Disclaimer:	This story is not intended to violate any copyrights held by MCA, Universal Studios, Renaissance Pictures or any other entity involved with the making of Xena: Warrior Princess or Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.
Bard Rates It:	NC-17
Warning:	This story is rated NC-17 for graphic sex between a man and a woman. If you are under 18, if this is illegal where you live, or if this offends you, please find another story to read.
Summary:	Takes place after the events of Sacrifice II. Xena is forced to team up with Ares when an evil god returns with a little help from his friends.
Bard Notes:	Chapters 1 – 22: completed July 1999; Chapters 23 – 33: completed January 2000; Chapters 34 – 55: completed August 2000; Chapters 56 – 77: Completed March 2002.
Feed the Bard!	The author of this story is Skkye Blue at skkye_blue@yahoo.com. Bards are always hungry for feedback; please send a note.
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Dark Revelations (Chapters 44 thru 47)

by Skkye Blue

CHAPTER 44

Xena’s eyes flew open as she bolted upright in the bed. "Damn it, why do I keep dreaming about that no good bastard!?!?!?" She cursed under her breath.

A chill went down her spine as she rubbed her hands over her bare arms. Before arriving in Macedon, Xena’s dreams about Ares had been infrequent. But since her stay in the castle began, she had dreamed about him every night.

Despite all that Ares had done over the years and his most recent stunts---abducting the children and the attempt at blackmailing her into becoming immortal, she seemed to want him more than ever.

Xena couldn’t deny that there had always been an attraction even after they had parted ways but now, she was finding it harder to resist giving into those long hidden desires. At first, she thought Ares was causing the dreams but now she knew better. Could it be her gut instinct trying to send her a message...but what??? An answer kept drifting into her conscience...you are falling in love with him again.

"Oh NO, that can’t be it," Xena murmured to herself, shaking her head in protest. The dreams were based on LUST alone. It had been a long time since she had been with a man and that was the ONLY reason she was preoccupied with thoughts of Ares. Satisfied with this answer, Xena combed slender fingers through her raven tresses, removing the hair that now hung in her face.

She reached for the pitcher of water on the bedside table. She was surprised it was only half full. She hadn’t realized she had drunk so much earlier. Xena poured the water into a mug, then quickly downed it. She rolled the empty mug between her hands as she stared at the burning embers in the hearth. Xena knew she should try to go back to sleep but she was not looking forward to a continuation of erotic dreams starring herself and the God of War no matter how pleasurable they were. Xena set the empty mug back on the bedside table. She quickly threw off the silk sheets and furs as she hopped out of the large bed. A blue silk robe lay at the foot of the bed, which she put on before exiting the bedchamber.

Xena thought about dropping by Gabrielle’s bedchamber since she was right next door but decided against it. If Gabrielle didn’t get all of her much needed sleep, she would be grouchy the next day and Xena would have to avoid being in her presence just for peace of mind. She decided to check on the twins one more time. Nothing had changed and both were still sleeping peacefully. Xena knew she should return to her own bedchamber but she decided to take a stroll around the castle instead. She hoped it would exhaust her enough where she would be too tired to dream about anything.

After strolling around two floors, Xena found herself on the same floor as the throne room. She was at the far end of the corridor, gazing at the archway made visible by the lit torches along the walls. She had only walked a quarter of the way down the corridor when she felt Ares’ presence. Her first reaction was to make a speedy retreat to her bedchamber but she disregarded the notion and proceeded down the corridor.

Upon reaching the archway, she came to a stop and glanced around at the room’s interior. For this time of night, it was dimly lit. Ares was not seated upon his throne but Xena knew he had to be somewhere in the room because she felt his presence. She gazed towards the large hearth where a roaring fire burned. There, lounging on the divan in front of the hearth lay Ares. The war god appeared to be asleep.

Quietly, Xena entered the throne room and approached the divan. Ares didn’t move a muscle. A smile spread across her face when she stood before the lounging god. He was indeed asleep. Since gods did not need to sleep at regular intervals like mortals, this was one of the few occasions when Xena actually caught the god in such a state.

Xena had always thought Ares was very handsome but his features took on an innocence that made him look rather cute and much like their sleeping son. His right arm hung off the divan with his hand touching the floor. A golden goblet, tipped over on its side, lay by his hand. Xena picked up the overturned goblet. It was empty but the fragrance of the fermented liquid it had contained still lingered. She now wondered if Ares’ sleep was brought on by fatigue or consuming too much godly booze.

Xena sat the goblet on the mantle above the hearth. Her thoughts drifted back to her recent conversation with Hermes. The messenger god had revealed that once while intoxicated, Ares had confessed that he loved her. Her brow was furrowed in thought about this confession as she returned to stand before the divan. She gazed down at the face of the sleeping god. Careful not to wake Ares, she sat down on the side of the divan. With a hand, she brushed a stray curly black lock off his face.

Using his powers, Ares had been able to delve into her mind and uncover her erotic dreams. Xena was half-god. If she possessed those same powers, maybe she could delve into the mind of the complex being lounging before her and uncover his innermost feelings about her.

An inquisitive glint was in Xena’s eyes as she placed her hands on the sides of Ares’ head. Her brow was furrowed in deep concentration as she fixed the gaze of her crystal blue eyes on the face of the sleeping god. Slowly, she closed her eyes as visions of battles long before her own birth flashed through her mind. The visions began to move rapidly until they became a blur. When they slowed to a viewable pace again, she could now see visions of herself---it was from the time when she was a warlord and in service to Ares. Xena deepened her concentration in an attempt to go beyond the battles. The visions were starting to change when she felt Ares move. Her eyes flew open just as he grabbed her hands, pulling them away from his head.

"My, my...aren’t you the hypocrite." A knowing smile, laced with amusement was plastered across Ares’ handsome face.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about." Xena tried to yank her hands free but Ares’ maintained his firm grip.

"Oh yes you do. I get kneed in the gonads for probing your thoughts, but here I awaken to you trying the same thing on me. Shame on you, Xena." He released his grip on her hands.

Guilt for her actions began to creep into Xena’s conscience but she was not about to reveal such feelings to Ares. "You have such a deceptive nature, I figured probing your mind was the only way I would ever get the whole truth out of you."

"You could just ask. What is it you wanted to know anyway?" Ares intently gazed at her face.

"Oh, it was something rather silly so let’s just forget it," Xena quickly replied.

Ares’ curiosity was now piqued. Xena obviously wanted to know something so badly that she was willing to use the godly powers she despised to get the answer. But she did not want to know badly enough where she would have to ask him to his face. Pressuring Xena would just make her angry, so Ares decided to just drop it---for now. "So, why are you up?"

"Oh, I couldn’t sleep," she sighed.

"Here, lie down." Ares was now in a sitting position as he moved over on the divan. A hand invitingly patted the empty spot next to him.

"Whatever for?" Xena eyed him suspiciously.

"Nothing sinister my dear…just a harmless body massage. Surely you haven’t forgotten I give great ones? And it just may help you sleep."

Xena did recall the soothing body massages Ares use to give her and couldn’t deny that one would definitely come in handy about now. There was no mischievous glint in his eyes so Xena figured his intentions were honorable. She moved to lie down on the divan.

"Before we get started, you should remove the robe." Ares had to suppress a smile as Xena’s lips twisted into a smirk. Suspicion was also back in her eyes. "The massage will be more effective if you aren’t wearing obstructive clothing."

Xena conceded him this point as she removed her robe that she lay at the foot of the divan. The only clothing now on her well-toned form was a pale blue sleeping shift. She stretched out on the divan, lying on her stomach. She rested her head on her bent arms.

Ares sat on the side of the divan and began with Xena’s shoulders. "Gods, no wonder you can’t sleep, you are all tied up in knots."

"That’s why I am counting on your talented hands to smooth them out. Ohhh, that feels good already...move lower."

"Your wish is my command." Ares moved his hands down her back, working out all the kinks and knots.

Xena felt the tension fade away as her body gave into his soothing ministrations.

"I never did thank you for turning my formidable fortress into a quaint bed and breakfast," Ares said with sarcasm.

"Putting up all these people is not a hardship---this place has plenty of room," Xena replied.

"I just wish you had informed me that you had sent for reinforcements."

"I know you don’t care for my friends so I figured it was better to act and worry about your reaction later. Besides, even you can’t deny how the added help has increased our chances of defeating Dahak...just look at the results in Herakleia."

"True," the god confessed. "I just can’t wait until this mess with Dahak is behind us and I can have my fortress free of heroes."

"Does that include me?"

"No, you and of course the children are welcome to stay as long as you like."

Ares moved to the thigh of Xena’s right leg, kneading the muscles, loosening the tension. "Now this tension...Herakleia can’t be the cause...we were victorious so it’s got to be something else. Could it be those dreams you are having? Are they responsible for this tension and why you can’t sleep?"

Ares bringing up the dreams that he only knew about through snooping made Xena angry. She quickly turned on her side so she could glare at him. "You would love for that to be the reason wouldn’t you? Me being haunted every night by dreams of us being together...it would be another boost to your already massive ego!"

"Look Xena, despite what you think, I don’t make it a habit of prying into your personal thoughts."

"You could have fooled me!" Xena propped herself up on one bent arm. "So, tell me, what other private thoughts of mine do you know about?"

"Honest, those recent dreams are the only ones I know." Xena stared at him in disbelief. "Being half-god, you do have the ability to protect your private thoughts. Most is just instinct but training is needed to make it full proof." This news intrigued Xena, softening her hard stance against him. "The stress you have been under lately has hampered your instinctive ability to keep such thoughts private. Because of the *other* bond we share, your thoughts invade my conscience so I can’t help but read them."

"This training you mentioned...could you show me how to make sure my personal thoughts remain PRIVATE?"

"I would be happy to...we can start tomorrow. Now would you turn back over so I can finish the massage?"

Xena obeyed his command and turned back over onto her stomach.

Ares turned his attention to the thigh of her left leg. "I obviously hit the nail on the head when I suggested this tension was caused by the dreams."

A weary sigh escaped Xena’s lips. He was not going to drop this uncomfortable topic. "Okay, yeah, this tension was brought on by the dreams. I would like to get some sleep but for some reason my thoughts keep drifting back to YOU…and you are the LAST person I want to be thinking about."

"Now Xena, you know that is simply not true. You forget my dear, that I have been privy to your thoughts...every steamy detail...and I must admit I found them rather enjoyable and I know you have too."

Xena turned over on her side and faced Ares again. Continuing a conversation on this topic was making her angry and it showed in her features. "My dreams, that I repeat are NONE of your business, are nothing but simple lust and are not at all a reflection on you. It’s been awhile since I’ve been with a man. You happened to show up at the right moment. The results would have been the same with anyone else." Her tone was firm as she stared into Ares’ deep brown eyes.

"I highly doubt that Xena. What we share will always transcend any involvement we have with others."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, same old, same old...you can believe that if you want Ares but it doesn’t mean I have to," Xena said nonchalantly.

"Oh, you believe it too but right now, you are just too stubborn to admit it." Ares was working on Xena’s right leg but his administrations had changed from a massage to a stimulating caress.

Xena felt a warmth rise in her being from this simple touch. It reminded her of the way he had touched her in the dream she had that very night. She shook her head slightly to take her focus off his administrations to her leg before gazing hard at the war god’s handsome face. "Look Ares, I already told you that for the sake of the children, I will be civil to you but I WILL NOT let it go beyond those bounds."

"But you can’t deny that you would like for it to go beyond those bounds...your continued dreams are proof of this." Xena remained silent as she slightly bowed her head. A flash of her dream appeared before her---she was moaning in ecstasy as Ares bathed her nude body with feathery kisses. Again, she shook her head to clear the pleasurable vision from her conscience. She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. When she opened her eyes, she stared directly into the face of the god of war. She hadn’t even felt him move up the divan. He was lying on his side next to her, propped up on one muscular arm.

"I use to believe that the bond Dahak forced upon us both was the reason for our mutual attraction but I now believe we were destined from the beginning of time to be together." He leaned forward and softly brushed his lips against hers.

Ares expected Xena to pull away or punch him in the face so he was truly surprised when he felt her hand grasp the back of his head, pulling him closer as her lips deepened the kiss.

Xena’s brain was screaming ‘STOP!!! This is a MISTAKE!!!’ But she couldn’t ignore the deafening screams of her body. ‘GO FOR IT!!! This is what you NEED!!!’

Ever since their last intimate encounter her body had ached to feel his touch again. But Xena had done her best to suppress it---to deny her body what it craved. But his gentle kiss had knocked down the barrier, unleashing a flood of desire that now raced through her body.

It didn’t take long for their kisses to become feral as the desire in both reached levels beyond control. Ares moved forward pushing Xena onto her back as he now lay atop her. He moved to her neck, feeling her increased pulse rate as he caressed her soft, warm flesh with feathery light kisses. Xena closed her eyes as sighs of ecstasy escaped her lips. Her slender fingers moved through Ares’ raven locks encouraging the continuation of his stimulating ministrations on her body. His kisses moved to a shoulder, pulling down the thin strap of the sleeping shift she wore along the way. Ares pulled some more on the delicate material until a breast was expose. He caressed the peak with soft kisses before taking the nipple in his mouth and teasing it with his tongue. He lovingly grazed the sensitive flesh with his teeth. Xena moaned with delight as a pleasurable jolt shot to her nether region. She held him close as she started grinding her hips against his. Ares moved back up to claim her lips in a hungry kiss. Xena’s hands madly roamed Ares’ back before making their way between their bodies to frantically wrestle with the fastener on the god’s leather pants.

With his own desire reaching the point of discomfort, Ares was happy to oblige Xena’s desire to be rid of his restrictive clothing. He was about to remove his clothes as well as hers with a thought when they heard the sound of heavy footsteps proceeding down the long corridor, heading for the throne room.

Xena immediately stopped wrestling with his pants as she turned her head away from his probing kiss. "No Ares, we can’t...someone is coming this way," she gasped.

"It’s probably just a servant, when they see what we are *doing* they will leave." He tried to recapture her lips with a kiss.

"I said NO!" With all of her strength, Xena shoved Ares off of her then jumped off the divan. She readjusted her sleeping shift before grabbing her silk robe lying at the foot of the divan. She quickly put it on just as Cyrus appeared in the archway of the throne room.

Upon seeing the pair together, the former Watcher had a look of surprise on his face but it quickly faded as he got to the point of his visit to the throne room. "Since you two are the only ones still awake, you can be the first to check out the progress I’ve made with that plant sample Joxer brought me."

"I can’t wait to see this, so lead the way Cyrus." Xena immediately attached herself to the former Watcher’s right arm as he proceeded to lead the pair from the throne room, leaving Ares to follow behind them.

**********

Xena and Ares stood by a table, both intently gazing at the dissected plant remains intricately lying on a sheet of parchment.

"The essence of the fallen Watchers is trapped in the lava." Cyrus held up some cooled lava, which he crumbled in a hand, letting the grayish brown dirt fall on the table between them. "Human blood is essential for transferring the essence into the lava plants." Cyrus ran a pointed instrument over the large stem of the plant that was slit in half and lying on the parchment. It was filled with a dry red substance that appeared to be blood. "The plant doesn’t become a danger to humans until its single orange flower comes into bloom." Cyrus fiddled with the large fiery orange petals lying on the parchment. "When the flower comes into bloom, it releases tiny seeds. If they touch your skin or you inhale them, your soul will be destroyed and your body will become the new home of a fallen Watcher."

"I knew Dahak had a plan to corrupt the population of Greece right under the nose of Olympus but even I didn’t conjure up anything this sinister." Ares fiddled with one of the large orange petals he held in a hand.

"Dahak told me, that destroying the facility in the Thracian ruins would not stop him. He already had thousands of plants that were being spread to every city and village," Xena said.

"He probably let you in on that truth because he knew there was no way for us to scour every inch of Greece looking for those lava plants waiting to bloom." Cyrus’ lips twisted into a grim frown.

"It may seem impossible but we must find a way to round up as many of those plants as we can," Xena said. "Ephiny could round up the Amazons for the task. She also has ties to the centaurs so she should be able to get their help too."

"Hercules made mention of Iphicles offering to help so he could send word that his assistance is needed," Ares added. "I also think, I can persuade a couple gods to lend a hand too."

"Who knows, it may turn out that Dahak was a tad bit over confident when he assumed we could never find a way to hunt down all his little plants," Xena said with a wicked grin.

"We do have a chance of spoiling his plans but we really can’t get started until morning, when we can fill the others in on what Cyrus has uncovered," Ares said.

"Ares is right, there is nothing more for you two to do here, so you might as well get some rest like the others," Cyrus said. "As for me, I will get back to work on my other priority...translating those scrolls."

Ares and Xena departed Cyrus’ makeshift laboratory so the former Watcher could get back to work on translating those scrolls. The pair walked down the corridor in silence.

Once they were out of earshot of the makeshift laboratory, Ares grabbed Xena’s left arm bringing them both to a stop. "Why don’t we continue our activities from the throne room in my bedchamber?" His voice was low and seductive.

"Sorry Ares but Cyrus’ interruption brought back my senses and I clearly see what a mistake that would be." Xena removed her arm from the war god’s grasp. "I think it’s time I head back to my bedchamber." Her lips curled into a sly smile when she spoke her next words. "That body massage of yours did its job and I think I will actually have a restful, dream-free sleep, so goodnight." Xena gave Ares one last glance as she proceeded down the corridor, headed for her bedchamber.

"Damn!" Ares whispered under his breath as he watched Xena turn the corner and disappear from sight. If it wasn’t for Cyrus’ poor timing, she would be in his arms right now and they would be making love. Instead she was back to denying them and playing the tease to boot. Well, she would just have to forget about having a restful, dream-free sleep. Ares quickly vanished from sight to reappear directly before her as she proceeded down another corridor.

The war god’s sudden appearance was unexpected so she collided right into his tall muscular frame. She was still startled when he backed her up against a stone wall.

"What do you think you are doing???" Xena tried to move away from the wall.

But Ares pinned her in place using his own hard body. When she raised her arms in an attempt to push him away, he pinned them against the wall above her head.

"You are DEAD WRONG Xena, if you think you can dismiss me so easily." Ares claimed her lips in a brutal kiss.

Xena tried to free herself but this was impossible with Ares’ body firmly pinning her own to the wall.

When he finally broke the kiss, he moved to an earlobe that he teased with nibbles.

Ares’ powerful kiss had left Xena gasping for breath. "Rape...is not...your style."

"I won’t have to rape you, Xena."

Ares let his lips move to her neck and caressed the delicate warm flesh with soft kisses. He gave extra attention to the sensitive spot on her neck that he knew would bring her arousal to the forefront.

As she felt his lips roaming over her skin, Xena knew all too well his intentions and wanted to halt them. "S-Stop it," she breathed but there was not the least bit of conviction in her voice---she had spoken too late because his tongue was already teasing the delicate spot on her neck.

Xena closed her eyes as a pleasurable sigh escaped her lips.

The robe she wore hung open, so Ares moved his pleasurable ministrations to the exposed flesh above her shift---each kiss leaving her skin hotter than the last. Xena’s body was no longer tense from resisting his sensual intentions. She felt loose---relaxed as he awakened the desire she so desperately wanted to deny.

Ares moved away from the soft skin above her breasts and stood facing her again. He released her arms from their firm position against the wall. Her hands immediately went to his head, bringing him closer for a kiss but to her surprise, her intentions were halted by the war god.

"I think I have kept you from reaching your bedchamber long enough...sleep well." With that said, Ares vanished from sight.

His leather clad form materialized in his bedchamber, directly in front of the large mirror. An image of where he had just been instantly appeared. A satisfied smile creased the god’s handsome face.

Xena still stood in the corridor. Her breathing was rapid and her face was riddled with unquenched desire. She resumed her walk down the corridor, muttering angry words at herself for being weak and letting the desires of her body rule her head.

Ares was still smiling as the image of Xena faded from sight to be replaced by his own handsome reflection smiling back at him. He may not have laid with Xena that night but at least he had the satisfaction of knowing he would remain in her thoughts. After what just happened, her subconscious would make sure his image filled her dreams, destroying her chance of getting a restful sleep that night and the many nights to come.

CHAPTER 45

"Now that I have gotten you all settled, I better find myself a room." Castor gave the large copper-colored horse an affectionate pat on its side as the animal began feasting on the hay lying in a pile on the stall floor. He picked up his gear sitting by the stall door, then exited the stables headed for the town’s only tavern.

A few days after Xena and Gabrielle had taken off for Macedon, Castor left to continue his search for Hope. He had been told about a few towns where Dahak’s cult had once been prevalent so he started his search in those areas. Castor had been traveling for three days when he reached one of those towns---Akanthos. It was located along the coast of the north Aegean.

Castor walked into the tavern. The place was noisy with boisterous chatter. It was the dinner hour, so all of the tables were occupied. He spotted an empty stool at the end of the bar and seated himself on it.

The barkeep had been busy with another customer but when he was done, he came over and stood before Castor. "So mister, what will it be?"

Castor took a glance at the food on the plate of the man seated next to him. It looked and smelled pretty good. "I’ll have what he’s having but add a large mug of mead."

"Coming right up." The barkeep placed the order with the cook then filled a mug with mead that he placed before Castor. "Here you go, mister."

"Thanks," Castor replied. "Do you know where I can get a room for the night?"

"Akanthos doesn’t get many visitors so we have no Inn. But I have an old cot in the storage room upstairs. It’s not much but you are certainly welcome to it."

"After sleeping in the forest for the past few days, that old cot sounds great," Castor said with a grateful smile.

**********

Hope tuned out the chatter of the four seated around her as she sipped mead from the mug she held in a hand. Hope turned her gazed toward the surrounding tables. A soft smile passed her lips as she focused on a family of four. The two children were so excited about eating at the tavern. The smile on Hope’s face suddenly faded. Here she was, sitting with four others, in a room full of people yet she felt so alone.

All these people were laughing and enjoying themselves now but none knew of the horror that was right around the corner. But Hope knew and this made her very sad.

Hope had been back with Dahak’s cult for over a month now. To those around her, she appeared to be as committed as ever to establishing her father’s dark kingdom. But in reality, it was all an act. Hope’s plunge into the lava pit, giving birth to Phaedra, and meeting Castor had awakened within her, something she thought she was incapable of possessing---a conscience.

Hope had finally discovered the human side she had inherited from her mother---Gabrielle. She now felt guilt and shame for the acts that she had committed in the name of her father---most of all---the killing of Xena’s son, Solan.

Now Hope was determined to right those wrongs. She had begun the walk down the road of redemption by restoring the life of her mother---using the body of her own dead child. Now she pretended to go along with her father’s dark plans, but with each passing day, she found it harder and harder to continue the act.

Her body trembled with chills every time she thought about the horrors being committed at the lava plant cultivation centers her father had secretly established throughout Greece. Hope had taken a tour of one of them. With her face a mask of stone, she had to watch as innocent people had their throats viciously cut and their lifeblood spilt---all for the purpose of freeing Dahak’s trapped comrades.

Images of those poor wretched souls haunted her sleep. They would yell to her for help and tauntingly ask how much longer she would let these atrocities continue. Hope knew if she really sought redemption for her crimes that she had to find a way to stop her evil father and his cult. But Hope had no clue on how to stop them.

Her spirits lifted when she got word about Xena and a group of friends destroying the lava plant facility near Herakleia. Hope was confident this attack would be the first of many. Eventually the very facility where she was now residing would be destroyed and she could end this facade and reveal where her true allegiance lay.

Until that time, Hope had to keep up the pretense of being totally committed to establishing her father’s dark kingdom. But the act was taking its toll on her recently awakened conscience and she did not think she could continue it for much longer. And to make matters worse, Hope was constantly under the watchful eye of Dahak’s closest confidant, Minos.

This trip into Akanthos was one of the rare occasions when Hope was free of his ever-observing gaze. Dahak’s cult had a facility in the hills outside of the town. Four of the cult members were going into town to pick up some much-needed supplies, so she went with them. Hope knew that Dahak had to be the one to assign such a duty to the exalted high priest. Did this mean her father doubted her loyalties to him? Such worries added to the stress of continuing her act of devotion.

Hope had disliked Minos from the first time she had met him. The exalted high priest had gazed at her with pure unadulterated lust in his eyes and still did so now. Dahak may have ordered her watched but the way Minos leered at her was strictly for his own pleasures. Hope knew of the high priest’s roving eye and his numerous sexual conquests among the women members of Dahak’s cult. She was sure Minos wanted to add her to his already long list but so far, he had made no such move. That was smart on his part because if he ever did, she would use her powers to put him in his place and forever be a potent reminder that she was his lord’s daughter and off limits to his lewd desires.

Thoughts of Minos’ unwanted attention made Hope wonder and dread when her father would approach her about bearing more destroyers. She had obeyed his commands and mated with Ares to create the first destroyer but that was when she truly supported her father’s dark plans. But now her support was just an act and the thought of lying with the man her father would chose to sire the remaining destroyers thoroughly repulsed her.

There was only one man to who Hope wanted to be joined and that was Castor. She tried to put their brief time together in the back of her thoughts because it hurt so much but this was an impossible task. Hope’s time with Castor and what she had discovered gave her courage and strength. She cherished those few months with the former warrior because no matter how brief, it was the only time in her short life when she experienced true happiness.

Hope was willing to sacrifice her own life if that’s what was needed to stop her father. It would be a small price to pay for the crimes she had committed. But if fate was kind and she did survive, she thought about returning to Castor. Dahak would no longer be a threat to them or the world and then just maybe they could build a life together.

"Hope...Hope, are you okay?" Haemon placed a hand on her shoulder. He was the oldest of the four cult members that had accompanied her to Akanthos. His face was riddled with concern that matched his three comrades’ Nereus, Epimenides and a young woman named Phoebe.

Hope’s thoughts were brought back to her surroundings as she gazed up at her companions who were no longer seated at the table but stood over her, worry etched on their faces.

"Everything is fine," she finally replied. Hope rose from the table. "We better head on out now." A firm, authoritative look was etched on her face as she gazed at her four companions.

Hope led the way as she and her four companions maneuvered themselves around the crowded tables. The party of five had to come to a stop when a large group seated at a table in their path decided it was time to leave also.

As they waited for the large group to move out of their way, Hope’s eyes wandered around her crowded surroundings. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw a familiar form seated at the bar. It was Castor! Her heart beat quickened from the joy of seeing her love again. But questions formed in her mind too. What was Castor doing in Akanthos? And where was Phaedra?

"Um, Hope, are you sure you are okay?" Haemon’s question invaded her thoughts.

Hope quickly turned her attention from Castor and gazed at her companion. An annoyed look was on her face. "I told you I am fine. Why do you keep asking me?"

"Haemon didn’t mean to offend you," Epimenides interjected. "It’s just that our path is no longer blocked, so we can leave now."

"Oh," was Hope’s soft reply. She proceeded to lead her companions to the tavern door when she abruptly came to a stop again. "There’s something I must take care of, so you should head back without me."

"Are you sure? Maybe we should stay and help you." Phoebe suggested.

"No, this is something I must do alone," Hope assured. "You four should get those supplies the merchant has for us and then head out of town."

Hope’s four companions all felt uneasy about leaving her alone in Akanthos. She was acting very strange. But she was the daughter of their lord so they would do as she had ordered. Her eyes were fixed on the forms of her four companions as they made their way to the tavern door.

Once they were gone, Hope immediately went over to the bar. Castor was no where in sight. Her green eyes frantically darted around the crowded tavern but his large form could not be found. Where could he have gone? Hope had to know.

Hope turned to face the bar. The barkeep came over to where she stood and began collecting dirty mugs and plates. "Excuse me sir, a few moments ago, there was a large, dark-skinned fellow seated at the bar, would you happen to know where he went?"

"I sure do. He had been traveling all day and needed a place to bunk for the night. I told him he could sleep on the cot I keep in the storage room upstairs." The barkeep curiously gazed at her. "Is he a friend of yours?"

"Yes he is. Can I go up and see him?"

"Sure." The barkeep had an envious smile on his face. He stared at Hope’s quickly departing form as she made her way to the stairs that led to the second floor. The barkeep thought the strawberry blonde was very attractive and the stranger staying in his storage room was a very lucky man indeed.

When Hope reached the stairs, she almost collided with a woman who was also headed in the same direction. In her outstretched arms, she held some folded blankets.

"Oh, excuse me," Hope said apologetically. "I was in such a hurry that I didn’t even see you."

"That’s okay," the woman replied with a faint smile.

Hope stepped aside, to let the woman proceed her up the stairs. "Those blankets, would they happen to be for the man sleeping in the storage room?"

The woman had stopped her ascension of the stairs and turned to face Hope. "Why yes, they are."

"Would you mind if I took those to him. You see, he is a friend who I haven’t seen in awhile and I would like to surprise him."

"No, I don’t mind at all." The woman placed the blankets she had been carrying in Hope’s outstretched arms. The woman smiled as she watched Hope ascend the steps, headed for the storage room.

**********

Castor walked around his new surroundings. The small room had one window. Since the room was basically used for storage, there were wooden crates piled high along with bottles and jugs setting atop a few shelves. In a corner of the room sat the cot the barkeep told him he could use. The room, itself, left a lot to be desired but after sleeping in a bedroll on the hard ground the last few days, Castor was looking forward to sleeping on an actual mattress. He hadn’t slept on the ground since his warrior days and it was murder on his back.

Tomorrow, Castor would stroll around Akanthos to get any information about Dahak’s cult. His journey had left him exhausted, so he was ready to get some sleep. Using some stacked crates as a bedside table, Castor began unpacking the gear that he would need. His back was to the door when he heard it open. He assumed it was the barkeep bringing up those extra blankets he had promised.

"You were right about that chill in the night air, so I am definitely going to need those extra blankets," Castor remarked with a chuckle.

"Well, I certainly wouldn’t want you to catch a cold."

Upon hearing the familiar voice that clearly did not belong to the barkeep, Castor immediately spun around. His eyes sparkled with joy upon seeing who now stood in the room.

"Oh, by the gods, Hope!"

Her eyes had an identical sparkle. The pair immediately met in the center of the small room. Castor embraced her in a big hug, lifting her small frame off the floor. When he released her, he held her face between his large hands as he gazed down into her green eyes. "I can’t believe I found you in the first town on my list...the gods are surely smiling down upon me."

Hope was happy to see Castor but a small part of her was angry that he didn’t respect her wish not to hunt her down. "What are you doing here Castor?"

"I was looking for you of course." Castor had a big smile on his face as he ran a hand through Hope’s strawberry blond tresses.

"But I had pleaded with you not to come after me and where is Phaedra? Please tell me nothing has happened to her." Hope tightly gripped his forearms as she stared up at him, anxiety visible in her green eyes.

"Phaedra is fine Hope. She is with Xena."

"Xena!?!?!?"

"Yes...Phaedra remembers everything Hope...when she was Gabrielle and her life with Xena."

"Oh." Hope released her grip on Castor’s forearms as she moved away from him. "I guess that means you know everything too?" Her eyes searched his face.

"Yes Hope, I know it all."

"Then you must hate me!" Hope was filled with shame and bowed her head to avoid Castor’s gaze.

"No, I don’t hate you." Castor reached for Hope’s chin to force her to look at him.

"But how can you not!" Hope flinched away from his hand as she turned her back to him. "I’ve done such horrible things." Tears began to swell in her eyes. "I even killed an innocent boy just to hurt Xena. He was her son and now I know my nephew." The tears were rapidly flowing down her cheeks as she wiped them away with the backs of her hands.

"Listen to me Hope." Castor turned her around to face him again. He placed his hands on her shoulders in a comforting gesture. "I am in no position to hate you when what I have done is ten times worse..."

"No...no it’s not." Hope shook her head in protests.

"Yes it is. I have killed far more people than you have. Some were trained warriors like myself but most were just farmers or townsfolk protecting their families and what little they had from parasites like myself. When I finally allowed myself to see my actions for what they really were - WRONG...EVIL...I vowed to never commit such acts again but I did NOTHING to make up for my crimes. Instead, I hid way in the forest...like a COWARD." Hope thought Castor was being too hard on himself and was about to voice such thoughts when Castor put a finger to her lips to silence her. "I should have been like you Hope. You were brave. When you saw the wrong you had done...you were filled with guilt and shame but you didn’t just wallow in those feelings, you didn’t hide away like me but set about to make things right. It was your very courage that gave me the strength to leave my seclusion in the forest and finally right the wrongs of my own crimes. That’s why I had to find you. I wanted you to know that you don’t have to make this journey alone, I want to be there with you...I love you, Hope."

Hope thought the world of Castor and knowing that someone like her could inspire someone like him deeply touched her newly found heart. Her eyes were filled with joy and surprise upon hearing his confession of love. "I love you, Castor."

Upon hearing her confession, Castor bent his head down as Hope titled hers upward. Their lips met in a gentle kiss. They embraced each other, not wanting to let go, shutting out all the obstacles in their path---Dahak and his dark plans for the world.

It was Castor who broke the kiss. When he gazed into her face, he saw desire overflowing in the green pools of her eyes that matched the desire surging through his body. Their lips met in a kiss again, expressing the desire---the urgent need each felt.

Castor put an arm around Hope’s waist as he led the pair over to the old cot that would be his bed for the night. When they stood before it, he turned to face her. Castor held Hope’s face in his large hands as he bent down and claimed her lips in a gentle kiss. He pulled back and gazed into her eyes for permission to continue. With her urging, he untied the strings around her neck, then tossed aside the dark cloak she wore.

Castor gazed at the Hope’s dress. His hands reached for the buttons when she stopped him. Castor was afraid that Hope had changed her mind, but that fear quickly disappeared when she proceeded to unbutton his shirt. He just smiled as the woman he loved peeled the clothing from his body.

Hope ran her hands over his brown flesh, her eyes following their movements. Slender hands caressed his shoulders, arms, back and chest, reveling in the feel of the hard muscles. Castor felt his temperature and desires rise as Hope’s hands explored his exposed flesh.

When Hope reached his hard stomach, she gently pushed him into a sitting position on the cot. Castor intently watched as she pulled off one large boot then the other. She took hold of his arms and brought the large man to his feet again. Castor continued to watch as Hope undid the fastener of his pants then slowly pulled them down his legs. When she reached his feet, he stepped out of them.

Hope stepped back and let her eyes rake over Castor’s beautiful naked form. He was truly a sight to behold and raised the desire racing through her body. She could not wait to be with him any longer. Hope began to remove her clothes as Castor looked on, his brown eyes filled to the brim with desire.

When Hope finally stood nude before him, Castor took her by the hand, pulled her to him, claiming her mouth in another kiss. Both felt passion when their lips met and their bodies touched.

This time, it was Hope who broke the kiss. Her eyes were fixed on Castor as she lowered herself onto the cot and he followed soon after. When they laid together, they resumed their kissing, as they embraced each other, never wanting to let go. As the passion within both, steadily rose, it was then that they professed their love for one another in a physical union.

As their bodies moved to the rhythms of love, the passion within rose higher and higher towards the peak of ecstasy. Together, they reached it, embracing each other---never wanting to let go. After their glorious union, Hope lay in Castor’s arms. Both had contented smiles on their faces as they gazed into each other’s eyes. It was during this time that Castor filled Hope in on his meeting with Xena in Amphipolis, her friend and former Watcher Cyrus and her enlisting the help of Hercules and the God of War in the fight against Dahak. Hope filled Castor in on Dahak’s startling revelation about Xena being his daughter.

"My father is so confident that Xena will join him but after what you have told me, I don’t think that will ever happen," Hope surmised after they had exchanged information.

"I can’t see that happening either so your father is in for a rude awakening," Castor said. "But let’s not talk about your father. This is a time for us." Castor caressed Hope’s cheek with the back of a hand. "I was so afraid I would never find you and let you know how I felt but here we are."

"Yes, together again." Hope smiled up at him as he bent his head down to claim her lips with a kiss.

When they finally broke the kiss, Hope turned her gaze from Castor’s face as she rested her head on his broad chest. A contented sigh escaped her lips. But it was soon followed by a gasp of, "Oh, gods no!"

"What is it?" Castor gazed down at Hope. Her head was slightly raised off his chest and her gaze was fixed on the other side of the storage room.

When she didn’t respond to his question, Castor gazed in the direction she was looking. On the far side of the room was a stack of wooden crates and there appeared to be some kind of plant, partially hidden behind them. Castor moved Hope off of him as he rose from the cot and proceeded over to the plant.

"Castor, don’t go over there. Come back to the cot," Hope pleaded.

"But why? It’s just a plant." Castor now stood before the plant. He grabbed hold of the large pot in which it was planted and pulled it out for a full view. "I’ve never seen a plant like this in Greece before. It must be an imported species."

The plant was almost as tall as Castor as it sat in a large clay pot. The stem was thick and dark green in color. What fascinated Castor so much was the bright fiery orange flower that had not bloomed yet.

Hope had a look of fear on her face as she rose from the cot. She quickly retrieved Castor’s pants from the floor before proceeding to where he stood by the strange plants. "Here, put these on Castor...you are leaving!" She shoved the pants into his hands.

Castor was surprised by the change in Hope’s demeanor and her words. "What do you mean, I’m leaving?"

"It is too dangerous here and it would be best if you left." Hope slightly bowed her head. It was painful for her to send Castor away after what they just shared but it was necessary to keep him safe.

Castor knew whatever it was about this strange plant that had Hope so spooked had something to do with her father’s dark plans. He took hold of her chin and turned her gaze up to his face. "I am NOT going anywhere until you tell me what is going on? It’s obvious this plant scares you and I want to know why?"

Hope saw the firm look in Castor’s eyes and knew it was useless trying to get him to leave without providing an explanation. "Okay, I will tell you but only downstairs. I refuse to stay another moment in this...this room." Hope turned to gaze with contempt at the strange plant just in time to see the large flower slowly begin to open. "Look out!!!" Hope shoved Castor out of the way, just as the orange flower completely opened, releasing the tiny seeds it contained.

The tiny seeds were clustered in a cloud the size of a large fist and headed straight for Hope but stopped short of touching her. They made a move towards a bewildered Castor who stood to the side of Hope. But Hope quickly moved to stand in front of him. The cluster of seeds made no move to get pass. They flew around the small storage room in a state of panic before exiting through the lone window to be absorbed by the night.

Castor immediately went over to the window. When he gazed into the night sky, he saw no sign of the seeds cluster. He turned to face Hope. "WHAT...was THAT!?!?!?"

"THAT...was a demon."

"A demon!?!?!?"

From the look on Castor’s face, Hope knew that her response did little to alleviate his confusion over this strange event. "I think it’s time I explained everything to you."

"Yes it is." Castor gazed intently at her face.

Hope took a deep breath. It would actually feel good to finally be able to discuss her father’s dark plans with someone who would think it was as horrible as she did and understand the importance of stopping this plan from ever coming to fruition.

The expressions on Castor’s face ranged from fascination to fear as he listened to Hope’s detailed summary of the vital role the strange lava plants played in Dahak’s goal of world domination.

"I don’t understand, if the demon in those seeds needed a body so badly it certainly didn’t put up much of a fight to get one of us...it just flew out the window," Castor said after Hope had given him all the dark details.

"Oh, the demon wanted one of our bodies all right but I warded it off with this." Hope removed the medallion she wore around her neck and held it up for Castor to see.

"What is it?" Castor took the medallion from Hope for a closer inspection. It was made from some type of metal. Etched in the metal was a strange symbol Castor had never seen before.

"I’m not really sure," Hope replied. "All I know is that it originates from the black arts. My father’s exalted high priest is a master in these arts and he’s the one who crafted the medallions. They were given to only select members of the cult and prevent the demons from taking over the bodies of anyone wearing them." Hope took the medallion from Castor and placed it around his neck. "I want you to take my medallion...it will protect you from demon possession."

"But won’t you be risking demon possession without a medallion?"

"Don’t worry about me, I will get another one. Now, you must leave Castor." Hope retrieved her clothes from the floor and quickly got dressed.

"I already told you, I’m not going anywhere...I can help you."

"The best way you can help me Castor is to find Xena and tell her all that I have told you. She, Ares, Hercules and this former Watcher you told me about will have a much better chance of dealing with these demons than the two of us. Now promise me you will go to them." Hope saw the apprehension in Castor’s eyes about leaving her alone with Dahak’s cult. "Promise me."

"I promise," he softly replied.

Hope gave Castor a quick kiss on the lips before gazing up into his brown eyes as she let a hand caress a cheek. "I must go now." She wrapped the cloak around her once again.

Castor watched as Hope departed the room. He went over to the room’s lone window. He saw Hope exit the tavern and mount a horse that slowly trotted out of town, disappearing into the woods. Castor would keep his promise to Hope but first he wanted to see just what was happening at Dahak’s facilities outside of Akanthos.

CHAPTER 46

Right after Hope’s departure, Castor got dressed and went down to the barroom of the tavern. The dinner crowd had dispersed a few hours ago, so the place was much quieter. Castor made his way over to the bar. When the barkeep saw him, he continued wiping down the bar as he slowly approached where Castor stood.

"Did you get the chance to try out that cot? It hasn’t been used in quite awhile so I hope it’s still comfortable."

"The cot is fine," Castor replied. "I know you said earlier you don’t get many strangers through here but have there been any new residents added to Akanthos or the surrounding area?"

"As a matter of fact, some new people did move into the area...about three weeks ago. They came into town selling some odd looking plants."

"You mean like the one I saw in your storage room?"

"That’s one of them all right. My wife bought it." The barkeep’s lips twisted in an annoyed smirk. "She already has a garden full of plants. I don’t know why she wasted the dinars...I think it’s ugly."

Castor had to suppress a chuckle. "Do you know where I might be able to find these people who sold your wife that plant?"

"My wife said something about them setting up house at an old farm just west of Akanthos."

"Thanks." Castor had a smile on his face as he departed the tavern. He quickly made his way out of town and headed west through the forest.

When Castor finally reached his destination, he observed his surroundings from the branch of a tree. It was an old farm, just like the barkeep had told him. There was an old barn, a large old house and a few smaller structures. Castor spotted Hope’s horse in a corral with several other horses. He figured Hope had probably turned in for the night in one of the rooms of the old house.

Other than a few followers walking about here and there, the place was relatively quiet. Castor knew the plants were being grown in the old barn so that was his destination.

He climbed down from the tree and stealthily made his way over to the barn, easily slipping inside. The structure was rather stuffy and dimly lit by a few torches positioned about the four walls. Castor’s brown eyes widened with wonderment as he took in the spectacle before him. There were rows upon rows of that strange plant, just like the one in the storage room of the tavern in Akanthos.

Castor squatted down beside one of the growing plants. With a large hand, he scooped up some of the dirt. Its color was deep and dark. When he moved the dirt about his hand with a finger, he noticed the skin of his palm was now stained red---red from the blood of humans. Castor was overcome by a feeling of disgust. He tossed the dirt aside as he rose to his full height. He took one look at the many plants before him as he unsheathed the sword at his side.

Years ago, Castor had vowed never to pick up a sword again but on this day he would gladly break it. For he would not be taking the lives of innocent people but saving them from an evil that desired to roam the earth again.

The former warrior was poised for attack as he headed towards the growing plants. Back and forth he swung his sword as he cut to pieces plant after plant down row after row. Castor got so caught up in his task of destruction that he didn’t even hear one of the cult members enter the barn until the man addressed him, his voice full of anger.

"What have you done!?!?!?" The man frantically moved up and down the rows of chopped down plants. "They are all dead!!!" The man looked from the mutilated plants to Castor. His eyes blazed with murderous rage.

Castor silently stood there poised to ward off the man’s inevitable attack.

"YOU infidel, will pay for this with your LIFE!!!" The man quickly retrieved an ax hanging on the wall and charged Castor.

The former warrior easily dodged the swinging ax and delivered a hard punch to the man’s ribs, then a kicked to the man’s legs, knocking him to the ground. The man was now quite dazed so it was easy for Castor to wrench the ax from the man’s grasp, then toss the deadly object aside, embedding it in a wall.

Now weaponless, the man grabbed some dirt that he threw directly into Castor’s face, hitting him in the eyes. The former warrior was now blinded and only felt his attacker grab him from behind in a chokehold. The pair moved wildly about the old barn as Castor struggled to free himself from the chokehold. He lost his grip on his sword that ended up lying in the dirt. Eventually his vision cleared. The pair was near a wall, so Castor decided to ram his attacker into the sturdy structure in an attempt to break free. With all of his strength, he forced the pair backward until they collided with the wall. The attacker released his chokehold on Castor.

When the former warrior turned to gaze at his attacker, the man had a look of surprise on his now dead face. His eyes were frozen in a wide stare as the blade of the ax punctured through his skull, covering his face with blood. The man had backed right into the ax that was embedded in the wall.

Castor had not killed anyone since his warrior days, so the man’s death disturbed him. He kept his eyes fixed on the man’s lifeless body as he slowly backed away. His eyes grew wide with fear when he saw a cluster of fiery orange sparkles leave the man’s body and head straight for him.

He knew the cluster was a demon but he had no idea how to protect himself from it. In a feeble move, he covered his face with a large arm. For a few moments, Castor felt a dark presence hovering around him then all was as it was before. Cautiously Castor lowered his arm. He watched with fascination as the orange cluster soared frantically about the room. It bounced off the four barn walls and the ceiling---the speed of its travel increasing. When the cluster hit one of the walls again, there was a burst of light. Castor had to shield his eyes from the brightness. When the light faded, he unshielded his eyes. The cluster was no where in sight. Castor gazed downward and with a hand touched the medallion hanging around his neck. "It’s good to know this thing does work," he murmured softly to himself.

Now that all the plants growing in the old barn were cut down and of no use to Dahak, Castor decided it was time for him to make a speedy exit before more cult members made an appearance. He went over to his sword and was about to place it in the scabbard at his side when he heard the barn door creak. Castor whirled around just in time to see ten men enter the barn.

They remained silent as their eyes darted around the barn---they gazed at the mutilated plants, their dead comrade impaled on an ax then to Castor. All quickly unsheathed their swords and raced to where he stood.

Castor never did sheath his sword and now stood holding it, poised to do battle against the oncoming foe. His eyes quickly darted over their steadily approaching forms---they were all much bigger than their dead comrade. They wore armor, indicating they were warriors and by the way they held their swords, they were highly skilled.

The ten attacked Castor as a group, mightily swinging their swords at him. Castor had not been in a sword fight for years so his rusty skills were put to the test by his attackers. The former warrior was able to counter their slashing swords with his own powerful blade.

The fight was fierce as it moved throughout the barn. Sounds of clashing steel and the yells of fighting men reverberated everywhere and Castor kept waiting for more members of the cult to be drawn to the old barn by all the noise but thankfully, none did.

The fierce battle had been in progress for some time now, and for someone who had not used a sword in a great number of years, Castor was doing an impressive job of warding off the attack of ten deadly blades. But fatigue was starting to form in his body. His muscles started to tire, slowing Castor’s reflexes and leaving him vulnerable to attack.

One man delivered a punch to his jaw, leaving him dazed and allowing another to bring his sword down upon Castor’s left arm, cutting a deep gash in his bicep. What counter attack Castor did manage to mount only nicked the armor of his opponents and did little to halt their vicious onslaught against him.

Castor was punched again in the face, the blow breaking his nose. Another punch connected with his left eye as he felt several more punches to his stomach. Castor’s head was spinning and he was gasping for breath when the blade of a sword connected with his right leg, deeply cutting into a thigh. One of his attackers followed up by kicking his legs from underneath him. The former warrior now lay in the dirt, still gasping for breath, his clothes soaked with sweat from the hard battle. His body was battered as well---his nose was broken and blood dripped from a nostril, one eye was beginning to swell, and there was the pain from the deep sword cuts on his arm and leg.

From his vulnerable position in the dirt, Castor gazed at his attackers who prepared to finish him off. One man had his sword poised to deliver a deathblow when they all heard the shout of "Halt!"

Castor, along with his attackers, turned their gaze toward the barn door.

A man stepped into the barn. His brow wrinkled as he first glanced at the mutilated plants lying about the barn then fixed his gaze on the group of fighting men.

The man wore a blood red silk robe and jeweled rings adorned his fingers. Around his neck was a medallion very similar to the one Castor wore around his own neck that Hope had given to him just a few hours ago. He figured the man had to be one of the higher-ups in Dahak’s cult, probably a priest of some sort.

With a stride that was regal, the priest approached the fighting men. The men stepped aside so their superior could get a clear look at the man they had been fighting. The priest had a stoic expression on his face as he gazed down at Castor’s beaten form. "Is this one man responsible for the destruction of the lava plants?"

"Yes, your highness?" One of the ten men replied.

The gaze of the priest hardened as it stayed fixed on Castor. "You are a fool to think your actions here tonight will stop the Dark One. All you have done by coming here is seal your own death!"

The priest grabbed the sword of one of the men standing by his side and in predatory fashion approached Castor’s fallen form. The ten men quickly formed a circle, their eyes glued on the event about to happen.

When the priest stood over Castor’s fallen form, he raised the sword high above his head and in one quick motion brought it down with the intent of ending the life of the man before him. But Castor managed to roll out of the path of the descending deadly blade.

Castor ignored the fatigue and pain of his body as he rose to his feet. The deep gash in his right leg slowed his movements but he firmly held his sword and was poised to defend himself.

An evil chuckled escaped the thin lips of the priest as he approached Castor, ferociously swinging his sword.

Castor managed to ward off the deadly blows and countered with some slashes of his own sword, one cutting through the red silk robe of the high priest but didn’t inflict any wounds to his person.

But none the less, the priest was angered and this fueled his continued attack against Castor. He viciously swung his sword at Castor; again and again each with added power until one knocked his sword from his grasped.

A wide evil grin was plastered across the face of the priest as he continued to pursue with his menacing blade, a now weaponless Castor.

Since he was already fatigued and injured from fighting ten men, Castor was no match against the new arrival who hadn’t even broken a sweat yet.

One slash of the priest’s sword cut through Castor’s sweat stained shirt, into the flesh of his stomach. He held back an outcry of pain as another slash cut across his back. The former warrior could do nothing to protect himself and watched as the blade headed straight for him, embedding itself in his broad chest.

"CASTOR!!!" was the cry of an anguished wail that rang throughout the old barn.

All eyes turned to gaze at Hope who stood at the barn door.

Her mouth was agape with the horror of the scene as tears began to form in her green eyes.

The priest flashed her a wicked smile before he pulled the blade from Castor’s chest. The weapon had been the only reason he remained upright, so with it no longer in his body, he fell to his knees then onto his back.

Hope immediately approached the circle of men. "Let me through!!!" She yelled as she shoved her way through the men. Hope glared at the priest standing over Castor’s fallen form. "GET AWAY MINOS!!!" She roughly shoved the priest out of the way as she dropped to her knees by Castor’s side.

She looked at his fallen form, the dark red blood oozing from the wound in his chest. She turned away from him and looked at the men silently standing about. "I want all of you out NOW!!!"

All the men left including exalted high priest Minos.

Now alone with Castor, Hope lifted the fallen man’s head and placed it in her lap. One eye was swollen and blood dripped from a nostril. Her face was wet with tears as she caressed his with a hand. "Oh, Castor," she sobbed.

His eyes flickered a moment before they managed to focus on her face. "Hope," he said in a hoarse whisper.

"Why did you come here Castor? Why didn’t you leave like I asked?"

"I had to see...the plants...for myself." A cough escaped his lips before he continued. "When I saw...how many there were...I couldn’t let the plants...be spread among the people...I had to destroy them...I’m sorry...I didn’t keep my...promise." Castor coughed some more and this time a little blood flowed out of his mouth.

"Don’t try to say anything else." Hope used her skirt to wipe the blood away.

At that moment, they heard the barn door open as someone quickly made their way inside. A gasp of shock was then heard as the person took in the sight before them.

Hope turned to see Phoebe standing there with wide eyes. "Go wake Icarus and tell him to come to the barn. I have a patient for him."

Phoebe was stunned to see Hope with a tear stained face, kneeling in the dirt with the head of a badly injured man in her lap. The whole scene formed questions in her mind but she didn’t voice them and instead quickly departed the barn to carry out the orders given her.

Hope turned her gaze to Castor again. "I wish I could heal you with my powers but your injuries go beyond even my scope so we will have to rely on mortal remedies." She ran a hand over his dark curly hair.

"This Icarus fellow won’t be able to help me either," Castor stated in a hoarse voice.

"Shh, don’t talk like that." More tears began to well up in Hope’s eyes because she knew Castor was right---he was dying, and nothing would be able to stop it. She covered her mouth with a hand to prevent a wail of sorrow from escaping.

"Hey, I don’t want you to be sad." Castor raised a hand to Hope’s face, wiping away some of the tears. "At least I got to see you again and let you know how I feel. I love you, Hope."

"And I love you, Castor." Hope bent her head toward his to claim his lips with a soft kiss. She felt him kissing her back as the hand that had been touching her face now held her head.

Slowly, she felt his hand slide off her hair and fall to his side. When Hope broke the kiss, she gazed into Castor’s now lifeless face. Sobs of sorrow poured from her lips and tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she cradled Castor’s body in her arms.

Hope was so overcome with the grief over losing her beloved Castor that she didn’t even hear Phoebe enter the barn with Icarus in tow. She finally took notice of the pair when they stood over her.

Gently, she laid Castor’s head on the dirt as she rose to her feet and addressed the healer. "Your services will not be needed after all Icarus." She turned her gaze towards the young woman standing beside him. "Prepare his body for a funeral pyre."

The two watched in silence as Hope used her godly powers to call Castor’s fallen sword to her outstretched hand. Gripping it firmly, she left the old barn in search of Minos

**********

Minos was standing in his quarters that occupied in its entirety, all of one of the smaller structures located on the old farm. His eyes danced with fascination as they gazed at the dark red blood covering the sword he held up for inspection. He had forgotten how exhilarating the taking of a life could be. And it was an added bonus that the man had been an infidel---someone out to disrupt the plans of the Dark One.

Minos tossed his priestly robe onto a chair. He now only wore a black shirt that matched his black pants. The high priest casually strolled over to a table where he retrieved a bottle of wine and proceeded to pour its contents into a goblet. A chuckle escaped his lips as he gazed at the crimson contents in the goblet. The dark red color reminded him of the spilt blood of the man. He put the goblet to his lips and quickly down the fermented liquid.

"Ah, something to eat would be nice." Minos inspected the fruit in a bowl setting atop the table. He decided on a shiny red apple and was biting into it when he heard the door to his private quarters open. He was chewing on the apple bits as a grin crossed his face. He knew exactly who had entered his quarters, so he didn’t even bother to turn around when he addressed her. "So Hope, I guess your friend has died and you have come to make me pay?" His words possessed a mocking tone.

"Oh, you will pay all right," Hope hissed. "With your OWN life!!!"

Minos finally turned to face Hope just as Castor’s sword she had thrown with lightening quick speed reached where he stood. There was a look of surprise on the face of the high priest as the sword cut through his neck, severing his head that fell to the floor in a pool of blood.

A smile of triumph creased Hope’s lips. She had killed the monster that had taken the life of her beloved Castor. But that smile soon faded. Instead of falling to the floor, Minos’ headless body stumbled around a bit. It came to a stop when it stood before his head. The body seemed to sense the head was there because it bent down, picked up the head with its hands and set it atop his neck again.

Hope gasped in disbelief as the wound caused by the sword vanished, leaving Minos’ neck unblemished.

"Ah, that’s better," he breathed. The priest let his gaze rest on Hope who still stood there staring at him incredulously.

"You are not mortal," she said, with disappointment.

"But I use to be," Minos said with a wicked grin. "As you already know, I was murdered many years ago and was recently brought back thanks to the efforts of your father’s faithful. When my life was restored, I was bestowed with the gift your father had promised me when I became his closest confidant."

"My father made you immortal?"

"Yes."

Hope shook her head in disgust as she gazed at the immortal high priest. The only man she had ever loved was dead because of this monster who would go on living forever thanks to the gift from her own father---there was no way to kill him.

Minos couldn’t hold back a chuckle as he gazed at Hope’s face. It was darkened with anger over the fact that she would not be rid of him, as she so desired.

"Now this mortal...what was it you called him? Ah yes...Castor...you must have met him during those few months after your tumble into a lava pit...before you rejoined the cult and your father."

"I’m not discussing Castor with you!" Hope turned to leave.

But Minos quickly moved to block her departure. "You two obviously became very close and I bet this Castor awakened within you the humanity you inherited from your mother and you two fell in love...how romantic." The tone of Minos’ voice was mocking.

"Oh shut up...you couldn’t begin to understand what Castor and I shared!" Hope spat.

"Oh, but I do understand and that’s why you should be trying to win me over as a friend instead of turning me into an enemy because I could go tell your father all about your involvement with an infidel."

"Go ahead, you really have nothing to tell," Hope stated with confidence. She stepped around Minos and headed for the door.

"I could tell Dahak that you and this Castor were lovers."

Hope stopped dead in her tracks and turned to face Minos again.

"There’s no way you could deny it. I have witnesses among the faithful who saw your reaction to the man’s death and would back me up. How do you think your father would react Hope if he knew you defiled yourself with this...this mortal...Castor?"

Minos speaking of Castor as if he were nothing but a dirty, wretched, creature had Hope boiling with anger. She lunged at the high priest, wrapping her hands around his throat. "You aren’t fit to lick his boots let alone speak his name!" Hope knew her actions would not end his life but it was somewhat satisfying anyway.

The high priest easily removed himself from her grasp all the while emitting an evil laugh from his thin lips. When he finally stopped laughing, he intently gazed at Hope as he raised a hand and ran it through her strawberry blond hair. "Dahak doesn’t have to know anything about you cavorting with this mortal...that is...if you will be nice to me." His hand had moved to Hope’s neck and softly caressed the skin.

She quickly backed away from his touch. Her eyes were blazing with disgust. "I would tell my father EVERYTHING and face the consequences of his wrath, before I would EVER let you touch me!" Hope turned her back to him and headed for the door.

Minos quickly followed after her, grabbing a shoulder and halting her departure. "That would be a mistake my dear. Despite what you think about being with me, your father’s wrath would be far worse."

"It’s a chance I’m willing to take." Hope shook his hand from her shoulder and proceeded towards the door once again.

But once again, Minos stepped in front of her. "I’m afraid I can’t let you do that." He grabbed Hope and claimed her lips in a brutal kiss.

Hope always knew that Minos lusted for her but after the events of that night, his actions had caught her completely off-guard. She violently struggled to free herself from his unwanted embrace. Using godly strength, she managed to dig her nails into the skin of his face that got a howl of pain out of him at which time he released her.

Minos rubbed a hand over his torn cheek. When he gazed at his fingers, they were covered with blood. The wound would heal but since another immortal had inflicted it, that would take some time. Though it was only temporary, the wound still angered Minos and it showed in his eyes as he glared at Hope. "So, you like to play it rough huh? Well, I can oblige you!"

Hope knew she was in danger and made an attempt to flee from Minos’ quarters but was halted when he grabbed her around the waist. The high priest lifted her off her feet and hurled her small frame onto the bed. Hope landed on the bed with such a force that she was momentarily left dazed. She was still trying to regain her focus and crawl off the bed when Minos who had joined her on the bed stopped her attempt. He roughly pushed her onto her back as he straddled her hips. Hope violently struggled to free herself.

"With such fire, you should have been a red head instead of a strawberry blond," Minos stated with a chuckle that soon turned to evil laughter.

Desperate to free herself, Hope used her godly powers to call objects about the room to the bed. A wine bottle flew off the table and walloped Minos in the head, causing him to stop laughing. A plate and a knife that embedded itself in Minos’ shoulder followed the wine bottle. With a growl, he pulled the offending object from his flesh and tossed it across the room.

As Minos was bombarded with object after object he still would not budge off of Hope’s body. But he had grown tired of her resisting him, so he slapped her hard across the face.

Hope continued to use her powers to hurl object after object at him and he continued to slap her in the face. His open hand had become a closed fist when the last object, a chair, speeded towards him, them abruptly dropped on the bed beside him.

Minos stopped punching Hope and gazed at her bruised face. The beating he had given her had finally broken the concentration of her powers. He knocked the chair lying on the bed to the floor before turning his attention to Hope.

She lay completely still as he began to rip her clothes from her body. She didn’t even look at him when he moved off the bed and began to remove his own clothes. When he rejoined her on the bed, Hope only uttered these words in a chilling tone of certainty. "My father will kill you for this."

**********

A moan of pain escaped Hope’s lips as she wrapped the cloak she wore tighter about her. She urged the horse she sat atop to go faster.

Hope had been traveling for two full days in a desperate journey to reach her father’s new base on the mainland of Greece. After the horrible ordeal with Minos, Hope had somehow managed to leave his quarters, go to the corral, mount a horse and ride away from the old farm. She hadn’t even bothered to wash away what Minos had done to her, even though the urge to do so repeatedly rose within her because she wanted her father to see exactly what his exalted high priest had done.

Hope uncapped a water skin and took a quick sip. A look of disgust appeared on her face as memories of the two-day old nightmare flashed before her eyes.

...She felt the warmth of Minos’ naked body against her own. His lips and hands caressing her body made her skin crawl. The hardness of his sex brushed against her inner thigh---she wanted to struggle----make him stop---but she couldn’t---she was too weak from his earlier beatings---she willed herself not to scream at the force of his entry...

Hope violently shook her head to clear the wretched memories from her mind. She tried to replace them with the loving memories of Castor and the one time they had together but thoughts of Minos kept crashing down upon her. Tears began to roll down Hope’s cheeks but she quickly wiped them away. She had to be strong when she faced Dahak.

The sun was beginning to set in the sky when the horse finally approached a large old temple; Hope brought the animal to a stop. She ignored the pain of her sore body as she dismounted then made her way up the many steps. When Hope stood on the top step, she paused for a moment, gazing at the large door, before pulling it open and stepping inside. Once inside, she headed for the temple’s main hall. Her father’s throne was unoccupied and the only person there was a priest lighting candles. Hope immediately went over to the priest.

"I must see Lord Dahak at once," she demanded.

An apologetic smile crossed the lips of the priest. "I’m afraid that’s not possible." He tried to get a glimpse of the young woman’s face but the hood of the cloak she wore obscured his view. "Lord Dahak is in meditation right now and left strict orders that he is not to be disturbed."

"Well, there is a first time for everything. Tell Lord Dahak his daughter Hope is here and I must see him at once." Since the bruises on her face had started to vanish, she lowered the hood, allowing the priest to see her.

The eyes of the priest widened upon learning the identity of the woman before him. "Yes, I will immediately inform your father of your arrival." The priest exited in haste to speak with his lord.

**********

The room was constructed of black marble and dimly lit by torches along the walls. The flames of a roaring fire crackled in the large hearth decorated by the stone image of a dragon’s head directly above it.

In the middle of the room sat a large canopied bed, draped in black that obscured from view, anyone sleeping upon it. At the moment however, the owner of the bed was not sleeping which was quite obvious by the sounds coming from behind the black draperies.

"Ooh yeah...harder baby," Discord panted. "Give it to me...like only...you can." The goddess was on her knees, leaning towards the headboard as Dahak took her from behind. She felt a hand roam over her hot flesh, coming to stop at one of her giggling breasts which he lustfully squeezed. "Ahh, that’s it," Discord moaned as the evil god plunged his hard member deeper within her quivering depths. Under the increased force of his thrusts, she tightened her grip on the headboard.

A smile broke out over Dahak’s handsome face. Discord was the only woman he had ever been with who knew the right words to say that always worked him into such a feral frenzy. His hands firmly gripped the goddess’ hips as he slammed her ass into his pelvis under the quickened tempo of his thrusts. Faster and faster, their bodies moved together until their final joining which culminated when both found release.

Together, they floated on a pinnacle of pleasure until the affects of spent energy overcame them. Discord hung over the headboard gasping for breath. Dahak was resting on top of her, his own strong hands, gripping the headboard next to hers. One hand released its grip on the headboard to brush aside her wild raven tresses. The other hand, he wrapped around her body as he teased her now exposed neck with nibbles. This tickled and caused Discord to laugh. Dahak pulled them both down to the bed, where they rested their heads on black and silver silk pillows.

Discord moved closer and rested her head the god’s chest. With a long, blood red fingernail, she lazily traced a pattern on his bronze colored skin. "You were a lot wilder than usual. Is there anything going on that I should know about?" She raised her head off his chest and gazed into his crystal blue eyes.

"There is nothing for you to worry about, Discord. You, my dear, are the only reason for my increased enthusiasm." Dahak brought her hand to his lips and kissed the palm.

"Ooh, I am glad to know I have this kind of effect on you," Discord cooed as her blood red lips curled into a devilish grin. She rolled on top of the evil god and claimed his full lips in a hungry kiss. Dahak buried his hands in her raven tresses as his tongue made its way through her lips to explore the soft warm flesh of her mouth.

Their kisses were beginning to stoke the fires in both when they heard someone enter the bedchamber.

Dahak broke their hungry kisses. Even though the black curtain surrounding the bed obscured his view, he knew who had entered his bedchamber and immediately addressed the person. "What is it Abaris?" His tone was somewhat annoyed.

Abaris detected the displeased tone in his lord’s voice and got right to point of his unwelcome interruption. "I know my lord left strict orders not to be disturbed but your daughter Hope is here to see you. She says it’s urgent."

A groan of disappointment escaped Discord’s lips, which Dahak silenced with a quick kiss. "Tell Hope I will see her."

"Yes my lord." Abaris quickly departed Dahak’s bedchamber.

Discord rolled off Dahak’s body then he got out of the bed. With a thought, he was wearing form fitting black leather and matching boots. Discord gazed up at him from her position on the large bed. She lounged on her side propped up on one bent arm, her head resting on a hand. In the other, she clutched a black and silver silk pillow. A look of disappointment was on her porcelain face.

Dahak seated himself on the side of the bed. With a hand, he gently took hold of Discord’s chin, and bending down, claimed her blood red lips in a passionate kiss. When he broke the kiss, he stared into her eyes. "This shouldn’t take long, so you stay put." He softly ran a finger down the bridge of her nose before rising from the bed. Discord watched as the god disappeared in a flame of fire.

**********

Hope was patiently standing in the main hall of the old temple when in a flame of fire Dahak’s form appeared, seated upon the large throne.

From his lofty position, the dark god gazed down at his daughter standing before him. "So Hope, what was so urgent that you had to see me?"

Hope moved closer to the throne and stopped when she was a few feet in front of the raised marble platform. Gazing upward, she stared deeply into his face. "Father, you must KILL Minos."

Upon hearing his daughter’s request, a look of perplexity crossed Dahak’s face. "And why should I kill my closest confidant?"

Hope took a deep breath before she replied, "Because that...that monster RAPED ME!!!"

She let the cloak she wore fall to the floor, exposing her wretched state to her father. Hope stood before her father completely nude so he could see what his high priest had done. Dahak was stunned by her condition. He left his throne and now circled her, taking in the horrible sight.

Being immortal, the bruises on her face had healed but the injuries to her body had not yet. Her arms, breasts, neck, stomach and thighs were covered with deep red scratch marks.

"Oh, my poor child," Dahak sighed with sympathy when he stood facing his daughter.

Up until then, Hope had held back the tears but now she could no longer do that and let them fall from her eyes and roll down her cheeks.

Dahak raised a hand and wiped a tear from his daughter’s face. He stooped down, picked the cloak up off the floor and wrapped it around Hope’s body. "It does appear that Minos was a bit rough with you but his actions do not warrant death."

Hope’s mouth dropped open as she narrowed the gaze of her green eyes and stared incredulously at Dahak. "A bit ruff!?!?!? Is that all you think it was!?!?!?!? Maybe you didn’t hear me right so I will repeat it. HE RAPED ME. Ever since I returned, that BASTARD has been leering at me. He knew I LOATHED him and would NEVER be his, so he took me the only way he EVER could...BY FORCE!!!"

"Since that is the case my dear, it looks like you will have to learn to be more cooperative or the next time will be just as painful."

"The next time!!!" Hope screamed in her head. At that moment, a frosty chill went through her body. She had a sneaking suspicion that she had not been informed of all of her father’s dark plans and it was suddenly apparent that she had better get informed fast. In a demanding tone that most wouldn’t have had the guts to use when addressing the One Great Evil she asked, "What are you talking about Father? What is this about?"

It was time for Dahak to tell Hope the slight changes he had made to her crucial role in his dark plans. A calm sigh escaped the god’s full lips before he issued a reply. "I have chosen Minos to father the remaining destroyers."

"MINOS!!!" Hope yelled as her green eyes widened with anger and surprise. "But Father, you said, this time, the choice would be mine. How could you make such a decision without even consulting me???" After what Minos had done to Castor and to her, Hope was filled with overwhelming rage upon learning her father had chosen the high priest he had bestowed with immortality to be her mate. "There is NO WAY I will do this Father...DO YOU HEAR ME??? I REFUSE!!!"

"OH, YOU WILL DO IT ALL RIGHT!!!" Dahak yelled in a deadly deep voice that caused the whole temple to shake and brought Hope to immediate silence. He roughly grabbed hold of Hope’s chin and forced her to look at him. His gaze bore into her face with eyes that were now as black as the abyss of Tartarus. His voice decreased to normal levels when he spoke again but the tone was still menacing. "If you refuse...Minos has MY permission to RAPE you again!" Hope gasped in shock upon hearing her father’s words. "You should consider violation a small price to pay for letting the first destroyer DIE!!!" Upon hearing these last words Hope’s green eyes widened in shock. "That’s right my dear daughter, I know you LIED about the miscarriage. You LET your child DIE so you could use its body to restore the life of YOUR MOTHER!!!"

Dahak released his grip on Hope’s chin and she took the opportunity to back some feet away from him. His eyes reverted back to their normal crystal blue color. She could feel his anger emanating all around her and began to think that Minos was right about her father’s wrath. "How did you find out?"

"How I found out is not important. The only matter of importance is that I DO know and now I want to know WHY???" Dahak stared intently at his daughter, waiting for an answer.

Hope knew it had been wishful thinking on her part to believe she could forever hide the true fate of the destroyer from Dahak. Now she would have to explain the reasons for her deception and accept the horrible fate she knew awaited her.

"Gabrielle is my mother and in the end, I couldn’t just let her die," Hope firmly stated. "I tried to convince myself thatI didn’t need her...that I hated her but a part of me couldn’t let go of a puzzling curiosity. So many loved my mother and she in turn loved them yet she seemed to have no love for me...her own daughter." Hope looked very much like a child as she stood there with a painful frown on her face. "When she pushed me into the lava pit, I thought, here she was, once again trying to kill her own daughter. But little did she know that I was immortal and the flames could not hurt me but it did provide more proof, so I thought, as to how much she hated me. As I plummeted towards that hot, boiling, liquid, I was not alone...she was there too and unlike me, the lava would kill her. I tried to find joy in her impending death but a part of me still yearned for her acceptance...her love." Hope’s face was now riddled with confusion as she continued. "When Mother finally died, I captured her essence before it could make its journey to its final resting place and took her into my own being. Sharing a consciousness with Mother allowed me to discover how she really felt about me and I was stunned by what I found...she loved me...she always had and always would." A faint smile broke out over Hope’s face. "This one simple revelation brought to my life something I had never felt before and that was peace---all the anger, hurt, rage and resentment I had always known disappeared. But I was still carrying the destroyer who found nourishment in my dark emotions. As they faded, so did its life force." Sadness now shrouded Hope’s demeanor. "There was nothing I could do to save the child. I wasn’t about to let myself be consumed by dark emotions again. I liked my new feelings and knowing that my mother loved me." A faint smile was back on her face. "I could not sustain Mother’s essence forever in my own body so I transferred her into the still intact body of my now dead child." Hope stopped there as she bowed her head.

For the entire time that Hope spoke, Dahak had been standing in silence and finally voiced his thoughts on what he had just heard. "I thought your rebirth would destroy the weaknesses you inherited from your mother but I see now, that was not the case." He shook his head in disappointment. "You have forgotten everything I taught you." Hope looked up to gaze at her father as he continued to speak. "I have told you time and time again that love is a weakness...your very actions are proof of this. You deceived me, your own father, and put in jeopardy the plans I have worked on for so long," he said. "You say your mother loves you, but she never accepted you for who and what you are---she even tried to kill you on two occasions. But I have always accepted you and this is how you repay ME???"

"But Father I..."

Dahak raised a hand that quickly silenced her as he continued to speak. "If your mother *loves* you so much will she be able to accept your decision to be with me? I think NOT---the goodness in her would never allow it. No, Gabrielle will attempt to disrupt my plans, which means she will seek my destruction and if her past actions are any indication, your destruction too."

After the unique experience they shared, Hope did not believe her mother would ever try to kill her again. NO---her father was WRONG ----and about some other things too---like Xena. She would not be by Dahak’s side as he desired but with Gabrielle, leading the attack against him. Hope thought it was time to share this reality with her father. "Mother won’t be working alone Father. Xena will be right there with her."

"Ah yes, for now Xena is fighting against us but that will change." Dahak’s features took on a thoughtful glint.

"But how father? How will you get Xena to join us?"

With his daughter showing signs of human weakness, Dahak was not about to reveal the intricate details for claiming Xena to her. "Never you mind about that Hope. Your top concern should be proving your loyalty to me."

"And how should I do that Father?" Hope bowed her head in a submissive gesture to hide her displeasure over what her father would ask of her.

"Oh, you know what you must do my daughter."

Hope raised her head to look at her father. At that same moment, she felt an arm encircle her waist and pull her close. She instantly glanced next to her and saw that Minos now stood there. He had stealthily entered the main hall without her even hearing him. Hope’s body tensed in disgust upon feeling the hard body of the high priest against her own.

"You will begin right away on conceiving the next destroyer," Dahak said.

Despite the tragedies and traumas of the last couple days, Hope’s determination to stop her father had not faltered. In her mind, the best way to do that would be to stay in Dahak’s good graces. So she would play the obedient daughter and do as he commanded. "Yes, Father," she softly replied.

Dahak had a pleased smile on his face as he watched the couple depart the main hall.

CHAPTER 47

After successfully destroying Dahak’s lava plant facility in Herakleia, Xena and her friends planned attacks on the other facilities they knew Dahak had scattered throughout Greece. But they would need the help of others.

Ares transported Solari back to the Amazon nation where she garnered support for their cause from her Amazon sisters. Since Ephiny had connections with the Centaurs, she was sent to talk to their leaders and get their support. Hercules was transported back to Corinth where he got the help of his brother King Iphicles and the former King, Jason.

Now, with the support of the Amazons, the Centaurs and the Corinthian army, Xena and her friends were able to find six more facilities, filled with deadly lava plants like the one in Herakleia and totally destroy them. They knew there were several more hidden facilities out there as well as plants already dispersed among the population of Greece. Finding them all would be a monumental task but this did not weaken their focus on disrupting Dahak’s plans for demon possession.

Ares had also made good on his promise to get help from a couple Olympians. His half-brother Hermes already had his merchants relaying information regarding Dahak’s secret base. They would now also lend a hand in uncovering lava plant facilities.

These raids against Dahak’s secret facilities had been going on for only a few days when Ares sought the help of another Olympian.

The war god was seated on his throne in his Macedonian fortress. He watched as a fellow Olympian took form from shards of golden light. It was the goddess of the Hunt, Artemis.

She was tall with a slender athletic build. Her shoulder length hair was chestnut brown and her eyes were emerald green. Artemis wore a tan dress, the skirt coming to mid-thigh, with matching tan boots. Gold leaf bands adorned her arms with a matching one in her brown hair. Strapped to her back were arrows and slung over one shoulder was her trusty bow. Artemis had an annoyed look on her face as she set her gaze on the seated war god.

"You better have a good reason for calling me here, Ares," the goddess warned.

Artemis had been in Ephesus. Every year, the citizens of that city would hold a seven-day festival in honor of the goddess. On the seventh and final day, the festival would conclude with a spectacular hunt, an event that Artemis always enjoyed and now she would miss it, thanks to her half-brother, the war god.

"It’s about Dahak," Ares began.

"Still working on that, huh? No wonder we haven’t seen much of you on Olympus these past few weeks."

"Yes, this Dahak matter...and some other things are occupying a lot of my time these days," Ares replied. "That’s why I asked you to come here. I need some support from the other gods. I’ve always gotten along with you and Hermes---he is already helping out and now I am asking you." Ares stared intently at his sister’s face.

"You know this is a waste of time Ares," Artemis sighed with annoyance. "My opinion has not changed since the last council meeting."

"Look Artemis, I know my words were not enough to convince you of Dahak’s threat so maybe you will listen to your own Amazons."

Gabrielle, Ephiny and Solari had been standing in the corridor and now stepped into the throne room. All three Amazons bowed before their patron goddess then rose to their feet again.

Artemis’ gaze wandered over the three Amazons standing before her---two of them she recognized. The brunette was Solari and the curly blonde was Ephiny who had become Queen upon Gabrielle’s death. The Goddess of the Hunt fixed her gaze on the third woman. She had striking curly auburn hair. Artemis was drawn to the woman’s green eyes that held a familiarity. Slowly, a knowing smile spread across the face of the goddess. "Welcome back to the land of the living, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle’s green eye’s widened in surprise. Her reaction matched those of her two Amazon sisters. Her surprise was also evident in her voice, when she spoke. "Thank you, my goddess...but how did you know it was me?"

"We have never met but I did monitor your travels with Xena from time to time," Artemis admitted. "I always admired your zest for living---it gave those green eyes of yours an unforgettable sparkle. I never saw it in another mortal...until today...and when I did - it was the same and I knew the young woman before me had to be the bard of Poteidaia who became one of my Amazon queens."

"I am truly honored by your words, my goddess." Gabrielle slightly bowed her head in a gesture of humility before gazing at Artemis again.

"I really would love to hear the tale of your resurrection. It’s got to be fascinating." Artemis glanced over at her brother still seated upon his throne. "But I think Ares would prefer if I got caught up on all the events concerning Dahak, so we will have to save your story for another time."

Upon hearing his sister’s words, Ares had a pleased smile on his face that matched those of the Amazons.

Artemis knew that Ares immensely disliked Gabrielle and the feeling was mutual on the bard’s part. If she was here working with Ares to fight Dahak, along with her Amazon sisters, the Goddess of the Hunt deduced that her brother had indeed been telling the truth about Dahak’s threat to them all and made the decision to give the war god her support.

Gabrielle provided most of the synopsis of their encounters with Dahak and his cult. Ares, Ephiny and Solari threw in a few extra points here and there. They really needed Artemis’ help in garnering the support of a few Amazon tribes who refused to help with their cause.

"A visit from me and those renegade Amazons will join us in an instant," Artemis said after hearing the brief synopsis. "It’s not everyday that their patron goddess pays them a visit."

"You better go talk to them now, their help will be greatly needed in the raids planned over the next few days," Ares stated.

Artemis nodded in agreement.

The war god was still seated on his throne and Gabrielle stood nearby as they watched Artemis disappear from sight along with Ephiny and Solari.

**********

The rays of the sun still managed to pierce through the large gray clouds that were starting to blanket the ice blue sky. Another storm was brewing that would probably dump more snow on the mountains of Macedon. But the storm was still hours away and would not disrupt this time of fun.

Lysia ran small glove covered hands down the white pillar of snow. The little girl took a step back to admire her work. The pillar was just as tall as she was. "Mommy, how does it look?"

Xena gazed up from her own snow creation to get a view of her daughter’s handiwork. "You are doing a great job honey, it looks just like the tower of the castle." Xena let her eyes inspect her son’s creation. "That wall looks fantastic, Lycus."

"Thanks." The little boy’s mouth curled into a faint smile as he used a small glove covered hand to dig out a walkway that ran the entire length around the castle wall.

After garnering help from the Amazon nation, the Centaurs and the Corinthian army, Xena no longer took part in the raids on Dahak’s lava plant facilities. In just a few days, Cyrus would have a complete translation of the Watchers’ Chronicles detailing the exact locations of the Holy Saber around the world. So, Xena was making preparations for her impending journey to one of the locations where a part of the saber could be found. In between those preparations, she spent as much time as she could, getting to know her children.

On this day, Xena, the twins and Gabrielle, had ventured out into the wintry weather that had come early to the mountains of Macedon. The four were busy constructing a castle out of the snow, using Ares’ mountain fortress as a model. And despite the cold conditions, all were having a great time.

Xena was working on one wing of the snow castle. She removed herself from her own creation to check on her friend’s progress. "You really do have a talent for building a snow castle, Gabrielle."

"This is the first time I have ever built a castle out of snow. I think it is easier using the sand at the beach but there, I never had an actual model from which to work and that does help a lot." Gabrielle gazed up at the massive stone fortress that regally sat atop the large mountain. "I wonder how long it would take to build something that huge."

"For mere mortals, it would take centuries," Xena stated as she too gazed at the enormous fortress. "That’s why Ares built the place himself. All he had to do was carve it out of the stone with several energy blasts."

"Wow, that woulda been cool to see," Lycus breathed.

"Yeah," Lysia added.

All four had ceased working on the snow castle and stood gazing with wonder at the large stone structure, sitting high atop the snow covered mountain surrounded by a halo of clouds. Xena had a content smile on her face as she stood in between the twins with a hand resting on the shoulder of each.

For almost half of her life, Xena had been a warrior. She had honed to perfection her knowledge and skill in the art of warfare that allowed her to excel to extraordinary levels on the battlefield. It had only been a few years ago when Xena made the decision to walk away from the death and destruction of war and use her skills to champion the common people.

Xena never thought her lifestyle as a warrior was a healthy environment in which to raise children. She also didn’t think her new lifestyle as the people’s champion, wandering about the countryside with no stability or home was any better an environment to raise children, so she dismissed the thought of having a child or ever reclaiming the children she had given away.

But here she was, living the long buried dream that had surprisingly become reality. The children that she had given up six years ago and thought she would never see again would now be a permanent part of her life. The twins had first known her as a friend. But now they knew her as the woman who had given them life---the woman whose heart broke when she made the sacrifice to give them away so they could have a better life---the woman whom they believed died not long after their birth who they wished they had known---their mother.

Xena’s life as a warlord and as a hero was always filled with action, adventure and danger on which she thrived. But none of it compared to motherhood. Each day with the children was an adventure in itself. She reveled in their innocence and curiosity for the world around them.

It pained Xena greatly that she was not there when they took their first steps or said their first words but she took heart in the fact that she would be there for them now and witness the changes in their lives as they grew to adulthood. But before Xena could build a relationship with her children, she wanted them to understand her actions of six years ago. She had a long discussion with both children. Cyrus was present too and it was a great start to repairing the damage done to his own relationship with the children.

Xena knew a relationship would not be built overnight but it did warm her heart that the children were already referring to her as mom. When the battle with Dahak was behind them, Xena wanted to take the children to Amphipolis and finally introduce her mother to the grandchildren she had given her. She knew Cyrene would be stunned but also happy. Xena also planned to tell the children all about their older brother Solan, who sadly had been killed and they would never have the opportunity to meet.

With the twins now a permanent part of her life, Xena knew she would have to make major changes. She would no longer be able to roam the countryside. Even though the twins would most definitely enjoy being constantly on the move, Xena knew a stable environment would be better for them and that meant settling down in one place. Xena really didn’t know whether her own hometown of Amphipolis would be the best place to raise the children or perhaps another town. She decided to save her decision for after Dahak was defeated and she could give it her complete focus.

Xena gazed up at the thick dark clouds now blanketing and blocking out the remote sunrays. The air had gotten colder too. "I think it’s time we head back to the castle."

"Oh Mommy, do we have to?" Lysia groaned with disappointment.

"Yeah Mom, the castle’s not done yet...we havta stay and finish it," Lycus added.

The twins looked to Gabrielle to see if she agreed.

"Sorry kids, I’m afraid your mom is right," Gabrielle said. "It looks like that storm will be here sooner than we thought so we better head back up the mountain."

"But what ‘bout those stones we havta get from the river?" Lycus asked. "We need them so Zethus can make the little horse statues he promised us."

Zethus, the blacksmith in Ares’ private stables, had a skill for carving objects. He had promised the children he would make carvings of the winged horses from the unusual white stones found in the river at the base of the mountain, if they brought some back from their outing.

"I almost forgot about the stones," Xena said. "You guys stay here and finish working on the snow castle and I’ll get the stones down by the river."

Gabrielle and the twins continued to work on the snow castle as Xena headed in the direction of the river to collect the stones.

The river was a few hills over from where the foursome was building the snow castle.

As Xena walked through a patch of pine trees her thoughts drifted back to her new role as mother and the decisions she would have to make. But Xena knew whatever decisions she would make in regards to the children would not be hers alone. She could not leave out their father---Ares. Would the war god voice strong objections to her taking the children and insist they be raised at his Macedonian fortress or even worse, Mt. Olympus?

Xena knew she and Ares had to sit down and make some important decisions regarding the children’s welfare but after what almost happened that night in the throne room and then the corridor outside of Cyrus’ makeshift lab, she did not relish talking to him. Xena no longer trusted herself to be alone with Ares and since that night had avoided him completely.

Avoidance seemed like a hard fete but it actually wasn’t. Ares only participated in the raid on Herakleia so Xena never saw him on the others in which she participated. He never intruded on her time with the children and she never intruded on his. Xena did one night though, secretly observe Ares telling a bedtime story to the children. His voice had sounded so gentle and did not contain the usual condescending cockiness. From the mouths of the children, themselves, Xena learned of the time they spent with their father. They got to experiment with their powers---something they always enjoyed. They also got to play games. From what the children told her, it sounded like Ares was living up to his declaration of being a father to the twins. Could it be that Ares really loved the children and did not see them as his possessions to shape as he pleased to do his dark bidding? It could be possible. After all, Hermes had said that Ares admitted to loving her so it made sense that he would love the children they shared too. But this was Ares, a war god. Love was his antithesis and foreign to his nature. Xena shook her head to dismiss such thoughts. She had to admit that Ares did care for the children but it didn’t mean he was above using them in one of his schemes and she had to be ready to disrupt whatever it might be.

Xena’s thoughts drifted back to the task at hand as the river came into view. The river originated high in the mountains of Macedon, cutting through the valleys and into Greece where it emptied into the Aegean Sea.

Xena walked along the riverbank. Sheets of ice dotted the water surface. She spotted the white stones along the edge of the river. Xena stooped down, picked up several of the unique off-white stones and placed them in the gray sack she had brought with her. When she thought she had collected enough stones, Xena tied the gray sack closed then proceeded back through the thick patch of pine trees headed for the valley where she had left Gabrielle and the twins.

The cold air was thick with the scent of pine. Snow clung to the pine trees as if it were painted on the needles. While passing one of the large trees, Xena reached out and grabbed a handful of snow off a low hanging branch and began to playfully palm it in a glove-covered hand. She hadn’t gotten far from the tree when in a dazzling glitter of blue light Ares’ form appeared before her.

Since he was a god, Ares didn’t need to protect his body from the bitter cold and wore no coat. He was dressed in his trademark black leather that molded like a second skin to his muscular frame.

Xena instantly came to a stop. She was caught completely off-guard by Ares’ sudden appearance but did a good job of hiding it. She wanted to keep this unexpected meeting brief so in a rushed tone she asked, "What do you want Ares?"

By the inflection of her voice and the displeased smirk on her face, the war god knew she was not exactly happy to see him. "I’m here to remind you about the training. You wanted to learn how to keep others from reading your thoughts."

"Oh that, Cyrus gave me some techniques and I’ve been practicing with those, so I won’t be needing your help," she replied. "If that’s all, I have to get back to Gabrielle and the children."

Before Xena could make a quick exit, Ares firmly grabbed an arm, halting her departure. "If this is an example of the civility you have extended to me, I must say, you will have to put a lot more effort into it." Ares let his lips curl into a devilish grin.

Xena let a devilish grin grace her own lovely face all the while her eyes blazed with anger as she stared into Ares’ face. "Any civility I extend to you will only be in the presence of the children and since they are not here, you can expect the usual treatment." Xena yanked her arm from Ares’ grasp, turned her back to him and resumed her walk back to where she had left the twins and Gabrielle. She hadn’t gotten far when Ares tauntingly called out to her.

"Xena, why are you avoiding me?"

She ignored the question and quickened her pace. But she came to an abrupt stop when Ares’ form appeared in front of her again.

"You have gone out of your way to make sure you are no where in the vicinity when I am around." A thoughtful expression was on the god’s face. "And this all started after that hot and steamy moment in a castle corridor."

"If I am avoiding you…you can’t say I don’t have a reason!" Xena snapped. "I have grown tired of you trying to get under my skirt!"

"Or maybe you can no longer deny your desires and can’t trust yourself around me." Ares moved closer to Xena. He raised a hand, letting the fingers play with the raven tresses framing her face. "Are you still plagued by those erotic dreams about us?"

"Why don’t you tell me? After all, you seem to know the dreams as well as I." Xena stepped back from Ares, so his fingers ceased playing with her hair.

"Those techniques you got from Cyrus must be working. I am not able to pick up the details of your dreams anymore." A disappointed frown was upon the god’s face.

A pleased smile crossed Xena’s lips.

"You may have mastered the ability to keep your dreams private but that does not mean they will go away," Ares stated with certainty. "The dreams will continue until you accept their meaning."

"And this meaning, Ares, would it happen to be what you are always telling me...that we are destined to be together?" Xena’s tone was laced with sarcasm.

"We are destined to be together Xena and that is not a self-serving notion on my part," Ares replied. "This is no longer just about you and me. We have to consider the children. For their sakes, we must forge peace between us."

"I know that Ares. Why do you think I agreed to be civil towards you?"

"What you propose is an act." Ares moved closer to her. When he spoke again, his tone was low and full of desire. "I am talking about making it real." He raised a hand and caressed a cheek.

Xena knew exactly what Ares had in mind to make it real. "I can’t do that." She moved away from his caressing hand.

"Why not? You certainly acted like you could do it that night in my throne room."

"But I didn’t."

"But you would have if it wasn’t for Cyrus’ poor timing," Ares said. "And let’s not leave out the incident in the corridor. You would have gone all the way if I hadn’t pulled back."

Xena could not deny that Ares was right. Twice in the same night she had thrown caution to the wind and would have broken the vow she made to herself. She prided herself on being focused---disciplined but lately, she was letting herself be ruled by the lust of her body instead of her mind. And what if Ares was right about the meaning of her dreams? She hadn’t verified his suspicions but he had been right about them still continuing so could he be right about them being destined to be together?

While Xena fought inner turmoil, Ares continued to speak. "From the time I have spent with the children, they have made it pretty clear, that they would like their parents together and that’s why an *act* just won’t do...they are too smart and would see right through it." Ares moved still closer to Xena. "I told you that I would take my role as a father very seriously and I am willing to do what it takes to create the best environment for the children, so how about you?" Ares interpreted Xena’s continued silence as willingness on her part and leaned in to capture her lips with a kiss.

Suddenly, Xena took a step back. "I told you, I can’t do this Ares, so why don’t you just COOL IT!?!?!?" In one hand, Xena still palmed the ball of snow that she now smashed directly into the face of the war god.

Ares backed away from her with a look of surprise shrouding his features. A chuckle escaped Xena’s lips that soon turned to laughter as she gazed at the war god. Remnants of the snowball she had smashed in his face clung to his moustache and beard.

"Oh, so you think that’s funny do you?" Ares wiped the snow from his moustache and beard.

"Yes...ha-ha-ha...I do...ha-ha-ha," Xena replied in between giggles. "And so would you if you could see the look on your face."

"Then maybe I should give it a try. I could certainly use the laugh." Ares had a devilish gleam in his eyes.

Xena knew what he had in mind and started backing away from him. "Oh, you wouldn’t dare!?!?!?"

"Just watch me." Snow flew up from the ground, which Ares captured with a hand and began palming into a snowball. A devilish laugh escaped the god’s lips as he watched Xena take off into the thatch of pine trees.

After going some distance into the thick of the trees, Xena came to a stop. She heard Ares’ voice call out to her. "You can run Xena but you can’t hide."

Xena put down the sack of stones. She grabbed two handfuls of snow and palmed them into snowballs as she cautiously proceeded through the patch of trees, looking for any sign of Ares. She had made it to a small clearing in the patch of trees when his form materialized before her. His sudden appearance had caught her off guard, which he took full advantage when he began to pummel her fur-covered form with snowballs.

"Hey, that’s not fair...you used your powers to find me!" Xena yelled as she tried to dodge the snowballs, while throwing the snowballs she had formed at the war god.

"It’s the chance you take when you start a snowball fight with a god." Ares continued to gather more snow in his hands as he hurled snowballs at her form.

Xena stood no chance against the snowy assault and quickly retreated into the patch of pine trees again. She came to a stop to form some snowballs for herself. She was kneeling in the snow when she felt his presence. Instantly, she whirled around, and hurled a snowball just as his form came into view a few feet behind her. The snowball she hurled hit its intended target square in the chest.

"Nice shot," Ares commented as he in turn began hurling snowballs at Xena.

Despite her initial feelings of annoyance at Ares’ unwelcome arrival, Xena was enjoying their mock war with the snowballs. And from the look on Ares’ face, she could see that he was enjoying it too.

Xena tried her best to counter Ares’ assault by hurling snowballs at the war god but she was really no match for his lightening quick speed. She had been hit by so many snowballs that her hair and face were wet. She was laughing hysterically as she tried to rise to her feet and back away from his incessant assault.

But Ares followed her. "Do you give up?" He asked in between chuckles as he continued to hit her retreating form with snowballs.

Xena was so busy laughing that she backed right up into a pine tree. "Yes, I give up...you win." She finally said when she stopped laughing.

Ares stood directly in front of Xena as she rested against the pine tree, trying to catch her breath. He raised a hand to wipe away the snow resting on a rosy cheek. "Are you as turned on by this as I am?" He asked in a low husky voice.

"MORE," Xena growled as she grasped Ares’ head between her hands, pulled his face to hers and claimed his full lips in a passionate kiss.

During the snowball fight, Xena had decided that Ares’ interpretation of her dreams could be right after all. Besides, she owed it to the twins to at least try to give them united parents.

Ares welcomed Xena’s sudden aggression by deepening the kiss. Their tongues parried as his hands pulled open the fur coat she wore and began to explore her body. He pulled away from the kiss to gaze at the form he had uncovered. "I haven’t seen you in this since your warlord days." Xena was not wearing her usual leathers but an outfit she had found in the cedar wardrobe of her bedchamber. It was still a leather bodice with a skirt but black in color and she had left out the protective armor. She also wore matching black boots that came to mid-thigh.

"This is a lot warmer than my usual leathers," Xena replied.

"After all these years, it still fits you perfectly." Ares’ fingers began to loosen the strings holding together the leather bodice as Xena’s chest rapidly rose and fell from her quickened breathing. When the strings were undone, Ares pulled apart the bodice and lowered his head to a now exposed breast.

Xena sighed with delight when she felt his lips on her warm skin. She held his head to her breast as he teased the nipple with his tongue. When her sighs turned to moans, he abruptly broke away and moved up to reclaim her lips with hungry kisses.

"I need you, Xena," Ares breathed in between kisses. "I need you right NOW."

"I need you too but we can’t," Xena protested in between kisses. "What if the children caught us?"

"They would get to see their parents *forging peace* with one another and have the rare opportunity of seeing how they got here," he replied in jest.

Xena stopped returning his urgent kisses. "I’m serious Ares. I don’t want the children catching us in such a moment...and I can’t leave out Gabrielle...she would freak. We can continue this later at the castle." Xena tried to move away from the pine tree but Ares’ hands rested on her shoulders, holding her in place.

"Neither the kids nor Gabrielle are coming down here, Xena. All three are too engrossed with building the snow castle."

"Still Ares, I don’t think we sh..."

The war god immediately silenced her with a brutal kiss. Xena’s objections began to melt as she wrapped her arms around Ares’ neck and returned his kisses with a fervor. But Xena’s concerns were brought back when she felt Ares’ hand resting on her undergarment. In between their heated kisses she spoke. "No...I changed my mind...we can’t do this here..."

But before she had even finished voicing her concerns, with one tug, Ares had removed her undergarment from her body, without so much as a tear.

Xena halted the heated kisses and stood there staring at Ares. The war god had a sly smile on his face as he held up the article of clothing. In the blink of an eye, it vanished from his hand. The god gazed at the apprehensive look on Xena’s face. "Don’t worry, I will return it when you need it again. Now, where were we?"

Deciding to throw caution to the wind, Xena took the initiative and claimed Ares’ lips with a kiss. As the intensity of their desire began to build, Ares removed his sword belt, letting it drop to the snow below. He moved on to his leather pants, that he quickly unfastened. Xena braced herself against the large trunk of the pine tree as Ares moved in to begin their passionate ride.

Chapters 48 – 51

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