Hey everyone here is the very first chapter to Dark Times my Highlander the series story. I have always loved the Highlander movies and such. And have wanted to do a good story I have tried before but it seems rushed but this one will not be. I was never a fan of Tessa so she never existed. So I don't own Highlander only Persephone and the plot. So no money is and never will be made from my writing. So please give it a chance and review if you like it or don't I can't please everyone. She has tried hard to not speck in Akkidian but she forgets sometimes she will use Greek a lot. Revised Edition as of 9/15/2016

March 11th 1995…

"Persephone, you need to meet my friend Duncan, not as if you have a choice, he will be meeting us at Joe's in an hour. He is also an immortal so please don't freak out and kill him," Cassandra said sitting across from me in the plush Italian chair. While I sat behind my desk lost in thought, I wasn't very happy to be meeting her friend. Why you ask, because I have stayed in the shadows for over 5,000 years and I planned to keep it that way.

"Fine this once Cassandra, and only so I can see Joe and Amanda," I said controlling the accent; I tried to lose as it was a dead language, it could bring very unwanted attention my way. "Thank you old friend," she gave me a hug before walking out of my office when I resumed my trance of reliving my past.

I can still remember it all as if it just happened yesterday, but it hadn't, it was 5,000 years ago. When I was killed the night of my wedding, the same wedding I was forced into by my loving brother. I am from Babylonia around 2500BC, I was the only female to my family, I was loved and treated well. My brother Kronos was devoted to my wellbeing he insured my happiness above his own.

Flash back (my way)…

I was by the hearth stoking the pyre letting the flame rise as I listened to my agarinnu (mother) and Abu (Father) talking. I could tell it wasn't good for me; it would be my down fall as I was to be married.

"Binto aragu ahzu ana malku," my Adu said as my Agarinnu looked at me with pity. (She to be married to the prince)

"Ai binto ahzu hadu binto adru," Agarinnu say to Adu but he waves her off. (May not she to be happy she mournful).

I missed my Ahu (brother) he was killed four years ago as the moon passed on my 15th year. I was mournful at his passing and the new life I was going to lead as a Queen, if only he would have come back for me I would not be forced to wed.

"Persephone aragu ahzu ana malku," Abu said all I wanted was to run. (Persephone to be married to the prince).

"I abutu akkunu Abu," I said (I well informed it's to your benefit father) staring at the rising flame in our large āpdānu ša mazraʾti (manorhouse).

With that they retired to their bedchambers as I went to mine, the servant would watch the fire.

Labāriš ūmē (in days to come).

It was spread through Babylon; I was being given to the Prince for marriage. I walked through the streets, my silk robes hitting the stone floor as I looked over the beaded necklace, I was aware that I was being followed.

I turned seeing a man with a dark cloak pulled over his features. As I moved with grace through the crowd but he was fast as he caught my arm pulling me into the ally.

"Adru agāmu aḫzu amāru on ikkanû duqqu summatu," he said in an odd dialect (Mournful to be married I behold it on your face my turtle dove).

"I am attamannu," I said looking at his cloaked face.

"Salāmu, akkua rā ' īmūtu ahu Kronos," he said and my eyes became wet. (Friendly relation for you, affection with brother Kronos)

"Kronos balāṭu kīam tabrītu anni annu," I said with hope. (Kronos alive he is coming for me yes)

"Annu Kronos balāṭu annu tabrītu," he said and was gone as the guard came. I had tears and they thought he was harming the future Queen. (Yes Kronos is alive yes he coming)

I sat by the window waiting for two days and two nights for Kronos to save me. As of tomorrow I would be gone then the next day to be wed, be force to bare a child.

"Dalpu bintu," I turned seeing my agarinnu in her bed silks.

"Ny," I told her no. She gazed at me a sad look, understanding my anger and the sadness at what was about to happen. I stood as she was walking me to my chambers when a loud sound was heard, we fell into the stone wall. Abu came rushing out, his sword drawn looking at us as a guard pulled us down a passageway. I saw Kronos as I was being dragged "Ahu Kronos," I called out when he turned to me with blood on his armor.

"The gall my aplu Kronos," Abu said with hate. As fire and battle raged in the front hall my mother was scared as a women grabbed her, killing her, I screamed seeing my agarinnu dead. I grabbed a dagger and plunged it into her side she fell to the floor net to my agarinnu.

Abu watched with sorrow filled eyes as he was battling the cloaked man from the ally.

"Persephone aḫātatu," Kronos touched my cheek with softness. (Persephone little sister)

I left that very night with him for a new life, but I soon found out I was to wed Methos the cloaked man. I was scared when they talked of death and what they have done. Kronos was loving giving me silks and furs with gems he was calm and protective. He was Pestilence as Methos was Death as Silas was War and Caspian was famine. I saw them rape, kill, and plunder small village's while it gave me great sorrow.

Present day…

I stood from my desk grabbing my purse walking out seeing Chloe my secretary on her computer. "Chloe I am having lunch with Cassandra and my father," I said as she smiled, I gave her a small wave as I passed.

"Tell Joe hello," she said as I walked to the elevator waiting for it to open. I stepped on as it went to the ground floor, I unlocked my "69" Jag sliding in and hearing it purr to life. I pulled out driving to my father's bar, Joe adopted me 20 years ago, I looked maybe 18 or young 20, he helped me. I have loved him like a real father and he has returned the love to me.

I stopped at the light pulling out my cell phone setting it on the passenger seat. I tapped the gas as the light turned green making a left turn and heading straight until I saw the bar on the right hand side pulling in before shutting off the engine as I got out of the car.

When I opened the door and felt it the aura the presence of another immortal, it could be Amanda, Cassandra or her friend Duncan, so I stepped in seeing Joe. I walked to the bar gracefully, I never lost my grace or how I was brought up as a future Queen.

"Hello Joe," I said as he walked around the bar leaning on his cane pulling me close. "Hello Princess," He said as I was wrapped in an aura of love and happiness.

"You look dashing father have you seen Amanda or Cassandra I am meeting them here for lunch," I say, he walked me to the back room where I saw them sitting with another he had long raven hair tied back with a leather thong a metal crest rested on the leather. He had on a black silk button up with tan slacks and black shoes, his smile was dazzling to say the least.

"Duncan, this is my daughter the one I adopted 20 years ago," Joe said in a low voice, Duncan stood he was tall with a toned frame and a kind smile. His eyes are a dark brown near black he had olive toned skin, I was drawn in by it.

"It is a pleasure, Persephone. I have heard great things about you from these three. I understand your need for security so your past and real name is a secret with me," He sat pulling out my chair, I heard a Scottish accent in his voice.

"I thank you Duncan, I am older than most and value my head. I would hate to have to go back to hiding but by chance are you related to Conner Macleod of the clan Macleod?" I asked as I have run into Connor many times over my many years.

"Aye I am, have you met him?" Duncan asked me as I smiled he moved closer as did I as if we are drawn together. "I have many times over the years, he is a joyful man and good company," I said as a waitress brought drinks and took our order.

"So I hear you helped Cassandra escape her husband, fleeing in the night. But you had already been forced to marry and had seen and had horrid things done in your time," Duncan says as I shook off the emotions of the past as Cass grabbed my hand giving me a small smile.

"I did, it was for the best and the reason I have stayed hidden for so long," I said as our food arrived my club looked great with fries on the side. As we ate we talked or Duncan and I talked. I asked him to dinner on Friday at my place along with Cass, Amanda and Joe, this was all on impulse, an emotion I never acted on.

"I look forward to seeing you again Persephone," Duncan say's his tone soft as he walked me to my car, like a gentleman he kissed the back of my hand making me blush.

I shouldn't be so open, I don't know him well "Until then Duncan," I said sliding into my car. I drove off heading back to my office before I went home to have a nice hot soak in the tub. I had only four messages' as I arrived back to my office Chloe wanted details on my lunch. Ahh a young immortal, I only wished the very best for her, she is a great worker and great person in general. She found out she was an immortal when she pushed a three-year-old boy out of the way of a drunk driver, I helped her that very same day.

"Mia," she called in her honeyed tone as I scoffed. Yes most call me Mia but as always I love my real name, Persephone, but it is not a common name, a name I like to keep from other immortals.

Okay I fixed the Irish too Scottish Sorry, I knew it was wrong but forgot to fix it before publishing it. My daughter, who is 18 is watching Highlander the series or for the first time and was like hell let me fix this story's writing.