Chronicles of Absolution: Blindsided

Chapter 1

Ancient Greece

The night was young and the moon danced on the waved in the harbor. It was a clear night and for the man standing on the balcony of his residence, he was anything but sure that this was a good idea but it needed to be done. The Eye was no longer safe in his hands since there were unknown forces that sought to use its power for evil. He had been warned when he took responsibility of the Eye that he was ultimately responsible for getting it into the hands of the one who could bring peace to the world.

The trip to Egypt had been one of an invitation issued. Others would have taken the opportunity to conduct espionage. To the man it was one of forging friendships and that was due to the experiences he had on one adventure that changed his view of the world. In Egypt, the pharaoh greeted him and conducted him as the guest of honor. However it was a priestess from the temple of one of their gods that had shown him the Eye.

Why he had been chosen to see it when only the priestess and a few acolytes were allowed to, it was beyond him. She said that it had been foreseen that the one who traveled not only the seas of the known world but those of time would come to Egypt. He alone would be able to protect the Eye and see it to its true guardian.

It was way over the top but after what he had been through and the things he had seen, he had no trouble believing it. It was quite a shock that he had been asked to take the Eye out of Egypt and back to his native land. He asked the priestess why and she said that it was no longer safe in the lands of the great one. The ones under the banner of the dark one were growing stronger and it was only a matter of time before the Eye fell into the wrong hands.

It took a lot of persuasion on her part to get him to take the Eye and sail back to Greece. He had the Eye in his possession for nearly a decade. Every day he kept an ear to the winds for any sign of the ones the priestess told him to be wary of. His spies were chosen from amongst the most trustworthy according to the warrior priest sent with him by the priestess. They gave him the tools needed to decide whether or not to move the Eye as the reports came it. It was a lot of responsibility and one that took its toll on his family. They didn't complain but he could see that they would become fearful every time Aten would come in with news.

Now the Eye was no longer safe. Aten had brought word that the enemy had come to Greece. While they were not anywhere near his province, it was not worth it to take the potential threat lightly. Aten had prepared the order that served but that was hardly a handful of men against what he had been told were powerful beings. He had no trouble believing that since he had seen fairly capable beings. So now the Eye had to be moved. The plan he had hopefully would keep the Eye safe until it was time.

"Father, Aten says the preparations are completed."

It was something like the days of the Golden Fleece given that the danger level was similar. By Hades he had seen and been through some of that. He was as the priestess said; he was the one who had traveled the seas of the known world and the seas through time. How that happened only the gods knew but it took a being called an archangel to send him back.

Jason looked out over the port city that had been home for years and turned to his youngest son. He smiled at him. He regretted that his family had to be a part of it especially his youngest. Aten had seen promise in the boy and trained him, saying that he would know how to keep the Eye safe and so on down his line. Jason had long ago learned to trust Aten's judgment on certain things. He had been told that it was a heavy burden but the guardian of the Eye would be the one to relieve him of it.

It was time. Jason gave a slight sigh and replied, "Iloren, I know that you have been training under Aten for this but it still bears a heavy toll…"

Iloren looked at his father. He had heard the stories of the warrior princess that used the power of words before raising the sword. He heard of how she saved his father from the evil beings with black eyes with a sword that pulsed with life and a cry that spoke of banshees. He remembered the look his father would get; a look of admiration that spoke of shared history and friendship. Iloren didn't doubt that his father loved his mother. He could understand that his father's relationship with the warrior princess was a thing between warriors. He replied, "I know Father. It has been difficult to understand but I think I have a great honor in defending the Eye and making sure that it gets to the right person."

Jason nodded. It was hard but his youngest had grown into a man. "I know the Eye is in good hands my son. I just hate to leave this burden on your head and your family to be. Such things have been known to destroy families. She knew that too."

"And I think the warrior princess would say that we all have to take the leap. Something about only then we learn if we can fly or not," Iloren replied with a smile on his face. He was afraid but he considered it an honor. His only wish was that he would be able to meet the great warrior princess that taught his father much of the world.

Jason chuckled. He remembered that lesson pretty well. It was after he met her and he opened up about his family and his children that she told him that after he berated her for letting her partner jump without looking as the phrase went. "She would say that Iloren."

Without further ceremony, Jason walked through the room to where the door had been built and carefully concealed. True it could remain there for a much longer time but as Aten would ask him, why take the risk? He knew Iloren was following him as he led the way to a chamber that he hadn't set foot in since the day he put the Eye there.

It had been designed in the Egyptian style as per tradition. However, having picked up some things along the way, Jason added a few more touches and he learned them from the warrior princess he was proud to call his friend. When he had returned, most of his old comrades and the Argonauts didn't quite believe him when he said he had been to a place that they would never see in a lifetime. One of his friends though grew thoughtful when he described her and called her the warrior princess. He tried to inquire about it but his friend was the kind to not talk about things like that. He was what one called an emo bitch. He picked that up from one of her companions.

Slowly he crossed the floor to where the Eye rested. He put his hand on the simple but elegant wooden box and stroked the surface. Gently he lifted it and held it in his hands. It was only one piece but he knew that eventually all three would be together again. Right now he had to make sure the Eye was safe. He handed it over to Iloren saying, "The time has come for the Eye to move. I am entrusting you Iloren to keep it safe. It is a duty to be passed through your bloodlines."

Iloren accepted the chest replying, "I Iloren, son of Jason accept this duty with a full knowledge of what a burden entails."

Jason nodded as he replied, "Keep it safe Iloren."

"I will see to it that it finds its way into the hands of the guardian who will bring peace to the world." Iloren knew, at least he thought he knew who the guardian would be. It could have been a happy coincidence but one didn't simply doubt the oracles when they were given.

Jason put his hands on his son's forearm. It had been a blessing that his youngest had been spared from Medea's wrath. He didn't blame her for the mistake he had done. Now his son was being used by forces and gods he couldn't hope to understand to carry this out. Perhaps there was such a thing as fate and destiny. He saw Aten appear.

The stoic warrior dressed a strange mixture of Egyptian and Grecian clothing but Jason always suspected that he was more comfortable in his Egyptian attire. He was tall and muscular, the trademarks of a warrior who trained hard. His skin was darkened brown and he never could lay off of the formal stiffness he came to them with. He was trustworthy and proved it time and time again. He said, "It is time."

Jason nodded, "Then I leave Iloren in your hands Aten. Look after him."

Aten gave the customary warrior salute with the fist over the chest. "I shall carry out my duty with honor."

Iloren couldn't help but chuckle. Even when he discovered the warrior had a sense of humor, he was still stiff about it. He wondered if that was the case with all dedicated warriors like him. He said, "What is the will of the gods will be done Father."

"Safe journey my son."

Jason watched as his son disappeared into the crowd. He knew he would never see him again but he was confident that Aten would watch over him. Old friend, I wonder what you are doing now in your time.

Denver International Airport, 2008

The United States was an interesting place to be in. There were a lot of stories from people who immigrated there and talking about the land of opportunity and being able to be rich. He also heard that there were cities where the people mugged others for things they didn't have. It was same back thing back home.

Kyros adjusted the backpack on his shoulder as he followed the crowd through the gate and into the terminal. He didn't know exactly where he was going but he was smart enough to read and follow the signs and go with the flow. He just had to be diligent. It was a lesson that had been instilled in him since the day he could walk and talk. Plus it was a means to survive when you are pretty much a drifter.

The voices over the intercom indicating flights and calling for personnel added to the cacophony of the airport. He tuned it out though and paid attention to his surroundings. He was supposed to be greeted by Amunet, his new guardian. New in that he was moving here permanently just as the rest of his family had been scattered across the world. It was as it had been since the beginning.

Kyros followed the crowd to where baggage claim and departures for cabs and buses were. That was typical and the standard look for an airport terminal. Gods knew he had been through quite a few of them and some were nothing more than warehouses with a sign that said airport. As he came down the escalator, he noticed the line of drivers with signs and they had names written on them for their people. For once Kyros wished that Amunet would do something like that. However he knew that part of his test or whatever was to find the person himself even though he had never met her before.

There was a way to recognize the friend and the enemy. It all came down to what he had been trained to look for. He ignored the fact that he could spot a few shifters wandering around trying to get to their next destination. They would meet their end soon enough at the hand of a hunter if they weren't careful. He looked around for signs that might indicate the presence of his guardian. He then spotted something and he gave a slow smile and immediately sidestepped into another crowd.

Amunet was staring at the arrival gate and waiting in baggage claim. She had been charged with protecting the Keeper and escorting him to see the true guardian. As a descendant of the warrior that accompanied the Grecian king, it was her duty to protect the Keeper and see the Eye to its protector. It was the duty of her family for over three thousand years just as it was the duty of the descendants of the Grecian king.

She had been chosen to greet the current Keeper since it had been verified that the protector of the Eye was residing in the United States. She had been born here and trained in her duties at the Skye Temple located in a secret location in this country. She was proficient in the old ways of combat and the ways of war and hunting the very forces that sought the Eye. She also was familiar with the expressions of the world today but that didn't mean that she was the expert in blending in. As it were, she could have passed for a plain clothes officer or government agent standing stiff as a poker.

That certainly made her easy to pick out especially when her charge came up from behind and said, "You look like you belong on a government detail rather than my 'aunt' picking me up from the airport." It had been given in good humor but the look that her charge had gave her the impression that he was a prankster by nature.

Amunent looked at Kyros with a bland expression that betrayed no emotion. "Then again I could one of the very dark forces that seek you."

Kyros rolled his eyes slightly. He had been trained in hunting and shown how to tell if someone was possessed. He replied, "Christo"

There was no reaction and Amunet had to admit that it was bold of the Keeper to walk right up and say the words. She studied the amused expression that he wore and came to the conclusion that in order to hide he hid behind humor but she noticed that his eyes were ever alert. "I see you have trained in identification but what about your fighting skills?"

"I don't believe in fighting," Kyros replied automatically. That didn't mean that he didn't know how. Part of it was his training under a Buddhist monk who was proficient in martial arts and knew a thing or two about hunting. That was the thing about his family; they moved around a lot.

Amunet thought he was kidding but the serious expression he was giving told her otherwise. Great, so she was dealing with a kid who knew how to do research but didn't know how to fight. That was just rich. She was babysitting a nerd. "Fine. Any baggage?"

Kyros grinned a little. He knew exactly what his guardian was thinking. Well this was going to be a little fun. He replied, "Only what I got with me." He shrugged his shoulder that hat the strap of his backpack over it. He ran a hand through his black curls and stared at his guardian. It was then he noticed something behind Amunet but it was a brief moment. It was enough though to send a warning down his spine but he wasn't sure if his new guardian picked it up yet. It was a relationship building thing. "So we going?"

Amunet nodded. She beckoned Kyros to follow. She led the way out to the car and beckoned him to get in. She couldn't believe it. It was her first assignment and she was given a Keeper who was a nerd and probably couldn't throw a punch to save his life. She didn't say much as she popped the key into the ignition and turned on the car and turned out of the park.

Kyros was well aware that his guardian was not impressed. He got the feeling she was hoping for someone who probably was one of those muscle head jocks he used to go to school with. He was actually fit. He just looked wiry with his choice of clothes. He was wearing a long sleeve hoodie and over that was a t-shirt. He had jeans and sneakers on and he was carrying a backpack that had seen better days. In it though was his life and that included a change of clothes, his laptop and what he was supposed to bring to the guardian. He also had a cell phone and an iPod tucked in there along with a couple of books and they weren't recreational either along with a little something extra that hadn't been easy to get past security. He had black hair and dark brown eyes and he wore an amulet that was peculiar but he never took it off. He liked her though and figured that she was roughly his age. He turned on the radio and flipped it to the station and grinned when Back in Black started playing. "Oh yeah. Now that's a classic."

Amunet just continued to drive. The place they were supposed to head to was a place called Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She set the GPS to give her directions and rolled her eyes at the music playing on the radio. She preferred cultural music like that of Africa. The drums always got her blood moving. This sounded more like cats screeching. "Classic crap."

Kyros had been looking out the window at the side mirror. That feeling he had hadn't dissipated and he had been watching their backs ever since they got to the car. He had been hoping that Amunet had been paying attention.

"You know how to shoot?"

Kyros glanced at Amunet and noticed that she was glancing in the mirror. So she did notice. He liked her even better. He decided to tease her a little bit, "I don't believe in guns."

"You've got to be shitting me," Amunet replied losing her temper.

"But I can shoot a bow and I can shoot a gun."

Amunet glared at Kyros who was giving her a grin. "This isn't funny. We have a tail."

Kyros was still grinning as he opened his backpack. He checked to make sure he had everything. "I know. I made the guy at the airport. It's one of them."

"Shit. I was hoping that we'd be out of the state before they figured out you were here." Amunet glanced in the mirror as she increased her speed on the highway. They were not even out of the city yet. She took an exit and noticed that the tail followed.

"They probably have the same sources as we do. Times have changed," Kyros said as she checked the mirror again. He made sure that everything was secure. "I was chased on the way to the airport back where I'm from."

"Your last guardian?"

"Led them away. Don't know what happened to him but your kind always seem to land on your feet," Kyros replied as he finished his work. He held up the blade that he put together. It was an ancient weapon that he had been trained in. "Me, the best thing I learned was to run away."

Amunet looked at Kyros and the small hand blade he was holding in his hand. She reached in the glove compartment and pulled out a 9mm and held it out to him. "I don't care if you don't like them. Just take it."

Kyros took it and checked the load with an expert hand. He put it in his bag. He knew the drill and if Amunet knew it too, then he was going to have to bail sometime soon. He had money and he had the cards too. "Thanks for the lead princess."

"Ass hat," Amunet replied as she started towards the downtown section. It was the busiest place and perfect for the Keeper to get lost in. "So you know the drill then. Get lost and make your way to the target."

"Yeah and leave you behind to do all the dirty work," Kyros muttered. He heard it all before. He hated leaving the guardians behind. That was the job though. They protected his family and with their lives. That just never sat right with him and neither did it with his mom and dad. It was sheer coincidence that they were both related to their ancestor but so far down the family tree that it didn't matter unless you had a perverted mind.

"It's the job," Amunet replied as she made a turn. She was still being followed. That was just perfect. She didn't have time to saw anything more when they were hit on the side. There was the crunch of glass breaking and she jerked the wheel to the side.

Kyros was startled and looked around. He saw that they had been hit by a second car. They must have gotten smarter in their tactics. How in the heck did they know it was him anyway? He had cousins and a sister but she hadn't been struck with the curse. She died when she was five and in his opinion, free of the burden of this. "Damn. How the hell?"

"No time for questions," Amunet replied and hit the gas. She was speeding in traffic but she was very good at it and they were lucky. "Get ready."

"Hell no sister."

"Hey. We have a job to do." Amunet glanced over at Kyros and noticed that his eyes were blazing with anger. He was pissed at this plan. "Look it's the drill. We have to get the Eye to the protector. You are the only one who knows how to work it and will know the warrior princess."

"And what do you want me to do? Hitchhike my way out of here?" Kyros was being an ass and could afford to be.

Before Amunet could answer, they were hit again but in a pit maneuver. The car spun around and she tried to go with it to get out of the skid. She had practiced in different scenarios so she knew how to do it but it was way different when it was done for real. She gritted her teeth as she turned the wheel with the skid.

It didn't help that they were hit again. This time though, it flipped the car and sent it rolling. At the speeds they were going it was enough to jar them up pretty good. They rolled quite a bit and hit the side of a building hard.

Kyros felt like he did a face plant when he had been tripped in school. He looked around and found himself suspended upside down. He looked over to see Amunet groaning. He saw the two cars from earlier come up. He looked at Amunet and said, "Hey, you okay?"

"Get out."

Kyros rolled his eyes. He reached up awkwardly and undid his seatbelt. He could hear sirens. That meant EMTs and cops. Great. He fell down and was able to slide his way out. He reached in to grab his backpack when he heard, "Stop right there." He turned to see one of them pointing a gun at him. Great, they wanted to shoot him?

Kyros looked and saw that there were people being nosy. Witnesses; that was just perfect since they would believe anything they were told. He held his hands up and said, "Hey, you guys hit me. What do you want?"

"You know what we want. We want the Eye."

"Not going to happen." It was followed by gunshots.

Kyros looked to see that Amunet had gotten herself freed. He looked wide eyed at her and surprised that she was okay, given the cut on her forehead. He was in the line of fire but he took the opportunity to dodge out of the way. He got behind the overturned car and reached into his backpack. He looked at Amunet.

There wasn't time to say anything else. There were sirens and cops coming. Amunet still pointed her gun at the guys. They were shooting back now and Kyros had ducked. Amunet said, "Run. You know what to do."

Kyros looked at her and then glanced at the approaching cops. Yeah he knew the plan but he as still reluctant, "I can't just…"

"Go!"

Kyros obeyed the training that kicked into gear. He took off running while Amunet gave cover. He ran ahead knowing that she would cover him. He turned down the streets and when he was certain he was a fair distance away, he pulled up his hood and disappeared into the crowd. He doubled back just in time to see Amunet being arrested by the police and it wasn't the police of this town. They were in serious trouble. He stepped back into the crowd and disappeared. He had to get to Sioux Falls and this time he was on his own.

A/N: We go back to memory lane in 2.15 to Jason from his own time and a secret he has been entrusted with and the trouble begins. Stay tuned for more on Blindsided...