Immortal Love (Closed for Veroe)

[Asa]

Selena looked to each of them.

I hate him... I hate that I may have ever been so weak in my fear to think I ever could have loved him or even thought that I did... I hate him for all the lives he used me to take... Budapest... Lhasa... Warwick Morocco. I have tried to stand against him perhaps yes Sonam knowing that he could kill me... But be will not... He would rather destroy and slaughter all that I love but never me.

She slowly stood that ancient strength of command of the priestess acting as if of its own she looked to her daughter with love but there was a coldness to it as well when she spoke.

Sonam you will stay with Althea and Morogo I will leave with the train for now is that clear.

No can....

Sonam as her watcher started to protest but was cut off.

Alain will need your assistance far more than I if he still lives. This is not up for discussion daughter!

She looked to Morogo.

I do not care what your history with Alain is if he is still alive you will prevent him from seeking to follow me... Is that clear? For Sonam's sake... Please.

She turned bowing slightly to Althea

I leave my daughter to you sacred elder... Thank you.

With that she turned feeling that command and cold exterior crack as she walked to the train. Sonam smiled nodding the the others that she had an idea to at least distract her for a while.

I will need to get my stuff off the train first mom. Surely even the priestess wouldn't deny me that.

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

Gitana continued her assault. In a way her mind and powers were now free in death and there was no longer right and wrong in what they did and she had every intention of making sure this vermin suffered. She had to do everything possible for Alain to be able to destroy him.

How can you expect her to love you when you have tortured and abused her for so many centuries? Remember your marriage as you call it for what it truly was. You needing someone to have as yours something no volcano could ever take from you. She had to make sure that the temple and the rest of her people were safe from those monsters you commanded.

You vowed they would not harm any of the remaining priestesses and that they could not hurt me if I Wed you.

Selena spoke. I have sacrificed for others for my entire existence. Suspecting in time you would move on. That you would find more suitable lover... Like Kesi. She desired your abusive ways she would have been so perfect for you but you tossed her aside every time. Why? Why could you not accept when our time ended?

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro

"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?"

"I hate him..." She said looking each of them in the eye as she vowed, "I hate that I may have ever been so weak in my fear to think I ever could have loved him or even thought that I did... I hate him for all the lives he used me to take... Budapest... Lhasa... Warwick Morocco. I have tried to stand against him perhaps yes Sonam knowing that he could kill me... But he will not... He would rather destroy and slaughter all that I love but never me."

Mogoro looked to his dear wife and she nodded to him. "Tell us what you want us to do, priestess."

She stood up effortlessly reassuming the authority she had worn for so many centuries. "Sonam you will stay with Althea and Morogo," She declared, "I will leave with the train for now is that clear."

Mogoro nodded back to Althea as she and her daughter discussed her decision. Come what may, Selena had pulled up her big girl pants and took hold of her power at long last again.

Then she turned to regard him announcing, "I do not care what your history with Alain is. if he is still alive you will prevent him from seeking to follow me... Is that clear?"

"You know De'Montreau as well as I do," Mogoro said standing up from the side of the car he was leaning against and crossing his arms, "The only way I can stop him is if I take his head, but if I can I swear to you I will find some way short of that."

She turned to his wife. "I leave my daughter to you sacred elder... Thank you."

With that she turned to go her own lonely path as she had done so so many times before.

"Fare well, priestess," Mogoro called out after her even as Sonam pursued her still.

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

IC: Acheron

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.

"Selena spoke. I have sacrificed for others for my entire existence. Suspecting in time you would move on. That you would find more suitable lover... Like Kesi. She desired your abusive ways she would have been so perfect for you but you tossed her aside every time. Why? Why could you not accept when our time ended?"

"Kesi," He growled, "She was a constant reminder of your absence. How could I ever accept her or anyone else when they would never be you?" He reached out grabbed her arm pulling her back to him, "Can't you see you and I belong together forever."

 

[Asa]

Selena turned into the great serpent she had danced before so many times. Slithering free from him Selena took back her form and spoke once more.

Then why did you lay claim to her and keep her in your employ and bed?

Gitana stood back watching them.

Sonam continued to try to follow her mother.

Unacceptable Selena... I will not get senf away like a child when I have a job to do!

Your job Sonam is to stay alive for me to find you and Alain another day. Morogo! Please take her with you now!

Selena pointed back towards them staring at her daughter intently.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro

Mogoro leant against the side of their rental car waiting for Sonam to return. He wasn't certain how he felt about being saddled with a headstrong teenaged girl to look after. But he liked Sonam in the brief time they had conversed. She had heart...perhaps more than brains, but heart was more important than sense after a few centuries. One learned that knowledge and intelligence could lead even the stoutest of souls astray. The heart however was the compass that guided one's actions.

He liked Selena as well. "I hope she's doing the right thing," He said to his wife.

"She...walks alone...now." Althea whispered.


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

IC: Acheron

"Kesi," He growled, "She was a constant reminder of your absence. How could I ever accept her or anyone else when they would never be you?" He reached out grabbed her arm pulling her back to him, "Can't you see you and I belong together forever."

She became the serpent in his hand. Slithering out his grasp and out of bed.

She looked over to him saying, "Then why did you lay claim to her and keep her in your employ and bed?"

He threw the blanket off of him and climbed out of the bed to face her. "Kesi was temporary, a diversion. She was nothing to me."

He came around the bed to her reaching out his arms so she'd reclaim her rightful place within them. "You, Selena, are the only one who is worthy to be my queen."

 

[Asa]

Sonam stormed back toward Morogo stopping briefly by one of the other carnival workers dealing with some swords.

Do not let anything happen to my mother.

Stalking back over to Althea and Morogo.

Stubborn priestess... There is no talking to her when she is like this. So now what to look for Alain?

_______

You should have accepted her love Acheron because now... You have no one's love.

Selena backed away from bis offered arms.

You will never learn will you?

Gitana stood back... The venom in Selena in his nightmare of Acheron was reminding her of a mortal who once stood up to her "family" in long forgotten Roanoke.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro

He liked Selena as well. "I hope she's doing the right thing," He said to his wife.

"She...walks alone...now." Althea whispered.

Then Sonam her arms full with the items she wanted came storming back over to them. "Stubborn priestess... There is no talking to her when she is like this."

Mogoro nodded, "It's something she and De'Montreau share."

"So now what..." She asked him, "...to look for Alain?"

"We must...find...his mentor..." Althea put in softly, "...If he was...defeated...he will...seek her out."

Mogoro gestured for Sonam to get into the rental car. "Even if he lost she may be able to help us."

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

IC: Acheron

He came around the bed to her reaching out his arms so she'd reclaim her rightful place within them. "You, Selena, are the only one who is worthy to be my queen."

"You should have accepted her love Acheron because now..." Gitana put in cruelly, "...You have no one's love."

Selena stepped away from his offered embrace, "You will never learn will you?"

The look she gave him wilted any hope he had to reclaim the woman he loved. Acheron's arms fell and he turned away from her. "Fine, if I can not have you..." He looked back over his shoulder to glare at her, "...then no one will."

He escaped their trap then to the moment that set him on the path he had strode for all these many many centuries. He and Selena had lived for two hundred years as man and wife. Things were going well. He was slowly winning her over. Perhaps one day she would truly love him as much as he loved her.

Except now another immortal had come seeking out the priestess. A huge bearded, slobbering, brute, named Ourne. He had come for her and challenged her when she had been forced off of holy ground. Now on the Egyptian shore of the Mediteranean Acheron was forced to watch the woman he loved duel the muscle-bound barbarian for her very life.

And she was losing.

She fell back her sword thrown from her grasp. Ourne pulled out his terrible battle-axe from the huge gash it had made across her stomach. He cried out as it was raised high in the air.

"I have you now you conniving bitch," The brute roared bringing it down to free her head from her body, "There can only be one!"

"No!" Acheron threw himself into him knocking him onto the sand pummeling at the brute desperately.

One huge hand clamped around his throat and hurled him back over Selena's bleeding, dying body.

"I am here for the bitch's cowardly head," Ourne roared climbing back up to his feet, "Not you, cub. She has lost and you can not interfere in the outcome. Those are the rules. She should have explained it to you."

"The rules," Acheron asked looking into the woman he loved's eyes, and claiming her sword in his own hand, "Whose rules? Yours? They're not mine. If it means I lose her then I reject any and all rules."

Determinedly he raised up holding Selena's sword in a shaking defensive stance.

Ourne laughed, "Selena's cub has some teeth after all. She doesn't deserve you, you know."

Then the duel for Selena's immortal life began over her dying body.

 

[Asa]

Sonam got in the car still highly pissed at Selena.

The question is will she? Althea... I am now Moms watcher but I am not allowed to do my job... What do I do?

She was worried and it was showing much less how will Alain react to them letting her run again. At least she had the sword swallower cell number.

____________________
Gitana watched as things unfolded in his memories. She remembered the oaf who fought them... He was a petty vermin with more temper than brains. She smirked watching him break the rules for her safety. A slight surprise but even a raging lion can be protective. She was more interested in just how Acheron killed the mindless oaf.

This should be most entertaining.

She felt the old hungers of combat swirling in her soul.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro

Mogoro gestured for Sonam to get into the rental car. "Even if he lost she may be able to help us."

She did so in a huff the way only teenagers could express their discontent with events in the world. "The question is will she?"

"She will," Mogoro replied starting the engine and pulling them out of the parking lot, "I met her once with De'Montreau when I was new to this...she helps everyone in need."

"Xia Liu is...almost as...old as...your mother..." Althea put in, "She was...De'Montreau's mentor...and from what...what her...watcher reports...very much...like a second...mother to him."

"Her center is in the worst part of this city," Mogoro told them, "The Rental company would have conniptions if it knew I was driving their car to that neighborhood."

The drove on deeper into the heart of the city.

"Althea..." She asked after a moment.

"Yes...child?"

"I am now Mom's watcher, but I am not allowed to do my job..." She said, "What do I do?"

"This is why secrecy...and objectivity...are stressed...so much...in our...training," Althea replied, "You're too close...to your mother...you see it as...her daughter...step back...and look...at the problem...with your...training as a...watcher...what would...Frank do...if Selena...left him...behind now?"

They were pulling into the projects now and Mogoro said, "When I found out I ran away from Althea. She let me go. Gave me my freedom to deal with the news. It worked for a few years, but when I was ready she was there as if she had known all along where I was and what I was dealing with, little girl."

They stopped at a redlight a few blocks from their destination. He turned to look at Sonam, "A watcher isn't a spy. My watcher...Selena's watcher is someone that knows their Immortal better than anyone else."

"Think child..." Althea stated, "You know her...so answer this...where would...your mother...go to...hide...to feel...safe again...you know it...don't tell us...but you...know it...don't you?"

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

IC: Acheron

Ourne laughed, "Selena's cub has some teeth after all. She doesn't deserve you, you know."

Then the duel for Selena's immortal life began over her dying body.

Acheron fought fiercely for the woman he loved, but it was no real contest here. Selena had showed him how to handle a sword, but he had not truly accepted the fact that if he was confronted by another Immortal he would have to use one to defend his life or for that matter Selena's. Now however he was face to face with just that Immortal. And while Ourne was looked like a slathering barbaric oaf he was no fool in one on one combat.

Acheron was faster but despite that he still found no openings to exploit. The other man was so much stronger and far far more experienced. Ourne kept swinging that great massive axe of his keeping Acheron out of reach too busy ducking and dodging to do anything like seriously contemplating attacking him.

Then he stumbled over Selena's body. He landed sprawled out on his back on the sand. Selena's sword flew from his hand. A giant foot slammed down on his chest knocking the breath out of his lungs like stomping on a billows. The bloodthirsty edge of Ourne's axe swung down stopping hair's breadth from his neck.

"I don't want your head, cub," He told him gruffly, "This is personal. So what I will do is torture you in front of her when she comes back. Make the cowardly bitch suffer for your screams of agony before begging me to finish her off."

Then he felt underneath him that Selena's body rose. It had taken a breath. Life had returned to her. His love had come back to him.

"

 

[Asa]

Sonam thought even though it seemed daughter or not Selena kept secrets even from her.

You and I both k kW what Frank would have done... He would have snapped and hunted her down because the more I think on it the more it seemed she kept secrets from all of us. Hell I had no idea why her love of Venice had a name till all this started.

She sighed sitting back rubbing her temples.

I think I understand why that buddy of Frank's Sully used to say stubborn immortal pain in the neck.

He had the easiest watcher job around Gitana never left town... Never fought...

_________________

Gitana continued to watch what happened before her. It was Acheron's time to endure the dark past. To learn that Selena was never to love him the way he demanded.

Let me guess... Could you not protect her from him? Did you have to learn that she could kill if she had to?

She remembered this oaf. The giant was angered that such a strange and foreign woman could win over his king. Clearly it was some evil magic this frail dark woman used against his king yet ignored his advances.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro

They stopped at a redlight a few blocks from their destination. He turned to look at Sonam, "A watcher isn't a spy. My watcher...Selena's watcher is someone that knows their Immortal better than anyone else."

"Think child..." Althea stated, "You know her...so answer this...where would...your mother...go to...hide...to feel...safe again...you know it...don't tell us...but you...know it...don't you?"

"You and I both know what Frank would have done..." She said thoughtfully to her, "He would have snapped and hunted her down. Because the more I think on it the more it seemed she kept secrets from all of us. Hell, I had no idea why her love of Venice had a name till all this started."

"We all have secrets-well more like regrets complicating our pasts we'd rather not speak about," Mogoro told her, "Live long enough and you'll have them too."

"I think I understand why that buddy of Frank's Sully used to say stubborn immortal pain in the neck." Sonam replied with a tired sigh, "He had the easiest watcher job around. Gitana never left town... Never fought..."

"Gitana was...hiding...from...her own...secrets," Althea stated softly, "Her family...her history...still haunted her...She was always...away...always fighting...her enemy...her own...past...Sully...had the...hardest job...any of us...will ever...know...to watch...over an...immortal...battling herself."

"It's complicated," Mogoro nodded taking their last turn into the projects of the city, "We're almost there."

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

IC: Acheron

"I don't want your head, cub," He told him gruffly, "This is personal. So what I will do is torture you in front of her when she comes back. Make the cowardly bitch suffer for your screams of agony before begging me to finish her off."

Then he felt underneath him that Selena's body rose. It had taken a breath. Life had returned to her. His love had come back to him.

"No," Acheron cried struggling to rise.

The axe turned pressing its edge against the soft underside of his jaw and freezing him where he lay.

"She has her fingers in you deep, doesn't she, little cub," Ourne snarled hatefully, "You can't see what kind of demoness Selena is. She lies. She schemes. She turns the stoutest heart soft...she must die!"

"No," He bellowed up at their attacker, "That's not true. She is no demon."

Then Selena spoke up for herself.

 

[Asa]

Your king was far more noble of a man than you Ourne. That is why I chose him over you. You still have learned nothing and you have run out of time.

She was shaking but that priestess strength was radiating from her as she lifted her sword.

You are right about one thing your fight isn't with him. And now your fight is with NO ONE!

Her sword began to swing towards his head her eyes burning.

____________________
Sonam kept thinking.

She... She wouldn't go all the way to Venice... Would she?

She looked around when he said they were close and kept thinking. She couldn't imagine Selena leaving the country.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro

"It's complicated," Mogoro nodded taking their last turn into the projects of the city, "We're almost there."

"She... She wouldn't go all the way to Venice..." Sonam said more to herself than either of them, "Would she?"

He pulled into a parking spot on a dirty street in the heart of the inner city composed of close in rundown buildings covered in graffiti. Much of that graffiti were likely the marks of local gangs-and pretty violent ones too. This neighborhood he'd read in the newspaper was the crux of those gangs having a viciously tragic turf war. Mogoro sighed. They were children playing a game they did not realize truly didn't matter.

To Sonam he told her, "Do not tell us." He opened the door looking around for anyone who may pose a threat on the street or sidewalks. There were very few people out even at this time near lunch on this street. It wasn't hard to see why. Just across the street was a liquor shop that looked like it had been riddled with bulletholes. It was taped off by police tape, and had two chalk outlines for tragically dead young men...and a third much much smaller one. Perhaps an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire...maybe a participant...

There was nothing more tragic than the death of a child even to one who have lived long enough to see many children die tragically.

He crossed around the car to open the door for the young teen hearing his beloved wife tell her, "If we are...caught by...him...we may tell...under torture."

He helped her out of the passenger seat expanding, "You are her watcher. It is your job to keep her secrets...especially the location of the place she'd run to hide from him."

He turned to regard the nondescript brick bulding they had parked in front of. Mogoro knew it had once been a Christian outreach center-Baptist or Methodist perhaps-but the ongoing violence in the area and budget cuts caused them to abandon the center. Only to be bought by a Buddhist monk that turned the center back into a beacon of light in a neighborhood being consumed by darkness and chaos.

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

IC: Acheron

"No," He bellowed up at their attacker, "That's not true. She is no demon."

Then Selena spoke up for herself.

"Your king was far more noble of a man than you Ourne," She announced shifting out from under them, "That is why I chose him over you."

The axe lifted from Acheron's throat and Ourne spat at her, "More of your lies, bitch? You poisoned him against me! You never liked me! Never gave me the respect I deserve!"

She took up the sword Acheron had lost, her sword adding, " You still have learned nothing and you have run out of time."

Ourne moved off of him and hefted his axe ready for another round in their duel, "I didn't want to waste more of my time with your cub anyway."

"You are right about one thing your fight isn't with him," She told him getting into her fighting stance, sword held between them, "And now your fight is with NO ONE!"

The duel resumed then. Selena fought with a renewed fierceness swinging the blade in precision strokes against the broad arcs of Ourne's battleaxe. It was a fight where the momentum swung back and forth between them by the second. At any moment the telling blow could come. Either Ourne would fall or Acheron would lose Selena forever. Just like his village. Just like his wife. Just like his daughter. Taken from him forever by the cruel whims of petty gods.

"No!" He got up pulling his dagger from his belt. He came up behind Ourne who was so engrossed in the exchange of swings with Selena had no idea he was there. Not until the dagger thrust into his side between the ribs. He certainly knew when the dagger pulled out plunge into his back twice more with Acheron screaming, "No! No! No!" with each thrust of the knife.

Ourne fell to his knees and Acheron placed the edge underneath his beard against his throat slicing it wide open before he fell facefirst bleeding his life's blood onto the sands of the beach.

He looked to Selena, "Finish it, my love. Take his head."

 

[Asa]

Sonam looked around carefully still wondering where Selena would go but she could think of no logical place... That was still standing.

I get it... Fine. Let's go talk to this whoever and see what she knows.

Sonam was appearing distracted in thought but she was highly alert to everything around them.

____________

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/NightPoet/11_zps29c7d1ce.jpg

Valeria Braddock was graced with looking younger than she was in spite of her history. She had made the perfect fit for a secret operation called the Watchers. She knew the watchers in the area and was finding her job of remaining unknown more difficult with the death of Sully and the presence of the butcher Acheron and Donnovan and Dominique. It was turning into a regular watcher immortal reunion and so far not a really good one. The butchers presence was a given but the "Death Queen" and her son didn't make sense... Yet.

She sat back watching the students in the Dojo. Her class was getting better may soon be belt test time for some of them. She had been placed here when she looked about 10 by Sully to learn and...watch..

_____________

Selena slammed the sword into the ground glaring at Acheron.

You KNOW not to get involved. That is not the way.

Turning to Ourne.

Perhaps you should thank the pup for the fact that you still draw breath never cross me again! Either of you!

With that she turned and walked away fuming.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro

He helped her out of the passenger seat expanding, "You are her watcher. It is your job to keep her secrets...especially the location of the place she'd run to hide from him."

He turned to regard the nondescript brick bulding they had parked in front of. Mogoro knew it had once been a Christian outreach center-Baptist or Methodist perhaps-but the ongoing violence in the area and budget cuts caused them to abandon the center. Only to be bought by a Buddhist monk that turned the center back into a beacon of light in a neighborhood being consumed by darkness and chaos.

"I get it... Fine," She said in only the way an upset teenager could, "Let's go talk to this whoever and see what she knows."

Mogoro helped Althea out of the back seat and into her wheelchair pushing her in towards the community center/dojo. The moment he stepped inside he felt the quickening of the woman who ran this center. Instinctively he slowed scanning the rows of pupils and the instructor.

He didn't see her. His heart was beating a mile a minute. Mogoro hadn't been in a real duel in decades, and if things didn't go well when they met....he parked his beloved wife on the wall and she reached squeezing his hand to reassure him.

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

https://68.media.tumblr.com/efd2e76f4b13eb9a7007fda282566c2b/tumblr_oh9gtzUMSA1u6fvzzo1_500.png

IC: Xia-Na Liu

Xia-Na Liu was in her tiny room on the second floor of the community center. She sat crossed leg on the floor deep in meditation. Then she felt the quickening of another immortal's approach. Her eyes opened and she raised back up to her feet.

Casually she went down the stairs to the first floor. She didn't bother taking her sword. Valeria was in the middle of teaching her students as they went through the forms of Tiger style kung fu. All of them were children from the surrounding neighborhood. Like Valeria herself all of them had hungered for purpose and meaning to life. She had endeavored to give them all that.

Xia had always found fulfillment in teaching others herself. She nodded to Valeria. "You should be proud of them. They are ready to test for their belts."

Then she walked over to the three newcomers focusing on Mogoro. "It has been a long time since last I've seen you, young one."

"I am pleased you remember me," Mogoro told her then introduced his wife to her before finishing with, "May we speak with you in private."

"In a moment," She turned to look Sonam in the eye, "And you would be?"

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

IC: Acheron

He looked to Selena, "Finish it, my love. Take his head."

"You KNOW not to get involved," She growled throwing the sword to the ground.

"Oh, I am involved," He shot back, "I will not stand by idly when you are in danger. If that means interfering I will."

"That is not the way," She continued then to Ourne, "Perhaps you should thank the pup for the fact that you still draw breath never cross me again! Either of you!"

Then she turned to walk away from them...from him.

"No," He blared out to her, "This is no contest! This is no game with rules to follow! As long as he lives he will be a threat to us!"

He lifted Ourne's axe up, "This is survival!" He brought it down severing the barbarian's head.

Then it happened the ocean receded back from the shore, individual grains of sand floated up off the beach. And the lightning surged from the open neck of Ourne arcing up into the air and flowing into Acheron's body.

But the amazing thing was what it was doing with his mind. Everything came to him. All the answers to all the questions Acheron had ever searched for. Why he was the only one to survive the destruction of the island. Why he had become immortal. And why he loved Selena. All the answers.

It was unbelievable. This was what it must feel like to be a god. He was a god.

And then it was over. Bonelessly he fell to the sand. Everything taken away from him...for now. He would gain it all back. All the answers. The power. Godhood. All he'd need is to take another immortal's head...all of their heads.

 

[Asa]

Valeria glanced over briefly brow raised that Franks mentor and his student were here together. She watched as sifu walked over bowinv and nodded to her with a smile when she spoke.

Perhaps when you are done with your visitors sifu.

She motioned to the three new arrivals. Her face revealing nothing but what to most would appear to be a nod the the elder who had been wheeled it but between the two of them it was acknowledgement who they were.

Sonam watched Valeria briefly... Something familiar about her. Dismissing it when the woman walked over. Sonam simply nodded to her.

I am Sonam. We all share a mutual friend. As our other friend has said... We should speak in private.

She offered a slight bow of respect to a teacher of the arts of her Asian nations.

________________

Selena glared back at him.

Do NOT break the rules again... If I require your aid I will ask for it and I do not require it against the likes of that barbarian.

She was so livid with him she did not wait for him to catch up with her as she needed a few moments and distance to calm.

The anger made he scene faintly ripple before returning to the scene it was playing out.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro and Xia-Na Liu

Then she walked over to the three newcomers focusing on Mogoro. "It has been a long time since last I've seen you, young one."

"I am pleased you remember me," Mogoro told her then introduced his wife to her before finishing with, "May we speak with you in private."

"In a moment," She turned to look Sonam in the eye, "And you would be?"

"I am Sonam," She answered.

"And why have you come here," She asked next.

"We all share a mutual friend," She explained, ". As our other friend has said... We should speak in private."

Xia didn't lead them away right away. Instead she took time to greet the elderly woman in the wheelchair. Only when that was done did she lead them past the martial arts dojo past, the basketball court, the gameroom, the meditation chamber, and finally her quarters. Her rooms were very Spartan, she really didn't need save a few keepsakes she'd collected. They were a variety of items. An ancient and ornate Chinese jin hanging on the wall circled with a few photographs from the last few decades, some featuring her favorite pupil...well to be honest most featured pupils of her. Otherwise the furnishings were sparse. She had a bed, a table, and a kitchenette, and that was all.

She walked over to the kitchenette area. "May I offer you all some tea."

Mogoro nodded knowing she was following old world rules of hospitality. "Tea would be lovely."

She set about pouring some water into an antique teapot and pulling out her box of Le cloud tea. "From young Mogoro's appearance...I assume our mutual friend is Allain."

She set the pot to boil on the small stove before turning to them, "So perhaps you can start by explaining what my troublesome pupil has gotten himself into now."

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

IC: Acheron


It was unbelievable. This was what it must feel like to be a god. He was a god.

And then it was over. Bonelessly he fell to the sand. Everything taken away from him...for now. He would gain it all back. All the answers. The power. Godhood. All he'd need is to take another immortal's head...all of their heads.

"Do NOT break the rules again..." Selena glared at him, "If I require your aid I will ask for it and I do not require it against the likes of that barbarian."

She began stalking off lividly.

"You needed me to do that. It was what is necessary for us to survive," He roared after her, "You do need me! You need me!"

He got up to go after her. "You'll see...you need me to protect you! I'll make you see you need me-"

Then as Selena strode past Gitana and she waved her hand and the scenery changed again to somewhere else someplace else, but it was a place he'd never been. It was someplace not from his memories, but hers instead.

 

[Asa]

The missing colony... That's what history calls it. However for Gitana, Dominique, Donovan, Natalia, and Alonzo... It was prey. The colonists thought them salvation from Indian raids and to get them safely through the land. But that was far from the plan. Natalia knew of a treasure the "lost colony" had with them proof of those who death had abandoned. Written in the long dead language of her true people.

The leader a strong young woman walked up to the travelers.

Saints be praised Gods has sent you to save us.

Gitana smirked and leveled a sword to the woman's throat.

Gods didn't send me... Your devil did!

With that she walked past the girl as if she wasn't there leading the others to the first sign of food and ate their fill. Various townspeople finding a bit of bold would try to talk to them about helping them fend off the savages and that they would pay for safe passage to more hospitable lands.

The leader of the colonists finally in desperation yell

Will you not help us in payment for the food you have stolen?

Nothing was said by Gitana or the others as she stood up from the barrel she sat on eating an apple. The sword first seemed to simply appear in her hand then just as quickly vanished from her hand into the girls body. Gitana's expressionless face watching the life drain from the girls eyes as the moment she withdrew her blade the others leaped into the fray. Natalia's near banshee like war cry was all that could be heard as the slaughter commenced.

____________________

Sonam simply nodded.

Well it was hopeful that he was here at least as far as I was hoping which will hopefully mean he was victorious. I have information concerning someone from... His past.

Sonam just nodded about the tea as it was part of her birth culture for the most part as well.

Thank you.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Brother Mogoro and Xia-Na Liu

She set the pot to boil on the small stove before turning to them, "So perhaps you can start by explaining what my troublesome pupil has gotten himself into now."

"Well it was hopeful that he was here at least as far as I was hoping which will hopefully mean he was victorious." Sonam supplied with a nod of her head.

"Alain was in another duel," She asked casually as if the possibility that De'Montreau had lost his immortal life in that duel was barely a possibility, "And how did all of you become involved with my student."

"I have information concerning someone from... His past," She answered.

She turned to look over to Sonam, "Information about the woman named, Selena, correct?" It made sense. She was the one thing, the only thing that would compel that poor child into a situation he knew would be hopeless.

Mogoro cleared his throat, "Have you heard of the man named, Acheron, Sifu?"

She paused for a moment, "Hmmm...Acheron...from Greek Mythology...correct?"

"He was originally born in the Greek islands, but he is no god," He explained, "He sought to retake his former wife, the Selena you spoke of, and De'Montreau challenged him to prevent it. I will leave the rest of the explanation to Sonam. She was there after all."

She turned to look at Sonam, "Did you see Alain lose his head?"

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

IC: Acheron

Acheron stood staring at all that was going on. He glared at Gitana. "How are you doing this, witch? I was never here. These memories are not mine. You fell to my sword. Your soul is my slave. I am the master here!"

He exerted his will and the scene around them wavered for a long moment where the two of them struggled for control...and then to his horror Acheron realized that he could not wrest supremacy within his own dreams from this echo of Gitana before him.

He was forced, dragged through this debacle a prisoner within his own dream now.

 

[Asa]

No I did not kinda certain I accidentally if only briefly interrupted the fight when I got Mo.. Selena away from the area in Alain's cat. Gitana...

She paused for a moment realizing she nearly referred to Selena as Mom in front of this woman. Her overprotective drive kicking up.

Gitana would do anything within her power to protect one mother loved from that butcher. Alain knows everything... He asked her something that apparently madd her relive a memory. We need to find him.

Sonam paused again taking a deep breath. Her own desire to rip the monster to bits that has caused all of this for her mother and now Gitana and Alain. Her eyes closed as she tried to calm.

---------
The text found and destroyed they wiped out all trace of the colony. As Acheron fought against her the ripple in the scene changed once more. Gitana now stood before what appeared to be a small army. Her eyes wild her sword already covered in blood as she grinned. A simple building behind her clearly the target of the soldiers.

Move one foot to this land and you will all die.

One woman will stop so many of us... Perhaps with body but not with blade woman.

The leader roared.

Gitana simply grinned a very cold and deadly grin.

None of you will survive this fools errand.

Battle began and the 12 before her quickly became only six and then two till only their leader was left still struggling to stand. She was nearly ribbons as well as she healed before him.

You... You are like the desert witch...

He coughed the words out through the life's blood seeking to choke him.

And those myths you will take to your grave vermin.

With that she ended the leader last and with the most venom in her actions. Turning she staggered to the simple earthen house collapsing inside the doorway as Selena helped her over to a low bed and ushered the children they were watching over from the room assuring them she would be fine she just needed sleep. As Gitana in the memory fell asleep the scene transformed to the empty void of darkness with just she and Acheron standing there.

Mind is my domain you have no control here boy.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Acheron

He exerted his will and the scene around them wavered for a long moment where the two of them struggled for control...and then to his horror Acheron realized that he could not wrest supremacy within his own dreams from this echo of Gitana before him.

He was forced, dragged through this debacle a prisoner within his own dream now.

Acheron stood unable to affect what was happening watching Gitana, the weak ineffectual monk he had slain, commit a slaughter worthy of the four horseman of the apocalypse.

When she walked over to a simple hut he followed her and was surprised when he saw Selena there.

"So you were hiding with her during these years..." He told the memory of Selena, "...It didn't help for long did it? I still found you again a couple of years later, didn't it?"

Gitana slumbered after her exhausting efforts of slaughtering innocent colonists. The memory faded turning to a dark nothing. He thought this was his chance and exerted his will to take back control. It was an exceedingly difficult effort, but no matter how hard he could not pull them back into one of his own memories. What was going on? This was his mind? He should reign supreme here if nowhere else-shouldn't he?

"The mind is my domain," He whirled around to stand face to face in the darkness with Gitana as she had been before he had taken her head, "You have no control here boy."

"I begin to see that now...perhaps taking your quickening when I did was a misstep," He shrugged, "Inspiring work by the way...slaughtering all those people...And look at what you have become now."

"You were so powerful..." He pressed a finger into her chest, "You've let yourself become soft and weak."

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

IC: Brother Mogoro and Xia-Na Liu

"Hmmm...Acheron...from Greek Mythology...correct?"

"He was originally born in the Greek islands, but he is no god," He explained, "He sought to retake his former wife, the Selena you spoke of, and De'Montreau challenged him to prevent it. I will leave the rest of the explanation to Sonam. She was there after all."

She turned to look at Sonam, "Did you see Alain lose his head?"

"No, I did not," She answered, "Kinda certain I accidentally if only briefly interrupted the fight when I got Mo.. Selena away from the area in Alain's car. Gitana..."

She paused and Xia being ever the teacher when a student was on the edge of something pressed her onward, "Go on...what of her?"

"Gitana would do anything within her power to protect one mother loved from that butcher." She continued.

Xia sat across from her as she waited for the tea to be ready. "I imagine Alain and Selena reunion was not an easy one for either of them. Her abandoning their marriage wounded him terribly for instance."

"Alain knows everything..." She said with a sad nod, "He asked her something that apparently made her relive a memory."

"Live long enough and you'll have as many to relive," Mogoro put in.

"We need to find him," Sonam asserted.

"If he is alive he will come here...you were correct in assuming that," She answered with a gesture to the door behind her, "That is if he survived..."

The young woman paused again closing her eyes and it didn't take someone familiar with body language, which was indeed one skill Xia had learned over the millennia she had lived, to see the emotional gauntlet she was striving through.

"Breathe young one," She told her, "If Alain is dead and your enemy has beaten him...then he is dead and this man...this Acheron still stalks you. All has happened as it must've happened. It is beyond your control to affect it now so do not waste energy upon fretting over it."

There came a high whistling from the teapot. She got up for it. "Oh the tea is ready." She took the steaming teapot and began pouring it into several cups for them all.

 

[Asa]

No my time with Selena and those children was far apart from the darkness you saw with my "family".

Gitana smirked.

As for becoming weak... No... I learned a lesson that you should have learned long ago. You can not kill enough to fill the void alone. You merely have to adapt. You refused to learn that and it costs you more and more. Know this Selena is determined to die before ever returning to you child.

We have much work to teach you how to adapt... Or drive yourself insane.

She laughed

I would vote for the later but I think it's too late... Especially now.

She smiled evil to him as she began to glow.

Brethren of the mental souls
Victims new and old
Stand side by side with me
Acheron's end we will be.

Arise for your vengeance
Come forth for your retribution
Claim your victory over his mind
Return death to him in kind.

Slowly all the lives be has taken slowly step from the darkness circling them grinning.
______________________
Sonam nodded about the tea.

I want to end this vermin for mom since no one else seems able or willing to. I want to personally watch him pay for mom and Gitana...

She sighed taking a deep breath.

And before any of you bring it up I know I am only mortal and probably can't no need to remind me. Even though Gitana had me learn some Hwa Rang Do.

Sonam was not in any way comfortable with feeling so helpless for reasons that only Althea could fully understand.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau and Xia-Na Liu
Golden Cloud Temple China: Sept. 16th, 1312 AD

Dead but alive like Lazarus Alain was lost now. He had started walking. He traveled east through the years from where he had died in France across Europe and into Russia. He found no place to call home in all of Christendom so he forged ahead into the lands of heathens and infidels that denied Christ and the preeminence of the Catholic Church on Earth. In the dark subcontinent of the pagan Hindus of India he had come across the first man that like could not seem to die.

Challenged to duel, Alain ran. The Immortal that challenged him chasing after him north over the Himalayans and into the Far East of the heathen Chinese peoples. He hadn't gotten very far before he came across her. Like him she was Immortal

She was a monk, in the heathen pagan devil-worship of Buddha, and short and small and frail looking, but appearances were often deceiving. Alain had been a Knight Templar and a trained force of God like the archangel Michael with a broadsword in his hands. However this tiny devil-worshipping woman had stood up to him. She fought him unarmed and laid him on his back in a humiliating short amount of time with the smallest of gestures.

From the nightmares Alain had awoken. Now it was morning in her pagan devil-worshipping monastery. He got up and stepped outside of the room. Her fellow monks were practicing some of the fighting moves she had used on him in their duel. They were slow, almost like they were stretching their arms and legs after waking up. He studied their movements for a while trying to gleam what secrets he could from them for his next duel with that devilwoman.

"You did not sleep well last night, white-devil."

He turned around startled backing up away from her. Xia-Na Liu stared at him calmly arms crossed behind her back casually as if they hadn't fought a duel to the death the night before. They stood like that for a long moment, before he gestured to the monks outside. "Why isn't your head shaved like theirs?"

"I was a monk like them once," She shrugged, "Perhaps I will be one again someday."

Alain looked askance at that. "You are allowed to stop being a monk?"

"Is that not how it is where you are from?" She walked over to his pallet and began straightening his blankets for him like a mother would for her child.

He shook his head, "No, a priest swears a holy oath to serve God for all his life."

"And if this priest no longer wishes to serve..." She said turning from his blankets.

"He won't...." Alain said in outrage, "...He serves God faithfully all his life."

"Hmm...I know little of the religion of your land," She told him dismissively then asked, "Why did you have unpleasant dreams?"

He scowled turning away from her, "Why do you care? You defeated me yesterday why didn't you take my head and finish me?"

"Is that what you desire, white-devil," She asked, "For me to give you an end to it all?"

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

IC: Brother Mogoro and Xia-Na Liu

There came a high whistling from the teapot. She got up for it. "Oh the tea is ready." She took the steaming teapot and began pouring it into several cups for them all.

Sonam nodded, "I want to end this vermin for mom since no one else seems able or willing to. I want to personally watch him pay for mom and Gitana..."

Xia nodded in turn. The impetuousness and impulsiveness of youth. Many of her students here suffer from the same affliction.

"And before any of you bring it up I know I am only mortal and probably can't no need to remind me." She added quickly to the others, "Even though Gitana had me learn some Hwa Rang Do."

Xia handed her cup of tea. "If you have the desire and you think you have the skills to accomplish such a feat then you should do it."

"Wait," Mogoro stuttered taking his own tea cup, "What did you just tell her?"

"I simply said she should do what she desires." Xia explained casually handing Althea her tea.

"She's just a child," He stammered.

"So are you in comparison to me," She said sitting back into her chair with her own steaming cup. She sipped it slowly savoring the flavor. "So, young woman, how do you envision defeating this Acheron?"

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

IC: Acheron

"You were so powerful..." He pressed a finger into her chest, "You've let yourself become soft and weak."

In response Gitana smirked at him, "As for becoming weak... No... I learned a lesson that you should have learned long ago."

He rolled his eyes. More pearls of wisdom from the has been: "And what pray tell is that?"

"You can not kill enough to fill the void alone," She explained, "You merely have to adapt. You refused to learn that and it costs you more and more. Know this Selena is determined to die before ever returning to you child."

"She will come back," He growled angrily, "I will make her."

"We have much work to teach you how to adapt... Or drive yourself insane," She laughed ominously, "I would vote for the later but I think it's too late... Especially now."

"What are you babbling about now, witch," He asked quirking an eyebrow.

She began to glimmer like a candle flame in the darkness enveloping them chanting with an evil smile on her face.

"What is this now," He asked as figures began to approach from all around in the darkness, coming closer and closer in on him. There were dozens of them, "Who are they?"

Ourne, his first Immortal victim came up sneering at him. Then others came out of the shadows all of them faces he had not seen for many many years but a part of him now. All of them were Immortals he had taken the head of. All of them.

"Say the word, Hyoka" Ourne asked Gitana hefting his axe for his head, "We have waited too long for this, to wait any longer now that you've called us forth."

 

[Asa]

Sonam smiled.

Well as Gitana and her monks taught me take out the leg. Tendons and joints right below the knee take the longest to mend. Slash deep across the gut then when he is kneeling or on the ground completely... Take his head.

She shrugged.

He can't be completely unstoppable can he? Everyone calls him a butcher and a monster they're all so scared of him. Alain didn't seem scared of him. Can he defeat him?

__________________

Gitana smiled coldly looking to Ourne.

Have fun children.

She seemed to grow darker as she laughed with the thunder of death.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau and Xia-Na Liu
Golden Cloud Temple China: Jan. 2, 1313 AD

Alain didn't know why he was still here. Sifu Xia-Na had allowed him to stay with the monks here, even though he was not observant of their heathen religion of Buddhism, or whatever it was called, but they more graciously than any Christian clergyman would be in their place gave him room and board with no obligations. That did not sit right with him. So mostly because he had nothing better to do in the days he'd been a guest among them he followed their routine and helped them out in their day to day chores.

He woke up early in the morning after being plagued with more nightmares. Then he and the monks ran and practiced their fighting style. That was intriguing to him. In the few months he'd been among them at this temple he'd seen the monks perform great feats of strength worthy of Samson or feats of agility that any knight in the holy crusade would pray to god for before battle. These men perform those feats as a matter of course.

So here Alain was slowly learning their rhythms copying their movements. Sifu Xia-Na was indespensible to him in that.

"No, Alain," She scolded taking his hand and lifting it slightly, "The monks learned the style by watching a tiger. You must be the tiger in your movements. Bring forth its power and strength or it will not work."

Alain stopped looking at her, "That sounds like witchcraft."

"Perhaps it is," She shrugged, "If you remember I used this move to defeat you when you challenged me."

He nodded rubbing his chest where she had struck him in their duel, "I remember..." He looked back to her, "You have yet to tell me why you spared me that day."

"You have yet to tell me why your dreams are so troubled." Came her typical response.

He was coming to learn that his "sifu", as she insisted he call her-whatever that term meant, "They are just dreams and nothing more."

She shook her head, "Not to you, Alain. Your spirit...your soul as you Christians call it, is not at peace with yourself."

He clenched his jaw, "Why do you keep pressing this?"

"Because I have lived for many years, Alain De'Montreau, and I have stood where you are now," She shrugged, "And I have had the same dreams you have had."

With that she turned to leave him, "Perhaps tomorrow you will be willing to speak of it."

Alain snarled, "Wait!"

"Yes?"

His voice was low and plaintive as he spoke, "I died."

She nodded to him, "Yes to be one of us you had to have."

"No, you don't understand," He told her, "I died...my soul left my body...and I should have seen something..."

"Seen what?"

"I don't know..." He shrugged, "...Blessed Saint Peter at the gates of Heaven...Something...just not nothing..."

Her eyebrow quirked, "Is that all?"

"You see you don't understand," He said agitated, "I believed all of my life. I never wavered in my faith. I became a Templar in the belief I was doing God's will. I went to the holy lands to reclaim it for god. I put so many heathens...I put so many men and women and dear Jesus so many innocent children to the sword in that holy crusade..."

He looked to her for answers. She couldn't give them. No one mortal or even immortal could. "Was it all a lie?"

"You are wrong. I do understand," She said sadly, "And now you know why I spared you, Alain De'Montreau."

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

IC: Xia-Na Liu and Brother Mogoro

"She's just a child," He stammered.

"So are you in comparison to me," She said sitting back into her chair with her own steaming cup. She sipped it slowly savoring the flavor. "So, young woman, how do you envision defeating this Acheron?"

Sonam took her question seriously and stated with a shrug only a teenager could perform, "Well as Gitana and her monks taught me take out the leg. Tendons and joints right below the knee take the longest to mend."

"Sound strategy," She nodded in approval, "And then...?"

"Slash deep across the gut then when he is kneeling or on the ground completely... Take his head." She finished.

"Do you believe you will succeed then," She asked her.

She shrugged again, "He can't be completely unstoppable can he?"

"I have lived for many years, and have seen much," She sipped her tea casually, "It has been my experience that no one is truly unstoppable. What do you think?"

"Everyone calls him a butcher and a monster they're all so scared of him," she answered.

"Perhaps they have reason to be frightened of him," She proposed.

Sonam shook her head, "Alain didn't seem scared of him."

"He was child...you see, I know my favorite pupil," She put her tea cup down, "You are young so you have not learned this yet, but courage and cowardice are inexplicably linked. Alain was indeed afraid of him, but the fear he felt of this man led him to the bravery you saw in him."

"Can he defeat him?"

"I know him. I took his shattered soul and helped him piece it back together again. I Know Alain De'Montreau better than he even knows himself," She stated, "But I do not know that."

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

IC: Acheron

"Say the word, Hyoka," Ourne asked Gitana hefting his axe for his head, "We have waited too long for this, to wait any longer now that you've called us forth."

She smiled coldly to him in response, "Have fun children."

Ourne smiled evilly to him, And Acheron drew his rapier as he and the rest of his victims advanced on him. Ourne chortled, "You took my head like a coward, pup..." He swung his axe and Acheron dodge it only to have to parry the kitana of the samurai he had fought two or three hundred years before. "Now you will pay for that."

He fought them, stabbed them, cut them, but they just would not fall. They were already dead, part of him, they were unstoppable. There were too many. He was losing this fight.

He glared at Gitana. His only chance at victory was to eliminate the source of this nightmare. He weaved and ducked and dodged between blades staves and axes charging for her.

One quick surprise sweep and it would be ended with him as the victor once again. He reached her swinging to sever head.

"This ends here!"

 

[Asa]

Sonam watched her for a moment.

I get the feeling you know of Gitana and her history. She taught mom to fight. Some knight in Warwick England taught her. Mom has even been shown how some of the moves from her bellydancing with a sword can be added as more blocks. Still she won't fight this idiot and she has never been able to push him far enough to kill her.

She stared almost defeated into her tea.

What can we do?

_______________
Gitana laughed as they seemed to appear around her when he neared her.

Fool... You can't kill us. We are all in your mind and that child is my domain. Orne I tire of this... Kill him... Kill him for the monster he became and the cruel abuse he has used against our Selena and would use against her mortal adopted daughter. KILL HIM!

She laughed evilly listening to the sounds of slaughter knowing this will buy her priestess Alain and perhaps even Sonam some time.