Laskos Story
Lasko and I had actually cooked dinner together. We worked well and I had a chance to practice my german.
He was telling me of the places he had been people he had met.
After dinner we sat down in front of the fire place.
And Adam asked Lasko to tell us his story.
"I was found in 1976 on the steps of a church in Munich. I lived most of my life in Catholic schools. After I left school I became a soldier. I was a KFOR soldier on a peace mission in Kosovo. That which I saw there, that which I experienced there I never could forget. I sought to make peace with the traumatic experiences and became a monk. I swore never to wield a weapon of any kind again, and never fight again. But it was not to be. Brother Magnus selected to me to be his follower in a special order within the church."…Here Lasko paused. He seemed unsure how to proceed. He scratched his skin. I noticed a silver Ring on his finger.
Adam seemed to know what it was. He gently took Lasko's hand and said. "Pugnus Dei. So it still exists?"
Lasko seemed surprised. But then he probably figured Adam had been in Pugnus Dei at some point. And he asked if he had.
Adam let go of Lasko's hand and smiled. "No, but I was once friends with one of your founders, he had a different name then. But we knew him best as Darius."
Duncan looked at Adam. "Darius started a special order?"
Adam nodded. "Yes its original purpose was to protect pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem; however their calling has become much broader. Now they fight injustice and corruption within the catholic church."
"They fight?" I asked.
"Yes, but perhaps we should let Lasko tell his story." Adam smiled.
"Oh of course. Sorry go on." I smiled apologetically at Lasko.
He smiled, "I will continue could you just let me know where Darius is at the moment?"
Duncan's visage darkened. And Adam sighed. "I am afraid he is dead. He was murdered while he was in his church, by mortals."
Lasko drew in a sharp breath. "How monstrous to commit murder in a church it is despicable, vile and unfathomable."
"Yes well, they were brought to justice in the end." Duncan spoke with dark satisfaction.
"Justice or Revenge?" Lasko enquired.
Duncan looked thoughtful at that moment. "I am still unsure Lasko, I only sought to have the killing of Immortals by mortals stop but I admit it felt good to stab my sword through the chest of Darius murderer."
Lasko nodded. "What is done is done. Where was I?"
"Brother Magnus, Pugnus Dei." I supplied.
"Indeed. So Brother Magnus selected me to be his successor, and a ringbearer of Pugnus Dei. God's Fist. It took some convincing and me saving a whole train of Pilgrims, and his untimely death at the hands of Terrorists but it did become a ring bearer. Often I fought with agents of Ares."
"You fought with Agents of the God Ares?" I questioned.
"Not exactly, there is a corrupt group within the Vatican which seeks to make the Vatican more powerful. They earn money by selling weapons, starting wars and other ill deeds." Lasko answered with a dark expression,
"So they still exist?" I asked.
"Yes I am afraid they do. But not as powerful as they once were." Lasko answered.
"And they couldn't come up with a better Name than Ares? I mean come on that is just so cliché!" I stated.
Lasko gave a small smile and continued his story serious again: "The last time I fought their agents I died protecting Brother Gladius my best friend. I was shot several times. I was to be buried within the halls of our monastery. During the funeral I came back to life. And everything and everybody changed. Sophia a police woman we sometimes worked with and my best friend Gladius changed the most. But so did all of my other brothers." He paused unsure how to go on.
"They thought you were the 'second coming' did they?" Adam asked dryly.
"Yes something like that." Lasko confirmed. "The word of my miraculous revival got to those of Ares. And many of their fighters began to question Ares and themselves. You see while the heads of Ares are not exactly good. Their soldiers actually believe in that which the leaders preach. And with Pugnus Dei having me rise from the dead they not only began to doubt but they defected and joined Pugnus Dei. Not one of Ares fighters ever rose from the dead.
After a while I could no longer take everybody looking at me reverently as if I was God on earth made flesh. I told the prior of the order that I was not the second coming of Jesus Christ like many believed, nor was I an angel as some believed. I was just a man. Just a man. But he said that I was probably mistaken and my true purpose would be revealed in time. I asked him, wouldn't I know if I was an angel or the second coming? It did not help that no one could tell a lie in my presence. Somehow not only would I know when someone tried to lie they simply no longer could. Some spies of Ares where discovered that way.
"Fascinating, so nobody can lie in your presence? Can you control it?" Adam asked.
"I learned years later to control it. Now I have to really want someone to tell the truth." Lasko answered.
"Fascinating." Adam remarked yet again.
"Yeah yeah Spock, enough with the fascinating and let him continue." I said impatiently.
Everybody laughed shortly. Lasko gathered himself and his face became serious again. "But as time wore on I was frustrated by being treated like something other than myself and I left the order. But on good terms mostly. I wandered from place to place. From church to church. Helping as much as I could but never staying long. I noticed that I had not aged and any injuries I got healed within moments.
After wandering 10 years or so, time had lost meaning so I don't know exactly, I met a man that gave me a headache Mark Calen.
He told me of immortals, of the game, of the rules. He wanted to train me to fight but soon found out I was the superior fighter in hand to hand combat and I ended up teaching him.
He said my refusal to use a sword, and my refusal to kill would inevitably get me killed. I told him 'then perhaps it is my time'. He grew frustrated and said he hoped he did not meet me at the time of the gathering because he liked me and did not want to kill me. However he also pointed out that being around 2500 years of age he is used to surviving and would kill me if it meant his survival. He said if it meant his survival I would gladly die for a friend. He left then very frustrated, mumbling something about too bad I am a monk. I continued to wander.
I once went back to the monastery of Pugnus Dei. Gladius was dying, essentially of old age. Somehow I knew to go there. Many remembered me and were astounded that I was completely unchanged. Others had only heard of me as a legend and were awed. Gladius asked me to stay until he died. And I did. It was easier than I thought it would be living there again. After 2 weeks Gladius was dead and joined our brothers in the burial chambers. I left again, uncomfortable with my status as a living saint especially after they saw a cut I had given myself heal rapidly. I wandered again.
It led me here. I will donate the winnings to an orphanage in Seattle. And move on." He finished.
"Where will you go?" I asked him.
"Where my feet carry me." He answered with a smile.
"Can't you stay here for a while?" I asked hopefully. "I would like to learn from you. You are a fantastic fighter!" I looked at him using my brown eyes for all they were worth.
He laughed and said. "I do not have any plans so I can stay for a bit."
"Maybe you could stay even longer." Adam said.
We looked at him questioning.
"The local Catholic Church's priest is old but the one meant to replace him will be finished with his training in 3 years. So he has been schlepping on. But the guy needs help." Adam stated.
"Yes that should be possible. And my identity is known to the Vatican so he shall be able to verify who I am." Lasko said.
"That is great." I squealed and hugged Lasko.
Everybody including me laughed at my enthusiasm.
And so Lasko stayed.
Next up
Bella the Cat visits the Cullens