 The Chosen One, by Matrix Legion The Chosen One By Matrix Chapter 1:
In the beginning Joshua Cross was not your ordinary type of teenager.
His looks were ordinary enough though. He had very rich black hair and
ice-chip blue eyes. Those eyes... People noticed them when they noticed
nothing else. Those eyes could look like cold chips of blue ice or
portals to a land of warm kindness. But they always had a certain
intelligence to them. They only showed kindness to very few people.
Joshua was always sort of shy and withdrawn. He had very few friends,
mainly because he had different interests than most people. Joshua was
always into Science and world history. People in his life did not
really understand why, though. Joshua was from a small town and they
were not real big on them subjects. He read everything he could get his
hands on about them... They were just interesting to him. For some
reason, Johua never really had to worry about physical fitness. Joshua
was just naturally fit. He did not have bulging muscles or anything
like that. His muscles were just very toned and cut. He found out in
the school gym that he was not like the other boys. One boy told him
that he must work out for hours a day to get that cut. Joshua did not
want to seem more strange, so he told him he did. He thought a white
lie would be OK. Joshua always wondered who his real parents were. He
had never met them or if he did, he didn't remember. He was adopted at
the age of three. The couple that had adopted him was a nice one and
they had plenty enough to afford another child. His adopted father,
John, had died two years later in a car crash and that left him to be
the only guy in the house. But that was OK with him. His adopted
mother's name was Kathrine Cross. In Joshua's eyes she was a fine
looking woman. She had dark blonde hair that went all the way down to
the middle of her back and sea-green eyes that a boy could get lost in.
Her figure, do to the aerobics she did, was amazing. Her chest was
rather large, but they always stood firm. All and all, Kathrine was
very beautiful. Joshua never did understand why she never dated. But if
Joshua absolutely had to pick a favorite family member, it would be his
adoptive sister. She was named after her mother Katherine, but everyone
always called her Kat. She was the same age as Joshua, 15, so that
helped a lot with there friendship. Their friendship was very strong.
They got along better than most brothers and sisters for some reason.
The odd thing was that they were about as opposite as one could be of
the other. She was loud, where he was quiet. She liked arguing with
people, where he never liked to even talk to them. Kat had been kicked
out of school on numerous occasions for her temper. She would lose it
with everyone.. Except for Joshua. Her looks were not what drew Joshua
to the friendship, though, her looks were certainly better than
average. Joshua was not blind to that fact. Kat was the personification
to the term tomboy. She had short dirty blonde hair and like her
mother, sea-green eyes. She always liked tight blue jeans and loose
t-shirts. She also liked to curse and smoke, which in turn, made her
mother furious. Kat never did like authority and Joshua loved her for
it. She was also extremely protective of him which, needless to say,
flattered the hell out of Joshua. But sometimes it was a bit annoying,
but he put up with it because he knew that she enjoyed it. Truth be
told, Joshua was a little protective of her as well. That was one of
the few reasons he ever lost his temper. If someone made a bad comment
about Kat and Joshua would be right in there face. So most of the
people that knew the two of them at their school knew not to make bad
comments about either while in the other's presence. Both of them were
very extreme when it came to that subject. But on other things, Joshua
was mostly calm and easy going. He never did like losing his temper.
Because he knew that when he did, there would be trouble and a lot of
it. So he tried to stay out of situations that caused him to lose his
temper... Which, needless to say, was easier said than done. But he had
help. Kat also tried to keep him out of trouble. The reason being, she
watched him fight for the first time when they were fourteen. At first
she thought it was pretty cool, her brother sticking up for her. The
kid that he fought was making very rude comments about Kat and touching
her in places that he really shouldn't have. Joshua told the kid to
back off... Or else. Kat remembered that his voice sounded so calm.
Then the kid threw a punch at him and Joshua ducked and countered.
Effectively nailing the kid right between the eyes, knocking him out
cold. Kat had thought that was the end of the fight and she was going
to congratulate Joshua on his first fight... Then she watched as he
dropped down on the unconscious body and proceeded to punch him, she
didn't know how many times, to a bloody pulp. All she seen was the
blood and she knew that she had to pull Joshua off before he killed
him. So, she pulled him off and to the untrained eye, he was as calm as
could be. But Kat had felt his back muscles... They were in complete
knots, as was the rest of his muscles. Joshua scared Kat that day. All
that tightness in his body had brought on the worst headache he had
ever had in his life. That day was the first day that Kat had offered
him a massage and he badly needed it. She stroked all the tension out
and he had fell asleep under her very capable hands. That night she had
made herself a promise. She promised to try and keep Joshua out of
trouble. She was very surprised that the cops had not showed up at
their door that night. Joshua had only been kicked out of school for a
month. Rage was always a strange concept to Joshua. He knew that he had
it in him, but it rarely came out and it usually was over Kat. It came
out for other stuff, but not as blindly as it did when the subject was
about Kat. Joshua knew that he scared her that day, that's why he tried
to keep himself out of situations where he loses his temper. Joshua
liked his life simple. Little did he know that he was destined for a
lot more than simple.... "Fuck! Why me?? What did I do?" Joshua asked
under his breath and gave a quick look at the sky. He was asking what
ever mighty creator was up there. Then his attention was turned back to
the scene before him. It was happening about twenty yards from him. His
ice blue eyes took in the scene for about another four seconds, then he
started walking. His lovely adoptive sister was getting quite upset at
what ever a boy named Michael was saying to her. Michael was the type
that just liked to piss people off. He was about twice Joshua's size.
It was Friday and school had just let out for the day. They were in the
school yard, that's were they usually met up with each other so that
they could walk home and tell each other about there day. It seemed
with each step, Joshua was getting madder. Michael's back was still
turned on him, so he didn't see him. But Kat did. "Joshua Cross! Don't
you dare do it! I can handle it." Kat said in somewhat of a worried
voice. She had seen the look in Joshua's eyes. That was the look he got
when he was real close to snapping. Michael turned around to look at
him then. Michael had heard of Joshua's temper. "Do we have a
problem??" Joshua asked in a calm and very low voice. If you didn't
know Joshua, you'd say that he was calm as could be. The only signal
that he was pissed was the gleam in his eyes and the tense muscles in
his back and shoulders. "No, i-i-it's cool. Ain't it Kat?" Michael
asked in a very nervous voice. He had seen what Joshua had done to the
Miller boy a year before and didn't want repeat performance. Joshua and
Michael both looked over at Kat. "Yeah... Let's just go home, Bro," She
said with an impish smile. It amused her that Michael would be so
scared of Johua considering his size advantage. "Come on, he isn't
worth it." she said, grabbing Joshua's arm and leading him away from
Michael. She seen the look of utter relief on Michael's face and that
made her smile all the bigger. They both walked in silence until they
were off school property. Then Joshua threw his arm around Kat's neck
in a playful gesture and asked, "So, Sis, besides dip-shit back there,
how was your day?" he asked with a warm charming voice. It was an
attempt to make Kat know that he was calm again. But he knew that she
would know better. "Same old, same old," she replied looking up into
those lucid blue eyes. I should be mad at him for losing his cool... I
just can't be though. she thought wryly. "You know, Josh, sometimes I
like it when you stick up for me." she said with a very warmly, tugging
on his arm. "Ohhh, Is that so? Well I guess I'll have to make it a
point to keep doing it." "Don't get me wrong though. I hate it when you
fight! Josh, you really have to control that nasty temper of yours."
Kat said, giving him a poke in the ribs. "Well, I think you should make
up your mind, Sis. What was dip-shit telling you anyway?? Must have
been something bad because you were yelling." Joshua said, a look of
utter attention on his face. Ohhh, I'm not even close to telling you
that Bro. You'd run back to the school. she thought wryly. "Forget
about it. He isn't worth our time." she said, giving him another poke
in the ribs. "If you don't stop poking me, you're going to regret it."
Joshua said with a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "Awww, my big bad
brother," She gave him another poke. "Whatcha gonna.. YOWW!" she yelled
out as Joshua reach for her sides and began to tickle her. Joshua
started to tickle her in earnest then. Kat started laughing so hard
that her knee's gave out and she slipped to the asphalt of the road
they were on. Joshua just went down with her and kept tickling. Kat was
twisting and laughing so loud that people started to look their way.
Joshua noticed they all had stupid grins on their face. Kat's face was
real red, from laughing so hard. "So! Do ya give?!" He said, trying to
make his hands keep up with her squirming body. "I give! I give!" She
shouted out through her giggles and looked at him with twinkling
sea-green eyes. He relented his attack with a large smile. That little
episode put him in a lot better mood. Joshua stood up and reached a
hand out to Kat, hauling her to her feet. "Now, you know that I don't
bluff." he said with a chuckle. "Oh my God. Look at how they're looking
at us," she nodded her head towards the houses with people standing on
their porches, grinning ear to ear. "We're acting like children, they
must think we're nuts." she said with a very apparent blush. "You have
a problem with acting like a kid?? I sort of like it," He said as he
started walking down the road. Kat was at his side. "As for them?
Fuck'em if they can't take a joke." Joshua said with playfully. That
was his favorite saying. "Well... If I have to be a kid, I want you as
a playmate!" she replied, throwing an arm around his neck. That little
gesture gave her the reward of seeing Joshua's eyes twinkle... And that
made her very happy. "Diddo. So, I'll ask you again, how was your day?"
he asked, throwing an arm around Kat again. "Well... I was talking to
Jenna today. She asked me if you were single.." she stopped because
Joshua tripped. She had to giggle at that. "She really isn't my type."
Joshua said with a chuckle as he recovered from the trip. "Aw, come on.
She's cute and she's smart." she said, debating if she wanted to poke
him again.. She decided against it. She really didn't want people to
see her be tickled to death. "She's a cheerleader." "So, what's wrong
with being a cheerleader?" she asked with a curious look on her face.
"She's perky. I don't like perky people." he said with a ruefully. "I'm
perky! You like me." Joshua got that mischievous look in his eyes again
and said, "You're not perky... You're just loud." he replied with a
chuckle. Kat then removed her arm from around his neck and stopped
walking. "Is that so??" she asked, then threw a punch that landed
pretty hard on his shoulder. Playfulness was in those sea-green eyes
when she did it. "See? You just proved it. A perky person wouldn't have
slugged me." he said with a chuckle and started walking again. "I
usually don't like loud people either... but I think I'll make an
exception." he added with a adoration in his eyes. "Oh, well that's
good to know... Because I don't think I could ever be quiet." she said
with a chuckle and kept pace with Joshua. I wonder how come other
siblings don't act this way with one another? she asked herself, a
contemplative smile on her face. They talked all the way home, as
usual. Their home was not that far away from the school, just about
eight blocks. They had a choice of taking the bus... But they walked
because they always liked talking to one another on the way home. They
couldn't talk like they wanted to when they were surrounded by people
on a bus. Most people would blush at the way they sometimes tease each
other. Joshua never thought about the way they acted together.. He did
notice that it was different than the way most siblings acted. Most of
them were always arguing about something. But not them. If you
separated either of them.. The other would be miserable. They were as
used to one another as one would be with the air they breath. That was
just the way they were. When Joshua and Kat were walking home,
something else was going on. Three hundred miles away in the bad lands
of New Mexico there was an underground bunker. In this bunker there was
an alter. An alter for the God Of War. An alter for... Ares. It was
about six feet tall and there was 15 men gathered in front of it. All
of the men were dressed in black cloaks and mumbling words in Ancient
Greek. The hoods of the black cloaks were covering their faces. They
were covering their eyes. And that was just as well, because no one
would want to look into their eyes. All they would see would be
blackness... There was no white or color in those eyes. Just portals of
darkness. They were all on their knee's in front of the alter with
their heads bowed. None of them moved so much as hair as they prayed
and meditated. Then the one closest to the alter lifted his head and
pulled the hood back, exposing jet black hair and a muscular face. He
stood and regarded the other disciples of the old ways. "Tomorrow,
Ares' Chosen will know his place. One of us will tell him his place.
The dormancy of his power will no longer be. His power will be known to
him tomorrow morning. I will tell him his fate... Then seal it." The
dark cloaked man spoke in a low and rumbling voice. That was when one
of the younger disciples spoke up. "What if he does not accept?" the
boy asked, his face very solemn. "He has no choice. Ares has spoken.
The Chosen will go back and take his place in time. It is the will of
Ares and it will be done.. If I have to send him back against his will,
so be it." he replied, a clipped finality touched his voice. "Forgive
me Master, but why would Ares choose a boy over his faithful subjects?"
A voice from the furthest away from the alter asked. The man standing
before the alter raised his hand, much to the person that spoke against
Ares dismay, and a bolt of pure blue energy shot from it, slamming into
the chest of the one that questioned Ares. The blast effectively made
the man's chest explode. The dark blood, almost black looking,
splattered in every direction. It splattered over some of the
disciples, but the were so disciplined that they did not even flinch.
"Is there anyone else that has a question?" the man said in the same
low and rumbling voice. "So be it. I will meet the Chosen One tomorrow
morning." he said, then he knelt before the alter again. Joshua's eyes
crept open slowly the next day. It was just before dawn. He always woke
up just before dawn, when it was still dark. It was the time of the day
that most people said was the darkest. Joshua never understood his
inner clock. For some reason it woke him up just before dawn or if
anyone got within a 10 feet radius of him while he slept. Joshua never
really thought much of it lately though. He slowly rolled out of bed
and got dressed. Joshua knew that it was a moot point to try and go
back to sleep. He tried that before and he would just lay in bed wide
awake. He slipped on a pair of jeans and did a once over in the mirror.
He wasn't a narcissistic person but he did like what he saw. He grabbed
a t-shirt and slipped out of his room as quiet as a mouse, so as not to
wake anyone. Since it was Saturday, Joshua knew that Kat would not be
up till about ten or eleven. She was always a late sleeper. So, Joshua
had to find ways to amuse himself until then... And he could not think
of one thing that he wanted to do. So like always, at this point of the
day anyway, he went and sat on the porch, staring into the darkness.
Joshua felt a little strange on this day for some reason though. He
felt anxious. Like he had to do something, yet... He didn't know what.
So, he just sat on the edge of the porch and thought about his favorite
subject in the dark. Kat was his favorite subject. All though he didn't
know why. She was just always on his mind. He thought himself foolish
for always thinking of her. She had asked him what his type of girl
was... And he almost told her the truth. Kat was his type of girl. He
wouldn't tell her that though, from fear of messing up the friendship
they had. And he thought that she would think it sick... Even though
they were not blood related. What the hell, I think I'll take a walk.
he thought as he stood up. He went back inside and put his sneakers
back on and headed out the front door. Truth be told, Joshua liked this
time of day the best. All except for the fact that Kat was not with
him, that is. Joshua started his way down the street. He figured that
he would only walk a few blocks and go back home. He wanted to burn off
the nervous energy he seemed to have. He didn't know were it came
from.. It just seemed to be there. It had a burning desire to do
something and he didn't know what. So, he picked up his pace on the
road and pretty soon he was in a slow run. Then he slowed to a stop. He
felt strange. A tingling sensation was circulating through his body and
head. He was dizzy at first. So dizzy in fact, that he had to sit down
on the curb. What the fuck? I know I didn't over do myself.. he thought
as the dizziness passed. What replaced it was even more strange,
though. Joshua could only describe it as pure adrenalin. It was so
acute, so powerful, that Joshua had to stand up. He could feel his
heart pounding and his blood flowing. It was a little scary for him at
first. But that didn't last long. Joshua had a way of adapting to new
situations, no matter how stressful. He stood stalk still and let the
feeling wash over him. His eyes were closed when he realized the energy
he felt was not subsiding. His blood felt like it was on fire.. Yet, it
didn't hurt. It just felt like.... a rush that would not go away. He
stood still for close to ten minutes, trying to will the strange
feeling away, but that was to no avail. Joshua briefly toyed with the
idea that he might be having a heart attack... But he thought against
it. He didn't know what a heart attack felt like, but he was pretty
sure it was not pleasant, and this... It felt real good. Even though it
felt good, Joshua knew it was extremely strange. Then an idea came to
him. Maybe I can burn it off. he thought and then broke into a dead
run. Joshua was half way down the street when he realized something. He
was moving way faster than he should be. He had went on runs before and
he knew how fast he could move. He knew that he was probably the
fastest kid in his school, even though he didn't compete... But this
was different. He was moving about three times faster than his usual
top speed. Joshua was running about fifty miles an hour. He didn't know
the exact speed though. He just knew that he was running really, really
fast. It was a shock. Joshua had to actually slow his pace before he
could stop in front of his house. If he didn't, he knew that he would
have been thrown off balance and go flying face first into asphalt.
Joshua realized that he had just ran about two blocks when he stopped
in front of his house... The strange thing was that he was not even
close to being out of breath. He knew that he should be. When a person
runs that fast for two blocks, at full speed, they should damn well
feel it! He thought, a look of curious awe was on his face. He turned
and started back into the house. When he made it to the front door,
curiosity got the better of him. He wanted to see just how much had
changed with his physical strength. The running had proven his
endurance had took off like a sky rocket. So, that was not in question.
But how strong he was... That was definitely in question. Joshua took
quick notice to how light his steps seemed. It almost seemed like he
wasn't touching the ground at all. But he was. He went directly towards
the garage. There was a weight lifting equipment there. Kat's uncle had
gave it to him to work out on. He hardly ever used it, but he did get
curious a few months back and decided to see how much he could lift at
one time. His max. It turned out that he could lift 190 pounds once and
only once. So, Joshua decided to see if that was still true. He set up
the bar on the bench press. He put 190 pounds on it, then locked the
safety pins in place. Joshua laid down on the bench and took a deep
breath. He lifted the bar up and was surprised that it was amazingly
easy. He then brought the bar down to his chest and pushed up... Again,
it was way to easy. He repeated the process five more times, then set
the bar back on the braces. I wonder just how much I could lift at one
time?? he thought with a cocky grin. Then he got off the bench and
looked at the rest of the weights. All together there was 500 pounds of
iron weights. Na, I couldn't do that. Could I? Well there's only one
way to find out. he thought. Then he went about sliding the weights on
the bar. After he finished setting the bar up, he took a look at it.
Counting the weight of the bar, there was 525 pounds of weight... And
they looked very heavy to Joshua. Well, only one way to find out.. he
thought. Then he laid back on the bench. Half of him was expecting it
to be as easy as the first weights. The other half had it's doubts.
Joshua reached up and took a hold of the bar and pushed up... He could
feel the strain in his muscles this time. He eased the bar down to his
chest and pushed back up. Then he repeated the action. Then he did it
again and again. On the eighth try, he barely got the bar back up and
it felt like his muscles were burning. He carefully eased the bar back
on it's holding hooks. Joshua then just laid on the bench letting his
muscles relax. His muscles may have been relaxing but his mind was
racing. So, I have my limits.. Good thing I tested myself or I might
have done something stupid later. He thought practically. Joshua
noticed that after about five minutes of laying on that bench that his
muscles were completely recharged. They felt like they did when he
first came in. Rapid recuperation... That might be a good asset some
day. He thought ruefully. Then he just realized what he had just done
and it felt like a ton of bricks hit him. He was very close to panic.
Why in the hell is this happening?! There has to be a reason... And
nothing is free. Joshua's mind screamed. Kat! She could help me. Maybe
I could... No that would just worry her. Damn it! Joshua got off the
bench and started back into the house. Just as he was about to open the
door though, it flew open before he could reach it... And there stood a
very nervous looking Kat. "Kat! What's wrong?? You look like you just
seen a ghost." Joshua asked, a very concerned look on his face. Kat had
broke out in a light sweat, and those sea-green eyes held more than a
touch of worry. But when she seen him, they had a look of relief. "Aw,
shit.. Josh, you'd think I was crazy." she replied with a faint smile.
"Sis, right now, I could believe just about anything.. So spill."
Joshua said as he guided her over to sit on the bench. She sat down,
still looking a little nervous. "Ok, Ok. Look... I was just getting up
to get a drink of water and then I was going back to bed. You know I
hate getting up early," she looked over at him and he nodded. "So,
right when got to the kitchen... I don't know.. I just sort of felt a
wave of panic go through me... I just knew that you were in trouble. I
was actually dumb enough to think that I was feeling your panic. I
don't know why either.. That's just what popped into my head. Do ya you
think I'm going nuts?" she asked, looking at him for an answer. Ok, so
do I tell her what I've been doing this morning... Or do I tell her not
to worry about it... That she just has an overactive imagination...
Truth.. We've never been good at lying to one another. "I think you
should know something. But do you promised not to freak out?" he asked
with a look of hope in his eyes. "I promise... I just want to know what
the hell made me panic like that." she said with a curious look. So,
Joshua started to relay the morning's events, down to every detail. As
he talked, he watched her eyes go wider and wider. He explained how it
felt and everything else, down to where he started to panic on the
bench. "So.. If those things happened.. It might be possible that your
panic attack happened for a reason. I just don't know what. You don't
think I'm some kind of freak do you?" Joshua asked, expecting any
answer that she might have given. He didn't like being blind sided. Kat
could see the guarded veil fall over Joshua's eyes. Does he really
think I'd think that?? He's more shook up than me! "Joshua, I think
you're the best friend that I could ever ask for. No! I don't think
you're a freak." She watched the utter relief pass over his features
and relaxed a little. "Thanks, I needed someone to say that." he said,
throwing an arm around her neck and letting a sigh of relief pass his
lips. "Your welcome, but we do need to figure out what's going on...
Josh, this is not normal." she said with a look of concentration.
Joshua was about to say something but was interrupted. The interruption
scared the hell out of both of them. What sounded like a loud crack of
thunder filled the room and a bright white and blue light flashed in
the room, about six feet away from them. The light dissipated and in
it's wake left a black hooded man. His eyes were solid black. No white
at all in them and certainly no color. "Maybe I can be of some help,
little one," the man in the black cloak said in a low and rumbling
voice. "My name is Kadrack. I am the leader of Ares' disciples." he
finished. Joshua's arm was still around Kat's neck. He could feel her
about ready to bolt and he held on tighter. Joshua had a feeling this
Kadrack would not put up with it. Joshua could almost feel the power
coming off the man. He thought it safer to listen to what the man, if
he was a man, had to say. So he sat very still. Kadrack walked across
the garage and leaned against the wall. "Very wise... You're right, I
don't like it when people run. All though, I would not have hurt her. I
think you will want to hear what I have to say." Kadrack said with a
crooked grin that made him look less menacing. "How did you know what I
was thinking? And just what do you want?" Joshua asked, surprised that
his voice held annoyance. "As for the first question... Let's just say
that I have many skills. As for the second... I want you. You are Ares'
Chosen." "Ares? As in the God Of War, Ares?" Kat said in a high pitched
nervous voice. "Yes... I'm surprised you heard of him, Little One. Not
many follow his teaching as of late." Kadrack said, pushing off the
wall and beginning to pace before them. What is this horse shit?! "What
exactly am I chosen for??" Joshua asked in a somewhat angry voice. He
was getting very frustrated. But Kadrack either didn't notice or didn't
care, because he kept that same crooked grin. "You must complete your
destiny, Chosen. It is your fate.. Ares' plan if you will. But your
fate is not in this time. It is in another." he stated very calmly.
"You have to be fuckin' joking me! What are you gonna do? Shoot me into
the future??" Joshua was starting to get pissed. "On the contrary,
Chosen, you are to go into the past. In a time of Gods, warlords and
kings. Hundreds of years before they ever even thought of naming the
ERA's B.C. or AD. You will go there and complete your destiny." he said
in an even but low tone. "You can go to hell, I am not leaving my
family just on your word! So get the fuck out of my house!" Joshua had
let more than a touch of menace in his voice. He could tell that it was
scaring Kat, but he couldn't help it. "I thought that you might use
that argument... That's why I gave your little friend there the gift of
feeling your emotions. You two are now connected. She will go with you.
She can watch your back. I was hoping that your best friend would be
male, that would have been a better companion to watch your back. But I
look into her soul and I see she has a fire there that will come in
quite useful." he replied. "Look... We're not going! So just get over
it!" Joshua almost screamed. "AHHHH, Chosen, you have no choice."
Kadrack said in a soft voice as he raised his hand and said something
in ancient Greek. Then a white ball of light appeared in the palm of
his hand and it shot forth, striking both Joshua and Kat. They both
seen it coming and braced themselves for the worst. It felt like high
voltage electricity went through them when it hit. The world started to
go black for both of them. The garage was slowly fading out, becoming
dimmer and dimmer, until they could see nothing but darkness. Their
bodies suddenly felt like they were being thrown backwards at an
alarming rate... Joshua could feel Kat clinging to him for dear life,
and that gave him a little comfort, knowing that she was there that is.
He felt guilty for thinking that, but he could not help it. Pretty soon
it seemed like they were floating instead of shooting backwards like a
bullet. The feeling started to subside to nothing. Then everything was
still, but it was still pitch dark. Then strange sounds started to come
to his hearing. They were not exactly strange, it was just not
expected. He heard birds chirping quite loudly. The only good thing he
could think of was that Kat was still very much clinging to him and he
could feel her heart beat and that made him feel better. The darkness
was what really bothered him. Oh, I'm a fuckin' idiot! he thought when
he realized why it was so dark. His eyes were closed. He could feel the
heat of the sun and it was a nice sensation, but he braced his self
when he decided to open his eyes, he didn't want blinded by it. But as
his eyes crept open, he realized that there was no danger of that. They
appeared to be in a forest and the trees gave sufficient shade. Joshua
took a deep breath and took quick notice of how fresh the air was. It
was unbelievably fresh. A person did not have to try as hard to get
oxygen in their lungs and he could smell things so much better. He
smelled honey suckle near by. Joshua could also smell the freshness of
the green grass. Joshua took a look around and realized that they were
deep in the forest. He could not see a road anywhere. He also slapped
himself mentally for looking. If they were in the time he thought they
were, there would be no roads. Trails maybe, but no roads. Joshua could
also here water running near by. It sounded like a large spring or a
small river. He looked down at Kat and seen that she was sleeping.
Joshua just looked at her peaceful face and silently cursed himself for
bringing her into this. She looks so beautiful when she sleeps like
that.. he thought with a quiet smile. Kat had her head laid on his
shoulder, her hand on his chest... He looked past and under her hand
and noticed that his clothing was different. In fact, what he was
wearing was closer to light armer. It was made out of black leather and
brass bits in some spots that held it together... It looked brand new.
The musky sent of the leather reached his noise and he decided it was
not a bad scent. He looked at Kat and seen that her out-fit was
different as well. She was wearing a skin tight halter top that was
made out of leather and it was a wine colored kind of red. Dark. Her
skirt matched and it came up a few inches above her knees... Joshua
thought she looked quite good in it. There was something else different
as well, her hair was shoulder length now. It looked quite good like
that to Joshua. He could tell that his hair was the same without
looking. Ok, enough sight seeing, for now. Time to wake up sleeping
beauty. He thought wryly. "Kat.. Kat, time to wake up, Sis." he said,
slowly stroking her hair. He wanted to wake her as gently as possible
considering what they had been through. He realized with a start that
he was not speaking english. He was speaking.. Greek. But it came so
natural that it gave him a start. I'll think about that later... One of
Kat's eye lids opened, revealing a beautiful sea-green eye which, to
Joshua's surprise, did not looked frightened at all. "Tell me we're not
in Greece." she said with a touch of a smile. Joshua was so relieved by
her good mood that his face broke into a look of utter relief. "Afraid
so, Sis.... You don't look upset." he said with a look of wonder. "Hey!
You're not speaking english but I can understand you!," she said,
sitting up and looking around the forest. "It's beautiful...." She
mumbled. "As for being upset.. Would you like me to be?? I just didn't
figure it would help our situation." she said as she watched Joshua
raise to his feet. "Na, I was just surprised you weren't, that's all."
he said, giving her a hand up. "Hey, how do we know we're in Greece?"
he then asked with a look of confusion. "I don't know... I like your
new outfit though." she said, giving him a light slug in the shoulder.
"Yeah? Well, I think your's is pretty cool too." he said. He started
chuckling when she looked down at her outfit and blushed. "Don't blush
like that... You should be proud to wear that kind of outfit and look
hot." Why in the hell did you say that!! his mind yelled. "Diddo," she
said, looking him up and down. "Is that a sword strapped to your back?
The handle is poking over your shoulder." she asked with curiosity. I
can't believe he just called me hot! She thought wildly. Though, she
very much enjoyed the compliment. Joshua reached over his shoulder and
felt the warm leather that was wrapped around the handle of the sword.
He pulled in one fluid motion and brought the sword before his eyes. It
was a broad sword. It was very shiny and looked as new as his armor
did. For some reason it just felt right in his hand. The weight seemed
perfect, all though, he had no clue as to how to use the damn thing.
"Now that we're here.. What in the hell are we suppose to do?" Kat
asked, twirling her now long hair. It fascinated her. "I have no
earthly idea, Sis." he started as he put the sword back in it's sheath.
"I think first we should find that water I hear.. Then we follow where
ever it goes. If we're in the time I think we are... People usually
build villages by water. That way they have a natural resource." he
said with an equal look of confusion. "Good idea, Bro. Lets get to it."
she said and waited for him to lead the way. Which he did after a
moments hesitation. I hope your right Sis and this is a good idea. If
not... We are royally screwed. Joshua thought grimly as they made there
way through the deep forest..... Joshua and Kat walked side by side
through the impressive forest. Josh could tell they were getting close
to the stream. Something was bothering him though. He did not know if
the air was more clear or... His senses had magnified. I guess it would
make sense.... My strength and endurance did it... Why not my senses.
he thought wryly. That was another thing that was bothering him. It
seemed that neither Kat, nor himself seemed upset by the estranged
situation that they seemed to had fallen into fortuitously. Joshua's
senses were reeling. He could hear almost every sound around him. His
lovely companions foot steps sounded loud to his ears. His on the other
hand... Seemed very quiet. Almost as if he were creeping up on
something.... Only it was natural. The trees around him were huge. By
his guess they were red oaks. The foliage seemed different. Nothing
like he had seen. Joshua had been camping a couple of times... But this
was way different. It seemed like everything was fuller and greener.
The moss was thicker. Joshua had a hunch that was do to the humidity
though. Another thing that Joshua had noticed on there little walk was
the rest of the things that adorned his body. Like a dagger on each
ankle and two on his hip. There was also a pouch hooked to the leather
built he had. His curiosity got the better of his and he just had to
look in it and see what was there. The pouch was filled with strange
coins that were about the size of a silver dollar. There was almost two
hundred of them.... And for some reason he knew that was a lot of money
in this time. They were getting even closer to the stream... He could
hear it quite clearly now. "Josh, why do you think we're here?? I mean
if this Ares stuff is really true, why would he pick a teenager to do
it???" Kat asked in complete confusion. "I haven't the slightest clue,
Sis." he stated honestly. "Are you getting home sick?" he asked with a
bit if concern. "What! You're joking, right?? This is the most exciting
thing that has ever happened to me. We was just studying med-evil times
in school. Those suckers at school get to day dream about it... And
we're living it! What? Are you? Or are you just worried about the
reason why we're here?" she asked, with a contemplative voice.
"Actually, Sis, I find this very... Interesting. It's most differently
exciting.... But you do know that I would probably hate it if you
weren't here.." he trailed off. Kat blushed very visibly at that
statement. This trip has definitely made him more open... I think
that's a good thing... "Diddo, come on. I can almost smell the water...
And I'm thirsty... You wouldn't want me to dry up, would ya?" she said
wryly and picked up the pace. Joshua just gave a dry chuckle as he
followed behind her. His senses were still at full alert. He heard a
rustle to the right of him about ten body lengths away... It was just a
deer jumping from a thick under brush, though. That hadn't startled him
half as much as what his reaction was. As soon as he had heard the
noise... His hand had pulled out a hip dagger so fast that it would
have made lighting jealous. For some reason it felt just like... Bone
deep reflexes. It spooked him a little.. The fact that he would pull a
blade that fast when he didn't know the threat. He was glad that Kat
had not seen his reaction, her mind was busy on getting to the water,
it might have spooked her. The walked about thirty more yards before he
could see the banks of what he thought was a stream. It was actually a
slow moving river. As they got closer, though, he could see the
clearness of it. It was not perfectly clear, but it seemed safe enough
to drink out of. "Ok, I think we should get a drink... As much as we
can. And then follow this river." he stated as they made it to the
banks. "My take charge brother." she said. There was no sarcasm in her
voice, only.... Appraisal. Joshua could see the trust in Kat's eyes. He
didn't know how to feel about that. It definitely put a little more
pressure on him. I REALLY hope I live up to your expectations Kat. If I
don't... We're in a lot of trouble.... 
