Swords of Destiny-The Battle for Lemuria Chapter 1 By John Stigler *** A familiar smell filled Scott's nostrils as he waited patiently on the isolated hilltop in Wisconsin's Chequamagon National Forest. No doubt about it, there was a storm approaching. It was midway though the afternoon, around 3:30pm and he could see the dark blue clouds gathering in the distance. He hoped that he would be able to finish this before the lightning hit. Not like he would have to worry about dying from such an injury, of course. He had suffered worse injuries in his long lifetime. "Good to see you made it Scott," a voice said from out of nowhere. Scott turned and saw a young man in hunter's camouflage step out of the forest. Clutched comfortably in his hand was a nice looking sword, probably Italian by the look of the design. "You sure you want to do this Atticsen?" asked Scott, "I assure you that even if I do fall, there are people who are much stronger than I. This is a dangerous game you're getting yourself into." "Bah! That sounds like the talk of a coward! Listen old man, I don't care about the girl. I just want your head!" With that, the young man leapt forward with inhuman speed. Fortunately, Scott was even quicker. With well-practiced precision, he drew his own sword and parried Atticsen's blade with ease. Having had over two thousand years experience with swordsmanship, he was all too used to blocking such sloppy attacks from wet behind the ears immortals like this one. It was practically second nature by now. "Look kid," said Scott, "I realize that the transition to immortality may have let some things go to your head, but that doesn't mean you can go around kidnapping people and getting involved with new age cults gone bad. I'll even keep your secret for you, just let the girl go. An immortal's best weapon is not his sword, but his wits." "Shut up and fight me!" Atticsen resumed his attack. He jumped forward and wildly swung his sword. Scott guessed the blade was about six inches longer than his own was, so closing the distance would be tricky. The double ring hilt would make it difficult to go for a hand shot or to disarm. He calculated how he would go for the killing blow as he parried several attacks. "You know kid, if you had any skill, you'd be dangerous. I-OWW!" Scott felt a sting as Atticsen got in a lucky slice across the cheek. Nothing that would prove fatal, of course, but enough to be annoying. "How do you like that, old man!" taunted Atticsen, "And here I thou-" Atticsen never had a chance to finish his sentence as Scott's sword severed his head. The familiar tingle of power hit him as he received the young immortal's life energy. Scott stood over the young man's remains and cleaned the blood from his sword. "Well Atticsen, if you will take this old man's advice, never let up after pressing an attack. Now if you'll excuse me..." Before he could finish, another figure jumped out of the forest and drew a handgun. Three bullets whistled by Scott's ear then a scream followed. Turning around, he saw a man in military camouflage lying dead on the ground, a large sword lying next to him. "There was someone behind you." Scott turned to face the intruder. "Thanks Al, but I think one of those shots tore a little skin off my ear. Your aim is getting sloppy." "Humph! Cry me a freakin' river! Anyways, I was able to track down the cultists to their hideout. It’s a small cabin about ten miles from here." "Well, then let's go. Do you think Atticsen had a Watcher? You could probably get in trouble for this." "Him? Naaah. I checked the records, and there is no mention of an immortal named Richard Atticsen. By my estimates, he has only been immortal for a few months or less. I'm probably the first Watcher to be aware of him. I can report his fate to the chief, with certain details left out, of course." "Riiight...now let's bury his mortal friend and be on our way. Think the gunshots attracted anyone?" "Possible, but unlikely," replied Al, "There's a severe storm approaching, and folks around this part generally stay in. You know Wisconsin's weather...it could start as a gentle rain then be a full-scale blizzard within three minutes. Plus its hunting season, so the sounds of gunshots in the woods probably won't attract any suspicion." "Gotcha. Separate cars?" "I think we'd be safe traveling together. I doubt there are any other Watchers in this area right now." After disposing of the evidence, the two made their way back to the parking lot, a good three mile hike. A cold wind whipped through the trees, forcing Scott's mortal friend to quicken his pace slightly and draw his jacket in a little tighter. Scott took a thermos out of his backpack and handed Al a cup of coffee, which the Watcher gladly accepted. "So what have you found out?" asked Scott. "Not much. This cult seems to be old, but it has managed to keep information about itself well hidden. On the other hand, perhaps the cult ... or its enemies have destroyed the information. I was unable to find a logical motive for kidnapping the girl. They've sent out no random notes, demands, or anything. As far as I can tell, the girl's family is not rich. She is still in high school, and from what I gathered just an ordinary kid. Her name is Kim Smith." "Think she was involved with Atticsen at all? An ex-boyfriend perhaps?" "Again, possible but unlikely. Kim is a junior, so she is probably 17 at the most. Atticsen was about 23." "I hope you at least have a theory," joked Scott. "You're asking me?" responded Al, "You're the one who has been around since before the birth of Christ for crying out loud! I would have figured you've seen every possible motive for any crime mankind has a name for." "Sorry pal, I must confess I'm drawing a blank on this one. Anyways, we'd best make haste before-" The rumble of thunder, soon followed by a moderate downpour, cut off Scott. "Let me guess...before it rains?" asked Al with a smile. *** By the time Al and Scott got to the car, the rain had worsened. Fortunately, the wind was calm so it didn't make driving too much more difficult. Al had tracked the cult's hideout to a lonely cabin about one mile off the main road. While on the way, the two formed a battle plan. "I could sneak ahead and get a layout of the place," suggested Al. "If there was one thing being in the Special Forces taught me was how to get in and get out without being seen." "Sounds good, then I can go in and finish the job. Got your sniper rifle in case you need to cover me?" "Daisy? Of course! I would never try to save the world without her...and my trusty handguns, of course. I'll park about a mile away from the road to the cabin. That way there is less of a chance of being spotted." "Why not?" replied Scott, "I haven't got enough hiking in today!" After finding a hidden place to park, the two friends readied their gear and set out. By a stroke of luck, the rain had lightened up as they went underway. When they were in sight of the cabin, Scott ducked out of sight as Al pressed on. With well-practiced precision, Al silently darted between the trees and shrubs, all the way looking out for cultists. He pulled out his binoculars and carefully scanned the surroundings. He could see three guards. His military training told him, of course, that didn't mean there were only three guards. The cultists were probably on the look out, but more for hunters that might get to close to their cabin than a highly trained soldier and a sword wielding immortal. Still, Al wouldn't let that interfere with his judgment. Atticsen's companion had a sword...a very large sword...so they obviously knew how to deal with immortals. The three guards he could see were several hundred feet away from the cabin, but close enough together where they could back each other up in necessary. Al figured it would be best to sneak past them and get closer to the hideout. Perhaps there were fewer guards there. He took a few deep breaths to relax, and then set out toward the cabin. As he got closer to the building, he noted there were two doors-a front and a back-and each with a guard. The back door seemed the safest route. Fifteen minutes later, he was close enough to see a guard pacing back and forth. The Sun was starting to set, and fortunately, the cabin was situated so he would be able to approach with the sun at his back, making it harder for the guard to see him against the glare. Sure enough, the guard didn't see him coming and with a quick turn of a neck, the cultist slumped dead on the ground. Just to be on the safe side, Al hid the body in he underbrush. The watcher carefully made his way to the first window he could see and peeked inside the place. Al guessed he was looking into what served as the cultist's barracks. It was a long room with four bunk beds. The door into the room was closed, so he was unable to tell if the room was guarded. He quietly slipped to the other back window. This room was smaller and had a single bed with a desk and bookcases. Scattered on the desk were several documents and notebooks. A lone guard stood by a closed door that was barred with a padlock and chain. Three guesses where the girl was... Al's heart started to race as he heard someone approaching. He quickly dove behind a tree for cover and made his way towards the back of the cabin as quickly as he could. Whoever came around the corner would be able to see that something happened. He could only pray that the cultist was stupid and thought his buddy went to the bathroom or something. "Hank?" called a voice. Al waited, formulating a plan. "Where are you man?" called the voice again, "I'm here to relieve you." "Over here...taking a leak..." Al responded with a muffled voice. "OK. I won't bother you then." "Geez these guys are dumb!" thought Al, but he was never one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Fifteen minutes later, Al was back in Scott's company. He explained the layout of the cabin and drew a crude map in the dirt. "By now they probably realize their buddy is dead," said Al, "I'll scout ahead again and take up a sniper position. Leave any outside guards to me. Then you can rescue the girl. Radio me if you have succeeded." "What do you mean 'if,'" replied Scott with a grin. Soon the two were on their way. Al took position under a large pine tree with a thick amount of undergrowth. He watched as Scott snuck into the woods and approached the cabin. He surveyed the area through his scope, noting the position of two of the three guards he had seen before. Two squeezes of the trigger later, and Scott had a clear run for the cabin. "Heh, heh...just like shooting fish in a barrel," thought the Watcher. Scott noted the two guards falling. It seems the third guard realized what was happening as he made a sudden dash for the cabin. So much for secrecy, Scott thought. Trusting his friend to take out that guard, he made his way to the back of the cabin. As he rounded the corner, he saw three men with shotguns. "Intruder!" The three men leveled their weapons. Scott rolled towards them at an angle, narrowly avoiding three shotgun slugs. He sprang up and drew his sword, slicing one of the guards in the leg. Before the second one could react, the immortal sprung forward and thrust his sword through the man's gut. As he pulled his sword out, the third guard got off a shot, striking Scott squarely in the chest. He stumbled back a few feet, and then grinned as the guard looked in a mixture of shock and awe. "How could you survive-?" The guard never had a chance to finish as Scott's sword sliced his throat. "I swear I'll never get tired of that look on a mortal's face when they see an immortal survive a horrible wound," chuckled Scott to himself. He walked over to the third guard who was writhing in pain. The man squirmed towards his shotgun, only to have a Scott's sword thrust in the ground between him and his weapon. "Talk, and you will live," said Scott. "I...know...nothing..." replied the guard. "He's right," a voice came from behind, "Don't waste your time with him." Scott turned around and saw a middle-aged man step out of the cabin. A long sword dangled comfortably at his side. The man's face was heavily scarred, as if he had been in a horrible accident. He looked familiar, thought Scott...then it hit him. "Taylor..." "Yes, there is life in the old chap yet. You and your Watcher friend didn't finish me off after all, not that I am worried about the mortal. After all, I'm confident I'll outlive him. You on the other hand, should be punished for what you did to me." "Your face didn't heal. Strange." "Indeed. Indeed. I've had worse wounds heal, but every time I look in the mirror, I'm forced to remember that fateful day when the two of you interfered with my plans. But now by a sheer stroke of luck here you are. I'm willing to bet your Watcher friend isn't far behind, like some faithful lapdog. If he steps in, I'll deal with him. But as for you, I've got plans." Scott raised his sword. Taylor made no effort to draw his own blade. "Now, now Scott, I'm not going to try to take your head. I've got better plans for you. I am going to subject you to an eternity of torment, just like you inflicted upon me by robbing me of my good looks. Your wounds will heal, and you will beg me to kill you. But don't worry, today is not that day." "Enough of the idle threats," said Scott, "What do you want? What do you have to do with this?" "Oh, the girl? I was paid very well to assist in her kidnapping. As for Atticsen, he was to be my pupil. Pity you had to go take his head. The boy had potential. Ah yes, back to the girl. I really don't care to get into the details, but she is inside, safe and sound. I'm sure you want to know who arranged her kidnapping and why, but I'm afraid I can't tell you that." "Enough! Let's finish this!" Scott advanced and lashed out with his sword. To his amazement, his sword stopped mere inches from his adversary." "What the-" "Oh, like my new invention? A sword shield, if you will. It creates a special field that keeps metal objects at bay. You might as well tell your Watcher friend behind you that his bullets will be as equally effective." Scott kept his gaze fixed on Taylor, knowing that he could be lying. He wasn't as several bullets came flying past and fell uselessly to the ground. "Now that you've had a chance to see what you're up against, I'll leave this for another day. Farewell Scott, and know that one of these days we will meet again. As for the girl, save her if you wish. We can always take her again whenever we want." "I look forward to it, replied Scott. Taylor calmly walked over to the adjacent garage, and soon a car pulled out. Al came out from his sniper position and stood next to Scott. "Is it just me, or did our weapons have no effect on him?" Al asked. "It's not just you, but he did say the girl is inside. Strange. He didn't attack. I wonder why." "Good question. I'll see if I can contact his Watcher. Maybe he can shed some light on this immortal. Did you get his name?" "Yes. Remember back when we first met..." "No! Taylor Tackwood? There's no way anyone could have survived that!" "But he did...and his scars remain unhealed. Anyways, we'll talk about this later. Let's get the girl and discuss this over coffee." The two entered the cabin cautiously, but there were no more guards. Scott went to find Kim while Al searched for clues. "Kim?" asked Scott as he opened the door. "Who are you?" cried the frightened teenager. "Relax," said Scott, "We're here to rescue you." "Are you with the police?" "No. It’s a long story. But rest assured you are safe now. We'll have you back home in time to catch the 10 o' clock news!" Meanwhile, Al had gathered several books and maps in his backpack. After double- checking that the coast was clear, Al, Scott, and Kim returned to the car. Al drove, and Scott gather what information he could from the still nervous teenager. By now, the clouds had cleared and the Sun was starting to make its way below the horizon. It looked like it was going to be a clear night. For Kim, an ordeal was at an end. For Al and Scott, a new one was about to begin.