Prophecy...demonfighting!!! ^_^

[TKLVR181]

Much Judeo-Christian themes in this story. A girl who was raised in a church finds out she's half demon, and has the knowledge and power to fight demons. What will she do with it? 😉



There was once a man who loved a woman, and loved her very much. He knew she was a good woman, but he did not know she hid a secret. It was a terrible secret, and she tried to tell him many times, but he would not hear it. “I do not want to know anything bad about you. I love you.” He always said.
But he should have listened. For her secret was that she was a demon, and a very powerful one at that; she was the daughter of Lucifer, the Devil.
Before she could get up the courage to make him listen, however, they had a child together. This child was very special, because she was half demon and half human.
Now the demoness wasn’t evil like her father; she was a demon by birthright, not by desire or loyalty to the Devil. But that didn’t stop the inevitable; the child was born in Hell.
She was able to keep the child out of her father’s realm of knowledge for two years. But one day her father’s men stormed her portion of the palace to find the baby.
It was almost disaster. Fortunately, a servant of hers stole the baby away to safety. This was no ordinary servant, he was a spy from the Heavenly forces trying to find the baby and keep her safe. He stole her away to the mortal world, to a Temple in Ireland. This is where our story begins.



PROPECY

Ada walked out of the Temple library soberly. She had finally found what she was searching for, what she had been searching for for months, and she was not happy about what there was to find. It scared her more than anything ever had, and her heart even now would not be calm.
Suddenly a long, dark shadow too large for any human to make was cast across the floor in front of her. In sheer terror, Ada flipped around, arms up in a protective stance, ready to defend herself against a demon.
Instead of a demon, however, she found only Gabriel standing in the doorway to his room, an intense light therein casting the giant shadow on the wall and floor. He chuckled. “Something scare you, Adie?”
Ada glared at him. “You did that on purpose.” She turned around to walk away.
“Of course. You seemed like you needed it. Is something wrong?” He asked, stepping out of his room and over to her.
She faced away from him still. “I know.”
“Know what?”
Now she turned to face him, tears streaking down her face. “Why I’ve been cooped up in the Temple all my life. Why my pupils are cat-like instead of human-like. Why I have such rage issues. Why they gave me an angel to watch after me to make sure I never escaped so I could hurt anybody…” she suddenly broke into hysterical tears, turning around and running.
For a moment, he was stunned. “Oh dear Father, it’s happening.” Gabriel murmured when he regained his senses, following her. He finally caught up to her in her room, where she was lying on her bed on her stomach, crying uncontrollably. He walked up to her, sat on the edge of the bed, and put a hand on her back.
“First of all, I wasn’t sent here to make sure you don’t hurt anyone. I was sent here to protect you from your grandfather. And to be your friend.” She still wouldn’t look at him, so he picked her up, sat her against him, and held her chin up to look at her.
“Evil is not, repeat NOT, inherited. You have a choice just like your mother did. She chose to make sure you didn’t grow up in Hell. Your mother was a rare breed--a demon with a conscience. I’ve never seen anyone who would make her more proud than you.”
Ada shook him off her, looking away again. “How can you even look at me?”
He stood up, walked around to the other side of the bed and faced her, and spoke. “How? Because you’re my best friend, that’s how. Ada, it’s true there’s more to your past than you thought, but that doesn’t make you who you are. You just have to add that to the total of who you are, it doesn’t change what you already knew.” Looking at her, he could tell she was going to need time to think. He stood up, kissed her on the forehead, and walked to the door, looking back quickly. “If you want to talk to me, you know where my room is.” With that, he left.
Ada didn’t sleep well that night. She dreamt she was tied down to a bed in Hell, with the Devil standing over her, telling her she had no choice but to join forces with him.
She woke up in flames. The entire room was on fire; from the looks of it, the entire Temple. She stood up, coughing and running for the door. She was scared; the smoke looked darker than she would have imagined—and last night she had done a lot of imagining. Running out of her room, she ran straight for the main bedroom. Father Dugan she thought frantically. The man had been her father; literally, up until yesterday, she thought he WAS her father. She raced into the bedroom where the man lay.
He was still breathing, but barely. She ran to his bedside, kneeling beside the old man, completely unaware of the fire around her. “Father Dugan…” she began.
“Don’t speak,” he said, breathing raggedly. “If this has happened, it’s because you know who you are. Run. He’s looking for yo…”
Father Dugan’s eyes glazed over, and Ada knew he was gone. Suddenly his entire body went up in dark fire; she jumped back and suddenly realized she was standing in a building that was going down in flames. His words hit her like a ton of bricks: If this has happened, it’s because you know who you are. Run. He’s looking for you. Frantic, she ran full-tilt out of the Temple, stopping only to grab an ancient ornamental sword off of the wall.
As she stood watching the building burn down, she realized what he meant; her grandfather knew that she knew, and had put her home on fire in hopes of killing her. She felt so helpless; she had already watched the man she loved as a father die, and there was nothing she could do now to help the man she loved as a brother. She wanted to go back in and help Gabriel; but she was too afraid. She couldn’t go back into the fire. Feeling terrified, guilty and alone, she ran.


Ada woke up by the sea; for a moment she couldn’t remember why. She sat up and looked at the sea; then last nights’ events hit her, and she wept. She wept for Father Dugan, she wept for Gabriel, but mostly she wept for herself. She knew she was alone in a world that was dangerous to her, and that she also had the potential to be very dangerous to. And worst of all, she was being hunted by the Great Deceiver, whom she could see no escape from. She didn’t know what to do. For the first time in her life, she was completely alone.
Suddenly she felt someone behind her; she leapt up, sword at the newcomers’ throat. For a moment she couldn’t believe the face that greeted her.
He was standing with his wings unfolded, the light from the eastern sun hitting the back of his head, looking very much like a halo. “Ada” Gabriel said. “Fire cannot harm me, and neither can that sword. It’s alright; you’re not alone anymore.” She dropped the sword and fell into his arms, weeping with relief.
“I th-thought I h-h-had killed you t-too,” she said between weeping, face buried in his shoulders. “Th-this happened b-b-because of me.”
For a long time he just held her. “Ada” he finally whispered, “this wasn’t your fault. Listen to me. Father Dugan knew when he adopted you that this would probably happen when you learned the truth. I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there with you last night; I had to take him home.”
She took a deep breath. “S-so he’s where he belongs.” When he nodded, she sat up. “S-so what’s next? Why does he want to kill me? What threat do I pose to him?”
Gabriel sat down on the beach next to her. “There was part of the prophecy not in the libraries. That’s another reason I’m here—to help you understand. You have half demon, half human blood—you have more potential than anyone ever has. You have the potential to equal him in strength.”
Ada blinked—for a moment she couldn’t think of what else to do. “E-equal the devil in strength? Just because I’m half…demon?” She shuddered at finally saying out loud what she had been thinking for the past night—but it almost felt good to have it out in the open.
Gabriel nodded. “There are things you know…not consciously, but in the back of your mind…from your time in Hell when you were an infant. If you were, somehow, to ever regain that knowledge, those memories, it could mean the end of Lucifer’s rein.”
This time, Ada looked straight at him. “You’re telling me I have the power to defeat the devil?” she asked incredulously. “That’s impossible! I’m just a girl from Ireland! I’m nothing special!”
“But you are special.” Gabriel countered. “You are special, you have this knowledge that could help the entire world. I’m not saying you need to seek it out or anything, but until you use it you, and everyone around you, will be in danger.
“Ada, do you remember when you were little, you used to pretend to save the world? I was always the bad guy trying to destroy it or start a war or something—well; you’ve got the chance to fulfill your childhood dream here. You also have the chance to run for the rest of your life…which, if I’m not mistaken, will be a very, very long time. I promise I’ll never leave your side, no matter what you choose; only you can decide.”
Ada turned back around to face him, tears streaming her face. “This is too much” she said simply.
Gabriel took her in his arms again. “It’s okay, you don’t have to decide anything right now. Come on, let’s go to the tavern, you look hungry.” With that, Gabriel took Ada up and gently helped her walk towards the tavern.



* * *
Ada wasn’t sure how Gabriel had the money to buy her a hot bowl of porridge, but somehow here she was, seated at the local tavern eating something hot for the first time in what seemed like forever. She had offered him some, but he had declined, saying he didn’t need any.
She was numb. She tried to get her head around what Gabriel had told her; that until she did figure out what this was all about, she would be in danger; but somehow it didn’t quite ring true to her. How had this happened? For all the thinking she had done in the past hours, she could think of no answers.
Gabriel was at the other end of the bar, speaking to the barkeep about getting a room for the next few nights. She looked up at him—trying desperately to find her a place to sleep. She wondered for the millionth time that day how he could stick by her so much after what she had just learned about herself.
A man came up behind Gabriel and tapped him on the shoulder. Gabriel turned around and spoke to the man; Ada couldn’t hear what they were saying over the din of the tavern. But Gabriel looked like he was saying ‘no’ or something akin to that; the man was growing angry.
Suddenly the newcomer hauled off and tried to punch Gabriel in the jaw; Gabriel didn’t even flinch…the punch connected…
…And Gabriel didn’t budge. The man, however, grabbed his injured hand and cursed loud enough that the entire tavern stopped talking and stared at him.
“The person you seek is NOT here,” Gabriel said forcefully. “Leave NOW.” Several other men in the tavern stood up. “We don’t like strangers in these parts. You’d better go.” Said the barkeep.
“Very well” the newcomer hissed. Ada didn’t like the look of him; tall, with the whitest skin Ada had ever seen on a human, he looked to be in his thirties, but something told Ada this man wasn’t completely human.
He turned around as if to leave; suddenly he whipped around, opening his right hand. Inside it, Ada could see a flame forming—that flame quickly turned into a ball of fire. The newcomer, whom Ada had correctly decided was actually a demon, made a motion as if to hurl the ball of fire at Gabriel.

Suddenly the demon was thrown back into a wall, ball of fire still in his palm. Gabriel looked at Ada; sure enough, she was standing up, arms outstretched, and eyes gone black. “You shall NOT harm him.” Ada said in a strangely trance-like voice. “You were told to leave this place. Do as you were told.”
The demon stood up, looked at Ada, and hissed like a cat. “Do not mistake your heritage for power, girl! You have no chance in this world!” With that, he turned and ran out of the tavern.
Gabriel made a quick calculation; which was more important, being here for Ada when she came out of the trance or catching this demon and MAKING him tell who had sent him and how long ago.
One glance at Ada made his decision for him; her eyes had gone back to normal and she was falling towards the floor. Gabriel rushed to her side, catching her just in time. She was unconscious, but okay as far as he could tell.
He looked around—the townsfolk were, naturally, stunned. There was no telling exactly what this looked like to them, even if they couldn’t see his wings.
The question of what this looked like to them was answered quickly; someone yelled out, “witch!” and all hell broke loose.
About twenty townsfolk rushed the door; another fifteen rushed Gabriel, still holding Ada, some with knives or guns. It’s a wonder they don’t have pitchforks Gabriel thought sardonically, preparing to defend them both.
He felt a hand on his shoulder; preparing to swing, he turned.
However, there was no need to hit this man; Gabriel knew him. “Rusty!” he exclaimed.
The man nodded. “This way.” Rusty ran behind the bar and opened a trap door in the floor, helped Gabriel in, and leapt in himself.
The trap door led to a stairway; Rusty reached above them and slid a plank of wood into place, locking the trapdoor so no one else could enter. He picked a torch off the wall, leading the way down the tunnel of stairs.
“She’s learned about her abilities fast.” He commented.
“I don’t think she realized what she was doing.” Gabriel said, worried. “It happened when she perceived a threat to me; my guess is it happened naturally. I don’t even know if she’ll remember when she wakes up. Where are we going?”
“To my bike” Rusty grinned at Gabriel’s pained face. “What? Still hate riding sidesaddle?” he chuckled.
“Some things don’t change.” Gabriel said, giving his friend a sidelong glance.
Ada stirred. “G-Gabriel…where are we…” she asked, cracking her eyes open a bit.
He immediately reassured her. “It’s ok, we’re safe. I have a friend who’s taking us some place safe.” Ada nodded and passed out again.
“Where exactly are you taking us? After the…bike ride?” Gabriel winced at these last words.
Rusty smirked. “Well, ever since that night we met I’ve been searching for someone who could teach her more about what she’s destined to do. I think I might’ve found someone.”
Another thing occurred go Gabriel. “It was lucky you were at the tavern when we were…” he said suspiciously.
Rusty chuckled. “You caught me. Ever since I met this man I’m taking you to today I’ve been hanging around the temple, waiting. I’ve been here for six months.”
“You could’ a dropped in, you know” Gabriel said. “You’dve been welcome at the Temple.”
Rusty gave him a startled look. “You know my…history. Would the Good Father really allow me in there?”
Gabriel turned to him. “You were forgiven a long time ago, my friend. Now you just have to forgive yourself.”
Rusty averted his eyes. “We’re almost there. You might want to wake Ada up.”
Gabriel suddenly stopped. “We’re jumping the gun here with this contact of yours. Ada hasn’t even decided if she wants to do this yet.”
Rusty whipped around and stared at him. “What? What do you MEAN she hasn’t decided?! She doesn’t GET to decide, she’s The One! It’s not her choice, it’s her responsibility!!”
“How DARE you?” Gabriel turned around and glared at him. “This isn’t just some THING we’re talking about, this is a human BEING! Whom I care about, by the way, a LOT! She has a choice just like the rest of us!” Gabriel leaned against the wall, resting Ada on his chest, holding her up.
Suddenly she stood up on her own. “He’s right, you know.” She said matter-of-factly. “I may have a choice, but it isn’t much of a choice, if you ask me. Gabriel, that was a demon that tried to fight with you earlier. I didn’t know I had that kind of power I have, but…if I do have the ability to send a demon straight into a wall…if I don’t use it they’ll come after me and force me to just to defend myself. I have the power to end it.”
She turned to Rusty. “Rusty…who is this man you’re taking us too?”
Rusty looked at her long and hard. “His name is Jett,” he said finally. “He’s a master of the fighting arts. He’ll help you learn what you need to know.”
She nodded, turning to Gabriel. “I want this.”
He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “Then I’m with you.”



* * * * *


“I can’t believe you talked me into that…” Gabriel stuttered as he stumbled out of the side carriage into the Irish hills.
Rusty chuckled. “It was the only way out. You had to, I didn’t talk you into anything.”
Ada laughed lightly as she stepped off the back of the bike. Gabriel heard her laughter and decided to play it up. She’s stressed enough to need a good laugh he thought.
‘Tripping’ over a rock, Gabriel sprang onto his stomach on the ground with a loud “oomph!” Ada chuckled as she walked over. “You clumsy oaf.” She teased as she helped him up. “Are you alright?”
Gabriel grinned. “I’m an angel, a little fall isn’t going to hurt me.” He winked.
Suddenly they heard Rusty’s playfully exacerbated voice from a few feet away. “I’ve already got a fire going, you two coming or not?”
Gabriel and Ada both pulled up a rock and sat around the small fire Rusty had built. “That was fast!” Ada commented.
Rusty looked down at the ground. Ada thought, just for a moment, that he almost looked ashamed.
But whatever shadow of a demon had haunted him for a moment passed to quickly to tell if it had ever really been there at all. “Thanks Ada.” He grinned. “When you’ve been looking out for yourself as long as I have, it comes easily.”
Suddenly there was a long, low growling noise; Gabriel and Rusty both jumped up, Rusty with a knife at the ready.
Ada blushed. “That…that was me. I haven’t had anything to eat since the porridge.” She said embarrassedly.
“Rusty, have you got anything in your pack?” asked Gabriel, motioning to the leather pack on Rusty’s back.
“Sorry, just a few spare matches and some water. What we need is a deer or something. They’re all over these hills.”
Gabriel nodded and bowed his head. A few seconds later a large buck came bounding across the open field several meters away from where they were.
He stood up, ready to kill the dear for food…but suddenly the deer’s neck seemed to snap all on it’s own. It fell to the ground, dead.
Gabriel glanced over to Ada—sure enough, she was lying on the ground near Rusty’s feet, passed out. She must have done it, Gabriel thought as he walked into the field to retrieve their dinner.



Ada woke up a few minutes later, on the ground with Rusty’s empty pack under her neck. “I…did it again.” She said as she sat up. “Who did I hurt this time?”
“You got us dinner.” Rusty grinned as he handed her a stick with a good helping of cooked deer meat on it. “Snapped its neck. It didn’t suffer.”
She handed it back. “I’m not hungry anymore.” She stood up and walked a few feet away from the fire, facing outwards.
“Uhoh.” Gabriel said. After a minute, he took the canteen of water, walked over to her and put a hand on her back.
This time she didn’t try to fight him away. “I can’t control it. Both times it’s happened it was for the best…but what if next time it isn’t? Gabriel, if I can’t control this…I am dangerous.”
“Control is part of what you’ll learn with this Jett, if I understand correctly. Don’t worry, you can’t hurt anyone you’ll be around ‘til then.”
“How can you be so sure?” she asked. When he hesitated, she grabbed the canteen out of his hand. “We’re out of water. I’m going to the stream.” She pointed east, through a small grouping of trees where she knew a stream was, perfect for drinking water. He didn’t try to stop her as she walked away.


Ada stepped through the last of the trees, well out of the reach of the men, and sighed. What had she gotten herself into? She couldn’t control her powers any more than she could control Gabriel. What would she do if they suddenly turned on her friends?
Suddenly she heard a twig snap behind her—she whirled around, eyes flashing black.
The newcomer was lifted into the air. It was a young woman, no more than twenty-five, with blonde hair and a short leather dress on. She gazed into Ada’s eyes. She had astonishingly dark blue eyes, and Ada seemed instantly captured by them.
Ada, listen to me; I’m here to help you. Closes your eyes and relax. You can control this. Let me down.
Somehow, the voice reached past her demonic state to the part of her that could still think rationally. I hear you she responded, but I’m not sure I can control this.
Yes you can! These are your powers; you just have to learn how. Relax. Concentrate on nothing.
Ada fought for control of her body against the fear and rage that had taken it over. This woman wasn’t here to hurt her, she told herself. This was no demon; she could sense it. I’m safe, my friends are safe, she repeated over and over inside her mind.
Slowly the woman was let down, feet finally landing safely on the ground. Ada, for her part, began to sway back and forth, almost falling.
The woman stepped forward and took hold of Ada’s shoulder, steadying her. It’s all right, it’s over now. Stand up. Ada looked at her, astonished.
“I-it worked! Thank you! What’s your name?”
I am called Selene. I had a dream that you needed my help. Take me to Gabriel and everything will be explained.

“So let me get this straight,” Rusty started. “You’re a telepath. God-given talent. You communicate mentally with everyone, but you can understand verbal communication fine. You had a dream we needed your help.” He finished, eyeing her skeptically.
She nodded, and everyone could hear her words, even though they were only thought. That is correct. I can help Ada learn to control her abilities; it took me a long time to be able to do the same, but I believe I can help her in the limited time we have. We’ll need to start immediately tomorrow, so we’d best get some sleep.
Gabriel, who had to this point been silent, nodded. “She’s right. I’ll take first watch. I’ll wake Rusty when I can’t stay up anymore, and then he’ll wake Selene, who will wake me. Everybody got it?”
“What about me?” asked Ada from the far end of the fire. Not only had she been silent, but seemingly not even listening. She spoke now, proving this theory, held by all else, incorrect. “Why can’t I stand watch too? I’m not injured, and I’m just as able as anyone else.”
“Ada” Gabriel started to say gently, “it’s too dangerous. You haven’t trained yet—all of us here are…more experienced warriors. I think it would be best if you got a good rest tonight, anyway. I…”
“I deserve a chance to prove myself.”
Gabriel understood; it wasn’t proving herself to the others she was worried about, but to herself. And she was right; she did deserve that chance. With a heavy sigh, he assented. “Very well, you can take the first watch. Wake me in two hours.” She nodded.

* * * * *


Ada sat on the stump three hours later, alert and watchful. Gabriel wouldn’t like her staying awake longer than he asked her, but she had to know how long she could be alert. Gabriel had been right; she needed to prove her worth to the group to herself.
She heard a twig snap somewhere in the forest; for a moment she stood, stock still, listening. After a few minutes she heard nothing else, so she sat back down.
SNAP! That one had been much closer. She sprang up, sword in hand.
“Defend yourself!” a voice cut through the air, jolting her around.
The man before her was tall and thin yet muscular, with a large sword shaped almost like a cutlass, but thinner and less severe, like it’s owner. She couldn’t tell much about him physically, except for his longer, dark hair streaming across his ears and held back by a leather strip. She gazed into his eyes momentarily, her bright green eyes meeting eyes that looked impossibly light, white-blue in the firelight. His words told her fight, but his eyes said he was someone she could trust.
Nevertheless, she raised the ancient sword, meeting his above their heads with a sharp clang. She parried his first thrust with ease, spinning the sword up again, taking a thrust at his wrist, attempting to disarm him so she could get some answers.
He seemed surprised by this move, but parried it easily, stepping backwards a few paces. She stayed where she was; fully awake and ready to face whatever threat he posed.
She was surprised when he lowered his sword. “Peace Ada, I am Jett. I’m here to help you in your training.” He walked over to the sleeping two, sword still in hand. Ada raised her sword again, ready to defend her friends.
The newcomer, Jett, he said he was, reached down and took one of their water skins. He looked back at Ada, winked, and opened it, pouring the entire skin out on Rusty’s head. Rusty sat up straight with a jolt, knife in hand. “JETT! Why you no good…” he sputtered upon seeing the man.
Ada sheathed her sword and laughed with relief. Rusty sat up, rubbing his wet head, grumbling under his breath. Gabriel and Selene woke up, standing up immediately. Gabriel looked at the scene, seeming to take stock of what was going on. He chuckled, walking over to Jett. “Master Jett, I presume.”
Jett shook his hand. “Gabriel. It’s an honor. You have trained her well.”
“Thank you.” He turned to Ada. “You get yourself to sleep. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow.” Without a word, Ada gladly consented, falling asleep minutes after she lay down.



Dawn was just beginning to break when she opened her eyes again. She sat up, seeing Jett by the place where the campfire had been the night before—now there were only cinders. He had his eyes closed, sitting up, hands folded in his lap.
Now that she could think clearly from the night’s sleep, she could see his dark, leather pants and matching vest, bow and sling of arrows next to him on the ground. He sat with legs crossed, arms by his side peacefully, eyes closed. He was humming something softly, and though she didn’t recognize the melody, she immediately found it soothing and comforting. She sat down beside him, letting the sound relax her.
He stopped and looked over at her. “Good morning, Ada. Are you ready to begin your training? Good, this is how it will go."



That's where I am now. To avoid making mindless threads rampant in this new AWESOME thread (I still love you, HDS😍 ) I'm just gonna post all updates in this one. Feedback, comments, corrections, guesses, and advice all welcome! :super_hap

 

[Journia]

My good god....No one has posted here yet? It is my chance!!!!!

This is a good story. I like the way you explain what happens in your story from inside ada's head at times, the way you introduce the characters too. It all rings wellful in my book.

 

[Low_Roads]

Claim-jumped!

My good god....No one has posted here yet?

Geez, gimme a minute! I wuz gettin' my thoughts together!

Ahem...

Strong writing, entertaining and engrossing! I favor "nature vs. nurture" themes (a la "The Bad Seed"), and this conundrum provides a solid hook for the beginning of your saga, though Ada's leanings at present don't seem in doubt (she appears to suffer a crisis of confidence rather than conscience). It will be intriguing to see if her fears of latent evil manifest themselves in more concrete ways as the story develops (and learn what she'll do to deal with them). We've gotten to meet many of the supporting characters in a rather short time. For my money, Rusty is the most intriguing: a solid Joe, at first blush, though one with a bad past... yet, there seems a touch of fanaticism about him that could provide inflexible strength (for good or possibly ill). I'm most drawn to Gabriel: I like his kindness and his unpresupposing purity (he doesn't lord his Angel status over his fellows; rather, he seems more apt to use it for self-depricating humor). Can't get a handle on Selene yet; she seems a mystery to me at present. And, of course, Jett, has only just arrived. What I'm really waiting to see is the opposition: a strong personality against which Ada may set herself. Villains tend to be a colorful breed, and, with all Hell to choose from, some particularly wicked examples should be available! Initial demonic contact (the fight in the tavern) has been luke-warm: Ada was in more jeopardy from the bar patrons than her opponent. This, however, is sure to change... Jett's training must surely steel her for far weightier rivals!

 

[TKLVR181]

Journia---thanks a ton buddy, I only posted it last night, so it's great to see this much written so far!

LBH--O.O Wow, I'm amazed, overjoyed and gratified. Your ability to discuss each character at length is so totally beyond what I'd hoped anybody'd be able to do--it means I've done my job at least partially right. More on both Selene and Jett coming in the next part, it's training time!

Thank you SO much, you've totally made writing the next part worthwile, both of you!

~K

 

[Journia]

Your welc welc. <=B

 

[Cbarton]

Excellent start...I'm glad to see you have the "tough but gentle" mix right on Gabriel. Most forget that angels aren't the cupid-baby like stuff some artists portray them as being. Have you read This Present Darkness by Frank Perretti? It's an excellent fictional piece dealing with spiritual warfare (angels vs. demons) that might make good 'research' material for you.

Sounds like Ada may be part of the Nephilim (see Genesis 6:1-4).
I am looking forward to the ensuing chapters.

 

[TKLVR181]

Thank you KHawk, and I've got the book, and am planning on reading it as soon as I finish Eldest😛 And yes, I'm reading up on my Old Testament (I've read through Acts in the New) as well---I don't wanna screw this one up, as I am a Christian myself! I appreciate your feedback and suggestions!!!!!

~K

 

[TKLVR181]

Part 2

“Today you start training with Selene; tomorrow will be my turn. Selene will teach you the mental arts; concentration, balance, relaxation, and above all, control, along with other aspects of what it takes to control your abilities.” She noticed he refrained from using the word “powers”.
“I will teach you physical arts—mostly sword-fighting, though you must be skilled in hand-to-hand combat of all types, including weaponless except your own body. These two aspects of being a warrior go hand-in-hand, one useless without the other, so you will need to bring what you learn between us to each lesson, whether myself or Selene. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Master Jett, I think I do. Is that title appropriate?”
He smiled, a small, amused, yet warm smile. “Many have called me thus, yes, it is appropriate that you do so. Though please do not mistake it for superiority. While we will teach you endurance and discipline, which will at times be uncomfortable and frustrating, we agree that we will not abandon you after your training. Selene and I both plan to continue with you on your journey, and help you along it. We want to be your friends as well as teachers.”
Relief and gratitude flooded Ada; friends were something she realized the value of, and she wanted much to count all those around her now among hers.
Ada, came a voice inside her head, this is Selene; come with me. Selene stepped into view; she must have been sitting by them all along, though Ada had not noticed her. A bit puzzled, she followed Selene into the woods.
They stepped through a clearing to the edge of the stream where she and Ada had first met. Selene walked over to a giant rock embedded in the edge of the stream. It was smooth and large enough for both to sit on, facing each other, and Selene sat cross-legged, motioning for Ada to do the same. She did without a sound.
I am mute, Selene explained, but have been given the power to use my mind to speak, as well as other things. It took me a great many years to learn what I have, and we have little time, but I will pass on what knowledge I have. But first I would like you to tell me of your journey, from the time you learned of your…differences on. Leave nothing out. I want you to tell me every aspect, every detail, every feeling you have had over the past three days. This will help me know you better, and so teach you better.
Ada looked at her, took a deep breath, and hesitantly began. She told of the moment she found the story in the old books—how her heart stopped, fearing yet craving the knowledge of her origins. She told how afraid she had been of herself, of her grandfather, and most of all, hurting others. She told of how Gabriel had scared her, how her heart raced with fear that this was truly the end. She told of how rude she was to him, and how immediately sorry she was after she left. And how grateful she was when he sought her out in her room.
She told of the nightmares of that night, of twisted versions of herself she saw in the mists of her dreams, the demon she knew lay within her. She told of the man she saw, the one she knew was no man, but her grandsire, the devil himself. She couldn’t make out or remember his features, only the malevolence of his presence.
She told of waking up in flames. She told of the acrid smell of smoke all around her, of her immediate fear for her life, and how that fear was lost when she remembered her aging father.
At this point, Ada had to stop to control her emotions, but Selene told her not too. The first step to recovering from our emotions is to first face them, she told her kindly. Cry; there is no shame in mourning a lost loved one.
Ada cried. Ada cried for what seemed like hours---slowly, quietly at first, melding into loud, hysterical, wails of grief and guilt. Selene knelt beside her and held her, sending soothing thoughts to her. Ada thought they were thoughts…they were more like feelings, but in her haze of emotion, she wasn’t sure.
After what seemed like forever, she sat up, exhausted from the tears. “Th-thank you” she said.
Of course. You have had no time to mourn the man you saw as a father. Continue your story.
So Ada sat up and continued her story. She told of running from the fire, seeing the blade shining against the firelight, how she thought about needing a weapon to protect herself, and in her desperation, took what she could.

 

[Low_Roads]

The concept of an non-speaking person using her thoughts for communication is appealingly gentle (difficult to imagine more intimate contact than two minds in accord) and makes for a rather tender scene, backed, as it is, by the bucolic restfulness of the stream setting. Selene's condition also puts me in mind of the cinematic martial arts convention of the warrior who attains excellence by overcoming a crippling disadvantage (blindness or a missing limb). Ada's interview has started comfortably enough... hard to imagine it will remain that way, though. Training of any kind generally requires stress.

 

[TKLVR181]

Aye, that it do, that it do, as Jett has said. Woke up this morning with an idea how to procede, and I think we're getting to the stress pretty quickly---thanks, LBH!

~K

 

[TKLVR181]

I've been lazy, so only have a page and a half now---some mild tk in this one, couldn't go without it ^__^

~K



She told of waking up on the beach, and how hopelessness had consumed her. How she had considered using the sword to commit suicide; but it occurred to her she might be doing exactly what The Beast wanted, so she hadn’t. She had just cried.
She told of the fear as she felt another being approach her—how she had turned around, sword at the ready.
She told of the unfettered joy and relief at finding Gabriel. She had thought him dead—finding him here, with her, and comforting her was something she hadn’t thought to ever have again.
She told of the fight at the bar, how she seemed to go completely blank, completely out of control of her body. Selene stopped her there, sensing her fear.
This is the chief concern of our training; so you never again need to fear yourself. Ada felt unbelievably grateful to Selene for being willing, but instead of voicing it, she asked, “How will we begin?”
I’m glad you asked. The only way for you to control your powers is to control yourself. You’ve told me you have rage issues; our first step is to help you learn to control your own emotions. The first tool we will use is relaxation.
Selene had Ada sit cross-legged on the rock, eyes closed, arms folded in her lap. Empty your mind, Selene said, and allow whatever thought that comes to wander through, unbidden, and focus on nothing. I will be here, touching your mind gently, reminding you if you focus on the negative. Ada did as she was told. Images of the past few days, phrases that were said, passed through her mind, but she allowed them all to pass without scrutiny.
Until the image of Father Dugan, lying on his deathbed, cautioning her to leave, crossed her mind. She could not forget the image of his dying face, the flames around them, the fear in his eyes…
Suddenly she felt a movement like the edge of a feather down her bare back. She shuddered, arching her back slightly, allowing a giggle to escape her lips. “S-Selene!” She exclaimed, sensing that the tickle had come from her mentor.
A slight smile appeared on Selene’s lips. I told you I would remind you if you got caught up in any one memory, she said, and Ada could feel her amusement as sure as she could feel her voice. I believe this is an appropriate method of discipline, at least until you are further trained with Master Jett.
For the next several hours they continued thus; sitting on the flat rock together, Ada letting the sounds of the forest relax her, Selene gently snapping her out of any reverie she might fall into. Selene would send the psuedo feather across different parts of Ada’s body—over her neck, back, foot, or stomach—at random intervals, so that the result was always a slight giggle, a deep breath to relax and recompose herself, and re-focusing.
At one point Ada could sense Jett and Gabriel at the edge of the clearing, observing her progress. She tensed up, trying to sit up strait not wanting to let Gabriel down; the tensing resulted in an immediate and particularly strong tickle across her left foot. Ada laughed out loud, losing her balance and falling on her back against the rock, still giggling. “S-S-Selene! Thahaat’s e-e-enohough!” she exclaimed through her giggles.
The sensation stopped, and Selene stood up and walked over to her. One of the most important lessons you can learn, Ada; you must not be concerned with appearances, for such a concern will cloud your mind and judgment. She held out a hand, helping Ada up.
Ada stood up, thanking Selene. She was slightly annoyed at being caught out in front of the males—and to her intense embarrassment she glanced over and all three men were there now, chuckling loudly.
Ada sat back down, recomposing herself. Selene stopped her, however, saying, No, I think we’ve done this exercise enough for the day. You should go train with Master Jett. “Yes, Teacher.” Ada responded as she had learned too through their mental connection. Selene disliked the term “Master” for herself—she thought it was a bit arrogant, so Ada had adopted the simple term ‘Teacher’. This seemed to please Selene.
Still a bit embarrassed, Ada walked back through the clearing to where the men stood.
“Master Jett, I am ready to begin training with you.” She said formally.
He nodded. “Good. You fought well last night, but today we will begin as a scholar does. My house is not far from here, and I have many scrolls you would do well to memorize.”
“But I thought you were going to teach me how to fight!” she said, slightly alarmed.
“I am. But strength without wisdom to guide it is useless.” Without another word, he led her through the bushes for half a mile to a small hut.

 

[Low_Roads]

Very sensual, this combination of intimate mental contact and teasing physical discipline! Ada has much emotional baggage to overcome, and this gentle training is well calculated to counter the rage it inspires (the tickling, a credible alternative to harsher corporal reminders. If the reader can enjoy it too, so much the better!) Leave it to the loutish males to chortle on the shore! Not that I blame 'em... I'd doubtless be doing the same! Ada still seems anxious and over-eager. A good thing, really, far better than jaded fatigue. It gives Selene and Master Jett much raw material to work with.

 

[TKLVR181]

Thank you, LBH! I decided on a different type of character than the usual 'trainee'--such like Eragon, etc, were a bit more jaded--I thought having a willing, eager pupil would make for an interesting plot difference--am really gratified you noticed!

~K

 

[TKLVR181]

OK here's the next couple pages! ^__^

Where he was taking her turned out to be a small log cabin some half a mile away from where they had camped the night before. It had a large porch, one small window on each side, and a gray roof.
He led her up the stairs to the porch, which sported a large green old-fashioned swing. The door was dark wooden panel; he opened it and they stepped inside.
It was, as expected, meticulous; a small, homey couch with a large down quilt as a cover sat against the near wall. In front of it sat a light coffee table that looked as if it had been made by skilled but amateur hands. There were scrolls lying neatly across it. On the other side of the couch was a large shelf filled with small cubbyholes. Each cubby contained more cracked, old looking scrolls. On the other side of the room was a fireplace, warm and crackling with a small fire. Several stools and armchairs were scattered throughout the room.
Jett stepped through the door behind her and sat down on the couch and went through some scrolls. After a few minutes he picked several up and motioned for Ada to sit beside him. She did, and he handed her a handful of the scrolls he had picked up. “These are history scrolls…they will teach you much about how the world came to be, why the world has taken the road it has…and more about yourself. A warrior must find themselves before they can successfully fight.”
Ada nodded, not thoroughly understanding, but willing to learn of the world and desperate to learn of her past. She picked up the first scroll and read.
Fifteen minutes later she looked up, shocked. “What? This can’t be right…Ancient Wars in the year 2010? But…isn’t this…2008?”
Jett looked at her surprised. “You…don’t know anything about yourself, do you? Ada…life inside the temple, time itself, was slowed. You are twenty years old maturely… but in years, as you know them, you were born in the year 1987…. this is the year 3025.”
Ada stared, trying to grasp what he said. “One thousand…thirty seven years old? How can that be?”
“Thirty-eight.” He corrected gently. “Yes. You were born years ahead of when you were supposed to…we had to find a way to preserve you until it was Time.”
“Time for WHAT?!” Ada asked, exasperated.
“You to save the universe.” Came the calm, simple reply.
That one was too much. Ada bent over laughing. Jett, however, did not look amused. After a minute, Ada looked up at him.
“You’re not laughing.”
“I was not joking.”
“Oh.” Ada’s smile vanished. “But…how? What am I supposed to do? Why me? What in he…blue blazes could I do that you or Gabriel or Rusty or even Selene couldn’t?”
“I don’t know yet.” Jett sat down next to her. “Ada, I don’t know much more than you do…your heritage has given you a great amount of…raw power. I only wish to temper it with experience before you do what you are called to.”
Ada nodded. “Studying, training…these will help me…learn what I must do?” When Jett nodded, so did she. “Then I want to. Rusty said this was something I had no choice in, but Gabriel said everyone has a choice…I want to make the right one—and I can’t do that knowing what I know now.”
Jett regarded her for a few moments. “Ada,” he said, “ I think you have already made your first choice—and you choose wisely.”
Ada smiled grimly. “Thank you. Now if you’ll excuse me for a few hours, I have some scrolls to study.”


* * * * *

That night Jett let them all into his home—the boys sprawled out on the floor, couch, and armchairs, and Ada and Selene were given Jett’s bedroom in the back. The bed was a cot made by binding bales of hay and covering them with a quilt, but Ada was so exhausted she fell onto it as she was and was unconscious before Selene had finished changing into bedclothes.



* * * * *

The next day was much like the last; first part of the morning was spent with Selene clearing her mind and trying to relax. After the startling revelations of the day before it was more difficult, but with Selene’s gentle nudges Ada was able to clear her mind for most of the morning and try to let her mind rest.
Halfway through the morning, however, Selene stopped her. Ada, Selene said in her mind, you have done excellently with relaxation techniques…we do not know how long we have, and I wish to move your training further. Ada nodded in agreement. “I agree. Yesterday I learned that I might have a bigger roll than I thought; I want to learn all I can.”
Selene nodded. You are wise for one with such a sheltered life. Yesterday you spoke of your memories up to then; I need you to focus on reliving them now. What emotions did you feel shortly before your…. Demonic side, for want of a better term, took over?
Ada shivered. She had known this would come; she had to look this in the face. She hadn’t had time to dwell on what she was capable of, and when she did, Selene made sure she didn’t. Eventually it had to be discussed.
Ada searched herself. The first time it happened—in the bar—I was afraid for Gabriel; afraid that he would be hurt and angry that the demon would find us in such a public place. I wanted to be able to do something about it, but I felt helpless…that’s the last thing I remember. The second time I was…hungry. There was a deer, and we needed it…and I blacked out again.
Selene nodded. Good. Fear, anger, and need; all emotions difficult to control in anybody. Your body’s differences; mental, chemical, psychological, all combine to try to change the circumstances in times when you feel these. That is very good. Now our task is to help you learn to control those differences.
Ada smiled genuinely. She was doing well.

Over the next few days that confidence faded. She sat on her rock staring at pebbles, sticks, and even Selene herself, trying to simply raise them. Three days of constant effort yielded nothing but frustration and headaches. By the fourth day she was beginning to doubt her ability to master her own body.
Her only comfort was evenings when she went to Jett’s house. Out of the heat, total concentration, and fear of inability.
And into her beloved scrolls. Ada’s thirst for knowledge grew with every new scroll she consumed. Knowing there was more to…know, about herself, about the world, and in the Sacred Old Texts from what she was learning to think of as the Ancient Bible from Christianity—a dying religion, the one she had been born into. Jett had texts from the Bible that were all but gone…the Temple had had Scholars who had memorized Texts, and who Ada had listen to as a child.
But listening was nothing compared to reading, holding the scrolls in her own hands, and understanding what the Sacred Words said in her own way, not the ways she was told to understand. She read stories of war, love, miracles, death, life, and so much more. Of Moses, Jonah, Elijah, Ruth, Jesus the First Savior, and more.

The First Savior. That was a new term to her; she had always known him as simply Jesus The Savior. But there had been more prophecies in the last thousand years; prophecies of another Savior.
A female Savior; one who had dark parentage who would rise up through the ranks of miracle workers to challenge her grandfather and free the world from his influence. Which had been steadily growing. Ever since the Great War of 2001-2015 when America was overthrown and Al Quida took control of the world.
Al Quida hadn’t been strictly evil at first. They had, in fact, been an older faction of Christianity, Muslim. The details of the Muslim religion were hazy, even in the Old Scrolls; safe to say it was originally a peaceful religion that got out of hand when factions took control. It was through the clouded minds of those factions that the Beast was able to mark his influence.
The world was in chaos and she had never even known it. Worse than that; the world was in chaos and it was her responsibility to restore order. Upon reading this, Ada folded up the scroll, told Master Jett she wanted to take an early night, and retired to her room.


To Be Continued

 

[Low_Roads]

So, Ada's world gains a huge level of definition: it proves to be more a retrograde future (a la Ralph Bakshi's "Wizards") than alternate reality (which is what I at first supposed), with strong ties to current events. If the mentioned Beast is indeed the figure from the Book of Revelation, I've seen the Muslim connection before, in (of all places!) an old Baptist-oriented comic-book/pamphlet (sufficiently old that the conflict in question was a second Arab/Israeli War; the complete defeat of the combined Arab forces triggered the rise of The Beast, a Western figure... for whatever that's worth). It, though, was far more focused on Christian literalism and lacked: the careful development; the depth-of-character and incident; the fanciful, playful fantasy elements; and the engrossing personal involvement found in your story.

Ada's earnest eagerness continues to please... her scroll sessions supply not only needed historical background data but a picture of scholarly enthusiasm that's youthfully endearing! And I quite like Jett's medieval-style cubbyholed library! The idea that information is preserved primarily by oral tradition bolsters the pre-enlightenment setting, while rendering this haven of print all the more precious. Hoping to benefit from more of Ada's studies as the tale continues!

 

[TKLVR181]

:super_hap TY TY TY LBH! Your comments keep this story going!!!

~K