Disclaimer: I don't own 'Underworld' or any of its regular characters. So there is no copyright infringement intended, nor do I intend to tick anyone off – I do this for fun and nothing else; if you sue me I'm too poor to pay and all you get is a rust bucket car, and a load of animals with attitude problems that make Viktor and Lucien look like a cakewalk:O)
Oh and you get the idea from the story that I am a Lucien fan; if you do, you'd be right! LOL
Tir na n-Og is Gaelic for Land of Youth.
As to the reason for writing the story, let's just say the plot bunnies have been gnawing my leg for some time on this one and decided to finally give in.
Calliann: Hope I got it right with the Tuatha Dé Danaan, and more importantly with Danu and Bile. I got a lot from the internet, just hope its okay. Raze I felt would have a sense of humour, purely because of the interaction between him and Lucien – and Lucien has such a dry sense of humour too! Yeah, I was happy to see Sorn bite the dust; I've also realised that Kraven didn't die either and you'll be pleased to know that fairly soon he will be dealt with! ;O I thought you'd love Uli, she will be a brilliant foil for all the angst as she is such a pragmatic little soul; she's definitely been here before……… My favourite bit was Selene's joke about blood – you kind of think it would be her sort of humour!
Elfvamp1-13-97: Glad you liked it and hopefully, you will like this chapter – mainly as it explains a little more what is going to happen and why.
JMax: Really pleased you liked it! Hope this chapter is as interesting. Uli is not one for tact is she? She will stay like that, so it could get interesting! LOL Thanks for adding this to your list, and hopefully there will be more!
Shannon K: Glad you like it. As to Grandma's house, sorry should've made it more obvious. It's still in Budapest where the film ended. Thought I better keep it there because, as I understand, vampires have trouble with flying because of daylight issues with time zones and the like so thought that as it started, quite literally, at the very end of the movie to keep it there. Hope that helps put it into a little more perspective – of course later on as things shift it may move, but I'd prefer to keep it where we know the layout.
WARNING: THERE WILL BE BAD LANGUAGE AND VIOLENCE, SO READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL.
All reviews, and constructive criticism, gratefully received – but no flaming please; and I will try to update regularly.
'—' signifies thoughts.
"—" signifies speech.
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PROPHECY
Chapter Two – Explanations & Loyalties
"Are they Lycan?" Raze asked "They sort of smell like it."
"Sort of…." She sighed "They're the last of the Corvinus Lycan bloodline certainly, but her great, God knows how many times back, grandparents are Danu and Bile, They are of the Tuatha Dé Danann" Lucian looked stunned, Grandma smiled "Aye, they even preceded Corvinus.
They were considered Gods by the poor folk who inhabited Ireland at the time, but were merely leaders of the mystical race The Tuatha Dé Danann who learned their skills in four cities, bringing with them four magical treasures: the Stone of Fal, from Falias; the Spear of Lugh (which would brook no defeat of the warrior who wielded it), from Gorias; the Sword of Nuada (from which no one could escape once it was drawn), from Findias; and the Cauldron of the Dagda, from Murias. Only the spear and sword are alleged to survive today.
Some of Dagda's, their son's, children were the first to mate and marry the Lycans, long after their defeat at the hands of the Milesians; it was after that battle that Danu and Bile retreated to Tir na n-Og; but rumours also abound that they remained among earthly folk, merely being screened by magic from the eyes of mortals. Their homes were commonly called Sidhe, or the Otherworld. Another name for the Tuatha Dé Danann was the áes sídhe or the "People of the Sídhe"."
Michael looked stunned "what's the otherworld?" he asked frowning.
Grandma smiled "It's the domain of Celtic deities or supernatural beings such as the "Fey Folk". The Otherworld is often considered to be the Celtic version of heaven; for they are good, true hearted folk.
They were hidden from mortal eyes by strong Otherworld magic. A magnificent castle or even a small cottage could be used for the Otherworld people to inhabit, which would appear at night for mortals to see, but would usually have vanished by morning.
Normal rule does not apply in the Otherworld. A year may seem to elapse in the Otherworld, but in this world centuries may have passed. Time seemed to stand still; Nor do the people who live there age like the mortals – indeed they seemed to remain forever young; immortal in their own right.
Others say the Otherworld also seems to be able to move from one location to another. In a word, the Otherworld is a paradox; one few people either believe in or can explain." She looked around them; the only ones seeming to understand were both Lucian and Selene. Raze and Michael both looked like they were getting headaches.
"It's not easy to understand – but that's the point. These are a powerful people; mix their bloodlines with that of Lycans (and a Corvinus one at that), and you have a……situation. It certainly caused a few…concerns, up there." She pointed upwards "so a deal was struck; they would be allowed to be free, but they could only pass on certain abilities from both sides.
Additionally, humans - mortals if you will - as well as Lycans and vampires, had to be brought into the bloodline to ensure the final confrontation which was expected was just and represented all. Sky's grandfather was a Lycan, her grandmother was a dispossessed vampire; remember the story Sky told about the wolfman and the lady? That was them. Her mother was human, as was Uli's father – so the rules were still adhered to after nearly 22 centuries, for the folk in these Gaelic tales were far older than legend has it.
There would never be a fully Lycan/human/vampire/Danann hybrid – not until all was left asunder and the war of the immortals tipped too far one way, or the vampire and/or Lycan clans became too bloodthirsty and killed for pleasure or power.
Her family is as old as time itself, and always fight on the side of right; for Danu was a creature of light; her people would only ever do what was right and good in the eyes of God. So long as Sky and her kind stands with you, you know your cause is just."
She smiled at an open-mouthed Lucian "Uli, is more Tuatha Dé Danaan than anything else; that's why Uli has the gift - but as you've no doubt gathered they're also heavily of Lycan descent, especially Sky – she can be almost feral at times." The Lycan remembered the wary look at the front door.
"But trust me when I say that whether Sky and Uli's Danaan people have retreated to either Tir na n-Og or the otherworld they are real, and will come to support their descendants in this last great battle. Until then she and her daughter will fight and a great power will be theirs before and after the others return." She sighed.
"But from what you've just said they shouldn't exist." Michael pointed out.
"No, but the fact that they do means a battle is coming between the immortals. The war between Vampires and Lycans raged long before your little spat with Viktor, Lucian. It's obviously felt it should now come to an end - and they, bless their hearts, must finish it." She sighed "The irony is, is that the vampires would have been alright if only the likes of Kraven, Viktor and their ilk had let things be…..but no, money and power was all they wanted."
"She will destroy my race?" Selene asked calmly.
"No girl, not all. But she has a destiny to fulfil and pity those that stand against her. This is no longer a simple fight with Lycans against vampires – this is now good against evil. All must choose sides; any that stand against Sky will perish. You think these powerful?" she gestured to the three hybrids at the table "You have seen naught until you see them changed, see their power. The prophecy says that two will come to end the war, fighting with whatever side is weakest but most just in heart and soul.
That die has already been cast - ask her and she'll tell you herself, though she is completely unaware; and even Uli, more 'Danaan' than her mother and with the 'gift', even she doesn't see beyond the veil. She has gathered much tonight from all of you, but does not see her own path as yet." Grandma sighed.
"The prophecy continues that the universe will tremble before them, that those they smite in the name of God will never come again in any guise."
"What does that mean?" Michael asked, seeing the shocked looks on the others faces at the table.
"Some believe that Lycans and vampires can be reincarnated, even if they finally 'die' - to fulfil their own destiny. But if what Grandma says is true, then those that Sky and Uli kill would be dead - plain and simple. There would be no immortal life for them, no reincarnation, nothing." Lucian sighed "It would the final of all deaths."
"Ask her" Grandma encouraged "When she returns, you'll be surprised at how ignorant of her own destiny she truly is. Something we need to address and soon – it will not do for her to remain so innocent in the light of what is to come."
Lucian nodded "No, but I would not see harm come to either of them."
Grandma patted his arm "No, boy you would not - and for that I'm thankful. But you know, you might protect them now – but when the time comes she'll be saving your sorry arse!" They all chortled as Sky came back into the room.
"Oh, she was a baggage tonight to settle!" She grimaced with a rueful smile "Hyped up on your stories, Gramma, she was - 764 year old werewolf indeed!" Sky chuckled and then rolled her eyes at the old woman's raised eyebrow "Sorry, sorry Lycan for the politically correct among us." Lucian smothered a smile.
"Don't you believe in them?" Michael asked smiling.
"No more than I believe in vampires!" she chortled.
All looked at Selene who merely smiled sardonically "No….ridiculous." she muttered, her smile widening as Michael squeezed her hand and grinned.
"Okay, but say – hypothetically – that they did exist which side would you be on?" Michael was curious.
"The Lycans." There was no hesitation and Lucian smiled broadly, so did Raze.
"Why?" the tall black man asked.
"Okay" she went and sat down where Grandma had been sitting at the head of the table. The old woman going to make tea at the counter and ensuring that Sky sat there so she could watch the reactions of those around her. "look, I have read a lot about vampires and…" she glanced at Grandma with a smile "Lycans.
It seems to me that vampires are utterly ruthless and without morals. They would sell, or worse kill, their own blood kin to extend their own power or add to their own wealth; emotions and feelings do not figure much to the vampires. They stay together in groups, it would appear, merely because there is safety in numbers; indeed if you read older texts they even used Lycans as slaves in the past."
She grimaced angrily, before continuing "the vampires, in all the books and papers I've ever read seem to be lordly, almost snobby, in their pursuits. If they turn others they are usually from the same sort of social background, or at the very least are felt to be able to be moulded into that same sort.
Lycans are more working class; my class" she smiled ruefully "they are like wolves – me and Uli, well we have this thing with wolves; we adore them. I believe they're the most complex species on earth, more than bloody dolphins and all that crap. They even have a conscience, a family group, and social rules, just like us.
Lycans are the same, they're wolves too, to a point, after all – they stay together in a pack." She took a deep breath "do you know the reason why the Japanese got the upper hand so easily in the pacific islands during the last world war?"
All looked blankly at her, except Lucian who sat in rapt attention Grandma noted "it was because the Japanese soldiers knew they could shoot an allied one - only to wound mind, no one comes back for a corpse - and the men would keep coming back to rescue their comrades; the same happened in Vietnam…..they could pick off whole platoons with a bit of patience.
Well, in my opinion Lycans work to the same rules; I believe they would stay and fight to the last man to protect their own, or anyone they cared about. Vampires appear to see that as a weakness, I see it as a strength.
I do not like anyone that sells out their own; that has no loyalty, code or honour. I would far rather fight on the losing side that is right, than the winning side that is wrong – it would go against my heart, even my soul, to do so. I know where my loyalties would lie, and it'd be with the Lycans." She finished emphatically before smiling ruefully at them "of course this is all hypothetical…..so please forgive my outburst, I'll get down off my soapbox now."
"For someone who has had no dealings with either side, she has them pretty well summed up." Selene noted quietly to Michael.
"Anyway, I must go to bed…..it has been a long day, and according to Gramma we can expect more guests tomorrow." She rose and Lucian stood with her as did Raze "My goodness, true gentlemen – I thought you were all dead!" she grinned and they followed.
"Nay, my lady – merely resting." Lucian joked giving a mock bow which Raze copied.
She chuckled "And such a good sense of humour too!"
"I think I will retire also…" Lucian stood and followed her.
"Then I'll show you to your room." She looked enquiringly to Grandma.
"It's next to yours…." The older woman face was passive as the couple both looked at her.
"Right, well come on then. God help you, as Uli's the other side of me – when she works out you're so close she'll not leave you be!" Sky chuckled as they left.
"I could live with that, for she is a cute child." Lucian smiled.
"Give it a couple of days and I'll remind you of that." Sky chuckled.
Raze and the others watched them go. "Did I see too much, or is he greatly taken with both her and the child?" he looked to the old woman.
"Nay boy – you saw true, and glad I am of it. He has mourned far too long for a love that cannot come again in that form."
"She will not return?" Selene asked surprised.
"No, she is happy where she is and does not wish to. She loved him, she did – but it seems she is content to stay there and wait for him; who can blame her really, she suffered so badly." Grandma noted.
"How do you know?" Michael asked.
"I checked - humans are not the only ones who can connect with the dead you know." she smiled.
"I like her - more; I trust her, and the kid." Raze muttered.
"Well, they seem to like and trust you too. But tomorrow we need to make them see – Uli will be fine, I think she suspects much already; but Sky, Sky may be a little harder."
"Well, let's hope she's as good at accepting this as her kid then." Raze grinned.
0-0-0-0-0
One of the things about Sky was her hearing; it was exceptionally acute so much so that she took to humming tunes in her head to drown out a lot of the noise around her – so even before Lucian started yelling for Sonja she was in his room.
He was thrashing around on the bed snarling and snapping like - well, a furious wolf. His teeth had extended and he looked almost feral, he suddenly sat up opening his eyes – she noted they had an odd colour to them.
She was, strangely, not frightened – putting most of it down to a trick of the light from the small lamp in the large room. Whatever it was however, she did not fear him; deep down she knew he would not hurt her intentionally.
"Lucian? Lucian!" she called "You must wake up…it is a dream, a nightmare." She shook him, but still she could see he was not truly awake; still living the nightmare. So she did with him as she would Uli; she gathered him into her arms and rocked him.
"Shhh, shhhh – its alright, nothing will harm you, I won't let it. It's gone, it's over. Whatever it is, it is done now. Please, Lucian, please….do not hurt so…." the gentle pleading in her voice, the steely determination in her words that she would let no harm come to him filtered into the nightmare - and slowly he clasped onto her; hugging her tightly and drinking in the scent of vanilla and chocolate, knowing now deep in his subconscious that wherever he went that scent would haunt him for eternity.
"I'm sorry…I…." he sat up, stock still as she kissed his cheek. No one ever showed him such kindness except…Sonja.
"It's alright, alright. I have been there too many times to count over the years. I am going for hot chocolate, would you like some? I can bring it up…" she smiled warmly at him.
"Could I come with you? I would prefer to be out of this room for a while." He offered.
"Of course, come then – a mug of hot chocolate with cream, sprinkles and mallows always puts the world to rights - and my stomach to sleep!" she grinned "Gramma often says it's a meal in itself!"
He smiled a little shakily and got off the bed, she saw the silvery sheen on the sheets and wondered what it could be, but said nothing.
0-0-0-0-0
Once in the kitchen, he sat at the table as she busied herself with mugs, milk, cocoa and the other paraphernalia that would make their drinks.
"You said you had suffered like this too - who have you lost, apart from Uli's father? I suspect, more than I…"
"Oh, yes I've lost others, but a loss is still a loss – quantity does not make the pain less. Isaac was the light of my life; the whole world seemed to darken when he passed." She smiled so sadly that Lucian felt his heart constrict; he knew how that pain felt.
"Uli said I should ask about your wrists?" He smiled sympathetically to show he cared more than just being nosey.
"Oh this?" she held out her arms, pushing the leather bracelets and her wide watch out of the way showing deep scars running across her wrists "Yes, I decided I couldn't live without him; we were in the car and it was run off the road – drunk driver the police said. Con came as soon as he could, that's how he knew about the dogs barking. When I came round in hospital they told me I had a daughter; I said Zak would be so happy as he'd always wanted a daughter - that was when the doctor, nurse and Con looked at the floor and I knew he was dead. Deep down I think I already knew he was gone though, I felt some of me was missing." She sighed.
"Before that of course was my parents, killed by muggers – both stabbed in the side of the throat; and before that my grandparents, a suicide pact. Some outsiders had come to their village and started spreading stories about them; the villagers had believed it and turned on them.
By the time I got there my grandparents were dead and the family scattered.
I was so angry I wanted to torch the entire fucking village for what they'd done! You'd have thought that shit went out in the dark ages!" she was suddenly angry and her eyes flashed a glowing blue. Abruptly she yelped in pain and cursed under her breath.
"What is it?" Lucian was immediately beside her.
"Oh nothing, it's the daftest thing – every time I get angry like that I cut my damn lip on my teeth!" she smiled embarrassed, and he got a tissue to dab it; realising she could change if she wished, as her teeth definitely elongated and that's why she caught her lip.
The milk was starting to boil over and, without thinking, Lucian grabbed the metal handle and put the pot on the counter. The burn on his hand began to heal immediately; he felt that he was being watched and turned to see an open-mouthed Sky staring at him.
With a rueful smile he tilted her mouth shut "I suppose I should explain – or would you rather I show you?"
"Show me - it might be quicker." Sky finally spoke.
A minute of two later a hybrid Lycan/Vampire stood before her. But she could see it was Lucian even though he had black orbs where those chocolate brown eyes had been, and not just because she'd seen him change – but because she could still smell the ginger and honey that was him.
The last thing she coherently thought was 'fuck, they do exist!'
Luckily Lucian caught her before she hit the floor in a dead faint.
