Across the Ages

Prologue

Unknown Laboratory

Alarms blare.

Men in lab coats and fatigues run back and forth.

The men in lab coats check computers and read out. Some typing away quickly on keyboards and document everything. There are a few who hold clipboards that appear to be taking inventory.

Those in fatigues grab fire extinguishers and put out whatever stray fires might be left. Others hurry by and down hallways, guns brandish and looking for further trouble. Shots are fired, picking off those who have stayed behind giving the others a chance to escape.

The laboratory is Illuminati. It was less than half an hour ago that The Dragons and The Templars infiltrated the base and stole two of their top projects. To those within it seems like a lifetime ago. An Illuminati drops a Dragon, a Dragon blows away a Templar, and a Templar takes out an Illuminati. Bullets fly, most finding a mark and bodies quickly begin to build.

Amidst this a woman sits in the corner of the room. She is exposed and vulnerable but no one seems to pay her any attention. Long black hair covers her face and she is wearing a white robe. She begins to rock back and forth and holds her hands to her ears. The rocking grows faster and more noticeable. The groups still pay her no attention. Suddenly the woman's head snaps up. Her hair still covering her face reveals no noticeable features. She stands up and grabs a katana close by. She slowly walks over to those fighting and stands in front of the Illuminati head slightly lowered and faces the Dragons and the Templars. Bullets which should hit her seem to go through her with no damage. The gunfire stops and all three groups look at the woman flabbergasted. She takes a step towards them then slowly another. The two groups look confused though it is clear there are very few of them left. Five Templars and six Dragons, they lift their guns to the slow approaching woman. She stops and lifts the katana to chin level. Next she disappears in the blink of an eye. The two groups steady their weapons and fire. The Illuminati fire back and the gun fight continues for but a moment more before a katana erupts through the throat of a Dragon in the back of the ranks. The two groups look behind them to see the woman kick the man off her katana. She disappears once more and reappears in front of a Templar who is already impaled on the blade. The Templars and The Dragons fire at the girl. She disappears once more and they kill half their remaining numbers before stopping. The Illuminati take out the remaining numbers save for one Dragon. He throws away his gun and holds up his hands. The Illuminati leave their positions and start to converge on him when he turns tail and starts to run. He turns the corner and stops, a second later he falls backwards scooting back scrambling to get away from something. The Illuminati train their guns on him as the dark haired woman comes scraping the katana along the floor creating sparks. The Dragon begins to plead with her but a split second before he can bring any words to his lips she swings the katana and the Dragon's head flies from his shoulders.

The Illuminati train their guns on the woman but she simply sits down placing the katana on her freshly bloodstained robe. One of the men sits down his gun and attempts to take the katana from the one. She raises her head then simply stares at the man. Her eyes are a bright emerald green. Her eyebrows flare and her lip curls on the right corner. The man backs away leaving the woman with the katana and she lowers her head once more.

A scientist comes a long seeing the woman grabbing her by the arm helping her to her feet. She offers no resistance until the scientists reaches for the katana. She snarls at him savagely though the scientist pays no attention.

One of the men in fatigues speaks up, "Sir, I wouldn't do that if I were you."

The scientist whirls on the man, "Well it is a good thing you are not me or things would not get done."

The scientist seizes the sword and pulls, but the woman's grip is firm. She yells loudly then kicks the scientist away from her and swings the katana. The scientist lets loose a vicious howl and lifts his hand. It is minus four fingers and squirting blood. He cups the hand with his free one. Blood oozes between his fingers as the scientists looks on in shock. The woman screams once more then stabs the scientist in the gut. She lifts up disemboweling him on the end of her blade. One of the guard swings his gun at her. She turns with amazing speed slicing the gun in two. She holds the sword to his throat looking to the others. They lower their guns and she likewise lowers her sword.

"Hemlocke!"

The woman shoots a glance to the voice, there is an elderly man there. He has white hair plus a full beard to match, square framed glasses, and sporting a lab coat like the others. He wears the coat open revealing a blue polo shirt beneath. He is also wearing gray slacks and black dress shoes.

"Yes doctor," the woman said.

"Follow me, bring the sword if you feel you must."

The woman looked to the others then slowly turned to follow the doctor.

He leads her to a small room with one window. The desk is large and made of walnut. Papers are scattered and the computer was left on. A screensaver shows fish as if from an aquarium. There are two chairs in front of the desk and one chair behind the desk. The doctor sits down behind the desk as Hemlocke stepped into the room, the katana dragging along behind her though never actually hitting the ground. The doctor motions to an empty chair and she takes it sitting very slowly. He folds his hands setting them on top of the desk.

"Do you know who I am?" he asked.

"Yes, you are Dr. Troy Akan, founder of the Lazarus Project."

"Who are you?"

"I am Hemlocke."

"Why do you feel the need to carry that sword?"

"To protect myself."

"Is that why you killed Dr. Reginald?"

"Dr. Reginald tried to take that which is meant to protect me."

"What makes that katana so special?"

"It is made to destroy those of the dark."

"The danger has passed, you do not need to defend yourself any longer."

"The danger has not passed."

"What does that mean Hemlocke?"

"Soon the Gates of Hell will be opened, soon all will know and see."

"Is this about The Filth?"

"Yes, that and more."

"What else is this about?"

"The world."

"Is the world ending?"

"Not yet."

"Can it be stop?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"I do not know."

"What do you know?"

"Darker days are coming."