Immortal Love (Closed for Veroe)

[Veroe]

IC: Acheron: Warwick England 1264

He raised the sword to point its tip at her, "You should be at my side as I claim the prize and bring order to nations of this world."

"You destroyed her a very long time ago..." She grated knocking aside his sword forcing him to pull back to regain balance and her time to regain her ground. She pressed the offensive against him. She had learned a few new tricks.

He stepped back blocking and parrying her dancing swordstrokes. Acheron looked into her eyes and saw nothing but hatred and revulsion staring back at him and something snapped within him.

"Enough of this game," He snarled making a flat sweep of his sword that caught her swordhand and made a painful gouge across the back of her thumb and catching under the pommel of her sword. It spun free of her grasp and splashed into the river. "You will relearn your place, Selena, I will teach you again."

His hand took firm hold of her hair at the back of her neck and painfully jerked her head up as his lips smashed against hers in a brutal oppressive kiss. His tongue pressed and forced its way within hers in a mockery of the passion they had shared once long long ago.

Then with a thrust of his arm his sword pierced up below her ribcage through her heart and out her back.

He pulled out of the kiss as the last embers of life vanished from her eyes. Then he removed his sword from her dead body and washed it in the river as it lay on the ground in a growing pool of blood. Then he retrieved some rope to bind her arms and legs. Finally he threw her over his minions horse. He'd have to walk. Acheron climbed onto his own mount and led the courser carrying her after him.

 

[Asa]

Warwick England 1264

The body suddenly grew cold life falling from her. Warmth fleeing just as it had from her heart long ago. Dead emotionally and now for a time physically as well. Her eyes vacant and empty as the sword left her and the immortal curse began to slowly mend as always never truly dying never truly free. Just another "nap" till life demanded her to breath and wake once more. That would take time with such a wound to the heart and again she would be trapped in the hellish prison of what once was and what existed now. Whatever that was she ran he found her she fought he grew colder... more cruel and ruthless. Immortal... Eternally trapped in this hellish existence of pain and despair.

Even in this brief death she knew she had failed to be free of him. Who knows what would happen this time or where they would be when she awoke just that she had failed to end this hell she was eternally locked in with him. The slow healing internal first knitting muscle and tissue back together slowly making its way out from her heart to the rest of her body healing every microscopic tear and damage to once more grant life in a healthy all be it cursed body.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Acheron: Warwick England, 1264

Acheron had taken Selena's body as far as he could downriver riding along the banks of the river Avon before the fall of night forced him to stop and make camp. He had his minion stand watch on the road as he laid Selena's body reverently on the ground.

He cleared hair out of her stilled face. He remembered mornings when she would awaken after he had stared at her slumbering face for hours, like now. She would awaken to see her face the first thing she saw in the start of her day. Then she would smile up at him.

But those days were gone. He remembered the flicker of hate, revulsion even in her eyes. He would prove to her now he could still be the man she looked forward to, once he rid her of her bothersome independent streak.

Turning he began constructing a campfire.

Twilight came and gone and the stars came out twinkling in the night sky above as he watched her over the fluttering flames. Time passed and the moon was high above them full and shining.

Finally the limp body moved. A convulsive arch of her back as flesh and bone suddenly knit and healed. Taking a deep lungful of air for the first time again in yet another new chance at life. He hurried over to her leaning over her and staring into her face as her eyes opened to look into his like those bygone mornings of old.

"Welcome back to the land of the living my love." He told her, "We have much to do, but tonight we will take time to catch up and you will think better of me."

 

[Asa]

Warwick England, 1264

Sitting up with a recoil looking around. He dared still call her love with all he has put her through.

There is no love Acheron... That was killed long ago.

The venom and hate still there in her voice as she tried to get her bearings and breath. Carefully watching his every move and trying to find any remote item that could be a weapon for her. They were far from Warwick Castle and any real chance for some form of real escape again but she was not about to resign herself to endure this monster willingly.

What do you think you will achieve constantly hunting down someone who does not love you any more... what good does that do for anyone?All of this... simply adds to that hate your trying to use me so you can kill others of our kind... there is no prize till we are all gone but one so you would not gain anything if I were still alive by your side Acheron that is not the way it works. Nor would I be at your side for anything...

She knew there had to be a level where she could get him to kill her... she had not found it in centuries but it had to be there she had to push him to that point to finally kill her but how?

 

[Veroe]

IC: Acheron; Warwick England, 1264

"Welcome back to the land of the living my love." He told her, "We have much to do, but tonight we will take time to catch up and you will think better of me."

"There is no love Acheron..." She said bolting upright to look around at the campsite like some sort of caged animal, "That was killed long ago."

He took a step back saying sullenly, "There was a time when we said our love was as immortal as we are."

"What do you think you will achieve constantly hunting down someone who does not love you any more..." She asked accusingly, "What good does that do for anyone?"

"You will relearn to love me again. I can be the man you once loved again if you would just give me the chance." He rose and grabbed some of the rabbit he had roasted for supper angrily.

Why did she resist? Why could she not understand she was meant to be with him? Together. Forever.

"All of this... simply adds to that hate your trying to use me so you can kill others of our kind..."

"As long as the others exist neither of us are safe," He glared at her, "Either we hunt and slay them first or they will hunt and slay us for the prize."

"There is no prize till we are all gone but one," She replied, "So you would not gain anything if I were still alive by your side, Acheron."

"When all the others are gone," He snarled shaking the haunch of rabbit he had intended for her at her, "We shall share the prize. We will rule the world as King and Queen. That is our destiny."

"That is not the way it works," She retorted, "Nor would I be at your side for anything..."

He snarled throwing the rabbit half into the dirt as the slap to the face of her words hit him. Acheron pulled out his dagger and loomed over her. "If I can not have you as my queen." He grabbed her bloody gown and began slicing it to bare her breasts to the night air. "Then I will have you at my side as my slave."

She struggled, but was still weak from her return to life. He sliced and ripped her dress to shreds. Then naked he pinned her to the ground setting his body against her. He drove the blade of his dagger into the earth beside her head, nicking her ear. Then his hand reached down between them to undo the laces of his breeches.

"You and me, Selena," He said pushing his cock into her, "Together. Forever."

 

[Asa]

Warwick England, 1264

Selena tried to fight against his assault. The dagger slicing her ear as she struggled trapped once more beneath this monster who tormented and hunted her. Feeling his invasion once more her mind snapped she fought to get to the knife and feeling the hilt in her hand she pulled it from the ground. She fought and struggled more terrified of the inevitable. She knew she would not be able to stop him but still she hoped to anger him enough to kill her knowing it would never happen. His delusions that he could be anything to her ever again than the monster he had become was getting worse. Her only option was death but even that was impossible for her.

Finally she had moved where she had some movement of her arms and tried to slash at him with the dagger. She was terrified and the pain of his assault and continued brutality she had to do something. At long last her struggles landed the dagger even briefly against Acheron. Catching his neck leaving a small cut but enough to draw blood. The dagger and her arm suddenly slamming against the ground to break her hold on it A drop of blood splattering against her face dragging her mind from the memory...

~~~~~~

Waking from the memory she had been mumbling... talking her way through the memory unknown to her. Now everything was out there... the brutality of the monster she must protect everyone from. Feeling Alain holding her but not quite out of the memory she began struggling wildly trying to break free from his grip. Terrified pleading and sobbing she fell landing on the ground hard as she manged to escape the grasp. She was shaking tear flooded fearful eyes finally looking at him.


A... Alain...

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau : Present Day

"No, Selena," He said firmly, "You run and we are safe, but then what? This mystery man will still be out there hanging above you like the sword of Damocles. And then it will start all over again and again and again. As long as he is alive there is no place you can run nowhere you or those you love will be safe. Have you ever even considered just confronting him?"

Selena eyes focused on a spot somewhere behind him. Alain watched her lost in her own mind. for several seconds a sickening look of horror emerged on her face and she began to mutter things as she relived an old memory.

He had heard of this happening to Immortals. Something would trigger a memory and they'd slip inside it reliving it....it usually only did it on the really old one and it usually wasn't the decent happy memories.

"Selena." He said stepping up to her.

Her mouth was moving , her words a terrified mumble as her mind was buffeted by the hurricane of memory.

He leaned in and listened to her words. They were quick and low, but he caught enough. It was more than enough. It chilled his blood as she took step by step what she did and what she said as she stood up to the man, this Acheron. His blood boiled as it didn't end at her death. She woke up with him, and he hurt her, Selena, his wife, the woman he loved, of all the women he's cared for she was the one...he still loved her, no matter the wound she gave him...that would always be true.

Alaind De'montreau would always love this woman.

He stepped back and spun his fists clenching in untargeted rage. He would kill this Acheron. There'd be no quick merciful sweep of his sword to take this monster's head. He would repay each every year he has haunter her. And for taking his wife and violating her he would make it slow and agonizing.

Bur first he needed to snap Selena out of this personal hell she was trapped in. He spun back around and grabbed her arms. Her reaction was immediate. She struggled thinking he was him.

"Selena," He said his voice thick with concern fof her.

Her eyes shifted at the sound of his voice to look at him. She blinked. "A... Alain..."

He nodded and smiled wrapping her up in his arms and holding her tight in his embrace. "Oh selena," He said kissing her earlobe, "Its alright Selena. It's alright."

 

[Asa]

Selena

She was shaking hugging tight to Alain her mind still trying to let go of the hellish memory. The way he was reacting... she had talked her way though it. It was not the first time Gitana and Frank had learned things she did not want to tell them and worry them due to her verbalizing the the more violent memories.

She stared into his eyes scared of what all he knew now. She could see the burning rage trying to hide behind his concern and worry. She moved a trembling hand to his cheek biting her lip her head tilting as she tried to speak again.

A... Alain... I... I have to protect... all of you. There are some things that just can't be changed.

Gitana

The longer she stood there the more of that venom she thought she had buried began to smolder deep in her soul. She could return to her retirement and solitude once Selena was free from this monster and his minions.

Words barely spoken but very direct to their target fell from her lips. A tone and darkened brutality that had not shadowed her being in centuries now fell from her if even for a moment.

This travesty... ENDS male... Death now hunts you... like you have hunted her and will destroy you like you tried to destroy the Priestess.

Turning she walked back through the trees and shadows to her chambers within the temple and into her inner sanctum to prepare for the actions she had resigned herself to do. She stared down at the ancient leather rolled carefully around something she thought a buried part of her past. Slowly reaching to unwrap it she was soon staring down at a sword. No matter how clean and polished it was she could still see all the blood on it.

Hello old friend...

All she could do for now was stare at the sword setting herself for the task at hand.

Let me help you Gitana...

Sonam's voice broke the depth of death and silence as she stood in the door way watching Gitana stare at the sword a sword resting in her hand as well from the temple Hwa Rang Master.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau: Present day

He nodded and smiled wrapping her up in his arms and holding her tight in his embrace. "Oh selena," He said kissing her earlobe, "Its alright Selena. It's alright."

Selena's lithe dancer's body quaked under the protection of his arms, but her hands wrapped around him too. It was a gesture that struck through the last hundred and he fell in love with this woman all over again.

"Selena," He murmured nuzzling the side of her neck.

She pulled away and looked into his eyes. Hers were wide dark pools as they peered into his. Alain wanted to see those eyes happy twinkling and alight they way they did when she laughed. He loved it when she laughed.

She lifted a trembling hand up to his face, and he felt uncertain fingers on his cheek. She bit her lip, in that way she did when pulling away from something she wanted and having to push away the desire from her.

"I heard everything, Selena." He turned his head and kissed her trembling hand. "I'm so, so sorry."

"A... Alain... I..." She stammered, "I have to protect... all of you."

"I know," He said softly, "You have protected us all from him for so long already, but now you are no longer alone."

"There are some things that just can't be changed."

His arms tightened around her protectively. "No, but that does not mean they should not be fought against," He told her, "Or that you must bear them by yourself. I will help you, Selena. Do not argue with me. This nightmare has to end here....for your sake."

He kissed her forehead, "I will take you someplace where you can run from him. He will follow leaving Sonam and Frank and Gitana safe from him. And as for me...I will start sharpening my sword and go after him."

 

[Asa]

I... I can not... I will NOT risk you Alain.

She tried to take a step back from him as she spoke. She did not want to run again but she knew she had no choice. She did not know if he would leave Sonam alone or if he would try to go after her as well and Gitana would not take up a sword and Frank was not as young as he used to be still a soldier or not.

Alain... I. He uses far too many tricks and other such things. Including using me to gain many of the kills he has made. He will not use that same level of honor as you. That is why I fear you facing him part of it at least. The rest is as I said before I would rather you be alive and hate me than to know he killed you.

Even though she could not sense him yet she knew he was there... he had to be. He was always there at least in her tortured mind.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau and Mac

He kissed her forehead, "I will take you someplace where you can run from him. He will follow leaving Sonam and Frank and Gitana safe from him. And as for me...I will start sharpening my sword and go after him."

"I... I can not..." She said pulling away from him, "I will NOT risk you Alain."

"shhh..." He shook his head and pulled her tight against him again, and wrapped her in his arms like he'd never let her go again. "...Do not worry about that."

"Alain... I..." She said against the crisp fabric of his shirt, "He uses far too many tricks and other such things."

His hand cupped the back of her head and he nuzzled the side of head asking, "Tricks Including...?"

" Including using me to gain many of the kills he has made. He will not use that same level of honor as you." She told him.

"I have faced many who have no honor before, Selena." He pulled away so she could gaze in his eyes and see the truth of this in them. "And I still have my head on. I won't say it was not difficult but-"

"That is why I fear you facing him part of it at least." She replied, " The rest is as I said before I would rather you be alive and hate me than to know he killed you."

He reached up and trailed his hand over her cheek. "I never hated you even after you left me. I lov-"

Then a jeep began to pull up to them and Alain saw who was driving it.

He pulled away and gaped as the driver climbed out. "Mac?"

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

IC: Mac and Alain De'Montreau

"Mac?"

Mac looked up seeing Alain and Selena. He looked away trying to come up with some plausible excuse to explain his presence here that would preserve his cover. But there wasn't one. There was simply no way he'd know they were here and give him the message Sully had paid for with his life.

And he wanted to tell. To spill everything, but most of all he wanted to tell Alain what he meant to Mac. The sense of purpose watching and recording his life had given him these last twenty years, and what the friendship they had forged in that time was valued by him. There had been so many times in the last twenty years where he'd only been a moment away from giving in to that desire, and this would be the day it was finally fulfilled.

But he had a duty to his fellow watchers to fulfill. Their secrecy was not his to compromise.

"How did you know where we are?" The barrage of unavoidable questions he couldn't begin to answer crashed down upon him from Alain, "Why did you come here...

"Boss," He said to Alain with a raised hand to cease the onslaught, "I know you have questions, but save it for later."

Then he turned to Selena, "I have a message, Mrs. Selena, but first I need to speak with Frank. Do you know where he is?"

 

[Asa]

Sonam

Selena stayed curled there close to him biting her lip listening. She did not wnat to lose him again and knew she could not deal with it if he were killed because of her. To know he was trapped in essence within Acheron would be unbearable.

Gitana had told her to go find Alain and Selena and get them in closer to the buildings if not inside and watch over them for now. Walking out she saw them and stood back watching. She could not hear what was being said but she for a moment was ready to jump in and rip Alain apart for whatever he had said to cause that look to cross her mothers face.

Her attention turned to the main road about the same time that Alain and her mother turned to see Mac.

So you are Alain's watcher... why am I not surprised nice to meet you again... Mac. She thought. Watching him hop from the jeep and ask about Frank she knew something was up and that she would have to lose her hiding place.

Selena studied Mac tensing closer to Alain biting her lip unsure what to make of this man asking about Frank or knowing who she was without her knowing who he was. Then her attention was drawn again the other way as she heard her daughter speak up. Sonam stepped out of the shadow of the doorway her voice spoke up after Mac asked about Frank.


He is down by the river with Gregory. Take the dirt road at the plum trees. I will tell them what I can. Its long over due. Bring Frank back this way mom will no doubt have questions for him too.

She walked over seeing the look in her mothers eyes she sighed and motioned them to follow her over to a bench not far from the car.

Before you ask No I did not call him and tell him. I have no reason to deal with him or the others unless something happens to Frank. No have a seat and listen. He knew you two were here because their watchers. Mac... Frank... Sully... and countless others. Mac is apparently your watcher Alain. Frank is Moms watcher and Aunt Gitana's watcher is the chief of Fire department Sully. The watchers have been around for about as long as Immortals have been. They record observe but never get involved. Not that Frank has not wanted to and rip your tormentor apart. Even Acheron has a watcher I don't pity the idiot his job.

She gave them a moment to take it all in and when Selena looked to her a single question flashing all over her face.

How do I know... I am Frank's replacement mom... if anything ever happens to him I become your watcher. Special cases like you they have to have someone who can get in close or someone who is close.

She looked to Alain...

Any other questions you will have to ask Frank and Mac.

~~~~~~~~

Frank looked over to the road and moved to the treeline to hide and watch pulling Gregory with him. much to Gregory's attempted protest.

Frank he won't cross holyground... remember?

Shhhh jeep... jeep means more soldiers or MASH personnel. We will wait and see which one it is.

His eyes narrowed from behind the tree as he watched the old dirt road close. His hand behind his back reaching for a gun just in case.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Mac and Alain De'Montreau

Then he turned to Selena, "I have a message, Mrs. Selena, but first I need to speak with Frank. Do you know where he is?"

Alain looked at him suspiciously, "How do you know Frank?"

Selena looked at him, a man she's never met who just called her by name, and asked for her friend and confidant in a very suspicious manner. Mac wished he could handle this more delicately, but if there was a way to do it in a timely manner without letting too much of the cat out of the bag.

"He is down by the river with Gregory." The little girl Alain had brought home with him the previous night.

"Sonam," Alain said turning to look at her. Did she see or hear what Selena had just gone through? He didn't want that for her. This man, this monster, this Ascheron tainted everyone he touched like some kind of poison. If he could he would want to shelter her from that.

In response Mac glanced toward the river. "Where?"

"Take the dirt road at the plum trees." She told him.

Mac nodded. "I'll be off then."

But before he left them Sonam said, "I will tell them what I can. Its long over due."

Mac stopped and glanced at her. "I...I need to talk to Frank first."

Sonam nodded, "Bring Frank back this way mom will no doubt have questions for him too."

"Would someone tell me what the hell is going on," Alain said crossing his arms.

"I can't," Mac said glancing over to him, "I've always wanted to, but my duty to the others kept me from it." He nodded to her, "She will though...and then...and then we will talk, boss." He walked off then without looking back at Alain. He couldn't. If he did Mac would break down and never say anything about it again.

Mac followed the dirtroad Sonam had indicated down past trees, which he took to be the plum trees she mentioned, and saw no one. Nowhere did he see Frank or Gregory. Then a hand closed over his wrist and he was pulled behind a tree.

"Hey wha-" He shouted, but stopped when he looked at his assailant. "Frank?"

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

IC: Alain De'Montreau

"Would someone tell me what the hell is going on," Alain said crossing his arms.

Sonam approached them until they stood not five feet from eachother standing at the points of a triangle. She kept her eyes on her mother's and Alain raised an eyebrow wondering whether she had caught any of Selena's earlier episode down traumatic memory lane or not. He needed to break this tension, so a question came to mind to distract them all.

"Before you ask No I did not call him and tell him." Sonam told them, " have no reason to deal with him or the others unless something happens to Frank."

"Then how did he know we were even here?"

"No have a seat and listen." He leaned back against the hood of the Bel-Air and then she continued calmly, "He knew you two were here because their watchers."

"Watchers," He repeated the unfamiliar term. He had never heard it in quite the same way she meant it, but it described his relationship with Mac to a T. He was always there observing and not in an obtrusive way either. Mac was the epitome of unobtrusive but watchful.

"Mac... Frank... Sully... and countless others. Mac is apparently your watcher Alain. Frank is Moms watcher and Aunt Gitana's watcher is the chief of Fire department Sully,"

Alain's mouth gaped open, "You're talking about all of us...every immortal out there has someone watching them, spying on them?"

" The watchers have been around for about as long as Immortals have been,""Sonam explained, "They record observe but never get involved."

"Wait..." Alain shot up his voice growing darker, "...They...these Watchers knew about this Ascheron, and what he did to Selena, and did nothing?"

"Not that Frank has not wanted to and rip your tormentor apart." She said looking over to Selena at the last, "Even Acheron has a watcher I don't pity the idiot his job."

Alain sat back down chewing it over like a dog with a bone. He didn't blame Mac, not really, nor Frank, but he would never forgive them for standing around and doing absolutely nothing to stop the torment of his wif-barely caught himself from using the word-stop this Ascheron from tormenting Selena for centuries....he must have looked like such a fool back then in Venice the only one in the world ignorant of his wife's-damn he had thought that word-Selena's most feared enemy.

Then Sonam asked him, "Any other questions you will have to ask Frank and Mac."

He looked at her and then to Selena. "They knew, and they did nothing." He pulled her in close and wrapped her up in his arms and repeated it softly, mournfully, "They knew and they did nothing to stop it." He reached out and grabbed sonam to join the hug. "It stops now. It has to stop. This man, Acheron must be stopped."

 

[Asa]

Sonam

Tensing getting pulled into an embrace.

Just like Immortals have rules so do the watcher Alain. Frank however was the last person they should have put with Mom... I know why they did it. He and mom have history... Vietnam but God love him Frank loses more and more stability and control every time he has to deal with just watching Acheron with mom.

Removing herself from the hug Sonam stepped back still not fully trusting Alain.

Frank hand picked Acheron's watcher from what I understand. Mom is a very special case Why I don't knowwhy but Frank has been given certain... alloances. If it were not for Acheron's watcher we would be dead the family would be dead and we never would have been making our way into this town.

She watched him then looking to her mother.

Mom get inside and go to the Hwa Rang training room wait there... One of us will come get you when this is over.

Selena looked to her daughter a motherly yet priestess air about her as she spoke.

I have questions for Frank I will be waiting right here whatever you want to say you can say it with me here.

Sonam shrugged and looked to Alain...

This ending you don't know the half of it. Gitana... Madame not picked up a sword since the Brits were in India...

She just looked at him hoping he would get the idea without her having to spill it all in front of her mother.

Frank

He growled low as the voice did not match where his mind was. Frank's eyes locked on Mac his head tilted a little clearly trying to piece it all together both past and present. Gregory moved to grab Frank's arm.

Frank... Its okay... We are at Gitana's remember... Mac is here now... Why are you here Mac?

Frank just nodded letting go of Mac and looked back over the stream and the woods beyond.

The soldiers... they are here... we have to keep this village safe...

Gregory looked to Mac.

Let me guess the demon and his minions gather at the gate?

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

He looked at her and then to Selena. "They knew, and they did nothing." He pulled her in close and wrapped her up in his arms and repeated it softly, mournfully, "They knew and they did nothing to stop it." He reached out and grabbed sonam to join the hug. "It stops now. It has to stop. This man, Acheron must be stopped."

Alain stood wrapping them both in his arms. He held them tight willing a bubble of safety and security to form by the sheer power of his desire to protect them both from the ravages and torments this Acheron monster would deliver upon their lives. If only such a wish could indeed become reality, but Alain had lived a long long time. He was old enough to know such wishes if they were to come to pass could only action could make it real.

"Just like Immortals have rules so do the watcher Alain." Sonam stated, "Frank however was the last person they should have put with Mom... I know why they did it. He and mom have history... Vietnam but God love him Frank loses more and more stability and control every time he has to deal with just watching Acheron with mom."

Alain thought of what it had been like to know and to be forbidden to act to stop it. It would have been an impossible feat, something he'd never be able to tolerate. Doing nothing while this menace hung over Selena and Sonam would break him.

He shook his head brushing his lips against Selena's forehead, "It still doesn't make it right."

Sonam slipped out of his arms and looked at him in the eye. "Frank hand picked Acheron's watcher from what I understand." She told him, "Mom is a very special case Why I don't know why, but Frank has been given certain... allowances. If it were not for Acheron's watcher we would be dead. The family would be dead and we never would have been making our way into this town."

"I'm not saying I am not grateful for what they have done," He said kissing Selena's forehead before stepping back breaking the embrace, "I am saying it is not nearly enough."

She looked to Selena after a moment and said, "Mom get inside and go to the Hwa Rang training room wait there...One of us will come get you when this is over."

Selena shook her head. "I have questions for Frank I will be waiting right here whatever you want to say you can say it with me here."

Sonam shrugged and looked to Alain..."This ending you don't know the half of it. Gitana... Madame not picked up a sword since the Brits were in India..."

Alain quirked an eyebrow to her, "And that means what...exactly."

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

IC: Mac

"Hey wha-" He shouted, but stopped when he looked at his assailant. "Frank?"

Frank growled to him at that. In his eyes Mac could see him somewhere else. He never served but he was old enough to recognize that look in Frank's eye.

He felt his heart plummet as he realized he had hoped beyond all reason that Frank would have the answer to fix the disaster their situation has become.

Gregory tried to tell him that Mac was a friend.

"That's right Frank, we are friends," He put in.

He nodded and let Mac go. "The soldiers... they are here... we have to keep this village safe..."

So that was it. Frank had fallen so deep he no longer looked upon the present. All he saw was the past. And with him incapacitated now all was lost. Mac lowered his head in defeat. Now there was no one to turn back the tide of fate. No clever trick or lie to restore everything the way it was. Now there was no hope except the long journey of pain and loss and grief.

"Let me guess," Greg looked at him, "The demon and his minions gather at the gate?"

Mac nodded slow. "Sully is dead, and I couldn't do anything but run."

He turned and leaned his head against the tree warily, "He left me a note just before...he wants Selena back and he is willing to kill all of us to get her." He looked back to Frank, "Sully was only the first."

 

[Asa]

Selena and Sonam

Sonam sighed.

Gitana has once more taken up the sword... Last time she wielded a sword she was Far less... Peaceful.

She did not want to blatantly spell it out that there was at least one period that she knew of that Gitana had been stark raving evil incarnate especially not in front of her mother. She understood that Gitana cared about her mother but to risk going back to that place she was worried about her. Gitana take out Acheron would that flip her back to darkness or is she so far out of practice that she would lose and Mom would lose a major support in her life.

Gitana has taken up her sword again...

Selena repeated the words softly once more thinking hard on them and their real meaning that she knew far too well.

Sonam... you have to talk her out of that madness. She can not risk that Sonam please.

She looked to Alain clearly worried for Gitana.

Alain there is only one way this ends... I... I have to either return to him or die... I see no other way.

Gregory and Frank

Frank kept studying Mac and listening to Mac and Gregory.

Sully... dead... Who... How...

His face was cold he was in the past and present maybe it was for the best they were seeming to merge into one in his mind then again that could be dangerous and strangely he knew it.

Gregory nodded hearing Sully was dead and knew that he was now Gitana's watcher.

Mac just go with me on this we have the Frank of past and present in one right now.

He turned to Frank and nodded to him

Sir the enemy is here... they are wanting us to send out the MASH nurse Selena... What do we do?

Frank stared at him for a long moment.

We have to get them all to the train and get it moving quickly... Gitana's idea I knew would not last for long. The train is the best way to evacuate all the villagers... Got it They can't have our fire dancer.

Gregory nodded. How do we do that Frank... We still have that crazy guy that can't seem to die... should we send him out first? Maybe him the the Warrior woman?

Frank shook his head.

Have to be careful she does not like fighting any more and he is still young invincible or not. Mac... your boy your call... Where are they we have to tell the villagers the truth. They have a right to know.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

Sonam shrugged and looked to Alain..."This ending you don't know the half of it. Gitana... Madame not picked up a sword since the Brits were in India..."

Alain quirked an eyebrow to her, "And that means what...exactly."

"Gitana has once more taken up the sword..." She sighed, "Last time she wielded a sword she was Far less... Peaceful."

Alain looked at her for a moment. "...Far less...peaceful," He repeated.

"Gitana has taken up her sword again..." Selena repeated looking at her daughter too.

Something to her tone said she knew what Sonam was talking about. That left Alain the sole one in the dark. "Alright out with it. Why would another immortal on our side as old and as powerful as Gitana taking up her sword again be a bad thing?"

"Sonam..." She said ignoring him, "You have to talk her out of that madness. She can not risk that Sonam please."

Alain frowned and looked down to where Selena still was wrapped up in his arms. "Tell me. Don't keep secrets from me again."

"Alain there is only one way this ends... " She said looking up to him but still refusing to trust him with the truth, "I... I have to either return to him or die... I see no other way."

"No," He growled. He broke away from her and opened his trunk and hefted out his guitarcase, and his sword inside. He took it out and flourished it. The bright red and yellow tails dangling from its pommel fluttering through the air with the motion.

Alain turned determined eyes upon Selena. "I won't allow this man to torment you a moment longer. He will not chase you away from those you love ever again. If he wants to try it will be over my cold, headless corpse." He raised his sword fist over his heart the broad curving blade dividing his face in a gesture he had not made since his days as a Knight Templar. "You will stay here and stand your ground and trust me to deal with this Acheron for once and for all."

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

IC: Mac

He turned and leaned his head against the tree warily, "He left me a note just before...he wants Selena back and he is willing to kill all of us to get her." He looked back to Frank, "Sully was only the first."

"Sully... dead... Who... How..." Frank stammered his eyes no longer lost within a time long-passed.

Gregory nodded saying to him, "Mac just go with me on this we have the Frank of past and present in one right now."

"Yeah I figured," Mac nodded, "My Grandpa was the same way. One minute he was sitting there eating breakfast, the next he'd ducking mortar shells from the 'damned Japs' and wondering how he got so lucky to have eggs and bacon in front of him for the first time in months."

He turned to Frank and nodded to him, "Sir the enemy is here... they are wanting us to send out the MASH nurse Selena... What do we do?"

Frank just stared at him for a long time. "We have to get them all to the train and get it moving quickly..." He stated thoughtfully, "Gitana's idea I knew would not last for long. The train is the best way to evacuate all the villagers... Got it They can't have our fire dancer."

Mac looked up at Gregory, "Train...what train? I didn't see any tracks near this place."

Gregory still looking at Frank just asked, "How do we do that Frank... We still have that crazy guy that can't seem to die... should we send him out first? Maybe him and the Warrior woman?"

Frank shook his head, "Have to be careful she does not like fighting any more and he is still young invincible or not. Mac... your boy your call..."

To Greg he asked, "Where are they we have to tell the villagers the truth. They have a right to know."

Mac took a step away puring his lips and looking out in the direction of Alain. "Knowing my guy...Alain will be eager to cross swords with that monster, but Frank, you know the numbers as well as I do. There's no way he'd win against Acheron. The only one who came close was one of the Macleods and his chances at beating Acheron was still only fifty fifty."

"We have to think of something else." He continued letting his attachment to the man he had watched and recorded for so long show in his voice, "There has to be a way we can get out of here without throwing Alain to certain death."

 

[Asa]

Sonam and Slena

Sonam watched him warily moving instinctively between Alain and her mother when the sword came out.

What we mean is Gitana... was... dark for a while... Dark quickening... evil... out of her sane mind... bat shit dead cold killer for the sake of killing. She ran with some pretty insane monsters as well. Apparently even Acheron would not mess with them then she 180 and ended up in temples like this since the Brits owned India. NOt touching a sword in all these years... till today.

Sonam looked to Selena.

No can do mom... you know Gitana... there is no telling her anything she is like you in that respect. And she knows where a couple of the people are she used to run with.

Selena shook her head no tears welling in her eyes. She could not lose any of them and what it sounded like Sonam and Gitana have talked about she could lose Gitana either to the darkness or to Acheron. Pleading eyes looked to Alain the overwhelming feelings boiling behind her eyes. She wanted to run to leave them all here and escape. She knew Acheron was near by he had to be for all of this madness to be happening.

I will NOT lose any of you... I can not do that... I...I have to go... or...

Sonam snarled.

Don't even say it mom you are not going if anything I will go track his ass down and fight him.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Gregory Frank and Gitana

Gregory looked to Mac.

He means his train the Carnival... I think.

Turning back to Frank

Sir train is too far away it will never get here in time... We can't risk the crazy kid sir nor the MASH nurse's daughter. We will not lose the firedancer sir.

A voice soft and calm yet seeming with the edge of a sword broke the discussion as Gitana walked from the river bank.

Gentlemen I will do what I can. I remind you that none of you have any say in the actions of the immortals you watch the only one who we have to potentially exert control over is Sonam... especially if she is to become your replacement Frank Gods forbid anything happen to you old friend. Yes Mac I know a great deal about Watchers I was in fact once betrothed to one of my watchers many centuries ago. Your secrets are as always safe with me. Gregory I must know how to find the remaining two of my... former associates... I do believe you know how to get in touch with their watchers? Or would that be you Mac?

Gregory looked her in the eyes

HELL NO Gitana! It is unfortunate enough to see you with that sword in your hand but to bring those two demons in human disguise is too risky.

Frank snarled in agreement.

Can't trust that bitch or her son no matter how much power you think you would still have over them. They have still been in the game and were none too happy with you turning your back on them. NOT an option. Now go put that sword away and keep an eye on Selena and the kid.

Good to see you too Frank...

Gitana walked right up to him staring deep into his eyes and began talking about it being so peaceful and restful as Frank began to sway as if he were going to pass out then just stood there his eyes staring back into hers as a strange peace washed over them and for a moment she seemed to shake a little before patting his cheek and staggering back a little.

He should be back to his modern mind shortly... now I have a mongrel to knock off his pedestal.

Turning she walked away in to the darkness of the ancient forest.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

"Sonam..." She said ignoring him, "You have to talk her out of that madness. She can not risk that Sonam please."

Alain frowned and looked down to where Selena still was wrapped up in his arms. "Tell me. Don't keep secrets from me again."

Selena chose not to speak to that, but Sonam barreled straight on, "What we mean is Gitana... was... dark for a while... Dark quickening... evil... out of her sane mind... bat shit dead cold killer for the sake of killing. She ran with some pretty insane monsters as well. Apparently even Acheron would not mess with them then she 180 and ended up in temples like this since the Brits owned India. NOt touching a sword in all these years... till today."

Then to Selena Sonam shook her head. "No can do mom... you know Gitana... there is no telling her anything she is like you in that respect. And she knows where a couple of the people are she used to run with.

"A dark quickening," Alain said looking over to Sonam and then to Selena, "I've heard of them, but I didn't think it was possible." He shivered thinking back on the pretty nasty customers he had defeated in his long life as an Immortal dueling and taking heads for the prize. How many more before it happened to him? If he ever went through that...he'd never want to look at his sword again either. "I think I understand Gitana better now."

"Alain there is only one way this ends... " Selena said looking up to him but still refusing to trust him with the truth, "I... I have to either return to him or die... I see no other way."

"No," He growled. He broke away from her and opened his trunk and hefted out his guitarcase, and his sword inside. He took it out and flourished it. The bright red and yellow tails dangling from its pommel fluttering through the air with the motion.

Alain turned determined eyes upon Selena. "I won't allow this man to torment you a moment longer. He will not chase you away from those you love ever again. If he wants to try it will be over my cold, headless corpse." He raised his sword fist over his heart the broad curving blade dividing his face in a gesture he had not made since his days as a Knight Templar. "You will stay here and stand your ground and trust me to deal with this Acheron for once and for all."

"I will NOT lose any of you... I can not do that... I...I have to go... or..."

Anger flared up within him again at how this monster had wounded Selena, terrified her so much.

Sonam agreed with him snarling, "Don't even say it mom you are not going if anything I will go track his ass down and fight him."

He nodded in pride at the young woman's words foolish and suicidal against an opponent as intimidating as this Acheron appeared to be. No if anything Sonam was not going to get anywhere near this man, not if Alain had any say in it, but the sentiment towards Selena. That was something to applaud.

"You see my lo...Selena," He said moving on from his almost slip of the tongue, "You've become used to cutting lose all the ties to family and friends and slipping off in the night for our own sake. You've shouldered the burden all these centuries alone." He stepped forward and grabbed her hand, "But what if we are not willing to let you go?"

He looked over to see if Sonam was in agreement with him before adding, "You just came back into my life. I will not lose you again. Don't do that to me again, please."

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

IC: Mac

Mac took a step away pursing his lips and looking out in the direction of Alain. "Knowing my guy...Alain will be eager to cross swords with that monster, but Frank, you know the numbers as well as I do. There's no way he'd win against Acheron. The only one who came close was one of the Macleods and his chances at beating Acheron was still only fifty fifty."

"We have to think of something else." He continued letting his attachment to the man he had watched and recorded for so long show in his voice, "There has to be a way we can get out of here without throwing Alain to certain death."

"Sir train is too far away it will never get here in time... We can't risk the crazy kid sir nor the MASH nurse's daughter. We will not lose the firedancer sir."

Mac was not so sure Gregory humoring Frank's dissociative episode was such a smart move. What they needed was the clear headed leader of men Mac remembered. "Frank..."

Then walking up from the river bank a woman bearing long long years with every step came up to them. "Gentlemen I will do what I can. I remind you that none of you have any say in the actions of the immortals you watch the only one who we have to potentially exert control over is Sonam... especially if she is to become your replacement Frank Gods forbid anything happen to you old friend."

Mac was stunned he had never actually met Gitana but he had listened to Sully enough speaking about her to recognize her now. Did he ever tell her about the watchers? Was it Gregory? "You know?"

" Yes Mac I know a great deal about Watchers I was in fact once betrothed to one of my watchers many centuries ago." She said, "Your secrets are as always safe with me."

Then to Greg, "Gregory I must know how to find the remaining two of my... former associates... I do believe you know how to get in touch with their watchers? Or would that be you Mac?"

He nodded, "I have their numbers, but you can't be serious. I was just talking with Sully about this same...." He broke off as he remembered Sully and how he had died...pointlessly. "...We can't involve them...it's already bad enough as it is."

Gregory and Frank both vehemently agreed with him.

"Good to see you too Frank..." she said walking up to him.

Mac raised his eyebrows as he figured out what she was about to do.

She stared into his eyes for a long moment. He started swaying and Mac's eyes widened. Sully had described to him what he was seeing Gitanna do before, but somehow he had never truly believed such a thing was possible. Serves him right afterall he was part of a society that observed people who routinely defied time and death. What was one more who could do one more impossible thing?

"He should be back to his modern mind shortly..." She told them.

Mac nodded, "Thank..." He cleared his throat, "Uh...thank you."

"Now I have a mongrel to knock off his pedestal." Turning she walked away in to the darkness of the ancient forest.

Mac looked to Greg, "Uh...lets sit Frank down on that bench over there." He took Frank's arm and whispered. "You with us again?"

 

[Asa]

Sonam and Selena

Sonam looked back at him.

Yeah she is called a Hyoka... she can take pain and darkness and everything war and hate can cause. Hyoka are earthhealers... humanity cleansers... world protectors. Bottomless vacuums for stuff like that. Couple that with being an immortal eventually bottomless becomes not so much so. Before she went bat shit psycho killer she sought out the evil like Acheron and wiped them from the earth. Somehow that switch flipped and she ended up running with 5 others from everything we know there are only two left and thats because they wiped the others out for some reason.

Sonam lifted her head looking out towards the treeline that hid the bridge that marked the boundary of holy ground.

Damn it you stubborn Bitch... I will get her to come back this way for now maybe you two can talk some sense into her.

With that Sonam took off for the treeline

GITANA!!!!! GITANA!!!!! There is something wrong with Mom... HURRY!!!!!

Selena was shaking sitting down hard on the bench. She was going to lose them all and there was nothing she could say or do to stop them for their fools errand of trying to protect her. Looking to Alain as he mentioned not hurting him again like that and crumbled... Risk losing them or losing herself again... she just didn't know any more it was all crumbling around her.

Frank and Gregory

Gregory helped him sit down and then looked to Mac.

We should back up out of swinging distance.

Within what could have been no longer than a 10 count Frank Roared out

That Rotten brain witch you two let her poke around in my head again didn't you? Well now no we can't risk any of them and if Gitana thinks we have any more control of that little wildcat Sonam she is kidding herself.

So the cowardly bastard sent the little cheap knockoff to take out one of ours...

Catching himself he took a deep breath.

Where are they Mac? Gregory you and Mac keep that kid and our dear immortals here. Sonam is my replacement. We have yet to run across anyone willing to defend and save her from that vermin so... Its my turn.

He knew he did not stand a chance and Sonam was in NO way ready to take over being a watcher. She was too instinct driven while that was not a bad trait it would be different if they could let the immortals know about them not just deal with them figuring it out on their own...

Mac did they see you show up?

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

He looked over to see if Sonam was in agreement with him before adding, "You just came back into my life. I will not lose you again. Don't do that to me again, please."

Selena stepped backward eyes looked up into his. They were wide and fragile looking.

"Selena," Alain asked trying to pull her close.

She was shaking. Sweet Jesus. She was terrified of this Acheron getting anywhere near her family. She stepped back to one of the stone benches lining the path to the orchards and plopped down. Breathing deep, almost as if she were hyper-ventilating.

Sonam who had been explaining to him what the deal was with Gitana noticed this adding, "Damn it you stubborn Bitch... I will get her to come back this way for now maybe you two can talk some sense into her."

"You think she can help," He asked her, "Go get her." Sonam ran off crying for Gitana.

He sat beside Selena on the bench arms wrapping her up in a hug and just holding her. "It will be alright Selena."

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

IC: Mac

Mac looked to Greg, "Uh...lets sit Frank down on that bench over there." He took Frank's arm and whispered. "You with us again?"

They set him down on a bench his face serene.

"We should back up out of swinging distance," Gregory told him. Mac nodded and they stepped back.

After just a moment Frank roared out at them, "That Rotten brain witch you two let her poke around in my head again didn't you? Well now no we can't risk any of them and if Gitana thinks we have any more control of that little wildcat Sonam she is kidding herself."

"Well, we kinda needed you back out of the jungle, Frank," Mac shrugged, "You are back with us, right?"

"So the cowardly bastard sent the little cheap knockoff to take out one of ours..."

He nodded, "She will pay for what she's done."

"Where are they Mac?"

"They probably followed me here," He said pointing to the far bank of the river, "Watching and waiting out there, the bastards."

"Gregory you and Mac keep that kid and our dear immortals here. Sonam is my replacement." Frank told them, "We have yet to run across anyone willing to defend and save her from that vermin so... Its my turn."

"Now that he knows Alain will try to," Mac replied, "But we both know his chances of actually winning against Acheron."

Frank looked at him thoughtfully, "Mac, did they see you show up?"

"They," He asked as if not sure just who Frank was talking about but then nodded, "Yeah, and your so-called-replacement blew our cover. Not that Alain and Selena wouldn't have figured it out once they saw me here..." He looked down and sighed, "...Sorry Frank."

 

[Asa]

Frank and Gregory

Frank listened and nodded putting a hand on Mac's shoulder.

Bout time those two knew Sonam is right in telling them. Selena has had way too many questions for far too long with me anyways. Those two are like the younger McCloud and so many others who should know or know. Hell Gitana married one of her watchers back in the 1800s or so.

Gregory sighed nodding.

You can't fight him Frank... you know that... but yeah some can handle knowing others can't like that vermin.

Gregory paused listening hearing the faint sound of Sonam yelling.

We had better get back there and answer whatever she could not answer. As well as see why she is yelling... Surely that monster would not invade Holy Ground?

Frank shook his head no.

He would not cross Holy ground nor Gitana.

Gitana and Sonam

Sonam had an advantage... Gitana would not fight her and with a sword in hand she marched her back to Selena.

She relived something... Fix this. If they are out there I will go... Surely this idiot is not so stupid as to think hurting me will gain him any points with Mom.

Selena's hand shot out grabbing Sonam's arm and holding it out to Alain. Her eyes still distant but clearly able to comprehend what is going on around her. Gitana knelt down in front of her and sighed.

This will take a moment... Give her some room and if need be lock our dear Sonam in the car or something. Seena... let me see your hands child...

Selena held her hands out and Gitana sat there before her as her eyes closed then opened glazed over. Gitana was shaking a little as Selena swayed slowly. The energy around both of them seemed to ripple as Gitana began to heal Selena's mind once more. Trying to add her own strength to help her accept that she was not going to h ave to run this time no matter what.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

He sat beside Selena on the bench arms wrapping her up in a hug and just holding her. "It will be alright Selena."

Alain hated seeing her like this. It ripped open his heart to see Selena so lost and vacant. This was this Acheron's doing. Over a millennia of torment and hounding from him had pushed his wife to this point. Alain could not bear it.

That man...if he could be called a man rather than a monster...was going to get what he had coming to him. Alain was going to make sure of it.

He kissed her cheek the way he used to do when he thought he could banish all of her demons with such a simple gesture.

Then Sonam returned with Gitana in tow.

Sonam told her, "She relived something... Fix this."

"She is lost to us," He told them as they approached, "Can you do something to help her?"

He watched Gitana kneel before them and sighed looking deep into Selena's distant eyes.

"Can you reach her-"

Sonam turned away grumbling, "If they are out there I will go..."

"What," He asked her.

"Surely this idiot is not so stupid as to think hurting me will gain him any points with Mom."

Alain shook his head. "Don't. I don't think this is the type of man that cares about winning points with Selena anymore. Sonam, he's the type of man that will hurt you just to get to your mother."

Why did the thought of the kiddo going to confront this Acheron monster drive such a spike of terror into his heart. He had just met Sonam, but she reminded him of his poor little Enri.....so headstrong and brash and young...so young...so willing to throw their so very fragile lives away with the reckless expectation of coming through the fire unscathed. He couldn't bear to attend another funeral for another brave young child like her.

Then surprising him Selena's arm shot out and grabbed hold of Sonam's wrist.

"Selena?"

She pulled Sonam's arm out and held it before him. He reach out and covered her hands with both of his so the three of them held onto each other's arms together.

"This will take a moment..." Gitana said to him, "Give her some room, and if need be lock our dear Sonam in the car or something."

Alain nodded to her then he got up and took Sonam by the hand. He pulled her to one side as Gitana did whatever the hell she was going to do with Selena.

"Sonam," He asked her, "Promise me you won't try to confront this Acheron alone."

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

IC: Mac

"They," He asked as if not sure just who Frank was talking about but then nodded, "Yeah, and your so-called-replacement blew our cover. Not that Alain and Selena wouldn't have figured it out once they saw me here..." He looked down and sighed, "...Sorry Frank."

"Bout time those two knew Sonam is right in telling them." Frank said with a nod.

Mac looked up in surprise at that. The one thing the Watchers' as an organization valued most was their anonymity and secrecy. Their job was to observe and record, sworn never to interfere with their subjects. But being known to the immortals they were watching was an interference in of itself. That was proven time and again in those cases when their immortals had learned of their watchers...the information the watchers had on all immortals were too much of a temptation for them not to call upon. And worse was the attachment that some time occurred between watcher and immortal would cause them to volunteer more information than their immortals strictly asked for.

If Alain asked Mac for information on Acheron he wouldn't hesitate to tell him. Especially the odds of him beating him. He liked Alain, and would be sorely tempted to do anything to help him if asked, and that was the danger.

As much as keeping secrets from a man he cared about was agonizing Mac could see the danger for the prize and the unfair advantage the Watchers would give him towards winning the ultimate prize.

Needless to say, revealing the existence of the Watchers to any immortal was something that was supposed to be approved by the high muckity-mucks at the top of the Watcher hierarchy first. Frank had a fairly high rank, but not high enough to decide that kind of breach of their secrecy on his own authority.

He glanced questioningly over to Gregory as Frank continued, "Selena has had way too many questions for far too long with me anyways."

"They know now," Mac shrugged when Gregory nodded his own consent to this, "I guess what's done is done, anyway."

"Those two are like the younger McCloud and so many others who should know or know."

He sighed, "We both know the Highlander was a special case, Frank."

"Hell Gitana married one of her watchers back in the 1800s or so."

"Another special case," Mac shook his head, "We all know the higher-ups are going to give all of us hell over this despite all the precedents weighing in on our side of it. They won't like it at all, and they'll never trust our judgment over our people when the time comes for decisions. We'll never stop hearing about the danger of becoming too attached or the unfair advantage to our guys our knowledge is whenever they take another head."

"You can't fight him Frank... you know that..." Greg put in, "but yeah some can handle knowing others can't like that vermin."

He frowned at Gregory not liking being put in the position of being the voice of reason with his defection...especially since Mac didn't feel particularly committed to the role either. After what those bastards did to Sully it felt like he was betraying the ghost of his friend, but somebody needed to do it here, and if Frank was too close to it to do it...

In the distance they heard Sonam's voice carrying out through the monastery's orchard. "We had better get back there and answer whatever she could not answer."

Mac sighed but nodded, "The high ups won't like it, but they're not here and we can't change what's happened now. Maybe telling our guys what we know will help them get away from that fucking rat-bastard."

"As well as see why she is yelling..." Gregory added, "Surely that monster would not invade Holy Ground?"

Mac looked at him with a raised eyebrow, "Not with Gitana around, right?"

Frank stopped and shook his head at that. "He would not cross Holy ground nor Gitana."

Mac chewed his lip worrying. Acheron wouldn't desecrate holy ground with intentional violence, would he? He wouldn't with Gitana around? Surely, he wouldn't go that far?

Somehow those thoughts weren't as certain as they once would have been anymore,

 

[Asa]

Sonam Gitana and Selena

Sonam cringed as Selena grabbed her wrist. Any chance of getting away unseen gone now as Gitana put Alain watching her while she worked with Mom. Walking away with Alain she sighed hearing his words. She had not asked to be selected as a watcher she had not asked to put up with everyone treating her like some china doll just because she was not immortal. She could fight and she knew how to fight dirty if she had to. It was all getting to be too annoying and one oversized pile of BS.

She is going to end up hating someone me and Gitana if you go after him you and Gitana if I go after him and you and me if Gitana goes after him... this is a no win situation so what is there for any of us to lose. No matter what any of us do she will be pissed because we were able to do it.

Shaking her head

SO any ideas? This guy uses mom to make kills he should not be able to make and even ones he doesn't need her help with. I have had to listen to her mind replaying that and more in her sleep. Nothing like what she seemed to be dealing with after you opened your fat yap about her fighting him but still. So what did she say? What happened that you sent her back into ?

Sonam paused listening and looking off towards the plum trees and seemed like she was piecing something together before muttering... wonder why Sully wasn't with him... DIsmissing her mumbled thought her attention looked back to Alain.

SO whats your plan?

Her arms crossed as she stood there staring at him still trying to figure out a way to deal with this herself if she had to.

And I never promise anything

Frank and Gregory

Frank began walking.

The bosses will deal with it. My call all on me one of mine Sully... One of our team... dead... my call this is war...

He looked at both of them in turn

You don't like that say so now

Gregory sighed.

I am with you Frank you know that... Still how do we handle them wanting answers from us... like why we did not step in with Selena and Acheron... or how he can be stopped.

We keep our fat yaps shut... they know about us that is all they get... but...

Frank grinned this strange cold grin

Acheron doesn't know what we would or would not tell them to stop him...

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

"Sonam," He asked her, "Promise me you won't try to confront this Acheron alone."

"She is going to end up hating someone," Sonam replied pulling her hand away from his, "Me and Gitana if you go after him, you and Gitana if I go after him, and you and me if Gitana goes after him..."

He nodded, "Your point being..."

"This is a no win situation," She continued, "So what is there for any of us to lose. No matter what any of us do she will be pissed because we were able to do it."

"Selena is a big girl, Sonam," He told her, "She'll get over it."

"SO any ideas? This guy uses mom to make kills he should not be able to make and even ones he doesn't need her help with," She said shaking her head with a large degree of exasperation, "I have had to listen to her mind replaying that and more in her sleep."

"My idea is to rid her of him forever," He growled through clenched teeth. This man, this Acheron was going to pay for what he has done to Selena, "How many times has she had nightmares about it before? How bad..."

"Nothing like what she seemed to be dealing with after you opened your fat yap about her fighting him but still," Sonam shrugged, "So what did she say? What happened that you sent her back into?"

He straightened at her question and swallowed. Should he tell Sonam the truth. That was question properly meant for Selena to answer, but since she was not capable it fell to him.

His voice was a little shaky with emotion as he said, "He...he raped her long ago, before, when she tried to fight him off."

There were too many secrets, Alain finally decided, the truth needed air to let them breath.

She took her time to process it but after a moment she asked, "So, what's your plan?"

"A simple one. I will challenge him, fight him sword to sword, and take his head," He told her.

She crossed her arms and looked at him skeptically at that, "And I never promise anything."

He placed his hand on her shoulder, "Sonam, we've only just met. I know you don't trust me completely yet. I know you don't care for me much either, but please believe me when I tell you. I would feel horrible if anything were to happen to you should you face this man. Please, do not do anything so young and reckless as challenge him yourself."

Together they returned back to where Gitana and Selena were, and to his surprise Selena was lucid and acting normally now.

He turned to Gitana who looked back at him. "What did you do to her?"

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

IC: Mac

Mac chewed his lip worrying. Acheron wouldn't desecrate holy ground with intentional violence, would he? He wouldn't with Gitana around? Surely, he wouldn't go that far?

Somehow those thoughts weren't as certain as they once would have been anymore.

"The bosses will deal with it." He told them walking off towards where Alain's car was parked, "My call all on me one of mine Sully... One of our team... dead... my call this is war..."

"War," Mac repeated the word out on his tongue. Strange how a word so short and simple could pack such menace and horribleness.

Frank looked at Gregory then at Mac. "You don't like that say so now."

Mac bit his lower lip, "We're not an army, Frank," He finally said, "Other than you none of us were soldiers, but I am with you. Sully died in front of me...it should have been me..." He nodded, "I am with you."

Then Gregory sighed, "I am with you Frank you know that... Still how do we handle them wanting answers from us... or how he can be stopped."

"Well I can't speak about Selena or Gitana, but I know Alain," Mac told them, "And I can tell you he will never forgive us for doing nothing to stop Acheron before." He paused and frowned, "And I'm not so sure he's wrong to either. If we had arranged for Acheron to lose long ago. Selena may have been delivered from centuries of torture and Sully...Sully would still be alive now. What's the saying: 'Evil thrives when good men do nothing'...But the watcher's business is to do nothing...the horseman...the kurgan...those psycopaths Gitana was a part of for so long....how many could we have stopped...we knew about them all for so long...and didn't do anything to stop any of them. How many of their victims would still be alive if we had just decided to interfere in the Immortals contest."

"We keep our fat yaps shut... they know about us that is all they get... but..." Frank said with a cold smile on his face, "Acheron doesn't know what we would or would not tell them to stop him..."

Mac nodded liking the sound of that before asking, "But shouldn't we tell Alain the odds of him beating Acheron, Frank? He needs to know that at least."