"I declare war on you!"

"Hah! So? You're one man against an army."

"I can kill you, you can't kill me. Therefore, you will all die. I would hunt you down one by one if it was necessary. But it isn't, past me is the only way out of this valley. Kill me and pass by or starve."

. . . .

"You are the last one. Last words?"

"You showed no mercy. Killing despite of pleas for family, loves, and friends. So tell me, why did you do this? What can I say that I might live?"

"I will answer only one of those questions, choose."

"The first, I have nothing to live for."

"To see if I could, to build a reputation, because I'm a god."

"That is the absolute worst answer, if this was a story it would be like the author didn't even take the time to give the bad guy a decent backstory! You would be just some random side character! Anyways, allow me to correct you, in no way are you a god, what you are is an Immortal. But you will still die because I will kill you."

"God, Immortal, same thing. You can't kill me. I can kill you, you can't kill me. Therefore, you will die. I explained this to you earlier, remember?"

"Your logic is flawed. I can kill you. I know all of the immortal tricks. You are a healer. A powerful one. But I'm a true immortal. I have time to figure out something you can't heal from. I'll start with burning you to ashes, that usually works on healers."

Erin felt powerful. She could feel her fists sinking into the punching bag, delivering blows that she knew could easily crack a rib or two. Her body was awake, sensitive to the air, completely at her control. This was when Erin felt best. She finished her routine and turned and spoke. "So did you see that Bill/Ted? Do you think you got the feel of it now?"

"Nope. Normal people can't learn martial arts just by watching you know."

"Really? This is how my mother taught me. . . Oh! I forgot, Mom also performed the moves on me so my body could get used to them. Let's do that next!" This was fun, Erin had never had friends over before but she had a checklist of things she had always wanted to do. This list included sparring with their fists to build trust.

"Th-that's okay!" Said Bill/Ted with his hands up and leaning back. "Anyways, why are you doing this? You practically knocked down my door at five in the morning, then you dragged me here to train in martial arts. What's going on?"

"I wanted to practice sparring with my friends for when I have them." Said Erin with a dignified flip of her hair, not realizing she just said something rather sad. "But really you should be thanking me. Do you know how coveted the Sterling family martial arts training is? Many would literally kill you to be in your place. Besides, if you are going to be around Joshua you will need to know how to defend yourself."

"What do you mean? Isn’t he your brother? Who is that guy anyways!? I spent a good hour last night trying to figure out just what's happening here, and I've got nothing! It is about time someone explained things to me." Erin didn't really care about what Bill/Ted was saying, she thought he was just being whiney. She was tired of waiting.

"If you beat me in this spar I'll answer your questions, now let's get to it!" Then Erin suddenly launched herself at Bill/Ted.

A shadowy figure darted in and shoved Bill/Ted to the side at the last moment. Erin immediately switched her target and attacked. First, she began a simultaneous punch to the face and the stomach, both fists landed and attempted to grind into flesh.

Erin felt hands take hold of both of her wrists, next thing she knew she was being swung around in circles like a child. Humiliating. Erin looked up and finally took notice of who she was fighting, it wasn’t her mother or father for once..

"JOSHUA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" How dare he treat her like a child? Erin fought against the centrifugal force. She brought her legs up and kicked Joshua in the face.

"There seems to be no effect." Taunted Joshua in a robotic voice. He then let go and Erin was sent flying into Bill/Ted.

". . . ." Bill/Ted went down without a sound, knocked flat on his back. All the air in his lungs was completely knocked out of him. Erin picked herself up unfazed by the collision.

"I'm gonna murder you." Erin spoke this chilling sentence totally calm, completely serious.

"Oh, please do!" Replied Joshua, "if you can that is."

"Then let's begin." Erin came at Joshua again, this time much more calmly.

First I'll send a few jabs, Joshua did not even defend himself? But that makes sense, thought Erin to herself as she gained some distance, he doesn't need to. Punches and kicks will not work, if I keep up with those he will just grab a hold of me again. That only leaves grappling and joint locks for me to work with.

"Oh? You look like you have a plan already Erin. But don't forget, I can attack too!" Joshua's fist suddenly appeared in front of Erin's face. I can just barely dodge it! Erin pivoted out of the way just in time.

"You dodged that? Wow! I was being serious too! You are one scary girl Erin. You have to remember I've been around a long long time, of course I've mastered martial arts. I developed my own style too, I don't have to worry about defense you see. As a reward for dodging I promise not to move for 1.5 seconds starting now."

Erin's mind was racing. He is as fast as Mother! I have no chance against speed like that! It is all I can do to dodge and I won't be able to keep that up for long. This "reward" of his is my only chance. I will make him regret his arrogance!

Erin sprinted behind Joshua and put him in a full body joint lock.

"Yep you made the correct choice! In an instant too! Restraining and immobilizing are the only tactics that will work against me. But you see, I know that better than anybody. Isn't it then only natural for me to turn my greatest weakness into my greatest strength? Your time is out."

Erin felt incredible strength come to life in Joshua's body. He was straining against her with everything he had. It was all she could do to maintain the hold.

"The hold you are using is perfect Erin, but it's greatest strength is the pressure it puts on the joints, causing intense pain. But, I can't be hurt so I am free to struggle against it all I wish. You maintain the hold for now but how about in five minutes, or ten? I am already gaining ground, see? I have my left leg back, that's all I need." Erin cursed as Joshua escaped her, then it was done. Joshua had slithered around her and now she was caught and there was nothing she could do about it.

"Fine. I concede the match." Muttered Erin under her breath. "But don't forget I'll kill you next time." She would absolutely, definitely, without a doubt kill him one day.

"I look forward to it." Joshua released Erin and laid down spread eagled on the gym floor. "Just so you know Erin, you were a lot stronger than I thought you'd be."

"So you were looking down on me all this time?"

"Naturally, still am, but I admire you too."

"Whatever, you were way better than I expected too. So I'll forgive you this time." Yes, Erin wanted to kill Joshua, but she felt like she admired him as well. Just a bit.

"Well sorry to intrude on the touching bonding moment, and the match was amazing and all, but I think it is about time someone told me what's going on." Bill/Ted spoke after finally getting a handle on how to breathe again..

Joshua sat up "Well all you had to do was ask! It is in the contract, remember? Now come with me, Erin needs to get much stronger if she wants to fight me and we can't have you hindering her training."

Erin felt her cheeks flush, "Don't be considerate of me monster! I'll take care of my own problems! Bill/Ted, SCRAM!"

Bill/Ted took off running down the hallway with Joshua laughing maniacally beside him. Erin felt a bit bad for taking her anger out on Bill/Ted. I'll make it up to him somehow she promised herself. Then Erin threw herself into a workout that optimized flexibility and speed. She needed to be faster, much faster.