@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 68 thru 70) CHAPTER 68 The candles burning in the lab were almost gutted, their flames flickering sporadically, casting less light and creating shadows over a table covered with several bowls and sheets of parchment. Cyrus issued a huge sigh of disgust as he left his place by the table and headed over to a large wooden cabinet. He rubbed his tired eyes while fumbling through the cabinet looking yet again for more candles. This had become routine since two weeks ago when he discovered the unusual substance in Ares’ blood. After replacing the old candles, Cyrus once again stood before the table where five vials were set. Each contained a blood sample---one from Ares, one from Aphrodite, one from Gabrielle and one from each of the twins. The children had limited immunity from Hind’s blood that they had inherited from Xena but it could still kill them so samples had been taken. The same was true for Gabrielle who had inherited limited immunity from Hope. Cyrus was absolutely positive that the hybrid substance found in the sample taken from Ares was the reason for his miraculous resurrection. Using this sample, Cyrus was trying to create a serum that would counter the poisoning by Hind’s blood that had left the gods of Olympus in deadly comas. He had tested the serum on a portion of the samples he had taken from the four new participants. Using the Hind’s blood no one knew he had, Cyrus had added it to each of the samples then he introduced the serum created using Ares’ blood. The serum had countered the Hind’s blood introduced into the samples of the children’s and Gabrielle’s samples but not Aphrodite’s. Cyrus had determined that the twins and Gabrielle had inherited certain characteristics of the hybrid substance found in Ares that allowed their samples to absorb the anti-Hind’s blood serum and this is what Aphrodite’s sample lacked. Now Cyrus focused all of his attention on creating a substance that could be introduced into Aphrodite’s blood and enable her body to accept the anti-Hind’s blood serum. After doing some computations, Cyrus was ready to conduct another test which, he prayed would have the solution. He poured some of Aphrodite’s blood into a bowl along with some of the Hind’s blood. The final substance he added was the latest version of the serum created from the new calculations. While waiting for the latest results, Cyrus decided to clean up some of the mess he had made with the various experiments. He gathered up a bunch of empty vials and bowls and was placing them in a bucket of water when Bithia poked her head in the laboratory doorway. "Cyrus, I know you said you didn’t want to be disturbed but I just wanted to let you know that the last of the search parties just arrived." "Oh no, I’m glad you did come and tell me. I was just finishing up with the last test and it’s going to be a while before I have the results so a break is in order." Cyrus put the last of the empty vials in a bucket of water. "It’s a good thing they got here when they did because a severe storm is brewing," Bithia said. "Really? That’s news to me." Cyrus laid a cloth over the test bowl. "I’ve been so busy in my lab the last couple weeks that I haven’t paid much attention to the weather." "Do you think this latest test will give the answers you need?" Bithia asked. "I believe so," Cyrus said with a smile. "Good." Bithia smiled back at him as she placed an arm around his shoulders and the pair left the laboratory. ********** Thick clouds rolled across the night sky, blanketing the brightness of the full moon. The wind blew, steadily picking up speed in its gusts indicating that Persepolis was in for a major storm. Completely oblivious to the coming bad weather, Lycus peacefully slept, shrouded in the bright illumination of the many-lit candles scattered about the room and around his bed. Their flames danced in the growing breeze but they still continued to burn. ********** Four weeks after Xena, Cyrus and Joxer had arrived in Persepolis, two of the remaining three search parties had gotten their messages from Ibycus and made their way to Persepolis as well. The first to arrive had been Hercules and Iolaus with the additions of Nebula and her crew. A few days after them, Autolycus, Meleager and Salmoneus had arrived with the addition of Chen Jie. Despite the danger, three of the search parties had found their pieces to the Holy Saber. With the arrival of Darnelle, Draco and Glaphyra in Persepolis, the sword would be whole again and they would have the weapon they needed to destroy Dahak. When news of their arrival spread across Cyrus’ estate, all had risen from their beds and went to meet them in Cyrus’ massive library. Joxer had seated himself in a chair by the hearth. He put a hand up to his mouth to muffle the yawn that threatened to escape his lips. Still recovering from demon possession, Joxer’s was not accustomed to being up so late. He let his brown eyes wander over the assembled group. A questioning look scrolled across his face when he finally noticed that someone was missing. "Hey Xena, Gabrielle is not here," Joxer said. "Yeah, I know. Since she was sleeping so soundly, I decided to let her sit this one out. I’ll tell her what she missed in the morning." Xena replied. "She had such an exhausting day helping Selene and Vashti with the children at the school house." "Oh," Joxer nodded his head in understanding. The children of the orphanage were cute and sweet but they could also be a handful. The library was filled with excited chatter as the new arrivals shared with those present the conditions they had to endure to find the piece to the Holy Saber. "So, let’s see it." Meleager demanded as he gazed at the three whom had been his traveling companions in previous months. All watched as Glaphyra opened the flap of the large purse draped over a shoulder, inserted a hand and pulled out a foot long piece of silver metal. "Oh boy, I think we’ve got a problem," Iolaus declared as all gazed at the metal, frowns forming on their faces. "What do you mean we’ve got a problem!?" Darnelle asked. "That metal matches the drawing that Cyrus gave us." Glaphyra and Draco backed up his words. "We’re not doubting it’s a piece to the Holy Saber," Xena said. "We just thought there would be a little bit more to your piece." Darnelle, Draco and Glaphyra had confused looks on their faces. At that moment, Cyrus entered the library. "So, let’s have the sword piece." A giddy grin graced the face of the man’s as he made his way through the gathered group. He held out his hands and Glaphyra laid the metal in them. "Oh, this isn’t good." The grin was replaced with a look of disappointment. "Okay, will somebody please explain," Draco demanded, somewhat annoyed. "I’ll do the honors." Cyrus made his way over to a table where an oblong cedar box was set. The others followed. Cyrus removed a key from his person, unlocked the box and lifted the lid. His hands pulled back a black velvet cloth shrouding the contents. Now the other three pieces to the Holy Saber were visible to view. Cyrus laid the piece of the saber that Glaphyra had just given him in front of the other three. "You see, the rest of us brought back the hilt and the two pieces connected to it," Hercules said. "We thought you would be bringing back the final piece to make the sword complete," Ares said. "But there is still a piece missing," Autolycus said with a frustrated sigh. All gazed at the top end to the piece that Cyrus had just laid with the others. The edge was jagged where the fifth and final piece --- the part with the four-pointed star of light etched in the blade should be. "I don’t understand this," Draco confessed. "I thought we had all the information that was needed to find all the saber pieces." He looked to the war god and the former Watcher for answers. "Hey, every scroll I found in those twelve chests, I gave to Cyrus so he could translate them." Ares looked to Cyrus. "And I translated everything I was given," Cyrus said. "The scrolls made no mention of a fifth piece. "Could there be something more in your own scrolls?" Salmoneus suggested. "Yeah, maybe something you overlooked," Nebula added. "The servants brought me every chests from the cellar containing old scrolls but I can have them look again just in case they may have overlooked something," Cyrus said. The others nodded in agreement. ********** A strong gust of wind whipped through the window of Lycus’ bedchamber instantly waking the child. When he realized he lay in darkness, he immediately bolted upright in the bed. Frantically, his head turned this way and that, glancing around the room. He could vaguely make out the candles, scattered all about---their burned out wicks with soft trails of smoke rising above them. Lycus figured the wind must have blown them out. The candles were what kept the snakeman nightmares from haunting his sleep so he had to light them. Lycus quickly reached for the candle set on the bedside table. Focusing his crystal blue eyes on the wick, he tried to use his godly powers to light it but nothing happened! Lycus thought this was weird. He had never had trouble before using his powers to light candles. He hopped out of his bed and in the dark made his way over to a candle he could somewhat see, setting atop a table on the far side of the room. Once again he focused his eyes on the burned out wick, trying to light it and again nothing happened. Fear started racing through the young boy’s body when he heard a scream. It was Lysia! The child immediately left his own bedchamber and burst through the door of his sister’s bedchamber right next to his. Thunder rumbled followed by two streaks of lightening that rolled across the sky and gave Lycus a brief glimpse of the interior of his sister’s bedchamber. The sheets were tossed about an empty bed. There was no sign of Lysia in the room. Where could she be? Once again, Lycus heard his sister’s voice---screaming in terror! It was coming from downstairs. He immediately bolted from the bedchamber and quickly made his way towards the stairs but came to an abrupt stop. His crystal blue eyes widened in horror as they took in the sight of what lay below on the first floor. "Mom! Dad! NO!!!" Lycus screamed as he raced down the stairs. His eyes welled up with tears as he collapsed by the lifeless bodies of his parents; both with bloody sword cuts running from ear to ear across their necks. Lycus glanced around at the other lifeless bodies lying with his parents---the bodies of his Uncle Cyrus, Vashti, Bithia, Selene, Aunt Dite, Uncle Hercules, Joxer, Iolaus and the rest of his mother’s friends. Everyone the little boy knew and loved was dead. Tears flowed like a river down his young face, onto his pajamas. The only body not among those before him was that of his sister Lysia. Once again, he heard her scream. It was coming from the library! Lycus quickly rose to his feet and ran towards the library. When he stood before its large door, a small hand took hold of the knob and pulled it open. Once again, the child’s crystal blue eyes widened in horror over what he saw. There stood his twin sister Lysia, in the middle of the library struggling in the grasp of the snakeman! He looked human---just like he did when Lycus had seen him fight his father in the temple at Thebes. But instead of his eyes being blue, they were a glowing yellow with red slits in the middle. An evil laugh escaped his lips as he gazed down at the squirming young girl, a dagger placed at the delicate skin of her throat. When he sensed the presence of another, with glowing yellow eyes, he gazed into the face of the young boy. "Ah Lycus, so good of you to join us. Do come in," he said in a gravelly voice. "You’re just in time to see me kill the only person left that you love." The snakeman slowly ran the blade of the dagger across the skin of Lysia’s neck. "NOOO!!!" Lycus screamed as he raced towards the pair. Gasping for breath, Lycus bolted upright in his bed just as a flash of lightening jabbed across the black sky. A gust of wind whipped around his now darkened room. Just like the nightmare the boy had awakened from, the candles in his room had blown out. Lycus hopped out of bed and using his godly powers tried to light them but nothing happened! Fear began racing through the boy’s body when another burst of wind whipped through the bedchamber window carrying with it a plea from his sister! "Lycus help me! The snakeman’s got me!" The boy raced over to the window and looked out. Thunder rumbled and lightening once again briefly brightened the night sky as strong winds blew violently swaying the trees that made up the large garden in the back of the palace. Once again, the child heard his sister’s voice traveling on the tails of the wind. "Lycus hurry! Ya gotta help me!" It was coming from the garden. Fearing what he might find if he took the stairs, Lycus leapt from the window of his bedchamber, landing noiselessly on the ground below. The child quickly made his way to the garden. ********** A violent breeze blew through Gabrielle’s bedchamber waking her from a peaceful sleep. Groggily, she glanced toward the window just as lightening flickered across the sky. Gabrielle knew a downpour of rain was just around the corner and with this wind would drench her in her very bed. A yawn escaped her lips as she rose from her bed and headed over to the window to close the shutters to block out the coming rain. Absentmindedly, she quickly put the auburn hair whipping about her face behind an ear as she reached for the shutters. But before closing them, she got a glimpse of a small figure below, running towards the gardens. It looked like a child! Gabrielle didn’t know if it was one of the twins or a child from the orphanage but she certainly knew whomever it was that he or she shouldn’t be running around in a lightening storm. Retrieving a robe that lay at the foot of the bed, she quickly put it on as she left her bedchamber and headed for the back stairway that would lead her to an exit in the back of the palace. ********** Lycus glanced up at the trees violently swaying above him in the strong wind gusts as he made his way down the stone pathway that cut through the gardens. "Lycus, help me!" once again was heard on the tail of the wind, somewhere in the garden, a short distance from where the boy ran down the pathway. The child left the path, running between two trees and into the garden. "Lysia where are you!?" Lycus shouted just as clouds blanketing the night sky opened and down came the pouring rain. The child was soon drenched as he frantically raced through the gardens, looking for any sign of his sister. "I’m here Lysia! Where ar..." was all he got out as his bare feet slipped on the rain soaked grass and he fell with a thud on his back. Lycus frantically wiped the pelting rain from his face. He instantly rose to a sitting position. Before he had a chance to stand, he felt a tight grasp on his arms as he was whipped around and raised off the ground. The child’s mouth hung open in fear as he gazed into a pair of glowing yellow eyes---the eyes of the snakeman! Despite the downpour of rain, the snakeman was completely dry as his strong hands gripped the child’s arms, the young boy’s face a hand’s length away from his own. "I knew you would come," he said in a gravelly voice. "Lycus help me! The snakeman’s got me!" He said sounding just like Lysia. "It was you?!" Lycus crystal blue eyes widened in surprise. "YES!" The snakeman evilly chuckled as the pair was engulfed in a flame of fire that quickly dissipated into nothingness. ********** "Lycus!" Lysia yelled as she bolted upright in her bed. Her sudden movements awakened Mei-Jin who lay atop the sheets next to her. The little girl was gasping for breath as her small hands quickly brushed back from her face, curly raven locks. Strong winds blew the pouring rain through the window as lightening eerily crawled across the sky. Clutching her favorite doll, Lysia hopped out of her bed, as did Mei-JIn. Trembling with a chill after being partially soaked by the rain, the child had a flashback of the vision that had filled her mind right before she had awakened. That very night, in the pelting rain, Lycus was in the garden---his small body was being held off the ground in the grasp of the snakeman who evilly laughed before the two disappeared in a flame of fire. The little girl’s body now not only trembled from a chill but fear for her brother. Still clutching her doll, she immediately left her bedchamber with Mei-Jin at her heels and headed for her brother’s bedchamber right next door. When she stepped inside, she was surprised to see that it was dark---all the candles had blown out. When a flash of lightening momentarily brightened the room, the little girl was able to see that her brother’s bed was empty---the sheets wildly tossed about. Lysia left her brother’s bedchamber and headed for the stairs. ********** Running at top speed, Gabrielle made her way down the stone pathway cutting through the garden. Some moments ago, she had seen the child leave the path and head into the garden itself. But before he had left the path, she had been able to see who it was---Lycus. She had yelled to him but the howling winds and the rumbles of thunder had drowned out her cries. When she reached the area where Lycus had left the stone pathway, she did too and headed into the garden. By then, it was pouring rain and it didn’t take long for her to be drenched. "Lycus! Lycus! where are you!?" She yelled while cautiously making her way over the slippery grass in search of the child. Not that far ahead of her, Gabrielle could hear voices above the wind and thunder. Cautiously she made her way over to some bushes where she could see who was speaking, hidden from view. Gabrielle saw a woman around her height with wet hair cut in a bob and wearing skimpy warrior clothes talking to seven men all dressed in armor. "Our lord has gotten the boy," the woman said. "Now I’ll grab the little girl while you go after the saber pieces." The seven men grunted and nodded in understanding. "They must be with Dahak!" Gabrielle softly whispered while slowly backing away from the bushes. Suddenly, she was whirled around by a pair of strong hands and now stood staring into the face of a man wearing a black robe with a hood covering his head. Gabrielle struggled to free herself from his grasp but to her surprise could not break loose. "Who are you?" She asked, finally ceasing her squirming, realizing it was useless. "I am Minos, the exalted high priest of the one true god, Dahak." He saw a familiarity in her green eyes that widened upon hearing who he was. Her wet auburn hair also reminded him of another. "And you must be Gabrielle. Your daughter will be most pleased to see you as will the Dark One." The priest’s thin lips twisted into a sinister smile. ********** "Well, just as I figured, the servants discovered no new chests with scrolls in the cellar," Cyrus informed all gathered about as he re-entered the library. "Incomplete, the saber is useless to us." Autolycus stared with disgust at the oblong box and the saber pieces it contained. "We’ll never stopped Dahak now," Salmoneus whined as he nervously twisted the cuff of a sleeve in his hand. "Maybe we could somehow trap him in lava again," Iolaus suggested. Those gathered murmured approvals in favor of the blonde hunter’s suggestion. "The lava would trap Dahak but not forever," Xena said bringing those around her to silence. "Eventually, his fanatical followers would find a way to free him again." She seated herself on the edge of the table where the cedar box lay. Her crystal blue eyes wistfully looked at its contents. "This saber was our only chance to stop him once and for all." Ares moved to stand beside Xena, draping an arm around her shoulders as the room fell silent, everyone deep in thought trying to find a solution to their latest problem. At that moment the door of the library quietly opened and in stepped Lysia along with Mei-Jin. There was a look of distress etched across her little face as a small hand clutched her favorite doll. Usually bright-eyed and happily barking, Mei-Jin stood beside her young mistress with big sorrowful brown eyes, softly whimpering. "Lysia sweetheart, what are you doing out of bed?" Xena along with Ares made their way over to their daughter. "Did you have a bad dream?" Ares asked when they stood before the child. "No," the little girl shook her head slightly bowing it. "Ares, she’s soaked." Xena ran her hands over the girl’s wet nightgown. "The rain came through the window," Lysia softly said as she raised her bowed head revealing a face stained with tears. "Oh baby, what’s wrong?" Ares knelt before the child, using his fingers to wipe away the tears running down the little girl’s face. "It’s Lycus, he’s not in his room," Lysia sobbed. "He probably went to the kitchen to get something to eat," Aphrodite suggested as she sat in a chair nearby witnessing the exchange between the three. "Yeah sweetheart, your Aunt Dite is probably right," Xena said. "No." Lysia started violently shaking her head. "The snakeman has him." Xena and Ares both had startled looks on their faces in response to the child’s statement but remained calm when they addressed her. "Lysia, you just had a bad dream," Ares said. "Yeah, your brother is fine and just like Aunt Dite suggested went to the kitchen and is now probably back in his room," Xena assured. "Now, I’ll take you upstairs, get you into a dry nightgown and then you can see for yourself that I am right." She took hold of the child’s free hand and proceeded to take her back upstairs. "But Mommy it wasn’t a bad dream," Lysia insisted. "It was a vision, just like when Daddy took me and Lycus to that field in Sicily." "Xena wait!" Ares knelt down in front of his daughter again, taking her face in between his hands. "Now Lysia, tell me exactly what you saw." "It was raining just like it is now and Lycus was running through the garden. He was calling to me when he fell down on the wet grass. When he tried to stand up, the snakeman lifted him off the ground. He said something sounding just like me then he and Lycus were gone in a flame of fire." "Oh Gods No!" Xena hissed as her mind absorbed her daughter’s word. Ares quickly rose to his feet. He soothingly ran a hand through Lysia’s raven curly locks as he looked to his sister who was now standing, a look of horror on her face after hearing what her niece said. "Aphrodite, you stay here with Lysia." Ares turned to look at the gathered group. "The rest of you, follow me and Xena to the garden." ********** Running through the down pour of rain as lightening once again momentarily brightened the night sky, Ares, Xena and the others raced to the garden praying they would find Lycus. They all spread out in search of the boy but he was no where in sight, neither was Dahak. Ares and Xena were at the edge of the garden, when they spotted movement in the adjoining field and quickly headed in that direction. They reached the field just as a griffin with Gabrielle and Minos sitting atop its back took off into the air. "Xena!" Gabrielle yelled to her friend as she struggled in the strong grasp of the high priest’s arm securely wrapped around her shoulders. "Gabrielle!" Xena instantly removed the chakram from her waist and quickly tossed it in the direction of the ascending winged creature. The round metal weapon was headed straight for Minos when he casually held up a sword, successfully deflecting it and sending it back in the direction of its thrower. "Damn!" Xena cursed under her breath as she caught the chakram and reattached it to her waist. The others came running out of the garden and onto the field to helplessly watch with her and Ares as the Griffin with Gabrielle and Minos atop its back disappeared into the night sky, headed above the storm clouds. "Iolaus and I found some griffins tied to trees at the other end of the garden," Hercules informed the others. "That means that Minos didn’t come alone," Ares said. "And they are probably at the palace," Xena said. "Come on let’s go!" She, Ares and the others, raced back to Cyrus’ palace. When they got there, the sound of clashing steel could be heard coming from the library as screams were heard coming from the second floor. "That sounded like Lysia!" Xena said. She and Ares quickly raced up the stairs. The others ran into the library. There they found Jasper and Braxton using chairs to ward off the attack by seven men dressed in armor. "Don’t kill them here…they are demon possessed." Cyrus clutched the medallion around his neck, its power letting him see the glowing red flames in the eyes of the armor-clad men. Hercules grabbed two men, quickly clunking their helmets together, rendering them unconscious. Iolaus did the same thing with a spinning kick to the head of another armor-clad man. The others quickly dispensed with the remaining four. Now with all seven unconscious, they set about binding them so they couldn’t go anywhere. ********** Xena and Ares ran down the hall and burst through the door of Lysia’s bedchamber. There they found their daughter, holding tightly onto Bithia as the two huddled in a corner. Mei-Jin barked in a threatening manner as her furry little body stood atop Lysia’s bed while Aphrodite, Vashti and Selene battled a warrior woman, with damp curly blond hair cut in a bob, wielding a sword. The three women were using pillows and chairs to block the deadly swings of the woman’s blade. "Just give me the kid!" The woman shouted while swinging her blade in Aphrodite’s direction. "No way!" The love goddess shouted back as she blocked the deadly blow with the chair she held. "Yiyiyiyiyi," Xena cried as she joined the fight. Her sudden arrival startled the blond warrior woman as she took her focus from Aphrodite to the warrior princess. "Hello Gwenyth." Xena delivered a devastating right cross to the startled woman’s chin knocking her into unconsciousness. Now safe, Lysia left Bithia’s side and ran over to her parents. Ares lifted the little girl into his arms, holding her close. "Are you okay, sweetheart?" "I’m fine Daddy." "How about the rest of you?" Xena asked. "We’re just peachy," Aphrodite replied. The other three women nodded in agreement as Mei-Jin issued a happy bark from the bed. "We better get down stairs and check on the others," Ares suggested. "You and Xena go on ahead while we tie up Dahak’s demon bitch," Aphrodite glared at Gwenyth’s unconscious form. ********** When Ares, Xena and Lysia entered the library they found the others making sure the seven armor-clad warriors were securely bound. "Is everyone upstairs okay?" Cyrus asked. "Yeah, there was only one assailant upstairs. It was one of Dahak’s priestesses...a woman named Gwenyth," Xena replied. "Gwenyth is here!?" Joxer had a look of surprise on his face. "Yup. Xena knocked her out cold," Ares replied. "Aphrodite and the others are making sure she can’t go anywhere." "Did you find Lycus?" Lysia asked. "No sweetheart. I’m afraid the snakeman’s got him," Xena replied with a grim frown as she ran a hand through her daughter’s curly locks. "And Gabrielle too," Joxer added. "She was probably trying to save Lycus just like us." The child was stunned to hear that Gabrielle was gone too. She bowed her head as tears welled up in her brown eyes. "Don’t worry sweetheart. We are going to get Lycus and Gabrielle back." Ares assured. "Why would Dahak risk a confrontation with the Persian gods by coming here to grab Lycus, Lysia and the Holy Saber Pieces?" Hercules asked, his brow furrowed in deep thought. "Yeah, everything is going his way and Greece, so why take such a chance?" Joxer added. "Maybe things aren’t going as well for him in Greece as we think," Glaphyra suggested. "And he made the move out of desperation," Nebula added. "But what could possibly have him in such a desperate state?" Ares asked. Xena glanced at the unconscious bound men piled in a corner of the library. "I doubt if they will have the answers to our questions but I bet Gwenyth will." ********** Gwenyth moaned in discomfort as she slowly regained consciousness. She felt a sting in both cheeks as a hand slapped her about the face, then heard a voice feigning sweetness say, "All right Gwenyth, it’s time to wakey, wakey." She snapped her eyes open and looked up into Xena’s smiling face as the warrior princess stood before her. Gwenyth tried to move but instantly realized she was bound and seated in a chair. She quickly glanced around and saw that a bunch of men and women were in the room, among them someone she knew quite well---Joxer. She fixed her gaze on him, which he nervously avoided. "Look at me when I’m talking to you!" Xena ordered while slapping the woman once again across the face. Instantly, Gwenyth took her gaze from Joxer and fixed it on the woman before her. Xena had a wicked smile on her face as murderous rage danced in her eyes. She leaned down, her face now mere inches away from Gwenyth’s and spoke in a deadly voice. "You are going to tell me what Dahak wants with my son and where he took him." "I’m not going to tell you anything!" Gwenyth spat as she stared with defiance at first Xena then the others in the room. "You can kill me if you like. I’d gladly give my life for the Dark One." "Okay." In one quick motion Xena applied pressure to the carotid arteries along the sides of Gwenyth’s neck. "I’ve just cut off the flow of blood to your brain. You will be dead in sixty seconds." Gwenyth’s body started trembling and her eyes widened in fear. "Looks like you’ll get your wish to die for Dahak," Ares said nonchalantly as he came and stood beside Xena, gazing at Gwenyth’s trembling form. "But I hope you know that you will be going to Tartarus." "Right now Charon is running everything while Uncle Hades is laid up," Aphrodite said coming into Gwenyth’s view. "He was real upset about Unc being in a coma. Why, there’s no telling where he will put you when he finds out you were mixed up in all that. He could put you down in the abyss with the nasty Titans." Aphrodite embraced herself and shivered at the thought. "Yeah, and they make even Dahak appear nice," Ares added. Aphrodite nodded her head in agreement while gazing with mock sympathy at Gwenyth’s bound trembling form. "Okay...I’ll talk!" Gwenyth huffed, as blood began to trickle from a nostril. "Make it quick ‘cause you’ve now got thirty seconds," Xena said. "Dahak needs the boy...because the curse on him...is taking over...completely," Gwenyth began. "An eclipse is coming up...and Dahak wants to transfer...his essence...into the boy’s body." "Where will the transfer take place?" Ares asked. "In the...Macedonian mountains…an old Titan temple," Gwenyth quickly replied. "Hey, I know that place…it’s not that far from my fortress," Ares said. "Look, that’s all I know…now take off the pinch!" Gwenyth looked at Xena, desperation filling her eyes. In one quick motion, Xena removed the pinch from the bound woman’s neck leaving her gasping for air. "This transfer Dahak wants to do sounds similar to what Gabrielle told me Hope did with her when she transferred her essence into the destroyer’s body, which means Lycus will die. And who knows what he will do to Gabrielle now that he has her too." Xena slightly bowed her head, closed her eyes and ran a hand over the bridge of her nose. "Lycus is not going to die, Xena," Ares assured. "Neither is Gabrielle." "He’s right," Hercules said. "Now that we know Dahak’s plans, we can get to him before any harm can come to Lycus or Gabrielle." "Gwenyth said something about Dahak doing this transfer during an eclipse, when will there be one?" Iolaus asked. All eyes fell on Cyrus. "Hey, I can tell you," Cecrops offered. "I’ve become somewhat of an expert after being trapped on the seas for centuries." His brow furrowed in thought. "A solar eclipse will be taking place in just two days." "Two days huh? That doesn’t give us much time." With disgust, Xena looked at Gwenyth. "Someone take her to the cellar and put her with the others." Darnelle and Draco unbound Gwenyth from the chair and proceeded to remove her from the library. As the three exited, Lysia entered now wearing a dry nightgown. Mei-Jin followed right behind her. Unnoticed by the adults, the little girl made her way over to the table where the oblong box containing the saber pieces was located. "Okay, we now know where Dahak has taken Lycus and Gabrielle but how will we stop him? "The Holy Saber was suppose to do this but it’s useless with a piece still missing." Autolycus said. "I think our only choice is the lava or maybe we could bound him somehow," Draco suggested. "Yeah, then we could put him somewhere that would be under our watchful eye forever and make sure his followers never free him. Without the Holy Saber, it’s our best bet," Ares said. "Cyrus, do you have anything around from your days as a watcher that we could use to bind him?" "I just may have what we need in my lab." Cyrus immediately headed for his laboratory but stopped dead in his tracks when a scream filled the library. He along with the others instantly gathered around the table where the Holy Saber pieces laid. Lysia kneeled atop the table with her head buried in her hands, her small body trembling and the saber pieces lying before her. "Lysia honey what’s wrong?" Xena gently asked as she raised her daughter’s head so she could look into her face. "When I touched the sword...I-I saw...another vision," the child replied with a shaky voice. "What did you see, Lysia?" Ares asked while soothingly running a hand through the child’s curly hair. "I saw mountains. They were in the desert and around them were lakes of fire. Then I saw inside a mountain, there was a room and in the room I saw a piece of metal just like these… and it had a star cut into it…just like the birthmark on my arm." "It’s gotta be the fifth piece!" Ares said with excitement. "Cyrus, do you know of any such mountains like Lysia described?" Xena asked. The former Watcher’s brow furrowed with thought a few moments before a smile came to his lips. "Yes I do. The mountains in the Bazman region of Persia." "But which one?" Aphrodite asked. "Only Lysia will know since it was her vision." Ares gazed into his daughter’s young face. "Do you think you will be able to do that sweetheart?" "Sure Daddy." A confident smile came to the child’s lips. "Since time is not on our side, we better get a plan in motion NOW," Xena said. The others nodded in agreement. CHAPTER 69 By dawn the rain had ceased and dark storm clouds had rolled away revealing a blue sky and a bright sun shining over Persia’s capital city. For the remainder of the night, everyone had been busy making preparations for what could possibly be their last battle with Dahak and his minions. Cyrus had made an emergency pre-dawn visit to the palace of the Persian King Mithridates. On his last visit, the monarch had been stubborn and had refused to help free Greece and the Olympian realm from Dahak’s grasp. But after hearing how the One Great Evil had entered Persia and kidnapped a little boy and a young woman, the old King had been filled with fear and now offered the assistance of the Persian army. He had even agreed to speak with Persia’s gods and get their help. Many of the horses from Cyrus’ stables were saddled, along with the winged horses from Greece and joined the captured griffins on the field just beyond the garden to assist in getting everyone to their destinations. All would be heading back to Greece except for Ares, Cyrus and Lysia who would first head to Persia’s Bazman Mountains to find the final piece to the Holy Saber then they too would head for Greece. Xena, Ares and Lysia were the last of the group to head for the field to being their journey. "Mommy, please be careful," Lysia ordered with a worried frown on her little face. She walked between her parents, her hands held in theirs as they left the garden and crossed over into the field. "I will sweetheart," Xena assured as she gave the child’s hand a comforting squeeze. "I want you to be careful too." She looked down at Lysia before looking over to Ares." "We will," Ares replied, returning her gaze. Lysia caught on to the looks on her parents’ faces and yanked on their arms, pulling them towards each other. They leaned in and captured each other’s lips with a quick kiss as they headed out onto the field. Hercules already sat in the saddle atop a griffin. His mouth was twisted in a disgusted smirk. "Did you see that smooch between Ares and Xena?" He asked his best friend who sat on a griffin beside him. "How could I miss it!?" Iolaus snorted. "If Aphrodite still had the use of her powers, I would swear she zapped a spell on Xena but unfortunately that’s not the case." "Nope. Xena says it’s the real deal---that they are in love," Iolaus said. "Who knows, maybe dying and coming back to life changed Ares." He glanced over at Ares who along with Lysia were now seated atop Serpico. The war god smiled as he ran a hand through his daughter’s curly raven locks and planted a kiss on a cheek. "Like Tartarus he has!" Hercules glared at his half-brother. "He’s up to something and I’m going to be there to make sure he doesn’t hurt Xena and those kids." "And I’ll be right there with you pal." Iolaus patted his friend’s broad shoulder. After everyone in the group was seated atop a saddled animal, a golden light appeared before them announcing the arrival of a Persian god. When the light dispersed, there stood a magnificent specimen of a man dressed in golden armor standing in a matching golden chariot with four white stallions. "So, Mithridates was able to deliver the help of at least one of his gods," Autolycus said. "I wonder which one he is?" "I think he’s the Persian war god Mithra," Nebula replied from atop the horse beside his. "Yeah, I think you’re right. Ares is eyeing him like he’s a rival," Salmoneus added. "Hello Mithra," Ares said with a smirk. "Ares," Mithra curtly replied with a nod. At one time, the two war gods had been friends but every since the breakdown in communication between the two realms and the mutual desire for ultimate power, the two gods had become adversaries. Everyone felt the tension between the two and hoped it wouldn’t derail their important mission. Mithra turned from Ares and glanced around at the others. "The whole world is counting on you defeating Dahak and his evil. I too wish you well." With the wave of a hand, the assembled group was engulfed in a bright ball of light that quickly faded into nothingness. ********** Dahak softly sat on the side of the bed. His crystal blue eyes curiously wandered over the sleeping form of the woman lying before him. He ran a hand through her curly auburn locks, reveling in their silkiness. His hand moved to the soft warm skin of her slim neck as his gaze fell to the gentle rise and fall of her full breasts covered by a thin nightgown. He wondered what it would be like to lay with her now that he had a flesh and blood body. He let a hand begin to caress the calf of her right leg. When they were together before, he wasn’t able to feel anything due to being nothing more than flames of fire. His hand moved higher up her leg, pulling up the nightgown she wore in the process. But now it could be so different. His hand was caressing a thigh when her eyelids shot open revealing sparkling green eyes. "Don’t touch me!" She instantly rolled away from him and kneeled in a corner of the bed at the headboard. Gabrielle was shocked to awaken to the feel of a hand caressing her leg. As she kneeled in the corner, clutching the medallion that dangled from her neck that protected her from demon possession, her body slightly trembled in a leftover chill from the drenching rain of the previous night. She glared at the man still seated on the side of the bed, gazing intently at her. She couldn’t deny that he was extremely attractive--the olive skin, the shoulder length black hair, the rosy full mouth, the crystal blue eyes that looked just like Xena’s. Wait a minute! Gabrielle’s green eye’s widened in surprise when she realized whom this was seated on the bed staring at her. "Gabrielle, do you know who I am?" He asked in a very deep voice. "Oh, I know who you are all right. You’re Dahak...the One Great Evil!" She spat with disgust. "And despite that and all that I’ve done to you...you still find me attractive." Gabrielle parted her lips and was about to protest when he held up a hand. "Don’t deny it. I saw it in your eyes." He smiled knowingly, revealing perfect white teeth. His crystal blue eyes raked over her scantily clad form before fixing on her face. "Your new look is just as beautiful as the old one." Gabrielle didn’t like the way he was looking at her and inched herself further into a corner of the bed. "There’s no need for you to worry about my intentions. If I wanted you, I would take you just like that." He snapped his fingers. "But right now there are more pressing matters to which I must attend." Dahak rose from the bed. "You already served your purpose and should be dead. But unfortunately our daughter developed an affection for you and gave you life again. And alive you will remain...until I decide what to do with you." Once again his blue eyes raked over her form, seeming to penetrate the thin nightgown that covered her then he disappeared in a flame of fire. After Dahak’s fiery departure, Gabrielle body was visibly shaking and not just from a chill. She had seen that look of lust in the evil god’s eyes before he had vanished. What Dahak had done to her when he was nothing more than flames of fire still gave her nightmares and what he could do to her now that he had a body of flesh and blood---the horror was unimaginable. She had to escape. Gabrielle quickly left the corner of the bed and went over to the door. With all her might she pulled on the knob but it wouldn’t budge. Her eyes darted about the room, looking for some type of weapon, but nothing was in sight. Besides the bed, the only other piece of furniture in the room was a table. Gabrielle ran her hands over her goose-pimpled arms and moved to stand before the large hearth, relieved that someone had lit a fire. "Oh, that feels good," she breathed, welcoming the warmth provided by the large, crackling flames. Gabrielle was rubbing her hands together in front of the fire, soaking up the heat when she heard a creak coming from the door as it opened. She instantly whirled around to see who was entering the room. A huge smile formed on her face. "Hope!" "Mother!" Hope was smiling too as she quickly made her way over to Gabrielle and embraced her in a tight hug. Gabrielle beamed with joy as she ran a hand through her daughter’s strawberry blonde tresses. "I came as soon as I found out you were here," Hope said when the hug was broken. "Are you okay? Father didn’t hurt you did he?" "I’m fine...just a little chilly." Gabrielle ran her hands over the flimsy nightgown. "I’ll bring you something warmer to wear." "Where exactly are we?" Gabrielle asked. "We are in an old Titan temple located in the mountains of Macedon." "Macedon?!" Gabrielle was surprised to hear she was back in Greek lands. But that surprise quickly left her and was replaced with amazement as she took her daughter’s face between her hands. "There were times when I thought I would never see you again, but here you are. I should have had Castor’s faith. He never gave up that we would find you. Why, the last time I saw him, he was getting ready to go out and resume the search for you." Talk of Castor caused Hope’s eyes to get misty as a sad frown formed on her face. "Hope, what’s wrong?" Gabrielle asked, her own eyes now filled with concern. Her daughter wiped away the tears at the rims of her eyes. "Castor is dead, Mother." "What???" Gabrielle was stunned to hear this. "But how???" "Castor found me in Akanthos. He told me all about leaving you with Xena and that he knew all about me...the terrible things that I had done but he didn’t hate me. He said how I had faced what I had done gave him courage and that he loved me." Hope quickly wiped away the tears streaming down her face before she continued. "I told Castor it was dangerous for him to be there and he had to go but he followed me out to an old farm that Father’s cult was using to grow lava plants. Castor had come to destroy the plants but he got caught and Minos ran him through with a sword. I got there right before he died. I held him in my arms and told him how much I loved him." Hope didn’t wipe away the new tears and let them flow freely down her face. After hearing her daughter’s account of Castor’s death, Gabrielle’s own face was wet with tears. She pulled Hope into an embrace, letting her daughter softly cry against a shoulder. "Castor was indeed a great man. I will truly miss him." She soothingly ran a hand through her daughter’s hair until her crying began to cease. "Um Hope, with all that has happened, how has your father treated you? I mean, Dahak could not have been happy when he found out that I was alive." "Father was very angry but he has given me the chance to reaffirm my loyalty to him by joining with Minos to create the other destroyers." Hope had a frown of discomfort on her face. "Oh Hope." Gabrielle’s eyes gazed with empathy at her daughter as she raised a hand up to her face and caressed a cheek. "I’ll be okay, Mother. Knowing that Minos is the one who killed Castor does make being with him unpleasant but it’s a small price to pay for the evil that I have done." Hope rested a hand against her mother’s. "And it’s my best chance of keeping abreast of what Father’s plans are. I not only found out that you are here but Xena’s son." "That’s right! I heard talk of him right before I was captured," Gabrielle said. "For the past few weeks, Father has been preoccupied with capturing the boy." "Do you know why?" Gabrielle asked. "No. Father doesn’t fully trust me any more so I am left out of certain plans. I only know he is being held in one of the rooms in the temple." "Can you take me to see Lycus?" "I’m sorry Mother, I can’t. The door is locked and only Father has the key." Gabrielle bit her lower lip and slightly bowed her head, shaking it in disappointment. ********** Lycus sighed with boredom, swinging his legs as he sat on a side of a bed. He had tried the door but just like he figured, it was locked. There was nothing to do in the stone room in which he had awakened a few hours ago. All he had done was drank the water and ate the food that had been left on a table. There were no toys and not even a window out of which to look. Turning his head, the boy’s crystal blue eyes gazed at the sword hanging above the bed. Since there was nothing else to do, Lycus decided to check it out. He stood on the bed and walked over to the wall. When he stood before the sword, he gripped it in his small hands and gently detached it from the its resting place. "Wow!" He breathed as his eyes wandered over the shiny blade and the multi-jeweled hilt. Gripping the hilt with both hands, Lycus held the sword vertically as the light from the lit torches bounced off the shiny metal. "It’s a beauty, isn’t it?" A disembodied deep voice asked. Lycus quickly glanced around as a flame of fire appeared, then dispersed, leaving Dahak’s tall dark form. The boy lowered the sword and gazed at his visitor. It was the snakeman but his eyes weren’t a glowing yellow like last night but a crystal blue much like his own eyes. "That sword was presented to me more than two millennia ago. It was a gift from a very powerful King." Dahak moved closer to the bed. With the arrival of his captor, Lycus no longer had an interest in the sword. "My Dad has a whole lotta swords and they are waaay better than this one," the boy sneered as he let the sword slip out of his hands and fall to the bed. Dahak suppressed a chuckle at the child’s comments. Lycus gazed at him with an inquisitive gleam. "Where are we?" "We are in an old Titan temple I have taken for my own." Lycus had heard stories about the Titans---their rule was before that of his grandfather Zeus and the other Olympians. "It’s your temple now? Are you a god?" "Yes, I am." Standing here face to face with the snakeman, Lycus didn’t feel the fear that he did when he came to him in his nightmares. Now he wanted to know why this god had started tormenting him in the first place. "Why didja bring me here? What do ya want with me?" "I figured since I’m your grandfather, we should get to know each other." "You’re not my grandfather!" Lycus instantly yelled. "Zeus is my grandfather." "Yes, Zeus is your grandfather, because he’s Ares’ father," Dahak began. "But I’m your grandfather too. You see, I’m Xena’s father." "Nah uh!" Lycus exclaimed. "Oh, but I am. That great power you have comes from me. And you have my eyes, just like your mother," Dahak said. Lycus stared into the face of the god standing before him. Okay, so his eyes did look very much like his own and his Mom’s. But if he was indeed his grandfather, how could he have tormented his dreams like he did and what about what he had done to his father!? "I don’t wanna get to know ya! I wanna go back to Uncle Cyrus’!" The child yelled---his eyes filled with anger. "I’m afraid that’s not possible," Dahak calmly replied. "If ya don’t let me go, my Dad and Mom will come get me and then you’ll be sorry," Lycus threatened, narrowing his gaze. "Ah yes, you are quite right, your parents will come for you," Dahak sighed. "But they would be putting themselves in grave danger...especially your father." In that instant, Lycus saw a flashback of his father’s fight with the snakeman in the temple at Thebes. "You know I killed him once, so you know I can and will do it again," Dahak confidently replied with dark finality. Once again, Lycus had a flashback of finding his father’s lifeless body lying near the rubble of the Temple in Thebes. He was cold and pale with a gaping bloody wound in his chest. The god---the father he had always wanted in his life and had just found was taken away. The child’s features darkened with anger as he gazed at the evil god standing before him. Dahak found the child’s reaction to his words amusing. "Ah, such rage you have for me...and hatred. You want me dead, don’t you, Lycus?" A look of uncertainty crossed the boy’s face. "It’s okay, no one could fault you, not even I." Dahak’s eyes took on a reminiscent look. "I got such pleasure when Ares died by my hand...watching his lifeblood spill out onto the floor of his very temple. I know I will enjoy it even more this time. And you’ll be able to witness his death firsthand." Lycus now glared at him with murderous rage as his godly powers levitated the sword off the bed, pointing it directly at Dahak. "That’s it boy, if you want to save your father, you will have to KILL me. Because if you don’t I will most assuredly KILL him!" Dahak gleefully said. "NOOOOO!" Lycus shouted as his godly powers shot the sword with lightening quick speed at Dahak, embedding it deeply into the chest of the evil god. The child’s crystal blue eyes widened in shock upon seeing what he had done. Dahak’s evil laughter filled the room as he effortlessly pulled the sword from his body. "Your anger impresses me, child." His eyes danced in merriment as he twirled the untainted sword in a hand. The little boy silently stared at the dark god and the sword in bewilderment. "Together, we will do many great things." He released the sword from his grasp, sending it back to its place on the wall above the bed, and then his form was engulfed in a flame of fire that faded into nothingness. Now alone again, filled with confusion and shocked by his actions, Lycus slowly dropped to the bed, curled up into a tight ball and softly cried. ********** After Mithra had transported them to the Bazman Mountains of Persia, Ares and Cyrus had urged their winged mounts into the air and they had been flying above the area trying to find the mountain in Lysia’s vision. "There Daddy, that’s the one." Lysia pointed a finger at the largest peak with several lakes of fire lying in the valley below it. "Are you sure?" Ares asked from behind the little girl as both sat in the saddle atop Serpico’s ebony back. "Yeah. It looks just like the mountain in my vision," the child replied. "Okay Cyrus, Lysia says that largest peak is our mountain," Ares said. Cyrus nodded in understanding. With their mighty wings gently flapping in the breeze, Serpico and Blade slowly made their descent, coming to land in the valley at the base of the mountain. The three riders quickly dismounted their winged steeds. "Eww, it’s so hot here," Lysia wiped away the sweat that had broken out on her brow as she gazed at the flaming lakes dotting the landscape. "This area wasn’t always like this," Cyrus said. "It use to be a lot cooler but that changed after the fall of the Watchers and the revolt against the Creator." A large orange flame shot up into the air above one of the lakes before descending back into the fiery pool. Serpico and Blade whinnied loudly and began to nervously move about. Ares grabbed the reins of both horses. "Easy boys." He ran a hand down each of their faces, trying to calm the large animals. "I think you two would feel a whole lot better in the air." He released their reins. "Go on, get out of here." The three watched as Serpico and Blade ascended into the blue sky again. "But Daddy, how will we get outta here?" Lysia asked, her little face riddled with concern. "Don’t worry. They won’t go far. And I’ll whistle for them when it’s time to go." "So that can be soon, I suggest we start looking for that final sword piece." Cyrus slung the satchel containing the other four pieces over a shoulder and started walking. The three proceeded across the valley, headed for the mountain. A natural path cut into its side and was used to ascend the massive peak. ********** The mid day sun was high in the sky when the trio approached a large structure cut into the side of the mountain. "Who would build a house in a mountain?" Lysia gazed at the large structure, a frown of confusion on her face. "I think it’s a temple, sweetheart," Ares said. "The room in Lysia’s vision must be inside there." Cyrus moved towards the large structure and tightly gripped the handle on the massive door. When he gave it a pull, it didn’t budge. "Hey Ares, I’m going to need some help here." The war god came up beside him and got a good grip on the handle. Now together, they both pulled. Lysia watched from the sidelines as slowly and with a loud creak, the door began to open. When the opening was large enough for them to enter, Ares and Cyrus released the door and the three walked inside. The air was stale and the atmosphere was filled with dust. "No one’s been in here in a long time," Ares coughed. "Probably a few millennia," Cyrus added. "Wow!" Lysia breathed. Her brown eyes widened in amazement as they took in the sight of their new surroundings. The three stood in the main hall of what was indeed a temple. Against the wall, across from the entranceway and set atop a stone dais was a long decoratively carved altar. At each end stood cast iron holders with torches in them, amazingly still burning. Their flickering flames provided the only illumination in the hall. "Hey, if no one’s been in here, who lit the torches?" Lysia asked. "Very good question Lysia," Cyrus replied. "Maybe someone knew we were coming and decided to give us some light." "Then I wish they would point out where the last saber piece is so we can be on our way," Ares said. "I’m afraid that’s something we will have to do on our own," Cyrus said. Each man grabbed a torch so they would have the needed light to inspect the temple’s interior. Massive stone columns were situated here and there for support. Cyrus ran a hand over one and the words carved into it, written in his native tongue---Celestic. "This temple must have been built by Watchers," Cyrus said. Ares along with Lysia stood before a stone wall and used the light from the flickering flame to inspect a fresco. It appeared to be nothing more than a sea of black with an orange ball in the center with streaks of light sprouting out from it like in an explosion. "What is it suppose to be?" Lysia asked. "I think it represents the creation of the universe," Ares replied. "This temple must be the Creator’s. The Watchers built it for him." Cyrus moved to stand beside the pair. "No one has probably been here since the fall." The light of the torch he held fell on the orange ball in the fresco, brightening the color. "Wow! Look at that!" Lysia exclaimed with wonder. Suddenly, the three jumped back as a yellow-orange beam of light shot out of the orange ball in the fresco and traveled down a corridor off the main hall. Holding onto Lysia, Ares gazed at the glowing ball in the fresco shooting out in four directions then to the beam of light, pointing down a stone corridor. A smile formed on his face. "I do believe a path to the fifth saber piece has just been laid out for us." "I agree." Cyrus was smiling too. Avoiding the beam, the three made their way down the corridor. They followed the beam some distance until reaching a room. At the threshold, the yellow-orange beam broke off into nothingness. "The fifth piece has got to be in there," Ares said with contained excitement as the three steadily approached the room. When they reached the threshold and proceeded to cross it, the doorway was filled with a yellow-orange light that threw all three back some distance, dropping them to the stone floor with a thud. "Ow, that hurt," Ares painfully groaned as he slowly rose to his feet. "Lysia, are you okay?" "I’m okay Daddy. What hit us?" The child was already standing. "I think it was some type of force field," Cyrus grunted as he rose to his feet. "We are going to have to find a way to neutralize it so we can get to the fifth saber piece," Ares said. All three stood staring at the doorway to the room when it was once again filled with the orange-yellow light. As it grew brighter, the three had to shield their eyes. When the light dimmed, they uncovered their eyes. Now standing in the doorway was a man with blond shoulder length hair wearing a long snowy white robe. Over his shoulders could be seen the bluish gray feathers of very large wings. In his right hand and held diagonally across his chest was a menacing large shiny sword. "Adrian!" A smile of recognition formed on Cyrus’ face." "Hello old friend, it’s been a long time." Adrian said smiling back. "Why are you stopping us from getting the saber piece? Surely you know Dahak has returned and is threatening the world?" Cyrus asked. "I know all about Dahak’s release and the evil he plans to do but I can’t let all three of you cross the threshold. Only the girl." Adrian pointed his sword at Lysia. "Me?!" Lysia looked at the Watcher with confusion and surprise. "You were chosen long before your birth to be the one to find and claim the fifth piece to the saber---the key to Dahak’s destruction. No harm will come to you child, if you cross the threshold alone." Ares believed the words of the Watcher to be true. He gazed down at Lysia as she stood beside him. "Go on sweetheart. It’ll be okay." With her father’s reassurance, Lysia headed towards the doorway. When she reached the threshold, she gazed up at the face of the Watcher standing before her. Adrian nodded in assurance as he stepped aside. With some caution, Lysia stepped over the threshold. Nothing unusual happened and she released the breath she had been holding. Cyrus and Ares had moved to stand at the threshold and along with Adrian watched the young girl’s movements. All that was in the room was a white marble pedestal situated at its center, upon which sat a brown wooden square box. Lysia walked over to the pedestal and gazed at the object set upon it. Carved into the top of the box was a handprint with an etching of the four-pointed star in the middle. Extending the arm on which the four pointed star birthmark was located; Lysia placed her right hand in the handprint. Slowly, the young girl closed her eyes as she felt an energy force begin to travel up her arm---a warmth filled her entire being and the star birthmark on her right arm began to pulsate like a beating heart. It was a power like nothing she had ever felt before. She could see beyond the room in which she stood, beyond the temple itself, far above the earth and out into space, traveling at a great speed as the many colors of the universe whizzed past her until she saw nothing but a blinding white light. The others watched in awe as they also felt the power emanating from the child’s small form. A blinding white light engulfed her. Its rays were somewhat painful to those watching but they just didn’t have the desire to shield their eyes from this awesome spectacle. The click sound of a lock being undone reverberated throughout the room. It was after this that the blinding white light faded and the birthmark on Lysia’s arm stopped pulsating. Slowly, the little girl opened her eyes and removed her hand from the top of the box. Gently, she opened the lid. Inside, lying on a small golden velvet pillow lay the tip of the blade to the Holy Saber, the four-pointed star etched into the metal. A pleased smile formed on the young girl’s face, as she grasped it in a small hand. "I got it!" Lysia declared, still smiling as she turned around and held it up for the others to see. "Excellent!" Ares said, a huge smile on his own handsome face. Cyrus was smiling too. "Hey, Adrian is gone!" Lysia informed them. Ares and Cyrus quickly looked around. Adrian was indeed no where in sight. "Boy, his departure was nothing like his arrival, I didn’t even know he had left," Ares said. "Me neither," Cyrus confessed. Lysia made her way over to the two adults standing in the doorway of the room. She handed the fifth and final piece to Cyrus before the three made their way back down the corridor. When they reached the main hall, they went over to the large altar where Cyrus removed the satchel he had been carrying and dumped out the other pieces of the Holy Saber and laid the fifth piece with them. Ares and Lysia watched as he lined up the five pieces, from the hilt to the last piece that they had just found. Now complete, the pieces melded together into their former glory---the Holy Saber. Ares gripped the hilt in a hand and raised the sword off of the altar. His brown eyes sparkled with awe as they wandered over the magnificent craftsmanship of the blade. Even the smith-god Hephaestus would have been envious. "At last...the weapon that will destroy Dahak," Ares declared not taking his eyes off the glistening blade. "Now we must get to Macedon." ********** In the light of torches, eerie shadows danced about the dark stone walls of the receiving room in Ares’ fortress located high in the snowy mountains of Macedon. In the midst of the empty room, the atmosphere began to swirl as the ether opened up then closed and opened up again as four shapes slowly took form out of pink orbs before becoming solid. When the pink orbs dissipated, in their wake stood Aphrodite, Autolycus, Salmoneus and Chin Jie. All four were bundled up in big black bear skin coats, heavily dusted with snow. The entire mountain region of Macedon was being pummeled by a severe snow storm – its effects so intense that it had hampered Aphrodite’s ability to transport the group using the ether, so they had to trudge up the mountain leading to Ares’ fortress on foot. But Aphrodite not being one to give up and thoroughly hating walking continued to try the ether until it did finally open and she was able to transport them directly inside the fortress. "By the gods, I didn’t think we would get here in one piece." Salmoneus ran his hands over the black bear coat covering his robust form, making sure he was all there. "Hey, don’t blame me. Mr. Tall, Dark and Evil is the one who created that monster storm." Aphrodite brushed the snow from the fur coat she wore. Not use to being covered up by so many clothes she longed to chuck the coat but not all of her powers had fully returned so she could still feel the cold and decided she would continue to wear it. "Yeah, Dahak is certainly trying his best to keep us out of these mountains. I just hope Xena and the others are able to find that old Titan temple in time," Autolycus said. Sounds of clashing steel and shouts could be heard coming from other parts of the fortress. Aphrodite crinkled her nose as a puzzled expression darkened her face. "What is going on?!" "It sounds like a battle," Chin Jie replied. "Here!? No way!" Aphrodite quickly left the receiving room and headed in the direction of the loud sounds. Her three companions followed after her. The sounds were coming from the large dinning hall and as they got closer it was quite obvious that a heated battle was in progress. When they reached the large room, Aphrodite’s pink lips hung open in shock. Troilus, Ismene and some of Ares’ warriors were fighting men dressed in black leather. Thanks to the medallions all four wore, they saw the red glow in the eyes of the black leather-clad men indicating they were part of Dahak’s demon army. Autolycus, Salmoneus and Chin Jie quickly made their way past the love goddess, swords already drawn, as they joined Ares’ worshippers in fighting Dahak’s men. Aphrodite saw the chambermaid Penelope crouching under the long dining table, her eyes filled with fear. Avoiding the combatants, Aphrodite cautiously made her way over to the table. When she reached it, she got down on all fours and joined the woman under the table. Surprise at seeing Aphrodite showed in Penelope’s eyes. "Goddess, you’re back! How is lord Ares?" "He’s fine, Penelope," Aphrodite replied. "How did Dahak’s men get in here? What happened to Ares’ gate?" She glanced out from under the table to look at the intense battle. Troilus had just plunged his sword deeply into the chest of his opponent. As the man fell to the ground, an orange cluster the size of a fist seeped from his body. Frantically, the cluster moved about the room, hovering about its occupants, desperately trying to find another host. When none could be found due to a medallion of protection or a body already being possessed with a demon, the orange cluster collided with a stone wall and in a spectacular burst of light, faded into nothingness. "Since lord Ares wasn’t here to maintain it and Dahak now rules Olympus, the gate started to collapse," Penelope replied while watching the unusual phenomenon. "Dahak’s men found out about the sick gods being here and began attacking the fortress early this morning." "Ooh, then we got here just in time. I have the antidote that will cure them." Aphrodite opened the fur coat she wore to reveal a large leather purse hanging from her waist. "Now, I’ve got to get it to them. You come with me." Aphrodite crawled out from under the table with Penelope following behind her. With heed but a dire urgency, the two made their way out of the dinning hall. Leaving the sounds of clashing steel and shouts behind them, the two ran down a stone corridor. When they came to a stairway, they quickly descended its lengths. As they got closer to the bottom, the sound of clashing steel and shouts were once again heard. When they reached the lower level, there in a cavern, the entranceway to the caves where the comatose gods were being kept, were more of Ares’ devoted worshippers led by Zethus, battling minions from Dahak’s army. For now, Ares’ men were keeping Dahak’s men from entering the caves but who knew how much longer they would be successful. Aphrodite and Penelope carefully made their way around the battling combatants and were headed for the caves when one of Dahak’s men landed on the ground in front of them. Both women came to a stop and stared at the fallen man. Quickly, he rose to his feet to face the two women. With red flames flickering in his eyes and his lips twisted in an evil snarl, the man approached them, wielding his menacing sword. Clutching each other, Aphrodite and Penelope began to back away from the approaching man. "What you need dude is a little love." Aphrodite threw out a hand, releasing rose petals to shower him but he swooshed them away with his sword. "Oh shoot!" The goddess cursed as she and Penelope continued backing away from him. Then all of a sudden the man halted his approach as a groan of discomfort escaped his lips. Some blood soon followed and his eyes widened in surprise as he fell to his stomach, dead, with a large axe deeply embedded in his back. Aphrodite and Penelope gazed in surprise at the dead man then to the wielder of the axe---Zethus. "Go on ladies, get out of here!" He shouted from the other side of the cavern. "Thanks Zeth!" Aphrodite smiled gratefully. With annoyance, the love goddess swatted away the orange cluster that had just left the dead man’s body and was flying around them as she and Penelope resumed their journey to the caves. The two quickly ran through the rest of the cavern. When they reached the caves, servants wielding swords and poised for attack greeted them. But when they saw whom it was they immediately sheathed their swords. One woman approached Aphrodite with a smile of relief on her face. "Goddess, you’re back!" "Yes, and I have the antidote that will cure the others." Aphrodite removed the large purse from around her waist and pulled out two goatskins. "Pour some of this into cups and start giving it to them." She handed one of the goatskins to the woman who then proceeded to carry out her orders. Penelope went with the woman to help. With the remaining goatskin, Aphrodite headed over to the beds that contained the comatose bodies of her son and husband. A faint smile graced her lovely face when she stood before the pair. She immediately sat herself in a chair between the two beds. She uncapped the goatskin, picked up a cup setting on a nearby table and poured a portion of the antidote into it. Then she turned towards her husband. "Now, I can bring you back Hephie." She placed a hand under his neck and lifted his head up as she put the cup to his lips, pouring some into his open mouth, as far back as she could get it to make sure a good portion went down his throat. Once she was assured he had downed a sufficient amount of the antidote, she refilled the cup and did the same with her son Cupid. After he took the antidote, she gave the goatskin to one of the servants who would distribute it to the other gods. Now, there was nothing to do but wait, so Aphrodite seated herself in the chair between the two beds, holding a hand from each god in one of hers. ********** Some time later, the fight with Dahak’s men finally reached an end. Autolycus, Salmoneus, Chen Jie and Ares’ worshippers defeated their demon possessed foes but not without sustaining casualties. After helping to attend to the wounded, Autolycus, Salmoneus and Chin Jie made their way to the caves that housed the comatose gods. There they found the love goddess seated in between the two beds containing Cupid and Hephaestus. Her pink lips were curved into a jubilant smile while the gods lying in the beds on either side of her had regained consciousness. "Wow does that antidote work fast!" Salmoneus glanced around the cave, looking at the beds and the recently awakened deities lying in them. "It sure does and I am so glad to have my family back!" Aphrodite squealed with delight as she brought the hands of the two gods she still held up to her lips, kissing the backs. "Thanks for helping Mom get the antidote to us," Cupid said with a voice hoarse from lack of use. "Yeah, thanks," Hephaestus added, his own voice hoarse too. "You’re welcome," Autolycus replied. "Living under Dahak has been Tartarus so you guys were greatly missed." "Hey Auto, there’s Hermes over there," Salmoneus informed him. "I’m going to go see how he’s doing." He headed for the bed containing the messenger god. "Us too," Auto put an arm around the shoulders of Chin Jie as he led the pair to the other side of the cave. "Herm is an ol’ pal of mine." "You have a god as a friend?" Chin Jie glanced at him incredulously. "Oh sure, we go waaay back. He even let me borrow his winged sandals one time. What a ride that was. I’ll tell you about it some time." CHAPTER 70 The sky was painted a red-orange hue above Athens as the sun slowly descended, making way for night. Merchants closed up their shops and people headed for their homes. Any nightlife in Athens had evaporated ever since Dahak’s minions took control of one of Greece’s most powerful city-states. Martial law was strictly enforced and no Athenian was to be walking the streets after sundown. Obeying the strict curfew like the rest of Athens citizens, Jason, King Iphicles and Nemesis entered a merchant shop, locking the door behind them. They quickly removed their outer clothing revealing the warrior garb they wore underneath. The three made their way through the shop to the back door that led out into an alleyway. There, Ephiny, Solari and Aurora met them. "The guards stationed on the roof of the assembly hall have been handled. The only ones left are the ones inside," Iphicles informed in a whisper. "Good, now let’s go," Ephiny replied. ********** A large torch was situated on each of the four marble walls of the main hall inside the structure. Lined up in rows on the floor and rooted in large clay pots were the lava plants. Their flowers, not yet bloomed, glowed a bright orange in the flickering flames of the burning torches. Two entranceways led into the main hall with a pair of guards stationed at each. In silence they stood watch over the lava plants, a red flame flickering in their eyes, indicating demon possession. In an instant, both pairs of guards were wrestled to the ground, making as little noise as possible. Before they could cry out to their comrades, each guard was permanently silenced with a quick slash to the throat. Ephiny, Solari and Aurora stood over a pair of bodies while Jason, Iphicles and Nemesis did the same with the remaining pair. All watched the orange clusters leave the four bodies in a frantic search to find new hosts before they faded into oblivion. "Okay, let’s burn these babies," Ephiny grabbed a torch off the wall. "We’ll let your four ladies do the honors," Iphicles said as he and Jason took up watch at the two entranceways to look out for more of Dahak’s men. The two Amazons and Nemesis quickly grabbed the remaining torches and along with Ephiny stood before the many rows of potted lava plants. The four approached the plants, poised to torch them, when each was zapped with a bolt of energy, instantly knocking them to the floor, unconscious. "What in Tar..." was all Jason managed to get out as he too, along with Iphicles was hit with a bolt of energy and knocked into unconsciousness. ********** "Oh, my head," Ephiny painfully moaned, placing her hands against her temples. "I haven’t felt this bad since I gave up drinking," Jason groaned. The others groaned in agony too as everyone slowly regained consciousness. "What happened?" Iphicles asked as he rose from the floor into a sitting position. His eyes immediately widened. "Oh boy, we’ve got problems." The others rose to sitting positions to gaze at the many guards standing around them as they sat on the floor of the main hall. A disembodied feminine voice was heard laughing evilly throughout the room. "Oh no," Nemesis groaned as she rolled her eyes in recognition and disgust. In a dazzling display of light, Discord’s petite form came into view with her still laughing. "You mortals are SO predictable. I knew you would attack this facility so I had a trap set for you." Jason gazed up and down at her leather and lace clad form. "Y’know, you had better legs as a chicken." Nemesis put a hand over her mouth to stifle laughter, as did the others. "Watch it mortal, or the next time you may be zapped to ashes!" Discord gave the former king a deadly stare, letting an orange flame flicker in her dark eyes. "So, what are you going to do with us?" Ephiny asked. "Since you have all been so obsessed with the lava plants..." Discord walked over to each of the captured mortals and one by one yanked the medallions to ward off demon possession from their necks. "I’m going to let you get up close and personal with them." Her blood red lips twisted into a wicked smile. ********** The wind deafeningly howled as its strong gusts violently swirled snow around taking visibility down to almost nil. Out of the bright stormy night sky, the winged stallion Pegasus along with four griffins descended to land in a field next to a barn Xena deftly dismounted from Pegasus’ white broad back while Hercules, Iolaus, Cecrops and Joxer did the same with the griffins. The wind whipped around her and she had to hold on tightly to the fur hood covering her head. With the poor visibility, she glanced at their surroundings. They had landed in a field next to a barn and a couple other smaller structures. One of the smaller structures appeared to be a cottage. Squinting, Xena could vaguely see what appeared to be light seeping through the cracks of closed shutters. "I’m going to see who’s in the cottage," Xena said. "You can take the animals to the barn." She handed Pegasus reins to Hercules then proceeded towards the cottage. Holding onto the fur hood covering her head, Xena had to trudge through snow up to her knees to get to the cottage. When she stood before its wooden door, she banged on it loudly. A few moments later, the door opened and there stood a middle-aged woman. "Oh my, do come in!" The woman said as she stepped aside. Xena did as she suggested and quickly came inside after which the woman closed the door. She was removing the hood from her head and turning to face the woman when the sound of another enter the room. "Olivia, who was at the door?" A man asked. Xena quickly whirled around to face him. There she saw a bulky man a little taller than her standing with a lanky teenage boy. "I was just about to find out, Dimitar." Olivia looked to their unexpected guest. "I am Xena." "Oh wow! You’re that warrior princess aren’t you!?" The boy asked with excitement. "Michal, what are you taking about?" Dimitar asked. "Dad, this is the woman in those stories we heard at the tavern…the one that fights warlords and protects the innocent." Olivia’s eyes raked over Xena. "Nah, she can’t be her, Michal. She’s not big enough. This Xena would have to be huge to do all that stuff they say she does in those stories." "But Mom, she has black hair and blue eyes, just like it’s described in the stories," Michal insisted. He look to Xena once again, awe filling his eyes. "So, are you her?" Xena would never get use to the hero-worship she now received but in this dire situation, it could come in handy. "Yes Michal, I am that Xena." "Oh WOW…I knew it!" The teenager exclaimed. "Wait ‘til Pavel and Yordan here this! The warrior princess is at our house!" The young man raced into the other room and quickly came out again – a fur coat in his hands. "And where do you think you’re going?" Olivia asked her son. "I’m going to Pavel’s and Yordan’s cottage." Michal put on his coat. "I’ve gotta bring them here. They will never take my word alone that Xena was in our house." "You are not leaving this house young man." Olivia declared with her hands placed on her hips. "But Mom…" Michal whined, he looked towards his father. "Your mother is right. It is too dangerous for anyone to be wandering around in that snow storm," Dimitar said. "Your friends Pavel and Yordan will just have to take your word that Xena was here." With a disappointed frown on his face, Michal took off his coat and put it back in the other room. Not use to having visitors to their remote home and certainly not one that was famous, the two adults turned their attention once again to their unexpected guest. "I am so sorry Xena, where are my manners. You must be hungry, let me get you something to eat." Olivia headed over to the hearth where I large pot simmered above a roaring fire. "And let me take your coat," Dimitar offered. "Thank you but that’s really not necessary," Xena said. "What I really need is to use your barn. I am traveling with some friends and we all have animals that are weary from the storm and need to rest." "Oh of course…we’ll let you use our barn," Dimitar said. "Where are your friends?" Olivia asked, her face riddled with concern. "Right now, they are probably standing outside your barn," Xena replied. "Oh, it’s freezing out there." The woman looked to her husband and son. "Dimitar and Michal, you go with Xena and help her friends get their animals settled in the barn then you all come back here." Dimitar and Michal quickly put on their fur coats and left the cottage with Xena, headed for the barn. When they got there, they found four men, a winged horse and four other winged creatures standing at the door of the barn. Michal stared at the white winged horse in awe. "Is that Pegasus?" "Yes it is," Hercules replied, patting the large animal on the side. "And what about those…what are they?" Dimitar asked, extending a glove-covered hand in the direction of the other winged animals that each had the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. "They are griffins," Cecrops replied. "Wow, and I thought they were only monsters in fables!" Michal breathed in awe. Dimitar unlocked the barn door and pulled it open. The others, leading the animals immediately went inside to escape the swirling snow. Two horses and a cow stood in three of the six stalls. Chickens were confined to a pen as were some pigs and several sheep. "We will have to double up some of the animals to get them all in stalls," Michal said. Xena and the others immediately went about the task of getting Pegasus and the four griffins settled in stalls. Dimitar and Michal helped them. Joxer danced about on his feet, an uncomfortable frown on his face. "Y’know something, I could really use an outhouse about now." Dimitar couldn’t help but chuckle as he gazed at the man’s frantic movements while removing the saddle from the back of one of the griffins. "There’s one in back of the barn." "Thanks." Joxer quickly made his way out of the barn. "Hey, I’m right behind you, Joxer." Cecrops quickly followed after him. "Dimitar, how far are we from the old Titan temple?" Xena asked. "Oh, you mean the Shrine of Colossus," Michal chimed in from a stall where he stood running a hand through Pegasus’ snowy white mane. "In the spring, I let the sheep nibble on the grass there. That thing is huge…takes up one whole side of the mountain." "Xena didn’t ask all that Michal. Just where the temple is." Dimitar said glaring at his son before softening his gaze when he turned to look at Xena. "You can find the old Titan temple on the very next mountain peak south of our farm." "Thanks." Xena covered her head with the fur hood. "You are not going to try to get to that temple now are you?" Michal asked. "Yes I am." Xena headed for the barn door. "But that storm is so bad, you can hardly see anything out there," Dimitar said. "My Dad is right. You will never find the temple in this weather and will most likely freeze to death." "You should wait until the storm ends…it shouldn’t go on much longer," Dimitar said. "Why do you have to go to the temple anyway?" "My son and best friend are being held prisoner up there. If we wait for the storm to end, it will be too late for them," Xena replied. She looked towards Hercules and Iolaus. "Are you two coming with me or what?" Both knew Xena was right. Dahak had created this storm to keep them from reaching the Titan temple and it would only end when his evil plan was completed which would most likely cost Lycus and Gabrielle their lives. Covering their heads with fur hoods, the two men joined their friend at the barn door. Xena was just about to pull it open when Joxer beat her to it---he and Cecrops stepping back into the barn. "Man, do I feel so much better. Now I could use something warm in my stomach." Joxer ran a glove-covered hand in a circular motion over the part of the coat covering his belly. "There’s no time for food, we are leaving." Xena brushed past them and stepped outside. "Leaving!? But, what about..." Joxer stopped mid-sentence, his face riddled with confusion. He looked at Cecrops who had a look of confusion on his face too. Both men looked towards Hercules and Iolaus. "We’ll explain on the way," Hercules said as he and Iolaus followed after Xena. Shrugging their shoulders, Joxer and Cecrops followed their three companions. "Don’t worry about Pegasus and the griffins, we’ll take good care of them," Michal quickly shouted as the barn door was closed. ********** The sun rose in the clear blue sky over the Greek city of Miletos, marking the start of what would be a beautiful day. "All right Celeus, time to get up." Janthia shook her husband’s shoulder as he lay in the bed beside her. "Aw c’mon Jan, let me sleep a little while longer," he pleaded while snuggling more into the pillow beneath his head. "Sorry Celeus, not today. That priest of Dahak will be at the shop early this morning and you know you have to be there to meet him." Janthia rose from the bed, pulling the sheets and blankets off her husband in the process. "Oh, that’s right. Damn Dahak and his priests," Celeus grumbled as he slowly rose to a sitting position. "I’m going to check on Nicander, then I’ll make breakfast." Janthia left the bedroom. Yawning and stretching a bit, Celeus finally rose to his feet. Walking slowly, he made his way over to a table where a basin and a pitcher of water was set. Rubbing an eye with a closed fist, he poured some water from the pitcher into the basin. "I’ve got to wake up," Celeus mumbled while placing both hands in the basin, cupping some water and bringing it up to splash on his face. He was about to repeat this action when he felt a slight tremble. Celeus didn’t cup more water and just stood there staring at the table, the pitcher and basin as all three trembled. "Uh oh." He quickly glanced around and saw that the whole house was now shaking. "Oh by the gods, it’s an earthquake!" Janthia wailed as she ran back into their bedroom, clutching their one-year-old son Nicander in her arms. Filled with fear, the woman latched on to her husband’s right arm. "No, I don’t think it’s an earthquake." Celeus proceeded into the main room of the small house, with his wife still clutching his arm. He walked over to the large window and pulled open the shutters. Celeus and Janthia both stared wide-eyed and with their mouths agape as they saw the source of the violent trembling. Moving at top speed, dozens of horses galloped down the city street. Atop their backs were men dressed in dark gray armor, a Persian insignia engraved on the chest and back. "It’s the Persian army!" Celeus said. "Oh no, they’re attacking us!" Janthia held her son closer and stared out the window in disbelief. "And I thought Dahak was the worst...now this!" As the family gazed out the window, they saw one of the Persian soldiers put a horn up to his lips and in a loud voice said, "PEOPLE OF MELITOS, WE ARE NOT HERE TO HARM YOU. STAY IN YOUR HOMES AND DO NOT VENTURE INTO THE STREETS." "Hmm, that’s odd. If they’re not here to attack us then why are they here?" Celeus asked. "Hey, what’s this gray stuff around the window?" Janthia placed a hand along the rim of the window collecting some of the gray stuff on her fingers. "It looks like some kind of paint." She inspected the substance on her fingers, as did her husband. Janthia glanced at the structures across the street. "And look at the windows on the homes over there, they have this gray stuff around them too." "The Persian army must have did this," Celeus said. "But why?" Janthia asked, a confused look on her face. "I don’t know," Celeus replied, shrugging his shoulders. "I gotta find out what’s going on." He moved away from the window. "But you heard the soldier. We are to stay in the house," Janthia reminded him. "I won’t leave. I just need to use another window so I can see what’s going on." Celeus moved to a window on the side of the house and opened the shutters. Janthia now stood by him. "Wow, would you look at that!" Some distance down the street from their house, the family could see that the Persian army was converging on a structure that was used by Dahak’s army to store and cultivate lava plants. Men atop horses tossed canisters into the structure that exploded upon impact leaving the structure filled with flames. A contingent from Dahak’s demon army appeared on the scene with their swords drawn and began to fight the Persians. The sound of clashing steel now mingled with the crackling of flames. "The Persians are here to fight Dahak!" Celeus stared with disbelief at the battle waging before them. "Oh thank the gods our prayers have been answered," Janthia said smiling with relief as she kissed Nicander’s rosy cheek and held him close. Smiling too, Celeus draped an arm around his wife’s shoulders and pulled her closer to him as the little family continued to watched the battle to liberate their city from evil. ********** Iphicles pulled with all his might against the chains restraining his arms but they wouldn’t yield. "Damn!" He breathed as he collapsed against the wall, slightly out of breath. "Save your strength Iphicles. These chains are not breaking," Ephiny said as she stood beside him. "Yeah, they were forged by Hephaestus so not even a god can break them," Nemesis said. "Discord certainly wanted to make sure we couldn’t go anywhere." Jason glanced at the glum expressions on the faces of his comrades. All six of them---Iphicles, Ephiny, Jason, Solari, Aurora and Nemesis were spread eagle and chained by their arms and legs to a stone wall in a large Athenian structure. "I wonder how much longer we have?" Solari stared at the six lava plants set in clay pots, lined up before them. Their large orange flowers were ready to bloom at any moment, releasing their demon inhabitants who would need bodies. "I don’t care if it’s hopeless, I’m going to fight whatever demon tries to take my body." Aurora’s tone was firm as she held her chin high. The others voiced the same sentiments. A moment later, a loud explosion was heard, shaking the structure in which they were being held followed by loud shouts. "By the gods, what was that!?" Ephiny asked. Once again, a very loud explosion was heard followed by a succession of smaller ones. "It sounds like Athens is under attack," Iphicles deduced. "It’s got to be our people," Solari said with excitement in her voice. "If it is, I hope they get here soon..." Jason said. "’cause look!" All fixed their gazes on the lava plants as the large orange petals of one of the plants began to slowly open. Everyone braced himself or herself---not knowing which one the demon would attack for a body. The flower was almost completely open and about to release the demon it held when out of nowhere, an axe cut the blooming flower sending it to the floor below. The six prisoners quickly turned to see who had thrown the axe. "Draco!" All six said in unison with large smiles of relief gracing their faces. "Here, we gotta get these on you!" Draco and Meleager raced over to the chained group and quickly put around the neck of each, a medallion to ward off demon possession. The demon that had been in the flower now frantically moved about the room looking for a host. When it could find none, it faded into oblivion. "By the gods did you two time that just right," Ephiny said as she watched Draco remove the restraints from her arms. "We would have been here sooner but there were some members of Dahak’s army we had to deal with first," Draco said. "How did you know we were here?" Jason asked. "Some soldiers in the Corinthian army discovered where you were being held and we volunteered to free you," Meleager replied. "So, were the pieces to the Holy Saber found?" Iphicles asked. "Yes and no," Draco replied with a grim frown. "What Draco means is that all of the pieces were found except for one that was never mentioned in the scrolls," Meleager said. "You mean we still have no way to destroy Dahak once and for all?" Ephiny asked. "No we don’t but we do have a sure lead on where the final piece is," Draco replied. "Ares and Cyrus were sent to get it and they will bring it back here." "Do you have any news that would be considered good?" Iphicles asked. "An antidote was found to counter the Hind’s blood poison infecting the Olympians," Meleager replied. "That is good news," Nemesis said. Even though she wasn’t a goddess anymore, Nemesis still considered the Olympians her family and she didn’t want to see them dead. "I hope that antidote works fast because some godly help in kicking demon butt would be nice," Aurora said. The others nodded in agreement. "Speaking of demon butt, we better go tackle some." Draco headed for the doors and the others followed him. When the group reached the street, an intense battle was underway as soldiers from the Corinthian and Persian armies fought Dahak’s demon soldiers. Explosions mixed with screams of terror filled the air as Athenians ran for their lives, seeking shelter away from the fighting. Darnelle and Glaphyra fought back to back as they crossed swords with the soldiers comprising Dahak’s dark army. Nebula and the crew from the Oasis took part in the battle too. Situated on rooftops, high above the city, stood the city’s patron goddess Athena along with her twin siblings Apollo and Artemis. The Olympians had not fully recovered from the Hind’s blood poisoning but they wanted to take part any way they could in the fight against Dahak. Athena extended an arm, releasing a fireball from her hand that hit one of Dahak’s soldiers instantly igniting him into a ball of fire. The man screamed in agony as he frantically made his way down the street, colliding with a comrade and setting him ablaze too before both fell to the street dead. In the middle of the ensuing battle, Discord’s petite form came into view out of shards of bright light. Her porcelain face immediately darkened upon seeing the fighting taking place around her---Dahak’s men clearly losing. "What in Tartarus is going on here?!" The goddess shouted. "Ah Discord, so nice of you to drop in." Discord quickly glanced upward. Her dark eyes widened in shock when she saw Artemis standing atop a structure smiling down at her. "NO!!! You are suppose to be dead!!!" She screamed. "We would be dead but a cure was found for the Hind’s blood poison you gave us," Athena said. Discord quickly whirled around and now looked up at the goddess of wisdom. Fear began to race through her body when she heard male laughter. Once again she whirled around and saw Apollo standing atop one of the buildings. "It looks like your days as Queen of Olympus are over," the god said with a mocking smile. An energy ball began to form in his right hand. Energy balls formed in the hands of Athena and Artemis too. Simultaneously and with lightening quick speed all three deities threw the balls at Discord. "This is where I make my exit!" Discord shimmered out of sight just as the combined energy balls hit where she had been standing. The impact sent out a shock wave that hit several of Dahak’s soldiers knocking them hard into buildings, killing them instantly. The battle waged on for the rest of the day and well into the night. It was almost dawn when the contingent of Dahak’s army in Athens was completely annihilated. Shouts of joy were heard throughout the city as Athenians along with their liberators celebrated the tremendous victory over Dahak’s forces. With the liberation of Athens, their headquarters for disbursing lava plants throughout Greece, it wouldn’t take long to free the other cities from Dahak’s evil grasp.
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