The End of a Beginning: The Beginning of an End

[Retane]

A flash of light appeared in his eyes. It burned and blinded him. He felt as if his head was going to explode. What was this feeling? This Rage? This power?

Tapion had just been shot. It was an all out war. Two groups of strangers had met in a small clearing, both sides trying to kill the other. Tapion and himself had sided with one group. It was all out chaos.

Now Tapion's life hung in the balance and Retane was being held up by another.

But this power? What was it? He felt the rush of energy explode within him. It was the fabled ascension of strength that Namekians' could achieve after a long hard road of training ones body and mind.

Retane hadn't followed the path of his kinfolk, but here he was. The Mythic power of the 'Super Namek' was flowing through his body.

He would Save Tapion!

Tapion...

The two eyed each other as they waved Raspberry over to them. Well, Tapion waved him over.

Raspberry was a new recruit to the Horsemen. Retane had seen his file. He was a small Crocodilian, a bit skiddish and not really The Horsemen type. He carried a Power Shield and it was a prized piece of equipment.

Retane would soon find out if he was worthy.

As Raspberry approached, Retane moved behind him. It was over before it started as a single cut of the hand had decapitated the Late Horsemen.

This was the Abyss and the weak would fall fast. Raspberry should feel happy that Tapion would wear his Power Shield and his ear would be Retane's first trophy.

Retane found himself on both his knees. His breath was heavy. Sweat and tears dripped into the darkness. Still he fought it.

What was he fighting?

Nothing yet. He was in the barracks with the other contestants. He leaned against the wall near Minoshia's bunk as the Leader of the Horsemen finished checking his pack.

Minoshia was younger and smaller in appearance and age, compared to the red mohekian that was approaching them. But Minoshia seemed stronger and hardened. His soul was dark and heavy.

Though Minoshia had an orange Mohawk, the two were obviously brothers. Tapion seemed softer then his brother, though he could no doubt, hold his own.

"Tapion, I'd like you to meet Retane," Minoshia stated as he approached.

Retane only nodded. Tapion responded with the same gesture.

"So I know you two don't know each other, but I'd like for you to keep an eye out for my brother." Minoshia spoke and it was one of the few times Retane had ever seen Mino show much of any care. " We have a few new recruits that think they can hack it in The Horsemen, and I'd like for you to test their meddle... If you get my drift?"

Tapion nodded with acknowledgement, and Retane almost smirked at the Konat's determined face. Tapion might be an enjoyable partner after all...


Retane stared into the darkness as he struggled with the pain and ache of his head. He found himself in the submissive position. He was Retane though. Why was he like this? Minoshia had a brother? What was going on? He couldn't remember... and the Pain he was feeling in his head... It was indescribable.... Almost like the time he had seen the Sun after being in the Caves of the Mercenary Rock for so long...

He tried to shake his head free of the pain..." Minoshia..."

He remembered when they first met. He had just came back to life... The Arbiter had told him that it was his destiny to join The Horsemen. Fate had brought the two together.... And they had become brethren, if that's what one could call the two..

Arbiter...

Arbiter had been the Arbitrator of Heaven and Hell... a Mystic called Enroshia... But who was Enroshia? He remembered the Arbitrator... He could see him...


The behemoth rose, looking down on Retane. As a long sigh escaped the Arbitrator's lips. "This isn't a memory old friend."

The Namek looked up through the darkness. He could feel his warm fluids flowing down his face and neck. What was going on? Who was this guy? Why was his head killing him? So many questions and he felt so weak."

"Well it is but it isn't. This is where met me and then Minoshia. Can you remember? Probably not." The glowing eyes seemed as if they peered into his soul.

"What will the world be like if Gromp never birthed Retane? If Retane never rebelled against the Namekian lifestyle and was never exiled? If Retane never accepted the darkness? Never met Enroshia? Never met Minoshia? Never entered the Abyss? Never met Tapion? Never faced the Hive? Never spawned Maleficus Nova?"

Retane didn't understand. How did this being know who he was and about him being exiled from Namek? Who was Enroshia? Tapion? Minoshia?The Hive? Maleficus Nova?

He had never spawned anything. He was barely old enough. Or was he?

He felt pain. He felt weak. He felt sadness. Was he actually older?

"The Sands of Time that once were a part of Retane are fading. Almost as if reversing, but not fully. Not even the most powerful could remove all that was of someone so...Malevolent.

Still you wont remember. Your memories are fading. This is our farewell. I know it hurts deep inside,somewhere in the back of your mind. But your to stubborn to admit it. Where ever this limbo takes you... I know they will know that Retane has come.

There was darkness. It comforted him. The Never ending sunlight pained him. He disagreed with the peacefulness of his kin, yet they created a class of warriors that were built for battle. How did they expect them to get stronger if they didn't give it their all?

His counterpart should have blocked. It wasn't his fault that their spars had gotten more and more out of control.

They had called Retane a black mark. He was too rebellious. Keeping him around would only anger his fellow warriors. More blood would be shed. So they had chosen to exile him.

Gromp, his own father, hadn't intervened. They would learn one day. Retane would show them.

It felt darker. The walls around him were closing in. He couldn't remember who he was, or where.

He saw a light. It was a window of sorts. He peared through it. H

His name was Gromp, and he was tired. He had enough energy to sire one more. Before long he would become unable to. This would be his final and youngest. Retane , he would call him.

He had felt the future. Retane was destined for greatness. It wasn't like his previous offspring, who were well off. No, Retane's future was dark and clouded. Perhaps it wasn't wise to reproduce anymore. What if Retane would lead to the destruction of his own kind or worst?

No, he wasn't going to risk it...

"So it has been, now it never was. " The jackal's eyes looked down at the Namek that was once the Emerald Fiend.

Retane seemed smaller, more diminished. His skin slightly pale. His hands clutched at his head as he trembled in the submissive position.