The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Book I: War

Better to reign in hell, than to serve in heav'n...

John Milton: Paradise Lost, Book I

Vagabond.

The terrain was not fast to move around in. Mountains never suited Tanneth. They always presented problems by forcing a traveler to take detours around or over their bases. He knew tips and tricks he picked up from the Tunra campaign but the mountains always bothered him. They were the only things that made him feel isolated. Blocking his way in any direction.

He stopped on an edge of a barren rock and thought a bit. He breathed deeply. The air was much thinner that high up. The men he had met told him the truth about these mountains being the tallest. The man called them Himalayas. Strange name for mountains. Mountains where true titans for sure though. Tanneth admitted that. It the first time in a long time he had considered taking the longer road. Going around them would have been easier but it could have taken weeks. It would give too much time for the hundreds hunting him to catch up. Going through also would throw them off. Maybe taking that plan would have been better. He was already taking huge risks why add more?

Still the thought of continuing was depressing. The giant slopes he had climbed and the monsters would him at least three more days if paced himself. Going quickly maybe he could travel it in two but then had to risk falling and smashing his body at the snowing base of one of the mountains. He still was unsure of where he was going. He had heard the Russian steps were vast. There he could hide for a while, lose the hunters and find a city to settle in. The bar man's words seemed true. "Trust me my friend you will like the steps beautiful green plains as far as even your eyes can see," he had said.

"They sound suitable but how north are they," Tanneth had said to him. He tried to seem casual.

"Oh they way on the other side of the continent, in eastern Russia. It will take a long time get there expensive too. I hope you have money saved up fro the trip my friend." Tanneth looked nothing like a citizen of India but the man still treated him as if he were a native. Tending to other customers he seemed oblivious to who Tanneth was.

"I can mange."

"Well just to warn you then. Anyway what kind of interest would have in going to Russia?"

Tanneth hesitated. What did he have to gain by going to Russia? He couldn't tell the man he was running. "I'm just traveling around."

"Don't you have a job, a family? You must have some place you call home." The bar man was no more curious than he was a moment ago. He was just making friendly conversation. This was a first.

Tanneth thought about it. He barely remembered his place of birth. He was always traveling. Either with an army his team or on the run he was traveling. A sense of loneliness gripped him then. "I've spent most of my life just traveling, place to place."

"You some kind of vagabond?"

"Vagabond?"

"You know, the road is your home. Sounds like an adventure I wish I could leave this bare sometimes and travel the world as the people did a thousand years ago but I have to make a living. What ever you do on the road I think I would have a hard time." Vagabond...The word did describe Tanneth well he had to admit.

"I guess I am."

"Well to get to the steps first you will have to get plane to fly you over the Himalayas. You could also get a train to go around but would take a lot longer..."

"Himalayas...?"

The bartender chuckled at Tanneth. "Are brain dead from the humidity. They are the tall mountains north of here. The tallest there are."

Tanneth pretended to realize what he was saying. "Oh...how far north are they?"

"A few hundred kilometers from here, in Nepal. Alter you get through the mountains you will cross over in to Tibet. From there it is still some two thousand kilometers from there. It is a long journey if you are going to travel by train. I suggest you fly."

"I won't need either."

The bar tender laugh as if it was a joke. "You plan to run over the mountains, impossible and then it would take you months to reach the steps."

"I can manage, my way there. They are due north of here."

"Yes they're north but still thousands of kilometers. Any way you go it is a long journey. Now you finished your drink quickly there would like another before you leave?"

"Please." Tanneth passed the paper money to the bar man. He took a glass from under the bar and filled it with alcohol he called beer. He passed the nearly quart sized drink to Tanneth. Tanneth didn't think it was strong enough he had tasted much harder liquor in Makai. He took the glass and drank down the beer in a few seconds. The bar man watched in surprise.

"Well you seem to be able to hold your drink. Don't hesitate to come again."

Vagabond.

It was just two days after that. Two days before he had been in the humid warm air of New Delhi, but now was in the cold dry air of the Himalayas.

Tanneth continued climbing down the slope. He stopped time after a time to look at his surroundings. Every time he climbed a mountain another waited before him. He sighed. It would a long climb.

The night came in but he didn't sleep. He could some days without having to and he didn't want to spend any more time. The sun drifted low on the horizon casting a huge shadow over Tanneth. He continued to climb the slope. He noticed signs of others who recently had climbed. Trail marking flags set by humans were dotted along the mountain. This one was by far the highest of them he had come too. When the sun had completely set the Mountains became suddenly worth it to him. He began to climb much slower and he forgot the wind and the dry scold. In his long life Tanneth had never seen stars so clear. They were no lights of any cities for hundreds of miles around him. He couldn't distinguish any shapes there were just too many catching his attention. He stood at the peak of the mountain and watched the Moon rise over the horizon which was much lower now. The view was nothing he could have thought to see. He now looked at the mountains with respect. Only the most hard should be able to see this. He walked down the sloped of the mountain, before dawn came.

Vagabond.

As he walked he began to remember why he had always moved around never resting. Why he was a vagabond. He wanted to see what gave his people power. He wanted to see the gems of the world. Seeking the answers to the oldest questions. He was not the first and certainly won't be the last. If he only knew it was closer than he had thought.


Mel stood on the icy ledge on the sought side of the Moonscare. A solemn mist surrounded the mountain's peak. Looking out she could only see the white of the fog cover the crystal like surface of the mountain. Even in the clouded weather it still reflected light back into her eyes. The Moonscare it self wasn't that tall. Maybe two thousand feet or less. Nothing compared to the size of some of the mountains to the south. This mountain wasn't natural. She couldn't remember when it was built. It was far before her time. Back when Tanneth and Sincion fought the Master. Probably even before then. There were no records. This place was meant to house some secret. That's all Tanneth told her when he brought her here. She always had asked him about the Master. They spoke of him which such caution even though he was supposed to be dead. They always called him master. Doesn't he have another name? She often would insult Tanneth that way. Argon never liked her much he seemed distant when ever the Master came up. So did most of the others that were there. Most of them were as old as Tanneth was. She would try it with Sincion though, even though he would appreciate it more. Sincion at first was the liveliest. She could never find it. She wouldn't dare try to enter his mind. He was too powerful. Something had darkened him. It seemed present but as if it was floating around watching from the shadows. Wasn't that her job? His telepathic powers grew faster than anything should. Many times Mel had considered running. Tanneth always would keep her there. He needed someone he could trust I guess. She began to pace holding her black trench coat closed with her hands. It's so frustrating. Why didn't he tell what he was planning? What can he do by going against us? Mel had mixed feelings of what she was about to under take. To hunt Tanneth. Was it possible? He always seemed far above both Sincion and Argon. His skill seemed insurmountable. Whenever they trained he saw through her attacks like they were written down for him. She had the mind powers though!?.

It became more disheartening as she thought. She could find him maybe. He wouldn't fir well with the demons in the Human world. The bounty would make even easier. What then? Catching him would be impossible. She had to find out what he had in mind she owed him that much. Bashar always had said that.

"What do you think you're goin'," she had said as he passed walking across the trail. She only meant to surprise him.

Tanneth stopped but didn't looked at her. "Silent as ever."

"It's your trick."

"But I can't move through shadows." She jumped down from the tree branch and landed in front of Tanneth.

"Well that's your problem isn't it, Tanneth? Why are going to see the Master of Assassins," she had said.

"It has to do with the sphere stone."

"What I thought we weren't using that thing till the mechanics...of....the core.......area are completed. When are we going to be done?"

"It's complex, and it's about to get even more complex," Tanneth had seemed sort of reluctant as he said that.

"You're planning something. Don't deny it I can read minds, but what is it." She tried to listen in to the specifics but he just had too much defense.

Tanneth looked at the ground, seemingly deep in thought. "It will work out eventually. Just promise not to follow me."

Mel was startled. He spoke with a firm voice the commanded respect. It was too obvious what he had something coming.

Why would you risk your life to stop what you wanted to happen?

He must not have trusted Sincion either. There was something wrong with what he was trying. Tanneth would know when she found him she would ask. Looking at no it did look to her as if they were spiraling out of control. She wanted to help. Not to mention the kind of benefits she got. The skills that Tanneth had taught her. She had to find him.

Maybe it's time I move on to something else. I've been here too long. She hazed into the mist again. It grimly suited the mood of the moment. Her silver tipped black hair waved in the wind. The cold breeze caused her to shiver. It didn't seem that cold to her though. A strong gust came picking up small pieces of snow. Mel brushed the shards from her eyes. She opened looking out again. She seemed almost oblivious as a gloved hand came and brushed some of hair from in front of her eyes. Her Heart thrashed in her chest and she jumped away almost backing off of the cliff. Turning she looked into Sincion's eyes once and then looked at the ground. She tried to hide her fear, but head snuck up on her.

"Careful, the drop is very far from that ledge. Even Argon would die if fell from it."

Mel tried to get her breathing back under control. She knew Sincion noticed but he still played with her.

He walked forward up to Mel. She was starring into his belly. He was much taller than she was. He was over six feet while she was less than four foot ten. He put his hand on her back and led her away from the ledge.

"Now you have never been among humans Mel?"

She nodded.

"Don't worry they cause no trouble to you. Look for him where there are large numbers that is where he will hide. Understand?"

"This is very important to us you will find him. Now have ever witnessed a barrier being broken?"

"No I didn't think you could." She had her nerves under control. He stopped and walked a head with his back to her.

"It is not a skill as might think. More of a state of mind. Only a few are capable. The Master was the first we know of to be able to control barriers. I'm not sure how but Tanneth discovered how. He showed me and with it I found a way for him to kill the Master." He put out his hands and closed his eyes. "It's kind of like swimming actually." A crimson aura surrounded Sincion. The wind stopped and mist and clouds became black. He put out his hands a few inched farther. Small red waves came from his hands like he was touching water. He put his hands very forward again and the air became a live with energy. First and placid as a stagnant pond but soon became like the ocean in a hurricane. It sounded like an electrical tower fell and sparks were flying free. Then a loud thunder clap hit. Sincion opened his eyes and stepped back. It was done.

Mel stepped back from it. The portal looked as if it would kill anyone who touched it. "There is no way of telling exactly where you will appear, other than it will not be in one of the oceans."

Mel nodded and walked forward. The energy seemed to move faster as she did so. "Just find him Mel." The last words she heard as she walked through the energy.


Tanneth slid down the trail with relative ease. For a change he was pleased with himself. The first time he had been in a good mood in over hundred years or so. He had made it through the mountains much faster than he had anticipated. Only three days it took him to trek the titans of this world. He was sure he had set some record in their minds, but he wasn't human so he didn't brag to any he had met coming down. E was in high altitude he could tell. On a high flat plateau of some kind. He couldn't remember now all of what the bar man had told him, which was very little. He shitted his as he sped fast down the slope. He saw a human doing this and wondered why hadn't in all of his youth thought of it. He was known for doing things as this before he became a point man for the Master. He didn't quite have the same equipment as the boy had but his taren-band seemed to work. He quickly pulled his weight up with his legs bringing the taren-band board with him. The youth had called it snowboarding and Tanneth was enjoying it.

Many hikers watched as he glided down the trail. Tanneth for once could no worry about the attention. It felt for him to feel normal and trapped in the world. He pulled up his weight and jumped over another boulder. There was little wind save the air resistance he hit on the way down. He reached the bottom of the trail and stopped. It would have been impossible for him to have done that high in the Himalayas. He could have made it through with even better. Time. He reverses his taren-band board and slipped the band back onto his arm.

He looked at were he was. It was a large valley planned with snow. It reminded him of the high north. The frozen tundra with the Moonscare in the distance. By contrast he wasn't that far north.

He started down the hillside into the plateau. The wind began to pick up. The cold chill of the mountains began to irritate his wound. It still hadn't healed. After all this time it hadn't healed. The sting was much worse then. It felt almost as if it was spreading down his arm. It could be a problem in the future, but it should clear up. There was no reason this was much different from the others. Poisons are too much different. He didn't keep it on his mind for long. He still had the adrenalin pumping from the ride down the slope. He over a deep patch and had to pull his feet from the snow. He shot his head up quickly. It wasn't a sound he usually would think twice about. Just an animal. Most likely it was a wolf. Strange he was too high for most wolves to even come. There wasn't much to gain along the frozen high lands there or in Makai. He continued walking. Even if it was it was no cause for him to worry. An hour later he heard it again. That was a lot closer. Maybe they smelled him? Didn't matter, it would a hundred coming at him all at once for him to worry. Tanneth became slightly anxious. The terrain was going to take a while to navigate. Perhaps at a settlement he could find a grid which he might be able to plot a course with. Near a group of trees he heard a rustling behind a nearby boulder. It was obvious they were tailing him, doing a very bad job to. They moved around to much. They cared too much about staying out of sight that they were giving their position to him. He heard the rustling again. He had enough of let himself be followed. The small wolf couldn't have reacted to get away. Tanneth was over the trees and on him faster than he could see. He jumped in front of the wolf and was surprised. It was only a cub. It had brilliant white fur, with deep black eyes.

The little one jumped back. Snarling fiercely at him. He picked it up by the neck to look at it. It thrashed it head around and ran his claws along the surface of Tanneth's arm trying to break free.

"You're just a baby," Tanneth looked around himself, "where's your mother then. Unless you were following me..."

The young girl had enough of this. She was unsure if she could take him but she had to something. Maybe if she got him by surprise, but then how was she going to get out of these mountains? She knew he wasn't human but he didn't look like a human. But people didn't have devises as he had. She focused her energy remembering how to summon it. She could the lightning flash through here mind. He hand erupted with it. The bolt traveled up and down her arm until she released it. It arched high into the air and down onto the man. She hoped her cub was fine. He grabbed her sword and jumped down. What! He wasn't any where the bolt let a charred area on the ground. It defiantly hit him. Where was he?

Tanneth was amused as he came behind her. He had never been hit by lightning before. It might have hurt him if he hadn't had his taren-band. He never used the device much but it was useful in those moments. Good thing the pup probably would have died. He laid one hard hit to her back. It might have been too hard. He heard some of the vertebra crack she felled onto her stomach. Tanneth though it was over when she punched back planting her foot into his gut. He didn't think she had that much endurance. He held the cub in his left hand and backed a step off. She got up very quick. She saw the cub and became angry it was controlled though. She lashed a fist at him; he grabbed it easily and flipped her onto her back. He pinned her down with his foot and held his knife under her throat.

She laid there almost in shocked. He beat her so quickly! She opened her eyes and saw him. His gaze was fierce but at the same time tire, and had traces of compassion. He noticed the knife under her throat and the cub in his left arm.

"You might need to rethink those tactics. They're a sure way to get yourself a quick death." Tanneth sheathed his knife and let her up. He put the wolf cub down and let it run into her arms. "I am going to kill you unless you continue to try and capture me. You could have done a better job of following. That was just insulting. You make as a bounty hunter unless you find some better skills."

"I'm not a bounty hunter," she protested!

"Then why were you following me?"

"Because...I'm lost." Tanneth turned away from her. "I thought I could follow out of here."

Tanneth couldn't hold it, he began to laugh. "I'm.......I'm sorry then for surprising you. If you were lost then why didn't you just reveal yourself to me?"

"You aren't human I thought you would kill me."

Tanneth sighed. "I don't like to kill unless necessary and never people your age." Tanneth walked over and helped her stand. "Anyway what is a young girl doing out in this terrain alone? Don't tell me you were traveling those mountains."

"You did. I'm kind of on the run."

This surprised Tanneth. He had no reason to doubt her but what could she be running from? "Then we have something in coming. My name is Tanneth. I am not human and must get very far from here in a sort time. I can take you with me, but you can't slow me down. Or else we'll both die. You understand?"

She nodded.

"Good." He turned and stared down the trail again.

She ran after him. "My name is Skyler. If don't mind me asking how did you move that fast?"

"It's a long story. It can be learned but not quickly."

"We do have time."

"You wish to get stronger. Well if we reach Russia alive maybe I'll teach you. Please follow close I can't lose any more time."

"Can you wait for the rest to catch up?"

"Rest?" As he spoke eight other cubs came out from the trees. Tanneth sighed, now he had to protect a mother and her young as well get out this frozen landscape. At least she respected him, unlike Kyra.

Special thanks to skyler moon wolf for creating the character Skyler

Author's Note (IMPORTANT!) Tell me of any and all mistakes. I need more characters. There is still a lot of space to fill.

Please review, it will at least tell me that you read the story.

Thanks for reading.