Home of New Beginnings and New Challenges

[Retane]

The Emerald Warrior reached the main to Jade Reckoning. It was a rather large, healthy looking green tree, as tall as any around it, with crimson red leaves. It had a knot on it that jutted out slightly. It was big enough for a palm to be placed on and the namekian did just that. Almost instantly the tree opened up revealing a passageway that lead beneath ground. The namek took a long heavy breath as looked down into the darkness. It had taken him so long to reach the place, with the constant distractions, but now it was time for him to take his first steps into his home.

He took his first step, followed by a second and third, slowly descending the stairway as he went. As he passed through the opening, the door had slid closed behind him and fluorescent jade and white lights turned on. at his sides, lighting the path all the way down. The Horsemen continued all the way down till it opened up into the main foyer. Nearby, Jack slept comfortably on what seemed to be a couch. He seemed exhausted and was actually snoring.

Up to that point, the namekian had ignored his wounds knowing he was badly injured. He too needed rest and heal his body up. Arith and Inirtias had appeared in the midst of his fight, unsummoned by him. It was something he wanted to do alone. It was why he had sent Jack Frost ahead. The Emerald Warrior had heard word that the Empire mightbe coming for his allies and thought that the foe he had fought was sent from the Empire in search of his two human comrades that had joined the namek when he had first visited Corsucant.

The rogue namek wasn't sure who his rival was, other then his name and what he had seen, but he did know he was demonic. The warrior couldn't put his finger on it, and it would take some time to figure it all out.

For now though thinking to much was getting him dizzy. Alaina, Airyonna, and two other ninja had found him soon after and Alaina had healed him as much as she could. The konouchi wanted to take him back to their village for proper treatment. Retane turned it down and started on his way, dismissing both Lythians back to the shadow mist, not wanting to be pestered by anyone else for a while. He was getting tired of detours and had wanted to see his new home for far to long.

And here he was.

After a few heavy breaths and steadying himself from a dizzy spell, he looked forward. Across the way were two big double doors. That would be Retane's next destination. He walked on, his footsteps much heavier then they usually were. The namek even realized this an but there was nothing he could do. His body was beyond fatigue, but he still kept going. He had business to take of and would not rest until everything was done. The Leader of the Horsemen was set on what he had to do.

"Wake up Jack", The warrior called to the Guardian in his usual dark voice as he passed by.

The sawing of logs stopped as the ice wielder nearly jumped off the couch with Savior in hand. "What? Huh? How long was I sleeping? You're back? How did it go?"

The namekian warrior paused for a moment to look back at his close comrade. The Guardian of the Horsemen wiped away the sleep from his eyes and looked to Retane, almost intrigued with thecoming details. The Emerald Warrior looked away, concentrating on the large sliding doors, "I didn't win..." The namekian paused and took a breath, " And Arith and Inirtias intervened."

"You should have let me stay and help. You don't have to be a lone wolf like you think you do," Frost spoke as he stepped towards the green warrior.

Retane started walking towards his destination but answered Jack Frost's declaration, "You'll learn soon enough, that sometimes a person must test their mettle and strength. Sometimes you have to do that by yourself. It seems I have not gotten as strong as I thought I have."

The Reaper and the Guardian stepped through the doors as they slid open and closed as they both passed through. The Emerald Warrior looked at the screen ahead of him. It was black with the image of a namekian in a more feminine form then his knowledge could remember. Sverit and Gulish snapped their attention towards the doors opening and closing turning in their hovering swivel chairs. "Retane", both exclaimed as they hopped to their feet.

The Emerald Warrior nodded for a moment and looked to the main monitor, "What is this?"

As he spoke he finally summoned Arith and Inirtias, who began as a the shadow mist but quickly came to form. Everyone looked at the screen and the female namek looked back at them. "That is Jade." It was Sverit spoke. "She is yours. It took me a while, but I found some of the coding, and after translating the name, I gave her a face and a voice. She can do with some upgrades, but the contract is signed by you so you are the only prime that can upgrade her. I hope you don't mind."

The namekian looked at Sverit for a moment and was going to speak before Gulish spoke up, "Jade is lined up from you by genetics some how something to do with the laws of omnilium. You have master controls of everything. The only way we got in , as we understand it, is because you are the one that let us in. This intelligence can even communicate to you telepathically, if you desired. You are it's first priority."

"Jade, is all this true?" The namekian wasn't sure that a computer could speak to him through mental thoughts, but as skeptical as he was, he decided to give it a try.

It is true. I was birthed from your agreement and contracted to assist you. I serve you and will serve you as best I can. I will allow anyone you give permission inside me. I have defensive measures as well, to help keep intruders out."

The Emerald Warrior wasn't sure if it was all possible still, but here it was, unfolding in front of him. He looked from Jade to the others around him trying to take it all in. He still had an agenda to do and his body was still on the verge of collapsing. Without another thought, he summoned Arith and Inirtias. The two quickly stepped from the mist, first glancing at the renegade namek, then looking around, taking their first look of Jade Reckoning. It wa Arith that paused on the feminine profile of a namekian and leaned towards Retane and whispered, "Man, you should have told me your mother was hot as hell for a gremlin."

The namekian glanced at the Dragon Warrior and paused thinking to say something as a retort, but changed his mind, not diverting himself from what was on his mind, "Welcome to, Jade Reckoning, the home of the Horsemen."

Retane took the time to look at each person standing there, even the computerized Jade for a moment, "Welcome to the Horsemen. Just in case anyone is confused as to who we are or how we work. It is our job to grow. It is our job to defend what we believe in and back our brethren up if need be. Respect one another, and grow stronger. We'll be entering the mercenary business, shaping the world into our own image, grabbing a dominate stronghold on the omniverse and letting them know that we have come and we are here. " Retane paused to let it sink in

"We may have personal goals, but combined we shall be a formidable force. Good, bad, they will not exist here. We are THe Horsemen. With out Good, there can be no Evil. Without Evil there can be no Good. Call us the balance in the midst of the Chaos, if you will. You all will play an intricate part in making this happen. Our immortals may wind up being the front runners of displaying our dominance, but it will be the mortals that will assist and help us make our goals true. Trust in me and I will see you safe."

The namekian looked to Sverit and Gulish, "From now on you are no longer who you were, from this moment forward, you are Sasha and Grix. I'll expect you two to be heading up with everything around here."

The two nodded their agreement and the namekian offered a grin as he looked at everyone, nearly ready to succumb to fatigue, "It's good to be home."

Retane fell forward into darkness.