Crusader's Legacy

For your benifit I have Italicised the names of the Gods in this story. I hope you aren't offended by it. An interesting note: While there is a story at Apolyton with the same name and opening chapter, it is a different story past that, with different events, told through different eyes. Tell me how you feel anout the story.

The Apolyton Version

The stones stung his flesh, they broke his bones, he held a flimsey arm up to protect himself as he fell. He didn't know where the stones would stike next, he was blind.

"In the end..." he wheezed, the words that had earned him the punishment.

"Shut up Old man! many Gods we have, many shall there be, forever!" The crowd spat as it threw.

"In the end," He pointed his blank eyes defiantly at his attackers,"There will be only one, A single God for men to follow."

As the old prophet finally submitted to the stones his words were noted, to the side, in a flimsey Journal.

-

A Hundred years later the journal would be mounted. The Years had given man time to ponder the words of the lost Prophet, War between brothers had torn kingdoms aunder as the rival gods fought to become the only ones worshipped in their nations. Now a single God reigned hand in hand with the King appointed over the men of each state. The Prophecy had fulfilled itself.

But was it done yet?

-

The once holy city lay burning beneath his feet. Flames rose, a gruesome offering to the diety who had commanded the conquest.

The Horned one, Brennus drove his sword deep into the dirt, kneeling to pray. Finishing his thankful prayer h raised the Iron high, flames flashed in it's reflecting surface. Fire blazed around him, the Holy Inferno.

Before him a vision appeared, One crown, One Religion. He presided over all of mankind, the day was won. Brennus smiled, Celtic hemogeny.

"It can be yours Brennus"

"I know," Brennus looked the figure in the eyes.
Cernunnos laughed, "You are too confident little man. WHo delivered Mecca to you?"

"My Men and steel!" Brennus insisted.
Cernunnos shook his head, the snake on his shoulder did as well.

"I did, my little partner. You even thanked me earlier. You know very wel by whose grace you stand here, by whose deeds your men now have a shoddy service in the Sistene Chapel. You know who that service is dedicated to. We need each other. Don't pretend otherwise."

Brennus still grinned," Is Allah much weaker?"

Cernunnos spread his arms in a stretch.

"He lost the recently built Chapel, that hurt him, and my attacks on him in the heavens have been as bloodthirsty as your battles with his followers. Even as you defeat his followers they abandon hope in him. He has begun to loose faith that they can sustain him."

"Do you think anyone will ever catch on to our plot?"

It was the detie's turn to grin.

"By then it will be too late."

-

Shiva watched the fires from a neighboring hill, his arms were crossed on his knees as he squatted, eyes intent. Realization dawned on his face, as he watched alone, Ghandi would have to know this, he thought. Would the pacifist listen though, The Destroyer had a heart of doubt, but he turned, to Dehli.

Women were piled upon him, the feeble man seemed quite happy, as wine poured from his glass onto the floor, Ghandi didn't care, it would be filled again later.

"Come." He spoke, The Women disappeared as Ghandi slipped into a reality where he could interect with the God.

"What the hell do you want? You never talk to me, what's so bloody important?"

"Brennus is trying to conqure the world."

Ghandi laughed, "That half brained son of a pig couldn't conqure his bathtub. So what if he fights with the Arabs, it's none of our business."

"The Arabs are only the start, he wants the world under him. One Crown, One State, One Church," Shiva put emphasis on the final word.

"So he'll have more worshippers than you? I've got missionarries all over the place, what do you want?"

"Surely you remember the Prophecy, He beleives that is is not only true within the nations, but that one day a single god will remain."

"Afraid to die? It's something you get used to. I don't have to worry though..." Ghandi smiled lopsidedly.

"If I am killed by Cernunnos, my gift of Immortality to you will fade quickly. Your survival as well."

"It's a long ways off, we have little to worry for."

"Best to prepare now. I suggest we conqure Japan, Susano isn't prepared for anything."

"Baby!" Ghandi was appaled," I'm a lover not a fighter, did you see those babes back there? I'm not leaving them for some silly crusade."

"You must, if you would survive to the end."

Ghandi sighed, he was obviously outgunned here.

"I'll do it. Dammit. I'll do it."

Shiva smiled.

"Thus begins the Legacy of Crusades...."

I like the 2 different stories idea, may be abit hard to do tho, how will you, and will one suffer for the other (if so, make poly suffer)

Not bad, i like it.

Please write more. I am very interested to see what happens.

I will, but you have to remember that i am essentizally writing 2 versions of chapter 2 and it will take a coupla days (It'll be up tonight)

The black beast carried a man. It had to have been a bold man, the beast was huge, and the air it pushed free from it's lungs was fearsome.

It must have been a horse, it sort of resembled a horse. The Man rode it as though it were a horse. His ragged hair pulled back to watch the storm overcome the battlefeild.

Brennus's scars glinted in the lightning and his eyes flashed like the steel of his sword. Cernunnos was in the air tonight. Thinderbolts fell his enemies as his armies forged forward, swords held with religious fervor. Everything was going well Medinia semed wel on it's way to joining Mecca under his rule.

Soon all of Arabia.

Then the world.

-

Cernunnos grinned back at Brennus.

"I have brought forth pestilence on the Arabians, their units die even before you meet them."

"Thank you, and how fares their chosen deity?"

"So Near death as not to matter. Allah may have many cities still under his church, but he has lost the will to live."

Brennus gave the lopsided grin he reserved for good news.

"We are not alone at war though, my diplomays in Dehli claim that India has gone to war as well, against Japan."

"Has Shiva anything to do with it? Or has Ghandi been listening to the whims of his whores again?"

"I cannot rightly say, hiva speaks to me not, you are my ony source in the realm of gods."

Cernunnos waved his hand gently.

"It is of no concern then, Shiva is a wise God, but Ghandi is foolish, nothing will hurt our scheme if it comes from that corner."

"he Indians are a dominant nation...."

Cernunnos laughed at him.

"Their God and ruler do not work tpgether, their army is poorly trained and disciplined. They are nothing."

Brennus looked unconvinced, so Cernunnos smiled confidently. grasping the other man's shoulder in his clawed hand.

"We will strike the Indians low next, if it pleases you to be worried about them no longer."

An evil grin conqured Brennus's face.

(It occurs to me that what I am developing is half the story here, half at 'poly, Either will be readable independent of the other, but if one wished to see both sides of the plot one would have to read both, if you must protest, please feel free)

Crennunos cackled as he stood over the crying Allah

"Your people will die under me, do you know this? Martyrs by the dozens, but sooner or later they will succumb to me."

He bent down, lifting the other god's face to look him in the eyes, Allah looked back weakly.

"You are dead. The War is won."

Crennunos turned and walked away. A mumbled curse came following him.

He turned, watching Allach raise his turbanedhead defiantly.

"What was that?"

Marble floor shattered as Crennunos's anger grew.

"I'm not." Allah replied.

"Not what?"

"Dead. I live, i will fight." A sword was drawn, a curved Arab blade, In Allah's hands it was the sharpest weapon in existance.

Cthconic hissed in Crennunos's left hand, his torc burned in the other, he gonned the torc around his neck, freeing the hand.

The serpant was thrown across the room at Allah it's tiny horn cutting the other god's arm feircely. The snake curled around him. Allah shook the snake free, lifting his sword.

A stag leapt up, slamming hoofs into the Arab Deity. The sword was true, as Allah fell. The head of the stag fell next to the god.

Allah rose quickly, pushing the stag carcass aside and raising his sword at Crennunos. The sword sliced his long beard, the Celtic god barely avoiding the blow. The next slice was down, cutting into Crennunos's leg, slicing his pants open.

A punch landed under the turban, a crack told of a brken nose, Allah wheeled back, pained.

A kick landed in the Arab's solar plexus. His air escaped. Crennunos staggered, his leg bled feicely.

The world started to darken, Crennunos started to falter as Allah loomed towards him sword slowly raised. Crennunos was on his kees now. his head lowered, he pushed his horns feircely into Allah, who faltered back as the God of the Hunt toppled.

That was when Cthconic chose to reappear, the horned serpant slithered up Allah's leg. As the sword rose tyo the sky fangs dipped into the god's flesh.

Allah couldn't even survive all the way to Crennunos. The serpant tended to it's master's wounds as it prepared to carry him home.

Taif had once been a tiny city, a shadow when compared to the great metropolises of Medinia or Mecca, where turbaned kings had built lavish palaces and ruled and Empire.

But it remained, it alone was the final city left to the Caliph, his final refuge from the god's of the unfaithful.

Wild Beasts had been at the walls for weeks, an effective seige, Allah would never have allowed this.... but where was Allah now? Abu had once been visited daily, now the one true deity was absent at all times. Rituals were still performed, with a hurried, last ditch feel since Allah had disappeared. Torches burned in the distance, a protest against the Arabian night. Archers had built their final resting places atop the walls of the town. The Caliph stood among them. Shaking their hands, shedding tears with them as armies clad in green prepared to end the war.

Peace through conquest....

-

Cerrenuos rode in front of the army, the sword's wound had yet to heal, though it had been nursed by myriad animals and even a human doctor Brennus had sworn trust for.

His Stag carried him onward, where he couldn't walk on his own. It was strrong like the animals he had sent before them to make seige on Taif.

Cerrenuos turned to Brennus, smiling, "Look at this, a city brought to it's knees. By Badgers!" the god's cackling laughter did not infect Brennus.

"Badgers?" when the god nodded Brennus shook his head," We don't need no stinkin badgers. We have an army here."

Cerrenuos shook his head in disbeleif. "I have brought them to their knees, I have killed their god. Soon a race will perish before us, have a sense of humor here."

An evil laugh came up suddenly, loud and feirce it cut itself short as soon as it had begun. The sneer remained on Brennus's face after the laugh had dissipated.

"We are not here for pleasure, or for humor. We are here to kill a Caliph."

-

Arrows began the conflict. Armored horsemen charged the city walls harried by the projectiles and seige towers were placed forward through the rain. Great Catapaults were the Celts only reply to the men atop the tower, though longbowmen made a pitiful attempt to return the gifts. When the towers and ladders had reached the wall the battle grew feircer. Archers had little reply for Knights, with their gleaming, bloodthirsty swords. They held a line. The knights were pushed back slowly, but were repulsed.

Cheering took command of the armies, even as the true force erupted from the rear.

The Army was assembled of a motley crew of Gallic swordsmen and Knights, but the weary archers could not differentiate between the shirtless sword bearers and the armored men. Brennus had donned his trousers and lost his shirt, preparing to take up lines in his brigade. The gate cracked as Cerrenuos and his assorted wildlife made a charge, it would crack before long.

The wise Arabs would surrender first.

interesting.... you'll get in trubble for killing allah though.

"I won't do it!"

Brennus shook his head dissapointed, watching the floor.

"Why, you must."

Sunshine cascaded onto the silk carpet, glittering in mad ricochets onto Brennus's mahogany desk. Brennus stood, his coat of mail catching the sunshine and playing it back at the general. Brennus's face was calm, frozen in a frown.

"Close the curtains." Brennus's children were playing joyfully outside. He didn't want them to see this.

As the light receded to the other side of the crimson sheet. Brennus ran his hands idly across the smooth stone of his palace.

"I don't like being disagreed with, do you understand that?"

The Military advisor nodded his head solemnly, he wished to save his final breaths.

"You will leave this room. You wil go to the Indian Embassy down the street, you will grant them a declaration of war."

"No. We need to reconfigure the troops, besides, we have an Empire as it is. We don't need to move further."

Brennus's eyes flared, his face tensed and his teeth were bared against the other man.

"You will."

The head slowly moved back and forth again.

The sword was drawn, placed by the advisor's neck, deadly close.

"No." the advisor said defiantly, lifting his head to take the blow easily.

Even as the head rolled across the silken floor brennus had the body pulled across the room, well hidden. He opened the curtains and waved to the children, who smiled eagerly back.

-

"You mean we aren't done?"

"No, Cerrnuos won't stop the conquest, we must exceed him."

Ghandi dropped his shoulders, giving up.

"The Romans?" he asked expectantly.

Shiva smiled," the Romans will do just fine."

Ghandi despised the Romans, long had they been a thorn in the side of Indians, long refusing to supply much needed Iron.

"We shall see how the Knights stand against War Elephanteers."

Ghandi was grinning now, elated.

"We will have Pikemen defending the cities soon."

Shiva shook his head, laughing.

"In three turns you won't need Pikemen..." the voice trailed off.

As the darkness came over the chapter Ghandi's voice floated, confused.

"Turns? What are Turns?"

whow, look at all that feedback....

It's alright, i hate you too.

If this story weren't forum specific I would quit posting my stories here and now, I don't have any screenshots and have no hope of pleasing you guys, I'm sorry that I must continue writing here, but you guys seem exemplary at ignoring me.....

sorry skilord i dont think its that they r iggyin u i fink its just that they r used to great stories from u...that they dont feel then need to say anything.
But i fink its kewl. very original i like readin ur stories...

thnx lmsw...

thnx lmsw.

Can't write this afternoon, don't know why.

No chapter because it wasn't good enough for me to post and i deleted it.

Empty ships sat at bay besides the rocky Indian shore. Galleons, their sails furled and their oars pulled in watched the knights scout the ground.

Smoke went to the sky, burning a crimson scar onto the blue features. All clear.

Pikemen, Knights, even a few Gallic Swordsmen and Medieval Infantry filled the shore, an ominous cloud set to ruin the Indian nation.

"All is prepared sir."

Brennus turned to the runner who had informed him, a eager, vaugely stupid look greeted his attentions, the long hooked nose bobbing up and down.

"Tell them not to set tents. We march tonight."

A shocked look clouded the runner's face, he looked down pondering to intercede with unrequited advice, he looked up from the rocky soil to see Brennus, his head held proud, looking back at him scornfully.

His hand shot up to calm his king," It shall be done, It shall be done."

"Good, I like to hear that."

-

"Sir, the Celts are reported through the county. They are overrunning livestock, burning crops."

The governor looked up, bored.

"Why do I give a damn?"

The messenger, a tall, wirey fellow, sank his frown even deeper, pondering how to respond.

"It's.... Well.... I suppose it's your job, sir."

"Is it now? Shall we tell Gahndi?"

"Why, I suppose so sir."

The governor had risen from his seat to pace uneased.

"Why? What has Gahndi ever given us?"

The messenger's hand slapped the table, he looked up enraged.

"Gahndi has granted us everything. He planned the government, he had the roof over your head built. He commanded the building of every project that this county has ever undertaken."

"So? Anyone could do that, we stand to be free from Gahndi, I for one, would rather live under Brennus, and I was elected to represent the peoples will."

Frustrated the messenger shot him one last glance.

"I shall tell Gahndi."

With that he stormed from the Governor's Mansion and out to the muddy field where his horse sat.

The Bow was drawn, tight, the other man paced steadily, determined, on the other side of the pointed arrow.

Long after the conversation had come to close, swiftly before the messenger met his death the governor replied.

"No, you won't."

-

The pig boy found the body. The Governor had ordered that it be left for thieves like him to loot and bury.

He looked around, he had gotten here first.

The pockets held little gold, a dissapointment. The horse whose tracks adorned the field had long been cut free to run. The leather vest fit looseley, but better than most of what the boy wore.

Mud caked his face, his pitch black hair, the bloodied vest of the messenger was a step up in the world, dreadful as the wound to it may seem it could be patched.

He looked into the lifeless eyes once more. Why had this poor fool had to die? What had brought forth his doom, what fate had sung his funeral dirge?

A determined look remained, even as the body became stiff beneath the shade of a weeping willow near the pond where the horse had apparently chosen to lap it's final water as a servant, and where the pig boy had elected to take his weekly bath.

A crumpled bit of paper hid in the final pocket, the pig boy, who had taught himself to read through the signs often left on the walls, with public announcements and warnings, illiteracy had often been the death knoll of his forebears, when they couldn't head the warnings, pulled it from the fold, to examine it.

"What do you have there boy?"

The paper was quickly shoved into his pocket. He loked up to see the torment of his childhood. The other voy was a largem fat oaf, who couldn't read and didn't much care to. Every time a warning went up prayers were sent to Shiva that it would be the one to end this plump beast of torture.

There was not much point in facing him. The pig boy turned and ran. He didn't know where he was going, but he felt destiney sweeping his wings.

-

"We havent met resistance yet, why?"

Cerrenuos looked mockingly at his impatient partner.

"All in good time. The Indians are busily at war with Rome, and besides, we have the blessing of the Governor."

"Traitorous bastard." Brennus spat loudly.

"Yes," the God purred," But our traitorous bastard."

"These Indians have no pride, no honor, It is disgusting that we dignify them with a war."

"I understand, they are a weak people. They ought to be slaughtered before the Celtic war machine, but Shiva is strong, he earns the right to be a worry."

"Yes, he did manage to kill Susano, didn't he."

"I told you, so it happened."

"Does he battle with Mars?"

"Even as we speak. But he fights as the Merciful One, not the destroyer, he fights for his life, not victory."

"You will defeat both?"

An evil grin sread throuogh the god's scarred face, lifting his beard.

"Indeed."

-

Ali walked the moonlit path. Dehli was a long ways away, and he had read the note, he had to get there.

He didn 't know what drove him, older, wiser heads should take care of this type of thing, he was old enough to know this. He wasn't too old to have forgotten the sense of adventure though.

The piece seemed to him mystical, a scrap of paper with information that his King needed. he imagined being at one of Gahndi's legendary parties, introduced by the king himself to the loveley ladies that found their way to Gahndi's marble palace. He imagined a pile of honeyed sweets, all laid out for him. He had to make it to the Palace at Dehli.

Torches filled the fields to his south, he could see their distant flames even from here. they were confirmation of his message. Somehow he knew that the King didn't know this yet, even with all the rucus. He had to make it to Gahndi.

Had to.

-

The Battle had shifted, and Cerrenuos was surprised.

Neither god saw him watch, Samaharamuti, who had recently manifested, was far to eager to press his victory, and Mars had lately become very distracted, his Gladius was ifn full use, and he barely kept his skin intact.

A push landed against the hairy god of Rome, he was knocked off balance and to the floor.

Shiva's sword was lifted into the air,a final deadly blow...

The Stag quickly leapt up from her spot at Cerrenuos's side, bounded to the Indian god to kick him in the chest.

Samaharamuti rose up from the fall, he had damn near won, he shot a frustrated, angry look at the Celtic God.

Cerrenuos laughed, lifting his head to the sky to drink it's dark pleasure.

-

"This is for Mr. Gahndi."

A grin cracked the beurocrat's face. She leaned down to Ali, mocking him.

"Is it super important?" her tone was giggly, demeaning. A younger child would have ignored it and left her the paper to crumple.

Ali had learned already, and wasn't about to let his nation fall to the beurocrats.

He hit her. A solid punch, which shocked her more than anything, he grabbed the paper and ran past her office to the room past, the Military Advisor's office.

He wasted no time on words, letting his desperate appearance speak for itself this time, the general looked up from the letter he was writing at the little boy, hand extended with a lost piece of information.

He read it steadily, and looked up, smiling grimly at the young man.

"Get him cleaned up." he guestured to his idle secretary, who , having recovered had sought out the child and seemed enraged at so demeaning a task. She let out a hiss of rage, fantisising about strangling the child.

"He, is going to meet his king." The general finished, crushing her fantasies and ressurecting the boy's.

"Really?" he sounded awed, a bad tone for him to take around adults and he knew it, shame swept over him as he spoke.

An understanding smile swept over the Advisor's face.

"Yes, you will."

[Author's Note]

I cannot believe that i am merely taken for granted, uk never is, even here, they hardly take me for granted at 'poly. Thank you for your encouragement lmsw, but i fear that soon you will only be able to read my stores at Apolyton.[/Autor's Note]

Don't leave us ski.... I'm sure plenty of people read this, they just don't respond... because... their scared?

Of what i dunno, maybe the mob pressures them not to, but i still read here.

Pleeze stay with us.

btw: the 'uk never is' thing sounds pretty lame. I know he gets more feedback, but the Mob doesn't put pressure ther, apples and oranges m,y friend.....

thnx admiral, nice to have a coupla people reading and responding.....

Nice story.. i wan`t more!

Thnx Sroneman.