Disclaimer: I do not own either Twilight or Highlander, although Gabriel is my own creation.
Italics are all thoughts and flash backs.
Chapter IV: Teachers and Pupils
We had moved back into the sitting area and situated ourselves. I had taken my earlier position on the love seat, and Carlisle and his family sat around me. I was still shell-shocked. After almost three hundred and fifty years I am reunited with my brother. Now was the time to explain my First Death and adventures to my extended family, as I now thought of them. And not all of my story was positive.
"Carlisle, do you remember when I left for war?" He nodded and I continued, "Once I arrived at my duty station aboard the HMS Lion, we began our voyage to intercept the Dutch. It was early morning when we saw them. The tension was thick in the air. We had wished for their surrender, but soon realized that they wouldn't. At six in the morning our trumpets were sounded and we opened fire on the them. We fired back and forth for almost four hours. Eventually, the wind had blown the smoke from our canons back upon our vessel. We could not see the Dutch. We took heavy damage, and threatened to capsize due to broken masts. I had tried to tend to the wounded and count the dead. It was a horrid sight to witness."
I stopped for a second to gaze upon my audience, "The order was then given to retreat. However, while trying to remove the broken masts, we were hit with another canon. My vision then went black."
I closed my eyes as the memory of that day came rushing back. After all these centuries, I hadn't forgotten the sights I had foreseen that day. The smell of blood and burnt flesh forever scarred my brain. I took a deep breath and looked down at my hands. "The next thing I remember was floating amongst dead bodies outside the Vågen. I swam to the nearest beach. It was then that I felt a sort of Buzzing in my head." I stopped and recalled the next moment.
Flash Back
Bergen, Norway 1665
I was not fully aware as to why I was floating in the harbor. I tried to get a handle of my surroundings when I noticed several bodies of my comrades floating around me. Disturbed by the sight, I located a nearby beach and swam to it.
Once I reached the beach I collapsed onto my back due to exhaustion. I only laid there for a minute or two when I felt a Buzzing. It was not a physical sensation, but a mental one. Worried, I shot up and drew my cutlass. I then saw a man on horseback approaching me. He looked to be a nobleman. He stopped about twenty feet from me and dismounted his steed.
"I did not mean to startle you, lad. I intend you no harm." The man spoke with a Scottish accent. "I am Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod. And I think I can be of some assistance."
Still disoriented, I asked, "What happened? The last thing I recall was the order to retreat, and then I woke up amongst the dead! Have I perished?"
The man named Duncan offered an apologetic half-smile. "I'm afraid that would be a simpler reality to swallow. You did die during your battle, though. We call it our First Death. Now, you are Immortal. I am like you, and there are others. I sensed you before the battle and came to ease your confusion, if you indeed had met your First Death. If you agree, I can teach you all I know about our culture. But I urge you to come with me. It is extremely dangerous for new Immortals on their own. What is your name?"
It took several moments for me to process this new information. If Duncan was correct, and I was Immortal, then I should at least give him the benefit of the doubt. I would go with him, but I would remain cautious and alert. I had no intention to be taken as a fool.
"My name is Gabriel Cullen. And I shall come with you. Be warned, Duncan, I will not be deceived so easily." I warned.
He smiled widely at me, "Your warning is heeded, Gabriel. Shall we venture to a more safer arena, then?" I nodded and perched on the back of his horse.
It was then that I noticed the bittersweet taste of blood in my mouth. I had looked at my appearance and saw that my upper body was caked in blood. I began to hyperventilate.
Duncan turned his head slightly, "Gabriel, I know that this may be hard to comprehend right now, but I need you to remain calm. Take deep breaths."
I did as he recommended, and closed my eyes. I had to pull myself back together. Answers would come soon. I was just going to have to wait.
About an hour riding horseback, we arrived at a small manor. We dismounted and I followed Duncan inside. It was quite a charming set up. It was fully furnished with candles already ablaze. Duncan made his way toward the currently lit medium-sized fireplace and began to move around the logs.
"So what are we Immortals, and why are we so?" I could not wait a second longer for answers.
Duncan sighed, "No one seems to know why we exist, but we have since the dawn of time. There are many of us out there, but I'm unsure as to how many. I would love to say that we are part of a functional society, but that isn't the case exactly." He paused and looked at me. "Gabriel, although I wish that you were waking up to a peaceful life, that will not be what happens."
I shifted uncomfortably, "What are you saying?"
"You see, most Immortals participate in something that is known as the Game. Frankly, all Immortals must be aware of the rules to the Game." He motioned for me to sit down. "It has few rules, but we must adhere to them completely. The first rule is that we cannot fight on Holy Ground. It is the only place an Immortal is safe. The second is once two Immortals engage in battle, another Immortal must not interfere, regardless of your relationship with either party. Third, we are not to challenge another Immortal in front of a crowd. Mortals will not understand our existence, therefore we must remain as hidden as possible once in battle. And finally, in the end, there can be only one." Duncan studied my reactions with caution.
"If there can be only one, why are you telling me all this?" It did not make sense for him to waste his time.
He seemed to understand my position. "Gabriel, I wish to be your First Teacher. I had one in my clansman, Connor MacLeod. He taught me everything he knew of Immortals. For the most part, every Immortal has a First Teacher. We can sense when a mortal is destined to become Immortal. Do you remember the Buzzing you felt when I approached you?" I nodded. "That is an early warning system that tells you that an Immortal is relatively near. We also get a similar Buzzing when we sense a pre-Immortal. This is someone who, upon having their First Death, will become a Immortal."
Something then dawned on me, "Why do we battle amongst each other?"
"We do so because each Immortal has a power within us known as the Quickening. This power makes us stronger and faster than our mortal counterparts, though only by a fraction. Immortals can receive another Immortal's Quickening by taking their head. The winner gains their opponent's knowledge and strength. Usually, power hungry Immortals known as Head Hunters pursue this route, however. When only a few Immortals are left, we will feel a pull to a far away land. This time will be called the Gathering. Whoever is the last Immortal will gain the Prize." Duncan stated calmly as to not overwhelm me.
"What is this Prize, Duncan?" It was a lot to take in, but I was keeping up.
He frowned and looked down, "I don't know. In fact, no Immortal does."
Flash Back End
I took a few moments to allow this information to sink into my family's heads. They appeared to be following along so I continued, "I spent the next thirty years under Duncan's wing. He trained me in various sword fighting skills, and taught me more of Immortal culture. Eventually, we parted ways. I traveled around the world, and gained more knowledge. Every so often, Duncan and I cross paths. We remain close friends."
Carlisle was the first to speak, "That's so very intriguing, Gabriel! I was aware of Immortals, but I had no idea that you were one. Edward said that you and Aro had crossed paths once?"
"We did. I had made Volterra my home in 1694. I made his acquaintance, but we really were never close. On occasion, he would invite me to the Volturi castle and I would fascinate he and his brothers with stories. I was rather close with Heidi, however." I finished and panned across the room. I could not help but noticed a few raised eyebrows. "Was it something I said?"
Emmett leaned forward, "When you say close, you weren't implying that you two were fucking?" Once he asked, Rosalie slapped the back of his head. "Ow!"
Esme gave her son a disapproving look, "Emmett, watch your language in front of Renesmee!"
Renesmee blushed and shifted next to Jacob. She looked down and mumbled, "I'm old enough to hear that. Plus, I hear worse at school." Bella and Edward gave their daughter a reprieving look.
Emmett smiled and chuckled, "Sorry, Nessie." He then turned and faced me again, "Well, did ya?"
"Well, we had an almost twenty year relationship, so it did progress to that. Some did say we were quick to it, though. I was sort of a Casanova for many centuries. That is until 1846, when I married Aika..." I halted at her memory.
Jasper must have felt my sadness and sent waves of calm in my direction, "May I ask why you feel such sorrow?"
I hesitated for only a moment, "She was one of the most amazing things that ever happened to me. I had met her while I was in what is now Osaka in 1844, while training under an Immortal named Hideo Koto. Hideo actually introduced us." I smiled at my former teacher's musings, "She was absolutely the most beautiful woman I had ever laid my eyes on. At first she was soft spoken, but turned out to be very witty." I closed my eyes as imagined her. "I had courted her for years until I finally proposed to her. She was aware that I was Immortal and that our relationship could pose danger to her, but she loved me no less. We moved to the countryside to start our lives together. We were happy... until an Immortal came looking for me. I was out at the market when he took her life and burned our home. I was so distraught. It was my fault-"
"You couldn't have known that was going to happen. And she knew the risks, but loved you nevertheless. It was not your fault, Gabriel." Edward offered, comfortably.
I thanked him for his kind words and continued, "After that, I was so lost. I could not bare living in Japan anymore and left for America. It was the Old West during this time."
"You lived in the Wild West? What was it like?" I smiled at Jacob's overexcited voice.
I thought for a moment on how to explain those times. "Well, it was surely something to behold. It was mostly anarchy. Constant fighting over territory, gold, and petty disagreements. I rode from town to town indulging in gambling, booze, and women. It wasn't my best years!" I could not help but smile at the gasps and gawking from my family.
"You're a incubus," Edward proclaimed.
I stared wide eyed at him, "I beg your pardon?"
"No, it's nothing bad, well, not necessarily. Just think about it as a man who enjoys sleeping around. Actually, three of our cousins are succubi. Well, one is now since her sisters found their mates. They live in Denali, but are coming to visit soon. They share our 'vegetarian' diet. Maybe you could meet them. I'm sure they'd love meeting Carlisle's older brother," explained Edward.
Alice beamed and added, "Yes, you must!"
I was actually excited to meet others who were considered part of this family. "I look forward to it then."
"Something troubles me, Gabriel. I know that you have had no choice to defend yourself, but just how many Immortals have you, er, defeated?" Carlisle almost seemed to not want to know the answer to his inquiry.
I was not looking forward to discussing this part of my life. It was not something I had never really come to terms with. I swallowed hard and focused on Carlisle. This was not going to be easy...
A/N: As I said before, this is going to be slightly A/U. I decided to give the Denali family a break. Irina's very much alive in my story. So, another vampire informed the Volturi of Renesmee during Breaking Dawn. Once the Denali family arrive, I'll tell you who.
Vågen means bay in Norwegian. So far, I'm really enjoying writing this, and I'm hoping it turns out well.
Til next time...
