Highlander - The First Ones Chapter - NineA dangerous anger swelled over Masaru as he connected the new blade to the hilt of his ancient weapon, for days he had slaved over the furnace as he melted down his old sword to make a new weapon however this time it would be stronger, with a more deadly look. He had underestimated this Loki character twice, his next encounter with him would be his last. Finally after almost seven days of moulding, sharpening, polishing, sharpening and polishing his new blade was ready to test against one of his own kind. Since his creation eons ago he had never known death until he met this one foolish young immortal. However he knew he was protected by some of the most powerful of their kind especially the one named had his brother chosen this young one but he would be too late, only after taking the heads of this Loki character and his protectors could he face off against his brother the one of his kind he feared the most. With the death of every immortal he gained the sum of the fallen warriors knowledge something that had made him the most powerful Immortalis Vir on the planet, yet days ago he felt the powerful presence of another. What was his brother planning? The only solution to this question was a complete transference of his knowledge to these two young his eternal life he had known the greatest and most feared warriors and military leaders that mortal man had produced… Achilles of Telephus, Darius III of Persia, Alexander III of Macedon, Temujin alias Genghis Khan, Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, Alias Vlad the Impaler, Gaius Julius Caesar and many more of the most loved, hated and feared names in military history yet he could only wonder how the battle at Little Bighorn would have turned out had Custer taken his advice instead of rushing in to a bottle neck and being slaughtered to the off his wonderings he sheathed his sword and pushed open the door with a heavy hit as he stepped out into the moon light to hunt immortals, it didn't take long before he felt the presence of his own kind, smiling he looked around as the feeling grew stronger like a radar he honed in quickly on his target as an evil smile crept over his face as his fell on the immortal."An Easy Target!Slowly he stalked the young immortal until finally he had the perfect time to test his new weapon. Quickly he grabbed the young immortal and threw him into a dark doorway as he drew his sword and began to whip it around in front of the frightened young man before him, laughing as he playfully jumped forward Masaru began to strike the sword of his opponent as he pushed him deeper into the chosen building."Who are you?" Called out the Young man."I am War I am Death I am all of those things we all live through each day to survive and kill each other."The young man's eyes widened as he recognised the voice behind the mask and knew exactly who he was faced with, quickly he retreated deeper into the old building as he tried to keep one step ahead of his attacker."What is your name young one?""Why? What is it to you?""My name is Masaru… And I just like to know who I am killing…""Really? How chivalrous of you… I am Daniel Jakeman, and the last thing you will ever see.""You are no challenge little one."

"What's with the face mask Masaru why don't you take it off? You didn't need it when you killed my friends. I want to see your face when I take your head."

Masaru peeled off the mask, the twisted look of pure evil on his face was revealed to Jakeman as Masaru's blade barely missed his throat. Jakeman's reflexes didn't fail him as he evaded strike after strike from the ancient's blade. Finally Masaru's blade found its target and Jakeman's head rolled from his shoulders and a stream of energy shot upwards from the place where moments earlier their had been a head. Masaru held his sword aloft and waited for the first jolt of the quickening to engulf him.

The lightning storm soon arrived and Masaru was blasted with energy as sparks and flashes caused the windows to shatter a half empty propane gas bottle exploded and flames engulfed the old building that had been a small shopping centre before it had closed down. The fire soon spread to the adjacent buildings. The last burst of energy hit Masaru as he fell to his knees, the fire had taken hold of the building rapidly and was almost lapping at Masaru as his strength began to return, he got to his feet and made for the door leading to the road outside.

15 minutes earlier at Victor's home:

Daniel popped his head around the door of the study, Victor was sat at his desk busily preparing his notes for the following day's lectures.

"Sorry to interrupt Vic, I've been thinking…"

Victor turned around looked up and smiled as he said.

"You don't do that too often Daniel as I recall."

"Ha bloody Ha Vic, seriously I have been thinking about what you said earlier and I'm going to disappear, you're right I can't face Masaru, I couldn't take his or anyone's head even if my life depended on it, it's not in me, so I am leaving. There's a train in half an hour heading for Manchester I'm going to be on it. I'll give you a call when I get to where I am staying…"

Victor started to get to his feet as he spoke…

"I'll give you a lift to the station, just give me a minute."

Daniel held his hand up as he replied…

"No need Vic honest it's only 10 minutes walk, it's a beautiful night and besides I need to get some exercise."

Victor was a little relieved he wanted to get his notes finished, but he still asked…

"Are you sure you don't want that lift Daniel, honestly it's no trouble?"

"No really you just finish what your doing I'll be fine, I'll just grab my coat and be going, don't work too hard and by the way; do they let you torture your students these days?"

Victor smiled as he replied…

"Ok take care of yourself my friend and for your information the last student I tortured was you as I recall."

Victor carefully placed his notes into his briefcase stretched and went to the kitchen intending to make a coffee, he glanced at the framed picture on the kitchen table of his deceased wife, under one corner of the frame was a note. He picked it up and read it…

Vic, I hope you don't mind I borrowed that old rapier I used to use when we first started sparring, I couldn't take your advice hiding isn't something I want to spend my life doing. If I don't make it, just want to say thanks for everything.

Daniel.

Victor took an exasperated breath as he shouted out loudly…

"BLOODY YOUNG FOOL."

Grabbing his car keys he looked up at the clock it must have been close to 15 minutes since Daniel had left maybe a little more, the train he was supposedly going to catch was due in about 15 minutes. Victor ran out to the car and set off for the railway station. As he approached the turning for the railway station he saw the lightning and fireball that engulfed the building at the crossroads, he stopped the car and saw a figure emerge from the burning building, he got out and ran towards the figure stopping 10 or so feet from the man he saw, it wasn't his friend Daniel but Masaru, Victor drew his sword from beneath his coat…

Masaru raised his sword looked at Victor and said…

"Do you wish to die this night Victor Varus?"

Victor smirked as he said…

"The only one dying tonight is you, you're still weak from the quickening and in no condition to be issuing threats or challenges Mr. Masaru!"

Masaru looked at his blade then to Victor and said…

"You would take a weakened opponents head, that isn't very fair Mr. Victor?"

With anger in his eyes and a feeling he hadn't felt in almost 200 years Victor was scathing in his reply…

"When I was governor of Syria I had 2,000 men crucified simply because I had a bad day so being fair isn't high up on my list of priorities, now defend yourself."

Victor raised his sword ready for battle as he stepped forward confidant in his own abilities to defeat the most ancient of his kind, swords clashed as with expert timing he deflected the deadly blows from his opponent with the ease of his many years of experience in mortal and immortal combat as the flames grew higher around them in the destroyed shopping precinct. Sparks flew from the two blades as the clashed against each other while the feeling of another of their kind present crept over them both.

"Not very smart, duelling here knowing ever police, fire and ambulance in the area will be making it's way here"

From the corner of his eye Victor saw his old student stood behind the flames as he replied.

"This has nothing to do with you Charles… walk away. I'll see you soon"

"Well if you insist… but are those sirens I hear? Wait… yep Police I think. Masaru… we have unfinished business you and I…"

"The challenge was made by myself Charles… no one may interfere"

With a smile Charles slowly walked threw the flames until he stood between the two duelling men and placed his hands on the sword of his old mentor and lowered his hands before he spoke calmly.

"Masaru, if you wish to take my head now… do so, if you do not… in one hour meet us in the large park in one hour, we will finish this once and for all… I will make sure that HE is here"

With his eyes closed Charles turned and knelt down in front of Masaru with a smile on his face as he held out his hands, moments past before he opened his eyes as he looked up at the ancient warrior before him as he calmly spoke.

"One hour Loki, if you are late…"

"Screw you… Make sure you bring that cute little sword of yours"

With a slight laugh Charles stood and left with Victor at his side as Masaru disappeared threw the flames, the last thing he felt was the approach of yet another immortal yet this one was different it felt, familiar.