A week passes and Jesse has shown Elizabeth all of the House, including the
training rooms and the various armories. The amount of stuff that Jesse has
set up is impressive, and would surely balance things in their favor during
the upcoming war. But two people, or even the five they knew they had,
would not be enough. They needed to find the other members of the Prophecy
and train them. Otherwise, they would have no chance at winning the coming
battle.
Jesse and Elizabeth are sitting in Jesse's room, watching TV and snuggling on the couch when the worry finally overcomes them.
"Jesse, I'm beginning to get worried about Alex and your siblings," Elizabeth says.
"Frankly, so am I," Jesse replies glumly, "we know they're still alive, we would have felt their deaths. But something is amiss."
"Perhaps you threw something out of balance when you shifted the Earth's ley lines," Elizabeth suggests.
"I sure hope not," Jesse says, "if I did, then we're in serious trouble. But I don't think I did. Adam's never been the best correspondent, neither has Laci."
"It runs in the family," Elizabeth remarks dryly.
"True," Jesse admits, "and Alex isn't that good a correspondent either. So perhaps they're just too busy trying to tie down loose ends wherever they are."
"Jesse, you told me Adam was living with monks," Elizabeth points out, "he probably should have arrived first. Alex was in Rome, and you know how much he hates to leave that city."
"He misses Julius," Jesse says, "I still can't believe Alex helped him conquer a good portion of Europe."
"This coming from the man who sacked Troy?" Elizabeth inquires.
"Touché," Jesse admits, "I concede your point. But Alex loves Rome. One of the most ancient cities in the world. Former capital of one of the most powerful empires since ancient Atlantis."
"And a place that our dear friend helped build," Elizabeth finishes, "few other Immortals can boast they helped build a city."
"I can," Jesse says, "I helped AMC get built. But still, I am worried about them."
"So am I," Elizabeth says, "but at least you don't have to worry about how much your siblings have grown. They'll never age. Modify their physical appearance a bit every century or so, but never age."
The couple sits in silence, their worry now out in the open as they console one another. A few minutes pass before Jesse starts up another conversation.
"Elizabeth, do you wonder what our lives would be like if we weren't bound in the Prophecy, if we hadn't become Immortals and if the Black Doom hadn't come to the land of the Clans?"
"I do," Elizabeth replies softly, "me and you would have probably gotten together a whole lot sooner. We'd have had a family and grow old, watch our kids grow up and start their own families. We'd be happy, and normal."
"Are you sure we'd have been able to get married?" Jesse asks, "have you forgotten what my status was among the Clans? I was a bastard, and had no rank beyond what I could earn, and even the most of what I could earn I would never have been able to ask for your hand in marriage."
"I haven't forgotten," Elizabeth replies, "but you would have been able to earn the highest distinctions. You would have earned the right to ask for me to be your wife. I know it. You were the best among us."
"No, Alex was better than anyone at magic," Jesse says, "he surpassed even the legends of Atlantis in his magical might. We surpassed him in feats of arms, but he surpassed us in magic."
"He and I were pretty much equal," Elizabeth says, "my physical prowess matched up against his magical prowess well enough to where I could beat him two out of three bouts."
"And you could beat me one out of three," Jesse adds, "and Alex could also beat me one out of three. So could Adam and Laci."
"Adam and Laci could beat me one out of three as well," Elizabeth continues, "they could also only beat Alex one out of three. And Laci could beat Adam one out of three. But no one else could beat any of us. Not even the Champions of the Clan Scar."
"I was viewed as the best, but the only distinction someone in my position could have earned to be able to ask for your hand in marriage was the title of a Warrior of Atlantis," Jesse says, "and no one has passed those trials since the fall of Atlantis. The Atlantean blood has diluted too much for anyone to be able to pass them. Even our own blood is too diluted."
"You would have done it," Elizabeth says, resting her head on Jesse's shoulder, "I know it."
The couple sits in silence for the rest of the night, taking comfort in each others familiar presence.
The next day, Jesse and Elizabeth are roaming around AMC City together, enjoying one another's company. They stop at an ice cream place and order double-scooped cones, Jesse's of mint chocolate chip and Elizabeth's of orange sherbert and vanilla. They walk hand-in-hand to the nearby park to sit and enjoy one another's company.
The sense of an Immortal being nearby, an old and powerful Immortal, fills their senses. They turn around to see a lanky young man with brown hair cut into a bowl cut and bright green eyes. He was wearing a brown duster over a white t-shirt and denim jeans. They could see the outline of a katana in the folds of the cloak. Or perhaps not a katana, but a weapon like a katana, the little brother of the katana, the shorter wazikashi. He did not look that old, perhaps not even in his twenties, but if he was an Immortal then he could be centuries, even millennia old.
"Well well well, it took you two a while, but it looks like you're finally a couple," the Immortal says. Recognition sparks in Jesse and Elizabeth's eyes as they realize who it is.
"Alex!" Jesse and Elizabeth rush over to their friend, whom they have not seen in decades. Not having a beard and long hair had changed his appearance greatly.
"Alex, how have you been?" Jesse asks, clapping his friend on the back.
"Pretty good, man," Alex grins, "how'd you manage to reconfigure the ley lines?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," Jesse smirks, "I'll tell you later. Why are you so late?"
"Hard to retire from the Knights Templar," Alex replies, "so, how long you two been going out?"
"A little over a week," Elizabeth replies, "glad you're finally here. Did you hear from Adam or Laci on the way here?"
"Not a peep," Alex frowns, "they haven't shown up yet?"
"Nope," Jesse replies, "Adam was in Thailand at a monastery last I heard. He was working to control his temper."
"Good for him," Alex comments, "hope he succeeded. Or at least lessened it. No sign from Laci?"
"Riding around the American continents on the motorcycle she was given back in the Nineteen Thirties," Jesse replies, "not positive where she was when I started working the ki lines and the event lines."
"So we just gotta wait?" Alex asks.
"Yup," Jesse grins, "by the way, it seems that our dear miss perfect has gotten sloppy over the years."
"Oh?" Alex asks, an eyebrow arched, "what's happened?"
"She picked up a Watcher," Jesse replies evenly, "picked him up as she passed through Chicago."
"Chicago?" Elizabeth asks, "that's where I started getting trailed?"
"She was there when a group of rogue Watcher's took the head of another," Jesse explains, "she got the poor guys Quickening."
"I figured that's what happened," Elizabeth says glumly, "but I thought the rogue Watchers were done for with the death of James Horton?"
Jesse's face contorts in a look of disgust. "They were, until one of the Immortals whom Horton failed to get, though not for lack of trying as he beheading the man's Immortal wife in front of him and he got her Quickening. He then proceeded to track down everyone with the Watcher's mark. Almost started a war between Immortal's and Watcher's."
"How was it stopped?" Elizabeth asks, "you stepped in?"
"Actually, it appears that there are many destiny and fate lines going through the Highlander," Jesse grins, "he's done a lot."
"Duncan Macleod again?" Elizabeth asks, arching an eyebrow.
"Yup," Jesse says, "it seems that dear Duncan Macleod of the Clan Macleod is a very powerful Immortal. He's defeated two of the Four Horsemen, Bryan Adams one of the best swordsmen I have ever met, and Jacob Kell. Kell has taken the heads of over six hundred Immortals and even broke the rules."
"Which ones?" Alex asks, curiosity evident in his voice. Few Immortals could have ever claimed to have taken the heads of over three hundred Immortals. Only a handful had taken the heads of six hundred, the Five among them. They only knew of six others to have done so, and the only other one still alive was Methos. Jesse and the Kurgan had been the only Immortals they knew who had taken the heads of over eight hundred Immortals, and the Kurgan was now dead, a fact for which Alex felt he was indebted to Connor Macleod for. Alex wasn't sure if he would have had what it took to beat the Kurgan had they ever fought.
"Broke the one on one rule," Jesse replies, "had several Immortals working for them, including Jin Kei."
"Jin Kei was too honorable to resort to that!" Elizabeth protests. They had known Jin Kei several hundred years ago, during one of the last times the five of them had been together. He had shown them the newest glaive techniques, and they had shown him some of their best sword techniques.
"Don't know what Kell did to him, but he did work with Kell," Jesse says sullenly, "however, he never actually fought in a multiple on one fight against another Immortal. He was bested by Duncan Macleod, though Kell took his head. And the heads of the other Immortals that had been following him and almost took the head of Duncan's one wife."
"Oh yes, I remember her," Elizabeth says softly, "I showed her the ropes of Immortality. Led her to believe I was about six hundred, then led her to believe I was killed. A roughly adequate fighter, so it would be believable for her to be alive still."
"She's a fashion designer," Jesse says, "a popular one at that. She and Duncan are currently trying to start over."
"Good for her," Elizabeth says, "she deserves happiness, though I did share her anger. He should have asked her if she wanted to be Immortal or not."
Jesse smiles bitterly. "Not saying I agreed with what Macleod did, but alls well that ends well."
"Maybe," Elizabeth says, pursing her lips.
"So, care to show me around town, Jesse?" Alex asks, "though you letting other Immortals sense you since you have a Watcher on your tail does explain why I was able to sense you, Elizabeth."
"Yeah, gonna have to figure a way out of this," Elizabeth says, "with this modern era, even if I fake my death in a fight with another Immortal they'll find out fairly quickly. I could let a group of rogue Watcher's catch me, but I'd rather not have to change my appearance."
"We'll figure a way out of this mess," Jesse promises, "I still got contacts on the inside, including Methos."
"Methos is in the Watcher's again?" Alex asks, "what's the youngster up to now?"
The three Immortals share a laugh at that. Methos was the oldest living Immortal known, despite still mostly being a legend, yet the three of them plus Jesse's brother and sister were all a millennia older than Methos.
"Believe it or not, he's now the Chronicler of himself," Jesse snickers, "he's in charge of all the histories of himself and the Watchers that watched him when they could get a Watcher on him."
Elizabeth and Alex both chuckle at that. After calming considerably, particularly from his stint as the Horseman of Death, Methos had become a highly refined gentleman. He did not follow a code of chivalry like Jesse, Alex, and Jesse's brother Adam did, but instead respected people until they lost his respect. Though it was admittedly hard to keep his respect and very easy to lose it. Methos was an enigma, seeming to care not at all one moment then the next sobbing like a brokenhearted child over a friend. Methos had been their friend for a hundred years after he had quit being the Horseman of Death. It was heartening to hear that he was still alive and still a gentleman.
"So, Jesse, care to explain why you fiddled with the Earth's ley lines?" Alex asks.
"It's time," Jesse replies, "things have started happening. Fairly soon there will be a great war between good and evil and the people of Earth will be caught in the middle. With the ley lines reconfigured, things will shift into the favor of good, giving those on the side of good more power during the coming war. And that power will be much needed, and hopefully enough."
"You got it all letter-perfect?" Alex asks.
Jesse nods. "If I didn't, one wrong spell could shatter the entire planet. Literally."
"Explain later," Alex says, "tour now."
Jesse laughs. "Of course, my friend, of course. Shall I show you where the library is first, or wait till later?"
"Now would be good," Alex says. He had always loved libraries. He had had the makings of a great scholar before the clans were annihilated, but now he was an Immortal who had to travel to keep the Watchers and other Immortals from learning of his existence. Even so, he kept up with technology and learning through the centuries, staying highly skilled and very versatile in his abilities.
~hours later, back at the House~
"So, this is my room?" Alex asks as he surveys the rooms he had been given. It was done simple, yet elegant. The colors of the Clan Green decorated most of the suite, while one entire room was a library of great literary classics and books of magic set side by side. Books of ancient lore rested beside books on computers. Another room held a wide variety of weapons, all that Alex was a master of using various styles for. Many he had invented a lot of styles for, and others he had just plain invented in the first place.
"It is," Jesse replies evenly. To one who did not know him, they would think that Jesse was indifferent to what Alex thought of the rooms. To Alex and Elizabeth, they could tell he was extremely nervous, wanting his best friends approval and acknowledgment of how well he knew him. "Is it to your approval?"
"It needs a few personal touches, but beyond that its perfect," Alex smiles, "thank you, my friend. Now, if you'll excuse me, I would like to meditate alone."
"Sure thing," Jesse says, "you can have a tour of the rest of the House tomorrow."
"Okay," Alex says, then Jesse and Elizabeth head for Jesse's private rooms.
"Relieved?" Elizabeth asks.
"Huh?" Jesse asks as he opens the door for Elizabeth to enter his room.
"Relieved that Alex likes your room?" Elizabeth repeats, "I know you were more worried about him accepting your ideas than me, Adam, or Laci."
"Adam and Laci I can order around because I'm their big brother," Jesse says, "you, I value your opinion but frankly, you aren't my best friend."
"No, just the woman your in love with," Elizabeth retorts.
"And madly so," Jesse grins, "but Alex, well, he's my best friend. He knows me better than anyone, even you."
"Gender difference?" Elizabeth inquires.
Jesse blushes. "Well, yeah. He knew I liked you since I first formed feelings that were beyond friendship for you."
"You never told me how long ago that was," Elizabeth says.
"Well, I think I had just been declared the best warrior in the Clan Atalantari," Jesse begins, "you kissed me on the cheek, and it startled me. After that, I started paying more attention to you, and my feelings for you bloomed into what truly began what I feel for you now."
"Since we were thirteen?!" Elizabeth demands, "you've been in love with me since we were thirteen? You've been in love with me for six thousand and five years?!"
Jesse eeps. "Yes."
Elizabeth glares at Jesse angrily, then her glare softens and she smiles. "You are so stupid." She kisses Jesse firmly on the lips for a few seconds. "But you are definitely sweet. And you are now mine. Why didn't you tell me long ago?"
"Because I was afraid of ruining our friendship," Jesse replies, "I'd have much rather kept your friendship than risk losing it. Being Immortal, its hard to form true lasting friendships."
"Oh Jesse, you are such a dunce," Elizabeth giggles, "the reason I kissed you on the cheek in congratulations was because I really liked you. Father and mother had actually already figured you had feelings along those lines for me, and were waiting for us to grow up for you to ask for my hand in marriage. They had told me that they would ignore the status difference. We had been friends for years and they already knew how much we meant to each other. Of course, when they had fully explained it all I didn't stop blushing for nearly an hour."
Jesse blushes. "Your father would have done that? I thought he didn't like me?"
"He didn't," Elizabeth replies bluntly, "in fact, he actually despised the fact that we were friends up until we were sixteen. That was when he told me. He had finally seen past your inherent social status and begged me to forgive him for thinking of you that way."
"Then why didn't he tell me that?" Jesse asks quizzically.
"Because after that he saw you as a boy planning to take his little girl away," Elizabeth giggles.
Jesse blushes. He had seen several fathers despise their daughters' suitors over the years, and Elizabeth's father Jerrick had been no exception in that regard. He was very protective of his daughter. And rightly so. Elizabeth had been the moist beautiful woman in all of the Clans, and had received several offers of marriage.
A cold trickling goes down Jesse's spine.
"Did you feel that?" Elizabeth whispers, worry evident in her eyes.
"I did," Jesse replies, "come on. We need to get Alex. The first wave has come."
The two quickly exit Jesse's rooms and head down two floors to Alex's room. They meet Alex just as he is exiting from his room.
"You felt it too?" Alex asks. Jesse and Elizabeth nod. "What is it? I can't figure it out."
"It's a Demon Gate," Jesse replies, "instead of sending out several Hellspawn, they are opting to send one powerful Demon instead. I did not expect this."
"It's created an imbalance that restricts teleportation," Alex says, "how will we get there in time? Its all the way over in England."
"We take one of the jets," Jesse replies simply, "we have several sorts of air vehicles, all of them with cloaking devices."
"Then lets go," Elizabeth says, "we need to hurry."
The trio enters the elevator and Jesse opens up a hidden compartment to reveal a panel with a several buttons. Jesse enters in a password and then presses one of the buttons. The elevator begins to descend rapidly.
"So, this part of the House is underground?" Alex asks.
"Dude, there's more underground than there is above ground," Jesse says, "actually, the underground is about the size of half of AMC itself."
"Cool," Alex says, "so we can fit a good-sized army down there, huh?"
"If need be," Jesse answers, "there are others in the Prophecy, and we will need the space."
"That much?" Alex asks.
"Of course not," Jesse snorts, "about half the underground base is the armory. Various things are kept here. A lot of it is my own personal depository of weapons."
"So, where is the vehicle that will be taking us to the Demon Gate?" Alex asks.
The elevator comes to a stop. The trio walks out and into the spacecraft hanger. Several ships of various shapes, sizes, and battle uses. Foremost among them was an aircraft that appeared to be about fifty feet in length, twelve feet high no counting the landing gear, and fifteen feet wide. It did not appear to be sporting weapons of any sort, and it did not appear to have any engines. Jesse leads Elizabeth and Alex to the rather small ship, smiling proudly.
"Jesse, is this the ship we'll be taking?" Alex asks, skepticism obvious in his voice.
"It is," Jesse says, "not the best ship by any means, but it will serve our purpose. The better ships will take too long to pull out of storage. I keep this one constantly ready. Her name is the Poltergeist."
"Why'd you give it that name?" Elizabeth asks. As far as she and Alex knew, Jesse despised poltergeists. He had had a very bad run-in with one in the mid-third century. He had been trapped in a cave for three days with one. When he had finally escaped, he had been half-wild with fever. It had taken him nearly a decade to recover from that ordeal.
"Because it can deal much physical damage to an enemy without being seen," Jesse responds, "it has a very, very good mechanical cloaking device, one of the best I have, in fact. It can still be detected by magical and psychic means, but technology and the naked eye cannot see when the cloak is activated. It can get us to England from here in ten minutes unless we use full burn, though I wouldn't recommend that. The cloak can't keep up in an atmosphere during full burn."
"Ten minutes the fastest we can get there once up in the air?" Alex asks.
"You got it," Jesse says, "now lets go."
Jesse hurries to the Poltergeist, quickly followed by Jesse and Elizabeth. He leads them up the gangplank and into the ship itself. The inside of the ship was tidy and neat, looking for all the world like something out of a Star Trek: The Next Generation episode. There was one large room near the back, where it turned out the engines actually were, and it appeared to be a small armory. Various weapons, ranging from swords, axes, and knives to more modern weapons like handguns, rifles, one or two rocket launchers, several grenades, and what, after some inspection, turned out to be a tactical nuke.
"Jesse, why do you have a nuclear warhead in the armory of this craft?" Elizabeth asks as Jesse straps himself in the pilots seat of the cockpit and begins the preflight check-up.
"Because we might just need it," Jesse replies, "and it makes one hell of a trump card. Plus, if for some reason a full Demon Horde showed up a nuke would be the only thing we would be able to take them all out with. The three of us, heck, even the Five of us, could not fight a full Demon Horde of even Hellspawn. They are just too powerful, even for us."
"True, but why a nuclear weapon?" Alex asks as he straps himself into his own seat, "we do have spells that are a lot cleaner that can almost do as much damage."
"And the Hellspawn have mages to counter such spells," Jesse counters, "they have no defense for a weapon of such rampant destruction. And even if we did use it, we could set up a spell beforehand to keep anyone from detecting its use and then use other spells to clean up the damage to the rest of the area."
"Can this plane really get us to England in ten minutes?" Elizabeth asks as she straps into her seat. There was a total of ten seats in the cockpit itself, and there was another area right behind it to hold more people.
"If it doesn't, then I'm resigning my pilots license," Jesse quips as he guides the craft to the tunnel that led out of the hanger. Outside, a small bit of land a quarter of a mile from the House, in the meadow beside it, opened up to reveal the exit to the tunnel. Jesse engages the cloaking device and guides the jet out, picking up speed. A moment after the craft exits the tunnel the exit closes back up.
"And we're off," Jesse says, "next stop, merry old England, home of people with lovely accents and more of a history for getting into trouble than any other nation in the world."
"But not any other person, right?" Elizabeth asks with a teasing grin.
"Careful," Jesse replies with an even grin, "that person you are talking about may be your brother-in-law some day."
"I wasn't aware that it was Adam that I was dating," Elizabeth replies sweetly.
"Hardy har har," Jesse replies sullenly.
"So, what should our plan of action be?" Alex asks.
"I was thinking of making it up as we go along," Jesse answers, "it could be any manner of Demon that has arrived."
"We could be in major trouble, you know that?" Elizabeth says, "I mean, we're going off to face a Demon, and we all know that there are many demons that even if all five of us were here, which we only have three so our group is incomplete, there are Demons that we still would not be able to defeat."
"We need allies, it is true," Alex says, "but where to find them? Not just anyone will do."
"The Prophecy," Jesse answers, "they are to help us anyway."
"Any luck in locating anyone from The Prophecy?" Alex asks.
Jesse grins. "Several, actually. Almost all of the major players in things involving us, which is actually almost everything in The Prophecy. The Ancient was Master Gerim. Remember that I took the head of the Immortal that took Gerim's head? Well, using some meditation techniques I learned in Japan a thousand years ago, I was able to sort through Gerim's memories. He was even older than we are. He was actually a pure Atlantean."
"An Atlantean?" Elizabeth gasps, "he was part of noble Atlantis?"
"He was a noble in Atlantis," Jesse answers, "he his family was part of the basis for Clan Eldryn. In a way, you were related to him, Elizabeth. He was your great uncle, in simplified terms. His older brother was the last King of Atlantis."
Elizabeth gulps. That was unexpected news. Gerim had been strong, and it had come as a surprise that he had been defeated. Then it had been even more unexpected that Jesse went and took the head of the Immortal who took Gerim's head. The rest of the Five had been there for when Jesse lost, and would then take the head of that Immortal. But Jesse had surprised them by defeating the Immortal Kor.
"What about the others?" Alex asks.
"Believe it or not, most of the more important ones are residents of the House," Jesse chuckles, "I won't say who is who, but The New Age Mage, The heart of Truth, The Lost Warrior, and The Bearer of Earth are all residents of the House. I have also located The Creator of a Dynasty."
"Are any of them capable of really helping us?" Alex asks.
"I have watched them, and The Lost Warrior is an Immortal," Jesse says, "she is young, barely half a century old. But she was trained by the elder Highlander, Connor Macleod. She is quite talented with a sword. I have seen her take on three Immortals ten times her age and win. Connor taught her everything he knew, and then sent her traveling to meet other Immortals. She has trained with most of the best sword wielders and martial artists in the last half century, and is among those ranks herself. I imagine that she could very well win the Game."
"You mean she could beat us?" Alex asks.
"No, after The Prophecy is completed, we will become mortal and be able to live our lives as normal people," Jesse answers, "our reward is quite clearly stated."
"That's cool," Alex says, "say, what are we labeled as in The Prophecy? I know every major player in it has a special name."
"You are The Wizard of the Five," Jesse answers, "Elizabeth is the Beauty of the Five."
"Stop, your making me blush," Elizabeth says, her cheeks tinged with pink.
"Um, I was being serious," Jesse says, "though I do agree with the name. It suits you. Adam is called The Knight of the Five, and Laci is The Maiden of the Five."
"And you?" Elizabeth asks.
"I have several names in the Prophecy," Jesse says, "but the one that makes me part of the Five is The Leader of the Five. And the Five lead the forces of Good in the coming battle."
"So you got the most important positions, huh?" Elizabeth asks, "I mean, you're the Chosen One and the bearer of the Power of Silver."
"He's what?!" Alex gapes.
"I am the Chosen One of the AMC Universe and the bearer of the Power of Silver," Jesse answers, "I am also known as The Leader of the Five. But I think its gonna be a hassle that I am not gonna like."
"But you'll do it anyway, won't you?" Elizabeth asks.
"Of course," Jesse scoffs, "its my duty. And we're here."
"I kinda noticed," Alex says blandly. The area around them felt saturated with pure evil, the kind that only the presence of a Demon or a similar creature can create. It felt wholly unnatural.
"I'm setting 'er down," Jesse says as he lands the jet. The craft had VTOL capabilities, so it could land anywhere a large enough patch of ground was as easily as it could a runway.
"Should we say a quick prayer before going out?" Alex asks.
"You spent one too many years in the Vatican, my friend," Jesse says, "I've already made my peace with God, so I'm comfortable with wherever I end up."
"Same here," Elizabeth says as she secures her sword in its scabbard.
"Let's go," Jesse says, grasping the end of his walking stick tightly.
"Um, Jesse, shouldn't you be getting a sword or something?" Alex asks, "I know you can defend yourself with magic, but wouldn't it be prudent to be prepared?"
"I am prepared," Jesse replies, focusing for a moment. The finely made walking stick abruptly changes into a narrow-bladed double-edged sword. The silver blade appeared as smooth as glass, though with a blooding channel found on English broadswords, and even further back the swords the Clans had made, particularly the enchanted ones. Alex had a feeling that Jesse had something to do with that. He had helped develop the blooding channel back into swordsmithing in the English broadswords, just as Alex himself had introduced the katana to Japan.
"That's a well-made sword there," Alex comments, "but how did you make it change? Or was it merely an illusion?"
"You like it?" Jesse asks with an impish smile, "it's the Silver Weapon, a physical incarnation of the Power of Silver. Only the bearer of the Power of Silver, the Chosen One of the AMC Universe, and a few select others are even able to touch it. It is incorporeal in the hands of anyone else, and even then only one or two others can even use its power. I usually keep in the form of a sword concealed as a walking stick, but it's more powerful in its true sword form."
"That is the greatest weapon of the side of Good?" Alex gapes.
"Sure doesn't seem like much, does it?" Jesse grins, "but just you wait. It has a lot of power, and it amplifies magic a thousandfold. Focusing my power through this is what enabled me to redirect the ley lines."
Jesse winces. "This is a powerful Demon we are dealing with. He is redirecting the local ley lines to flow directly into the Demon Gate, feeding it more power. If we do not close the Gate soon, it will reopen enough for another to come through, or perhaps a full Horde of Hellspawn."
"A Horde of Hellspawn commanded by a Demon," Elizabeth murmurs as the jet's gangplank lowers, "that could almost end the world on its own. And if they went into hiding, waiting for other such armies to arise-"
"Then they would be able to overrun the Earth with ease," Jesse finishes, "we must stop this at all costs. And be careful. Remember, a wound inflicted by a Demon last a while, even on us. We would almost be forced to heal as a mortal would."
The trio rushes down the gangplank, only to find the area covered in a whirling darkness. It seemed to shift with the slightest wind, but it also seemed to seep into everything.
"Three little mortals have come to play?" a deep, rasping voice chuckles, "no, not mortals. Humans with long lives. So-called Immortals. Yes, you will be fun to play with. You smell old. Perhaps you will even give me some good sport. Particularly the female."
Jesse growls softly, not liking that last remark. He could feel the Demon's power, and it was great, but he could not gauge it. It was incredibly dangerous, that was for sure. It knew what they were, and how to kill them to keep them dead.
"Return to your home, Demon," Jesse calls out, "you are not welcome here."
"Ah, but Earth is my home, little Immortal," the Demon's raspy voice seemed to come from several directions at once, almost as if there were more than one of it, "I was born of this Earth."
"He's a human who was sent to Hell," Alex realizes, "he condemned himself to eternal damnation for power while in the grip of Hell itself."
"Ah, the tall one seems to know of my kind," the Demon laughs, "no matter. All it does is tell you what is about to kill you!"
The Demon lunges forth, revealing itself for the first time. It was big, perhaps ten maybe even twelve feet tall and it had to weight half a ton at least. Mottled red-orange skin covered its body, a small loincloth keeping it modest, barely. Its head was reptilian, almost like a serpents. Claw- like hands tensed with pure power, and the entire thing exuded an aura of pure malice. Yes, this thing was evil through and through, despite having once been human.
The Demon lunges at Alex, who immediately erects a barrier of magic to block the Demon. The Demon's claws spark against the barrier, but do not penetrate it. It jumps back, surprise evident on its horrid face. Coal- black eyes narrow, focusing on Alex.
"You use the magicks of Atlantis," the Demon murmurs in shock, "you are one the the Five! All three of you are of the Five!"
"That's right," Elizabeth says.
"The Leader, The Beauty, and The Wizard," the Demon murmurs in realization, "so, you have come to face me. Killing you will be all the sweeter."
Without yell, the Demon summons up a pulsating ball of greenish-black energy and hurls it at Alex. It slams into Alex's shield, then spreads over it like ooze.
"If I were you, I would keep that shield up as long as possible, Wizard," the Demon laughs, "that substance will slowly constrict. If it constricts on you, your entire being will be crushed into the space the size of a coconut. Even your soul."
Alex's shield strains against the ooze, trying desperately to get it off of his shield. He changes the shields shape and attempts to expand it, but nothing works.
"That ooze will instantly harden if I should perish," the Demon chuckles, "but two of you against me is tantamount to suicide, even for you."
"We shall see, Demon," Elizabeth says coldly as she draws her rapier and ashes in, slicing at the Demons gut. The sword merely bounces off. The Demon attacks, but Elizabeth does a series of backflips that takes her out of the Demons immediate reach.
"Stand back and use holy magic," Jesse says as he charges in past Elizabeth, the Silver Weapon slicing into the right thigh of the Demon, cutting several much-needed muscles. The Demon howls in pain as black blood seeps from the wound.
Elizabeth raises her right hand, forming a ball of light in it. She throws it at the Demon, hitting it full in the face. The holy light sears into the Demons eyes, blinding it. Jesse takes the opening to slice open the Demons gut and then sink his blade into the Demons chest, the tip of the blade sliding right through the Demons heart like a stick into water. The Demon howls in pain as its eyes roll back into its head and slowly crumples to the ground, dead.
A second later the ooze around the shield Alex had erected hardens, and a second after that it shatters against the intense magical pressure exerted against it.
"Well, that was anti-climactic," Alex grumbles, "and we were worried why?"
"It was a Demon," Jesse replies, "not a very strong one, granted, but a Demon nonetheless."
"Weak," Elizabeth agrees as she sheathes her rapier.
"Bold plan they had, though," Jesse says, pointing to the Demon Gate before sending out tendrils of magic that separate the ley lines flowing into the Demon Gate and setting them back into the course he had previously set them in, "if that Demon had been stronger or kept us occupied for a few more minutes, this thing would have had enough power to bring out a Demon Horde."
Cut off from its source of power, the Demon Gate stops growing and begins to close up again. When it finally compacts in on itself, the energy backlash raises the hair of the three Immortals like a static charge.
"Ugh," Elizabeth groans, "this is gonna take some work getting rid of."
"Let's head home," Jesse says, "it's late there and we need our sleep."
"Yeah, I am a bit sleepy," Elizabeth says, stifling a yawn.
The trio heads back onto the Poltergeist and head home.
Not too far away, a shadowy caped figure watches in amusement. The figure was huge, standing nearly seven feet tall. It wore purple archaic armor, and strapped to its side was a huge broadsword, a blade that reached the chest of the one wearing it. Glowing purple eyes eyed the trio, the three eldest and most power Immortals in existence. And its prey was the oldest and most powerful of them. With a cruel smirk that was barely visible underneath the helmet and the cloak, the figure walks away and is soon consumed by whirling shadows that block it from view. When the shadows clear, the armored figure is gone.
~~
Well, that's another chapter done. Hope you liked it. Now three of the Five are gathered together, and a lot more is known about everyone. And another villain is revealed. He's sortof an original character, but he has a basis in a video game.
Anyway, please review and tell me what you think. I appreciate new reviews a lot. And if you like Dragon Ball Z, check out my stories New Students at Orange Star High and its sequel Warriors Displaced in Time. They are my biggest hits and in my opinion my best stories.
Jesse and Elizabeth are sitting in Jesse's room, watching TV and snuggling on the couch when the worry finally overcomes them.
"Jesse, I'm beginning to get worried about Alex and your siblings," Elizabeth says.
"Frankly, so am I," Jesse replies glumly, "we know they're still alive, we would have felt their deaths. But something is amiss."
"Perhaps you threw something out of balance when you shifted the Earth's ley lines," Elizabeth suggests.
"I sure hope not," Jesse says, "if I did, then we're in serious trouble. But I don't think I did. Adam's never been the best correspondent, neither has Laci."
"It runs in the family," Elizabeth remarks dryly.
"True," Jesse admits, "and Alex isn't that good a correspondent either. So perhaps they're just too busy trying to tie down loose ends wherever they are."
"Jesse, you told me Adam was living with monks," Elizabeth points out, "he probably should have arrived first. Alex was in Rome, and you know how much he hates to leave that city."
"He misses Julius," Jesse says, "I still can't believe Alex helped him conquer a good portion of Europe."
"This coming from the man who sacked Troy?" Elizabeth inquires.
"Touché," Jesse admits, "I concede your point. But Alex loves Rome. One of the most ancient cities in the world. Former capital of one of the most powerful empires since ancient Atlantis."
"And a place that our dear friend helped build," Elizabeth finishes, "few other Immortals can boast they helped build a city."
"I can," Jesse says, "I helped AMC get built. But still, I am worried about them."
"So am I," Elizabeth says, "but at least you don't have to worry about how much your siblings have grown. They'll never age. Modify their physical appearance a bit every century or so, but never age."
The couple sits in silence, their worry now out in the open as they console one another. A few minutes pass before Jesse starts up another conversation.
"Elizabeth, do you wonder what our lives would be like if we weren't bound in the Prophecy, if we hadn't become Immortals and if the Black Doom hadn't come to the land of the Clans?"
"I do," Elizabeth replies softly, "me and you would have probably gotten together a whole lot sooner. We'd have had a family and grow old, watch our kids grow up and start their own families. We'd be happy, and normal."
"Are you sure we'd have been able to get married?" Jesse asks, "have you forgotten what my status was among the Clans? I was a bastard, and had no rank beyond what I could earn, and even the most of what I could earn I would never have been able to ask for your hand in marriage."
"I haven't forgotten," Elizabeth replies, "but you would have been able to earn the highest distinctions. You would have earned the right to ask for me to be your wife. I know it. You were the best among us."
"No, Alex was better than anyone at magic," Jesse says, "he surpassed even the legends of Atlantis in his magical might. We surpassed him in feats of arms, but he surpassed us in magic."
"He and I were pretty much equal," Elizabeth says, "my physical prowess matched up against his magical prowess well enough to where I could beat him two out of three bouts."
"And you could beat me one out of three," Jesse adds, "and Alex could also beat me one out of three. So could Adam and Laci."
"Adam and Laci could beat me one out of three as well," Elizabeth continues, "they could also only beat Alex one out of three. And Laci could beat Adam one out of three. But no one else could beat any of us. Not even the Champions of the Clan Scar."
"I was viewed as the best, but the only distinction someone in my position could have earned to be able to ask for your hand in marriage was the title of a Warrior of Atlantis," Jesse says, "and no one has passed those trials since the fall of Atlantis. The Atlantean blood has diluted too much for anyone to be able to pass them. Even our own blood is too diluted."
"You would have done it," Elizabeth says, resting her head on Jesse's shoulder, "I know it."
The couple sits in silence for the rest of the night, taking comfort in each others familiar presence.
The next day, Jesse and Elizabeth are roaming around AMC City together, enjoying one another's company. They stop at an ice cream place and order double-scooped cones, Jesse's of mint chocolate chip and Elizabeth's of orange sherbert and vanilla. They walk hand-in-hand to the nearby park to sit and enjoy one another's company.
The sense of an Immortal being nearby, an old and powerful Immortal, fills their senses. They turn around to see a lanky young man with brown hair cut into a bowl cut and bright green eyes. He was wearing a brown duster over a white t-shirt and denim jeans. They could see the outline of a katana in the folds of the cloak. Or perhaps not a katana, but a weapon like a katana, the little brother of the katana, the shorter wazikashi. He did not look that old, perhaps not even in his twenties, but if he was an Immortal then he could be centuries, even millennia old.
"Well well well, it took you two a while, but it looks like you're finally a couple," the Immortal says. Recognition sparks in Jesse and Elizabeth's eyes as they realize who it is.
"Alex!" Jesse and Elizabeth rush over to their friend, whom they have not seen in decades. Not having a beard and long hair had changed his appearance greatly.
"Alex, how have you been?" Jesse asks, clapping his friend on the back.
"Pretty good, man," Alex grins, "how'd you manage to reconfigure the ley lines?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," Jesse smirks, "I'll tell you later. Why are you so late?"
"Hard to retire from the Knights Templar," Alex replies, "so, how long you two been going out?"
"A little over a week," Elizabeth replies, "glad you're finally here. Did you hear from Adam or Laci on the way here?"
"Not a peep," Alex frowns, "they haven't shown up yet?"
"Nope," Jesse replies, "Adam was in Thailand at a monastery last I heard. He was working to control his temper."
"Good for him," Alex comments, "hope he succeeded. Or at least lessened it. No sign from Laci?"
"Riding around the American continents on the motorcycle she was given back in the Nineteen Thirties," Jesse replies, "not positive where she was when I started working the ki lines and the event lines."
"So we just gotta wait?" Alex asks.
"Yup," Jesse grins, "by the way, it seems that our dear miss perfect has gotten sloppy over the years."
"Oh?" Alex asks, an eyebrow arched, "what's happened?"
"She picked up a Watcher," Jesse replies evenly, "picked him up as she passed through Chicago."
"Chicago?" Elizabeth asks, "that's where I started getting trailed?"
"She was there when a group of rogue Watcher's took the head of another," Jesse explains, "she got the poor guys Quickening."
"I figured that's what happened," Elizabeth says glumly, "but I thought the rogue Watchers were done for with the death of James Horton?"
Jesse's face contorts in a look of disgust. "They were, until one of the Immortals whom Horton failed to get, though not for lack of trying as he beheading the man's Immortal wife in front of him and he got her Quickening. He then proceeded to track down everyone with the Watcher's mark. Almost started a war between Immortal's and Watcher's."
"How was it stopped?" Elizabeth asks, "you stepped in?"
"Actually, it appears that there are many destiny and fate lines going through the Highlander," Jesse grins, "he's done a lot."
"Duncan Macleod again?" Elizabeth asks, arching an eyebrow.
"Yup," Jesse says, "it seems that dear Duncan Macleod of the Clan Macleod is a very powerful Immortal. He's defeated two of the Four Horsemen, Bryan Adams one of the best swordsmen I have ever met, and Jacob Kell. Kell has taken the heads of over six hundred Immortals and even broke the rules."
"Which ones?" Alex asks, curiosity evident in his voice. Few Immortals could have ever claimed to have taken the heads of over three hundred Immortals. Only a handful had taken the heads of six hundred, the Five among them. They only knew of six others to have done so, and the only other one still alive was Methos. Jesse and the Kurgan had been the only Immortals they knew who had taken the heads of over eight hundred Immortals, and the Kurgan was now dead, a fact for which Alex felt he was indebted to Connor Macleod for. Alex wasn't sure if he would have had what it took to beat the Kurgan had they ever fought.
"Broke the one on one rule," Jesse replies, "had several Immortals working for them, including Jin Kei."
"Jin Kei was too honorable to resort to that!" Elizabeth protests. They had known Jin Kei several hundred years ago, during one of the last times the five of them had been together. He had shown them the newest glaive techniques, and they had shown him some of their best sword techniques.
"Don't know what Kell did to him, but he did work with Kell," Jesse says sullenly, "however, he never actually fought in a multiple on one fight against another Immortal. He was bested by Duncan Macleod, though Kell took his head. And the heads of the other Immortals that had been following him and almost took the head of Duncan's one wife."
"Oh yes, I remember her," Elizabeth says softly, "I showed her the ropes of Immortality. Led her to believe I was about six hundred, then led her to believe I was killed. A roughly adequate fighter, so it would be believable for her to be alive still."
"She's a fashion designer," Jesse says, "a popular one at that. She and Duncan are currently trying to start over."
"Good for her," Elizabeth says, "she deserves happiness, though I did share her anger. He should have asked her if she wanted to be Immortal or not."
Jesse smiles bitterly. "Not saying I agreed with what Macleod did, but alls well that ends well."
"Maybe," Elizabeth says, pursing her lips.
"So, care to show me around town, Jesse?" Alex asks, "though you letting other Immortals sense you since you have a Watcher on your tail does explain why I was able to sense you, Elizabeth."
"Yeah, gonna have to figure a way out of this," Elizabeth says, "with this modern era, even if I fake my death in a fight with another Immortal they'll find out fairly quickly. I could let a group of rogue Watcher's catch me, but I'd rather not have to change my appearance."
"We'll figure a way out of this mess," Jesse promises, "I still got contacts on the inside, including Methos."
"Methos is in the Watcher's again?" Alex asks, "what's the youngster up to now?"
The three Immortals share a laugh at that. Methos was the oldest living Immortal known, despite still mostly being a legend, yet the three of them plus Jesse's brother and sister were all a millennia older than Methos.
"Believe it or not, he's now the Chronicler of himself," Jesse snickers, "he's in charge of all the histories of himself and the Watchers that watched him when they could get a Watcher on him."
Elizabeth and Alex both chuckle at that. After calming considerably, particularly from his stint as the Horseman of Death, Methos had become a highly refined gentleman. He did not follow a code of chivalry like Jesse, Alex, and Jesse's brother Adam did, but instead respected people until they lost his respect. Though it was admittedly hard to keep his respect and very easy to lose it. Methos was an enigma, seeming to care not at all one moment then the next sobbing like a brokenhearted child over a friend. Methos had been their friend for a hundred years after he had quit being the Horseman of Death. It was heartening to hear that he was still alive and still a gentleman.
"So, Jesse, care to explain why you fiddled with the Earth's ley lines?" Alex asks.
"It's time," Jesse replies, "things have started happening. Fairly soon there will be a great war between good and evil and the people of Earth will be caught in the middle. With the ley lines reconfigured, things will shift into the favor of good, giving those on the side of good more power during the coming war. And that power will be much needed, and hopefully enough."
"You got it all letter-perfect?" Alex asks.
Jesse nods. "If I didn't, one wrong spell could shatter the entire planet. Literally."
"Explain later," Alex says, "tour now."
Jesse laughs. "Of course, my friend, of course. Shall I show you where the library is first, or wait till later?"
"Now would be good," Alex says. He had always loved libraries. He had had the makings of a great scholar before the clans were annihilated, but now he was an Immortal who had to travel to keep the Watchers and other Immortals from learning of his existence. Even so, he kept up with technology and learning through the centuries, staying highly skilled and very versatile in his abilities.
~hours later, back at the House~
"So, this is my room?" Alex asks as he surveys the rooms he had been given. It was done simple, yet elegant. The colors of the Clan Green decorated most of the suite, while one entire room was a library of great literary classics and books of magic set side by side. Books of ancient lore rested beside books on computers. Another room held a wide variety of weapons, all that Alex was a master of using various styles for. Many he had invented a lot of styles for, and others he had just plain invented in the first place.
"It is," Jesse replies evenly. To one who did not know him, they would think that Jesse was indifferent to what Alex thought of the rooms. To Alex and Elizabeth, they could tell he was extremely nervous, wanting his best friends approval and acknowledgment of how well he knew him. "Is it to your approval?"
"It needs a few personal touches, but beyond that its perfect," Alex smiles, "thank you, my friend. Now, if you'll excuse me, I would like to meditate alone."
"Sure thing," Jesse says, "you can have a tour of the rest of the House tomorrow."
"Okay," Alex says, then Jesse and Elizabeth head for Jesse's private rooms.
"Relieved?" Elizabeth asks.
"Huh?" Jesse asks as he opens the door for Elizabeth to enter his room.
"Relieved that Alex likes your room?" Elizabeth repeats, "I know you were more worried about him accepting your ideas than me, Adam, or Laci."
"Adam and Laci I can order around because I'm their big brother," Jesse says, "you, I value your opinion but frankly, you aren't my best friend."
"No, just the woman your in love with," Elizabeth retorts.
"And madly so," Jesse grins, "but Alex, well, he's my best friend. He knows me better than anyone, even you."
"Gender difference?" Elizabeth inquires.
Jesse blushes. "Well, yeah. He knew I liked you since I first formed feelings that were beyond friendship for you."
"You never told me how long ago that was," Elizabeth says.
"Well, I think I had just been declared the best warrior in the Clan Atalantari," Jesse begins, "you kissed me on the cheek, and it startled me. After that, I started paying more attention to you, and my feelings for you bloomed into what truly began what I feel for you now."
"Since we were thirteen?!" Elizabeth demands, "you've been in love with me since we were thirteen? You've been in love with me for six thousand and five years?!"
Jesse eeps. "Yes."
Elizabeth glares at Jesse angrily, then her glare softens and she smiles. "You are so stupid." She kisses Jesse firmly on the lips for a few seconds. "But you are definitely sweet. And you are now mine. Why didn't you tell me long ago?"
"Because I was afraid of ruining our friendship," Jesse replies, "I'd have much rather kept your friendship than risk losing it. Being Immortal, its hard to form true lasting friendships."
"Oh Jesse, you are such a dunce," Elizabeth giggles, "the reason I kissed you on the cheek in congratulations was because I really liked you. Father and mother had actually already figured you had feelings along those lines for me, and were waiting for us to grow up for you to ask for my hand in marriage. They had told me that they would ignore the status difference. We had been friends for years and they already knew how much we meant to each other. Of course, when they had fully explained it all I didn't stop blushing for nearly an hour."
Jesse blushes. "Your father would have done that? I thought he didn't like me?"
"He didn't," Elizabeth replies bluntly, "in fact, he actually despised the fact that we were friends up until we were sixteen. That was when he told me. He had finally seen past your inherent social status and begged me to forgive him for thinking of you that way."
"Then why didn't he tell me that?" Jesse asks quizzically.
"Because after that he saw you as a boy planning to take his little girl away," Elizabeth giggles.
Jesse blushes. He had seen several fathers despise their daughters' suitors over the years, and Elizabeth's father Jerrick had been no exception in that regard. He was very protective of his daughter. And rightly so. Elizabeth had been the moist beautiful woman in all of the Clans, and had received several offers of marriage.
A cold trickling goes down Jesse's spine.
"Did you feel that?" Elizabeth whispers, worry evident in her eyes.
"I did," Jesse replies, "come on. We need to get Alex. The first wave has come."
The two quickly exit Jesse's rooms and head down two floors to Alex's room. They meet Alex just as he is exiting from his room.
"You felt it too?" Alex asks. Jesse and Elizabeth nod. "What is it? I can't figure it out."
"It's a Demon Gate," Jesse replies, "instead of sending out several Hellspawn, they are opting to send one powerful Demon instead. I did not expect this."
"It's created an imbalance that restricts teleportation," Alex says, "how will we get there in time? Its all the way over in England."
"We take one of the jets," Jesse replies simply, "we have several sorts of air vehicles, all of them with cloaking devices."
"Then lets go," Elizabeth says, "we need to hurry."
The trio enters the elevator and Jesse opens up a hidden compartment to reveal a panel with a several buttons. Jesse enters in a password and then presses one of the buttons. The elevator begins to descend rapidly.
"So, this part of the House is underground?" Alex asks.
"Dude, there's more underground than there is above ground," Jesse says, "actually, the underground is about the size of half of AMC itself."
"Cool," Alex says, "so we can fit a good-sized army down there, huh?"
"If need be," Jesse answers, "there are others in the Prophecy, and we will need the space."
"That much?" Alex asks.
"Of course not," Jesse snorts, "about half the underground base is the armory. Various things are kept here. A lot of it is my own personal depository of weapons."
"So, where is the vehicle that will be taking us to the Demon Gate?" Alex asks.
The elevator comes to a stop. The trio walks out and into the spacecraft hanger. Several ships of various shapes, sizes, and battle uses. Foremost among them was an aircraft that appeared to be about fifty feet in length, twelve feet high no counting the landing gear, and fifteen feet wide. It did not appear to be sporting weapons of any sort, and it did not appear to have any engines. Jesse leads Elizabeth and Alex to the rather small ship, smiling proudly.
"Jesse, is this the ship we'll be taking?" Alex asks, skepticism obvious in his voice.
"It is," Jesse says, "not the best ship by any means, but it will serve our purpose. The better ships will take too long to pull out of storage. I keep this one constantly ready. Her name is the Poltergeist."
"Why'd you give it that name?" Elizabeth asks. As far as she and Alex knew, Jesse despised poltergeists. He had had a very bad run-in with one in the mid-third century. He had been trapped in a cave for three days with one. When he had finally escaped, he had been half-wild with fever. It had taken him nearly a decade to recover from that ordeal.
"Because it can deal much physical damage to an enemy without being seen," Jesse responds, "it has a very, very good mechanical cloaking device, one of the best I have, in fact. It can still be detected by magical and psychic means, but technology and the naked eye cannot see when the cloak is activated. It can get us to England from here in ten minutes unless we use full burn, though I wouldn't recommend that. The cloak can't keep up in an atmosphere during full burn."
"Ten minutes the fastest we can get there once up in the air?" Alex asks.
"You got it," Jesse says, "now lets go."
Jesse hurries to the Poltergeist, quickly followed by Jesse and Elizabeth. He leads them up the gangplank and into the ship itself. The inside of the ship was tidy and neat, looking for all the world like something out of a Star Trek: The Next Generation episode. There was one large room near the back, where it turned out the engines actually were, and it appeared to be a small armory. Various weapons, ranging from swords, axes, and knives to more modern weapons like handguns, rifles, one or two rocket launchers, several grenades, and what, after some inspection, turned out to be a tactical nuke.
"Jesse, why do you have a nuclear warhead in the armory of this craft?" Elizabeth asks as Jesse straps himself in the pilots seat of the cockpit and begins the preflight check-up.
"Because we might just need it," Jesse replies, "and it makes one hell of a trump card. Plus, if for some reason a full Demon Horde showed up a nuke would be the only thing we would be able to take them all out with. The three of us, heck, even the Five of us, could not fight a full Demon Horde of even Hellspawn. They are just too powerful, even for us."
"True, but why a nuclear weapon?" Alex asks as he straps himself into his own seat, "we do have spells that are a lot cleaner that can almost do as much damage."
"And the Hellspawn have mages to counter such spells," Jesse counters, "they have no defense for a weapon of such rampant destruction. And even if we did use it, we could set up a spell beforehand to keep anyone from detecting its use and then use other spells to clean up the damage to the rest of the area."
"Can this plane really get us to England in ten minutes?" Elizabeth asks as she straps into her seat. There was a total of ten seats in the cockpit itself, and there was another area right behind it to hold more people.
"If it doesn't, then I'm resigning my pilots license," Jesse quips as he guides the craft to the tunnel that led out of the hanger. Outside, a small bit of land a quarter of a mile from the House, in the meadow beside it, opened up to reveal the exit to the tunnel. Jesse engages the cloaking device and guides the jet out, picking up speed. A moment after the craft exits the tunnel the exit closes back up.
"And we're off," Jesse says, "next stop, merry old England, home of people with lovely accents and more of a history for getting into trouble than any other nation in the world."
"But not any other person, right?" Elizabeth asks with a teasing grin.
"Careful," Jesse replies with an even grin, "that person you are talking about may be your brother-in-law some day."
"I wasn't aware that it was Adam that I was dating," Elizabeth replies sweetly.
"Hardy har har," Jesse replies sullenly.
"So, what should our plan of action be?" Alex asks.
"I was thinking of making it up as we go along," Jesse answers, "it could be any manner of Demon that has arrived."
"We could be in major trouble, you know that?" Elizabeth says, "I mean, we're going off to face a Demon, and we all know that there are many demons that even if all five of us were here, which we only have three so our group is incomplete, there are Demons that we still would not be able to defeat."
"We need allies, it is true," Alex says, "but where to find them? Not just anyone will do."
"The Prophecy," Jesse answers, "they are to help us anyway."
"Any luck in locating anyone from The Prophecy?" Alex asks.
Jesse grins. "Several, actually. Almost all of the major players in things involving us, which is actually almost everything in The Prophecy. The Ancient was Master Gerim. Remember that I took the head of the Immortal that took Gerim's head? Well, using some meditation techniques I learned in Japan a thousand years ago, I was able to sort through Gerim's memories. He was even older than we are. He was actually a pure Atlantean."
"An Atlantean?" Elizabeth gasps, "he was part of noble Atlantis?"
"He was a noble in Atlantis," Jesse answers, "he his family was part of the basis for Clan Eldryn. In a way, you were related to him, Elizabeth. He was your great uncle, in simplified terms. His older brother was the last King of Atlantis."
Elizabeth gulps. That was unexpected news. Gerim had been strong, and it had come as a surprise that he had been defeated. Then it had been even more unexpected that Jesse went and took the head of the Immortal who took Gerim's head. The rest of the Five had been there for when Jesse lost, and would then take the head of that Immortal. But Jesse had surprised them by defeating the Immortal Kor.
"What about the others?" Alex asks.
"Believe it or not, most of the more important ones are residents of the House," Jesse chuckles, "I won't say who is who, but The New Age Mage, The heart of Truth, The Lost Warrior, and The Bearer of Earth are all residents of the House. I have also located The Creator of a Dynasty."
"Are any of them capable of really helping us?" Alex asks.
"I have watched them, and The Lost Warrior is an Immortal," Jesse says, "she is young, barely half a century old. But she was trained by the elder Highlander, Connor Macleod. She is quite talented with a sword. I have seen her take on three Immortals ten times her age and win. Connor taught her everything he knew, and then sent her traveling to meet other Immortals. She has trained with most of the best sword wielders and martial artists in the last half century, and is among those ranks herself. I imagine that she could very well win the Game."
"You mean she could beat us?" Alex asks.
"No, after The Prophecy is completed, we will become mortal and be able to live our lives as normal people," Jesse answers, "our reward is quite clearly stated."
"That's cool," Alex says, "say, what are we labeled as in The Prophecy? I know every major player in it has a special name."
"You are The Wizard of the Five," Jesse answers, "Elizabeth is the Beauty of the Five."
"Stop, your making me blush," Elizabeth says, her cheeks tinged with pink.
"Um, I was being serious," Jesse says, "though I do agree with the name. It suits you. Adam is called The Knight of the Five, and Laci is The Maiden of the Five."
"And you?" Elizabeth asks.
"I have several names in the Prophecy," Jesse says, "but the one that makes me part of the Five is The Leader of the Five. And the Five lead the forces of Good in the coming battle."
"So you got the most important positions, huh?" Elizabeth asks, "I mean, you're the Chosen One and the bearer of the Power of Silver."
"He's what?!" Alex gapes.
"I am the Chosen One of the AMC Universe and the bearer of the Power of Silver," Jesse answers, "I am also known as The Leader of the Five. But I think its gonna be a hassle that I am not gonna like."
"But you'll do it anyway, won't you?" Elizabeth asks.
"Of course," Jesse scoffs, "its my duty. And we're here."
"I kinda noticed," Alex says blandly. The area around them felt saturated with pure evil, the kind that only the presence of a Demon or a similar creature can create. It felt wholly unnatural.
"I'm setting 'er down," Jesse says as he lands the jet. The craft had VTOL capabilities, so it could land anywhere a large enough patch of ground was as easily as it could a runway.
"Should we say a quick prayer before going out?" Alex asks.
"You spent one too many years in the Vatican, my friend," Jesse says, "I've already made my peace with God, so I'm comfortable with wherever I end up."
"Same here," Elizabeth says as she secures her sword in its scabbard.
"Let's go," Jesse says, grasping the end of his walking stick tightly.
"Um, Jesse, shouldn't you be getting a sword or something?" Alex asks, "I know you can defend yourself with magic, but wouldn't it be prudent to be prepared?"
"I am prepared," Jesse replies, focusing for a moment. The finely made walking stick abruptly changes into a narrow-bladed double-edged sword. The silver blade appeared as smooth as glass, though with a blooding channel found on English broadswords, and even further back the swords the Clans had made, particularly the enchanted ones. Alex had a feeling that Jesse had something to do with that. He had helped develop the blooding channel back into swordsmithing in the English broadswords, just as Alex himself had introduced the katana to Japan.
"That's a well-made sword there," Alex comments, "but how did you make it change? Or was it merely an illusion?"
"You like it?" Jesse asks with an impish smile, "it's the Silver Weapon, a physical incarnation of the Power of Silver. Only the bearer of the Power of Silver, the Chosen One of the AMC Universe, and a few select others are even able to touch it. It is incorporeal in the hands of anyone else, and even then only one or two others can even use its power. I usually keep in the form of a sword concealed as a walking stick, but it's more powerful in its true sword form."
"That is the greatest weapon of the side of Good?" Alex gapes.
"Sure doesn't seem like much, does it?" Jesse grins, "but just you wait. It has a lot of power, and it amplifies magic a thousandfold. Focusing my power through this is what enabled me to redirect the ley lines."
Jesse winces. "This is a powerful Demon we are dealing with. He is redirecting the local ley lines to flow directly into the Demon Gate, feeding it more power. If we do not close the Gate soon, it will reopen enough for another to come through, or perhaps a full Horde of Hellspawn."
"A Horde of Hellspawn commanded by a Demon," Elizabeth murmurs as the jet's gangplank lowers, "that could almost end the world on its own. And if they went into hiding, waiting for other such armies to arise-"
"Then they would be able to overrun the Earth with ease," Jesse finishes, "we must stop this at all costs. And be careful. Remember, a wound inflicted by a Demon last a while, even on us. We would almost be forced to heal as a mortal would."
The trio rushes down the gangplank, only to find the area covered in a whirling darkness. It seemed to shift with the slightest wind, but it also seemed to seep into everything.
"Three little mortals have come to play?" a deep, rasping voice chuckles, "no, not mortals. Humans with long lives. So-called Immortals. Yes, you will be fun to play with. You smell old. Perhaps you will even give me some good sport. Particularly the female."
Jesse growls softly, not liking that last remark. He could feel the Demon's power, and it was great, but he could not gauge it. It was incredibly dangerous, that was for sure. It knew what they were, and how to kill them to keep them dead.
"Return to your home, Demon," Jesse calls out, "you are not welcome here."
"Ah, but Earth is my home, little Immortal," the Demon's raspy voice seemed to come from several directions at once, almost as if there were more than one of it, "I was born of this Earth."
"He's a human who was sent to Hell," Alex realizes, "he condemned himself to eternal damnation for power while in the grip of Hell itself."
"Ah, the tall one seems to know of my kind," the Demon laughs, "no matter. All it does is tell you what is about to kill you!"
The Demon lunges forth, revealing itself for the first time. It was big, perhaps ten maybe even twelve feet tall and it had to weight half a ton at least. Mottled red-orange skin covered its body, a small loincloth keeping it modest, barely. Its head was reptilian, almost like a serpents. Claw- like hands tensed with pure power, and the entire thing exuded an aura of pure malice. Yes, this thing was evil through and through, despite having once been human.
The Demon lunges at Alex, who immediately erects a barrier of magic to block the Demon. The Demon's claws spark against the barrier, but do not penetrate it. It jumps back, surprise evident on its horrid face. Coal- black eyes narrow, focusing on Alex.
"You use the magicks of Atlantis," the Demon murmurs in shock, "you are one the the Five! All three of you are of the Five!"
"That's right," Elizabeth says.
"The Leader, The Beauty, and The Wizard," the Demon murmurs in realization, "so, you have come to face me. Killing you will be all the sweeter."
Without yell, the Demon summons up a pulsating ball of greenish-black energy and hurls it at Alex. It slams into Alex's shield, then spreads over it like ooze.
"If I were you, I would keep that shield up as long as possible, Wizard," the Demon laughs, "that substance will slowly constrict. If it constricts on you, your entire being will be crushed into the space the size of a coconut. Even your soul."
Alex's shield strains against the ooze, trying desperately to get it off of his shield. He changes the shields shape and attempts to expand it, but nothing works.
"That ooze will instantly harden if I should perish," the Demon chuckles, "but two of you against me is tantamount to suicide, even for you."
"We shall see, Demon," Elizabeth says coldly as she draws her rapier and ashes in, slicing at the Demons gut. The sword merely bounces off. The Demon attacks, but Elizabeth does a series of backflips that takes her out of the Demons immediate reach.
"Stand back and use holy magic," Jesse says as he charges in past Elizabeth, the Silver Weapon slicing into the right thigh of the Demon, cutting several much-needed muscles. The Demon howls in pain as black blood seeps from the wound.
Elizabeth raises her right hand, forming a ball of light in it. She throws it at the Demon, hitting it full in the face. The holy light sears into the Demons eyes, blinding it. Jesse takes the opening to slice open the Demons gut and then sink his blade into the Demons chest, the tip of the blade sliding right through the Demons heart like a stick into water. The Demon howls in pain as its eyes roll back into its head and slowly crumples to the ground, dead.
A second later the ooze around the shield Alex had erected hardens, and a second after that it shatters against the intense magical pressure exerted against it.
"Well, that was anti-climactic," Alex grumbles, "and we were worried why?"
"It was a Demon," Jesse replies, "not a very strong one, granted, but a Demon nonetheless."
"Weak," Elizabeth agrees as she sheathes her rapier.
"Bold plan they had, though," Jesse says, pointing to the Demon Gate before sending out tendrils of magic that separate the ley lines flowing into the Demon Gate and setting them back into the course he had previously set them in, "if that Demon had been stronger or kept us occupied for a few more minutes, this thing would have had enough power to bring out a Demon Horde."
Cut off from its source of power, the Demon Gate stops growing and begins to close up again. When it finally compacts in on itself, the energy backlash raises the hair of the three Immortals like a static charge.
"Ugh," Elizabeth groans, "this is gonna take some work getting rid of."
"Let's head home," Jesse says, "it's late there and we need our sleep."
"Yeah, I am a bit sleepy," Elizabeth says, stifling a yawn.
The trio heads back onto the Poltergeist and head home.
Not too far away, a shadowy caped figure watches in amusement. The figure was huge, standing nearly seven feet tall. It wore purple archaic armor, and strapped to its side was a huge broadsword, a blade that reached the chest of the one wearing it. Glowing purple eyes eyed the trio, the three eldest and most power Immortals in existence. And its prey was the oldest and most powerful of them. With a cruel smirk that was barely visible underneath the helmet and the cloak, the figure walks away and is soon consumed by whirling shadows that block it from view. When the shadows clear, the armored figure is gone.
~~
Well, that's another chapter done. Hope you liked it. Now three of the Five are gathered together, and a lot more is known about everyone. And another villain is revealed. He's sortof an original character, but he has a basis in a video game.
Anyway, please review and tell me what you think. I appreciate new reviews a lot. And if you like Dragon Ball Z, check out my stories New Students at Orange Star High and its sequel Warriors Displaced in Time. They are my biggest hits and in my opinion my best stories.
