Day

He shook his head noting how she avoided saying Acheron's name, "Neither. I am here because of my wife, my watcher." He turned pointed behind him, "She's back there in the car."

"I have recently learned of Watchers." She asked, "Does she wish to speak with us?"

"Perhaps," Mogoro shrugged at that, "She did teach the one you call Frank, so perhaps she will want to speak to you."

He turned back to regard her, "So why can you not say his name? Is the fear of him that debilitating to you?"

"I do not like to speak of him directly when I know he is or could be close by," She replied to that, "Foolish I know but I have had many years to learn to fear his true reach."

"I can only imagine," Mogoro told her, "Do you feel like running and hiding is the only course now?"

--------------------X

IC: Alain De'Montreau
Present Day

Alain's eyes shot open and he rolled over coughing up a lungful of water he had drowned upon. Then he felt the quickening of another immortal. He cast about searching for a sword, a knife, maybe a gun, anything to protect himself with. He was in a wooded area on the banks of the river. He had been dragged out of it.

Then came from the trees two people of whom he recognized, at least by their reputation. These two were infamous among immortals for the chaos they sewed in their wake and the wrath the could pull down on any immortal that offended them.

Dominique and Donovan.

"I suppose I should thank you for pulling me out of the river," He said cautiously rising to his feet. There was a branch a few feet to his left that he might use to hold them off should they choose to try for his head now.

 

[Asa]

Selena raised a brow.

A male that can cook. This I would be most amazed to see. She smiled and walked with him towards the tiny dwelling she called home here .

----------------------

Selena nodded.

Very well let us go and speak with your watcher.

She walked with Sonam and Morogo to the car. She smiled softly seeing the aged woman sitting there. Her mind briefly returned to an old woman in Cairo long ago who helped her fight the infernal plague.

Greeting I am Selena. You wish to speak with us?

-----------------------
Donnovan glared at him but Dominique held her hand up to her "son".

The priestess meant much to our sister and you mean much to the priestess so yes we drew you from the water to do what our sister believes you can do. Free the priestess from the monster and in doing so you will be avenging our sister. Do not fail. If we have to destroy him none of you will be left standing.

Dominique smiled to him and turned to go.

Your sword rests by the rock behind you Mister De'Montreau

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro

"Very well let us go and speak with your watcher." Selena nodded to him.

Mogoro led the way back to the rental car and his beloved Althea. She sat watching the two of them approach breathing from her oxygen tank. When they arrived Selena knelt down to speak to her.

"Greeting I am Selena," She said, "You wish to speak with us?"

A trembling hand so frail, and robbed of its youth of vitality by the passage of so many years in a lifetime that was criminally short, reached out to stroke her cheek. When Althea spoke it was a weak and thready whisper, "...Beautiful..."

"...I see...why they fight...over you...now..." She continued, "...But what...is it...you will...fight over..."

------------------------X

IC: Alain De'Montreau

"I suppose I should thank you for pulling me out of the river," He said cautiously rising to his feet. There was a branch a few feet to his left that he might use to hold them off should they choose to try for his head now.

"The priestess meant much to our sister and you mean much to the priestess so yes we drew you from the water to do what our sister believes you can do," Dominique she said holding a hand out for the other who glared at Alain, "Free the priestess from the monster and in doing so you will be avenging our sister. Do not fail. If we have to destroy him none of you will be left standing."

Alain swallowed knowing from their reputation that her threat was very real. He stepped closer to the tree branch that was his only defense if they decided to attack him.

Dominique turned gesturing over to one side with a nod of her head, "Your sword rests by the rock behind you, Mister De'Montreau."

Then they left leaving him alone. He picked up his sword noting the notches from the battle ruining its edge. He have to rehone and resharpen it before facing off against Acheron again...

...facing him again. Alain had gotten his ass kicked on the bridge. It was all he could do to not lose his head in it. If he fought Acheron again...he'd lose.

That was a hard pill to swallow. He wanted to go find him and end him once and for all before he could torment Selena once more, but the stakes were too high to delude himself about it.

To beat this man he would need more than he had.

 

[Asa]

Selena smiled to her.

I fight for them. Sacrifice everything to protect them. It was much easier before. Before So am became a know it all teenager and apparently Frank's replacement as my watcher. She and Alain do not know this demon like I do. Alain is so sure of himself that he can defeat him. Sonam thinks she will destroy him if no one else will. But you... You know my story... I see it as you study my face with eyes and a soul far stronger than age. You know I have endured this monster for longer than they have walked this earth combined. Please... You and your immortal... Make them see reason and let me flee knowing he will follow and leave them in peace.

The priestess was there back behind her eyes as was the terrified battered little "butterfly" as an aged nurse once called her seeking someone to understand that she had to run.

______________

As they walked away Donovan grumbled about just wiping them out and Acheron too. Would it not save Gitana's priestess from Acheron if they took both her head and Acheron's. This was met with a deadly stare from his "mother" as well as a firm backhand. Dominique was much for younger than Gitana and barely younger Selena but she had learned early at the heavy hand of a much younger combative Gitana that Selena was untouchable. Donovan was the youngest having died around the time of Louis the 15th. He was still angry ready to dance as the world burned. Blessed or cursed to spend the rest of his days looking like he was in his mid teens.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro and Althea
present day

"...I see...why they fight...over you...now..." She continued, "...But what...is it...you will...fight over..."

"I fight for them," Selena replied, "Sacrifice everything to protect them."

"And...do you think...you have...anything left...to give up?"

"It was much easier before," She said, "Before Sonam became a know it all teenager and apparently Frank's replacement as my watcher."

"Do you...fear that he will take...your new family...from you?"

"She and Alain do not know this demon like I do," She asserted, "Alain is so sure of himself that he can defeat him. Sonam thinks she will destroy him if no one else will. But you... You know my story... I see it as you study my face with eyes and a soul far stronger than age. You know I have endured this monster for longer than they have walked this earth combined. Please... You and your immortal... Make them see reason and let me flee knowing he will follow and leave them in peace."

Althea pulled back in her seat looking deep into Selena's eyes. "I do...know of you...Frank spoke of you often...I know him too...He stood against...your monster...because he...loved you."

She gestured towards Sonam, "So too...does your daughter...so too...did your crusader."

"As I...loved and protected...my husband..." She reached out to clasp hands with Mogoro. "Priestess..is the reason...you do...not understand...why they...desire to face him...because...you don't...think...anyone...truly could...love you?"

----------------------------X

IC: Acheron
Isle of Ikonopsos Aegean Sea April 28 632 B.C.

The ground beneath them was shaking. It caused several of the clay pots he'd spent so much time forming crashed to the ground of his stall shattering. Then it subsided leaving the other merchants in the market.

Acheron turned to look at the mountain across the bay.

"Pappa, I'm scared."

He spun to look back at his little Alephone. She had stumbled when the earth began trembling. Bending down to lift her back to her feet.

"You shouldn't be," He said smiling to her, "The priests have gone to the foot of the mountain to lay offerings to appease the god below."

"What if he doesn't like it," She asked.

"Do not worry," He reassured her, "How could he not when he sees his people still honor him...and even if the offerings displease him his wrath will cool when he looks upon the dimples of a simple Potter's little girl's smile on her fifth birthday."

"Pappa," She laughed covering the sides of her face, "I'm a big girl now. I don't have dimples."

"I disagree," He chuckled kissing her forehead, "And they are still adorable."

He set down on one knee. "We shall clean up the stall tomorrow. Let us head home and we shall have your mother's Gaji stew for the birthday celebration."

She threw her arms in the air, "Give me a piggy-back ride."

He chuckled again as she climbed onto his back and he rose to his feet carrying her back to their house outside the market square.

Then he heard a great boom like thunder but louder than any thunderclap he'd ever heard in any storm. Under his feet the ground shook again harder than ever before. It was so much several of the stone sides of the buildings around them cracked or fell over. Acheron stumbled glancing back to see the mountain peak. It wasn't there anymore. Instead there was a billowing black could spewing out from the mountain side roiling down the slope at incredible speed.

No, the priests had failed. The mountain god had been angered by their offerings and had unleashed a hell fresh from the underworld to smite them all.

He spun bolting away from the accursed death rushing across the bay towards the village and two mere mortals struggling to find some form of shelter from their doom. He did not make it.

In mere moments the cloud swept over them, boiling his flesh and burning his mouth and lungs. He cried out in pain and fear not for him but for his dear daughter ripped from the beautiful life she should have had. He collapsed embracing the welcome dark of death. They'd be together in the afterlife at least.

But it wasn't to be so. He returned to life in a burned and ash covered wasteland. He was lost his eyes boiled away and lungs burned. He died and came back to life countless times crawling through the ruined streets of his village searching in vain for his Alephone. He didn't know for how long, but gradually it dawned on Acheron that he alone survived-more the gates of death itself seemed barred to him alone.

He was cursed, by the gods. He'd never again carry his daughter on his back-not even in the afterlife. He reared back in ultimate agony and breathlessly roared his despair and fury to the very heavens.

He was alone, or was before he eventually constructed a raft and sailed across the sea when this happened to him so very very long ago, but now here in the memory/dream wasn't any longer.

Acheron spun clamping burned fingers around a pristine neck unmarred by the volcano's wrath. He glared into the eyes of Gitana. He was unsure if this was a figment of his confused mind or the stubborn spirit of the last immortal he'd absorbed the quickening of, but the violation of her presence here in this most vulnerable moment in his long life enraged him.

"This place is mine." He rasped angrily crushing the breath from her windpipe, "You do not belong. You were defeated. You are nothing but my slave now."

 

[Asa]

Selena signed.

Some of us are cursed to suffering for those we love in place of being loved safely by them. To help and protect. Perhaps not so different from the watchers I suspect.

Selena looked to her daughter for a long moment then back to Althea.

I am sure there is more she should learn. Since Frank is... Gone... Who will finish teaching her?

Sonam paused. She had not thought about that... Was there anything else she needed to learn?

___________________

Gitana smiled staring at Acheron.

I am no slave to you. You are slave to your hate and anger though. Many of our kind are. At least for a time... You never outgrew that anger and pain... So you want others to feel it too. To have the power of that volcano so you can destroy instead of being destroyed by reality. That is why you torture the priestess so. Power.... Deadly power like the volcano had over you.

Gitana was now only her lingering hyoka powers. Something that he could not use but would still work against him against the evil.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro and Althea

"As I...loved and protected...my husband..." She reached out to clasp hands with Mogoro. "Priestess..is the reason...you do...not understand...why they...desire to face him...because...you don't...think...anyone...truly could...love you?"

"Some of us are cursed to suffering for those we love in place of being loved safely by them," She sighed looking over to her daughter before returning her gaze back to Althea, "To help and protect. Perhaps not so different from the watchers I suspect."

"You have a point..." Althea agreed, "...But being...a watcher...teaches one...to let...those you love...to face danger...unaided....It is our...most important lesson...one Frank...had a difficult time...with accepting...and if your...daughter is to...take up...his duty...as your watcher...she will...have to learn...to accept...that fact...as well."

"I am sure there is more she should learn," Selena agreed, "Since Frank is... Gone... Who will finish teaching her?"

Althea looked at the very young woman. "If she...will have me...I will..finish her...training...for Frank...he taught..only the basics...now she...must learn...the soul of...what it is...we do."

Mogoro tapped Selena on the shoulder. "Where will you go now?"

------------------------X

IC: Acheron

"This place is mine." He rasped angrily crushing the breath from her windpipe, "You do not belong. You were defeated. You are nothing but my slave now."

"I am no slave to you. You are slave to your hate and anger though," She retorted with an infuriating smile plastered on her face, " Many of our kind are. At least for a time... You never outgrew that anger and pain... So you want others to feel it too. To have the power of that volcano so you can destroy instead of being destroyed by reality."

"Spare me the useless psycho analysis," He pushed off of her. She was nothing a ghost that refused to leave the living. He will not pay her any heed.

"That is why you torture the priestess so. Power.... Deadly power like the volcano had over you." She continued.

He returned to doing what he did the day this truly happened to him. He started piling rocks. He couldn't find his daughter's body. It didn't matter. It was just a burned and broken shell now. Still he'd pile rocks into a memorial for Alephone. His way of saying good bye to the daughter that fate never gave a chance to grow up.

"You are nothing to me," He told her piling rocks up, "Just an echo yet to fade away."

 

[Asa]

Selena looked to him and sighed.

Take Sonam with you. Help your wife teach her. I do not know where I will go but I should go before Alain returns to try to talk me out of running.

She didn't want to get any of them killed even these people she had just met. Straitening up she turned to Sonam.

Althea will complete your watcher training. You will go with them and I will find you when you are done. You may be my watcher but you are still my daughter and you will do as I say.

Sonam's eyes narrowed as she stared at her mother... Her task now.

If you run you will take Alain with you. I am your watcher and I will place someone with you like it or not Priestess.

She had never talked to Selena that way before but her role in Selena's life had expanded if not truly changed entirely

----------------

Gitana knew she could trap him any memory to make him face it and took a dark glee in that.

I am more real on this level than you can ever imagine Acheron. You forget there was a time I was far darker than you or any horseman.

She laughed as her own darkness began to overshadow the darkness of this moment.

I can make you suffer just as you have made the priestess suffer.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro

Mogoro tapped Selena on the shoulder. "Where will you go now?"

"Take Sonam with you. Help your wife teach her," She told him with a resigned sigh, "I do not know where I will go but I should go before Alain returns to try to talk me out of running."

Mogoro nodded as he noticed Selena subconsciously precluded the possibility that De'Montreau was never coming back. After all no one knew what happened at the end of the duel between him and Acheron. So maybe there was hope for this afraid woman?

She spoke with her daughter and Mogoro allowed them their moment. It was between them after all, he was merely a bystander.

When they finished he tapped Selena on the shoulder one more time, "You misunderstood me, priestess. My question is actually: where can you go if he's proven he won't even respect the sanctity of holy ground now?"

-----------------------X

IC: Acheron

"You are nothing to me," He told her piling rocks up, "Just an echo yet to fade away."

"I am more real on this level than you can ever imagine Acheron," She replied confidently, "You forget there was a time I was far darker than you or any horseman."

"I do not fear you," He said piling more stones onto his daughter's memorial, "When you have suffered as much as I have fear becomes meaningless."

The very air around her darkened seeping out from her reaching out to him saying, "I can make you suffer just as you have made the priestess suffer."

"All that I have done is for Selena," He asserted finishing the plinth of stones to his daughter's memory and turned to glare at Gitana, "To protect her from suffering anymore."

 

[Asa]

Gitana's anger boiled as she made his body feel the horror and torture Selena's body endured at his hands. His rape and abuse. Everything she had taken from Selena after Warwick Castle.

Is that protectinv her from suffering?

She intensified it as if it were happening to him directly. A her darkness all her anger flooding her as well as the slaughter she and her siblings had rained on that shoreline as well was ghosting the situation she held him in.

-----------------
I know many ways to hide in my homeland or in hers.

She nodded towards her daughter.

If Alain has survived tell him to watch over Sonam I am sure I will find them again in time.

She was crying.... For the first time in what felt like centuries she was truly crying .

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro

When they finished he tapped Selena on the shoulder one more time, "You misunderstood me, priestess. My question is actually: where can you go if he's proven he won't even respect the sanctity of holy ground now?"

"I know many ways to hide in my homeland or in hers," She said nodding towards young Sonam.

"He has hunted you down for so long already..." Mogoro pressed, "Do you think he will stop...ever? He is one of us. You will not outlast him. He will find you again even if it takes centuries. Can't you see hiding is pointless?"

In response she said, "If Alain has survived tell him to watch over Sonam. I am sure I will find them again in time."

Mogoro saw the tear and knew the pain she must be under. Turning away from the life she had built. Running from the family she had forged...Doing this must be like chewing off her own limb...again.

Althea added softly, the simple truth Selena could not face, "You must...fight...if you...will ever know....peace."

-----------------X

IC: Acheron

"All that I have done is for Selena," He asserted finishing the plinth of stones to his daughter's memory and turned to glare at Gitana, "To protect her from suffering anymore."

She glared at him and a whirlwind of agony and torment swirled through him. "Is that protecting her from suffering?"

Acheron howled from the pains he had unleashed upon Selena falling to his knees at the base of his daughter's memorial.

"I had to do all those things," He ground out through snarling teeth, "If she hadn't ran from me. Hid from me. Defied me. I wouldn't have been forced to hurt her so..."

The pain was unbearable he had to escape.

The scenery changed it was centuries later and Acheron's body had healed from the wounds the volcano had inflicted upon him. He was the grand curator of the conqueror's great library in Alexandria now. This was the finest collection of knowledge and wisdom the world over, and it was all his.

There was one thing he had learned in the centuries since he had learned the gods had cursed him with unending life: knowledge was the key to power, and no one was more powerful than the gatekeeper of all collected knowledge of the finest minds of all time. He held in his hands for example a treatise by the great Aristotle on the nature of mankind.

Then a sudden uneasy feeling came over him. It was almost like a wave of nausea, but he didn't feel like he was going to vomit...and somehow he knew it was because of someone else...someone approaching him...it was a feeling he'd never felt before in all his cursed life.

He turned and a woman being escorted by one of his subordinates was approaching. It was the desert priestess that had come to donate some of her knowledge of herbs and medicines for the many ailments it had been reported she could cure...they also said she had lived young and beautiful for many many years, revered by the desert tribes...

Legends and superstitions of course. He was the only one to ever be cursed with immortality, but Acheron still found her...enchanting...enthralling in a way he never thought he'd be ever again since he lost his wife and his daughter was so cruelly ripped from his arms by the god under the mountain's wrath.

She stopped several feet away from him staring dead at him. She told him her name...Selena. He thought he might be in love again.

Then from behind the shelves of scrolls stepping behind Selena was Gitana glaring at him once again.

 

[Asa]

Selena simply crumbled to the ground and looked to Althea.

You have read my history fighting him... I... I cannot... I have tried... Even Alain knows this now.

Sonam raised a brow hearing that.

You've tried to fight him? Or did you try to push him to kill you mom?

Sonam suspected the later but unlike most she knew her mother could fight halfway decently with a sword.

Selena looked to her daughter. Her eyes truly revealing all her centuries of life.

Perhaps both... Sonam

She sighed staring at the ground.


Gitana stared at him.

Surely even you know that immortals befriend love and part ways. No one can love someone without time apart for all eternity. Whst you sought to love... You destroyed... The monstrous volcano... That is what you became to her and she cursed seeking the same freedom of death.

The pain assaulted him again mental... Physical... Emotional and while trapped in that pain she let him see Alain treating her with more tenderness and love than he ever could.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro

Althea added softly, the simple truth Selena could not face, "You must...fight...if you...will ever know....peace."

She fell to her knees on the ground saying, "You have read my history fighting him... I... I cannot... I have tried...Even Alain knows this now."

"I...have read about...you...priestess..." Althea stated, "I have...long admired...you...but...I think you...have never...fought him...at all."

"You've tried to fight him," Sonam asked, "Or did you try to push him to kill you mom?"

Mogoro crossed his arms leaning against their rental car and nodded to the girl. She cut through the bullshit pretty quickly and got down to the truth. She'd make a good watcher afterall.

Selena looked up to her daughter for a long telling moment, holding all the weight of the years she'd born on her shoulders before admitting, "Perhaps both... Sonam."

"Do you...hate him...priestess," Althea asked her, "What stays...your hand...is it fear...is it pity...or is it perhaps...guilt that makes...you run?"

----------------------X

IC: Acheron

She stopped several feet away from him staring dead at him. She told him her name...Selena. He thought he might be in love again.

Then from behind the shelves of scrolls stepping behind Selena was Gitana glaring at him once again.

"Surely even you know that immortals befriend love and part ways," She told him, "No one can love someone without time apart for all eternity."

"Then you have never loved anyone as I love her," He told her taking Selena's hand and pulling her around to stand behind him. There he glared at Gitana standing between the two of them.

"What you sought to love... You destroyed..." Gitana continued, "The monstrous volcano... That is what you became to her and she cursed seeking the same freedom of death."

He staggered as she once again made him feel the suffering and the agony, what was worse was the images of how that thieving bastard De'Montreau had treated his wife in contrast to how he had been forced to treat her. It was easy to come off the hero when you weren't written as the villain after all.

"N-no," He ground out reaching back and grabbing his Selena and fleeing from once again.

Now it was their wedding night and his beautiful new wife collapsed in his arms breathing heavily from the release she'd just had. One of Acheron's caressed her back as the other pulled the blanket back up over them both, "I love you Selena."

She laid a kiss upon his chest murmuring on how lucky she was to have crossed his path.

"You will be safe with me forever," He promised her, "I will never let you go, my love."

Then from the door to their bedroom came the sound of someone knocking. The door handle jostled straining against the bar holding it closed fast.

Acheron's arms wrapped protectively around his wife's body. "Go away," He bellowed to Gitana, "Leave me be!"

Then came the cruelest of the Hyoka's torments leveled upon him...Selena raised up and Acheron looked into her eyes. There he no longer saw the fond memory, not the Selena he wished she would always be, but the Selena as she was now.