Deathstalker 05 - Deathstalker Destiny

source, and perhaps their very existence."
    Owen considered this. "All right; that might just work. But how the hell do I Time travel? I've never had that ability before…"
    "Of course you have. You traveled through Time once before, right here, the first time you came through the Maze. Remember, Owen…"
    Owen closed his eyes, concentrating on his newly restored memories of his first trip through the Madness Maze. The memory came to him again, clear and sharp as yesterday. He remembered journeying back through Time, watching his own life unravel before him, all the moments and decisions that had made him what he was.
    It was so simple a trick, once he saw how. Time was just another direction. But before he committed himself to the last great task of his destiny, Owen decided
    he was entitled to one small thing for himself. And so he concentrated, reached back through Time, and brought a man forward into the future, into the hidden heart of the Madness Maze. Owen slowly opened his eyes, and there standing before him was his father. Arthur Deathstalker.
    Arthur was a young man, about the same age as Owen, dressed in formal Court attire. A sword at his side and a gun on his hip, and the same dark hair and darker eyes. They looked more like brothers than father and son. Owen looked at his father, dead and gone all those yeas ago, and his throat closed up. He couldn't say anything. Arthur looked around him, more baffled than alarmed, and then turned back to Owen, and gave him a surprisingly charming smile.
    "I don't think I know you, sir, though your face… is familiar. Which is more than I can say for this unusual place. Perhaps you could tell me where this is, and who you are, and why I am here."
    "This… is the future," said Owen. "Your future. I brought you here, to talk with you. I'm your son, Owen."
    Arthur raised an elegant eyebrow. "My son Owen is currently four years old, and more trouble than anyone should be cursed with. He's already run through three nannies. Have you any evidence of this extraordinary claim?"
    Owen held up his right hand, and the Family ring of chunky black gold showed clearly on his finger. Arthur caught his breath for a moment, and then raised his right hand, to show an identical ring. They slowly lowered their hands.
    Arthur took a deep breath, and let it go.
    "Damn. That's the Deathstalker ring, all right. Only ever was one. So; Time travel. Damn. That is impressive. And you're my son, Owen, all grown up. You look like you turned out fine. You look a lot like your grandfather, actually.
    Why am I here, Owen? I take it there is some reason."
    "You're taking this very calmly." said Owen. "Certainly more than I am."
    Arthur shrugged easily. "When you intrigue for a living in the Royal Court, there isn't much that can scare or throw you anymore." He fixed Owen with a sharp look. "Am I dead in your time, Owen? Is that what this is all about?"
    "Yes," said Owen flatly. "Lionstone had you murdered. She sent Kit SummerIsle after you, and he cut you down in the street. Nobody came to help."
    "Well," said Arthur, after a moment. "At least she sent someone worthy after me.
    A SummerIsle no less. No doubt he went on to greater things. Will I remember any of this, when I go back?"
    "I don't know," said Owen. "I'm… new to all this Time travel business."
    "Ah hell. I never expected to reach an old age. Deathstalkers don't, mostly. The price we pay for being movers and shakers, instead of just one of the crowd. The way of the warrior is never easy."
    "Yes," said Owen, new anger flooding into his words. "I became the warrior you always wanted me to be. I led the rebellion that overthrew Lionstone. I don't have a wife, or a family, or anything else to call my own, but I still have your poisoned gift, Father. I became a bloody warrior!"
    "You sound upset," said Arthur.
    "Are you surprised? When I'm a little older, you'll hire a series of personal trainers to beat the shit out of me, over and over again, to try and bring out the boost in me, so I could be the great warrior you wanted. Well, I never wanted to be a warrior. Never! All I ever wanted was to be a scholar, a minor historian, doing quiet academic work in some ivory tower, far away from all the movers and shakers and all the misery they bring. But you and the damned Deathstalker legacy made me into a warrior anyway, and took away all the
    happiness I ever knew."
    For the first time, Arthur looked concerned. He took a step forward, and reached