Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Hello again, everyone-
'Forgiveness' is a sequel to my previously posted
darkfic 'Joxer Loves'. It's a longer story, and one
that I honestly hadn't planned on writing, but too
many of you encouraged me. (naughty people! giving me
plot bunnies during breeding season!) I think that it
should clear up some of the questions that I was asked
about 'Joxer Loves'. I haven't finished it yet, but I
have the general plot completed, and now I'm just
trying to make sure that I stay "in-tone" with how I
wrote 'Joxer Loves'.
I will be including the standard header with each
part, but let me get the basics out of the way now:
yes, I give my permission for archival on list
websites. I *probably* give permission for archival on
other sites, but email me first. Feedback is a
delicious, delicious drug, and I want more.
Thanks
-Drewbear (aka A. Welshman)
Title: Forgiveness 1/?
Author: A. Welshman
Rating: PG-13/R (for theme & possible language)
Fandom: Xena/Hercules
Status: WIP
Paring: Hercules/Iolaus (implied, but not main),
Ares/Joxer (eventually)
Feedback: on list or at ianwallace2001@yahoo.com
Archiving: list archives, or ask at
ianwallace2001@yahoo.com
Notes: sequel to "Joxer Loves"
Main Character listing: Aphrodite, Ares, Joxer
Summary: Ares needs. Aphrodite searches.
Author Notes: ''-thoughts
Spoilers: none
Disclaimer: As much as I wish these'uns were mine,
they're not. They belong to their respective
creators and productions companies. I'm just
borrowing.
"No."
"Hades, you *will* give him to me!"
"No."
"He's mine! I will destroy you if you don't give him
to me!"
"No."
"You can't keep me from one of my followers, Hades!
Give him to me *NOW*!"
"No, Ares. He's one of my subjects now, not yours, and
I specifically granted him my protection. Go away. You
are never going to *see*, much less *speak* with
Joxer."
"This isn't over, Hades!"
"It never is with you, Ares. Now go."
FLASH
******
**Three days ago**
FLASH
The two women, one dark and one light, stop in the
dirt path as a cloud of pink and red sparkles heralds
the appearance of a goddess before them.
"Hey you two, where's my Joxie? I need to have him do
a little favor for me."
Glancing at each other, the larger, dark-haired woman
replies "We haven't seen him since we were in Ithaca a
few weeks ago with Hercules and Iolaus. Maybe he's
with them, Aphrodite."
"Hmph! Well, if you run across him before I do, tell
him to send a prayer my way. I really do need him
soon."
FLASH
Staring at the fading sparkles that marked where the
goddess had stood, the blonde woman confusedly asks
"Um, Xena? I thought that the Gods could find anyone
they wanted to find instantly. Why is she *looking*
for him?"
"I don't know, Gabby. That's how I thought it worked,
but maybe Ares was lying to me about that, too. I
wonder if Joxer will be able to do what Aphrodite
wants?" replies the warrior in a mildly worried tone.
Now becoming angry, the bard begins to rant in a
screeching voice. "Are you kidding? It's *Joxer*! Of
course he'll screw up whatever it is. *I* just hope
that whatever she wants with him doesn't rebound on
*us*! Tartarus, he's not even *here* and he's managed
to get us mixed up with the gods again! If we find
him, I'll pray to Aphrodite *myself*, and I hope that
she *keeps* him!"
******
FLASH
"Hey Herc, hey Studmuffin. Are you two hiding my Joxie
anywhere around here?"
With a small (and surprisingly feminine) "eep!" the
larger of the two men scrambles out of their shared
bed and tries to pull on some pants. The smaller man
just scoots up against the wall and shakes his head at
his lover.
"Y'know, Hercules, it's not like this is the first
time she's ever seen naked men, and it's not like
you've never been naked in front of a woman before.
Calm down and get back in bed."
Hearing this, the buxom goddess squeals and bounces
before the men's quickly glazing eyes. "Ooh, I always
KNEW you were a good match for Herkie! Lemme know when
you two wanna get hitched and I'll get you something
nice, 'kay Curly?"
Laughing, Iolaus gets out of bed naked and walks over
to hug the taller man. "Will do, Aphrodite. And now
that I have your blessing, maybe I can get him to
finally commit!"
Blushing furiously, Hercules, only half-dressed, hides
his naked, laughing lover behind him and challenges
the goddess. "What do you want, Aphrodite? I don't
like being woken up in the middle of the night!"
Eyes scanning the room, and becoming peeved at what
she's *not* seeing, Aphrodite replies "First of all,
I'm a goddess while you're a demi-god. Don't take that
tone with me unless you wanna hurt badly and for a
long time. Second of all, it's an hour past dawn. You
two must've been doing some rather strenuous... work
if you hadn't already noticed what time it is.
Thirdly, I already told you what I want. I want you to
tell me where my Joxie is. I need him to do something
for me and Xena said that he was with you."
Peeking over Hercules' shoulder, Iolaus says "Sorry,
'Dite. We haven't seen Joxer since we last saw Xena
and Gabby in Ithaca. We thought he was still traveling
with them. Why haven't you gone straight to him?"
"Well, Tartarus! I can't go straight to him because I
can't *find* him! It's like someone's blocking him or
he's not in Greece or something!" replied the now
pissed off goddess. "If you find him before I do, tell
him to give me a quick prayer. Thanks, Curly."
FLASH
******
FLASH
Appearing in a cloud of now mostly red sparkles,
Aphrodite stamps around the main audience room of her
Olympian Temple before calling out.
"CUPID!"
FLASH
White feathers twinkle away as the youthful God of
Love appears before his mother.
"Yes, mom?"
Still pacing back and forth, Aphrodite says "I went to
ask Joxie for a favor, and I can't *find* him! And
none of the Freaky Foursome have seen him in *weeks*!
The last place they saw him was Ithaca, but I don't
want to just demand that the city hand him over since
I need him to be low profile for my little job!"
Somewhat bemused at the sight of his mother getting
this worked up over a *mortal*, Cupid replies "Have
you asked this mortal's patron god or goddess? If he's
hidden under divine protection, that would explain why
you can't find him."
"He's dedicated to Ares, and you *know* that your
father doesn't pay attention to his worshipers unless
they're warlords or assassins or mercenary leaders!"
snaps the irate love goddess. "Maybe he claimed
sanctuary in one of Ares' protected temples. One of
them *is* in Ithaca, but I don't think that Ares'
priests would let him stay."
FLASH
'Hmm, where have I heard that name before? Joxie,
Joxie... it's just so *familiar*. I think I need to
investigate this myself."
FLASH
As the divine presences fade, the temple seems to dim
and grow cold, as if the ever-present light was slowly
dying.
Title: Forgiveness 2/?
Author: A. Welshman
Rating: PG-13/R (for theme & possible language)
Fandom: Xena/Hercules
Category: WIP
Paring: Ares/Joxer (eventually)
Feedback: on list or at ianwallace2001@yahoo.com
Archiving: list archives, or ask at
ianwallace2001@yahoo.com
Notes: sequel to "Joxer Loves"
Main Character listing: Aphrodite, Ares, Joxer
Summary: Cupid discovers. Aphrodite acts.
Author Notes: ''-thoughts
Spoilers: none
Disclaimer: As much as I wish these'uns were mine,
they're not. They belong to their respective
creators and productions companies. I'm just
borrowing.
**A few hours later**
"...please."
"What?"
"Please, Hades. I *must* talk with him."
(sigh) "I'm sorry, Ares. The answer is still 'no'. In
my divine capacity, I promised to protect him from
those who had hurt him. You are definitely in that
catego-"
"I KNOW THAT! WHY DO YOU THINK I'M HERE?!"
"..."
"...I'm sorry, Hades. It's just that I *have* to talk
with him. Just once. And if you refuse me access to
him forever from then on, I won't fight it. But
please, *please* let me speak with him."
"Tell me why. Why do you need to talk with Joxer? Why
should I believe you? Why should I let you see him?
Why, Ares?"
******
**Two days ago**
FLASH
"MOM!"
The blond God of Love stands in his mother's private
workroom, trembling and worried, his wings
half-extended and nervously flapping.
"MOM! Where are you?!"
"I'm right here, honey," replies Aphrodite in a weary,
tired tone. "What's the matter?"
"I thought that name you told me, Joxie, sounded
familiar, so I looked through my 'Important Love
Matches' list and my 'Puppy Love' list and *all* my
love lists, and I couldn't find him, which is weird
since *everyone's* on at least *one* of my lists
unless they never fall in love, and that's really
rare, and I still couldn't figure out how I knew his
name, and I remembered that his name is really Joxer,
so I went to the Halls of Time and looked at his past
and saw his mother and his grandmother and oh *Zeus*,
how could I not know it, he's my *grandson* and now
I'm really worried 'cause if you can't find him and I
can't find him, and I *tried*, and we're *related* to
him, then there must be something really, really
wrong, and I'm going out of my mind with worry!
Please, Ma, please tell me you found him!" babbles
Cupid in a rapid-fire stream, as he paces back and
forth in front of his mother before grabbing her arms
as he finishes.
Hearing his only semi-coherent ramble, and realizing
the import of his revelations, Aphrodite sags into her
son's grip as she starts crying. "Oh no. Oh Zeus, no.
I know where he is, my son. Asphodel."
As Cupid gasps in stunned horror, Aphrodite continues,
"I went to Ares' protected temple in Ithaca yesterday,
and found a beggar outside who told me that he had
heard that 'Lord Ares' had personally killed some
'insolent worshipper' a few weeks ago. I captured one
of the temple custodians and forced him to tell me
what really happened. And it was true." Her voice
breaking with sorrow and grief, she whispers "Your
father killed Joxer, my Studmuffin, my Joxie. He
killed your grandson, my great-grandson, *his*
great-grandson! They didn't even burn his body as a
loyal follower of Ares! They just threw into a mass
grave with beggars, paupers and thieves!"
As her anger rises, Aphrodite's eyes begin to flash,
and Cupid is reminded that his mother is indeed a
daughter of Cronos and goddess of one of the
fundamental drives of the universe. He leads her to a
nearby couch and seats her, then decides to stand back
a little as the anger and rage roll off the
incarnation of love.
"So what now, Mom? I want to see him, but I don't know
if Hades would let me, plus I don't know if the best
time to meet your family is after you've died."
Not really listening to her son, Aphrodite suddenly
straightens and becomes very still as she looks
through Cupid. In a frighteningly quiet and level
voice, she says, "He did kill one of my favorites,
didn't he. And that *particular* mortal happened to be
a descendant of his, one of his kin. I think that it's
time that Ares learned a little lesson. Yes, it's high
time. Excuse me, Cupid."
With that, Aphrodite brushes aside her son and strides
out of her workroom into the Temple of Love's main
audience chamber. With her son trailing behind her,
she opens the main temple doors. Standing within the
doorway, Aphrodite calls out in a weirdly echoing
voice.
"Alecto! Megaera! Tisiphone! O Erinyes, daughters of
the blood of Uranus! I, Aphrodite, daughter of the
blood of Cronos call you that you may work your
vengeance on one who has wronged me! One who has
wronged my kin! One who has taken a kinsman's life!"
Stepping back from the open doors, Aphrodite joins the
gaping and fearful Cupid as three winged women fly
into view and hover outside the temple. They carry
scourges and flails, with nails as sharp as claws and
dripping blood. They have empty sockets instead of
eyes, and their wings are scaled and patterned in
disturbing designs.
The middle one, whose wild hair is as black as night,
faces Aphrodite as speaks in a voice that hints at
ceaseless madness. "O daughter of Cronos, why have we
three been called?"
The left one, whose tangled nest of hair is the color
of clotting blood, speaks in a voice of rage and
terror. "O Goddess of Lasting Love, whose sins shall
we three call to account?"
The right one, whose hair whips around her head in a
cloud the color of rotting cream speaks in a voice of
implacable hatred. "O beautiful one, what vengeance
would you have we three wreak?"
With bowed head, Aphrodite replies, "Ares, my lover,
has killed the grandson of our son. Ares, the God of
War, has refused to honor a true worshiper as a
warrior. Ares, son of my brother Zeus, has committed
sins both mortal and divine against his blood. I ask
that fitting vengeance be wrought."
As Aphrodite finishes her accusation, the three Furies
intone in a single voice. "So accused, so judged, so
found guilty! Ares shall be tormented until he has
received forgiveness from the wronged, from the
never-living god, and from himself!"
As they finish, the three speed towards the mortal
realm in a heartbeat, leaving in their wake a clinging
sense of terror, rage, hatred and madness.
**Author's Mythology Notes**
The Erinyes were born of the blood spilled upon the
earth when Cronos castrated and killed his father
Uranus. Although they punished all sins in later
Greek/Roman mythology, originally they only punished
sins against the gods, including matricide, patricide,
and generally killing family members. Aphrodite was
born of the blood spilled upon the sea when Zeus
castrated and killed his father Cronos. This
*technically* makes her sister to Zeus, Hera, Hades,
Poseidon, et al, although she is generally treated as
a daughter of Zeus.
Title: Forgiveness 3/?
Author: A. Welshman
Rating: R (for theme & language. Read the warning.)
Fandom: Xena/Hercules
Category: WIP
Paring: Ares/Joxer (eventually)
Feedback: on list or at ianwallace2001@yahoo.com
Archiving: list archives, or ask at
ianwallace2001@yahoo.com
Notes: sequel to "Joxer Loves"
Main Character listing: Ares, Joxer
Summary: Ares suffers.
Author Notes: This part references pieces of Joxer's
past that were partially explored in 'Joxer Loves'.
'' - thoughts, [] - memories & visions
Spoilers: none
Disclaimer: As much as I wish these'uns were mine,
they're not. They belong to their respective creators
and productions companies. I'm just borrowing.
Warning: child abuse, implied child rape, heavy angst
"The Furies have cursed me."
"...Well, I assume that this has something to do with
Joxer, Ares. You wouldn't be this desperate unless he
could help remove the curse, but I still don't see why
I should care."
"He's Cupid's grandson, Hades. Nobody knew until Cupid
did some research after Joxer di- after I killed
Joxer. Aphrodite was so mad that I killed one of her
favorite mortals, who turned out to be a blood
relative, that she sent the Eumenides after me."
"I still don't care, Ares. You haven't told me *why* I
should let you see Joxer."
"Part of the terms I must fulfill to remove the curse
is to receive Joxer's forgiveness for my treatment of
him. But after a day of this curse, I don't know if
he'll give it to me. Or if I deserve it if he does."
**One day ago**
Dawn is fast approaching, and Ares is beginning a war.
He strides through a military camp, walking towards a
large tent where this army's general is going over
early reports about his opponent's placements.
Normally, Ares would just flash into the command tent,
but he wanted to invisibly review the readiness of the
army before today's battle. Grudgingly satisfied by
the *barely* acceptable state of the army, he
continues on his way.
Becoming visible just as he reaches the tent, Ares
ignores the guards on duty as he opens the entry flap.
He's about to step inside when one of the guardsmen
suddenly places his sword across Ares' throat.
Surprised by the man's colossal stupidity, Ares pauses
long enough to hear the man begin to speak. "Nobody
goes inside without permis-"
A fireball consumes the man, leaving a smoldering
streak of greasy ashes. Ares pushes inside the tent as
the remaining guard falls to his knees and vomits from
the sight of the incineration of his shield-mate.
Leaving the retching man outside, Ares enters the
tent, where all eyes are turned towards him. A
well-muscled, gray-haired man in a brass breastplate
is sitting next to a paper-strewn table, while a
smaller, wiry man in light leather armor holds down
the corner of a map.
"Lord Ares!" exclaims the older man as he gets up from
the table and moves around it to join the scout in
genuflection before the god. "We are greatly honored
by your presence. How may we serve you, my Lord?"
"However I command you, General Marius," Ares says.
"The Thracians have formed a weak alliance with local
bandits and are currently sneaking small squads around
your defenses. They plan to attack your supply train
this evening while you're distracted by a false
frontal attack. When you receive word that the frontal
attack has begun, only send about a third of your
forces. That will be enough. Send everyone else to
defend the supply train. Take no prisoners from the
ones attacking the train. I want the Thracians to be
unsure about their skirmishers. After you've done
that, advance to the valley three miles to the
southeast. It's the most defensible place nearby. And
kill your scout here; he should have brought you news
about the bandit alliance by now, if nothing else."
Looking up from the floor in shock at the last
sentence, the scout is stunned long enough for the
general to grab a dagger of the table and stab it
through the man's neck, severing most of the arteries.
As the lifeblood pumps out onto the dirt floor of the
tent, Ares' eyes briefly glow in pleasure at Marius'
immediate, unthinking obedience. 'I need to see about
putting him on the throne somewhere near the northern
borders. Maybe Larisa or Gyrton; both have fairly weak
rulers, and I want another city dedicated to me up
ther-'
Ares' musings on his plans for the general are cut
short as Eos' gentle fingers breach the night,
preparing the world for the daily passage of Helios,
charioteer of Apollo. For today, Eos heralds not just
the coming of the day, but also the coming of the
Erinyes. They sweep down from Olympus, tearing through
the flimsy tent, and carry Ares off into the sky.
Ares tries to tear himself free from their fearsome
grip, but in unsuccessful before he is dropped onto
the stony plain now below him. Before he has even
finished standing, Ares bellows, "What is the meaning
of this?! Where have you taken me?"
In a unified, horribly screeching voice the three
faces of vengeance scream at Ares as they fly in quick
circles around him. "You have sinned, o Ares, and now
you are to be punished. We will come for you wherever
you are thrice a day until you have received
forgiveness. Once from the mortal dead, once from the
god unknown, and once from the godhood defiled."
As they pronounce their judgment, the Furies circle
closer and faster until they form a seemingly solid
ring around Ares, their scaly wings painfully slicing
into him. With each slice, Ares experiences horrific
pain. With each wound, Ares is able to more clearly
see a scene from another's life, and more clearly feel
rising terror and violation, mixed with a sickly sense
of adoration and love. Finally Ares is completely
unaware of the outside world as he directly
experiences part of someone else's life.
[The pain and heat is unimaginable, worse than
anything he has felt before. He was crying before, but
now he wails. The sound emerging from his throat is
inhuman and full of terror.
"Shut up, you stupid little brat!" a woman hisses as
she slaps him across the face. Ares was so distracted
by the pain that he hadn't noticed her. She appears to
be in her late twenties, with a thick mass of brown
hair and a vicious snarl twisting her face. Ares tries
to form a fireball to blast her, but instead stops
crying and begin to sniffle while she continues.
"The only reason you weren't left for the wolves is
because of me! You can by the Gods act grateful!" With
that, the tall woman yanks Ares from the ground and
flings him into a small, dark closet before slamming
the door and latching it shut.
Unable to stop himself, Ares continues to whimper and
rock back and forth as he cradles the burnt hand. 'Oh
gods! She stuck it into a pot of boiling water! But
why the hell does it hurt so much?!' As if on cue,
Ares overhears someone talking. No, not talking,
*thinking*!
'myfault,mamalove,memyfault,mamaloveme,myfault,mamaloveme'
over and over and over.
'Tartarus! I'm inside someone else's head and
powerless!' realizes Ares. 'But still, what did
this... kid do to deserve that?'
Searching through the child's short memory, Ares finds
that the three year old was being punished for peeing
the bed while he slept. 'Fuck! The kid's only three!
Of course he still pisses his bed occasionally! As
soon as I get my powers back, I'm going to find this
kid's parents and teach them a *lesson*. Hurting the
God of War, even if you don't know it, is a bad, *bad*
idea. ...Well, at least it's only throbbing now. I
wonder how long I'll-']
[He's sore all over and can feel a few individual
bruises on his back. Ares is lying on a small pallet,
and finds himself once again a powerless, silent
passenger inside someone else's thoughts. He hears
heavy steps coming down a nearby hallway, and his body
tenses and curls towards the wall. The door into the
small room smashes open as the feeble candlelight of
the hallway illuminates the silhouette of a large man.
The bulky man tromps over to the pallet as he works as
the laces on his breeches. "On your belly, slut. The
bitch that whelped you is upset that I dedicated you
to Ares, so you get to take her place."
Finished with his breeches, the man spits onto his
cock as he lowers himself onto Ares' back. "I don't
know why I even bothered. It's not as if you'll be
anything more than a camp whore anyway. You should be
glad that I'm training you so good."
Surprised at the careless hatred the man is showing
towards his victim, Ares is stunned by the feelings of
helplessness and twisted love that rise within his
host's mind as he hears a child's voice say, "I am,
father."]
Vision after vision pass through Ares as he falls to
the ground and writhes in torment. He doesn't know how
this mortal was able to endure such lifelong torture
from family, supposed friends and complete strangers.
It seems like Joxer (Ares had picked up his host's
name somewhere along the way) has been humiliated and
abused by every being except the gods. Ares is about
to pass out from what he has already experienced when
a *familiar* scene appears before him.
[Joxer walks into the black stone edifice and Ares
gives an internal start as he recognizes his temple in
Ithaca. It looks different to a mortal's sight, but
that may be due to his host's increasingly defective
eyes.
There is a black and red clad novitiate lighting
candles along the wall as dusk dims the light
streaming though the temple doors. Joxer quietly walks
up to the black altar standing below the effigy of
Ares and places some food and flowers on the altar. A
sickly-looking rabbit haunch lies next to a small
piece of hard bread, both framed by some small, weedy
purple flowers.
Ares feels Joxer kneel before his offering and hears
him pray, both audibly and mentally. "Lord Ares, my
God, please accept this humble offering and let me
become worthy of your service."
Ares is touched by the heartfelt worship, adoration
and gentle love that he feels behind the prayer, and
is therefore startled when a brief, bright cloud of
blood-red sparks surrounds his effigy to reveal...
*himself*!
Ares suddenly remembers the incident, and collapses
into himself as he finally understands the reason for
his punishment. For the first time since this began,
Ares doesn't try to withdraw from the physical pain
and mental anguish radiating from his host as he
relives Joxer's death, from the other side.
As he feels Joxer slide into unconsciousness and
death, Ares is ashamed by the continuous feelings of
love he feels directed towards the other him.]
"What is the curse, Ares?"
"I directly experience the worst, most tortuous, most
painful parts of his life. The Eumenides have come for
me five times now: dawn, midday, and dusk every day.
It's been slightly different each time; new snippets
of horror appear or I notice new details, but it
always ends with my killing him."
"Then it sounds as if you are being punished
appropriately and completely in style for the
Eumenides."
"You don't understand! The pain, as bad as it is,
isn't the worst part! He loves them! Everyone who
tortured him, everyone who hit him or beat him or
raped him! Everyone who screamed at him or belittled
him! He *loved* them! And even *I* could tell that it
was foul and twisted. His capacity for love is
endless, but he didn't seem to understand that what
was happening to him wasn't love. It wasn't even
*like*; at best he was tolerated. At this point, I
just want-"
"...You want what, Ares? Tell me honestly."
"...I want to know that he's okay. That he's honestly,
truly loved. I want to get rid of the curse, of
course, but if breaking it would mean that he was hurt
again, I won't do it, Hades."
"...Very well. I will allow you to speak with Joxer,
Ares, but there is something you must know first.
Follow me and I will lead you to Joxer and Joxie."
"Who's Joxie?"
"He is a significant part of what you need to know."
******
The two gods walk through the Elysian Fields,
approaching a small, secluded glade. Just before they
pass through the first line of trees, Hades stops and
turns to Ares, saying, "...and that is how Joxie is
involved in this mess of yours. Based on what you have
told me about the wording of the curse and on what
Hecate has determined about him, I suspect that you
will also need to receive forgiveness from Joxie. Wait
here while I inform them of your visit."
Leaving Ares behind, Hades walks into the protected
clearing. The scene he finds does not surprise him,
and is why he entered before Ares. Sitting beside a
small stream with their feet dangling in it are the
mortal shade, Joxer, the sleepy-looking child, Joxie,
and Hades' son, the dead god Strife. Joxer is babbling
about some inconsequential topic to Strife, who
inserts the occasional sardonic comment as they both
pick morsels out of the pile of fruits, nuts, and
berries lying between them. Joxie sits between Joxer's
legs paying scant attention to the conversation of the
adults while watching the stream, enraptured by the
small fish swimming in it.
Hades clears his throat to announce his presence.
Strife and Joxer look over at the dark god, and Strife
calls out, "Hey, Pops! Jox heah was tellin' me 'bout
some ah tha shit that Xeen an' Tha Bitch That Tried Ta
Sing got inta when none ah us were payin' attention.
Wanna join?"
Hades gives his son a small smile as he offers him a
hand up from the bank. "While it would be enjoyable, I
must decline, my son. Joxer and Joxie have a guest,
and I believe they would appreciate some privacy."
Now turning and offering a hand to Joxer, Hades
continues, "My nephew Ares has come to discuss
something with you, Joxer, but you need not speak with
him if you wish. Nor need you continue any discussion
you do not wish to. I will honor and enforce your
wishes in this matter."
Upon hearing Hades' words, Strife gapes in shock at
his father. It was unheard of for a god, much less the
Ruler of the Underworld, to offer such a promise to
any mortal, alive or dead. Joxer, unaware of the
shocked look upon his friend behind him, bows as well
as he can while carrying a small child, and thanks
Hades. "Thank you for your offer, Lord Hades. If Lord
Ares wants to see me, I won't stop him."
Hades nods, and motions to Strife. "Please go and
bring forth your uncle, my son. He currently waits
beyond the tree-line." Turning to Joxer, Hades
continues, "If you wish him to leave, Joxer, call my
name and I will appear." With that, Hades fades away
amidst a cloud of black and gold sparkles, only to
reappear unseen behind to tree-line. No matter what
may have been said, Hades doesn't fully trust his
nephew and wants to remain close, just in case.
Strife reappears, leading Ares through the trees, and
gestures towards Joxer and Joxie. "Be careful, Unc. I
don't know what shit you're up ta, but Pops really
likes both ah them. So do I. 'Tween us, we can make
your life... diffahcult."
Snorting a bitter laugh, Ares replies, "It's too late
for that, Strife, but I appreciate the sentiment. I'm
glad to see that you're not any less violent or
bloodthirsty for being dead."
Strife smirks and watches as his uncle walks towards
the mortal shade and his charge. Shaking his head
slightly, he then returns through the trees to stand
beside his father. "Why're ya lettin' him do this,
Pops? He's tha one that killed Joxer in tha first
place!"
"I know, my son, but Ares actually seems regretful
over his actions and I think that he honestly wants to
make reparations. Also, I believe that he might be
able to put Joxie in his proper office. If that
occurs, Joxer will necessarily have to follow, and I
believe that both will be happier, *truly* happy."
Absently fiddling with the earrings on one ear, Strife
scowls at his uncle's receding back. "If ya say so,
Pops, but I still want ta keep an eye on 'em."
****
Joxer holds the suddenly squirmy child in a loose grip
on his lap as he watches his former patron god
approach. He still loves Ares, of course, but the
feeling is muted, as are all mortal emotions in the
Underworld. Ares seems... off, though, and this
kindles some worry for the god's well-being in Joxer's
mind.
Joxer clambers to his feet, keeping the wriggling boy
held against his chest, then bows as Ares comes within
speaking range. "Hail, Lord Ares. What is your
pleasure?"
Ares comes to a stop and regards the duo before him
for a moment. "I merely wish to speak with you, Joxer.
Both of you, actually, if Joxie will speak with me.
But please, sit and relax. I require no titles at this
time and in this place."
At the mention of his name, the child stills and
cranes his head to get a good look at the dark god.
His gaze is steady and discomfiting to the god, and
Ares shivers as Hades' words return to him.
["Hecate believes that Joxie is the divine portion of
Joxer's birthright, passed down from Cupid. When his
life became increasingly brutal at such a very young
age, Joxer somehow segregated it from the rest of his
mind as protection for it. As the years passed and the
segregation became stronger, his small divine essence
became a separate personality, although a dormant one.
This would normally not have affected his post-mortem
soul, but because the division was mainly along the
mortal/divine boundaries, his soul actually split upon
death. The split resulted in Joxer, the mortal man he
was before, and Joxie, the divine child who is not but
could have been a god. Hecate further believes that
removing them from each other's presence would be a
monstrously bad idea, possibly resulting in the
destruction of their conjoined soul."]
"Do you know who Joxie is, Joxer?"
As Joxer opens his mouth to reply, Joxie suddenly
speaks. The high timbre of his voice is at startling
odds with the serious tone and content of his speech.
"I know who and what I am, Ares. I know what should
and should not have been. I know why you are here, and
I know that I bear no love for you, God of War. Joxer
may grant your request out of his love for you, but I
will not."
Stunned by this, the first he has heard Joxie speak,
it takes Joxer a moment to realize what was said.
Turning a confused face to the equally stunned god,
Joxer asks, "What does he mean, Lord Ares? What have
you come to ask me?"
Sighing, for this was *not* how he had intended to
broach the subject, Ares replies, "I wanted to beg
your forgiveness, Joxer. I did not know of Joxie until
I arrived here and Hades told me, but I want to beg
his forgiveness as well."
"Forgiveness? For what?"
"For the way I hurt and killed you, and for the
dishonorable manner in which I had your corpse
treated."
"I don't understand, Lord Ares. You didn't hurt me;
you loved me. I cannot forgive you for loving me."
Once again, Joxie speaks, now with a bitter smile
sitting strangely upon his child's lips. "And that,
Ares, is why you will not be released from your just
curse. Joxer cannot recognize why you desire
forgiveness, and so cannot grant truly it. I believe
that while contrite, you have not earned my
forgiveness."
"And what need I do in order to earn your forgiveness,
child," states Ares in a gravelly voice that hints at
his rising anger and frustration.
"Bring us back, of course."
tbc