Disclaimer: (Will implement this on the first chapter only.) Gargoyles belong to Walt Disney/Buena Vista. The characters of TGS belong to TGS – but are being used via permission as are certain 'episodes'.
Summary; Long before Goliath's birth, an ancient evil haunts Scotland. The legendary Odomus rises to stop it. But is there a connection between them?
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Special Plea; I'm getting lost in using this website. I need reviews, but I need help and advice more. I am so ridiculously computer illiterate that it's frustrating and embarrassing. How do I get a second chapter to load properly? Tried it before, it didn't work and so I deleted everything to start over. The files for this particular story go as follows; Rise of Constintien Part 1, Rise of Constintien Part 2 and so forth. Does that matter? Should a chapter still load as long as the title matches? I've gotten REALLy confuse and need help if I am to continue to post stories. Please, someone help.
The Rise of Constintien, Part #1
Manhattan; AD 1996
"Ah, Goliath. Just the man I wanted to see."
Man? Goliath, leader of Clan Manhattan, turned from where he stood observing Manhattan's skyline to greet the man who approached him. His velvety wings were folded around his shoulders like a great cape and his dark violet eyes regarded the human who had once for so long done nothing but torment his clan. But now, they were allies. And strangely, he was not surprised to see the billionaire standing behind him at all. What he was surprised about was the fact that he had sensed the billionaire's presence long before he had even spoken or arrived on the top of the tower. He seemed anxious about something.
Something truly is amiss on the wind this night. It has awoken the adventurer in my clan's benefactor, and somehow I feel I must be ready as well. But for what? He sighed patiently as he bowed his head in greeting to the human standing before him. "What is it Xanatos?"
Yes, it was David Xanatos, one of the richest men in the entire world and a rather favorite businessman of New York City. He had the arrogance to match it, but over the last little while he had become a bit more humble. But his debonair smile didn't fade as he regarded Goliath with that same catching excitement. His eyes twinkled in ways they never had before and Goliath puzzled at that. He could practically feel the goose bumps rising on the human's skin and felt his own thick hide prickle with goose bumps as well.
What is happening? he wondered, and then he seemed to understand. "You've found something of importance."
It was more a statement than a question, but Xanatos nodded all the same as his excitement intensified. "It's something I'm sure you'd be interested in as well. It's a journal. It was bound with animal hide and written in an ancient tongue my archeologists believe is an ancient form of Gaelic. They found it in a cave some weeks ago not far from where Castle Wyvern once stood. It dates back to the year 336 AD or later."
Goliath's ears perked up at that. "A cave, you say? Truly?"
Xanatos nodded again. "I think it's the cave where the Archmage made his final stand. I remember you telling me about it once and some of the descriptions my archeologists gave me matched the descriptions you gave me almost exactly."
Goliath hummed thoughtfully as he narrowed his eyes in anxious curiosity and hopped down from his perch. "Hmmm. Very curious."
Xanatos nodded. "Indeed," he said and gestured towards the steps. "I have the journal in my office. Shall we?"
Moments later, Goliath stood in Xanatos's office staring down at an old, yet surprisingly intact, journal. It was bound in leather and written in a strange dialect. It was Gaelic.
"I know this language," Goliath mused aloud as he ran a clawed hand over the cover. "Our clan once learned to speak it in order to communicate with the humans. But it hasn't been used for many ages. I don't understand . . ."
Xanatos regarded him a moment. "Owen seems to think it might be linked to Atlantis," he stated and Goliath looked at him.
"He would, I suppose," Goliath muttered, not really hearing him. "Can he understand this?"
Xanatos nodded.
Goliath hummed thoughtfully to himself and looked back down at the book. Excited curiosity pulsed through his veins as he gently pulled it open and thumbed through some of the pages. Marvelous images and words met his gaze and he breathed in a breath of amazement as he studied the small painting on the front cover. It was the painting of a warrior in strange armor and robes. The garb seemed to contain hints to many different countries and cultures; his head dress was almost Egyptian, his armor Roman or Greek and his robes and weapons resembled that of a Japanese samurai. He was a gargoyle, but there was something incredible about him.
"He has your face, Goliath," Xanatos observed in surprise. "Except for the tattoos and those big horns I think he could pass for your twin."
Goliath growled softly in his throat. Something about this felt very strange. The figure in the painting did indeed look like him. It made him very uneasy.
"The artist is unique though," Xanatos continued. "Whoever it is doesn't use the style of the day. The character here is drawn to life-like exactness. Makes me wonder who he is."
Goliath nodded numbly and looked down at the signature. He was shocked to see that the signature was written in plain English; Cassandra, 339 AD.
"Cassandra?" he muttered quietly as he started to flip through more pages. "Cassandra . . . What the . . .!?"
Xanatos looked at him. "What is it?"
Goliath shook his head as his face seemed to go pale. "I – I didn't think it was possible! I thought . . . Never mind!"
Xanatos raised an eye brow at him. But Goliath remained silent for several long moments before he carefully picked up the large, leather bound journal and turned to leave.
"I need to borrow this, Xanatos," he stated sharply as he left Xanatos's office.
The billionaire just nodded, although he was a little surprised at Goliath's sudden change in attitude. "Of course," he said with a knowing smile. "Read through it for a while and then let me know what you find. I'm very curious about whose history is written in there."
"So am I Xanatos," Goliath muttered quietly as he closed the door behind him. "So am I."
Xanatos smiled after Goliath had gone and then turned as Owen appeared at his side. "Well, what do you think?"
A strange smile was on Owen's face. "I think it's about to begin."
It is beginning. It is happening . . . But what is it!?
The thought was rolling around in his mind as Goliath hurried towards the library. He wanted some time alone to read this. His heart was racing with an anxiety he couldn't understand. There was something about this book that was stirring long forgotten memories of his childhood and youth. Stories he had not heard in years were suddenly recalling themselves from the deep chasms of his mind and an all consuming confusion and wonderment filled his soul.
Why am I feeling this way? What do I think is about to happen to me?
To anxious to bother trying to answer his own questions, Goliath went to the large circular table in the center of the room. He sat the leather journal upon it, pulled over a chair large enough to seat his muscular frame, sat down and again opened the journal to the front page. That same painting and that same signature stared back at him with an anxiousness he couldn't fathom. The whole book seemed to be alive with magic.
Since when was I sensitive to such things? I despise magic!
Sighing, and suddenly feeling uneasy, Goliath flipped through the pages again and began to read. What he read amazed him;
Scotland, AD 334 -
A strange darkness had fallen over the land. There was excitement all around. Word had spread that a dragon inhabited the caves in the hills beyond. No one knew whether or not this dragon was a threat. But there were rumors that said he was a magical dragon and could grant anyone's wish. This excited many, and yet no one dared to venture into the caves to learn the truth for themselves. No one, that is, except for a brave young woman named Cassandra.
Cassandra was the daughter of a nobleman and lived in a fine palace. She was beautiful and wise for her age, and just full of daring. She alone journeyed to the caves where the dragon had been spotted dressed as a simple peasant and observed the dragon with astonishment. Truly, she had not been disappointed. There indeed was a dragon in these caves, but he was much bigger than Cassandra had thought he would be. He was a giant by all standards and yet strangely beautiful. His scales were a beautiful shade of red, and he was covered in fabulous markings and spikes. His tail was long and powerful, and his wings were huge. He had a fierce, gentle composure and his eyes . . . weel, Casandra couldn't see his eyes. The dragon was asleep upon her arrival!
Feeling a little put out, but also feeling a little frightened. Cassandra cautiously stepped into the caves and began to approach him. Her footfalls were as soft as a kitten's, but that didn't stop the dragon from sensing her presence, catching her scent with his sensitive nostrils and listening to her footsteps with his excellent hearing. Rather suddenly, the dragon was awake and watching her. Cassandra stopped, afraid for her life. The dragon was said to be kind, but one never knew for certain. If the dragon decided to attack it would be all over for her.
Nevertheless, much to her surprise, the dragon greeted her with only mild surprise and beckoned her to come further in. His voice was deep and powerful, but if was full of wisdom and kindness. And so were his eyes which were a rich and wonderful gold, like the scales on his belly. Slowly, Cassandra's fears melted away and she drew nearer to the dragon. She began to explain to him her reasons for having come to his home and even apologized for disturbing him. But she had been curious and full of a hope that her own wish could come true. When asked what it was, she told the dragon she wanted to fly. She wanted wings more than anything else on earth. This surprised the dragon and he asked her why she would want wings. Her response was even more surprising; she had dreamed of being able to fly since childhood and remembered seeing winged beings flying the skies at night. Some had even stopped to speak with her. Their features were vague to her now, but she still remembered their kindness and she secretly desired to join them and learn more about them.
To this the dragon became concerned and cautioned her. Many in this land would not understand these beings or this desire of hers. The sight of her wings would astonish them. Ridicule for such things could be devastating, even deadly. There were only a few within the palace, her family included, who treated her with kindness and patient understanding. One of those that had never spoken ill of her was a young man who had been a friend of hers since childhood. He had come to live in the palace under tragic circumstances as a boy. He had always been rather shy and reserved, but lately that seemed to be worsening. Even his sweet wife and three sons could not snap him out of it. His studies had taken up so much of his time that they almost seemed to be changing him. Cassandra worried about him.
Nevertheless, the dragon's warning continued. He told her that others would not see her gift as joyously as she did. They would be afraid and might even become violent towards her. Cassandra realized with much despair that he was perhaps correct and suddenly wondered what she should do. The dragon's instruction was simple; take the gift, but use it wisely. She was to hide her wings from the rest of the world by wearing the magical shawl he would provide for her. While it was on, it would be as though the wings had never been given to her.
Gratefully, Cassandra took the shawl and watched and waited in mystified silence as the dragon gave her the wish she craved the most; wings. She felt them sprout from her back as a brilliant light surrounded her. She felt his magic envelope her like a warm blanket and felt as safe as a babe in its mother's womb. But once the transformation was complete and she felt the weight of the wings on her back, she felt the weight of weariness fall upon her as well. But the dragon's words remained with her and she tightened the shawl about her shoulders. Immediately, the weight of the wings seemed to disappear, but she still worried about would happen once she left the cave. The dragon said only to say nothing of importance to those who sought her out. He told her to tell them only that he was no threat to them and then politely told her that she should return to her family. Cassandra obeyed and bid him a fond farewell.
When at last Cassandra returned home, things happened accordingly as the dragon had said. People greeted her in eager curiosity and demanded to know the dimensions of the dragon that had come to live so near to their home. She told them only what he had told her to tell them, and when they asked if he had granted her wish, she just smiled and continued on her way. But she was left uneasy, for many still questioned her and she could feel their eyes lingering on her back. The only time she felt she could breathe a sigh of relief was when she got home. Her family greeted her with relief and excitement and everyone wanted to know if she had gotten her wish. At this, Cassandra became a little reluctant, but after insistent prying from her husband and two children – especially her father – she relented and pulled from her shoulders the shawl the dragon had given her. Her family was immediately astonished at what they saw and recoiled a little at the marvelous wings that had sprouted from her back. But the shock soon turned to amazement and excitement as her children started playing with the wings and asking all sorts of questions about them. The one she was the most uncertain of the most was; Can you fly now?
Certainly, Cassandra desired to fly, but she was afraid to now. She was not exactly fond of heights and had no idea how she was supposed to use these wings now that she had them. And the dragon's warnings were forever in her mind. But so too, now, were her father's warnings. But strangest of all were the odd looks he kept giving her. It gave her a strange sense of foreboding.
Still, two months had passed by since the meeting with the dragon and the excitement that had followed his arrival soon died away. Only a few other people had dared to journey to the dragon to have a wish granted. The rest left him well enough alone. But an odd tension still filled the palace and its surrounding kingdom. The market and the villages had grown quiet as more strange rumors flooded the land. They had started from within the palace itself and centered on Cassandra's childhood friend. A strange man named Lamen had come to the palace and he had taken an interest in the young man, but no one liked this Lamen. He was dark and secretive and his strange ways were starting to affect Cassandra's young friend. Soon enough he was estranged to his family and even to her. He would speak with no one.
But then, a tragedy struck. The people were seduced by Lamen's magic and cunning ways. The Lord of the land was overthrown and the family of Cassandra's childhood friend was murdered. Chaos ensued after that and it somehow managed to pull Cassandra and her family right into the middle of it. But strangely her childhood friend had disappeared. All that was left was a cruel, black hearted man with strange eyes and a bizarre pallor. He was like a demon, but the people followed him, which put Cassandra and her family in danger.
The new demon-man seemed aware of Cassandra's secret. It seemed he had seen her taking a few night-time strolls into the woods alone, and what he had seen there had shocked him. Now he offered accusations on her. He called her a witch and a demon. He accused her of bringing this monstrous form upon him and called for her and her family to be tried and executed. Many in the kingdom roared their agreement and called for death on those who were causing such evil in their lands.
Cassandra and her family were shocked and frightened. They had done no wrong and yet these people, many of them good friends, had turned on them and called them traitors. Cassandra and her family pleaded their innocence, but the stranger would hear none of it. He instead gave the people 'proof' behind his accusations and cursed Cassandra. Now, instead of a simple set of wings, she now possessed a tail, bizarre dinosaur-like feet, and razor sharp talons. She had become a full fledged gargoyle with an aquiline head. But so had her father. The spell had affected him too, and it caused the entire kingdom to fly into a panic. Even her own family was shocked. Her father most of all, and yet it was in a most unusual manner. It was as though he recognized this form.
Nevertheless, this new form was all the 'proof' the people needed. They rose up against Cassandra and her family, crying sorcery and betrayal. Cassandra was caged like an animal while her family was cruelly imprisoned. But tragically, her family was murdered. The only thing that saved Cassandra and her father was the dragon. He had heard the commotion and had come in search of her and her family, fearing the worst. His arrival brought grief and anger and he attacked, scattering the frightened citizens like cock roaches from a flame. He freed Cassandra and her father, both weak and full of despair, and carried them to a new home.
Cassandra barely noticed the place the dragon took them. So full of grief and shock was she that she didn't pay attention. She never noticed the odd, yet beautifully magnificent mountains that had literally been carved into a great aerial city. She barely acknowledged the large clan of gargoyles that sent warriors out to meet them. She didn't even bother to recognize a few of them, for many of them had once flown by her window at night when she had been a girl. One in particular, the leader, called out to her the most. But she heeded him not.
For days, Cassandra lay in misery. She would not eat or drink. She barely even slept. She could not believe what had just happened. A dream had suddenly become a nightmare. But the most precious dream of her life was gone forever; her family had been murdered. She blamed herself for the tragedy for wanting to have those wings so badly. She cursed herself for inviting this evil and not even her father could convince her otherwise. Strangely, it was the warrior that had taken such a liking to her that slowly brought her out of her woes. He told her that it was not her fault, that the strange demon-man had used her to gain the people's trust and thus power to control them. How he had discovered her secret was not known, but he did know that it was not her fault. Her father agreed and so did the dragon. But Cassandra's heart was still broken.
Over the next several months, Cassandra began to open up towards this strange clan of gargoyles and ventured through their lands. A great wall of mist surrounded the mountains in which they lived, shielding them from prying eyes. The animals they tended to here were as unique as they were, and yet many others were the same as those Cassandra was used to; horses, pigs, cattle, sheep and goats, and even chickens. This place was both familiar and strange, and slowly, she was starting to feel at home. The pain and horror of losing her family was slowly ebbing away and she was building a friendship with the gargoyle that had been so kind to her from the very start. He showed her everything in their homeland from the grasslands, the hills, to the forests; and even the infamous Guardian's Mountain which stood some distance away from their current home. It too was shielded in mist, as was the valley below it, but Cassandra still felt her breath stolen away by its majesty.
Soon, Cassandra had become to trust in this strange new warrior. She had started to need to be by his side more and more. His kind words and deeds, his wisdom and strength were what she desperately needed at the moment. And as winter blossomed into spring, that strong friendship started to turn into love. By autumn, they were married. That was when the darkness Cassandra had seen in her home started to fall over the gargoyle's hidden valley.
It started with the sighting of a band of refugees and traders who sought freedom from the bloodshed that had befallen Cassandra's home. Lamen's presence was spreading. Cassandra's kingdom was his first victim and now other kingdom's were getting crushed under his dark power. Refugees from these doomed kingdoms had journeyed far and wide to escape him; and that journey had led them straight into the domain of the gargoyles.
Those who heard this tale knew that the evil sorcerer needed to be stopped. If he wasn't stopped, his rein of terror would not cease and more would suffer, even the gargoyles themselves. But to successfully overthrow this young sorcerer, a union would need to be made. An army equal to his armies was needed, but both gargoyle and human were reluctant. Many of the refugees had come from Cassandra's homeland and there were already many bad memories about Cassandra's transformation. They treated the gargoyles like vermin and there were many violent confrontations. But soon, it became apparent that Cassandra had been as much a victim to Lamen as the rest of them. It became apparent as well that the gargoyles were not their enemy and had never intended them any harm.
Odomus, Cassandra's new love and the leader of this great clan, was the one who spearheaded such truth. He stated that it was a gargoyle's duty to protect those less fortunate than themselves, especially when they were human. That was the covenant they had made with God in the very beginning, and it needed to be kept. Yet many remained hesitant until the day their minds were made up for them.
The sharp edged mountains that hid the gargoyles beautiful valley from sight were suddenly swarming with human and gargoyle-like soldiers from the very domain the evil sorcerer had taken over. They attacked the refugees that had camped beyond the gargoyles sight and pillaged anything of value the refugees possessed. And they did all of this in the name of Constintien, which confused everyone. But these wicked soldiers were truly evil. They allied themselves with anyone who was as hungry and eager for power as they were, and anyone not willing to follow them or surrender to Constintien's ways was destroyed. Odomus knew this was the perfect opportunity for all his clan to ally with the humans and engage in battle, and thus destroy this evil threat for all their sakes once and for all.
His people took up the call with gusto. Their roars filled the air like thunder as they charged into the midst of the invading army, scattering them and driving them off. Many of the human refugees could only watch in shock as the gargoyles surrounded them and fought for them. They were still uncertain of these fierce warriors and feared them almost as much as they feared the beasts Constintien had created. They stood frozen in place watching the battle and trying to decide if the gargoyles were really friend or foe.
Suddenly, the captain that had led the refugees to the gargoyles hidden valley was knocked to the ground. His attacker was a dragon-like being with black, scaly skin and fierce blood red eyes that were literally filled with terrible blood lust. He could only watch as the attacker swung his axe down at him in a long, deadly arc, threatening to end his life. But then, a gargoyle flashed through the air and swung a strange looking blade. The creature was felled in seconds with one swing, and then his hideous cousins started to fall prey to that same, lightning fast blade. Even the dark soldiers that bore down on them were no match for the gargoyle's speed and agility.
The captain just could not believe it. The gargoyles were helping his people! They were defending them! He could see it happening all around him, and yet he still could not believe it.
"Are ye – Are ye truly on our side?" he muttered in hopeful amazement as he scrambled to his feet and picked up his weapon.
"As sure as I be standing here, man!" the gargoyle replied with a friendly smile. "We are gargoyles! And it is a gargoyle's very duty to protect those around him who need it."
For several long moments, the captain just stood there watching the gargoyle and his fellow warriors. Not once did any of the gargoyles turn on the human refugees they defended. They fought with honor and valor to keep the evil creatures at bay, and suddenly the captain was filled with gratitude and relief. They were not alone in this battle. They did not face this terrible enemy alone.
"Fight side by side with these warriors!!" he suddenly cried to his people as he raised his sword into the air. "They come to our aid! Help them!"
The human refugees were astonished at the captain's proclamation. For several moments they had believed the gargoyles were nothing more than mere monsters coming to destroy them. But now that they looked more closely, they could see that the gargoyles were indeed on their side and were slaying their enemies with a ferocity the creatures and dark soldiers could not match. And like the captain before them, they were suddenly filled with wonderful relief and excitement and with renewed strength, they charged forward into battle once more. Soon, Constintien's armies were fleeing for their lives from the gargoyles domain, and human and gargoyle alike erupted with ecstatic cheers of victory as the last of the creatures were chased away from this beautiful land. It was a very strange victory indeed, but the refugees could no longer complain at the strange fortunes that were being handed to them.
Still, the captain was confused and curious towards these strange beings. They had not needed to help his people, and yet they had. The warrior that had saved him had said that it was a gargoyle's duty to protect those weaker than him. And yet . . .
"Why?" the captain heard himself ask the gargoyle. "Why did ye help us? Even if it be yer way, why? We are complete strangers tae ye!"
The gargoyle just turned to him and smiled. "Because captain," he replied. "It is the right thing tae do."
The captain smiled. That was not the answer he had expected, but it was enough.
Still, this victory was not the end of their troubles. Nearly a year of mild peace would pass after that first meeting and the bond between human and gargoyle would grow strong. But more soldiers from Constintien's dark domain were pouring into the gargoyles homeland again and they were boosted by an unholy power few could touch or defend. The gargoyles and humans needed to destroy this unholy power before it brought the world down to its knees. They needed to destroy Constintien's evil terrorism once for and all. But such a task would be difficult. Constintien needed to be confronted by someone who had as much if not more power than he did. That way, the unholy aura circling the dark armies would fall and the humans and gargoyles who sought battle to free their people and Scotland could face them evenly.
"So, we shall be fighting fire with fire, eh?" the captain chuckled one evening as he sipped a hot drink. "Will it work?"
Lady Dragon as Cassandra was now called, and Odomus, the leaders of this empire of gargoyles, had only smiled. They already had a plan in mind. Odomus himself had been gifted with a very strange, yet very awesome power since birth. Where he had learned to use it was not yet known to Lady Dragon or any oft the others, but it didn't matter. Lady Dragon herself was learning to wield a very similar power herself. She was still weak at it, but had already learned to fine tune a lot of her power. Her ability to learn quickly impressed Odomus and the rest of the clan, even the humans. Her powers combined with those of Odomus would be enough to stop Constintien. Their power wasn't sorcery however, and they often had to remind their comrades of that fact.
Nevertheless, these two would not be going into battle against Constintien alone. Lady Dragon's father, who was often referred to as 'The Grandfather' by the clan and the humans, also had some magical abilities of his own and was offering his services in the fight. But so were a few mages, magus and arch mages that had come from throughout the country to stop this terrible evil. There was even a kind old Lord Sorcerer who feared for the safety of his friends and family. He came with a league of magicians and enchantresses to aide in the fight and soon, a good sized army was ready. They all wanted to stop this evil before it reached their homes, and yet for many, that evil had already reached their homes. It had to be stopped before all they held dear was lost.
Already, Constintien's 'Special Forces' had destroyed many lands. They consisted of the very creatures that Odomus and his clan's allies had faced before; the beings that looked like a cross between a gargoyle and a dragon, but they were slightly larger and stronger. They were Constintien's winning edge, his servants of darkness, and most of them defended him mightily. They'd be the biggest obstacle to get around when the time came to fight.
"Hear me now, Constintien!" Odomus called out into the night one evening as he watched his armies hone their skills for the battle they knew was not long in coming. "The fight is yet tae come, but we will face ye and we will defeat ye! Know that we shall discover yer weakness and use it tae bring ye down! When we meet face tae face Constintien, ye will pay! Ye will pay for all the lives that ye have destroyed! Our peoples will be free again. I vow it on my life!"
Constintien's maniacal and humored laughter faintly echoed through the air soon afterward. He was not intimidated by Odomus's promise, although he probably should have been. Nothing was stronger than the human spirit, whether one was cursed or not. They, despite not knowing the source of his power, would find a way to defeat him. Countless lives depended on that.
To be continued . . . .
A/N; Okayguys first fan fic, so please be kind. What do you think? Good? Bad? Does it drag?
Please review!