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  • Subject: Halo Fanfic: If I were your hero
Subject: Halo Fanfic: If I were your hero
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errr how about...
lord of the halo rings
lol, get it? get it?
hahahahahahaha
i like forgotton legacy
sick, page 58 yay!

[Edited on 2/3/2006]

  • 02.03.2006 1:53 AM PDT

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You actually make a lot of sense, scorptank. Forgotten Legacy gives me that feel of the past and the present, being presented anew.

Forgotten: to lose the remembrance of : be unable to think of or recall
Legacy: something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past


hmmm.... and it seems that everyone agrees.
x Lai Tasha x, you make a sound point. The ship names of the covenant do seem to pass on a title. I have always created titles with meaning, words that capture the heart of what you'll be reading about. In a sense, I want the reader to feel as though they have an idea about what they are going to read. But I don't like the title to be too forward.

"The Grunts". It tells you what the story is about, but it is in your face and too exact for my taste, while.. "Stand, Five Feet High" really brings around the heart of th story and makes you analyze more of the story from the beginning.

One of my older stories (back in my youngin days) was actually called, "Coming Neophyte: the Nemesis of Humanity", and if you analyze the story title you'd get the sense that this wasn't a buddy comedy. It was a very sad tale of the End of humanity, and the rise of it's predecossor... machines.

"Halo: Forgotten Legacy", has that same feel. Much like the way the Covenant name their ships, the Trilogy title screams ... Forerunners, covenant history, future consequences and the things the forerunners left behind. It works... It works damn well.

Any other suggestions are welcome.

~soulguard

  • 02.03.2006 8:14 AM PDT
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Posted by: soulguard
You actually make a lot of sense, scorptank.

Yay! For once....

Forgotten Legacy gives me that feel of the past and the present, being presented anew.
Yeah, same with me, but it sounds a bit theatrical in a Halo kind of way, doesn't it? In a passing way that is. It's your choice, but this would be what I'd call a story like this. 'The Best Frigging Halo Story On Moths' somehow doesn't cover it all.

  • 02.03.2006 11:23 AM PDT
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like i said before forgotten sacrifices i like because it describes the sacrifice of the forerunners but also descibes that it was t was forgotten


i mean that is one of the main themes is it not ?

  • 02.04.2006 3:24 PM PDT

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very true, Highland. In fact, those are the current two favorites.

Halo: Forgotten Legacy
Halo: Forgotten Sacrifices


Such a hard choice.

~Soulguard

PS. Go Seahawks!! Beat those damn steelers. {Although, it would be nice for Jerome to retire with a championship ring.}

  • 02.04.2006 3:34 PM PDT
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How bout Halo: Fallen Commrads

  • 02.04.2006 5:27 PM PDT
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well ultimatly soul its up to you ,, i like them both though sacrafices sounds a bit better to me ,, its your decision and im sure it will be a good one what ever you decide

  • 02.05.2006 1:15 PM PDT
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oww, no one got my joke.
soulguard when is the third book gonna come out?
and what would be the title for the next book?

  • 02.08.2006 4:17 AM PDT
Subject: Halo short: Gaurdian of the Luminous Key

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poo on a plate: as of now, not sure about the title for book 3. I have a few ideas, but I'm going to keep that on the DL for now.
But here is something I've been meaning to get off my chest.

Halo short: “The Guardian of the Luminous Key”

Northern Africa: 3120 BC

Sunset had long passed and the chill of the nighttime air brushed through the hilly plains. A group of men had been fallowing a mysterious woman for several minutes; holding their torches and chattering loudly. They were drunk, but none the less they had a purpose in stalking her. She was new to the area, a woman that they had never seen before, at least not in their town. She had an alarming beauty, an unnatural female structure and a voice that could honor the gods. She was worth following. She was a woman that any man would want to claim, but she was wild and untouchable.

“She almost broke my jaw.” A large burly man whimpered as he rubbed his wounded face.

“If you weren’t so fat, we could have caught her by now.” A thin, young man from the head of the pack laughed. His insult chained through the group of six men and they all laughed in return.

“Yes, Jacob, you find it amusing, but it was not you she struck.” The large man returned. His long beard and ample belly was proof of his wealth, and he was honoring his friends for helping him build an additional room upon his large home. He was a wealthy and powerful man, and could have his taste of any woman he chose, yet he chose to chase a mystery. “I will have her. Her strength alone excites me. No woman has ever turned away from me.”

Jacob shook his head in protest as he led the group by torch light. “You have everything a man could want, Isaiah; farms, many wives, a large home, even the ear of the Pharaoh. We were having a good time, enjoying the wine and relaxing after our last day of work. And now you drag us out into the chill of night and chase this woman.”

Isaiah stormed to the front of the pack, “You didn’t see her. She was radiant.”

“And she nearly took your head off.” Another man laughed, causing an uproar of laughter.

“You can all laugh, but a woman of strength is a woman I will have lead my household. She will be my first wife.”

“And you think that Sarah will accept that? She has been your first wife for three years, and she will not let you bring in another to replace her. Not to mention your other wives will protest as well. They will not let a strange woman come in and immediately take the reigns as first wife. They’d kill her first.” Jacob spoke truly, as he always did, but Isaiah tossed up his hands in protest, unconcerned about his wives.

The men crossed a small hill and came upon a small camp of three relaxing Camels and two wagons. An open campfire burned in the center, but there was no one in sight.

“There is no one guarding this camp?” Isaiah whispered as the group stopped several yards away.

“It would appear so, but the woman’s trail led us here. Perhaps it is hers.”

The group cautiously walked into the camp and looked into the wagons, “Supplies. Food, water and clothing. They are filled with supplies.”

Jacob walked closer to one of the Camels and gently patted the back of its out stretched neck. “They are healthy, and well taken care of. Perhaps she intends to cross the desert with these supplies.”

“There are many bandit camps in the wastelands, perhaps she is one of them.” Isaiah smiled. “I will tame this female bandit. Then I will take her away from the harsh life of living in the desert.”

There was a rustling sound on the edge of the camp, and the men jumped up to see what it was. From the brush walked a tall woman, dressed in a tattered dress that hung loosely to her ankles. Her hair was dark, and her skin was as brown as any Egyptian’s would be. She approached the men, uncaringly as she pulled her garment from her face, revealing the subtle beauty that had captivated Isaiah. The men were left speechless; mostly.

“Tell me woman.” Jacob demanded as he stepped closer to the tall and physically impressive woman. “What gave you the right to touch my friend? You dishonor yourself by striking him.”

The woman glared into Jacob’s eyes, unaffected by his words, “He touched me first.” Her voice was soft, and soothing. He could tell immediately that she was young.

“Where is your man? Why are you out here alone?” Jacob continued his interrogation as Isaiah quickly approached the two of them.

“Whoever your man might be, I will pay him handsomely to own you.” Isaiah feverishly blurted.

“And I told you that I will have nothing to do with you.” Her words were to the point, and she showed no respect for the men around her. “Leave my camp.”

Jacob was becoming irritated at the woman’s lack of respect, “You will answer my questions. Now!”

The young woman, stood tall and glared at Jacob scornfully. “Do you think I shall answer you because I am a woman? Or do you think I should answer you because I’m afraid of you?”

Jacob didn’t back down. “You’ll answer me because I asked.”

Isaiah intervened. “Don’t concern yourself with my friend, Jacob. He is stubborn and very questioning. He always needs to know the answers to things. Please, come and talk with me. I will make you an offer to be my wife; my first wife.”

The woman ignored Isaiah’s plea and focused on Jacob. “You’re slightly taller than me, strong and a hard worker. You are rather handsome as well.” The woman smiled shyly toward Jacob, and Isaiah felt slightly cheated. “I have no man but my father. I am here alone, because I am traveling. I have answered your questions, now be gone.” She turned and walked away from Jacob, stroking the fire in her camp as she brushed one of the Camel’s ears.

“Women do not travel alone…” Jacob began to speak, but Isaiah brushed passed him.

“I can give you shelter for the night. There is no need to stay in these hills. I can provide food, water and a hot bath.”

“No.” She stormed as she sat close to the fire. “Go away.”

Isaiah frowned harshly, the words burning into his mind. “Come with me as a guest…” he quickly pulled out a knife he had strapped to his belt. “… or as a slave.” The other four men walked closer to the woman, and Jacob watched as she stood to her feet.

“A threat?” She questioned.

“An option.” Isaiah sternly stated. The woman stepped closer to Isaiah, her fists clinched and an emotionless gaze upon her face.

“Get out of my camp.”

“Grab her!” Isaiah shouted to the men. They charged. The first man gasped as the woman’s long and muscular leg kicked upward, and her foot connected with his face. Her loose skirt flipped up, revealing well toned legs as she stepped into the kick. The man was forced back as she planted the back of his head into the sand.

Another man gripped her arm, and she easily slipped free. She grabbed the man’s outstretched arm and flipped him over her shoulder. As the man crumbled to the ground she quickly kicked him in the scr0tum, ensuring that he wouldn’t be standing up too soon. The other two men paused and stepped away.

“What are you doing?” Isaiah screamed. “Get her! I will have her!”

[Edited on 2/9/2006]

  • 02.08.2006 1:32 PM PDT

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“Get her yourself.” One of the men shouted.

“Leave her be.” Jacob intervened. “She has bested two of you, Isaiah. I doubt that she is afraid of your tiny blade. Lick your wounds and go home to your wives.” Isaiah huffed and sheathed his knife.

He helped one of the men to his feet and glared at the woman. “Be gone by tomorrow, or I will have the Pharaoh’s guards punish you, and then have you stoned.” Isaiah, and his four men, staggered out of the camp and into the darkness beyond.

Jacob looked to the woman, “I would take his threat seriously, if I were you. What is your name?”

“Still questioning me?” She returned to her resting place beside one of the Camels. She seemed unaffected by the quick scuffle.

“There aren’t many women that are trained as soldiers.”

“Shouldn’t you be going with your friends?”

“I can catch up to them. Your name?”

“Elena.”

“What tribe are you from?”

“I can not say. My tribe is a great distance away, and we like to keep to ourselves.”

“Are you a bandit?” Jacob crept closer, and crouched beside Elena, but didn’t sit.

“No.”

“Why do you travel?”

“Why are you questioning me so much? Go join your friends.” She stood to her feet and glared down at Jacob. “Or do you have another reason for being here?”

Jacob stood to his feet and began to back away from Elena. “Isaiah was right about you. You are remarkably beautiful; yet very guarded. It would be best if you learned how to deal with men, or you will find yourself in deep trouble someday. In this world, woman respect men, and obey. But I will let you be. Perhaps our paths will cross again.” He turned and walked out of the camp as Elena returned to her resting position. As Jacob crossed the hill, he watched as Isaiah and his men slowly began to make their way back toward town and ran to join them.

- - - - - - - -

The sun was slowly rising behind her as she rode into the desert. The heat of the day would soon be upon her, but she had years of experience in the heat and knew how to handle it. The Camels were well fed and hydrated, meaning they could go for days without drink, something a horse could never accomplish in such a harsh wasteland.

She guided her small caravan to the top of a dune and gazed into the distance. Sand stretched as far as her eyes could see, in an ocean of yellow and orange. She reached into the satchel hanging at the side of her Camel and pulled out a small compass. It had been a gift from her father, and it took him many days to explain how the magical item worked. In all of her studies and travels, she had never seen anything like it. Her father said that no one else should be allowed to see it, hold it or know of it. It was one of many secrets she had to keep.

She removed her headdress, and pulled up a necklace from between her breasts. It was the oldest keepsake of her tribe, given to her by her mother, and it sparkled wonderfully. The necklace was a tiny pink crystal no larger then her thumb, yet she had been entrusted with it and had to protect it at all costs.

She held it over the compass and stared at it deeply as she focused on the image of her home. Thoughts of her father, her mother and her ancestors, flushed across her mind. The pink crystal began to glow, and then reshape itself in her hand. It changed from the image of a simple unshaped crystal, and into a perfect pink diamond. The compass began to spin, rotating faster and faster, but then suddenly stopped. The crystal then jerked her hand aggressively toward the compass and pointed to the symbol of south. The glow faded and the crystal returned to its original shape. The needle on the compass then pointed in the direction of north, and Elena turned it accordingly. She was headed in the right direction.

She dropped the necklace back into her blouse and pocketed the compass into the satchel. She would be home in two days, after spending three months of traveling and understanding the world. It was now time for the next Reclaimer to return to her duties. It would soon be time to begin her training and understanding of what a Reclaimer was. And then to begin her life long duty of guarding the Ark.

To be continued...

ohhhh.... what is cooking in this mind of mine. I know it is dreadfully different from anything else I've done, but I had to get my mind off of my current project and do something different. I will continue this soon.

~soulguard


[Edited on 2/14/2006]

  • 02.08.2006 1:34 PM PDT

Cool stuff, soul. ^_^

Keep writing. ^_~

  • 02.08.2006 1:38 PM PDT
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brilliant its like a side story in its self or you could incorperate it into If i were your hero

  • 02.08.2006 2:58 PM PDT
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NICE! This is some good stuff. It just made me wish i was a reclaimer.

  • 02.08.2006 6:32 PM PDT

Phoenix is dead, long live Phoenix!
Is it?

Drool
slobber
Praise to Soulguard
That was AWSOMEEEEEEEEE!
include it in one of the stories PLEASE
im beggging here....

  • 02.08.2006 11:11 PM PDT
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cool.
hope to see the next book soon,
are you going to make a new thread or just post it on this one,
i think you should make a new thread and post SFFH and this story on one thread and name it the [insert title here] triolgy.

  • 02.09.2006 1:31 AM PDT

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I'm mostly leaning toward creating a new thread for book 3. And yes, this story plays a SMALL FRACTION of what the story for book 3 will continue. Not much, mind you, but this will play into the whole scope of teh story.

Glad you are all enjoying this... tale. It starts off slow, as per my writing style, and I'm sure most of you were wondering "WTF?", but I'm glad you stuck with it. I have an idea of the reclaimers in my head, something that will be further explored in bok 3, but I couldn't hold back those swelling ideas. This is a peep into the past, and TOTALY unlike anything else in the Halo FanFic world. You won't see plasma burns, rifle fire, Jackhammers, or the energy sword... yup, this is old school Arabian/Egyptian style storytelling, so be prepared to be shocked.

And I know what some of you are thinking; "what about the reclaimer armor?" ... hehe, it'll show up, but not nearly in the way you think it will.

So this is simply something I will do to stave off my excitment of the new books (this spring hopefully), and I think the idea of the Reclaimers will not be explored in either the books or games... so, I thought it would be cool to explore this untold story.

Yes, this short is based on the continuing tale of Litran and Bitran, but by this time they are long dead... Elena is one of their descendants. More then that I can't say, but as you can imagine, there will be some very cool things that happen to our heroine... and some sneak peeks into the future of her tribe's "blood line".

I will post the conclusion tomorrow.

~soulguard

  • 02.09.2006 6:03 AM PDT
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Nice, soulguard, I like the Biblical-ish additions to the story. I see some names that look like the ones from the very few Prophets I know.

Cool job, soulguard, very nicely intertwining with both the Halo Universe, foundations of Man and the Bible.

[Edited on 2/9/2006]

  • 02.09.2006 8:14 AM PDT

He watches every Hodgetwin video they put up...on ALL their channels. He calls them the Hodge Triplets, and considers himself the 3rd triplet. He's started talking and acting like them now. Every other line out of his mouth "Thaaas some BULLLLLL**** maaayne" or "Gotta make dem gainzzzz". He calls his biceps "gains". When he eats post-workout, he talks to his biceps, "Don't worry gains, I'm feeding you. Daddys gonna feed you, gainz *kisses biceps*".

Indeed, that was good dude. I'm interested in seeing where this bloodline goes. Your story is beautifully complex and yet told so that someone who can barely read can still understand it. However, I'm dumb enough to not have caught many of the beautiful plot themes and tricks. This was a good addition, though, and I do like how it intertwines with Earth's actual history (and I'd love to see more of that).

  • 02.09.2006 3:36 PM PDT
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i know i havent posted in a while but your writing is insanely good. I've tried for a long time to start writing a fanfic and in my head i can envision how i want it and see it in my head but whenever i try to write it down i can just do what im thinking about justice. i have tons of respect for you and cant wait for book 3.

  • 02.09.2006 3:38 PM PDT
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heh i bet the reclaimer armour is like the statues of the egyptian gods or in one ogf the pyramids of giza

  • 02.10.2006 2:23 PM PDT
Subject: Halo short: Gaurdian of the Luminous Key

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Hmmm... the giza pyramids?? Good guess, but not quite. Sorry for the delay in the conclusion. The US East coast got smashed this weekend with snow, so I was out in it sliding around in my poor Sentra... being wreckless behind the wheel and all. lol. I will attempt to get it done (finished) by tomorrow.

~soulguard

PS: And for those of you who are interested. MC Spartan 219 has updated his "side story, to my side story" The War Through a Soldiers Eyes. He takes a very unique twist to the scene where Eric and Red Squad board the Covenant Cruiser, The Life and Sacrifice. It is quite enjoyable; and really good grammer I might add.

  • 02.13.2006 7:01 AM PDT
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okay then the sphinx's or inside mt kilimanjaro

  • 02.13.2006 12:52 PM PDT

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Part 2 coming at ya!!!
*****************

"Guardian of the Luminous Key"
Part II
Northern Africa: 3119 BC

Sweat dripped from her brow as she crumbled to her knees. Elena gasped for air, calming her accelerated heartbeat. She lowered her head, and let her hair fall over end. She was exhausted unlike anytime in her life. The dry mountain air and the temperate humidity were not helping her to breathe any easier.

“Stand, Elena. If you can’t hold your stamina, then you will never be able to fight an army alone.” The voice’s location was unknown, but it was clearly a man’s voice. It echoed off the cliff walls as Elena slowly stood to her feet. She tossed her hair back and whipped her brow with her already soaked sleeve. She picked up her discarded head guard and adjusted the belt of her training armor. She wrapped a simple cloth mask across her face and placed the helmet upon her head.

The armor was made of layered leather, strapped across her chest, arms and legs. The helmet was somewhat more protective. Made of bronze, the head guard covered only the top and back of Elena’s head, and buckled at the chin. It was heavy, but with her inherited inner strength she was unaffected by it.

She stood in the center of a dead end path and waited. Behind her was tall cliff side wall with a red X placed in its center.

“Remember, child, balance is nothing without foresight. Strength is useless without a clear mind.”

She cleared her mind, focused on her posture and lifted her staff. It was about to begin, and the rumble of footsteps added to her eagerness. She was tired, frustrated and hungry. She had been doing these exercises for the past three days, and she had failed each time. All day training was what the he called it. These numerous exercises would tax her mind, body, and spirit. She would learn to defend her ground or fail as a Reclaimer.

Elena watched the path ahead of her, waiting for the soldiers to enter her territory. None of the men knew that she was a woman otherwise the results might have been different. Elena’s armor concealed her figure and the mask covered her facial features; all the men could see was her eyes. The first man charged around the corner in full stride, followed by ten more. They were twenty yards away and closing fast.

She had done this drill ten times over the past three days, and each attempt had made her more nervous. Her stamina was running low and eventually she was going to fail. She took a hesitant step backwards and brushed against the rock wall. She had forgotten that there was nowhere to run to, she was in a dead in path deep within the mountain.

“Face them or fail!” The old man’s voice echoed off the cliff walls. Elena obeyed and remembered the objective. She stepped forward. “Defend your ground. That is all you have to do.” It sounded easy enough, but it was harder then it looked. The men were given instructions to do whatever it took to touch the wall behind the guardian. They had to touch the X and hold on for three seconds.

The first man dived toward the wall, his hand outstretched. Elena spun her staff and cracked the man across the back, slamming him into the ground with enough force to make him black out instantly. Elena knew she was too close to the wall, so she ran forward and met the charging men head on. Three men fell at her feet as she tripped them with a backhanded swing. Two men try to go around her, but felt the solid end of the staff crash into their faces. One man grabbed Elena in a forward bear-hug, and she kneed him in the groin, grabbed him by the arm and swung him into a group of men that were trying to sneak passed. The men crumbled into the wall and moaned in agony as their partner slammed into them.

The first wave was over, they had been defeated, but Elena knew what was coming next. This was the part she feared. The first wave of men retreated, holding their wounds and pride as they fled, but once they parted from the path, six men wearing armor entered into the path. They unsheathed their weapons and raced toward Elena. She felt a since of panic at their appearance. Each time she faced the armed opponents their level of skill would increase. She barely escaped the last duel without injury, and these men looked as though they were soldiers; better skilled then the last group of armed men she fought.

The men attacked in two’s. The first two men altered their attack, swinging their swords aggressively. Elena parried the first swings with her staff, kicked out one of the men’s legs and stabbed her staff into the chest of the other. The man caught the barrel end of the staff in the center of his chest, and with Elena’s strength he was propelled backwards into two other men. The three men crumbled backwards, but the two men simply pushed their wounded comrade to the side and continued their charge.

Three more men raced to Elena’s side, surrounding her. She could tell that they were working together, as she watched one of the men round around them. He was running for the wall while the other men held her back. The man was getting close to the wall, and the three men were about to attack; she had to do something. She extended the staff outward, between one of the men’s legs and lifted. The man rolled backwards, holding his crotch as he fell. Elena then planted the staff into the ground and vaulted over the wounded man. She kicked out just as the first man planted his hand on the X.

For one second he held on to the wall, but from above he felt Elena’s full weight crash down on his shoulder. The man was pinned against the wall, gasped as the air exploded from his lungs and then crumbled to the ground in pain. Elena spun on her heal, and blocked two of the swordsman as they stabbed their blades at her. She punched one of the men, but the other was able to get in a clean hit. His blade grazed across her side, in the opening of her leather armor, and she winced in pain. She forearmed the man’s sword hand, knocking the blade from his arm, and then kicked him in the chest. He fell backward and stumbled away to regroup. They all began to regroup and Elena thought she had a moment to catch her breath, but one of the men had snuck up beside her while she fought. His sword crashed down upon the back of her helmet with just enough force to snap the chin strap.

The helmet tumbled to the ground and the blow stunned Elena into a dizzying stagger. Her vision blurred and she fell to her knees. Her hair fell forward and her mask fell off. All of the men gasped at the sight of the woman kneeling before them.

“A woman!” The man stated as he hovered above her. “How dare you… a woman, how dare you take on a man’s role in a fight.”

“You were paid to touch the wall. Do not concern yourself with who guards it.” The man’s voice echoed loudly into the path.

The soldier looked up into the sky, looking in all directions to find the source of the man’s words. “You paid us, yes, and a bonus to any man that can hold on to the wall. But you make us face a woman? No woman shall ever be better then me in battle!” He lifted his blade and stabbed downward at Elena’s back. She rolled clear as the blade stabbed into the sandy ground. She kicked the man and he flew to the side.

As she stood to her feet, Elena saw that two men were holding on to X upon the wall. She had lost.

“It is done. You men may claim your prize.”

“No. I will not stand for this.” The defeated soldier screamed as he stood. His blade was in mid swing and cut across Elena’s chest. She had relaxed and didn’t expect another attack. “Defeated by a woman? I can not live with this shame!” Elena fell backwards. The brunt of the swords slash was taken by the leather armor, but she still shed some blood. Elena reached out for her staff, but another man kicked it away. She attempted to stand, but another man kicked her into the ground.

She was exhausted, could barely focus and was no match for the men at this point. If she had a moment to catch her breath she could have fought back, but there was nothing she could do. Her arms ached, her side muscles were cramping from the earlier cut she received, and she was still dizzy from the blow to the back of her head.

The man hovered over Elena and glared at her with a cold hatred. “Punishment for this act is death, woman!” He raised his sword and stabbed it downward at Elena’s neck. But his arm stopped in mid swing as someone tightly gripped his arm.

“She is my daughter, and you have broken your word.” An aged man stated from behind the swordsman. The old men held on to the soldier’s sword arm with one hand and looked to each of the men with detest. “You three men have doomed you all.”

“And you are an affront to the gods!” The soldier roared. “You train your daughter for combat…” The soldier’s words were quickly cut off as he gasped; the old man snapped his neck instantly. He gripped the sword from the soldier’s hand and with two blindingly quick swings he decapitated the two other men that had attacked Elena. He then looked to the three men that had watched.

One of the men began to back away from the blood shed, and dropped his sword. “I obeyed your rules. I wish only to leave…” He was cut off in my sentence as the old man threw the sword into the man’s chest. Blood stained the rock wall behind him. The other two men panicked and ran toward the old man, their swords held high over their heads.

The old man turned to face them. Without regard for his own safety, he simply grabbed them both by the arms, twisted them until their shoulder dislocated, took one of the swords and killed them both in cold blood. He tossed the blade to the ground and walked toward Elena as she slowly stood to her feet.


[Edited on 2/14/2006]

  • 02.14.2006 7:27 AM PDT

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She knew her father was skilled in combat, but she had never seen him in combat. “Why did you kill them?” She looked to the three men that had not attacked her.

“They came together, and surely they would have told someone about what happened here.” The old man towered over Elena’s impressive height, and for a man of his age he was still in excellent physical condition. “You understand that we must keep everything we do a secret. I would have spared them had they not known your identity.”

Elena pressed her hand to her bleeding side. “Then, it was my fault… for failing you.”

“Yes.” He simply replied. “You failed today, but you will succeed in the future. This was a learning experience, my child. The men of this world will not respect you, even if you posses great strength.”

Elena and her father walked from the bloody grounds of the path, and as they exited the rocky cliff area they saw the camps where the men had been staying. Elena’s father had invited hundreds of men to come and seek the prize, and many men had come to test their strength and claim the gold pieces that he had promised.

He turned to Elena, “Gather your equipment and go home. Mother will tend to your wounds. I will go and pay these men and tell them we are done.”

“You won’t kill them?”

“No. They do not know what has happened.”

“I do not understand why there must be so much secrecy father.”

“You will in time.”

“What about the bodies of the men you killed?”

“As we speak, the bodies are being taken care of. There is more to our tribe than you can learn in one year, Elena. There are the Watchmen, those who watch over us and ‘clean up’ our mistakes.”

Elena looked back into the path, to see if she could see anyone, and sure enough she saw a man gazing back at her from the path she had just left. The man was shrouded in a full covering robe and his face was also covered in a hood, and around his neck hung a simple circler medallion.

“They are the Watchmen.” Elena’s father stated. “They are the tribe that watches over all of Egypt, to be sure that no one talks of the Reclaimers or of the Ark. Our tribes span the world, Elena. No matter where you go, they will watch you. You are the chosen, and you still have much to learn.” He patted her on the shoulder and began to walk away.

“Are they like us? Strong?”

“No. They are normal, but they were born of our tribe. Watchmen are those who are born within our tribe, but can not fight. Go home and take care of yourself.”

Elena tossed her supplies on to her camel and mounted it. She held on to her side as blood continued to flow, but luckily their campsite was close, and her mother would tend to her wounds.

- - - - - - - -

Night had come upon the campsite and it was time for everyone to rest, but while the others milled away and prepared to sleep, Elena was dealing with the wounds of yet another day of training. Her body still ached and her wounds were still being tended to. Her tent was filled with the scented smoke of aroma incense. Elena lay bare on her stomach as her mother and nurse maid tended to her wounds. Elena folded her arms under her chin and played blankly with the pink necklace she wore. After stitching the wound, the nurse maid left the tent and Elena’s mother began to massage her daughter’s exhausted muscles with warmed oils.

“Mom, why is this stone so precious and magical?” She held it to her nose and bounced it off playfully.

“I’ve told you the story many times, Elena. You know why.” Her mother sighed as she massaged Elena’s calves.

“You’ve told me where it came from, how to use it, but never why it is special.” Elena dropped the necklace and laid her head down upon her forearms.

“Oh? Perhaps you are not ready for that.” She chuckled. “The Luminous Key will present itself to you, when you present yourself before the Ark.”

“When will I see the Ark?”

“When you are ready. And believe me when I say, the longer you wait, the better.”

Elena sighed softly as she peered through the tent drapes and into the camp. “You and father have been Reclaimers for more then a hundred and fifty years. You have so much knowledge of the past. Yet, I feel that you are not sharing everything with me.”

“You are only twenty-one, Elena. Most of the knowledge you seek can not be given to you at this point.”

“Why?”

Elena’s mother sighed deeply. “Do you remember the story of Lilith?”

“Yes mom.” Elena sighed in return. “She was the first child of Litran and Bitran, the first born child of our tribe. Yet she grew up and did not wish to become a Reclaimer. She trained with her father and mother but when it was time to take over for them, she chose not to. Instead, she turned on her family and told outsiders where to find the Ark. Because of her Litran and Bitran had to move the Ark. It was the Second Movement of our Tribe.”

“And what did you learn from that story?” Her mother questioned as she began to rub Elena’s shoulders.

Elena recalled what her father had told her many years ago, the true meaning of the Lilith’s tale. “Trust no one.”

“Say it again, but this time, say it as if you were me.”

Elena thought on these words and slowly repeated the phrase, “Trust… no … one. Because of Lilth’s folly, you must be cautious, even of your own child.”

Her mother stopped massaging Elena as she thought on this. “Yes. I love you with all my heart, Elena, but if we are to survive as a race… as a species, we must not let anyone find the Ark until the time is right. And until me and your father both agree, we will not reveal the location of the Ark to you.”

Elena closed her eyes and let the words, and her mother’s relaxing massage, sink into her. She didn’t understand the secrecy behind the Ark, the Luminous Key and of being a Reclaimer. What could be so important about the Ark and Key, that it would make her tribe go through thousands of years of isolation and secrecy?

- - - - - - - -

Nile River West coast
Eastern Sahara Desert: 3117 BC
Southern Crest of Egyptian Territory

“… so it is this day that we accept you, my daughter. May you guard the Ark and the Luminous Key until the next chosen successor comes forth.” Elena’s mother had never been so proud. Her daughter stood radiant on the river bank of the Nile, while the Watchmen branded her with a tattoo upon the center of her forehead. It was a new custom, a mark of true devotion to the protection of the Ark, the Key and the future of humanity. From this moment on Elena would spend one year within the Ark, learning everything there is to know about being a Reclaimer, where humanity began, and what the Ark was. After one year she would emerge from the Ark with all the knowledge she was seeking. And she would also train; train to fight an enemy unlike anything she could fathom.

The small tattoo upon her forehead was complete, and Elena stepped away from the river and smiled to her mother and father. The tattoo was sore but it wasn’t enough to distract her from the enjoyment of the day. Upon a simple glimpse the tattoo was small and resembled a pyramid, but a closer inspection would clearly show that it represented much more. Unique symbols dotted the tiny tattoo, and words that only their tribe would understand.

Elena’s father stepped forward and smiled lovingly into his daughter’s eyes. “We will be leaving shortly, are you sure that you wish to do this? Once we arrive at the Ark there will be no turning back. Only the Reclaimers know the exact location of the Ark, not even the Watchmen are permitted to follow.”

“Yes father, I am ready. I have been waiting for this my whole life.” Elena smiled happily as the entire tribe celebrated around the river’s edge. There were dozens of her family members watching; including her eldest brothers and sisters. Of her family, Elena was the only one that was born with a pure bloodline, and she was the youngest. Elena walked to them all, hugging and kissing each of them lovingly. It would be many years before she would see them again. After the goodbyes, Elena with her mother and father and a select few of the Watchmen, began their journey to the Ark.

As they departed the area two Watchmen greeted each other in a soft hug, and secretly whispered to each other, “The plans are set.”

“When they are clear of the area, kill the family starting with the oldest child. We will follow them and find the Ark, and then we will deal with the mother and father.”

To be concluded...

Well, I said that this was going to be the conclusion, but the section turned out to be nearly 14 pages... much too long, and it was still going. So I had to cut it up. Look for the next, and hopefully last, part tomorrow. Those of you who are familiar with "IIWYH" may recognize the "Watchmen". Perhaps there is a connection between the humans and the Elites??? *insert evil laugh*

  • 02.14.2006 7:28 AM PDT