Immortal Love (Closed for Veroe)

[Asa]

Sonam Selena and Gitana

Sonam sighed tossing her hands up as if in some exasperated surrender.

Fine but what do you care... seriously... you have all but wanted nothing to do with mom till you sent her over the edge... Whats up with that?

Not really caring to hear an answer she walked back over still far beyond livid at what Alain told her about this monster that hunts her mother.

Selena was talking with Gitana about her not going to find her old associates nor her going after Acheron till Alain and Sonam walked over and Selena could see the rage in her daughters eyes. Hearing Alain ask Gitana what she had done to her Selena smiled to Gitana nodding as if offering permission for her to tell him as she stood and walked over to Sonam and walked away from them a little ways to talk to her daughter.

Gitana stood up only to sit down on the bench.

I took the pain... the rage... the darkness from her and into myself. The Native Americans call it Hyoka I have always just been able to do this. I could show you better than explain it. If you intend to face Acheron you will need a clear mind and soul Alain... or he will use your rage your pain and your sorrow and your darkness against you. I can take away that advantage from him...

She motioned to the bench...

Please sit down

She looked more of her age but she knew well she could take the darkness and pain from at least 5 or more people before she would have to rest and Frank had not been that difficult.

~~~~~~~~

Frank and Gregory

Don't think that Joe and I have not tossed that very saying in their faces as have countless others. Sonam will do good in the order I see her climbing rank out of sheer attitude no one wanting to deal with her attitude till she is in a place to make the changes that should be made so we can protect those that need it and guide the demise of monsters like Acheron.

Yeah tell him the odds not that I think it will do any good he seems about at bull headed as Sonam.

He put a hand on Mac's shoulder.

Sully no doubt pulled rank... I would have expected no less of him. He was not going to let that cancer kill him he was too stubborn for that... I know you didn't know Gregory... He barely wanted to tell me. Pathetic little carbon copy bitch did him a favor and doesn't even know it.

Walking again towards the car and the main building.

Lets get to this.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

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."

"Fine but what do you care... seriously... you have all but wanted nothing to do with mom till you sent her over the edge..." She sighed in exasperation, "what's up with that?"

Alain eyes widened and he was stuck for a moment at that. He hadn't realized it, but she was right. He had completely changed his stance towards Selena. "I....I... don't know, but now that I know about Acheron..." He shook himself, "Look, this isn't about me and her, its about him."

He shrugged and left before she could say anything more, ask him to elaborate...since he didn't know the reasons himself. When had he started to care? Had he been fooling himself when he told himself he didn't care about her?

He didn't know.

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?"

She looked to Selena at that. Alain saw Selena give her a slight nod. Then Gitana turned and sat down on the stone bench as Selena left to go to speak with Sonam as well.

"I took the pain... the rage... the darkness from her and into myself." She explained, "The Native Americans call it Hyoka I have always just been able to do this. I could show you better than explain it. If you intend to face Acheron you will need a clear mind and soul Alain... or he will use your rage your pain and your sorrow and your darkness against you. I can take away that advantage from him..."

"My rage, and pain...I need my darkness. All those things as terrible as they are...are what makes us who we are." He said looking a little skeptically to her then glanced over to Selena. "If you took that away what would be left?"

She gestured to the bench beside him, "Please sit down."

He pursed his lips but sat down.

"This whole subject makes me uncormfortable," He confided to her, "It feels like a violation to me."

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

IC: Mac

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."

"Yeah tell him the odds not that I think it will do any good he seems about as bull headed as Sonam." Frank nodded.

"That explains how close she's gotten to him," Mac agreed, "My guy sees too much of himself in her when he was young."

Frank then placed his hand on his shoulder, "Sully no doubt pulled rank... I would have expected no less of him."

"He did," Mac said softly, "I...let him do it too. He was already going to go...so...Frank...I'm so sorry."

"He was not going to let that cancer kill him he was too stubborn for that... I know you didn't know Gregory... He barely wanted to tell me." Frank said glancing at their younger member among them, "Pathetic little carbon copy bitch did him a favor and doesn't even know it."

Mac shook his head, "But he didn't deserve to go that way. That one...promise we will settle accounts with her...none of the don't get involved bullshit like with Cronos or the Kurgan or those psychos Gitana ran with or even the stupid way we've handled Acheron...not for Sully's murderer, Frank."

 

[Asa]

Gitana

Alain... You are comfortable with your rage and pain and darkness. You have held it closer than your own heartbeat since Venice. He can use that against you. Even you know the more enraged a soldier becomes the less focused and more irrational they become and that is how they get killed. If you lose your head because he causes you to become irrationally enraged and reckless who will protect her then? Sonam can not and I do not fool myself into thinking that I can stand against him even with my mental capabilities. You need a clear mind a whole and solid heart and pure spirit to face a creature of darkness like Acheron. He has had centuries of honing his darkness into a weapon as it is all he has... all he is. You... have been honorable holding to a code that I can only assume found its way into your existence from the... Knights Templar? Musketeers?

She sighed thinking

A more... tangible explanation... You have a soul enveloping "Snake bite" The venom has lingered deep within you scarring but never healing. I remove the venom no more not less. I take from you all that has caused you more suffering than you really ever truly had. I can give you that advantage over him... I do NOT promise that it will be enough but at least it will be one less advantage he will have over you.

Her hand still outstretched as soft ancient eyes study his so many have been skeptical of her ability both Immortal and watcher but it is all she knows. Both the good it can do for others and the evil it can cause her but still she has to help it is after all at the base of her being since her original mortal life.

~~~~~~~~

Frank

He thought about Mac's words concerning Sully and after a long deep thought. A reluctant sigh fell from him lips.

We can't do it ourselves... I don't like the idea of forcing her hand but Gitana needs to get back in shape as it were she can't stay out of the game forever and expect to survive. We could push Selena's hand but she is so far out of practice...

He shook his head as it was clear the old solider cared for Selena more like a daughter than an assigment.

That leaves Sonam... She is hell bent to find a way to give back to Selena for saving her life... but Mac... you or your guy be nearby to take a sniper shot to help the kid out. Tranquilizer dart should be enough IF Sonam needs the backup.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

She gestured to the bench beside him, "Please sit down."

He pursed his lips but sat down.

"This whole subject makes me uncormfortable," He confided to her, "It feels like a violation to me."

"Alain... You are comfortable with your rage and pain and darkness," She explained, "You have held it closer than your own heartbeat since Venice. He can use that against you."

"He can," He blinked at that, "How?"

"Even you know the more enraged a soldier becomes the less focused and more irrational they become and that is how they get killed." She told him.

He nodded to that. He had spent his original lifetime as a Knight Templar on a fool's crusade to claim for Catholicism the so-called holy land from the unworthy heathens that had infested it. He had been a much different man back then, an angrier more bigoted man. He had been a man less focused and more irrational when provoked, just as she had pointed out. About a thousand years have tempered that with wisdom and patience, but on more occasions than Alain would care to admit.

"If you lose your head because he causes you to become irrationally enraged and reckless who will protect her then," She continued, "Sonam can not and I do not fool myself into thinking that I can stand against him even with my mental capabilities. You need a clear mind a whole and solid heart and pure spirit to face a creature of darkness like Acheron."

"A creature of darkness? He's gotten to you too," He told her, "You and Selena act like he's some sort of invincible monster, but I don't believe anyone is invincible, I never have. Acheron is just a man. He'll bleed just like any other man when I take his head."

"He has had centuries of honing his darkness into a weapon as it is all he has... all he is," She replied, "You... have been honorable holding to a code that I can only assume found its way into your existence from the... Knights Templar? Musketeers?"

He shook his head, "The Templars. I suppose you were elsewhere in the world during the crusades. We talked about honor and piety, but we were anything but. Any code of honor I gained was learned after them."

He looked down, thinking back on the men and women and children he had forced out of their homes, killing the heathens, no better than vermin in his mind, if they defied his holy self-serving fanaticism. Slaughtering them under the sword while shouting for his god to bless them in an afterlife he now knew to be nothing but a lie. That was not honor. That wasn't even courageous.

To her Alain added, "I know evil, you understand? I have felt its venom. I have seen men become monsters before in my lifetimes. I do not doubt he's villainous and ruthless, Gitana. What I doubt is his invincibility. He can be beaten. I will show you all."

He then shrugged, "But this trick of yours...is it some sort of hypnosis, or are you telling me you're telepathic? Maybe if you can explain it better?"

"A more... tangible explanation... You have a soul enveloping "Snake bite" The venom has lingered deep within you scarring but never healing," She told him, "I remove the venom no more not less. I take from you all that has caused you more suffering than you really ever truly had."

He nodded but asked, "And this will help me against Acheron how?"

"I can give you that advantage over him..." She replied, "I do NOT promise that it will be enough, but at least it will be one less advantage he will have over you."

She watched him as he mulled over her response. "You said it can feel like a toxin?" He looked down at his hands thinking over the last century or so. "My life went downhill ever since Venice. Selena leaving me really destroyed me. I never really recovered from that."

Alain looked over to her. "When I look at her now...I can remember how I felt about her before, but its tainted with everything I went through after....Can you...can you take that away? Can you make it so I can look at her and not be reminded of the grief or the despair or the nagging fear that if I let her in again...will it all vanish on me all over again?"

He took a deep emotion-filled breath, "I don't care about what Acheron may do or say when we fight...can you take the poison out of this wound?" He finished tapping his chest over his heart.

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

IC: Mac

Mac shook his head, "But he didn't deserve to go that way. That one...promise we will settle accounts with her...none of the don't get involved bullshit like with Cronos or the Kurgan or those psychos Gitana ran with or even the stupid way we've handled Acheron...not for Sully's murderer, Frank."

"We can't do it ourselves..." Frank sighed, " I don't like the idea of forcing her hand but Gitana needs to get back in shape as it were she can't stay out of the game forever and expect to survive. We could push Selena's hand but she is so far out of practice..."

"No, I don't mean an immortal..." Mac shook his head, "Just us...shoot her and use a chainsaw to take her head off."

"That leaves Sonam... She is hell bent to find a way to give back to Selena for saving her life... but Mac..." Frank went on, "You or your guy be nearby to take a sniper shot to help the kid out. Tranquilizer dart should be enough IF Sonam needs the backup."

"If we go after the bitch ourselves we could use the extra pair of hands," Mac nodded, "But the kid seems a bit too flighty...too emotionally invested...killing that bitch for good will need to be cold and focused work." He crossed his arms. "I don't think Sonam can go there, Frank."

 

[Asa]

Gitana

She smiled to him and nodded.

Yes I can take the hate... the evil... It is not your nature Alain you and I both know that. It is my reason for being... to take the evil from the world into myself. To take the rage and hate and heal this world as I can.

Reaching down by the little waterfall pond she plucked a few leaves from a plant on its edge and rinsing the leaves in the water she held them out to him. That calm almost emotionless smile resting on her young yet ancient features.

Here... take these. Your hate of what you have learned about him does not harm him... your pain and anger at her leaving the way she did and not tell you about him so long ago hurts no one but you... I can end that... so that you can end your darkness and finally grow and truly live again Alain.

She held out her other hand for him to take as well once he had taken the leaves. The leaves would relax him allowing her mind and his to both find the sacred "lands" long gone that they will both "stand" in together for her to explain more and guide him fully in this healing and her taking the darkness from him. Once the leaves were out of her hand their work would begin as they were bit into. She would watch the calm envelope him as she closed her eyes and once more found herself sitting by the ancient river in the sacred shadow of the trees long extinct. Her clothing here were those of her mortal life. rough cured hide dress with bits of metal stone and bones to mark her as those who deal in magics in darkness and light. Her hair long and bound in braids decorated with bits off stone and metals.

Now... to explain what will happen and answer questions only your soul would know to ask.

Sonam

She had gotten her mother to go inside and one of the nuns to fix Selena something to help her rest while the nun placed a "guard" on her door. Sonam then went to find the other watchers and walked over in time to hear them talk about her killing the cheap knock off.

Immortal or not the bitch can and will die... she killed one of ours... she dies by our hands even if that means MY hands Mac. I know how to take their kind out and have come close as Frank can tell you to taking out some of our kind... mortals not watchers to protect mom too.

She walked over nodding and bowing slightly to Gregory as he was one of her teachers when they were here.

Count me in... Now where do we find her that is not over run with his mortal army or Acheron?

Frank could not help but smile at how proactive the girl was even if she was a bit of a hothead wildcard. She would go far in the Watchers and maybe in time she would help usher in a new age for the watchers and how they deal with their charges.

Good question Sonam... Surely she would run back to Acheron to let him know the deed had been done. I do question just like Mac if you can truly take yourself to the depth you would have to in able to be able to face someone like her?

Gregory looked over with a raised brow.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

He took a deep emotion-filled breath, "I don't care about what Acheron may do or say when we fight...can you take the poison out of this wound?" He finished tapping his chest over his heart.

"Yes I can take the hate..." She nodded, "... the evil..."

"Evil? Hate?" He shrugged, "Those are words. The meaning behind them, the truth is all about the pain. The pain I've endured. The pain I've inflicted on others. The pain I inflict upon myself. I grew up catholic. I know the sinful nature of man. The hatred...the evil, as you would call it. The heathens infesting the holy land...The French king who butchered my order...other immortals...Acheron..." His face tightened, "...Selena...It's all I've ever known."

Gitana shook her head, "It is not your nature Alain you and I both know that."

"Do we," He asked her, "I have done things...things I'm not at all proud of in my long life. So much it feels like all of it weighs me down. If you can take all that burden from me...why would you want to?"

"It is my reason for being..." She answered, "To take the evil from the world into myself. To take the rage and hate and heal this world as I can."

He nodded, touched by the sincerity in her tone. "What do you need me to do?"

Reaching down by the little waterfall pond she plucked a few leaves from a plant on its edge and rinsing the leaves in the water she held them out to him. That calm almost emotionless smile resting on her young yet ancient features. "Here... take these."

He took the leaves and placed them in his mouth. Chewing on them gave off a bitter juice. "What do they do? How will they help me?"

"Your hate of what you have learned about him does not harm him..." She said instead. "Your pain and anger at her leaving the way she did and not tell you about him so long ago hurts no one but you... I can end that..."

"To what end," Alain asked feeling a little strange. He was a little shocked that he trusted this complete stranger as to chew a leaf for an unspecified medicinal effect so much right away.

"So that you can end your darkness and finally grow and truly live again Alain."

Her words kind of echoed in his head, and he felt a little dizzy. He gladly took her other hand to help anchor him as the riverbank orchard they sat within spun around. His eyes couldn't focus and Alain had to blink several times to get them to focus on her again.

When he did he saw that she sat facing him but they had changed locations somewhere. Instead of the orchard outside Gitana's monastery they seemed to be deep within an misty old primeval forest, with tall ancient trees reaching up and out enclosing them from the sun under a high canopy of leaves. Underneath were ferns and under foot was a carpet of soft moss. They sat within a clearing cut in half by a gentle stream. He was looking down into the waters and into the reflection of himself.

"I did not truly believe you could do what you claimed." He looked to her and Gitana now were old rough animal hide from the earliest days of mankind, and somehow he knew that that dress was something she had worn and cherished so very long long long ago. "You really are as old as you said, aren't you?"

She nodded but carried on, "Now... to explain what will happen and answer questions only your soul would know to ask."

His lips pursed as emotion welled up he swallowed trying to push it back down but the words-the truth flowed out gently like the water in the creek they stood beside now. "I hate him so much...I need to hate him...or else...I will have to go back to hating her or hating myself."

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

IC: Mac

"If we go after the bitch ourselves we could use the extra pair of hands," Mac nodded, "But the kid seems a bit too flighty...too emotionally invested...killing that bitch for good will need to be cold and focused work." He crossed his arms. "I don't think Sonam can go there, Frank."

"Immortal or not the bitch can and will die... she killed one of ours... she dies by our hands even if that means MY hands Mac." Mac spun around to see the girl in question striding down the hill towards them, "I know how to take their kind out and have come close as Frank can tell you to taking out some of our kind... mortals not watchers to protect mom too."

She bowed slightly in deference towards Gregory but looked directly at Frank. "Count me in... Now where do we find her that is not over run with his mortal army or Acheron?"

Good question Sonam... Surely she would run back to Acheron to let him know the deed had been done, Frank mused.

"No," He told her then to Frank, "Tell her no way in hell is she going to be a part in this. I know my guy, Frank, and Alain will never forgive us if we let any of the blood from this get on her hands in any way...she's still just a child, it doesn't matter how nasty a life she's seen...not to him...and not me either. Besides like I said: I don't think she'll be able to keep it together if she were with us."

Frank looked to her then to Gregory who looked at them with raised eyebrows. "I do question just like Mac if you can truly take yourself to the depth you would have to in able to be able to face someone like her?"

To Sonam Mac said, "Look, I know you have a pretty big stake in this too, but this can't be for you, and deep down I bet you know it just as well as I do."

 

[Asa]

Gitana

Lifting a rough carved cup made of river stone filled with water and then cupping some water in her closed hand letting it drop into the cup.

All of your hate... all of your pain... all of your rage... make your soul like this cup... one more drop and it will become all you are. It will destroy all the good you try to hold to when it controls you. You will become no different than Acheron. Then you will lose her... to him. I can take all of that away from you taking it into myself freeing you of all of it... your love your care will all remain... I simply take the hate... the pain... the darkness it has caused in you.

She sat there watching him waiting for his answer. Her eyes soft as she sat there emotionless her own emotion gone to be able to do this.

I do this because it is what I am and what I do... My cup... has no bottom.

Not exactly the truth but that was centuries ago she had not been that person in centuries. She had to help him. To help Alain was to help Selena in the only way she could that Acheron could not counter or destroy... she hoped.

Frank Sonam and Gregory

Funny coming from you Mac... I mean seriously what do you really care... you were the one that thought I was just some one night stand for your guy just the other night...

That ire and cold "mother viper" side of Sonam was slipping through. She knew she could kill to protect her mother and was still fairly sure she was the only one that cared enough to or was capable of it. She looked to Gregory and hissed. He was one of her teachers when she was here and she bowed her head a little as she spoke.

Rinpoche Alain has shown a fairly flip back and forth attitude towards mother. I honestly fear that he could flip back to not caring at the most inopportune moment and we all lose her once and for all to the immortal demon Acheron. If we can strike a blow to the beast that will put him off his well honed game then I will be a part of that... There is no other way to me to insure everyone's safety including yours Macs and Franks. Forgive me but it is my decision not yours nor Frank's and certainly not Mac's.

Gregory laughed and patted her on the back. If I did not know far better I would believe you to be Selena's blood kin student but we do not speak here as teacher and student but Watcher to watcher... Wait Mac you thought What?!?!?!

Frank looked to Mac with an almost fatherly growl before shrugging.

Mistakes can be made it is not like she wears the tattoo yet. Sonam.... you wanna be there that is fine... you know how to use that sniper rifle of mine you will be the shooter for us. I am going to look this bitch in the face when she dies since she killed Sully. Anyone got a problem with that take the time to go through channels to talk to my boss. the job will be done by then. Lets go take care of this then give Alain the little puppet's head to throw at Acheron's feet before he kills him... even if it is with our help. Anyone gonna argue about us making sure he kills Acheron after they killed Sully?

Not giving any of them a chance to answer...

Didn't think so Lets get to it....

Turning he started walking towards the boundary of the holy ground and stalking around to the bridge.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

His lips pursed as emotion welled up he swallowed trying to push it back down but the words-the truth flowed out gently like the water in the creek they stood beside now. "I hate him so much...I need to hate him...or else...I will have to go back to hating her or hating myself."

She lifted up a rough-hewn stone cup filled to the edge with water between them, "All of your hate... all of your pain... all of your rage... make your soul like this cup..." She said to him, "One more drop and it will become all you are. It will destroy all the good you try to hold to when it controls you. You will become no different than Acheron."

"Maybe its what I deserve," He said looking into his reflection in the full cup, "Maybe its what he deserves."

She shook her head, "Then you will lose her... to him."

"It's been too long. Too much time has passed between us." This time he shook his head, "I've already lost her. I am too old. I have too much pain, too much hate."

"I can take all of that away from you taking it into myself," She replied, "Freeing you of all of it... your love your care will all remain... I simply take the hate... the pain... the darkness it has caused in you."

"Why would you do that for someone you've only just met?"

"I do this because it is what I am and what I do..." She answered.

"What if you can't take it all?"

"My cup... has no bottom."

"There's a limit to everything," He said, "How can you be so sure you're not close to yours?"

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

IC: Mac

To Sonam Mac said, "Look, I know you have a pretty big stake in this too, but this can't be for you, and deep down I bet you know it just as well as I do."

"Funny coming from you Mac... I mean seriously what do you really care..." She retorted, "You were the one that thought I was just some one night stand for your guy just the other night..."

He looked at her like she was talking nonsense, "That was for Alain's benefit, not yours."

"Rinpoche Alain has shown a fairly flip back and forth attitude towards mother," She continued, "I honestly fear that he could flip back to not caring at the most inopportune moment and we all lose her once and for all to the immortal demon Acheron."

"Is that what you think," Mac growled, "Then you clearly haven't learned anything about him." He knew his guy, and to hear this child say he didn't care about the woman that ripped out his heart...."Alain cares," He told her firmly, "He's never stopped caring about Selena. The question is did she ever even give a damn about him? I know why she did it, but she left him to self-destruct for decades before he pulled himself out."

He turned to Frank saying, "This infant is the one you want to replace you. She doesn't even know how to be a watcher."

He turned back to Sonam glaring at her, "Tell me why he got so much booze the night you went home with him. The night he came across your mom. He'd been dry as a priest for over eighty years until that night." He raised a finger to point to her. "Don't tell me he doesn't care about Selena. I've seen the look on his face when he sees strangers in love. The pain and the longing in his eyes as he remembers her and the way they were before Venice. He loves her the way you read in stupid fairy tales and has never stopped loving her."

After that they glared at eachother for a long time before he broke the silence asking, "So you were saying about taking out that murdering bitch?"

"If we can strike a blow to the beast that will put him off his well honed game then I will be a part of that..." She continued, "There is no other way to me to insure everyone's safety including yours Macs and Franks. Forgive me but it is my decision not yours nor Frank's and certainly not Mac's."

Gregory and Frank welcomed her into the fold which left Frank alone on an island biting his lip and considering her.

"...Didn't think so Lets get to it...."

"Fine," He glowered to them all, "Let's go kill somebody."

 

[Asa]

Gitana

This is about you Alain... not me. I can take all from you that clouds your mind and darkens you to all the love and good of your life. It is my place in this world to take the darkness pain and hate to keep it from killing more souls of light... like yours.

Setting the stone cup down.

Close your eyes it is time to begin.

She placed a hand on either side of his head and stared deep into then through his eyes to his soul. Tendrils of the deepest black slithered from him and up along her arms sinking into her skin as they flashed like the energy of a quickening though taking no quickening from each other. Her head tilted back and her eyes turned black then white as she finally broke the connection leaving him sitting there before her in this altered place and with that she stood and began moving seeming to vanish and reappear around the forest during her sacred dance. She knew he would in the physical realm be laying down on the bench or ground asleep and rest for a few moments giving her time to return to her chambers for her won cleansing. For now however her dance continued as the tendrils were still drawn from him into her the dance now wrapping them around her till all the darkness rage and pain was gone and She was seated before him once more.

Rest now Alain... let the light take back its full place within you.

Sonam Frank and Gregory

Frank snarled again at Mac Sonam was hand picked by him for a reason.

Kiddo did he drink any of that alcohol?

Frank's voice was cold and dark.

Not a drop... Sonam answered. In fact knocked all the bottles into the garbage.

Maybe he is not as lost a cause as you think. Mac... This "Infant" as you put it has killed to protect her mother. She knows her mother better than any stranger reading some watcher Journal would ever know so YEAH She is my replacement. I heard them talking in the train car... you did not. Because of all those years apart maybe he might decide not to care any more stranger things have happened with Immortals you know that.

Gregory for the first time in a long time raised his voice.

ALL OF YOU SHUT UP. We keep bickering like this we won't get anything done MAC You know him better than her and honestly according to Gitana Alain did not give much impression of giving a damn not that long ago so get over it you may not know what he is thinking of feeling the past can change someone. Frank... You need to stay level and lead GOT IT? And STUDENT You are sharp to distrust and quick to judge initial reactions and while for mortals that is pretty accurate as far as Immortals go it can be a craps shoot now DROP IT. If Alain fails to protect her it is on him not you.

Sonam simply nodded and kept walking Frank just looked at Gregory and started laughing a little but kept walking too.

Like I said lets get to it

Frank chuckled.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

"There's a limit to everything," He said, "How can you be so sure you're not close to yours?"

"This is about you Alain... not me." She replied, "I can take all from you that clouds your mind and darkens you to all the love and good of your life."

"But what I don't understand is why would you want to," He told her. How long had she been alive? How many countless people had she taken such evil from? The burden upon her must be so very daunting after so long burying herself in all of it.

"It is my place in this world to take the darkness pain and hate to keep it from killing more souls of light..." She stated simply putting the stone cup down between them, "... like yours."

"What do you need me to do?"

"Close your eyes," She told him, "It is time to begin."

Her hands raised and she placed them lightly on either side of Alain's head. She leaned in close those deep eyes that had seen the passage of millennia stared into his. She looked deep all the way to the heart of his being. Alain couldn't look away from them as misty black tendrils of vapor seeped out of him and up into hers. The peaceful ancient forest darkened as her head tilted back and took the black pulsing, flashing, energy flowed out of his body and up into hers like a quickening but darker more sinister.

She released him and began dancing a primal tribal beat. She popped in and faded out around him in the darkened forest. It was an ancient dance. A sacred dance. A dance Alain felt priviledged to experience.

He awakened lying on the bench they had sat on beside where his Bel Air was parked. A breeze rustled the leaves on the trees in the orchard around him. The water of the river passed by and under the bridge back to the highway.

He raised up and looked at her. "Thank you."

"Rest now Alain..." She told him, "Let the light take back its full place within you."

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

IC: Acheron and Azzan Rozen

Acheron lit his cigarette and let it smolder in his hands. People these days say these things would kill him. He had smoked tobacco in one form or another for centuries and had no worse for wear for them, but still these days he never smoked them anymore.

He snuffed out the cigarette on a rock nearby. He no longer had a use for them. These things were the vice of lesser men. Acheron was not and had not been a lesser being in a long time. He had reached a state above...a point of apotheosis. He was now a god among insects.

He sat peering across the river at the so-called safety of holy ground his quarry sheltered in. As if he gave a damn about the rules anymore. This was no game for him. Without rules to restrain him. This was no game...this was survival. As long as one other immortal was alive he would never be safe.

None of the others saw it that way of course. They all sought the prize by the fucking rules, and that was why they all lost their heads to him. They failed to understand: There were no points, no umpire, no penalty box...this was not a game...it was a question of survival, and Acheron had always been a survivor.

A black landrover with four of his men rolled down the hill to the foot of the bridge.

Acheron checked his watch. Fifty-nine minutes and fifty-nine seconds since his messenger had delivered his message to his wayward queen. She hadn't followed his directives. Time was up. It was now time to show her his displeasure at her disobedience.

He rose up from the trees and stepped out as his men climbed out of the landrover pulling out Ak-47s with them. Kesi, his right hand woman got out of the passenger seat. Azzan slid out from behind the wheel.

Kesi he had spared since she had such a remarkable resemblance to his Selena, but alas her face was where the similarity ended. Azzan...was his leitenant and irreplaceable...it was too bad he was a traitor. He thought he was fooling Acheron, but he had seen through the deception like a window pane. He hadn't disposed of him yet for he still had plans for the remarkable assets the watchers could become as he became the uncontested god of this world, but that was long term in the short he'd acquire and discipline his wandering wife.

Azzan handed him a radio. He raised it to his lips. "Do you copy, Damocles 1?"

"Roger that," the voice came over it.

"Begin your mission."

A sound familiar to soldiers from a war in the jungles of Vietnam came over the forested hills of the river valley. It was the thrumming sound of the engines of a Huey gunship. Acheron had bought it from the black market just for this operation. It came from the north following the river low.

"Orders sir," The voice said as it hovered over the river the fifty caliber machine gun leveled on the peaceful monks of the monastery.

He rolled his eyes at the pilot's hesitance. "Open fire."

"Roger." The fifty cal opened up mowing down the defenseless monks as they scurried away like cockroaches.

He handed Azzan the radio again and smiled to Kesi.

He was a god among insects.

 

[Asa]

Gitana Sonam and Selena

Gitana walked into her chambers and sighing she reached for a phone she kept buried for many reasons and spoke.

Donnovan... I will speak with Dominique... Now!

Her tone cold as she spoke leading the person on the other end of the phone to laugh and hand over the phone.

Dominique... I know you have been in town for a few weeks now... I know you are either following someone or second guessing "prey" that I now have to contend with as well.

Silence child I know you seek to take the head from the demon Acheron... and I know that even just the three of us together may well make even his delusional mind think twice. We all declared one fellow immortal being as protected... Mine has come under attack by the demon... as has the temple I call home... see what you can do to assist.

The only answer she received was

As you wish sister then we have much to discuss.

As the call ended the weapons fire began. The sky was raining its death. by orders of the coward himself... even deep in his mind he clearly would not cross holy ground even if he thought otherwise of the rules... they were a part of each immortal like it or not.

She moved to hurry people inside and down into the underground storerooms till this attack was over knowing well that the local military base would investigate such an event.

Sonam hissed hearing the chopper coming in the noise was clear as she moved to find Alain and drag him inside knowing that her mother was already inside.

Weak ass COWARD!

Sonam growled as she tried to move to get to him and get him inside where it is safe.

Selena was frantic searching for Alain Sonam and Gitana.

Frank and Gregory

Gregory's eyes shot towards the sky as Frank unleashed an almost inhuman growl.

LETS Get these idiots now... Everyone outside of Holy Ground is free game... Even his watcher. The Kid should have found a way to prevent this! They die they ALL Die.

Gregory motioned to what looked like an old stone shed by the far side of the stream. Opening the doors there were already clearly warrior monks and other old soldiers who had been using this place to heal. All armed with various weapons. A simple hand full of maybe a dozen soldiers and several of the hwa rang students and one instructor.

Someone call for an army

A young soldier spoke up as they entered saluting Gregory and Frank.

Frank looked at them then to Gregory.

She would stomp you into the ground for this you know that.

Gregory nodded...

She can thank me and kick my ass later for now... lets at least even the odds.

One of the monks looked to them

Sonam will be in place atop the ancient tower momentarily.

Frank nodded and walking once more towards the border and what would be death and hell for someone in silence Choppers and death sounds surrounding him his eyes saw Jungle once more as he prepped the machine gun he was handed.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

Alain ran through the trees of the orchard his sword in hand. The sound of the chopper burred over the treetops. The wind from its rotors pushing and swaying their boughs above him as he ran underneath. The sound of a browning machine gun firing soon joined in, and Alain ran faster.

When he reached the manicured landscaping around the monastery he ran up to a zen rock garden on the southside of it. Two monks were running towards the door inside there. The machine gun on the side of the Huey swept its deadly spray of fire across the garden ruining the laboriously sculpted ripples in a sweep of sand and blood. Lifeless the bullet hole riddled bodies of the two monks fell face first into the sand further desecrating the zen garden.

That enraged Alain. These monks were pacifists. Peaceful souls that refused to even harm an insect. They didn't deserve this. This wasn't their fight. This was punishment for sheltering them. For sheltering him.

He ran up to the building keeping close to the side of the monastery. He saw Frank and Mac and Sonam keeping cover behind the treelines. Cupping his hand to his mouth he called out to them, "Make sure every one is safe inside. I'll draw its fire away from you."

With that he vaulted out from the cover of the monastery leaping over the bodies of the two dead monks and out into open lawn at a full run. The Huey pivoted to bring the fifty cal to bear on him. It started firing again. Bullets blasted the ground close at his heels kicking up dirt.

There was a boulder a dozen meters ahead that could give him cover. He wasn't going to make it. Then another shot rang out. The fire from the chopper stopped.

Alain dove behind the boulder, and peeked out. He saw in the doorway Sonam ducking behind the wall holding an old hunting rifle. Where the hell had she found that old antique?

The helicopter had swiveled back around and the fifty cal began to spray deadly lead through the thick oak doors.

"Sonam," He cried out in fear for her.

Then the machine gun stopped firing and a rope fell down from the other side as Acheron's mercenaries prepared to repel down it. They were going to enter the building and shoot everyone inside. Including Sonam and his wife.

Over Alain's dead body.

He vaulted over the boulder and stormed where the first mercenary was sliding down to land on the ground. The merc saw him and tried to bring his Ak-47 to shoot him. Alain got to him before he could do that though.

Acheron's mercenaries were all hardcore veteran's that had seen plenty of combat. So they were very good at close quarters combat, but in comparison to an immortal with a sword in his hand with centuries more experience it wasn't enough. He used a knifehand jab to the pressure point in the armpit making the arm numb for a vital moment and the barrel of the Ak in his hand to swing down to point at the merc's boots. To his credit he stopped his trigger finger from shooting himself in the foot. Unfortunately that was the last decision he made as Alain's spun swinging his sword through the man's neck and spinal column separating his head from his body.

The next man sliding down the rope was smart enough to let go of the AR-15 slung over his chest and pull out a Kbar knife. He swung it in reverse-hold to slice across Alain's gut. For men who grew up in an age where warriors fired guns he wasn't bad with his knife skills, but Alain grew up in an age where warriors learned the art of swords and knives from childhood, and he'd had centuries to hone that training into a deadly efficient package,

His knife as well as the hand that held it dropped to the lawn quickly joined by his head. Two down three more of the killers to go, but no more were sliding down the rope. The last three had wised up and were firing down at him from the chopper with their assault rifles. The only thing that was saving him was that he was directly under the Huey, and so their firing angles were very poor, but now the chopper pilot was sidling the chopper over so they'd get a better shot at him.

There was no cover. One more moment and he'd be riddled with bulletholes and the three remaining mercenaries would be free to repel down from the chopper walk right into the monastery shooting anyone they found inside, including Selena, and Sonam, and Frank, and Mac, and Gitanna. His efforts to protect them would be for nothing.

 

[Asa]

Frank Gregory and the "troops"

One at a time they stalked their way through the treeline taking out any one they ran across before they could call for help. The Hwa Rang took the cue to wipe out or capture any they could who appeared to have any rank. Just outside of holy ground ran nearly as red with blood as their peaceful home. Frank however was on a mission his target was a fellow Watcher... dead or alive he would get answers from him about this. Gregory stayed close not sure where Frank was in the present or was he seeing jungles around him. Glancing back to see if Mac was still following them. He hoped that Sonam had gotten to her vantage point safely. He had not worried about what weapons Sonam would have found and hoped she would be as good as Frank says she is. He knew she would get an interesting education traveling with Frank and the others. Time to test those skills kiddo... do us proud. Gregory thought to himself.

Sonam

She was shown to Gregory's old weapons chest and took a deep breath. She was not happy that she was going to have to use this stuff but if the big bad immortal wanted to be a coward then she would just have to play rough too.. The young monk who was her extra eyes told her what each weapon was as she lifted them out.

That chopper can be injured if not dropped with the Grenade launcher... Right?

The young monk shrugged as he answered. We have little choice as unfortunate as that sounds. Take careful aim Sonam I will pray for those that may die from this.

Sonam lifted the old M79 taking aim. It was a little heavier than a rifle but she had confidence that she could do it even if she missed one the old tower was well hidden and she had a few more grenades for it. Lining up her shot she pulled the trigger as the grenade charge made its way straight connecting with its target. Not a fatal shot but enough to rattle the humans inside of it and damage any defense. She hoped that would protect everyone though it was clear the poor fool falling out of the chopper had no luck left.

Thats what you get for attacking my Family asshole.

Sonam growled before she picked up the sniper rifle and grinned.

Now this I know I can use Lets get into position.

Gitana

She knew well her "sister" would not go near such a fire fight... devious and cruel but she was not an idiot. She saw to it that everyone was in the cellars and catacombs safe and Finding Selena she tried her best to calm her till she would at least get her to sit down. Once everyone was secure she made her way back up seeing the Dojo empty but knew none of the hwa Rang were in the catacombs she sighed.

I hope you know what you are doing Gregory...

Moving to where she could see Alain and then her eyes look up to the chopper preparing to try to even unconsciously make eye contact with any of the soldiers still in the chopper only to see something hit the side of it and one poor soul fall to his death the chopper seeming rattled and harder to control luckliy it was going further towards the fields in its erratic flight pattern now.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

There was no cover. One more moment and he'd be riddled with bulletholes and the three remaining mercenaries would be free to repel down from the chopper walk right into the monastery shooting anyone they found inside, including Selena, and Sonam, and Frank, and Mac, and Gitanna. His efforts to protect them would be for nothing.

Alain started running. It was the only thing he could do as hopeless as it was.

He didn't see Sonam lifting the old M79 grenade launcher and taking careful aim. He didn't see the grenade shoot out and strike the side of the Huey. Unfortunately that grenade was at least forty years old and failed to detonate on impact as it was designed to. Instead it bounced off the fuselage of the chopper and fell two feet down before finally the old fuse detonated the munitions inside.

Alain heard the explosion first and felt the rush of wind. Not knowing about it he stumbled, and fell to the manicured lawn of the temple. He wasn't shot though. The helicopter had its own troubles occupying it. It had been closer to the grenade and had been riddled with with shrapnel. The blast had hit it and it wobbled and spun around as the pilot who was gritting his teeth from a bleeding wound from a piece of shrapnel that struck his arm desperately tried to get the machine back under control.

One man who hadn't gotten to a handhold was knocked out by the blast falling from the chopper and landing hard onto the ground a few feet away from Alain.

The helicopter was backing off the wounded pilot trying to land her before getting hit with another grenade.

It completely neglected him as it pulled back over the opposite river bank and set down. It would probably be back in a minute but Sonam had saved everyone a few minutes reprieve. She had saved him.

He climbed back up on his feet and looked gratefully to her with a nod. He didn't want her a part of this. She was a kid, and despite having come from a rough background he wanted her to be as bloodless as possible in this. She should go shopping with friends, and worry over what boy likes her rather than shooting at people trying to hurt her mother.

Still Sonam had done a good job and he was thankful.

Then like a wave he turned around towards the bridge. He could feel someone approaching, another immortal or two. One was much more powerful...his prescience was greater than Alain had ever felt any Immortal have.

Was this Acheron? Had the monster finally shown himself?

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

IC: Acheron and Azan Rozen

"...Get back into the air for fire support..." Acheron said into the radio as they watched the Huey set down across the river from the monastery.

He glared at Azan, "The incompetence of your people is becoming tiresome."

Azan nodded, "They are the best you could hire, boss." He had been very careful in how he had sabotaged Acheron's efforts.

"It doesn't matter," He said stopping at the middle of the bridge, "You all were merely the prelude."

He turned to Kesi, "Go. I will face them here. Be the wolves at their heels. Herd them to me."

His hand lanced out and grabbed Azan's pistol from his belt. He placed it against his gut and pulled the trigger. He never turned his head from looking at Kesi. "Leave at least one of the watcher's alive for future use."

Azan had fallen back clutching at the bullet hole in his stomach. He knew he wouldn't die, not right away. A gut shot was a long and terrible way to die. It was as much a torture as it was an execution.

He tried to raise his rifle on Acheron. For so long he had wanted to do this.

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

IC: Mac

Mac followed Frank and Gregory through the trees. They had reached and passed Alain's car and was heading for the bridge across the river now when they heard the gunshot. Through the trees they could see the group of them at the center of the bridge, and one of them falling back clutching at his gut.

Then the man raised his rifle pointing at the man in the center of them.

"That's him isn't it," He asked Frank, "He's Acheron?"

 

[Asa]

Sonam

Seeing Alain she nodded and now moved to swap weapons. She could see the bridge... The one she suspected was Acheron his watcher and that infernal copy of her mother. She took aim... she wanted to shoot them both... not that it would kill either one of them but watching them bleed for all the torture they have caused her mother it would be worth it. She knew their orders... she was just back up. Still they had not said anything about not putting a bullet between the eyes of the monster who tortured her mother for centuries.

As if sensing the young woman's anger rising and reckless mind gnawing against her orders the young monk placed a hand on her shoulder.

They know what they are doing... Now we must do as they need us to do.

Sonam snarled and moved her aim back to the bimbo and leading a little to make sure she would be in place in time when she was needed.

Frank and Gregory

Frank snarled he was divided now... clearly Acheron knew who his watcher was and yet the boy had let this attack happen. Gregory nodded to Mac.

Yes that is him... as well as his little carbon copy of Selena. Frank... are you sure we should do this... us take her out... or...

His words were cut silent as Frank whipped his head around and glared. The faint sounds of the Hwa Rang beginning their attack was the sign as Frank roared out.

NEVER thought Warriors were coward enough to hide behind humans and women ACHERON!!!! Whats wrong scared to face a fellow Warrior... Quit hiding behind Selena or that bimbo Selena wanna be. FACE ME!

Gregory sighed and drew his own sword and a well hidden Glock 22 40 cal and looked briefly to Mac.

Welcome to Frank's Hell...

With that he fired at a soldier trying to hide and take aim on them.

Gitana

She made her way through the catacombs finding Selena and calming her before walking back out to the doors and seeing Alain.

Selena is fine and I fear Gregory and Frank have been a most unfortunate influence on Sonam as she is not hiding within like she was told.

Her eyes narrow as she looked to the bridge.

Time to hunt young Templar... Shall we?

Gesturing to the bridge and the monster that waited there.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Azan Rozen and Acheron and Mac

Azan had fallen back clutching at the bullet hole in his stomach. He knew he wouldn't die, not right away. A gut shot was a long and terrible way to die. It was as much a torture as it was an execution.

He tried to raise his rifle on Acheron. For so long he had wanted to do this.

Acheron looked unfazed that the barrel of an AK-47 assault rifle was pointing at his chest. "I want you to die slowly, Azan. Don't disappoint me in that now."

Azan's vision was blurry. He hit his head on the road when he fell back. So he wasn't sure if his aim was true or not. The bullethole in his stomach really fucking hurt. The real pain would be the infection he'd get if he didn't get immediate attention. He couldn't feel much below his waist. That was disconcerting as well, but again not the immediate problem. There was a pool of his blood forming on the asphalt around him. It was growing larger at an alarming rate. If he didn't get his wound patched up soon he'd bleed to death. His hand was staunching the flow of blood, but not enough. Too much was draining out of him. The Ak was getting harder to hold up.

He had only minutes before-

"NEVER thought Warriors were coward enough to hide behind humans and women ACHERON!!!! Whats wrong scared to face a fellow Warrior... Quit hiding behind Selena or that bimbo Selena wanna be. FACE ME!"

That was Frank's voice. Azan turned his head to where it came from. He couldn't focus his eyes.

"Frank," He asked the blurry figure in his vision, "I fucked up pretty bad, haven't I?"

Maybe his mind deprived of blood was playing tricks on him. The one man who's respect meant a damn to him couldn't be here now.

Acheron turned to Kesi and shook his head to them, "What are you standing there for? Go. kill. Have fun." Gunfire was beginning to sound as his men and Gitana's would be protectors exchanged fire.

Mac pumped a round in his shotgun took aim at the mercenary Gregory had shot at. "Frank, get back behind cover." The shotgun blasted a hole in the window of the SUV the merc was ducking behind. He grabbed Frank by the shoulder and pulled him back behind the strut of the bridge.

"Keep your head in the game," He growled to his friend. He pumped another round into the shotgun, but didn't get to use it. they stayed behind cover as the Merc sprayed bullets that ricocheted off the steel girder protecting them.

He risked a glance around the girder, then quickly ducked it back as bullets whizzed by where he had it. "That lookalike bitch is heading this way."

Acheron turned back to Azan. The Ak was still pointing at him, but wavering.

"Seems I have to end your misery. More's the pity," He stated and fired a final shot into his head.

The Ak clattered to the road having never fired a shot.

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

IC: Alain De'Montreau

Alain could feel him now. His quickening was strong, and ominous. He would deal with him in a moment, but first he needed to find his wife.

He ran into the monastery. "Selena."

He raced through the building looking for her. He had to find her. He had to know she was safe, before-

He wasn't thinking. The smart thing would be to rush to the bastard and end it before he had a chance to endanger his wife or any of their friends again. Yet he wasn't thinking with his brain. Not now.

He needed to see her, one more time, before-

"Selena!"

 

[Asa]

Selena and Gitana

Gitana knew his heart well and had told people to guide him to her. Selena was sitting in a room with several monks seeming intent on keeping her in the room.


Alain... Where is Sonam? All they keep telling me is she is in Frank's employ right now... what do they mean?

She seemed to be swaying back and forth between that Priestess demeanor and the terrified nature that had been brutally manipulated in her for so long. The monks backed away but left one blocking the door from the inside and one on the outside though with no orders to keep Alain there he would be the only one they would let leave the room.

Gitana waited for him for a moment then decided that it would be best to make sure that there was an escape plan for him if he was about to lose to Acheron. She would avenge her priestess herself before she would let the lover of her Priestess be killed.

Sonam Frank and Gregory

DAMN FRANK!

Gregory growled but was glad to see Mac grab him and drag him to safety. He watched what had to be the watcher fall then right after that cheap knockoff started towards them the watcher killed.

Tough break kid... but...

Frank snarled

He could have figured out a way to stop this... He had to be helping that demon beast Acheron Serves him right the kid fucked up and he payed for it just like any soldier trying to play both sides.

Gregory just sighed and spotting Kesi walking towards them she tensed ready to open fire knowing that it would do little good other than to slow her down. He hoped that Sonam was going to be able to get out of this without any blood on her hands. Street tough carnival tough or whatever she thought she was. Taking a life takes its toll and it doesn't matter who you are.

Sonam sat in her perch seeing the cheap knockoff of her mother walking towards Frank Mac and Gregory and took aim leading the target a little as she lined up what she hoped would put a bullet right between her eyes when she needed to. The young monk just watched her hoping she would not have to pull that trigger.

Kesi

SHe staled towards them sword in one hand and a knife in the other. She smiled... Ohhh I think I will be more than enough to handle a few old tired mortals like you all Frank... Gregory is the youngest of you now... well after Azan 's demise. SO that leaves the other one as Mac. Pity... well at least for you that you could not keep your boy away from her this time... though it is LONG over due that we get rid of that pesky little piece of her heart... just like the brat. You would not believe what people out there are willing to pay for a Tibetan girl as young as her... not as much as if she were younger but... still you have to fund an army some how.

Gentlemen please don't look too surprised... I know more than Acheron thinks I do about our little Priestess... Now be good little motrtals who know they will not survive me and lets make this quick and painless... Like Sully...

Sonam took aim and snarled softly as she watched her clearly taunting them wanted to go ahead and open fire but stood her ground for now till it looked like they would need help.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

He needed to see her, one more time, before-

"Selena!"

He found her deep within the halls of the monastery. The room was surrounded by men dressed as monks, but Alain could see in their ways their eyes kept an alert watch of the hallway that these were men that had not been pacifists most of their lives. He nodded to Gitana approvingly.

He entered the room noting it was a small cell suited for monks who eschewed worldly possessions. It had a dresser, a table, and a cot, and nothing else, but it was a treasure vault to him. It held the one thing most precious to him in this world.

The pain he had felt after venice was still there-it would never diminish-but what Alain was learning now that he saw her turn to look at him was that Venice hadn't eclipsed his feelings for his wife before that terrible morning she left him-no matter how much it tried to cast its shadow over them. The truth was he had loved this woman with all of his heart, and he was learning now that she was in so much peril that he still loved her.

"Alain..." She replied, "Where is Sonam? All they keep telling me is she is in Frank's employ right now...what do they mean?"

"Sonam is in the tower with a rifle and grenade launcher..." He came up to her and took her hands in his, "She saved my life out there and she got rid of the chopper that was shooting at everything. You should be proud of her."

He noticed the duality in her eyes. One moment he stared into the eyes of the confident and caring exotic queen of old he had fallen in love with and the next her eyes belonged to the woman reliving such terrible memories at the mere mention of a name. It made him want to rip that man's head off with his bare hands.

He pulled her in close to him and held her in his arms.

Gitana made to leave the room. He stopped her saying. "I am grateful to her for saving me, but keep Sonam out of this. I know in her life she has seen much that has robbed her of her innocence, but the three of us understand better than anyone else ever will how precious someone's youth is. I'm asking you to protect what little she has left of hers....keep her out of this."

When Gitana left them alone he held her in his arms wishing that this last one hundred years without her could just vanish and that they could go back to the time before Venice when he could kiss her the way he wanted to and she would kiss him in response with equal ardor. Yet this last century had happened so Alian held her in his arms and contented himself with just burying his face in her hair again. It still smelled the same floral fragrance it had a hundred years ago.

"You were right, Selena," He murmured, "You were right to not tell me. You were right to leave me back in Venice. You knew if I learned about him what I would do..."

He pulled back and raised a hand to stroke and cup her cheek tenderly. He looked at her in the eye feelings for her and the hundred years without her being pulled back and corralled behind the façade of a warrior setting off to war, "...But I know now, and I won't allow it to continue one more day."

He traced his thumb over her cheekbone to wipe away a tear rolling down over it. "I just need to let you know...I don't blame you for it...no matter what happens...I...I never changed how I felt about you and I never will."

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

IC: Mac

Mac pumped a round in his shotgun took aim at the mercenary Gregory had shot at. "Frank, get back behind cover." The shotgun blasted a hole in the window of the SUV the merc was ducking behind. He grabbed Frank by the shoulder and pulled him back behind the strut of the bridge.

"Keep your head in the game," He growled to his friend. He pumped another round into the shotgun, but didn't get to use it. they stayed behind cover as the Merc sprayed bullets that ricocheted off the steel girder protecting them.

He risked a glance around the girder, then quickly ducked it back as bullets whizzed by where he had it. "That lookalike bitch is heading this way."

"Ohhh I think I will be more than enough to handle a few old tired mortals like you all Frank..." She called out as she stalked towards them sword in hand with a predatory smile on her face, "Gregory is the youngest of you now... well after Azan 's demise. SO that leaves the other one as Mac. Pity... well at least for you that you could not keep your boy away from her this time... though it is LONG over due that we get rid of that pesky little piece of her heart... just like the brat. You would not believe what people out there are willing to pay for a Tibetan girl as young as her... not as much as if she were younger but... still you have to fund an army some how."

Mac peeked around leveling the end of his shot gun at her but had to pull back as the mercenary hiding behind the shot up SUV fired a hail of gunfire from his AR-15 forced him to pull back behind the girder for cover.

He glowered to Frank, "How does she know so much about all of us Frank? The watchers are supposed to be a super secret organization. Did our guy spill his guts to them?"

"Gentlemen please don't look too surprised... I know more than Acheron thinks I do about our little Priestess..." She continued walking past the merc with AR leveled on them pinning them behind their cover. "Now be good little motrtals who know they will not survive me and lets make this quick and painless... Like Sully..."

That was it. "Don't you say his name," Mac roared whipped out of cover leveled his shot gun at her and fired. Even for immortals, taking a blast from a 12 gauge shot gun at close range to the chest would take some time before they got up again. Maybe Sonam would take her shot and let Frank or Gregory finish her off.

It wouldn't be him though...

Three shots from the mercenary's assault rifle sounded and three explosions of pain threw him onto his back.

 

[Asa]

Sonam

Seeing what was going on she growled and changed her target and shot the merc in the suv then moved the rifle back to the lookalike seeing her fall back bleeding. Seeing Mac bleeding she hissed mumbling to herself.

Frank take care of Mac I will deal with her.

She fired one more round doing all she could to plant the bullet between her eyes...after that round flew from the rifle she noticed something... the merc in the suv... was on the ground... he... he was dead... she had actually killed someone. She lowered the rifle for a moment in silence as the monk sitting near her watched her and spoke softly.

Let the emotions appear then fade once this battle is over we can help you process for now treat this as meditation acknowledge and release you have done your part the rest is up to them.

Taking a deep breath she lifted the rifle up once more only this time she was taking aim at Acheron. She wanted to put a bullet in him but he was too far away and she knew it as she growled.

You die next vermin.

Frank and Gregory

Gregory realized that Sonam had taken out the mercenary and Mac had incapacitated the look alike bitch so he shoved Frank towards Mac.

Help him I have got this...

Frank growled...

MY KILL.

Gregory knew better than to question so he moved to Mac to do all he could to stop the bleeding and try to keep him there with them. It also gave him a clear shot of the merc laying on the ground out of the suv and knew that Sonam had actually taken a life. He had to focus on Mac and could not think on that for now as he watched Frank stalk towards Kesi only to see a bullet slam into her forehead.

Frank watched the bullet wound in her forehead appear and moved standing over her as he hissed.

There is only one Selena... ONE sacred Priestess... ONE...

With that the blade in his hand sliced through taking the head from the body as he kicked the head away from the body. Before moving to the SUV and taking the gun from the dead Mercenary. The spark of realization hit him now as he looked to Gregory.

I wonder if she even realizes that she did it?

Gregory looked to him and shrugged.

Help me get Mac inside... We can better help him there Frank.

Frank moved to help him carry Mac back towards the temple.

Gitana and Selena

I will do everything I can.

Is all Gitana said as she left the room.

Selena curled against him hugging him tight. She heard his words about Sonam but to her Sonam was always going to be that little little girl she found and took in. Tears covered her cheeks as she looked into his eyes feeling him wipe them away she let herself get lost in his eyes after so very long.

I... I had to protect you... I have to protect you and protect Sonam and Gitana... all of this is my fault my being here brought him here and made him attack this place.

She curled tight against him.

I can't lose you Alain... I can't.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

He pulled back and raised a hand to stroke and cup her cheek tenderly. He looked at her in the eye feelings for her and the hundred years without her being pulled back and corralled behind the façade of a warrior setting off to war, "...But I know now, and I won't allow it to continue one more day."

He traced his thumb over her cheekbone to wipe away a tear rolling down over it. "I just need to let you know...I don't blame you for it...no matter what happens...I...I never changed how I felt about you and I never will."

"I... I had to protect you... I have to protect you and protect Sonam and Gitana..." She said those deep eyes swimming in tears stared up into his,

He wiped more of those tears from rolling down her cheeks and bent down to press his forehead against hers. They were so close now. No more than an inch or less between the hundred year delayed kiss they both had been afraid to attempt now on their reunion. "I know you did, Selena," He whispered reassuringly, "You did what you felt you had to."

"All of this is my fault," She continued with a soul tearing tremor to her words, "My being here brought him here and made him attack this place."

He took hold of either side of her face and looked deep into her eyes so she wouldn't be able to deny the truth of his words, "No, it is not your fault. This is his fault. He is the one pursuing you. He is the one threatening all those you care for, Selena. This is his fault, and I will make sure he pays for it."

"I can't lose you Alain..." She said curling up in his arms, "I can't."

"I can't lose you either," He replied nuzzling the side of her cheek, "But I need to do this." He pulled back and released her lifting his sword back up from where he had laid it. He looked back at her, "If I fail to stop him. Run. Don't fight him. Take Sonam and the others and hide some place he will never find you."

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

IC: Acheron

He stood in the center of the bridge beside the corpse of his watcher. Azan was unnoticed as he watched the show going on at the foot of the bridge leading to the monastery. He saw Kesi fail in the simple task he had given her.

Good riddance. When he had retrieved Selena today she would have become redundant anyway.

The rest went predictably. With one running to the aid of their fallen comrade and the leader-so that was the indomitable Frank-came over and be headed her.

"Mortals," He chuckled making his way towards them, "So determined. So small. So stupid." He drew his rapier out from the back of his car.

Kesi's corpse lifted off the ground. The bridge shook. Their SUV's car alarms sounded. Their headlights flashed on and off. The wind picked up whipping his hair around wildly. Electricity arced through the air from the beheaded body. It struck the steel girders supporting the bridge making showers of sparks. Lightning lanced out hitting the nearest SUV causing its engine to ignite and explode. The rounds in his fallen mercenary's AK-47 cooked off in its magazine. The explosion occurred as the lightning found him.

His body arched as Kesi's power, her quickening-meager as it was, rampaged through him. Someone cried out before he knew it was his own voice rushing through him. He could feel the turning of the earth. Individually count the heartbeats of all the creatures on the earth, the revolutions of the electrons around their nuclei in the atoms of the bridge and air and river about him. This was his power, his greatness, his apotheosis.

He was indeed a god among insects.

All too soon Kesi's quickening extinguished adding to his own much larger and greater power now because of it.

He shook his hair out of his face as he took another step forward eyeing his first prize of the day. "Frank. Frank. Frank. My dear friend...I have a simple proposition for you and your voyeuristic little club."

His sword hand flicked through the air intersecting the bullet on the flat of the blade ricocheting their sniper's shot into the asphalt beneath him.

He lifted up his radio and gestured for Frank to give him a moment.

"Damocles 2," He said into the radio, "Do you have a bead on the sniper."

"No joy on the shooter, but I have a shot on her spotter."

He shrugged as if stating the obvious, "Then take it."

His own sniper from across the river hidden among the trees fired and a single lifeless body fell out of the tower to crash onto the ground below.

"And if the shooter raises her head again," He continued casually, "Put a bullet in it."

He lowered the radio back to his pocket and called back out to Frank, "Now where were we?"

 

[Asa]

Frank

Friend is the LAST thing you should be calling me vermin. There is nothing you can offer any watcher.

Frank watched him was death in his eyes as he saw him talking into a radio. The briefest of thoughts that Sonam is safe as he stood his ground. He did not trust this worthless waste of flesh and blood much less immortality but if it could buy the others some time he would appear to listen. The ball was in Gitana Sonam and the others court now.

Sonam

Watching the priest fall Sonam cursed at the fact that the vermin had someone find her hideout. She did not want to abandon her post but she knew she could not risk getting hit. A hand landed on her shoulder and one over her mouth as a male voice spoke low.

Don't worry I am... an old friend of Gitana's and I think we really need to get you out of here.

When she was able to snap around she was staring into the eyes of what had to be an immortal but he was about her age easily. For now she had little choice than to trust him so she nodded and as he pointed to the door in the floor. Once in the tunnels he motioned for her to lead the way though she did not trust him walking behind her she finally spoke.

Simple straight line down the corridor to the door into the temple... lets go.

Her face and expression seemed easily read by him.

I am Donnovan and do not worry the cowardly vermin attacking this place is almost as frightened of me as he is of Gitana. DO not worry... I do not wish to see the priestess enduring that rodent any more... he... has become a problem long ago and now far too many factors are in place for her to "protect everyone" from him.

Once they neared the door it flew open and a sword glint was the first thing seen.

Is that anyway to greet an old friend Gitana dear... sister... Especially after I have seen to it that the Priestesses young daughter was not taken from this world by a cowardly sniper?

Gitana grabbed Sonam and pulled her away from him.

Thank you for that Donnovan what do you want?

I am merely here to... tilt the balance a little more in the favor of the Priestess. May I see her?

Sonam watched Gitana and could almost taste the darkness trying to envelope her as her hand tightened around the sword.

Fine Lets go but one false move and...

I have been warned about your temper towards us is still strong I mean no harm... I assure you.

Gitana led the way first tossing Sonam into the room. The cold darkness was slowly billowing from her a change that Selena had not seen in her friend in centuries then she saw what or who had to be why.

What are you doing here?

That Priestess demeanor seeming to snap into place as she stood up her eyes looking somewhat down to the young man who noting her change and bowed low.

Merely protecting the daughter of the Priestess...

Gitana watched him and Selena sat down again.

Clearly you have done so already now what is your angle BOY?

Selena

She snuggled into Alain.

There is no place he can not eventually find me.

She tensed... an immortal was near. She looked to Alain it clearly was not Acheron but who was it? Her question answered when she heard Donovan's voice. Her eyes narrowed and her priestess side began to emerge as she stop there watching him.

Hearing his words about saving her daughter and sat back down.

Donovan looked over and seeing Alain there he again addressed Sonam

As I said factors are in place to prevent the priestess from enduring the rodent any more

 

[Veroe]

IC: Alain De'Montreau

"I can't lose you either," He replied nuzzling the side of her cheek, "But I need to do this." He pulled back and released her lifting his sword back up from where he had laid it. He looked back at her, "If I fail to stop him. Run. Don't fight him. Take Sonam and the others and hide some place he will never find you."

She looked up at him and he could see the bone-deep weariness from centuries of running and hiding from that man. She took him and embraced him snuggling her head into the crook of his neck saying, "There is no place he can not eventually find me."

His arms wrapped around her like she was made of the most precious material on the planet. He nuzzled his cheek into her silken hair. "Then I simply must not fail."

Someone was approaching...another immortal. He lifted his head turning to the door trying to concentrate on the approaching quickening. Near Gitana's, his, Selena's, and Acheron's it was difficult to get a clear sense of it, but it seemed old and twisted. He heard Gitana's voice and another's outside the door.

Sonam and Gitana followed by some young looking man burst inside the room. The appearance of the boy seemed to flip a switch in Selena. Curious. Alain watched as she sat down on the cell's cot and regarded him icily.

He stepped over to Gitana, "I should go before any more of your people die for us." He took hold of her arm and looked into her eyes before continuing, "If I fall promise me you'll get them out safely."

That said he glanced one more time at Selena and left the room on his way to slay a monster.

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

IC: Acheron and Mac

He lowered the radio back to his pocket and called back out to Frank, "Now where were we?"

Gregory had wrapped shred of his robes over the three bleeding wounds climbing up Mac's chest to staunch the bleeding. It looked to be working, but he was still losing some feeling in his legs. Was he bleeding inside. This was bad. The others seemed entirely stymied face to face with Acheron. Though Frank being an old soldier like he was was rallying his resolve against him better than Gregory was.

"Friend is the LAST thing you should be calling me vermin," He roared at the immortal staring him down, "There is nothing you can offer any watcher."

He lowered his radio and pointed his rapier directly at Frank, "That's the problem with you young children in this era...lack of imagination." He smiled a reptilian smile that bore no warmth at him, "I can offer you a partnership in my new vision for the world."

 

[Asa]

Gitana Selena Sonam and Donovan

Gitana nodded to Alain but it was Donovan who spoke.

The priestess and her associates will remain safe. Though I truly would suggest not failing her. He faces the watchers now if he has not slain them already. He will most likely toy with at least one of them

Selena snarled.

Then to see to it that he does not fail you Will go with him little shadow rat.

Her tone cruel... cold... and terrified that she could not hide. Sonam looked to Gitana and Alain at this change in her mother in the presence of this young looking if not a little creepy immortal.

He simply bowed

Templar... your shadow awaits.

Gitana nodded as if to say it was a good idea if only to get Donovan away from the temple.

Frank

What do you think you could offer other than your death that would remotely interest me?

He wanted to kill him but knew that was not possible but stall till a capable immortal arrived was the best he could do.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Acheron and Mac

He lowered his radio and pointed his rapier directly at Frank, "That's the problem with you young children in this era...lack of imagination." He smiled a reptilian smile that bore no warmth at him, "I can offer you a partnership in my new vision for the world."

"What do you think you could offer other than your death that would remotely interest me?" Frank growled to him defiantly.

"Other than what remains of your pathetically short life," Acheron chuckled, "I've taken the heads of more of my fellow Immortals than any of them, but hunting down my competition only wastes time."

"Wars rage. Greed, discord, and hatred runs rampant among the shepardless flocks of petty squabbling nations. Children starve in one country while food wastes in excess in its neighbor. This world is in chaos." He emphasized his next point tapping the flat of the blade to the bottom of Frank's chin, "You know this. Everyone senses this is true. This world needs someone of great vision to instill order to it for once in its long and bloody history."

He pressed the point of the rapier to Frank's heart, "It is taking me centuries to hunt down the other immortals out there, but I can do it so much faster if I had an army of eyes and ears all over the world."

He smiled that reptilian smile as he continued, "I care nothing about the so-called prize. I only wish to eliminate the danger they pose to me and my queen, and begin the process of taking this wayward wheel to task as its undisputed sovereign."

"Join me and Selena, Frank," He sad, "Be our eyes and ears so we may right this world."

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

IC: Alain De'Montreau

He made his way out of the monastery moving from cover to cover. The helicopter was gone but that sniper was still out there somewhere across the river waiting and watching. How many times in battlefields these past thousand years he'd survived through had he lost comrades because they became too complacent.

Though he wasn't certain this seeming kid strolling arrogantly beside him could be classified as a comrade.

They made it to his Bel Air about halfway to the bridge they took to get to the monastery. He crouched behind it for cover and glanced back to Donovan.

"My wife doesn't seem to like you very much," He said, "Why is that?"

 

[Asa]

Frank

He listened for a moment to the delusional madman before him before laughing.

I go one better I will give her even another reason to hate your pathetic carcass. You wanna kill me go for it. The more people you kill the more she will hate you.

With that he pressed himself a little against the sword.

So whats it gonna be... kill more people and make her hate you more or just fade away and let the woman you claim to love be happy with those she truly does love.

Donnovan

Ahh yes why the priestess hold coldness towards me. Well lets just leave it with my mother and I and Gitana at one time even terrified those called the horsemen and Acheron. That however was long ago and the priestess has a long memory of our acquiring Gitana and turning her to revenge.

He paused pointing to a woman with long blonde hair carrying a head.

Speaking of mother... I will tell you this Alain. Our help one extends to Gitana once her home is safe... we are gone so Acheron is solely yours to deal with.