[ WP ] You are an immortal who stopped aging at 25 and have been alive for over 1000 years . On the day you turned 25 you received a prophecy that you would kill another immortal or they would kill you . You find the other immortal , who has only lived for 50 years in the year 2017 .

Today I celebrate my 1000th birthday. I was born in a small mud house in the southern part of modern-day England in the spring of 1017 A.D. As long as I can remember, my mother recounted to me what the Gods had said to her before my birth: 
 
 `` Your son, who's name will be called Rylan, has been chosen by the Gods to be an immortal to live upon the earth. Therefore, after he has aged twenty-five years, he will age no more forever.'' 
 
 And so, after my birth, she gave me the name the Gods chose for me and nurtured me the best she could in those harsh times. I do not know who my father was. My mother never wanted to talk about him, so I assume the worst was the case, as those were very dark times. 
 
 When I had grown some, I began to question my mother about my'gift' from the Gods. Once I understood that all Men die, except for myself, horror struck me. 
 
 `` But mother, will you live forever as well?'' 
 
 `` No son, it is not the will of the Gods that I be immortal. But you must use your gift to accomplish their will on this earth, whether I be living or dead.'' 
 
 `` But I do n't want you to die!'' 
 
 She would then simply hold me in her arms and look away to the window, wondering what would become her son after her death and what he might do in the service of the Gods. 
 
 As I grew older, my understanding of death began to improve, as I witnessed death all about me. Many died of fever in those times. Also of starvation and violence. One could feel extremely fortunate to reach an age past 40 years. But then again, in times like those, few wished to. Wanting instead to join their Lord in heaven. 
 
 On the day of my 25th birthday, the Gods came to me in a dream. They gave to me this prophecy concerning my future and my purpose on Earth: 
 
 `` Rylan, listen now to the words of your creators. Before your birth, you were chosen by the Gods to be an immortal, a manifestation of our controlling force in the land. Your task will be guiding and influencing the ways of Mankind according to our direction. But before you are granted this great privilege, you must destroy the existing immortal who is currently serving our purposes.'' 
 
 `` But why must he die?'' 
 
 `` The immortal known as Shamus has lived a millennia on the Earth and the time has come for a contest between you and he for the privilege of immortality and of service to the Gods. For there can be only one immortal living at each term of service to our will.'' 
 
 `` Where can I find this Shamus?'' 
 
 `` He lives to the north, in the Kingdom of the Scots. You will know who he is and he will know who you are when you are near to each other. But be warned! If you survive this contest, and become the next servant, you yourself will be challenged by another immortal at the end of your millennia. This is the will of the Gods.'' 
 
 So bid farewell to my mother and set about on my journey to find and kill the immortal Shamus. I traveled many miles of dangerous country, narrowly escaping the clutches of murderous bands and warring clans, following where my spirit guided me. Never did I stop to rest until I reached Buchanan Castle. Here it was where I met my rival. 
 
 He was a nobleman of high status among the surrounding villages. Nothing was known of where he came from, but that he arrived from somewhere in the southern part of the world. Upon his coming to the land he rapidly made good relation with the Buchanans, and gained great influence throughout the land. 
 
 After gaining entrance into the castle I requested a conference with the great Shamus. I was bidden to wait in the courtyard. As I was examining the surroundings, I was slightly startled when he came through the door and abruptly shut it behind him. A few moments passed as we stared each other down. 
 
 Of course this Shamus did not look a day over 25 years old, though I knew I was beholding a man who had been alive since the time of Christ. He wore gallant clothing and gazed on me across the courtyard purposely conveying a sense of annoyance. I stood at the entrance to the garden with my pack bag and with dirty rags for clothes. Then he spoke: 
 
 `` Are you the immortal Rylan?'' 
 
 `` I am he.'' 
 
 `` Do you wish to challenge me for the position of Servant to the Gods?'' 
 
 `` I do.'' 
 
 He ground his teeth every so slightly. 
 
 `` Then let it begin.'' 
 
 Suddenly he drew from beneath his robe a saber with a golden handle. He then dashed across the courtyard with incredible speed and thrust it toward my stomach. Dropping my pack, I leaped to the side and away, only narrowly avoiding a mortal wound. As he turned to pursue me, my eye caught sight of a hunter's spear resting against the wall. Sprinting with all the speed I could muster, with Shamus at my heels, I grabbed up the spear and blocked the incoming strike. As Shamus advanced on me, and as I kept retreating backward, parrying strike after strike from his saber, I began to doubt my ability to survive the fight. For surely a man with a millennia of experience would have greater skill than I. 
 
 Inevitably, an attack from Shamus' saber struck its target and my shoulder was laid open. The pain from this attack distracting my defense, it was followed by a finishing thrust to my groin. With a cry of pain I fell to my knees, and the spear was knocked from my arms. 
 
 There I sat, defenseless, with the point of Shamus' saber resting under my chin. Looking down on me with his head raised, a grin crept across his face. 
 
 `` Is this what the Gods saw fit to send me? A dirty peasant boy with no understanding or skill? You are but a toy for me to play with. For there is no other like Shamus! Of all the immortals that lived, none surpassed me! Foolish boy, did you think you had a chance?'' 
 
 As I sat there bleeding, I glared at my rival. 
 
 `` If it is the will of the Gods, then I accept defeat. Let it be finished.'' 
 
 Then Shamus turned his face to the sky and burst into savage laughter. 
 
 `` No, the game can not be finished yet boy, it was all was too easy. When I play games, I play to enjoy them. Never before has an immortal taken his own life. Oh it would be so humorous! Would you care to be the first?'' 
 
 Shocked at this suggestion, I answered him 
 
 `` I would never be so cowardly as to take my own life. If the all-mighty Shamus wants me dead, let him kill me himself!'' 
 
 With a menacing look, Shamus tipped his head toward me and slowly pressed the sword into my throat. When blood began to flow, he paused, and with a haughty tone, said 
 
 `` You leave a mother back to the south do you not? 
 
 I remained silent. 
 
 `` If you do not do what I ask, I might just feel inclined to show her my special attentions after you are gone.'' 
 
 I remained frozen in place. My eyes locked onto his. Though feeling weak from the loss of my blood, all the rage that is possible for a man to feel pulsed through my veins. Shuddering with restraint, I said 
 
 `` Give me the dagger.'' 
 
 Shamus face took the expression of one victorious, his prideful face beholding me with amusement. He reached into his robe and brought out the dagger. Flipping it in his hand, he handed it to me by the hilt. I took it slowly. All the while staring into the eyes of my enemy, anticipating what was to come. 
 
 It was then with a sudden motion that I grabbed Shamus' saber with my bare hand, and with a cry of rage, and strength supplied by pure hatred, I thrust the dagger into his throat. 
 
 Down he fell, the blood gushing from the front and back of his neck. In his face was no longer menace or pride, but the look of one stricken with terror. Clutching the wounds, unable to stop the flow of blood, Shamus rolled on his side. And finally, with a gurgling moan of death, the immortal was no more. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

