Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 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   Joshua was always sort of shy and withdrawn.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....