Set during Enemies

"Reminding me why I'm doing this again?" Methos grumbled to his student not for the first time.

"Because it's like you always say, 'Mi casa es su casa', Xander replied causing Methos to roll his eyes. "What happens in Sunnydale happens to you! You live here so why not engage with this one. Buffy and Giles seem to make out that the books the demon is selling is important and so I figure if anyone knows about some demon in town it's Willy, your favourite bartender," Methos made a face at that, but Xander continued. "You pay him for information in this town so why not pay him a little extra to get a little extra info?" Xander suggested.

"My gosh! And the student becomes the master," Methos quipped sharing a smirk with his pupil. "Is this to get back into the good books with your friends?" He asked despite knowing the answer.

Xander huffed a little. "So, what if it is," he decided that he couldn't simply let it lie there as Methos would no doubt want further answers so he spoke up again. "I just figure the more they learn about this Ascension the less they want to learn about me."

Methos stopped in the street. "Wait Ascension?! You never mentioned Ascension you just said this was about some demonic books from some demon!" Methos said in some urgently.

"You have been lived through an Ascension haven't you!?" Xander realised.

"Yes, I have, and it wasn't pretty," Methos confirmed. "It was the city of Atlantis," Xander looked like he was about to protest in disbelief. "Believe the cartoons, the schoolbooks or me whatever I don't care! But a city vanishing beneath the waves isn't just a case of bad weather! Understand?"

"Well thank you Mr Vague nothing else you would like to add?" Xander said in a sarcastic manner.

"Well, I didn't stop and watch the highlights did I!?" Methos justified causing Xander to shake his head. His teacher ever the survivalist. The pair reached at bar they were looking for, but Methos motioned for them to stop outside deciding once again to impart some advice on his pupil. "Xander, I have never told another immortal how to live their lives but I once again I warn you this life you are trying to keep a grip on… harder your grip on it the more it will slip out of your fingers."

Xander didn't say anything having heard this song from his teacher more than once. "Let just get the information." Methos shrugged and stepped into the bar with his fellow immortal. Ten minutes and Methos a little lighter in cash they came out with the demon's location. "Well hope this points the group in the right direction," Xander said looking at the address Willy the bartender had written down. He set off back to school, but Methos called him out.

"Xander!" The young immortal turned back to his teacher who held a grim expression on his face. "That city was one of the most beautiful the world has ever seen. A haven for scholars and merchants alike… and then nothing. I can't even remember where it once stood. Was it in the Atlantic Ocean or the Mediterranean Sea, the location has gone simply lost in my mind." Xander observed his teacher for a moment and then nodded before turning back to walk back to school.

XXXXXXX

At night Xander is walking down a street busy talking to himself. "I love when you talk, Wesley," Xander said to himself as he kicked a can down the street in a girly voice mimicking Cordelia's obvious affection for the English watcher which he had to endure at the library. He guessed it was payback for his smooching Willow but still it was a bitter pill to swallow. Enough to make him decide to hit the streets rather than go with the gang to city hall to look up information. "I love when you sing, Wesley. Can you say the words jailbait, Wesley? Limey bastard," He mutters to himself before he sees Angel and Faith approach. Where had they been? The gang had been looking for them most the night. "Hey guys! Man, where you been? You gotta find Buffy. She's going to her place and stocking up on-" he didn't get a chance to finish his sentence as Angel casually smacked him in the jaw without breaking stride.

Xander falls limply to the ground as Faith doesn't even look at him. Just as the world slips into the blackness he could swear that Angel say something along the lines of. "That guy just bugs me." Then blackness took control of him and he was lost to it.

Later he felt dazed, and another feeling was confusion but when he realised he was on the pavement he squashed the feeling and quickly ran his mind through one of the mental awakening exercises that Methos had taught him. The mental awakening exercise was just one of the little techniques that the older immortal had called the basics. It was something of a quick start to the natural process of waking up and allowed Xander to be fully alert and awake within seconds. Getting back to his feet and pulling his sword out of his jacket where he had kept it hidden for months taking a good look around. Angel and Faith were nowhere to be seen. He took some deep breathes to consider what was going on. Angel was no more, and Angelus had returned. It all made sense! Last year Angelus had wanted to use Acathla to suck the world to hell and now this year he wants to help the world to ascend to hell! How he became Angelus he didn't know but Faith was involved meaning she had completed her training to the dark side it would seem. Whatever the case Buffy needed would be likely walking into a trap, and he had to help her in anyway he could.

Racing down a street he spotted a payphone in the corner, quickly fisted out some change and punched in a number. After a few rings Wesley picked up. "Hello? Buffy?"

"No, it's Xander," the teenager corrected the man. "You know how some people hate to say I told you so? Not me. I told you so. Angel's back in the really bad sense, and uh, I told you so."

Wesley's grip on his phone tightened as he took in the news. He had read nearly everything written on Angelus and the vampire's reputation was not one to be underestimated. "Angelus has turned," Wesley repeated to Willow, Cordelia and Oz who were with before speaking back to phone. "Xander, this is terribly serious. Are you sure?"

"Gee, let me think. Kind of hard to tell. Last thing I remember was his fist," Xander retorted.

"We must contact Giles immediately," Wesley said in a near state of panic.

"Good thinking. Let's waste time with a lively debate," the brunette teenager snorted to the other man. "Leave Buffy alone. See how dead she gets!"

"Well… what should we be do?" Wesley asked hopelessly. The training at the council did not prepare him for this. In fact, there was very little in his training that had prepared him for his experiences in Sunnydale. From the slayer having friends, the hellmouth but most of all the slayer herself he often found himself woefully out of his depth… not that he would share that with the others of course.

"I have help Buffy," Xander said with conviction. "I'm sure Angelus and Faith can make a killer compilation."

"Mr Harris you are match for them!" Wesley informed the teenager.

Xander brought his sword up examining it and making a decision. "Guess we'll see." He said before dropping the phone and taking off towards the mansion.

XXXXXXX

Closing to the back entrance to the mansion Xander kept his sword up. He crept forward beginning to hear Faith's voice. He guessed his hunch was right and that Angelus and Faith would lead Buffy here. Peaking round the corner he saw Buffy chained against the wall. Angelus standing back as Faith did her villain thing. "Keep dreaming," Faith mocked Buffy. "No one can stop the Ascension. Mayor's got it wired, B. He built this town for demons to feed on and come graduation day, he's getting paid. And I'll be sitting at his right hand. Assuming he has hands after the transformation. I'm not too clear on that part. And all your little lame ass friends are going to be kibbles'n'bits. Think about that when your boyfriends cutting into you."

"He's going to need something sharp for that!" Xander said announcing his presence to the occupations of the room as he spun his sword up into a defence position.

"Xander get out of here!" Buffy called out. This was not a part of the plan that she, Giles and Angel had agreed on. Right now Faith was giving them everything they wanted to know and Xander was going to get himself killed by ruining everything.

"Leave now boy!" Angel growled very aware that there was no one between Faith and Xander.

"Nice sword toy boy!" Faith commented raising an eyebrow at the visitor. "Might want to drop it before you stab yourself with it."

"Not going to happen," Xander told her keeping his sword level paying her comment no mind as he still very wary and on edge that despite being immortal he was very much bottom of the food chain compared to the people in this room. Being an immortal and training with Methos might have given him some skills but it was nothing compared to the strength and abilities of being a vampire or a crazed slayer. The only thing he had going for was the fact that none of opponents in the room had any idea of his training and hopefully he could use that surprise to his advantage

"Ohh look at you finally decided to grow a pair!" Faith taunted before she sprang forward, moving with the grace and agility of a slayer. Her fist shot out towards his face, and she smiled slightly, expecting to hear the crunch of his nose breaking when it impacted against her punch. Xander barely had time to reaction managing just to duck out of the way bringing his sword up as he turned his body away from her. Her momentum caused her to overextend and topple onto the floor. She rolled as she hit the deck coming up quickly before she noticed a small slash on her arm where Xander's sword had stuck causing her to scowl. "Nice moves Xman," she commented eyeing him with a little more respect. "Shame you didn't produce anything that impressive when we were in bed together."

For Xander's own safety Angel moved forward hoping to knock the boy out again with a punch. The boy's stupidity was on full flow tonight it would seem. "Xander move!" Angel ordered to the boy but still believing he was Angelus the teenager lashed out with his sword causing Angel to duck and move away. The teenager launched into a series of attacks which catching the vampire by surprise which forced him to dodge and dive to the ground. Whipping around Angel came face to face with Xander's blade. "Where did you learn that?" Angel demanded. He had recognised such a technique from his days as Angelus in the South of France. Where and how on earth did Xander of all people study such a complex series of moves?!

"Xander?" Buffy uttered disbelief and Faith noticed she was free of her chains. She growled when she realised that Buffy and her lover vamp had played her! Completely pulling the wool over her eyes! Oh, B was going to pay for that one! Faith decided then and there pulling out a sharp knife from her back pocket.

Out of the corner of his eye Xander saw Faith move slightly and looked in her direction. Thanks to being a slayer, she had already thrown the knife in his direction before he had a chance to react. He simply could only feel it enter his chest hard and caused him to stumble back. "Xander!" Buffy cried out as she saw her friend get stuck with the knife. He dropped his sword in shock as Angel got up from the floor and grabbed him as he stared down the knife sticking out of his body and blood beginning to ooze out of the wound.

"Sweet dreams lover boy," Faith snarled before she ran off as Buffy reached Xander helping Angel to lower him to the ground.

"Stay with me Xander," Buffy urged him. "It's just a scratch nothing to worry about!" She told him but she knew it was a lie. There was already so much blood Faith must have stuck an artery inside. She tore off part of her top desperate to stop the blood from flowing. She looked terrified and so scared as she looked at Angel for help, but his expression was grim. This was not good. The Scoobies consisting of Willow, Wesley, Oz, and Cordelia burst into the mansion from the front door banishing crosses and stakes ready to face Angelus but were stunned at the image before them.

"Oh my god Xander!" Willow cried out as herself and Cordelia rushed over to the others and crowded around Xander.

"I've got a first aid bag in my truck," Oz announced as he ran back outside to get it. It won't help Angel noted to himself as the girls were all frantic around their friend. He was familiar with stabbing wounds thanks to his grisly past. The teenager laying out before him had minutes to live with his blood soaking his shirt.

Having three beautiful women all teary eyed in front of him was certainly not bad for his ego but Xander had greater concerns at the moment. Very aware he was dying and with little or no other option he decided to take steps to stop the process. Gripping the knife with one hand and mustering some strength he pulled it out. "No! Xander don't pull at that!" Willow told him aware that all it was let even more blood pour out of the wound. But Xander pulled it out before any of them had a chance to react. Then the occupants of the room including Oz returning with a small but useless first aid bag watched in horror as little sparks came out of Xander's wound repairing the damage.

"Get back from him!" Wesley commanded to the group as he pulled Cordelia away from the scene. Buffy and Willow watched in shock as the wound on their long-time friend repaired itself as Angel picked up Xander's fallen sword and gripped it tightly.

The supposedly regular human healed himself right in front of their eyes. That was not meant to happen. Xander took deep breaths as he tried to calm himself and willed his body to finished healing. Looking around the room and seeing the reactions ranging from confusion, shock, betrayal and even anger he knew this was the moment he had been dreading for some time. "Guys… I have something to tell you," he uttered.

XXXXXX

In the library. The Scooby gang including Angel and Wesley are on one side with Xander sitting staring at his hands. In the background Giles and the Mage stand face to face. "The task is finished," the Mage stated to the Englishman.

"Yes," Giles agreed. "Thank you for coming to me and for that rather effective light show you put on."

"This restores the balance between us, Rupert Giles," the Mage declared before adding. "My debt to you is now repaid in full. Do not call upon me."

"I shan't," Giles replied before glancing at the others in the room. He was keen to get back to matters at hand. "Peace with you."

"And with you," the Mage nodded to Giles before he walks backward, fading into thin air.

Moving to the group in the room Giles took a brief glance at how everyone was fairing. There was suspicion, betrayal, and confusion thick in the air. Wesley had been short on answers as he had briefly detailed to Giles the events of the night featuring Faith's betrayal, the information learned about the mayor's ascension and possibility more shocking Xander's healing at a fatal stab wound. The teenager had demanded to return to the library to inform the gang of the reason for this wanting to do it when all members of the group were accounted for.

The teenager in question was sitting staring at his hands trying to work out how he would explain all of this and how the group would react. He had wanted for everyone to be there when he fully recovered so he insisted on returning to the library. He had endured the group's wariness on the ride back to high school. No one said anything but he could feel Buffy's, Cordelia's, and Willow's stares on him, but he didn't look at them. Instead, he looked out the window of Oz's van at scenery he hardly noticed. He was afraid to tell them what he really was, and they were afraid to hear it.

"I'm immortal," Xander said feeling for a moment somewhat of a wait lifted from his shoulders. He had finally said the words. He had told them, there would be no more lies. But now he would have to endure their questions and their reactions to the news.

"Impossible," Wesley scoffed in disbelief. "Stories of immortals are merely myths and legends! The Watcher's Council have never found actual proof of any of their existence!"

"And are these the same watchers who said that werewolves don't exist?! Or that the Judge can never be reassembled?!" Buffy snapped at the older man causing him to be silent.

Sparing a glance at the now sheepish fellow Brit Giles spoke up. "It has been my experience to keep an open mind about myths and legends while operating on the Hellmouth I suggest you do the same Wesley," he said before turning back to Xander. "Tell us what has happened."

"I don't know where to begin," Xander admitted.

"Start at the beginning," Giles urged and Xander took a deep breath and did just that. He explained immortals, the game, the rules and Methos, his teacher. He talked briefly about the ups and downs to having abilities like an immortal processes and about what it was like leading a double life as both an immortal and their friend. The room was silent after he concluded his talk. There was not much to say.

"What do we know about immortals?" Buffy enquired turning to Giles who had been chewing his glasses absorbing everything that Xander had just detailed. Xander noted she was confirming with Giles and not himself therefore showing that she didn't believe or trust him with his story.

"Not that much I am afraid," Giles replied putting on his glasses and straightening up slightly. "As Wesley implied the Council has very little fact on the subject and written many instances or references to their existence as merely folly or fairy-tale. There will be some research require to separate the fact from fiction."

"But there is reference?" Buffy questioned, "he is not simply making this up?" Buffy asked Giles pointing at Xander who couldn't help but speak up.

"Of course, I'm not making this up how can you even think that?!" The teenager said outraged.

"I don't know what to think Xander!" Buffy snapped back. "One minute your goofing off and the next minute you come bursting into the mansion with a sword! I mean how do you know how to use it?!" She asked at the same time the others began to speak up.

"How could you keep this from me?!" Willow cried out sounding both hurt and betrayed.

"How many other immortals are located in town?" Giles questioned all business.

"All this time you have been lying to us why?!" Buffy asked him.

"Is it true you are from some alien planet Zeist?" Wesley asked with wide eyes.

"This gathering you mentioned is about to occur now?" Giles enquired.

"Where do you all think I have been this past year?!" Xander yelled out over the voices. He took a calming breath before speaking again. "All the times you have had meetings or didn't bother calling me to ask for help or hung out without me being around where do you think I was?!" The members of the room all were silent sparing each other a glance. "I've been training since the summer, learning how to fight, learning how to survive, learning about who I really was, just simply learning!" The group were silent as they passed glances at each other admitting they had failed to keep track of their friend. For Buffy and Willow, it was particularly painful as they were meant to be this boy's best friend and yet they had both been a little focused in their own issues and dramas which meant that Xander had been placed on the back burner.

"Why didn't you tell me?!" Cordelia yelled at Xander causing him to turn to his ex-girlfriend's indignant question which seemed to make his eardrums ring unbearably. She was for sure angry now. "I was your girlfriend Xander! And this whole time you were keeping this from me! Another one of your little secrets!" She uttered casting a glance at Willow who lowered her eyes down in shame. Xander lowered his eyes a little too as he could tell she felt betrayed all over again. Before he could get a word out, she barrelled on. "To think, all those times when we went patrolling and I was so afraid you'd-" she stopped and took a breath. Xander couldn't help but feel his heart fluttered in his chest. She still liked him! Then any hope they might get back together got crushed again when she said, "I mean this whole time when we were dating, I was thinking you were useless loser and in reality, this while time you were some immortal!"

Reality did indeed kick in as Xander realised they still didn't understand. "Not the whole time Cordy," he explained before taking a deep breath. "I was the useless loser when we first started dating and only became an immortal when I experienced my 'first death'." He paused noting the confused looks in the crowd. "Sorry the term 'first death' usually refers to the literal first death of an immortal which triggered our latent immortality. These deaths are, as far as is known, usually violent, and always unnatural."

"So that means… you died," Willow uttered in shock and Buffy felt her anger melting away as she almost fell back into her chair. He had died. She had failed to protect him. She was the Slayer, the Chosen One, the mystically anointed nemesis of vampires, demons and things that go bump in the night, and he was Xander, her goofy, off-the-wall, relentlessly-throwing-himself-into- danger-without-any-thought-for-the-consequences, best male friend in the world. He was the normal guy, the one without the preordained destiny, the one who could have a normal life with a wife and children and a dog, who could have the house with the white picket fence and the nine-to-five job that didn't have anything to do with demons and blood and death and possibly dying in any of a thousand different and painful ways. He wasn't meant to have died.

"It happened over summer… vampires," Xander confirmed to the group. Buffy paled at he fact. He was meant to be safe, that was all there was to it, and she had promised herself that she was going to make sure of that, no matter what. But despite her best efforts sometimes knowingly being harsh like when the hellmouth was reopening and keeping him out of the events she had failed him. Sensing she was feeling guilt she felt Angel's hand on her shoulder.

"It wasn't your fault," the vampire told her as she looked up to him.

"For once Deadboy are on the same page Buff," Xander said. "I died because I was careless and out numbered there is nothing else for it."

"If I had been here, I would have saved you," Buffy said quietly.

"Maybe… maybe not," Xander said. "For a while I wanted to blame you," he confessed feeling little ashamed. "For a little I did. But my teacher taught me that I had to take some responsibility for my actions and choices. It has always been my choice to get involved in your life Buffy never yours. I've known the risks and still fought beside you. That time I just got unlucky."

"Your… teacher is your uncle?" Willow asked him in a small voice, and he could tell she was struggling on this. He wasn't her Xander anymore. He had now changed forever, and she hadn't realised just how much.

Xander nodded confirming that fact. "He is one of the oldest if the oldest immortal to still be alive. We stuck a deal where he trains me, and I didn't tell any of you about my immortality and about him. He is rather paranoid and wants to stay out of the limelight. He said it was best in regard to the game."

"The game?" This time it was Angel who spoke up. "So that aspect is true," he muttered to himself causing Buffy to look at him in a hurt manner.

"You knew about immortals?" she asked him in an almost accused manner.

"Yes," he admitted. "Although I have never met one or at least I don't believe I have met one. Vampires and immortals tend to themselves separate from each other. I have heard stories about the game fighting each other to death but never known if it was true."

"Fighting?" Buffy whipped around to look at Xander. "You mean you have been fighting other immortals?"

"I told you it's all part of the game," Xander said in his defence. "There are immortals like Methos, my teacher who try to stay out of the Game, but then there are head-hunters who will keep coming for my head and…" he shifted uncomfortably trying to choose his next words carefully. "If I don't take advantage of an opportunity, I may not make it the next time and then I will die permanently."

"You've killed someone," Willow whispered almost in accusation staring at Xander. Buffy whipped her head to glance at the redhead before turning back to Xander looking for denial rather than confirmation.

"I had no choice," Xander admitted looking down at the table.

"You always have a choice!" Buffy said with more than a little edge in her voice as she got back on feet. "You don't have to play this 'Game,' as you call it! You could have let that person go, but you didn't!"

"And you can re-soul every vampire you come across now that we know how," Xander countered sparing a glance at Angel before turning back to Buffy who had her arms crossed. "But we don't do we? Because you don't have time or sometimes the opportunity to trap or snare a vampire and wait for Willow or Giles to restore their soul. I had someone come at me with a sword and I defended myself… and yes it meant I kill them." Xander told her.

"Nice justification," Buffy replied with her jaw set. "Just like Faith almost," she added which caused him to shake his head at the comparison.

"How many more immortals are located in Sunnydale?" Wesley asked the immortal teenager.

"I only know about myself and Methos," Xander told him.

"How do we know if you are telling the truth or not?" Wesley asked him with a sneer causing Xander to roll his eyes at him. God this guy was annoying! "You did mention that part of immortality is sensing other immortals."

"He has a point," Cordelia spoke up eyeing Xander. "You are pretty good at lying plenty of experience in the subject."

"I generally don't know!" Xander stated seething. "I can sense when an immortal close like in the same room or some feet away, but I can't sense how many are in town or where they are." He gave Wesley an expression of 'just drop it'.

The only officially watcher in the room shook his head at what he had just heard. "Well, I must say this really is a fine mess!" He said directing his comment at Giles who rolled his eyes. "We have vampires working with slayers!" he gestured to Angel who was still hovering close to Buffy. "Other members of this group that you claimed to be 'close knit' keeping secrets from each other!" He said motioning to Xander. "And you pitted Slayer against Slayer in a dangerous charade that could've gotten them both killed, without informing me!" Giles sighed listening to his replacement almost enjoy reeling off the errors and mistakes. "I'm telling the Council!" He said storming off towards the office.

"You cannot informed them off me," Xander declared standing up causing the group to look at him.

"What still keeping more secrets?" Cordelia taunted arms crossed over her chest.

"I do not want the council to be informed about me," Xander repeated ignoring Cordelia's taunts. "It's a world that doesn't involve Buffy or her slaying so there is no need to involve them in anything that concerns me!" He looked at Giles for confirmation.

After a long moment the older man nodded and turned to Wesley. "Don't inform them."

The other man looked outraged but eventually gave in. "I will be informing them of pitting Slayer against Slayer!"

"I think you should," Giles replied. "We have a rogue Slayer on our hands. I can't think of anything more dangerous." With a weight of world being suggested in that statement before speaking up to the rest of crowd. "It has been a long night I suggest we all get some sleep. Xander's revelation," he gave the teen a patronizing look, and Xander looked away, ashamed and a little embarrassed. "Is something we have to deal with for another time. Faith and the Mayor's ascension are our immediate priorities. Graduation day to not too far away."

As the group began to gather their jackets and things Xander made a bee line for his best friend. "Willow," he said in earnest at his oldest and closest friend who has known him for years and always believed in him even when he didn't. She finally after what seemed to be an age turned to face him with tears threatening to come. "Please talk to me."

"I don't know who I'm looking at right now," she stated, and he couldn't help but drop his hand from her arm and let her back away from him. She had given up on him. Finally, after all this time, he had often wonder when she would having long suspected that Willow, his brilliantly smart best friend would one day realise he was nothing and simply move on but still this hurt. He let her go with Oz wrapping a protective arm around her shoulder leading her away from Xander.

XXXXXX

The room was dimly lit, save for the roaring fire. Cigar smoke mixed with the smell of old leather and brandy. One a chair sat one immortal enjoying the sight of the flames from the fireplace while another paced back on forth with impatience written all over his features.

"If you left him to me, we would have had the answers you seek already!" The man pacing back and forth growled at the other man who was sitting on the chair.

"If I had left it you, I would have another dead body to deal with," came the reply from the immortal Josiah who was sitting on the chair. "You are a butcher Nort, a fine one at that but you certainly are not a torturer like Karios."

Nort snorted at that but said nothing. It was true since his days as a Viking Nort was far more of a warrior more comfortable in battle than sitting around. Tall, imposing with a bull like physique he was a head-hunter who always had an urge to battle did not have much in the way of patience. Still, he had earned his place at Josiah's side as had the other immortal who was currently extracting the information they required. The two immortals felt the presence of another of their kind and did not look up as they knew who it would be. A dark skin with long flowing black hair and the looks of a native America entered the room. "Still, we wait?" questioned Ahote who had just entered causing Nort to nod in disgust.

"Patience brothers!" Josiah said holding up his hands and as if on cue they felt another buzz and in walked their fellow brother Karios, a thin but well-groomed manner with sharp Mediterranean features.

"Well about time!" Nort commented on seeing Karios enter.

"A process like that cannot be rush Nort," Karios replied in a soft-spoken manner. "Torture as I have told you many times before is an art form."

"Well, you have been at it for days so maybe you are losing your touch!" Nort fired at the shorter man.

"If you would like to test that theory, I am available now," Karios replied causing Nort to step forward.

"Enough!" Josiah said rising to his feet. "What did you learn?" he asked Karios.

"That like the other three this one would rather die than confess any of his secrets," Karios replied before adding. "But like the other two he broke in the end and confessed all his sins and more. He believed he knows where the one we seek is." He motioned to other men to follow him to a small laptop on the table. Typing in the passwords he had just gained from the man he had been torturing Karios logged on to the watcher website. "Here," he pointed to some information on a page he had found. "There is a report of a death of a watcher in this little town in America."

"America?!" Ahote repeated in disgust. He hated that place with a passion. Having seen its beauty and lush plains destroyed by the settlers many years ago who had killed many of his tribe. He made a point of avoiding it whenever possible.

"What do we care about another one of those watchers dying?" Nort asked Karios.

"The watcher was an immortal," Karios replied with a smile. "Now the other watchers are going into panic mode knowing that it is possible immortals are hiding out in their ranks." He smirked at the idea of it.

"Enlightening," Ahote stated. "But that is not what we are interested in."

"No," Karios agreed while typing on the computer. "But the immortal who killed that watcher has a watcher of his own and," he hit a button and a fresh image appeared on the screen. "I believe we know this man." The men looked at the image in disbelief. It was the one they seek, the one who got away from them. It was Methos, the oldest immortal known to records. "That must be how he stayed one step ahead of us. By being a watcher, he has had access to our locations thanks to our very own watchers feeding information on us."

"Slippery bastard," Hort replied with anger as Josiah stepped away from the others. He now knew where after months of nonstop searching was Methos. That man who had escaped his grasped and seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth had now been found. He and his men would come for him. They would go to that town and burn it to ashes in order to find Methos. Nothing will stop them now. Nothing will stop them for getting revenge on Methos killing Josiah's former teacher, the former founder of the original Four Horsemen.

Kronos.