@Xenite Country
Dark Revelations
By Skkye Blue
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Shipper Fan Fiction @Xenite Country Dark Revelations |
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Webmaster Note: To make this story load a little easier in your browser, it has been split into several web pages. You will find the link for the part of the story below at the end of each page. Dark Revelations (Chapters 65 thru 67) CHAPTER 65 Thick gray clouds slowly moved into position in the sky above the Daba valley. A low rumble of thunder could be heard, indicating the possibility of a severe rainstorm before the day ended. But the threat of bad weather did not dampen the spirits of the men comprising the massive army. All were marching off the high of victories over the warlords who had control over the northern regions of the Shu province. Wong Tai and his stronghold in the southern regions of Shu province were the sole remnant of Ming Tien’s tyranny. With his defeat, all of Chin would finally be united under the rule of the new Emperor, Ming Tao. The Imperial army was made up of fifty thousand men. Added to their ranks were the men who made up the armies of the wealthy landowners of southern Shu province. All were adorned in shiny armor, proudly displaying the colors of the new Emperor. Chen Yee rode on horseback in the front line of the imperial army. Because of his stature, he could have observed the battle from a safe distance, but he felt, as did many of the other landowners, that it was his duty to take part in the unification of Chin. There was also the need for justice for the many friends he had lost to the tyranny of Wong Tai’s father and the young warlord, himself---among them, Chin Jie’s birth father. The combined forces of the imperial army and those of the landowners met the sizeable army of Wong Tai on a lush field with the picturesque view of the Daba Mountains as a contrasting backdrop to what was to come. Thick dark clouds now shrouded the fleeting rays of the sun that had been visible. Imperial General Yan Tak-Wing, on horseback, trotted out before his troops. The snorting and whinnying of horses comprising the Calvary could be heard as well as the clanging of armor on men taking their places in battle lines. There was a momentary breathlessness as they waited for the order of attack to be given. General Yan set a steely gaze on his counterpart in the opposing army. Then he unsheathed his mighty sword, pointing it towards the dark gray heavens. Every eye in the Imperial army was glued to his sword as it pointed skyward. The general lowered the sword, pointing at the massive foe and at the top of his voice shouted, "ATTACK!!!" His army responded with a shout of its own while immediately charging the enemy whom was now charging right for them. The movement of the two armies sounded like thunder as they came together. The first steel connected just as a streak of lightening cut across the darkened sky followed by a loud clap of thunder which ushered in the pouring rain. Under countless war boots and horse hooves, the lush green grass quickly turned to mud---its color deepening with the spilling of blood. As the rains intensified, the fighting did not cease and would only stop when there was a clear victor. ********** Autolycus could not help but be a bit startled when he heard a loud rumble of thunder roll across the sky. He had been pacing his dank cell when he had come to a sudden stop. When the thunder ceased, he resumed his pacing again. He nervously ran two fingers over his moustache and now full beard. The day of his execution had finally come. Autolycus had no idea how he would meet his end, only that it would be slow and painful. He had prayed that his friends would find a way to rescue him but as the time for the execution got closer and closer, that hope had faded and was now long gone. Footsteps could now be heard echoing off the stone floor of the corridor outside his cell. With dread spread across his face, Autolycus turned towards the large metal door, and stared at it as the sound grew louder, then ceased. It was replaced by a whiny creak as the door slowly opened and in stepped Tu Dong Po’s monstrous frame. "Well foreigner, today is *THE* day," the big man smirked. Instead of a catchy comeback, the King of Thieves chose to remain silent and tried to appear resigned to his fate. Getting no sign of fear out of his prisoner, Tu Dong Po walked over to Autolycus and stood behind him. He roughly grabbed a hold of the man’s arms bringing them to rest at his back as he secured them in place with chains around his wrists. Autolycus had to bite his bottom lip to keep from wincing in pain when the chain hit up against his broken hand. When Tu Dong Po was confident his prisoner was secure, he led him from the cell, roughly holding on to an arm. The sound of their boots against the dark stone floor loudly reverberated through Autolycus’ head as the pair made their way down the corridor. The execution was supposed to take place outside but due to the downpour of rain, would now take place inside Wong Tai’s palace. Tu Dong Po led his prisoner into a medium size room that was very dark and dreary. Two large torches provided the only light. Autolycus was rather insulted that he didn’t rate being killed in front of a crowd. Even though he had tried to steal Wong Tai’s lucky charm, he didn’t expect the big warlord to show up. But he thought Juang Thao would at least be there since he made such a big point about him dying a slow and painful death. The only other person in the room besides him and Tu Dong Po was the executioner. He was a man dressed in a flowing black robe. His face was hidden behind a large mask with the features of a scorpion painted upon it. He stood at the end of a long dark-colored stone slab with metal wrist and ankle restraints built into it. When he saw Autolycus and Tu Dong Po enter the room, he silently motioned them over with the wave of a hand. The executioner turned his attention to a wooden box situated on the end of the slab where he stood. He proceeded to open the box and run his fingers over its contents----several odd looking knives and other instruments of fatal torture. When he stood before the stone slab, Autolycus got a glimpse of the box’s contents and swallowed hard. He knew exactly what would happen to him now. Zhen Yu had told him how Ming Tien liked to execute people by performing torturous operations on them and it appeared that Wong Tai had adopted his deceased friend’s form of execution. Tu Dong Po removed the chain’s binding Autolycus’ wrists. "Lie down," he ordered while poking him in the back with a finger. Autolycus did as commanded. Trying not to think about the horror to soon follow, he gazed up at the ceiling and focused on the sound of the pouring rain that could be heard from the room’s two windows as Po secured his wrists and ankles with the restraints built into the stone slab. ‘Just stay calm Auto ol’ boy and try not to think about the coming pain’ he mentally reminded himself. He was now staring up into the scorpion mask of the executioner who stood over him. He felt the man open his shirt. The masked man held up for him to see an odd looking instrument with a large jagged edge. Autolycus braced himself for the feel of the instrument mercilessly cutting into his flesh. The executioner brought the object down towards Auto’s bare skin and was about to cut into him when a canister came through one of the windows and landed on the floor. Instantly, a yellow gas began to pour from its contents. "Ah YES! I’m being rescued!" Auto breathed as the yellow gas filled the room. The executioner was now too busy bent over, coughing from the gas to slice into Auto. Po was also coughing uncontrollably but he managed to make it over to the room’s door and open it. "We need help...in here...NOW! We are...under...attack!" Po managed to shout in between coughing fits. Hurried footsteps could be heard headed down the corridor towards the room just as four figures clothed in black from head to toe, their faces shrouded, leaped through the windows. They already had swords drawn ready for a fight when six guards burst into the room. Also coughing from the gas, Autolycus struggled in the restraints, trying to wrench around to see what was happening. Shadowy figures moved about the dense atmosphere, their swords weaving in and out of the yellow smoke and seemed to be cutting perilously close to where Autolycus laid bound. With all his strength, he pulled against the restraints but they would not budge. All he could do was lie there and listen to the clashing of steel and the occasional groan of pain when a blade found its mark in human flesh. It didn’t take long for the sounds of fighting to fade and for Autolycus to see a dark figure hovered over him. "Hey Auto, are you okay?" The figure asked. "Meleager?" he coughed. "Is that you?" "Yeah, it’s me." Meleager removed the black filter covering his face, that blocked out the yellow gas, so Auto could see him. "Zhen Yu is here too." He removed the bonds from Autolycus’ wrists. Zhen Yu had already removed his facial protection and stood by the slab so Autolycus could see him as he removed the steel bonds from the man’s ankles. "I had almost given up hope. But deep down, I knew you guys would rescue your ol’ pal Auto." A grin of relief brightened his face. Now free, Autolycus rose to a sitting position and swung his legs over the side of the stone slab. "Wong’s boys gave me a good lickin’ but I kept right on tickin’." "Just like a Timexus sundial." Meleager mused. Zhen Yu shook his head in confusion over western whit. "It’s good to see that being mere moments from facing an agonizing death didn’t damage your psyche any." Autolycus remained silent and only shivered when he thought about how close he came to being cut open. The yellow gas had started to dissipate from the room. Tu Dong Po, the executioner and the six guards laid about the room in pools of blood that indicated they were quite dead. Autolycus looked towards the two remaining dark figures that had aided in his rescue as they removed their protective masks. One quickly showed his face and introduced himself. "I am Chen Yew…the youngest son of Chen Yee." He bowed in greeting. The other man was rather small in stature and revealed his identity with some hesitation, not only removing the protective mask but the hood covering his head. The black hood came off first, freeing a long silky black braided ponytail that came to rest on a slender shoulder. This was followed by removal of the protective mask, revealing the oval face of a beautiful young woman. She had cocoa brown almond shaped eyes that instantly avoided Autolycus’ penetrating stare. "And who are you?" Autolycus asked, an eyebrow raised in piqued interest. The woman remained silent and slightly bowed her head. "This is Chen Jie…my sister," Chen Yew replied. "I want to thank you for helping with my rescue." Autolycus looked at the two siblings, giving Chen Jie a very appreciative smile. She remained silent and only acknowledged his gratitude with a slight bow. "We better get out of here," Chen Yew suggested in a rushed tone. He took hold of his sister’s arm and escorted her over to one of the windows. The rest of the group followed them. Autolycus stood by Chen Jie at the window and couldn’t dismiss the notion that there was something familiar about her. Situated below the window, in the courtyard below, were bales of hay. Chen Jie stood on the window ledge and with a graceful movement leapt from its heights, headed for the hay below. The others watched as she landed with a soft rustle. "Okay Autolycus, you go next," Zhen Yu suggested. With an uncomfortable smirk, Autolycus climbed onto the window ledge then jumped. Chen Jie was standing by the bales when he landed in the hay. As he rose to climb out, he accidentally put too much weight on his broken hand and grimaced in pain. "Here, let me help you." Chen Jie offered a steady hand, helping Autolycus climb out of the hay. When he stood on his own two feet, she quickly let go of him and turned away as she felt his probing gaze boring into her. After the others safely jumped from the window, the group quickly made their way to the stables. By the time they got there, the pouring rain had drenched them. They were greeted by the sound of clashing steel and as they walked inside saw Salmoneus and three of Zhen Yu’s men, battling seven of Wong Tai’s men. "Oh, thank the gods, reinforcements for our side," Salmoneus breathed with relief while quickly moving a pitchfork in front of him---blocking the incoming blade of his opponent, with not a moment to spare. Quickly unsheathing their swords, the four rescuers charged into the melee. Wanting payback for his own harsh treatment, Autolycus eagerly joined the fight too. He saw Salmoneus wallop another guy upside the head with the pitchfork, leaving him disoriented. Auto finished up by slamming the man head first into a stable support column knocking him unconscious. Horses in stalls whinnied with distress at the sound of clashing steel and warring shouts filling the stable. With the added help, Wong Tai’s men were being overpowered. Delivering a punch to the stomach of another man and shoving him away, Auto looked to his comrades fighting around him, Chin Jie in particular. The petite woman delivered a powerful spinning kick to the head of a man immediately rendering him unconscious. In that instant, Autolycus was back in the courtyard, the night he had been captured. He had safely made it out of Wong Tai’s bedchamber. Guards had been on his tail and he was about to walk to freedom...when a petite, slender figure jumped down in front of him and delivered a kick to his midsection. Autolycus stumbled backwards, almost falling down but remained on his feet. "I saw you take the ring," the attacker hissed. "Now give it to me!" The attacker delivered a spinning kick to Autolycus’ head that knocked him to the stone courtyard... The eyes of the King of Thieves widened in recognition and surprise as an angry scowl appeared on his face. His friends had just finished up on their own opponents when they took notice of his demeanor. "Hey Auto, what’s wrong?" Meleager asked. "It was YOU!" Autolycus growled as he glared at Chen Jie. "You are the little harpie that attacked me in the courtyard and the reason I was captured and nearly EXECUTED!!!" He lunged for the young woman. Zhen Yu and Meleager instantly restrained him. "Leave my sister alone!" Chen Yew jumped in front of Chen Jie to protect her from Auto’s threat of attack. "LET ME GO!!!" Autolycus yelled as he struggled against the firm grip of his friends holding him in place. "Auto be quiet!" Salmoneus said. "The rest of Wong Tai’s men might hear you." With nervous eyes, he peered out of a stable window, making sure none of Wong Tai’s men were headed their way. "Yes, I am the one who attacked you that night in the courtyard. I am so sorry." Chen Jie peered over her brother’s shoulder, her lips twisting with regret. "That’s why I had to take part in your rescue." "Look, you two will have to settle this later, because right now, we have to get out of here," Zhen Yu reminded them. Auto new the man was right and finally stopped struggling against those restraining him. The group made their way over to a wagon that Salmoneus and his group had managed to hitch to some horses before Wong Tai’s men discovered them. To avoid a confrontation with Autolycus, Zhen Yu, Chen Jie and Chen Yew sat on the bench while the others piled into the wagon. The rain was still pouring when the wagon headed out of the gates of Wong Tai’s compound headed for Chen Yee’s ranch. When they reached the ranch, the rain had slowed to a drizzle. The place was eerily deserted except for a lone servant; a middle-aged woman named Dao Ha-Chi. She greeted them in the foyer, crying hysterically. "Dao Ha-Chi, what is wrong?" Chen Jie asked her face riddled with concern. "Oh, Mistress Jie…Master Yew, something awful has happened!" Ha-Chi sobbed while dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. "Your father...he was killed in the battle against Wong Tai’s army." Chen Jie brought a hand up to her mouth as tears began to form in her eyes. Chen Yew pulled his sister into an embrace, resting her head against a shoulder. "I am so sorry." Zhen Yu placed a hand on each in a show of comfort. The others voiced their sympathy too, including Autolycus who now gazed softly at Chen Jie. "Maybe we should join the battle," Meleager suggested. "No." Chen Jie said while pulling herself from Chen Yew’s embrace. She took the handkerchief that Dao Ha-Chi offered and wiped away the tears streaking her face. "As soon as Autolycus was rescued, my father wanted you to leave right away. You must get that saber piece back to Greece so you can stop Dahak." "You guys have it?" Autolycus asked with surprise. "We sure do," Salmoneus replied with a smile. He let a hand pat a pouch secured around his waist. "When my father told me of its importance, I gave it to him and he gave it to your friends," Chen Jie added. "Master Yee’s body was brought back by some of the men so it can be prepared for the funeral pyre. He lies in the receiving room," Dao Ha-Chi said. "I want to see him one last time," Chen Jie softly replied while gazing down the hall where the receiving room was located. She turned toward those about to depart. "I pray that the journey ahead of you is safe and you defeat this great evil threatening our world." She bowed to them all, then let Chen Yew lead her down the corridor, headed for the receiving hall. The others stood in silence and watched the two walk away and finally disappear behind a large door. "Two wagons have already been prepared for your journey," Dao Ha-Chi informed them, breaking the silence. "They are stocked with food, water and other supplies you will need." "Uh, before we leave, if it’s all right with you guys, I would really like a bath and a shave." Autolycus ran a hand over his full beard. "It’s all right with me ‘cause I would like to change into some dry clothes." Salmoneus had a look of discomfort on his face as he pulled at his soaking wet attire. "Yeah, some dry clothes would be nice," Meleager confessed. "I better go find you all something dry to wear." Dao Ha-Chi disappeared down a hall. ********** Autolycus grabbed a towel and wiped the water from his face. He turned around and gazed at his reflection in the mirror behind him. "Now I’m back to my ol’ self." A pleased grin broke out over his face while he ran a hand over his clean-shaven chin and his recently trimmed moustache. "Hey Autolycus, are you about ready ‘cause the rest of us are dressed." Meleager announced as he stepped into the changing area of the bathhouse. "Yeah, we wanna get on the road while we still have daylight," Salmoneus added as he, too, entered the room followed by Zhen Yu. "Hold your horses, I’ll be ready in a few seconds." As fast as he could with the use of only one good hand, Autolycus hopped into the clean pants Dao Ha-Chi had brought him and then the shirt. "Did you guys get the chance to see Chen Jie again?" "When we went to the receiving room, it was empty," Zhen Yu replied. "Dao Ha-Chi told us that after she saw her father’s body, Chen Jie went up to her room to get some rest." "After the day she’s had, I know she needs it." Salmoneus’ face was etched with sympathy. Autolycus now sat on a bench and was putting on his boots. A sigh of regret escaped his lips. "Now I feel just awful for blowing up at her like I did." "Well you shouldn’t. What she did almost got you killed. Even she understood the reasons for your anger," Zhen Yu said. "I just hope she will be all right," Autolycus said. "She will be. She has six older brothers to look after her," Meleager said. "And tons of servants who will make sure she is just fine," Salmoneus added. "They’re right. She’s in good hands," Zhen Yu assured. ********** "A caravan of villagers trying to flee the fighting is headed for the city of Jincheng. They haven’t got that much of a head start on you so you should reach them in no time," Dao Ha-Chi informed them as she watched the men load into the two wagons. Autolycus, Meleager, Salmoneus and Zhen Yu road in the first wagon while Zhen Yu’s men road in the second wagon. "Well Dao Ha-Chi, we thank you for the stocked wagons and the clothes," Autolycus began when all were aboard both wagons. "I personally want to thank you for the bath and the shave." "You are most welcome." Dao Ha-Chi had a big smile on her face as she bowed to them. "Now you take care of yourself and the Chen family," he said then the wagons began their departure. The servant woman watched the two wagons leave the Chen ranch and head down the dirt road. She had been right about them catching up to the caravan for they joined them a few miles down the road from the Chen ranch. The two wagons took up the rear of the caravan. Sounds of the battle could be heard in the distance while the flashes of artillery filled the sky, adding to the reddish-orange backdrop of the setting sun. But these sounds and vision of war slowly faded as the caravan of wagons got further from the fighting. A few hours had passed---the sounds and sights of war had long been abandoned. Zhen Yu and Meleager were embroiled in an intense conversation as they sat on the bench of the wagon, directing the horses. Salmoneus was in the wagon itself and had fallen asleep after stuffing himself with some of the food Dao Ha-Chi had packed for them. Autolycus lounged against some boxes. He was lost in thoughts about what he would do with himself after they defeated Dahak when out of the corner of an eye; he spotted movement near the back of the wagon. Grabbing a nearby frying pan to use as a weapon, he cautiously made his way to the back of the wagon. Whoever it was stopped moving when they sensed his presence hovering above. In one quick motion, he removed the bedrolls covering the person. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw who it was. "Chen Jie!?" "Shhh, not so loud," she whispered before she crawled out from under the bedrolls. Auto quickly looked to the direction of his friends. Meleager and Zhen Yu were still embroiled in their conversation and Salmoneus was still asleep. He turned to the young woman once again. "What are you doing here? He asked with a whisper. "I’ll explain but can I have something to eat first?" Chen Jie whispered. Autolycus went over to one of the baskets where the food was packed. He removed a few tasty items then headed back over to Chen Jie. She gratefully took the food Autolycus offered. He seated himself before her and waited for an explanation. Not to alert the others, the conversation took place in hushed tones. "Once again, I want to tell you how sorry I am for what happened to you because of me." Chen Jie bowed her head in profound sorrow. "Hey, I’m still here so don’t worry about it." Autolycus placed a hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Now, tell me why you were hiding in our wagon." After hearing his words, Chen Jie raised her bowed head and looked into his face. "With Chen Yee dead, there is nothing back there for me now." "But what about your six brothers? How can you just leave them?" "They are my adopted brothers." Auto gazed at her with confusion. "Chen Yee was my adopted father," Chen Jie continued. "He took me into his home after Wong Tai’s father killed both my parents and my four older brothers. I was only two years old when he took me into his home and raised me as his daughter." "But that ranch has been your home for nearly your whole life. We have to take you back there." Autolycus prepared to rise to his feet. But Chen Jie held firmly to an arm, preventing him from rising. "I WILL NOT go back," she declared in a firm tone. "Why not?" "Chen Fang is my oldest adopted brother. Now that Chen Yee is dead, he is the head of the family. He wants me to marry some landowner named Tsang Shan. Fang is in love with Tsang Phi-Anh and wants to marry her. She is Tsang Shan’s daughter. He is against the marriage. So, Chen Fang wanted to offer my hand to Tsang Shan in marriage since he has always lusted after me. My brother figures Tsang Shan will soften to the idea of him marrying his daughter if he gets what he wants." Chen Jie’s face was riddled with disgust. "Chen Yee was against this but now that he is dead..." "Chen Fang will force you to marry Tsang Shan," Autolycus finished for her. "And I would have no choice but to obey him," Chen Jie growled with tempered anger. "Tsang Shan is fat, ugly and three times my age. I WILL NOT marry him! My only choice is to go to Greece with you." "But Greece is so far away and a different culture. Maybe we could find you a place to hide in Chin where you could start over," Autolycus suggested. "No, Chen Fang has connections everywhere so I am afraid he would find me. The safest place for me would be Greece." Chen Jie finally bit into the food Autolycus had given her. Autolycus shrugged his shoulders in defeat. "Hey Auto, who are you talking to?" Salmoneus sleepily asked rubbing his eyes. A yawn escaped his lips as he rose to a sitting position after a very relaxing nap. "You weren’t talking to Salmoneus?" Meleager chimed in from the wagon bench. "So who are you talking to?" Zhen Yu asked. The two now had their heads turned as they gazed into the wagon. Autolycus looked to his friends seated on the wagon bench then to Salmoneus. "Fellas, it appears we have a stowaway." He moved aside so the three could see Chen Jie. The three had looks of surprise on their faces. "Hello." Chen Jie just flashed them a smile and waved a hand. CHAPTER 66 After an unseasonably cool night, a fog hung over the thick jungle as the sun rose in the sky. Temperatures were already warm indicating another hot and humid day. The enormous peak of Kilimanjaro dominated the backdrop as the Simbutus gathered on a field at the edge of the dark jungle. All had risen before sunrise to witness the start of the Dakatubu challenge. Darnelle’s eyes scanned the thick green foliage before him as he stood at the edge of the jungle. In the past, many had tried to travel through it but were never seen again. Darnelle was determined to be the exception. He turned to look several yards from where he stood and stared at his opponent. Nagasili wore his typical loincloth. Simbutu warriors who spoke in hushed tones surrounded him. Some were rubbing a translucent substance over his lean muscular long legs and arms, causing his dark brown skin to glisten in the rays of the early morning sun. Since his normal wardrobe would have impaired his chances of winning the contest, Darnelle had opted to wear Simbutu male attire---a loincloth. "Now, are you sure you have that diagram Ahkmin drew memorized?" Draco asked, his large hands massaging his friend’s shoulders as he stood behind him. "Yeah, I’ve got it stamped on my brain," Darnelle confidently replied as he secured the machete that hung at his waist. Ahkmim handed Draco a pack to strap on Darnelle’s back. "When you reach Kilimanjaro, you must enter using the caves on the southern slope of the mountain..." "I know...I know." Darnelle quickly glanced at his two friends. "I wish you two would stop worrying. I will get the wooly mammoth tusk, find the Holy Saber piece and make it back here before Nagasili, winning freedom for all of us." "You certainly got the right attitude." Draco gave his friend’s shoulders one last squeeze after making sure the pack was secure. He moved to stand beside Ahkmim. A Simbutu man made his way to the center of the crowd and placed a large animal horn to his lips. The loud trumpet sound reverberated throughout the field and brought those gathered to immediate silence. All eyes focused on the Simbutu chief as he moved to stand before his people. His head was adorned with a multi-colored feathered headdress. Down his brown chest dangled several bone necklaces. Firmly gripped in his right hand was a six-foot long spear. "Fudalo Dakatubu fi puswali." The chief pointed the spear held in his right hand at Glaphyra who was standing among the women of the village. "Dakatubu tizi Simbutu uglim." He pointed the spear at Nagasili. "Dakatubu tizi puswalo mezu." His final pointing of the spear was at Darnelle. "Takidi un swayo Ungawa seu mambudi." "The chief basically reiterated the challenge by Darnelle for Glaphyra. The first to bring back the tusk of the extinct wooly mammoth will be the victor," Ahkmim translated. "Of course, Darnelle has the added bonus of freeing us too if he wins." "*If* is not in my vocabulary Ahkmim, it’s WHEN I win," Darnelle declared. He gazed over at Glaphyra who stood among the Simbutu women. Her face was riddled with worry. Darnelle wished he could go to her and assure her that everything would be all right but since he couldn't, he tried to relay that message with a firm and determined look. She saw this and it brought a faint smile to her lips. The horn was blown again, signaling the start of the challenge. Nagasili and Darnelle were still several feet from each other when both got into position at the edge of the jungle. Each man kept an eye on the chief. "Doditu mysub kayun bezi." The Simbutu chief raised both arms in the air. "Hujmondi vizi NATU!" He shouted as he lowered both arms to stretch out in front of him. Darnelle and Nagasili instantly took off running into the jungle. "May the gods be with you, my friend," Draco said. "Amen to that," Ahkmim added. Both men watched along with the entire Simbutu tribe as the two combatants quickly disappeared into the thick green foliage. ********** Using the machete given to him earlier by a Simbutu warrior, Darnelle repeatedly cut the thick foliage out of his path. He brought a hand up to his face to wipe away the sweat that threatened to drip into his eyes. It was only a few hours since sunrise and the day was already hot with sticky, thick humidity. Darnelle couldn’t see Nagasili but knew the Simbutu was on the same path as he was. After cutting a mile through the jungle, Darnelle changed coursed and started traveling parallel to the jungle’s edge. He hacked at the foliage in this direction for a few miles until he reached the first landmark on the shortcut Ahkmim had mapped out for him. A smile formed on Darnelle’s face when he gazed at a flowing river. He would heartily welcome its waters cooling his hot, sweaty body. But that smile soon faded and was replaced with a look of caution when he spotted some crocodiles make their way out of the jungle and crawl into the river, disappearing below the surface. Following the flow of the river, Darnelle was able to move a lot quicker because there were clear paths and he didn’t have to waste time cutting away foliage. Now the only time he had to use the machete was to cut away some tree bark that Ahkmim recommended he munch on for sustenance. The boiling sun was high in the sky, indicating it was midday when Darnelle reached the valley at the base of Kilimanjaro. But in order to enter the valley, he would now have to cross the river. For miles, he hadn’t seen any crocodiles swimming in the water or basking in the heat at the river edge but that didn’t mean they were not around. With the utmost caution, Darnelle slowly made his way into the water. The river turned out to be a lot deeper than he thought and he soon found himself swimming. His eyes constantly scanned the water for any sign of danger while his arms and legs propelled his body through the water, making as little noise as possible. "I’m almost there," he breathed as the riverbank on the other side got closer and closer. When he reached the shallow part of the river, he decided to walk the rest of the way. He was almost at the riverbank when a crocodile buried in the river bottom lunged at him. Darnelle immediately jumped out of the way, losing his balance and falling backwards into the river. "UGGHHH!" Darnelle screamed in agony when he felt the jaws of the reptile clamp down on his left ankle. Water splashed about as Darnelle struggled to free himself but the creature maintained its vice-like grip. The crocodile began pulling him out into deeper waters to drown him. Darnelle unhooked the machete that hung at his waist. "LET GO!!!" Darnelle shouted as he began to viciously hack at the crocodile’s body. Under the attack, the animal thrashed about, swinging its long tail and splashing water everywhere. Despite the panicked movements, the crocodile maintained its grip on Darnelle’s ankle. The machete barely nicked the animal’s body of natural armor so Darnelle started hacking away at it’s large head, aiming for the eyes. After a few vicious swings, he managed to pierce the right one. Instantly, the crocodile released his leg from its jaws and quickly swam towards deeper waters. Huffing for air and spiting out water, Darnelle quickly made his way to the riverbank. He dragged himself to a nearby tree and warily began to inspect the extent of his injuries. There were some scrapes, bruises and teeth marks around his ankle but for the most part, the skin had not been broken. "Amazing!" Darnelle breathed while running a hand over his ankle. He figured with the vice-like hold the animal had on him that his flesh would be torn and bloodied. "The gods are surely smiling down upon me." But there was some pain and now Darnelle had to see if he could still walk without being encumbered. Slowly, and using the trunk of the tree for support, he rose to stand. He tentatively put some weight on his left foot. To his surprise, he didn’t feel any pain. He let go of the tree and decided to give walking a try. He started with his right foot and then his left. This time when he put weight on his left foot, he did grimace from the pain in his ankle but it was bearable. And it would have to be because he had to continue --- not only for his own life and the lives of his three friends but also for the lives of every human being on the earth. He headed towards a dense patch of trees. In their midst grew lush green grass and colorful wildflowers. Darnelle could hear birds singing as they went about their daily routine high in the treetops. Gone was the humidity of the jungle, which was replaced by a cool breeze that rustled leaves and swayed the branches. When Darnelle reached the edge of the tree patch he set his gaze on the land that lay before him. It was a stark contrast to what was behind him. For what he just walked through was green and full of life. What laid before him was barren, dry, brown and smelled of death. The intense walk had left Darnelle with a noticeable limp as he made his way onto the land stretched out before him. His head turned this way and that---his eyes filled with wonder while gazing at the large old bones covering the dry earth. These were the sole remnants to mark the existence of the great wooly mammoth. No one knew why the animals had died out but this was the place they had come to take their last breaths and thus it became their burial ground. A whistle of amazement escaped the man’s lips when he stood before a skull the size of a small hut. The elephant was the descendant of the wooly mammoth and a big animal in its own right but Darnelle thought even it would look small next to such a creature. Though highly fascinated, Darnelle did not forget the reason for his journey to the burial ground. He had been moving about the extensive collection of bones for most of the afternoon when he discovered what he was looking for. A smile of relief appeared on his face when he placed a hand on the large black tusk of a bull mammoth. Over the ages, it had broken into arm length chunks and it was a good thing too because in one piece, it looked to be twice Darnelle’s height. He grabbed a nice size chunk and placed it in the backpack. He also gathered up some dry vine that he had noticed scattered throughout the burial ground. It was rather sturdy in structure and could aid him in the task that lay ahead. Darnelle had seen no sign of Nagasili, which meant that the shortcut that Ahkmim had mapped out for him gave him a considerable lead over the Simbutu warrior. And with the time brought by such a lead, Darnelle would move on to the task that had brought him to Africa in the first place. He gazed up at the large mountain looming over the burial ground. This side of Kilimanjaro’s peak was smooth which Darnelle knew meant that he was on the western slope. He would have to climb about halfway up the western slope to reach the entrance of the cave on the southern slope. With his jaw set firm, Darnelle headed for Kilimanjaro. ********** Nagasili placed the machete in the scabbard that hung at his waist as he used the back of a hand to wipe away the sweat that soaked his brow. His brown eyes were filled with relief as he stared at the large old bones scattered all over the dry earth before him. After hacking his way through the stifling hot jungle he had finally made his way to the burial ground of the wooly mammoth. His long lean legs were tired but they moved him forward as he began his search for the extinct animal’s large black tusk. His lips transformed into a pleased smile when he found some chunks. He put the largest he could carry in his own backpack. Nagasili glanced around for signs of his opponent but really wasn’t expecting there to be any. The man was a stranger to the jungle and probably already dead. The golden-haired woman was as good as his. And the dead man’s friends would be the main course at the village feast to celebrate his victory. Now all Nagasili had to do was make his way back to the Simbutu village. The proud warrior gazed up at Kilimanjaro’s formidable peak. Before leaving that morning, his tribesmen had told him about the shortcut he could take by climbing the mountain and following the caves on the southern slope. He would avoid the thick jungle and be back in the Simbutu village sometime after sundown. Securing the pack to his back, Nagasili headed for the mountain. ********** ‘If I don’t look down, I’ll be okay’ Darnelle kept reminding himself. With caution, he placed a foot upon a rock as he firmly held onto another with a hand. It was tedious and tense but he was making his way up Kilimanjaro’s rocky southern face. Darnelle stole a glance at the blue-black sky. Nightfall was steadily approaching and the last thing he wanted to be doing was trying to climb a mountain in the dark. ‘I wonder how much further I have to go to reach the cave?’ he mentally questioned while gazing upward. A smile of relief spread across his face---he got the answer to his question. About five yards above him, he could see the opening to a cave. Darnelle picked up the pace of his climbing. Night now darkened the land when Darnelle hauled himself onto the precipice that was at the entranceway to the cave. Wearily, he rose to his feet and stood there a few moments just to catch his breath after an arduous climb. The cave should have been as black as the night sky but strangely enough, there was a dim glow coming from within its depths. Darnelle found this comforting---for now he wouldn’t have to move about the cave in the dark. After a brief rest period, he made his way into the cave. His attention was immediately captured by drawings covering the walls. These were obviously done by people long dead because in the drawings large wooly mammoths were depicted roaming lush green fields. Darnelle wished he had the time to study them but none could be spared right now as he focused on the task that had brought him there. He noticed the farther he traveled in the cave the warmer it got. Absentmindedly with the back of a hand, he wiped away the breads of sweat that had broken out on his brow. The cave was now breaking off into two separate tunnels. Darnelle recalled the map that Ahkmim had drawn for him. He was to follow the tunnel that went to his right, so that’s the way he continued. It sloped downward, back to ground level. As he moved deeper into the tunnel, Darnelle could hear what sounded like rapidly moving water and smell a foul stench similar to rotten eggs. The tunnel came to an end when it opened into an immense cavern. The walls were colored reddish-orange and glowed light fire, brightening the area. The rotten egg smell was the strongest inside the cavern as was the sound of running water, which seemed to originate, where the cavern floor dropped off a cliff. Darnelle moved to stand at its edge. Far below the cliff, flowed a river of bubbling water. It was so hot that steam rose above it along with that stench of rotten eggs, which was due to sulfur deposits. This was an unpleasant reminder that Kilimangaro was an active volcano. He placed a hand over his nose to block out the foul smell. Darnelle just wanted to find the saber piece and get out of there before an unexpected eruption occurred. So far, everything Ahkmin had drawn out in a map had been accurate --- the tunnel and this cavern. The saber piece should be somewhere in the cavern. Now Darnelle just had to find it. His eyes scanned the surroundings, looking for the resting-place of the Holy saber. He stole a glance in the direction of the bubbling water and saw something shiny reflecting in the nook of the rocky wall across from the cliff. "Oh gods, please don’t let that be it," Darnelle groaned. He moved to the very edge of the cliff to get a better look. Once again, he saw something reflecting off of the glowing rocks that appeared metallic. "Damn!" He cursed under his breath as he kicked at the dirt. For all the places in the cavern where the saber piece could be, it had to be wedged into a rocky nook on the other side of a steamy, bubbly stream. Darnelle quickly composed himself. Getting angry wasn’t going to help the situation. He would just have to figure out a way to get it. He gazed downward over the cliff again. Several yards below him, a large boulder pierced through the steaming water. There were several that dotted the raging stream and went all the way to the other side. This gave Darnelle an idea. From the backpack, he retrieved the vine he had earlier collected from the burial ground. Darnelle tied one end around a boulder situated at the start of the cliff. He gave it a few strong tugs to make sure it was secure, then threw the other end over the cliff. After wiping his sweaty palms on his loincloth, Darnelle got a firm grip on the vine and started his climb over the cliff. The smell of sulfur filled his nostrils as Darnelle cautiously made his way down the vine, headed for the large boulder below. When his feet touched its chiseled surface, he made sure he had secure footing then released the vine from his grip. While the steaming river flowed before him, Darnelle gazed at the next closest boulder. It was about a yard away from the one on which he stood. He started bouncing on the balls of his feet as he made ready to jump. After a few moments, he took a leap headed for the closest boulder. When he came down on its surface, pain shot up from his injured left ankle causing him to stumble and lose his balance. He fell with a thud, halfway hanging off of the boulder. In the mishap, the backpack loosened and partially fell into the steaming water. Ignoring the pain he was feeling, Darnelle rose to his knees and quickly pulled the backpack from the water. His eyes widened when he saw its condition---a small part of it had begun to eat away! So not only was the river scalding hot but corrosive like acid. He would have to be much more careful when he made his jump to the next boulder. Grimacing with pain, Darnelle slowly rose to his feet. Leaping from boulder to boulder was going to aggravate the injury to his left ankle. But it couldn’t be helped so he would have to bear it. Darnelle plotted out a path to the rocky nook --- leaping to six more boulders would get him there. Sucking on his bottom lip, he prepared for his next jump. ********** When Darnelle’s last leap from the final boulder put him inside the rocky nook a sigh of gratefulness escaped his lips. He was dripping with sweat and his legs were trembling so badly that he collapsed. Now on his knees, he turned and gazed up to look at the wall in front of him. He raised a hand and used his fingers to dig out the shard of metal embedded in the dirt. After several minutes, Darnelle was finally able to pull it free. The metal piece was about a foot in length. He quickly rubbed away the dirt covering it. "Yes!" He breathed when he had a clear view it. A smile from ear to ear broke out over his face as he repeatedly ran his fingers over the design identical to the one in Cyrus’ drawing of the saber. Darnelle safely tucked the saber piece into the backpack then slowly rose to his feet to begin the return leaps back towards the cliff. ********** When Darnelle hauled himself back onto the cliff, he collapsed from sheer exhaustion. From head to toe, his body was dripping with sweat while his chest rapidly rose and fell. He did not relish climbing down Kilimanjaro’s rocky southern slope. Not only due to fatigue but because of the dark. Ahkmim had mapped out two exits. One was closer to ground level and involved a lot less climbing and that was the one that he would use. With weary movements, Darnelle rose to his feet. He untied the vine from the rock and placed it in the backpack. He traveled back up the tunnel to where it met the main cave. But instead of continuing through the main cave, he went into the other tunnel. It too opened out into another cavern with a bubbling river full of sulfuric acid but on a much lower level. Darnelle smiled when he saw moonlight reflecting shadows of nearby trees on the floor of the cavern just at the exit. He was bone tired but the sight of the outside world boosted him and made him pick up his pace. He was about ten yards away from the exit when Nagasili stepped out from behind a boulder and now stood in his path. In his right hand, he held a machete. Darnelle was surprised to see the Simbutu warrior in the cave. But then it stood to reason that since he lived in the region that Nagasili would have heard about the shortcut running through Kilimanjaro. "Nimbuti swayu ogeirli!" Nagasili pointed the machete in a threatening manner at the man standing before him. Darnelle groaned in frustration. He was not up for a fight but if that’s what he had to do to leave the mountain, then so be it. He unsheathed his own machete. Nagasili let out a loud yell that reverberated throughout the cavern as he headed straight for Darnelle, his machete viciously slashing. Darnelle blocked an incoming deadly swing with one of his own. The sound of clashing steel now reverberated throughout the cavern as each man fought to overpower his opponent. Darnelle saw an opening in Nagasili’s defenses and swiftly kicked the machete from the Simbutu’s hands. This move surprised the warrior but he instantly compensated by delivering a stunning kick to Darnelle, knocking the machete from his own hands. Now going toe to toe, the men moved about the cavern, exchanging viciously blows. Punches and kicks found their marks on heads and various regions of the body. Darnelle’s earlier activities in the cave didn’t leave him with much energy so he soon found himself on the receiving end of the fight when he was knocked to the dirt floor. Gasping for air, he rose to his knees just as Nagasili charged right towards him at top speed. With the little strength he had left and using the man’s own momentum he tossed him right over his head. Nagasili cried out in surprise as he headed right over the edge of the cliff. Still gasping, Darnelle crawled to the edge of the cliff to find out what had become of Nagasili. The Simbutu was conscious and lying on a rocky ledge some yards below the cliff. It was obvious the way one of his legs was bent that it had been broken in the fall. Using the wall for support, Nagasili tried to stand but he cried out in agonizing pain as he collapsed to the ledge bottom. Darnelle had a sad frown on his face as he continued to gaze at the warrior. Nagasili would never be able to leave that ledge and eventually die there. Darnelle could rescue him but should he? After all, the man had try to kill him and if he left him there, his victory in the Dakatuba challenge would definitely be assured. He looked once again to the warrior who in turn gazed downward to look at the steaming water that flowed perilously close to the rocky ledge where he laid. Darnelle turned away from the edge as he rose to his feet. He removed the vine he had used earlier from his backpack. Darnelle made the decision to save Nagasili---it just wouldn’t be right to leave the man on that ledge. "Hey you down there!" Darnelle shouted while gazing down at Nagasili. The Simbutu warrior quickly looked up just as Darnelle tossed the vine over the edge of the cliff with one end still grasped firmly in a hand. Nagasili gazed at the vine swaying in front of his face then up at the man who stood on the edge of the cliff. Darnelle knew the man couldn’t understand him but he had to speak to help convey what he wanted to do. "Tie the vine around you." He made a tying motion around his waist. "Then I can pull you up." He made a motion as if he was hauling something. Tentatively, Nagasili grabbed the vine and began to tie it around his waist. "Yes! That’s it exactly!" Darnelle declared with a pleased smile. When Nagasili had the vine securely tied around his waist and some wrapped around both hands, Darnelle got his own firm grip on the vine as he began to move backward, lifting the fallen man from the ledge. Biting his bottom lip, he pulled as hard as he could on the vine, still moving backward as Nagasili got closer and closer to the edge of the cliff. Soon, he saw the warrior’s large brown hands grasp the edge of the cliff and with one giant tug, his body slid onto the edge. Darnelle was exhausted but he immediately went to the injured man’s side. Using one of the fallen machetes, he cut the vine from around the warrior’s waist then helped him to his feet. Careful not to put any weight on the broken leg, Darnelle draped one of Nagasili’s arms around his shoulders as he guided them both out of the cavern. ********** Large torches lined the perimeter of the Simbutu village --- their fiery orange flames blowing in the cool breeze ---- a welcome relief to the day’s stifling humidity. Men sat before drums, beating out jungle rhythms as villagers moved about. It was well into the night but the village was still brewing with activity as people anxiously awaited the return of either participant in the Dakatubu challenge. Glaphyra stepped out of a hut. She nervously bit down on her lower lip as she tightly folded her arms across her chest. Simbutus who chatted away in their native tongue, which she couldn’t understand, surrounded her. Then she glanced towards the cage where Draco and Ahkmim had been sent back to earlier in the day. Glaphyra desperately wanted to go to them---to get some reassurance that Darnelle would be okay and that they all would be let go. She started making her way towards the cage. But she didn’t get very far when a warrior blocked her path. "Puswali nodu!" The warrior glared at her. "Puswali nodu cefomzi!" Stretching out an arm, he firmly pointed in the direction of the hut she had left a few moments ago. Glaphyra’s own eyes glared daggers at the warrior blocking her path. With an angry huff she turned on her heel, and head back towards the hut. From their place in the cage, Draco and Ahkmim had not witnessed the exchange between Glaphyra and the warrior. "Man, I wonder how Darnelle is doing?" Draco sat with his legs crossed on the dirt floor of the cage. His fingers nervously moved about some stones. "He fully memorized the map I made for him so he should be just fine," Ahkmim assured. "How long do these Dakatubu challenges normally take? Shouldn’t he be back by now?" Draco looked at Ahkmim with a worried expression on his face. "No one can say how long they should take since no one has ever made it back alive from one," Ahkmim confessed, his lips twisting in a grim frown. Ahkmim’s bleak response didn’t do much to ease Draco’s worries but he decided to ask one more question. "What will happen to us if neither makes it back?" "The Simbutus will carry out their initial intentions and kill us," Ahkmim replied.. "That’s what I figured," Draco wearily sighed as he ceased fiddling with the stones. ********** With the sunrise had returned the hotter temperatures and by midday the humidity was stifling. There was still no sign of either Darnelle or Nagasili. "Y’know, I’m not really worried about ending up as food for the Simbutu’s," Draco confessed while taking the shirt he had removed from his body and wiping away the sweat drenching his face. "I will have melted in this heat long before they eat me." He gazed in wonderment at the villagers who moved about unaffected by the sweltering temperatures. "How can they function in this weather!?" "They have lived with it their whole lives so they are use to it." Ahkmim was also dripping with sweat as he sat lounging against the bars of their cage. "Being an Egyptian I am use to hot weather but a drier climate. You add humidity and I don’t want to move." Their chat about the weather was brought to a halt when a Simbutu warrior came running into the village. "Nagasil fi Puswalo mudo sawzi Dakatubu!" Villagers gathered around the man and began chatting excitedly in their native tongue. Despite the heat, Ahkmim quickly rose to his feet; a smile began forming on his face. "What’s going on?" Draco asked the Egyptian. "The warrior said he saw Darnelle and Nagasili headed this way." "He did!" Draco was now smiling himself. His hands firmly gripped the bars of their bamboo cage, as he now stood tiptoed trying to get a glimpse of when Darnelle arrived. With all the commotion, Glaphyra left the tent and joined the villagers. When she realized what had them all so excited, she got excited too and waited for a glimpse of Darnelle. "Swazi Dakatubu!" A woman shouted, pointing a finger, just as the two combatants came into view. Everyone quickly gathered around the finish line. No one had ever made it back alive from a Dakatubu challenge before let alone both participants. Shouts of excitement got louder as the two combatants headed for the finish line. Nagasili’s right leg was in a splint as he used a long bamboo pool as a walking stick. Darnelle had to use a bamboo walking stick too since the injury to his left ankle had gotten worse. Pain was deeply etched in the faces of both men with each step they took---bringing them closer and closer to the end of this grueling challenge. Both wanted to collapse from sheer exhaustion but the shouts of the crowd kept them moving forward until they were right at the finish line drawn in the ground and both simultaneous put a foot on it. The crowd rejoiced with louder shouts and clapping. "Did you see who won?" Draco still stood tiptoed trying to see past the gathered crowd. "No, the crowd blocked my view," Ahkmim said. "Please let Darnelle be the winner." Draco nervously chewed on a thumbnail. The gathered crowd fell silent as they made a path for their chief to reach the two combatants. After crossing the finish line both men gave into exhaustion and had collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. Now they were slowly rising when the leader of the Simbutu’s approached them. The chief stood between the two men, took an arm of each and raised it in the air. "Dakatubu Chentaka!" "So, who won?" Draco asked. "The challenge ended in a tie," Ahkmim replied. "What’s going to happen to us?" Draco asked. "He hasn’t gotten to that part yet." Ahkmim looked back towards the chief. "Fi Puswalo mudo rhiszi tui mezihgi fi Puswali kosihei treu Nagasili." The crowd mumbled in agreement with their chief’s decision. The warrior who earlier barred Glaphyra from going to the cage, escorted her through the crowd and forced her to stand by Nagasili. "Since there was a tie, Nagasili gets to keep Glaphyra while we get to go free." Ahkmim translated. "No way!" Draco declared as he watched a Simbutu warrior approach their cage, unlock the door and wave a hand for them to step out. The two free men headed for where Darnelle stood with the others. "I’m glad to see you both, especially you Ahkmim," Darnelle started. "I know some of what the chief said is good for us but not all of it." "You are right," Ahkmim said. "They are letting us go while Nagasili gets to keep Glaphyra." "Over my dead body!" Darnelle made a move towards Glaphyra and the warrior. "Wait!" Ahkmim restrained him, just as Nagasili stepped forward to address the crowd. "Nutiuzi wanute fi puswali mudo fi puswali." Using the bamboo pole for support, Nagasili led Glaphyra over to stand by Darnelle. Surprised chatter is heard throughout the crowd. "Wow! What just happened here?" Darnelle asked as he, Draco and Glaphyra looked to Ahkmim for an explanation. "Well, you will have to fill us in on the details but since you saved Nagasili’s life, he is forfeiting his prize and letting you take Glaphyra." "Fantastic!" Darnelle pulled a smiling Glaphyra towards him as he captured her lips with a quick kiss. "So, they are letting us all go? How soon can we leave?" Draco asked. "As soon as we want," Ahkmim replied. ********** No longer worried about being the main course of a Simbutu feast, the four stayed one more night at the village. This was mainly so Darnelle could have the village healer properly care for his injured ankle. At sunrise the next morning, the four headed to a nearby river and loaded into the canoe the Simbutus had given them. This river would connect to the Nile, which they would take north, headed for Egypt. ********** Dahak growled with deadly fury while angrily slamming shut his bedchamber door. "Ooh...you are certainly in a foul mood," a familiar feminine voice purred from behind the black draperies shrouding his canopied bed. The dark god gazed toward the bed just as the draperies parted and out stepped Discord. "I just love it when you’re angry." With a seductive sway to her step, she sauntered over to the god. By the time she reached him, her black leather and lace attire had disappeared and she stood before him completely nude. Dahak let his crystal blue eyes rake over her porcelain form. "It makes you more feral in bed." She gazed up at him while her dainty hands began undoing the fasteners on the front of his leather suit. But Dahak removed her hands. "Now is not a good time, Discord." "Sure it is," She cooed while her hands made their way back to his chest and the fasteners. This time the dark god removed her hands with a tight grip around her slender wrists. "Ow, you’re hurting me!" Discord gazed up at him in surprise --- her blood red lips twisted in discomfort. Tightening the grip around her wrists, Dahak bore into her with an icy stare. "I told you I’m NOT IN THE MOOD!" He released her from his grasp, shoving her away from him. Seething with tempered rage, Discord glared murderous daggers at the god. "FINE!" She shouted as her body was once again covered in black leather and lace. "Then you won’t mind if I go find release with ANOTHER!" In a blinding burst of light, the goddess vanished from sight. Dahak tossed his head indifferently as he gazed at the spot where the goddess stood a moment ago. Discord could screw whomever she wanted. He had more important things to worry about. The dark god walked over to a mirror hanging on a wall. As he gazed at his reflection, he slowly undid the remaining fasteners to his leather suit. When they were all undone, he pulled open the suit and stared at his bare chest. His beautiful olive skin was reverting to that of a reptile---greenish brown and scaly. Dahak had always been able to fight off the affects of the curse laid upon him many millennia ago but this time it would be irreversible. He growled in frustration while bringing a fist forward to violently punch the mirror, shattering it to pieces that fell to the floor. ********** "I don’t have to put up with this, Minos!" Hope declared through clenched teeth while struggling to free herself from the unwanted embrace of the exalted high priest. "Oh, but you do my dear. It’s part of you proving to your father that you are loyal to him." Minos leaned down and began caressing her neck with kisses. Hope shivered with disgust at his touch. Hope and Minos were in the main hall of her father’s new temple. She had come there looking for the dark god when Minos, with his lustful intentions, had cornered her. "You’ve got to stop fighting me, Hope." Minos let his hands begin to roam her body. "It will make creating the six destroyers so much easier for you." Hope struggled all the more in his tight grasp. "I will NEVER stop fighting you!!!" She yelled as her right hand slapped him hard across the face. At that moment, Dahak’s form appeared out of a flame of fire, seated upon his throne. Upon seeing the god, Minos released Hope from his unwanted embrace as the two faced the dark deity. "Father." "Dark One." Dahak remained silent and only nodded to acknowledge them. "I have to speak to you Father. But it can wait. I’ll leave you and Minos alone." Hope prepared to depart when Minos firmly grabbed an arm, halting her exit. "I expect to see you in my bedchamber tonight," Minos reminded her with a whisper. Hope remained silent and only glared with disgust at him. When he finally released his hold on her arm, she quickly exited the main hall. Minos turned to face Dahak once again. His lips were twisted in a frown of discomfort. "Dark One, I’m afraid I have some bad news." "What?" Dahak growled. "Talon has been destroyed and Xena is not under the influence of your blood." "Is that all?" Dahak asked in a deadly low voice. "Not quite. She has gone to Persia to meet up with the children, Gabrielle and...a very much alive Ares." "NO!!!" Dahak shouted as he slammed a fist against a black marble armrest, shattering it to chunks. "How can Ares be alive??? He should be DEAD!!! I KILLED HIM!!!" Any other follower would have been terrified to be in Dahak’s presence when he was in such a state but not Minos. He was the only one who knew how to calm down the dark god. "I don’t know how Ares was brought back to life," Minos confessed. "It must be the work of that former Watcher, Cyrus." Dahak combed his fingers through his shoulder length black hair in frustration. "EVERYTHING I have spent years planning is in JEOPARDY! And now this curse upon me threatens to take over permanently!" He pulled open the front of his leather suit and let Minos see the greenish brown scales covering his chest. The High priest stared in horror at the sight before the dark god quickly concealed his plight from view. "I need that boy, Minos. The eclipse will be taking place soon." The high priest gazed at his lord and spoke with a firm confidence. "Don’t worry Dark One, we will get him." CHAPTER 67 Aphrodite had a big smile on her face as she gazed up at the clear blue sky and the beaming sun. She gave herself a hug and softly squealed with delight. The day looked just as beautiful as she felt, and it was off to a fantastic start --- ambrosia had nothing on mortal food. She was now in search of her big brother. She had the solution to his unfortunate setback with Xena and had to see him at once. Some of the servants in the palace had informed her that he had gone down to the bathhouse and that’s where she was headed. As she stepped inside the marble structure, there were servants moving about, getting the tubs and other bath essentials ready for use by the estate’s many residents. She scanned the beautifully decorated mosaic surroundings until she caught sight of the war god and headed over to him. Aphrodite’s pink lips were frowning and her blue eyes were filled with confusion as she took in the sight before her. "Ar, what are you doing?" The war god sighed whimsically as he gazed up at the love goddess from his position in a sunken tub. "Now Sis, I know you only take these for relaxation but in our semi-mortal state we need to take baths if we don’t want to offend. After the incident with that enchanted scroll of yours, you of all people should know the importance of mortal hygiene." Aphrodite glowered at her brother for bringing up what she considered a nightmare. With clenched teeth she said, "I wasn’t referring to the bath. I was referring to them!" She threw her gaze in the direction of the three young women who were kneeling around the sunken tub, behind the war god. Each had a loofa sponge lathered with soap. One woman was rubbing a soapy sponge over Ares’ broad shoulders while the other two worked on his muscular arms. "Oh, you mean these beautiful young ladies." He admiringly glanced at each one. They in turn batted their eyelids in appreciation of his flattering words. "Darianne, Fatimah and Mariam work here in the bath house. One of their duties is to assist Cyrus’ guests in any way they can. So when they offered to help with my bath, I just couldn’t refuse." Ares let his fingers play with the curly strands of blond hair framing Fatimah’s oval young face as she began rubbing a soapy sponge across his broad chest. Fatimah softly giggled as did her two comrades. Aphrodite sighed in aggravation. Narrowing her blue eyes, she fixed her gaze on the three women. "Darianne, Fatimah and Mariam...SCRAM! I want a word with my Bro alone!" Seeing the threatening look in the eyes of the woman before them, the three young women dropped the loofa sponges and made a hasty retreat. "Why did you go and do that?" Ares groaned with disappointment as he gazed up at his sister. "Now, I’ll have to finish the job myself." He picked up one of the loofa sponges and started rubbing soap across his chest. Aphrodite folded her arms across her chest and tapped a foot while she shook her head in disgust. "Y’know, you are SO lucky I saw you and not Xena." Ares shrugged his shoulders with indifference. "Sorry Sis, but you are mistaken if you think Xena cares about what or whom I’m doing. After she found out she was immortal, she made it perfectly clear there was no ‘us’." "But Ar, that was three weeks ago. The warrior babe wasn’t thinkin’ straight...she had just lost your baby and then she found out she’s never gonna die. I’m sure if you talk to her again, she will have a totally different ‘tude." Aphrodite kneeled by the tub---a giddy expression appeared on her lovely face. "Now, I’ve been working on some things you can say to her..." "Forget it!" Ares threw up a soap-covered hand in a halting gesture. "She’s the one who tossed me aside so if anyone is going to make the first move it will have to be her. In the meantime, I have found a very attractive diversion." The war god had a cheshire grin spread across his face. "Oh, you mean Vashti." Aphrodite rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I’ve noticed all the time you’ve been spending with her, lately. That chick has got a major crush on you." "And you don’t approve?" Ares looked at his sister curiously. "Vashti is definitely not your type. She’s sweet, a goody-goody, and...a virgin." "After tonight, that will change." "Don’t do it. You’ll just be giving the warrior babe a real reason not to give your relationship another chance." Aphrodite rose to her feet. "Look Aph, considering Xena’s stubbornness, an eternity will be needed to mend the fences between us and now we have that. So, in the meantime, I plan on having some *fun*." "Y’know Ar, when you say stuff like that, you sound just like Daddy." Aphrodite sadly shook her head as she gazed at her brother one last time, then she turned to leave the bathhouse. "Oh, that was low Sis, REALLY LOW!" Ares shouted at her retreating form. He slammed his hand holding the loofa sponge into his bath, sending water into the air. ********** Gabrielle walked along the tree-lined stone pathway that cut through the gardens behind Cyrus’ palace. The rustling sound of palms could be heard as they swayed in the warm breeze. If she were back in Greece, she would be bundled up in all sorts of furs for protection from the cold, so Gabrielle cherished the summer weather that still inhabited Persia. She stole a glance at the night sky. Countless stars with a crescent moon in their midst dotted the clear black backdrop. Tonight was perfect for stargazing and that’s what Gabrielle intended to do. She was on her way to meet Cecrops at the field on the edge of the gardens. During his centuries of being trapped on the seas, he had taken up astronomy to pass the time. Gabrielle was coming upon the last section of the garden when she heard the familiar sound of stone against metal. She immediately left the pathway and crossed into the garden. "Hey, what are you doing here? Gabrielle seated herself on the marble bench next to Xena, who was in the process of sharpening her sword. "I thought that after you put Lycus and Lysia to bed that you were going to turn in for the night as well?" "I did put the twins to bed. But Ares had already read them a bedtime story so I just helped out with tucking them in for the night," Xena replied with a smile. "Afterward, I figured I’d sharpen the ol’ sword before heading off to bed." A pleased grin formed on the bard’s face. "It’s good to see you smile. I haven’t seen it in awhile." "Spending time with the twins always makes me smile." Xena glided the stone across the blade of her sword. "And that’s the only reason for the smile?" Gabrielle studied her face. "Of course, what other reason could there be?" "Oh, I don’t know..." Gabrielle took her gaze off her friend and stared at her hands as they fiddled with her skirt. "...I thought maybe part of the reason was that after putting the twins to bed, you and Ares had a nice talk and were now back together." Xena rolled her eyes and wearily sighed. "NO Gabrielle. The smile was ALL for the twins." "Okay," the bard softly replied. Instantly a silence fell over the pair. The only sound heard was that of stone against metal as Xena continued to sharpen her sword but with added vigor. Abruptly she stopped, and stared at her friend. "Y’know, I don’t get you Gabrielle. You freaked out when you found out I was involved with Ares again...you said he was wrong for me. I figured you would be happy I broke it off with him but NO. You are the one who now wants me back with him. Why?" "Okay, yeah, I thought Ares was wrong for you but that was before I got to spend so much time with him and see how he interacts with the children," Gabrielle replied. "I have seen a totally different side to him...a caring, loving, gentle side...a side I didn’t think was possible for him to even have." "So, in your eyes, this now makes him suitable for me?" "Yeah...it does." Xena put a hand up to her lips as a thoughtful expression formed on her face. "Ares has surprised me too with how well he has adapted to the role of father. It even got me to thinking that he might adjust to another role just as well too." She placed the sword in the scabbard on her back then rose from the bench and moved to stand before a forsythia bush. Absentmindedly, she gazed up at the star-filled night sky. "So, why did you end it?" Gabrielle rose from the bench and moved to stand beside her friend. "No, the question should be why did I let it start up again in the first place? Ares hurt me so deeply the last time." "Do you want to tell me about it?" Gabrielle gently asked. "When I first got involved with Ares, I told myself it would be strictly business...no romantic involvement. Ares wanted more than a god--warlord relationship and did his best to go beyond those boundaries but I stayed firm. Then I weakened...gave into what he wanted. I told myself I was just satisfying lust but it grew to be more than that...I fell in love with him. And silly me assumed he felt the same way until he betrayed me by giving counsel to Caesar." Certain things were now beginning to make sense to Gabrielle. "You never stopped loving him, did you?" "No, I didn’t," Xena confessed. "Oh, I tried to hate him...despise him and did a great job of appearing like I did but deep down inside, I knew he would always have a piece of my heart." "This is why I am having such a hard time trying to understand what caused the recent breakup," Gabrielle began. "Despite all the pain and hurt, you were willing to give a relationship with Ares another shot and it was going great. You were even there for each other the night of the miscarriage but then you broke it off. Why?" The bard had a puzzled expression on her face. "Now that I am immortal, everything has changed. I had to break it off, Gabrielle," Xena replied. "Ever since I discovered that Dahak is my father...that I came from someone so evil, I have had to fight the urge to use the powers I inherited from him because I know I couldn’t handle it and end up down the dark path again. It’s been a constant fear in the back of my mind. And now that I know my life won’t end, it will never go away." "So how does your relationship with Ares fit into all of this?" "Ares can’t give me what I need. I thought he could after the night of the miscarriage…he was there for me…we were there for each other…united in comfort over the lost of a child. I felt secure, safe at peace and loved but I was wrong Ares doesn’t love me. When I gave him the chance to confess love all he could say was that I had gone from being his ‘favorite mortal’ to his ‘favorite immortal.’ If that’s all I am to him then nothing has changed and I can’t trust him. He’s always desired me to be immortal and for all I know, he’s probably plotting some scheme to get me to use the powers he knows I despise. A relationship would have left me vulnerable to his manipulations so I had to break it off." Gabrielle shook her head with disappointment. She had told Ares how much him admitting he loved Xena, meant to her friend. But he wouldn’t swallow that macho war god ego and take her advice and now look what it had cost him. Despite Ares’ stubbornness to come clean with his feelings, Gabrielle was still a hopeless romantic and couldn’t give up on the pair. "Do you really believe that Ares would have risked the second chance you two were given by pulling some manipulative stunt?" "If it would give him what he has always wanted, of course." "But what about the truce you two made? He promised he would never plot against you again. Has he ever broken a promise to you?" "Well no…" Xena face was riddled with confusion. "You know what Xena? I think Ares not confessing love for you is the small part of the problem. The bigger problem is your fear of your dark side. You’re afraid it will take control of your life again but it already has. Because of it, you are pushing away the one true chance you have at being happy." Gabrielle took Xena’s hands in her own. "You and Ares have a chance to build something wonderful but that won’t happen if you throw it all away now. You were willing to take a chance once before so you must again. If you don’t, you will surely regret it." The warrior woman remained silent as she slightly bowed her head, pondering her friend’s words. At that moment, Cecrops entered the garden. "Oh, here you are Gabrielle, I..." He stopped mid-sentence when he sensed the tension in the air. Both women turned to look at him. Each somewhat startled by his unexpected arrival. "I’m sorry, did I interrupt something?" Cecrops asked. "Oh no, we were finished." Xena removed her hands from Gabrielle’s grasp. "I should be the one apologizing, Cecrops," Gabrielle said. "I’m late for our star gazing date. You probably thought I had forgotten all about it." "Yeah, such a thought did cross my mind," he confirmed with a chuckle. "You two should get going," Xena suggested. Gabrielle placed a hand on Xena’s arm. "Will you be okay?" "I’ll be fine," Xena assured. "I’ve just got some thinking to do. You go on along with Cecrops." "Well, if you say so, Xena." Gabrielle gave Xena’s arm a comforting rub then headed over to Cecrops. Xena watched as Gabrielle and Cecrops proceeded out of the Garden and headed for the field. After their departure, Xena remained in the garden and thought about what Gabrielle had said. She knew her friend was right – her relationship with Ares deserved another chance. If they could overcome all the pain and heartache of their tumultuous past they could survive her fears regarding immortality. And just because Ares didn’t confess his love for her when she wanted him to didn’t mean he didn’t have those feelings. Xena knew all too well herself how hard it was to admit to loving someone for she hadn’t told Ares how she truly felt so how could she expect him to do any better? Besides, Ares had been there for her the night of the miscarriage – they had been there for each other – providing comfort in a time for sorrow – both expressing love more than the words ever could. Xena left the garden and headed down the tree-lined path towards the palace. She had to speak with Ares that very night. Feelings of joy and nervousness swirled within her. When she was almost at the palace, the voices of the Ares and Vashti could be heard just beyond the trees on one side of the path. Xena knew it was wrong to eavesdrop but she was curious to know what the pair was discussing. Lately, they had been spending quite a bit of time together. Quietly, she made her way between two trees, then crouched behind a bush that gave her a good view of the couple and would allow her to hear their conversation. As soon as Xena got her first glimpse of the pair, anger and disgust began to rise in her. Ares had just pulled Vashti into an embrace and was now claiming the young woman’s lips with hungry kisses! Xena knew the two had grown closer over the last few weeks but she had no idea it had gone this far. Part of her wanted to step out of the bushes and pull Vashti away from Ares and let the young woman know how wrong he was for her. But Vashti pretty much knew everything there was to know about Ares because Xena had informed her about the war god when she stayed at Cyrus’ palace six years ago. Nothing Xena could say would stop the young woman---she was grown and would have to learn on her own. Sighs and moans could now be heard from the couple as their hands began to frantically roam each other’s bodies. Xena felt her eyes getting misty but she willed the tears not to flow. How could Ares do this!? And why now, when she was going to tell him that she wanted to give their relationship another chance. At that moment, she wanted to bolt---run to the palace but she was planted where she crouched. The warrior woman had to know if they would let their actions continue down the road she knew so well with the war god. "Ohhh, by the gods...Ares," Vashti gasped when he brushed aside her silky black hair and started caressing her neck with feathery kisses. "I never knew...one could feel...this way." "Me neither," he sighed as he continued to caress her neck with kisses. But the neck didn’t look like hers anymore but the all too familiar neck of Xena. Abruptly, Ares stopped his sensual ministrations. Vashti took this as a sign for her to take the initiative, so she grasped his head between her hands, bringing his lips to meet hers once again in a deluge of kisses. Ares let that weird moment leave him as he got back into their make out session that was steadily heating up. A hand began to explore her body again, traveling over her hip, her waist and straight to a full breast that he eagerly squeezed through her dress. Vashti’s moans and sighs of pleasure filled his ears but they no longer sounded like her voice but that of Xena! Ares abruptly pulled back to gaze into her face only to find Xena’s face. Her crystal blue eyes sparkled with passion as her rosy lips, swollen from a multitude of kisses, parted and spoke the words, "Ares, I want you to make love to me." The war god blinked his eyes several times as Vashti’s almond shaped brown eyes along with her beautiful face now filled his vision and he heard her say, "I’ve never been with a man before, so you will be my first." Once again, she claimed his full lips with a soft kiss. Leisurely, they parted. Vashti gently placed her hands on his broad chest as she gazed up into his eyes. "Please be gentle with me." Now confident the strange images were gone, Ares finally replied, "Oh, I will be." Vashti smiled with anticipation as she locked an arm in his and the couple made their way towards the palace. As they walked, Ares heard Aphrodite’s words from that very morning ring in his head. ‘Don’t do it. You’ll just be giving the warrior babe a real reason not to give your relationship another chance.’ Abruptly, he brought the pair to a stop. "NO...no, I can’t do this." Ares removed Vashti’s arm from his as he moved away from her. The young woman had a confused expression on her face as she gazed at the war god. "But Ares, I don’t understand...did I do something wrong?" "No, it’s nothing you’ve done Vashti. You’re a beautiful, extremely attractive young woman and not that long ago, I would have eagerly made love to you but now...I-I just can’t." A disappointed frown appeared on her face but she did understand. "I’m not surprised this is happening. It’s Xena isn’t it? You’re in love with her, aren’t you?" "Yeah...I guess I am. The truth is...Xena is the only woman I have ever loved." Slowly, a pleased grin formed on Ares handsome face. Outside of Hermes and Xena’s annoying friend Gabrielle, Vashti was the only person the war god had ever admitted his feelings for the warrior princess and not felt embarrassed. Still hidden behind the bushes, with her fingers, Xena wiped away the tears of joy that had formed at the rims of her eyes the moment after she heard Ares say he loved her. "Does Xena know you love her?" "No. I’ve never had the nerve to tell her...being a war god and all." Ares ran a hand through his short hair as he slightly bowed his head. "Well, I think it’s time you did tell her." Deep down inside, Ares knew he couldn’t go on like this anymore. He owed it to himself and Xena. He raised his head to look at Vashti. "Yeah, you’re right...I gotta tell her." Moving quietly and quickly, Xena dashed out of the bushes and ran down the rest of the pathway towards the palace. She figured Ares would come knocking at her bedchamber door to profess his love for her so she had to be there before him. When she got to the palace, she quickly made her way up the stairs and to her room. Once inside, Xena nervously paced the floor in anticipation of the inevitable knock. She decided to let Ares profess his love first, then she would profess hers. Xena soon tired of pacing the floor and opted to sit at the foot of the bed. ********** After making the decision to tell Xena that he loved her, Ares had left Vashti in the garden and headed for the palace. He remembered Xena saying that she was going to bed early when they had both tucked the twins in for the night. When he reached the palace, Ares made his way up the stairs, down the hall and now stood outside Xena’s bedchamber. Ares stood there a few moments just staring at the door. He exhaled the breath he had been holding as he brought a closed fist up to the door. But before he could start knocking, he lowered the hand to his side again. ‘I need more time to go over how I’m going to say this’ he thought to himself, then he quickly and quietly made his way down the hall and disappeared into his own bedchamber. ********** Slowly, Xena opened her eyes as a yawn escaped her lips. Suddenly she bolted upright into a sitting position on the bed. "Oh gods, I fell asleep!" She quickly rose from the bed and walked over to the window. It was still night but it was quiet, indicating it was very late. Xena cursed under her breath as she started pacing the floor again. She probably slept through Ares’ knock at her bedchamber door and now would have to wait until morning to hear his confession of love. She paced some more as another thought popped into her head. Maybe she didn’t sleep through Ares’ knock because he had never come to knock at all. What if he had decided that he really didn’t love her after all and went ahead and screwed Vashti!? Why they were probably in a bed right now, wrapped in each other’s arms, both basking in the afterglow of sex! "That son of a bitch!" Xena growled under her breath as she quickened her pacing. The thought of those two together just got her madder and hotter. She had to cool down so she decided to take a dip in the pool located in the bathhouse. She immediately left her bedchamber and proceeded out of the palace. At this time of night, the bathhouse should have been dark and deserted but to Xena’s surprise, she could see the glow of lit torches emanating from the windows as she approached the large structure. She figured someone else had the same idea she did and decided to go for a late night swim. As she made her way into the bathhouse, Xena could now hear the sounds of splashing water coming from the room where the pool was located. As she made her way into the room, she hid in the shadows of the large support columns while she stole a glimpse of the person swimming in the pool. It was Ares! Xena now wondered if this meant her notion about something happening between him and Vashti was off the mark. Or it could mean that she was right and he just needed to cool off after a hot night of steamy sex. Either way, she was determined to find out what indeed had happened. Ares’ muscular arms rhythmically cut through the water as he swam the length of the pool. Xena could see that he wore not a single strip of clothing and this brought an appreciative grin to her face. When he reached an end of the pool and came up for air, Xena stepped from behind a large marble column. "Care if I join you?" Ares was somewhat startled by her presence but welcomed the company. "No, come on in." Xena seated herself on a nearby marble bench where Ares had laid his leathers. She removed her boots, armor, arm bands and gauntlets. She had Ares’ undivided attention as she stood and first removed her leather battle dress and then her shift. Now completely nude, she could feel his eyes raking over her form. Xena had been naked in Ares’ presence too many times to count but it made her smile inwardly that her form could still mesmerize him---like he was seeing it for the first time. She saw the desire overflowing in his brown eyes and after witnessing the scene between him and Vashti, enjoyed teasing him. She made her way to the pool’s edge and in one graceful motion, dove into its cool waters. She swam to where Ares still stood in the pool and cut through the surface to stand right in front of him. With slender fingers, she combed back wet raven tresses. "I’m surprised to see you here. When we were putting the twins to bed, you said you had plans for the evening." "I did but they fell through." "Oh, that’s too bad." Her tone sounded sympathetic. "No, it worked out for the best," Ares said with a faint smile. Xena smiled too. At least she now knew that her assumption about Ares and Vashti sleeping together was incorrect and that greatly relieved her. "So, what are you doing here? I thought you were going to turn in early for the night?" He asked. "I was but then I decided a swim would help me sleep better," she replied. "I watched you doing your laps. Would you like to turn it into a competition? Six laps the length of the pool and whoever touches this wall here first, is the winner." "Sure," he replied with enthusiasm. With a playful smile, Xena glided past Ares, headed for the steps that led up out of the pool. Ares followed behind her. Both stood in front of the edge of the pool and got into position. "Do you mind if I be the one who says when we start?" Ares asked. "No, be my guest." Both were now poised to dive into the pool when Ares gave the signal. "On your mark...get set...GO!" Both hit the water simultaneously when they dove into the pool. With legs powerfully kicking and arms rhythmically cutting through the water, Ares and Xena swam at top speed down the length of the pool---neck and neck. When they reached the far end to turn around, Ares used the wall to push off and take the lead. He kept it for the next four laps but on the last, Xena caught up to him. The lead went back and forth between them as both swam at top speed vying to be the one to touch the wall first and thus be the victor. They were nearly upon the end of the pool as both reached out and simultaneously touched the wall. Both broke the surface of the water and now held onto the side of the pool. "Well, it was a tie," Xena declared as she brushed back wet hair. "It won’t happen again. I was just warming up," Ares confidently replied. "Oh, we’ll see about that," Xena challenged with a playful smile. The pair had a few more races consisting of laps up and down the pool. Each won an equal amount, still leaving them with a tie. They both came to the conclusion that they were equally matched. Now they just floated in the pool, each enjoying the relaxing movement of the cool waters over their bodies. Xena couldn’t help but notice when Ares rubbed his right arm, his lips twisting in discomfort. He had done this a few times before during their frolic in the pool. "Hey, is your arm okay? You didn’t injure it during one of our races, did you?" "No, it’s just very sore from all of Cyrus’ poking and prodding," Ares smirked. "I’m starting to think that this has less to do with him trying to uncover the mystery of my resurrection and more to do with him trying to do me in for good." Xena stifled a chuckle. "It’s that bad, huh?" "Every time I go to his lab, I feel like a pin cushion." "Do you think he has made any progress trying to find a way to reverse the comas of the other gods?" "I think he made a breakthrough in that area this very day." "Oh really?" Xena perked up with piqued interest. "Cyrus has found an unusual substance in my bloodstream. It seems to be a hybrid of a substance that he has only seen in the blood of Watchers. The gods had it aeons ago but it has since been wiped out and that’s why it’s so unusual for me to have it. This substance is what gives Watchers immunity from Hind’s blood. He thinks this may be the reason why I was resurrected and could possibly be the cure for the other gods." "Hmm, amazing," Xena said. "Does he have any idea how you could have gotten this substance in your blood?" "No, but I do." Xena gazed at him curiously. "I got it from you." "Me!?" Xena looked at Ares as if he had lost his mind. "That’s ridiculous! How could you have gotten such a substance from me!?" "Remember what I told you about our bond and the identical symbols cut into the palms of our right hands?" "Yeah...wait a minute, you think that you picked up this substance when Minos mingled our blood together in that dark ceremony?" "Xena, it all fits. You being the daughter of a Watcher would naturally put this anti-Hind’s blood substance in your blood. As a god, I shouldn’t have the substance in my blood but I do. And the only way I could have gotten it in my blood was through that dark ceremony bonding me to you." The warrior woman remained silent as her mind fully absorbed this startling conclusion that Ares had just revealed. When she finally did respond, it was in the form of chuckles. "Care to tell me what’s so funny?" Ares asked. "I was just thinking about the irony in all this. Dahak is the one who killed you and the one inadvertently responsible for your resurrection." "Y’know, I didn’t even think about that," Ares chuckled. "Man, will he freak when he finds out." Ares now broke out laughing and Xena joined him. "Do you think we should tell Cyrus how the substance got in your blood?" Xena asked when the laughter finally ceased. "Nah, he already has everything he needs to know to come up with a cure for the other gods so we can keep this between you and me." Xena nodded in agreement. Ares’ features took on a seriousness tone when he gazed at Xena. "It really is a good thing you decided to go for a swim because I really need to talk to you about something." Xena pretty much knew what he had to talk to her about. She had been anxious for this moment ever since she had found him at the pool. "Oh really? What is it?" Ares stepped closer to Xena. He took hold of one of her hands in both of his as he gazed into her crystal blue eyes. ‘Okay, here I go’ he told himself as he swallowed. "Xena...I-I...love you." ‘Whew, that wasn’t so hard, now I gotta get the rest out’ "I know those four words are the last you would expect to hear from me but they are true and come from my heart...another thing that probably is a surprise to you that I have." Xena had quietly listened to the war god’s confession---her heart overflowing with joy. "Ares, I..." "Now, I don’t expect you to feel the same way." Ares cut her off, fearing words of rejection. "After all I have done such horrible things to you. But maybe with time..." "But I do feel the same way...I love you too," Xena blurted out. "You do!?" Ares’ mouth hung open in surprise. "Yeah." Slowly a huge smile formed on Xena’s face. Absorbing what Xena had just said, Ares smiled too. He moved forward and held Xena’s face in between his hands as he claimed her lips with a soft kiss. It was like they were kissing each other for the first time---a new openness---a new beginning. Leisurely, their lips parted. They gazed lovingly into each other’s eyes. Ares caressed Xena’s face with his hands. "I was wrong when I broke it off with you." Xena ran her own hands over Ares’ muscular arms. "I let my fears rule my head. I-I don’t know what I was thinking…I know I hurt you and I’m so sorry." "That’s all forgotten," Ares declared. "All that matters now is that we are back together." Once again, Ares claimed Xena’s lips with a soft kiss. She deepened the kiss as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Despite the cool water they were emerged in, both felt themselves grow warmer as the passion rose between them. Moans were soon heard as the kisses became urgent and hands began to explore bodies. Xena closed her eyes and let herself get lost in the moment as Ares began caressing the soft skin of her neck with kisses. Xena was right up against the edge of the pool. A long shapely leg hugged Ares’ waist as her hands sensuously roamed his broad bare back. Their passion was steadily approaching the point of no return when heavy footsteps and giggles could be heard headed in their vicinity. Reluctantly, the feverish kisses were brought to a halt as their bodies pulled apart. "Someone certainly has lousy timing," Ares smirked with annoyance. Xena soothingly laid a hand against his chest. "We can finish this in my bedchamber." At that moment, now laughing uproariously, Gabrielle came stumbling between two columns with an arm wrapped around the waist of Cecrops, who was stumbling and laughing right along with her. The pair quickly composed themselves when they saw Xena and Ares in the pool. "Oh boy, did we interrupt something." Gabrielle frowned apologetically while gazing at the pair in the pool, clearly seeing that they were naked. "This is the second time tonight for me," Cecrops groaned. "It’s okay you guys. We were getting ready to head back up to the palace, so the pool is all yours. Could you hand us a couple of towels?" Cecrops quickly grabbed some towels hanging on a nearby wall and handed them to Gabrielle. "Are you sure? ‘Cause we can leave." Gabrielle walked over to the pool’s steps with the towels in her hands. "Yes, we are quite through here." Xena stepped out of the pool--took the towel Gabrielle offered and wrapped it around her body. "Xena’s right. The pool’s all yours, just don’t do anything we wouldn’t do." Ares couldn’t help but chuckle as he took the towel from Gabrielle’s outstretched hand, her eyes deliberately averting his naked form. He wrapped the towel around his waist. "You can look now, I’m decent." He grinned with amusement. Gabrielle remained silent but she was blushing. The couple retrieved their clothes on the marble bench then proceeded to leave the bathhouse. "Um Xena?" the bard called to her friend’s departing form. "Yes Gabrielle," Xena wearily sighed. "Does you two being here mean what I think it does?" "You betcha." A pleased smile formed on Gabrielle’s face. "Tomorrow, you gotta tell me everything." "I will," was Xena’s last reply as she and Ares closed the door to the poolroom behind them. The couple quickly exited the bathhouse and made their way back to the palace, up the stairs and to Xena’s bedchamber. "Do you really plan on telling Gabrielle everything?" Ares asked once they had closed themselves up inside the bedchamber. "No, I am going to give her the censored version." Xena took the clothes that Ares was holding and along with the stuff she held, deposited it on a chair. "That’s what I figured." Ares smiled devilishly as he gazed at Xena with eyes full of desire. "I think it’s time we chucked these towels. "I wholeheartedly agree," Xena sensuously drawled while unwrapping the towel around her body and letting it drop to the floor. Ares did the same with his own towel then pulled Xena into a loving embrace and claimed her lips with a sweet kiss. She eagerly opened her mouth to his tongue that began a passionate duel with her own. Soon moans could be heard as hands began to explore damp skin with an insistent urgency. Their desire was steadily rising when abruptly they pulled apart. "I think we should take this to the bed," Xena suggested through husky breaths. "My sentiments exactly." Ares took hold of Xena’s right hand as he led the pair over to the bed. Once there, the couple eased their way onto the silk sheet covered mattress, coming to stop at the silk pillows at the base of the headboard. Xena propped her head on one of the plush pillows as Ares lowered his body over hers, supporting himself on his forearms. "Words can’t begin to describe how much I love you," Ares declared as he gazed into her beautiful face. "That’s okay, ‘cause right now, I don’t want you to use words." Xena grasped Ares’ head between her hands as she brought his face to hers, claiming his soft pliant lips with a deluge of short sucking kisses---one right after another. Such kisses always drove Ares wild---wanting to reach inside her for more. With the last short kiss, Xena let him do just that by offering him the insides of her mouth. He let his tongue duel with hers before finally breaking away to nibble on her neck. Xena leisurely closed her eyes and sighed with pleasure as she craned her neck giving Ares easier access. Under his caressing tongue, he could feel the increase in her pulse rate while her slender fingers lovingly combed through his short raven hair. Moving steadily, the war god kissed, licked and nibbled his way down to her breasts. He caressed their fullness with his lips, tickling the soft skin with his moustache and beard along the way. He completely ignored the nipples as he pointed his tongue into an arrow and traced patterns above, below and around them. This teasing left Xena’s nipples hard and aching to be touched. She arched her back, bringing her breasts closer to his mouth. Her desire brought a smile to Ares’ lips before he teased a pebbly nipple with tender nibbles. Xena issued a moan of approval. He took the rosy bud into his mouth and flicked his tongue back and forth over it before sucking hard. This left Xena panting. He gave the other nipple the same attention before moving down to her abdomen. With his mouth and tongue he massaged, licked and sucked her soft flesh. Once again, he pointed his tongue like an arrow, thrusting it in and out of her navel---a prelude to the intimacy to come. Xena gasped, moaned and sighed with delight as Ares continued his sensual exploration of her body. He now lay between her parted legs, caressing her inner thighs with feathery kisses. Xena held her breath in anticipation as he made his way closer to the place on her body that she longed for him to be. She quickly exhaled when she felt his fingers part her soft moist folds. Soon she was moaning as he gently ran his tongue back and forth across her aroused bud. When he started sucking, it felt so good that she instinctively arched her back, bringing her mound closer to his face. Gripping her hips, he eased her back down onto the bed as he plunged his tongue deeply into her. In and out his tongue moved, each time flicking her aroused bud with each trip. Xena was in ecstasy as Ares brought her higher and higher until she hit the peak of pleasure. She cried out in sweet release as he licked and sucked away the fruit of her climax. "Was it good for you?" he asked with a sly smile as he gazed at her from his position between her legs. "Ohh yeah," Xena breathed. "Well it’s about to get even better." Positioned between her legs, he moved himself back on top of her body, supporting himself on his forearms. Pleasuring Xena had made him rock hard. He leaned forward to claim her lips with a kiss as he eased his stiff member into her still quivering depths. Xena moaned with his entry and the taste of her own juices on his lips. She spread her legs wide and lifted them up as high as she could, allowing Ares to deepen his penetration as he languidly thrust in and out, building to a rhythm. Steadily, the wave of ecstasy began to build in both. Ares increased the tempo and Xena matched him stroke for stroke. She now embraced him with her legs, pushing him deeper into her with each thrust. Higher and higher they both rose as they pushed their bodies towards that pinnacle of pleasure. Xena no longer knew where her body ended and Ares’ began as her inner muscles devoured him. Together, they reached the peak of pleasure. It spiraled out of both, shrouding them in wave after wave of unfathomable ecstasy. ********** Slowly, Xena opened her eyes. Her head rested against Ares’ chest that she had been using as a pillow. She removed the muscular arm draped around her as she quietly rose to a sitting position. A candle still burned on the bedside table. She looked towards the window and could see the sky lightening---indicating that sunrise would soon be upon them. She looked lovingly at the god lying beside her as she ran her fingers through his short raven hair. Ares’ broad chest gently rose and fell while he continued to sleep. Xena was surprised either of them had managed to get any sleep considering they had spent the majority of the night making love. A smile appeared on her face when she thought of their passion-filled night. With eyes sparkling in mischief, she ran a hand down Ares’ hairy chest, over his stomach and under the silk sheet covering him up to his waist. Her fondling wakened part of him and the rest soon followed. "Xena, you are going to wear me out." Ares pulled her busy hand out from under the sheet. "Now this is a first. You can’t keep up with me." "And this is the only time it will happen. This semi-mortal state I’m in has put limits on me," he frowned with aggravation. "Then we’ll just have to make it a quickie because the sun will be up soon and then I have to get dressed so Cyrus and I can head to King Mithridates’ palace." Xena moved to straddle Ares’ body. She playfully ran her hands up and down his chest before letting one rest on the sheet covering him and began stroking. "I had dealings with Mithridates back when Dahak was embroiled in that war with the Persian gods. He was stubborn and a fool then and from what I’ve heard, he hasn’t changed much." Ares propped himself up on his elbows. "Do you really think he will let the Persian army participate in our attack on Dahak?" "Cyrus has had disagreements with King Mithridates but he should be able to persuade him." Xena took her stroking up a notch. "It’s a pity you can’t come along." "Considering that Mithridates dislikes Olympus just as much as his Persian gods, that would be a bad idea." Ares let out a sigh in response to her arousing ministrations. "Once assistance from Persia is assured, all we need is the others to come back with their pieces to the Holy Saber," Xena said. "I just hope they get here soon, because I don’t know how much longer the Amazons, the Centaurs and the Corinthian army can battle Dahak’s minions alone." She ceased her stroking as worry now darkened her face. "Hey, what’s with that look? Ares raised a hand, letting the fingers caress her face. "You know your friends irritate me to no end but even I can see how gutsy and resourceful they are, including that mongrel half-brother of mine. They will get here with the pieces to the Holy Saber and we will defeat Dahak." Ares’ tone was firm to match the look on his face. Seeing his confidence made Xena smile. "There’s the look I like to see," Ares said smiling back at her. "Now, I’ll let you broaden that smile with a quickie." "Oh, that’s SO big of you," Xena sarcastically replied. "That’s not the only thing I’ve got that’s big." Ares fixed his gaze on the large bulge straining against the sheet. Xena did this as well, raising an eyebrow at her handiwork before looking at Ares’ face again. "Since you’re all worn out from last night, you can lay back and let me do all the work." "Hey, you’re in control." Ares laid back on the bed. Xena pulled down the sheet covering his lower body as she got into position to begin her passionate ride.
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