I do not own any of the characters that appear on Hercules the Legendary Journeys nor Xena the Warrior Princess (As much as I would like to). I am not making any money off of this. All the characters belong to MCA and Renaissance Television. Timeframe: This story take place immediately after Xena’s Sacrifice and Hercules’ Reunion. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ares’ Temple Earth Xena stood over the body of her enemy, Callisto. She had closed off all emotions, after what had happened to Gabrielle. Watching, in horror, her friend fall into the depths of the pit below. Then there was Callisto, whom Xena had created, lying on the ground with a shocked look on her face. Many times Xena had tried to kill her. Finally, it was done. Callisto would never again bother anyone. Finally there was Ares, whom had tried to get her, many times, to join his army. He had tried again, by asking her to lead his army in battle against Dahok and Hope. She had refused. But if he was so adamant about fighting Hope then why did he join forces with them? All she knew and cared about was that because of him Hope was reborn. Because of him, Gabrielle was dead. She took one last look around the temple floor then down at the dagger in her hand. Raising it up into the air, she yelled, “Ares!” Joxer, whom was still sitting at the edge of the lava pit jumped at the sound of Xena’s summons. “Come down here and face me, you coward!” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ares’ Throne Room - Temple of Ares, Mt. Olympus In a flash of light, he materialized in the massive room, surrounded by the vast array of weaponry. He was home, now if only he could be happy about it. Ares, God of War, was mad. Mad at Xena for not wanting to join his army, mad at Dahok for bringing this forth, and mostly mad at himself for allowing himself to become a part of all of this. For being to weak. He had become a pawn of Dahok’s. He had slept with and impregnated Hope. He walked over to his throne and sat. He slouched deep into the chair and pulled his legs up to give him a look that would let people know he wanted to be left alone. He grabbed a dagger that sat next to the throne, examining it. It was really a beautiful piece of work. The dagger’s hilt was forged into the shape of a dragon with it’s wings outstretched, was solid gold. The razor-sharp blade was practically glowing in the candle light. It was perfect for the God of War. “God of War,” Ares laughed. “Yeah, right.” He threw the dagger as hard as he could toward the wall. The moment the blade embedded itself into the hard, marble wall, someone entered his throne room. “Lord Ares, your guest wished to speak to you,” one of his priestesses stated as she bowed to show her respect. Ares waved his hand, as if to say bring her in. He really didn’t want to deal with this right now but he knew that he had better. “Lord Ares will see you now.” “Thanks,” the guest said as she walked directly up to the God of War. “Did it work? Is it over?” Ares laughed half-heartedly, “no, I don’t think so. Unfortunately, things didn’t turn out as I had planned.” His guest just looked at him. “Dahok is stronger than I thought. He can have anyone he wants under his power. And you thought that I knew how to manipulate people, I could learn a thing or two from him,” he said the last more to himself than anyone. “But Xena’s alright. She’s still alive?” “Oh, she’s alive alright. But you’re not,” Ares said with a smirk on his face. He was loving this part of it all. He never really like the little Bard, and he would enjoy tormenting her almost as much as he loved to torment Xena. “Well according to what everyone saw. Fell right into the lava pit, I might add.” He let out a laugh at his last statement, while his guest just looked at him in horror. ‘What went wrong,’ she thought. She felt she was going to be sick. Ares quickly became serious, sounding calm and like a warlord ready for battle. Playtime was over for now. “Dahok still lives, though. I have to think of something. There has got to be a way that I can. . .” Suddenly, Ares heard his name being called. “Oh what now?” Gabrielle noticed that he sounded annoyed. She still couldn’t believe that she was dead. How could she be dead? What about Xena? “Come and face me, you coward!” Xena, great, this was not something he wanted right now. All Ares wanted to do was stay there and sulk, but he knew Xena. If he didn’t show then he would be worse off. “Fine,” he hissed. He looked at his guest, “go back to your room. We’ll talk later. There’s something I need to take care of.” He knew that she didn’t hear the voice like he did so he raised his hand into the air and vanished. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ares’ Temple - Earth Xena stood there and waited. Suddenly she grinned, as she felt her ‘skin crawl.’ Out of the corner of her eye she saw the object of her hatred. “You called,” the man asked. His voice, however, didn’t hold it’s usual cockiness. “You,” Xena snarled through clenched teeth. “How could you, Ares? What did he offer you? To help him rule the world?” Ares closed his eyes, trying to stop the anger that was rising up within the depths of his soul. “I didn’t have much of a choice, you know? Do you think that I’m happy about this?” Xena turned toward Ares moving the blade, still covered in Hind’s blood, closer to his chest. “You helped Hope be reborn, you slept with her, Gabrielle is dead. For what? So you could rule the world? Have a bunch of demon children running around killing. You lied to me. Because of you, Gabrielle is dead. I should kill you right here and now.” Ares glanced down at the dagger, she would have to give him this opportunity at the exact moment in which he felt worthless. Despite everything, he cared a great deal for Xena. Some would say that he was obsessed, others would say that he was in love with her. Either way, everyone knew, or at least thought they knew that he, the God of War, had no heart. He moved his eyes from the dagger to look into her eyes. Seeing hatred toward him, her disgust, was enough to send pain shooting through his entire boy. If she felt she needed to do this then. . .Ares stepped closer to Xena, allowing the dagger to lightly press into his chest, though his vest. “Go ahead. Do it if you must.” Xena seemed a little shocked by what he had just said. “What?” “I said do it. You’re right, this is my fault.” His admission brought forth anger within her. Ares saw this and took a deep breath, afraid that if it were a deep one he’d be dead. “I was not strong enough, well not as strong as I believed, to stop myself from becoming drawn into his web. Think about how it feels to know that I, the God of War, known for strength, had his mind, body and soul taken over by the one I wanted to kill. I found a weakness deep within myself, that I cannot afford to be exploited -- again,” he continued. His anger at himself began to rise once more, as did his voice. “I will not become a pawn like that again. So do it. Kill me! Forfill your destiny!” Before Ares could close his eyes to await the impending death, Xena caught something in his eye. Shame. Something she never would’ve thought she’d see in his eye. Let alone to have him stand there, dagger pressed against him with his eye closed. The Ares, she knew would look into her eyes until the darkness overcame him. “What are you doing?” Disgusted, she lowered the dagger to her side. She hated to admit it, but she saw the truth in his eyes. He was just another one who had succumbed to Dahok’s power. Just before he could say something in reply, he felt something that made him flinch. His eyes widened as the cover over the alter blew off and the fire re-ignited, but his eyes were looking directly toward the lava pit. Xena glared at the flame, then toward Ares, when she heard Joxer yell. She whipped around and saw what had caused the God of War to freeze. Standing at the edge of the pit was Hope, or was it Gabrielle. Ares quickly took a hold of Xena’s arm, “come on.” Xena’s head snapped toward Ares, but he wasn’t looking at her. “We have to kill it.” “No time. If you want to live, come with me now. I’m not lying to you, Xena, trust me on this.” Once again she knew Ares was telling the truth, she could see it in his eyes. She yelled to Joxer to get over to her quickly. Once he had reached Ares and Xena, she grabbed a hold of his hand. “Hold on tight. We’re leaving here.” They vanished in a flash of light. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Temple of Ares - Mt. Olympus Seconds later the three materialized in a long hallway deep within the depths of Ares’ Temple. Ares released his hold on Xena’s hand and turned to walk down the hall. Joxer swallowed hard, scared, but was able to ask, “um, Xena?” She tore her glaze from Ares to Joxer. “Where are we?” “Ares’ Temple,” she stated without feeling, then followed Ares down the hall. She swore to herself long ago, that she would never set foot in here again. She noticed Ares stop, say something to one of his minions, then enter a room at the end of the hall. The man who was wearing a long black robe, with the hood pulled up to cover his face, walked up toward the ‘guests’. “My Lord Ares, has appointed me to take care of your needs while you are here. I will show you to your rooms.” Xena grabbed the ‘man’s’ arm as he turned. “What I want to do is talk to you *Lord*.” The head shook, “Lord Ares wishes to be left alone. Please follow me,” Xena looked toward the door that Ares disappeared through. She decided she would wait until she was away from this thing to break-in and talk to Ares. Once they reached two large rooms the ‘man’ bowed. “Sleep well, my Lord will answer all of your questions in the morning. If you need anything, my name is Dexter.” Xena turned toward Joxer, “go in and sleep. It’s been a long day. I’ll talk to you in the morning.” She could tell that Joxer was still in shock after the day’s events. He just nodded, opened his door and disappeared. She turned and noticed that Dexter was standing behind her. Damn, doesn’t he have anything better to do, she thought. She smiled at him then walked into her room. The room was fit for a goddess. The large bed was covered in black silk, and a large fluffed pillows laying at the head of it. There was a fireplace located near the far wall, next to a marble table. Crystal, silk, marble, fur, and gold covered the room. She had to hand it to Ares, he knew how to make someone feel comfortable. Unfortunately, she was not one of those people. She hat in a chair by the fire and waited until she was sure that Dexter had left. Once she heard footsteps walking away from her room, she got out of her chair. Opening the door slightly she noticed that no one was around. It was time to move, and that she did. Directly toward where she’d last seen Ares. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ares stood staring out the window that covered half of the wall. There was a battle raging somewhere in Aquitania, he could feel the anger, fear, and almost taste the blood as it flowed from the men on the field. Life was beginning to look-up for the God of War. The opening of the heavy door brought him out of his reverie. “I thought that I told you I didn’t want to be disturbed,” he bellowed. “Yeah, well you know me. I never followed your orders well,” a familiar voice stated behind him. Without turning around he felt her walking around the room. “Nice. It fits you.” HE said nothing. “Do you want to explain to me what in Hades is going on? How did they survive that? And how are we going to kill them?” Still no answer. She walked up to Ares and grabbed his arm. “Ares?” Nothing. Xena moved to stand in front of him blocking his view out the window. She was getting mad, “talk to me, dammit!” Ares seemed to finally acknowledge her, but shook his head. “He’s unstoppable, and now that Hope’s carrying my child. . .There’s nothing I can do.” He continued to gaze out of the window, not wanting to look into her eyes. If he did she might be able to see his fear. He didn’t want to face Dahok, but more importantly he didn’t want Xena to know that. Xena felt if she was talking to a stone wall, “what is wrong with you? A few days ago you were all set to form the largest army in history to kill him. You admit that Dahok is a threat, why is now any different?” Ares squinted his eyes, ‘how dare she second guess him.’ If it were anyone else they would be a pile of ash right now. But this was Xena, once HIS Warrior Princess, he couldn’t deny her anything. Well almost anything. He had to separate himself from all of this. He had brought this up to the other gods, only to be laughed at. Even his do-gooder brother didn’t believe him. Plus the fact that Zeus still didn’t forgive him for helping Hera try and take over, didn’t help matters any. He didn’t want to feel that helpless ever again. He had to get away from Xena before she talked him into it. “Why don’t you go ask my dear brother for help? You seem to care and trust him more than me.” “You know what we’re dealing with, Ares. . .” “NO! Leave me. Go tell Hercules and have him help you.” Ares turned away from Xena and walked toward the dagger that was still embedded in the wall. He reached his hand up to his hilt and pulled it out. He could, if he wanted to, just fling this over to Xena killing her. But he knew better. As much as he would like to, he couldn’t kill her. Something inside him wouldn’t let him. Xena took a deep breath, and released it slowly. Ares was just standing next to the wall examining the dagger when she walked up to him. “What happened to you? Where is the Ares that would run into anything caring about nothing? And you call yourself the God of War.” Ares began to feel his anger grow once again. She was always had a way to infuriate him. She really wanted to die, didn’t she. “How dare you?” “Come on,” she said as she noticed him turn toward her. She was ready to fight, and she could tell he was getting ready for one as well. Ares turned away from her and punched a wall instead. “I never thought that I would see the day that you were a coward.” She knew all the right buttons to push, but this time it wasn’t going to work. “Go find Hercules. I’ll even send you to him. Just leave me out of it,” with that he disappeared in a flash of light. She sat there waiting for him for what seemed like hours, when he didn’t return, she decided to go back to her room and sleep. Morning, or what resembled morning here, came and there was a knock at Xena’s door. “Mistress Xena, it is Dexter. Lord Ares is ready to transport your friend and yourself back home.” Slowly she opened her eyes. She didn’t sleep well. Hades, she never did sleep well here, this close to him. Scared was never a word she would’ve thought she would have associated with Ares, but this time it was true. Gathering up her things she walked out of the room and saw Joxer standing next to Dexter. “Shall we return you to your home?” Xena realized that Dexter was referring to the returning now. “I thought you said that Ares was going to take up. Where is your beloved Lord? Running away with his tail between his legs?” “Lord Ares has been called to Mount Olympus early this morning and it is something that he must do. Now if you please, take a hold of my hand and I will take you back.” Not happy about not seeing Ares again, she reluctantly grabbed the extended hand, and then Joxer’s. A moment later they were back on Earth a mile away from Ares’ temple. At least they were thoughtful. “Safe journey. Hercules should be in Cornith,” he said and disappeared. “Great,” she muttered then turned to Joxer. “Are you okay?” He nodded in return. “Look I miss Gabrielle too, but there’s nothing that we can do. We still have to stop Dahok and the others. Only then can we allow Gabrielle’s sacrifice mean something.” Her voice was quiet, as if she was talking to a child, but it was the only way to get through the grief. Joxer nodded, agreeing with her. “Good, come on. WE have to find out where Dahok might be. This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.” Joxer looked at Xena, “aren’t we going to find Hercules?” “No, I don’t want to bother him right now. Right now we need to this, if there is time that we need him, then at least we have a place to start looking.” Xena stated as she began to walk down the path away from the city. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dahak's temple Ares walked through the corridor of the large temple, bodies still littering the floor. After his little 'talk' with Xena he decided that the only way to end this was here and now. He believes that he had convinced Xena that he was loosing it. Granted part of what he had said was true, for instance him being 'taken over' by Dahak. If Dahak found your weaknesses he would exploit them. Ares never knew he had so many weaknesses. Xena, of course was one of them. He shouldn't be so obsessed with her, but she was the fire that burned deep within him, he needed her. Another was his hatred for Hercules. Hercules had a life that had always been denied the God. That one thing was his biggest weakness. The hatred that his own family had toward him. Zeus always reminded him how much he despised his son. Ares was the only son of Zeus and Hera, but he was also the most despised God of all. He remembered one instance well, Zeus his father had said to him, "I hate you worse than any god in Olympus. All you care for is battle and sudden death. You have your mother's hard temper, unendurable. I will not out up with it. If you were not my son, you should have been long ago the lowest of Immortals." Zeus had always liked Hercules and Athena the best and he was wrong about Hera. She disliked him as well, all she saw when she looked at him was power. She wanted him to kill Zeus so that she could get all the power on Olympus, but Hercules had stopped that plan. Dahak saw all of this and manipulated it. Now Ares knew that this would have to end, before he took Dahak up on his offer to destroy the other gods, before his child was born into the world. He had to be the one to do it, it was his fault, his position he wanted, and Ares always cleaned up his mistakes. He walked into the main chamber, remembering everything. It was time for answers. "Honey, I'm home." He strode across the floor heading directly to where just hours earlier Dahak had been. Suddenly his mind flashed to his meeting with the other gods. Zeus had been furious with him for 'killing' Gabrielle, Artimus' Chosen, and for joining Dahak. He had convinced them that Gabrielle was not dead, telling them his plan. They agreed to postpone any judgment until after Dahak was destroyed. But when this was over they would decide his future, if there would be one. At this moment he began to wish that he had taken Dahak up on his offer. This was not good. As if Dahak had heard his silent wishes, Ares started to hear voices in his head. "I've got a lot of options here." "You're army means nothing to me" Ares closed his eyes. It was true, Xena didn't want anything to do with him. "I am Ares, God of War. I will not end up some footnote in the annuls of history." He certainly didn't feel that way right now. Why was this so hard? "Our child will be the first of what Dahak calls the six destroyers. Insidious creatures with no souls, who will eat at the living, and the righteous, and lay waste to all gods." Was that it? He always strive himself to being one of the most soulless bastards ever. What happened? Did he have a soul? He knew that idea sounded good to him though. Laying waste to all gods, is that what he wanted? "You'd kill your own father. That's low even for you." "Hey, like father like son. Zeus stuck it to Chronos. Like Chronos stuck it to his ol' man. What can I say it's a family trait." Yes, he wanted that. How he wanted to show, not just Zeus but all of them, that he had the power. Dahak knew this. That's why Ares became caught up in the web of Dahak's power. Dahak gave him the opportunity. He craved for it. Since Xena left his fold, he has felt as if a part of him was missing. His fire was gone. Dahak gave that back to him. "Good-bye, Xena. It has been fun." Xena. . . . "Xena's not finished, you know. When she puts her mind to killing someone they generally get killed. I know I gave her that focus." That was it. Xena. He had to get her to do this. If he continued to do this then he might actually take Dahak up on his offer, completely and unconditionally. It was the one thing he wanted most of all. Almost as much as he wanted Xena. But first he had to do something. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On the way to Dahak's temple. "Xena, can I ask you a question?" Joxer asked. He had been quiet most of the journey, obviously still in shock over what had happened. He loved Gabrielle there was not doubt about it. Xena, herself was just in a numb state. She would mourn Gabrielle once this was over. She had to first destroy those who had killed her. She couldn't afford the sadness of her death until then. Dahak and Hope had to be stopped before more deaths occurred. She looked at Joxer over her lunch, "Go ahead." Joxer was picking at his food. Not really hungry. Why are we going back there?" "That's the last place that we saw Dahak and Hope. We have to find out where they are." She looked at the man again. He looked drained. Did she look that bad, she wondered. "Look if you don't want to..." "No I have to." He said with certainty. "For Gabrielle." Xena smiled, and laid her hand on his arm. He returned her smile, weakly. "Come on, we better get moving. We can make it there by midday." The two gathered up their belongings and began to walk toward the temple, once again. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dahak's temple Room containing the Fates Ares walked farther into the temple, he had to talk to the Fates. He had employed their 'talents' to try and win this battle, but now he had a little change to the plan. He walked up the women, and noticed them still weaving the threads of life for Xena. He had to make them understand that Xena had to kill Hope. Ares walked closer and placed his hand on the delicate thread. How easy it would be to kill a mortal, just one snip of the scissors and wham, they're no more. "Hope. ." "Still..." "Lives..." The fates said in their normal manner. "Yes, but I plan on rectifying that. Gabrielle still lives as well. I need you to release the debt concerning Xena. Xena must kill Hope, I know that now. I am the one who had requested it and now I take it back." Ares stated with all the confidence in the universe. He believed that the Fates would grant him this as well, he was wrong. "We cannot." "What?!" Ares bellowed. How could they deny him this. "What do you mean you cannot?" The youngest of the three continued to pull the thread from it's origin and making it able to be spun. As the other two continued their work to weave the thread into the life of Xena. "The deal is done." "It is binding." "If Xena Kills Hope, Xena will die." Ares began to pace the width of the room. "Yes, I know that. I requested that. But now things are different." "You do not understand." "Things have changed." "The burden is on you." It took awhile for this to settle in. If Xena killed Hope Xena would die, that he understood. But he would have to decide. What in the name of Tartarus do they mean. "Wait a minute, what do you mean that the burden is on me? I didn't request that. Who did?" "Zeus." "Zeus? Zeus?! Figures that no good father of mine would interfere in this. You know as well as I do that Zeus has no jurisdiction in this matter." Ares was getting angry. How in the name of all gods, past and present, gave him the right." Xena how had been listening in on the conversation making sure that no one had heard her, finally made her presence known. "You mean to tell me that my life depends on Ares?" She was almost just as mad as Ares. Ares looked shocked to see Xena there. "How much of this did you hear?" Wondering just when his life would end when and if she knew. Xena smiled, her little evil smile at him, "All of it." She walked up to him and stood face to face with him. "You and I need to have a little chat." "Actually I have work to do, Xena. If Hope and Dahak are going to be destroyed then I have a lot of work to do." Ares calmly stated, turning away from her. Xena walked closer to him, gripping a hold of his arm and turning him around to face her once again. "NOW!" Ares grabbed a hold of her arm and threw her to the ground. Xena got up and just smiled. "So this is how you want it? I've waited a long time for this Ares." Quickly, Xena jumped to her feet and drew her sword. "YIYIYIYIYIYI!" she yelled as she jumped up into the air directly toward Ares, who at this time had his own sword ready for the attack. Their swords clashed in a burst of sparks. They stayed that way waiting for the other to give in. Both putting all their strength into the battle of wills. Xena looked directly into his dark eyes, not letting anything show through her gaze. In an instant she swept her leg to throw him to the ground, knocking his sword away from him and landing on top of him. She had her sword to his throat, and reached for the Hind's blood dagger buried deep into her boot. "Now, unless you want to taste the Hinds blood, you will take me to where Gabrielle is." "What makes you think that I know where she is," He asked her, gritting his teeth. "Oh, don't play that with me, Ares. I know you. Probably better than anyone." She forced her point by digging her sword deeper into his neck. "Take me to her." Ares thought about it for a minute. Well this way I can at least get that pesky, annoying bard out of my temple, he thought. "I will on a few conditions." "You're in no condition to make demands, Ares," Xena hissed at him. "I don't know what game you're playing but I suggest you take me to Gabrielle this instant." Ares sighed, then reached up to Xena's shoulders. In one quick move he threw her off of him. "This is not a game," he yelled. He took a deep breath and stood. After he retrieved his sword he turned his attention back to the now standing warrior. "It would behoove you to remember that your beloved Gabrielle is alive because of me." Xena just glared at the God. "I will take you too her but. . .you need to do something for me." Ares began to circle her. "First off, you help me rid the world of Dahak." "I don't disagree with the fact that Dahak needs to be stopped." "Ah, but do you realize that you need my help. And that would mean that once again you are going to work beside me." Xena just looked at Ares through silted eyes. "Secondly, we do this my way." Xena began to say something but Ares continued, leaning in toward her ear. "Take it or leave it." She didn't say anything in return, she just continued to stand there. Ares stepped back frustrated she was still turning away from him. "Fine, just hear me out. Then you can decide. This maybe your only chance." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ares Temple Ares walked down the hallway, followed by Xena and Joxer. They stopped in front of a set of double doors, in which Xena knew lead to the dinning hall. They walked into the room, and Ares motioned them to sit. "Chastious," he yelled. In an instant one of Ares' Priestesses appeared and bowed. "Go retrieve our guest and bring her here. Now! No questions," He ordered. The blond priestess, who couldn't be more than fifteen bowed again, then went to get the 'guest'. "You will get your wish shortly." Ares did not seem pleased at all, while Xena looked pleased. Xena continued to smile as the door opened at the end of the long table. She quickly stood to greet her friend. "Gabrielle?" Deep within her she didn't want to believe Ares, the thought that he had saved her friend made her nervous. She knew that he would want to ask something in return for saving this life and she didn't want to know what it would be. The young woman stood at the doorway, spotted her friend and ran over to her. "Xena, you're alright." The two women embraced in a hug, neither wanting to let go. Ares cleared his voice to get their attention especially when Joxer got into the 'group hug' thing that was going on. "I hate to interrupt this little reunion but there is something that you have to decide Xena. Are you going to take me up on my offer?" Xena looked at Gabrielle, both women had tears in their eyes. Then she turned to Joxer who was also crying. "No." Ares was shocked, "What!?" He stood up in his chair so fast that it knocked it onto the ground. "You know what will happen if Dahak wins. How can you tell me no?" Xena turned to the irate god, "Just what I had said. You can take your little plan and stick it for all I care." Ares tried to shut out everything, all emotions that were flowing easily through him. "Fine, but you know what might happen. If Dahak's power turns me then there will be no hope for any of you." He then turned to Dexter, "Take them back to the surface. I don't want to see them in my temple any longer." With that he disappeared. Gabrielle looked at Xena, "What do you mean no? You know that we have to defeat Dahak, and working with Ares just may be the only way of winning. I may not like him or trust him but I know that he wants this over with just as much as we do. Please, Xena. Reconsider this." Xena looked at the young Bard, trying to understand just what was going through her mind. "Gabrielle, we tried. All that we were able to accomplish was getting you killed. I can't loose you again. I just can't." "I don't want to loose you either but I know that WE have to do this. If we don't stop Dahak and Hope then they've won. I can't let that happen, not after everything." Gabrielle placed her hand on Xena's shoulders, "I've seen a lot while I've been here. Ares, as much as I hate to say this, he isn't that bad. He's risking everything, by saving my life, granted I still don't understand why he did it but he did. Ares was manipulated by Dahak. I'm sure that if he had a choice he wouldn't have been on his side." Gabrielle looked over her shoulder at Joxer who was just staring in disbelief at her. "And if you're not going to do it. I am." Xena stood there thinking about what her friend had said, "Alright, I'll help. But Ares is on his own. We will do this our way, not his. If he gets in my way, he won't survive." She then turned to Joxer, "Wanna help?" Joxer snapped out of his haze and stood straight, chin held high, "You can count on me." "Good, let's go find Dahak and end this." The three turned to Dexter and prepared to leave. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Halls of War Ares appeared in his temple and walked deep into the main throne room. He smiles instantly as he saw the one of his desire. Walking up to one of the alters he bent down on one knee and lowered his head. "My lord, I have returned to do your bidding. What do you wish of me?" The alter that Ares was in front of contained a large flame. It ignited making Ares close his eyes. "You will be reborn as soon as the child is born into this world. With that we, I mean you shall rule the world, the age of Dahak is upon us." A young woman who appeared to be about eight or nine months pregnant, at Ares' side. "You've come back. Did you finish the job? Is my mother and Xena destroyed?" Ares stood and placed his arms around Hope, "I believe that I have talked them into coming here so that you can take the pleasure of killing your mother. That is what you want is it not?" Hope grinned, moving her hands over Ares' chest. "You know me better than I thought." "I tried, They should be her by the day's out. I thought that you would like to have your mother here for the birth of our child and then you may kill her, It is my gift to you." Ares bent down and kissed her, inserting his tongue into her mouth. Hope broke the kiss and turned to her father. "Your time is near, When my child is born, I give him to you for your host. When that happens nothing will be able to stop us. The world will bow down to your power." Ares placed his arm over Hope's shoulder, and smiled. Especially when he noticed the one who had given Hope 'life', Seraphin. She was standing off to the side of the alter with some of the other priests and worshippers. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On the way to the halls of war Xena, Gabrielle, and Joxer walked along the path in which hopefully lead to the end of Dahak. Xena carefully check her boot for the Hinds blood dagger. This will be the end of it all, that or I will die, she told herself. No matter what I must keep Gabrielle safe, She has been through enough already. She continued to walk toward their destination, She had heard Ares state that Dahak most likely would be here for this is where they were to meet if things went wrong at Dahak's temple, She didn't care what Ares did just as long as he didn't get in her way. If she died then do be it. She hated the fact that her life would have to be in Ares' hands, If he tried to stop her then he would find out just what Tartarus is like. How dare him think that she would join him. He thought that because he saved Gabrielle's life she would jump at the chance to help him, He was wrong, but soon he would find out. By nightfall the three were standing at the opening of the Halls of War. It was time to end this once and for all, She only hoped that what she had planned would work. There was no room for error. This had to go perfectly, and even though Gabrielle needed to be there, Xena had wished that she would go somewhere else until this was over. Followed by Joxer and Gabrielle she walked into the temple, with her sword drawn. She was ready for this, she was ready to die if need be. They walked into the main hall leading toward the throne room, carefully. All keeping a close eye on what was going on all around them. They didn't want to get caught in an ambush. Suddenly a door at the end of the hall opened up and Ares stood there. "Come on Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer. Your destiny awaits." The three walked toward Ares and into the room, Xena noticed Hope standing beside the alter of Dahak and all of their little worshippers at the side. "So what is this Ares? Sell out again, and here I thought that you came to your senses. I should've known you only cared about yourself." Ares walked up to Hope and stepped behind her to place his hands around her waist. "Well Xena you always knew me best. But I tried to give you the chance to live, but as always you don't listen to me. But you can't say I didn't care. You know I've always found you to be the best." "You're delusional if you think that Dahak will let you live when this is over. What make you think that he will not kill you as soon as he's done with you?" Xena moved her sword into position for the strike. "Why don't you try and face me like the man you think you are," "Xena, Xena, Xena." Ares said as he moved toward her. He began to encircle her like he did earlier in the day, "You're the one who is delusional if you think that you can kill Dahak or Hope for that matter. You see they're not like normal gods, it takes a lot more than the Hinds Blood dagger to kill them. But of course you kill them then you die as well. I guess no matter what you die, Either you die trying or if for some reason you find out just how to kill them you die anyway. He stepped closer to her until he was practically nose to nose with her, "And of course Gabrielle and Joxer can do nothing to stop any of us from what we all want. Admit it Xena you want to see this just as much as I do. The death of the Gods." Xena narrowed her eyes and locked at him through slitted eyes. "And why is it so important that you see the death of them. I thought that they were your family or do you honestly think that Dahak would make you the king of the gods once your own father is destroyed." Ares' anger was on the rise, he gritted his teeth and took a deep breath. "My Father? That's a laugh. Zeus has never been a father. All he cares about is his beloved Hercules or Athena. None of the other gods give a damn about me. Now is the time that I show them and the world just who I am." "And who is that?" Xena asked, "The God of War. I will rid the world of all of those who disagree with the natural order of things. Don't you see, Xena. We want the same thing. Come with us. Become my Warrior once again." Ares was smiling at her. How he loved to torment her. Xena shook her head, "I will never join you." Ares smiled at her, "Well then, I guess it's time for the blood bath to begin." Ares withdrew his dragon hilt dagger out of his belt, and held it in his hand. "It's time," he whispered and in a flash threw the dagger direct to Seraphin. It embedded itself deep into her chest, at the same time the dagger hit Seraphin, Hope screamed out in pain. "Now Xena, before she gathers whatever strength she has." He yelled. With Seraphin dead, Hope's link to the mortal world was lost. She could no longer stand and fell to the ground. Xena quickly ran over to the downed Hope and pulled out the Hinds blood Dagger. "Now you die," she said as she drove the knife deep into Hope's downed body. Hope died instantly, and with his daughter gone Dahak also lost his tie to the mortal realm. The flame at the alter began to diminish and eventually going out for good. Dahak had been defeated once and for all. Gabrielle looked at the two people standing by the alter, as they began to get rid of all of the followers. Quickly she ran with her staff in her hand, knocking men onto the ground, Meanwhile Joxer used his sword and also began to fight cutting the worshippers weapons out of their hands. For the first time in his life he felt useful. He felt as if he was actually helping the woman he loved. He glanced over to Gabrielle who was still knocking the men onto their backs. Xena was stabbing and hitting the men unconscious, while Ares used his sword to send the men to oblivion. It took less than a candle mark for all fifty men to either die, knocked out, or run, leaving the victors to stand there. Gabrielle's curiosity finally took over, after the adrenaline resided, "Okay do you mind telling me what in the world is going on. Xena, I thought that you told me that you wanted nothing to do with Ares' plan. What is going on?" Xena looked over at Ares who started to, in his own way, get rid of the bodies that littered his temple. "Ares came to me after we found out that it was Hope that Seraphin was to be sacrificed to," "The same time you were looking to Callisto and Hope?" Gabrielle asked, Xena nodded, "Yes. We decided that we had to do something to find out how to kill them both. We knew that Dahak and Hope couldn't be killed by the 'normal' means, so we had to come up with another way." Gabrielle finally understanding everything. "So all of this was just part of the plan." Xena moved her glaze between the three other people in the room. "Well two things did happen that we didn't count on." Joxer looked confused. "And what were those?" "The fact that Dahak was more powerful then we thought. That he was able to get Ares under his power, at least in part. But once we meet again before we came to see you Gabrielle we came up with this part of it." Xena walked over to the body of Seraphin and withdrew the dagger that was in her chest. "And the other was your death Gabrielle." Gabrielle looked down at her friend, "But how did you know that Seraphin was the key to killing Hope? I don't understand." Xena placed her hand on her friend's shoulder, "I know she was your friend but it was the only way. Remember when we were last in this room and my chakram hit Hope in the shoulder." Gabrielle nodded. Like a boulder falling on top of her head it hit her, "Seraphin was hurt as well. And if it worked when Hope was injured then if Seraphin was the one Hope would be weakened as well." She smiled, why didn't SHE think of that. Xena always amazed her. Xena just nodded in agreement. Gabrielle was shocked, and then just stood there and laughed. Ares moved his eyes over to the young blond, and then to Xena. "We're lucky that it actually worked. It was kinds a long shot but. Ares turned his full attention on Xena, "I must say, Xena. It has been fun working with you once again. I hope that one day you will take me up on my offer. We do make a great team." "I don't think so, Ares. But I will keep that in mind, just in case. You're just lucky that it actually worked." Ares bowed to his princess, grapped a hold of her hand and kissed it. "Good-bye Xena," with that he disappeared in a flash of light. "Until we meet again, Ares." She then placed her hands on Joxer's and Gabrielle's shoulders. "You know Joxer, I am impressed. I never thought that you had it in you." "Yeah, you were wonderful." Gabrielle chimed in. "You're a real hero." "Does that mean I get a kiss?" He said as he stuck out his lips for a kiss from Gabrielle. Gabrielle in turn looked at Xena and then Joxer, "Alright, but don't expect it ever again after this." She leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Joxer smiled, satisfied with that. "Well you know I was just toying with you before. I have always been this way." Joxer stated expanding his chest. "Now maybe you'll start looking at me a little bit differently. "Who knows." Xena said as they walked out of the halls of war to begin the long journey home. The world for the first time in what seemed like summers, felt at peace, The threat was gone, they would no longer have to have that dark cloud hang over them. Their past sins were no longer a problem, their past betrayals no longer caused pain deep within their hearts. The sky was brighter and their hearts lifted. Xena for the first time in a long time looked forward to the path that lay a head of her. May the Fates be kind. Thinking of the Fates, it reminded Xena that she was thankful for the deal that Ares and herself were able to cut with them. Now all she had to do was hold up her end of the bargin, she hoped she could. The End?