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Title: The House Of Kings Chapter 1: The End of Death's Pain
Author: Kate
Pairings: A/J, C/S, Dite/Hep, Hades/?
Summary: Strife helps his father
Rating: Pg-13 to R
Archive: If you like
Strife was whistling as he appeared in the underworld to visit his real father. He'd only known the truth a few months and they were just getting to know each other. Unc had given him time off to get to know Hades as his father as opposed to just an uncle who understood the House of Aggression. Strife was enjoying learning everything Demeter the Bitch Queen had denied him knowing. And besides, Hades was pretty cool as far as fathers went. He'd done his best with a truly horrible situation and he had made sure Strife had the best person raising him.
Strife wondered what was up since Hades was usually waiting for him in the throne room. He knew he was late but he didn't think he was that late and Hades had told him children should be helped before any meeting. Life superseded anything else.
Strife walked into the palace of Asphodel and through the throne room where his Dad was supposed to be to the main hall. He just froze as he came to the bottom of the steps. Hades was laying there, so still it scared him. And he looked like he'd been laying there for a while.
"Dad?" Strife called out as he walked over. He was hoping Hades had just tripped and hit his head but he didn't think he'd be that lucky.
"Dad...please?" He whispered as he knelt by his dad. He saw the trickle of blood coming from his father's head and he cursed wondering what he was supposed to do now.
"Dad...Dad, wake up," he stammered. Hades still did not answer. Strife could see him breathing now so he was reassured he was still alive but what had happened?
Strife felt Hades shudder when he touched his, for once, unarmored back. Moving his shirt aside, Strife cursed then panicked.
"CUPE!!!" he screamed. Cupid appeared by his side immediately wondering what was wrong. He'd known Strife was going to the underworld today so...
"Holy Shit," he exclaimed as he got a good look at Hades laying on the floor. He noticed the look of misery on Strife's face. Misery and fear.
"It'll be okay, love," Cupid said as he kissed him. "Everything's gonna be fine."
Cupid mentally summoned Asclepius and Apollo as well as his father and mother and aunt Eris. Everyone summoned arrived duly.
"What the hell?" Ares asked as he knelt by Hades. Strife was in shock as he still knelt holding on to Hades.
"I...I found 'im here Unc...What's wrong with him?" Strife stammered out.
"It looks like he fell..." Ares trailed off as he scanned the area quickly. "Make that he was pushed down the steps," Ares said as he lifted Hades from the floor and walked back up the steps towards his bedroom.
He froze and stared in disgusted horror at the sight of that room. Blood was everywhere. All of it Hades if the power signature in the room was any indication. Ares swore and turned heading for another room in the palace. A room he knew of that Hades always kept for when he needed time alone. That room had a bed in it where he could lay Hades. It was far warmer and more welcoming than his main bedroom that he shared with Persephone.
"Ares," Apollo said. "Let us work on him now. Go investigate that room," he shuddered at the words, "and tell me what you find there. I need to know what kind of damage I'm looking at here."
Ares nodded and left Strife with his father, uncle and cousin as he returned to the room where Dite and Eris were already looking around. Cupid had gone to get Joxer because Ares desperately needed his consort to keep his rage in check.
Only on person could have done this to Hades. One person and one person only was close enough to do this to him.
"Damn her," Ares growled as he found a barbed whip that matched the marks he'd seen when he lifted Hades off the floor. "At least we know why he wears lose clothes now," Ares said as he looked over the other instruments of torture in the room. All of them were designed to cause maximum pain.
"Res," Eris began as she lifted one of Hades' shirts from the ground. It looked like it had been whipped off his back. They both heard the muffled cry as Aphrodite ran from the room.
"Res," Eris began again, "what...Why did she do this?"
Ares shook his head angrily as he began to catalogue each and everything in the room. All of it had been used. Only some had been used more recently than others.
"No wonder he's always so tried during the winter. Eris, go call Thanatos and Celeste here. We need to know what they know"
Eris nodded and went to call them. Ares walked out of the room and sealed it behind him. Some of those things made him shudder.
"Ares?" Celeste's voice asked. He looked up and saw Thanatos and Celeste standing by the steps waiting.
"What. Happened?" he ground out as they went to Hades' study. Celeste looked at the shirt Ares still held and let out a muffled cry.
"He said he was okay," Celeste whimpered. "He promised us he was okay..."
"Hades?" Ares asked as he set the ragged shirt on the table by the desk.
Thantos nodded and spoke to Celeste mentally.
"Than says he saw Hades limping badly but he told Than he was okay... He told me he was okay when SHE yelled at him and I heard a slap. She hits him Ares...Why does she hurt him? He's given her everything..."
"Does anyone else know anything about this?" Ares asked. For Strife's sake, he could not give into his rage right now. He simply could not let it out.
"Iolaus does we think. He's been coming by asking about Hades lately and every time we tell him he's okay, he looks relieved," Celeste told him. Ares nodded and sent them back to their jobs. Next he summoned Iolaus. He had to know what was going on here.
The minute Iolaus saw where he was and who was sitting where he was accustomed to seeing his friend Hades, he got very worried.
"Is...Is he okay?" Iolaus stammered out. Ares shook his head and et Iolaus see the remains of Hades' shirt.
"What's going on Iolaus?" he asked. "I know you hate me as much as Hercules does but if you care about Hades...please, tell me what's going on?"
Iolaus was silent for several long moments before he began to speak. What he said filled Ares with a horrible sense of dread.
"Hades passed out the last time I died... He was going to get my paper work and he just fell over. I...I took him to bed where I saw him kind of shudder when he laid down. If I didn't know better, I would have sworn he was afraid..."
"He may well have been Iolaus. Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"He asked me not too..." Iolaus stammered. "He didn't want to be alone and he said Pain was better than nothing and that he could handle it. He said he was okay..."
"He will be," Ares said as Joxer appeared with Cupid and ran to Ares. Cupid flashed to the room he could feel Strife in. He knew Joxer would calm Dad.
Appearing in the room where Strife was, he saw Asclepius and Apollo removing Hades shirt and pants. Obviously, Persephone hadn't
t been satisfied with just his back and chest. He shuddered in horror at some of the wounds thinking she had to be a sadist to inflict those. Strife was in his arms the minute he saw the damage to Hades' back and stomach. His head was buried in Cupid's shoulder as he saw the wounds on his legs.
"Why?" he kept asking over and over again. Cupid only had one answer.
"He didn't want to be alone. He'd take anything to not be alone," he said as Strife cried. Strife sniffed as he looked down at his father.
"He ain't alone no more Cupe. He ain't never gonna be alone again. And she's never gonna touch him again!"
Cupid backed up seeing the rage in Strife but knowing for once it was justified. He pitied Persephone when Strife got her. Because she wouldn't be alive much longer after the fact.
"It's over dad," Strife whispered as he brushed Hades' bans off his face. "You're safe now. She can't hurt ya any more."
Strife turned to the window in his father's palace looking over Elysium and made a silent vow.
"Never Again. Your pain stops here and now."
Title: The House Of Kings chapter 2: Death's Pain Revealed.
Hades woke up feeling some pain as he tried to think of hat had happened. He was in bed which confused him because he knew he'd hit the floor at the foot of the stairs and he had no vague recollection of getting himself to bed.
"Dad?" Strife's voice came from across the bed. Hades looked in that direction and saw Strife was indeed there.
"Thank the fates," Strife said as he hugged Hades gently. "You're awake."
"I'll be fine, Hades said feeling strange. He always said he would be fine but why did his throat hurt?
"Ya've been out for a week Dad. Ya ain't fine. What happened?"
"A week?" Hades asked. "Whose been judging the dead then?"
"They been prejudged for soem reason. Think Than and Charon are poolin' their power so ya can rest. Now, what happened?"
Hades looked away when he answered "I fell."
"Bull!" Strife exclaimed angrily. "You fell like a hole in the head. Ya got pushed dad. What happened?"
"I..." Hades trailed off unable to say anything. he wanted so badly to tell him but he just couldn't find the words.
"Do I gotta check the hall a time Dad?" he asked. "I can if I gotta but I'd rather ya told me yourself."
Hades stared at him for a few minutes as his throat finally loosened.
"I think I made her angry again...I don't know how..."
"Again? Dad, when did this start?" Strife asked thinking he was going to get an answer he didn't want. One that would confirm what the age of some of the scars on his back and what the hall of time had told Ares.
"I...I don't know...A while a go. I think the first time I was too busy when she was here. I woke up tied to the bed...I couldn't move as she took her pleasure. I hurt so badly Strife..."
Hades choked on the words unable to say anything more as he got caught in remembered pain. She had hurt him so badly. He wasn't even sure anymore if sex was supposed to be pleasure or the overwhelming agony that was all he'd come to know it as.
Strife, sensing his father's pain building again just hugged him tightly.
"Shh, it's okay dad," he said. "She ain't gonna touch ya again. We're already talkin' ta Hera and Zeus. We'll fix this. I promise."
Hades swallowed and nodded knowing this compassion Strife had learned from Ares. All he could do was ride out the remembered pain and hope it didn't happen too often.
"Have until fall anyway," Hades whispered.
Strife shook his head. "She ain't gonna touch ya ever again Dad. I mean that. You're safe now. I'm here an' all a the house of Aggression is here too. And so is Love and Crafts and Messengers and Healing. You ain't gonna get hurt by that bitch again. It's over dad. It's all over."
Hades nodded trusting Strife as he fell back to sleep. He was so tired and he needed to rest and for the first time in a very long time he felt truly safe. As he fell asleep, Strife sighed.
"Yeah, dad. You just rest. Everything's okay now."
Title: The House Of Kings Chapter 3: Death's Agony, Mischief's Love
Strife sat by the bed sponging Hades' forehead off as his fever climbed then lowered then climbed again. He'd become fevered sometime during the night and the delirium that came with it revealed so much of his pain. Now Strife sat, trying his best to ease his father's discomfort and pain. The pain that came out in fits from his father's attempts to get up even though he was ill. The last one had angered Strife.
"how could she do this to ya Dad?" Strife asked his moaning father. "Ya gave her everything ya had and she spat on ya." Strife saw the tears his father's tears, tears he only cried in his sleep, and he felt another wave of rage wash over him. His father didn't deserve this. No one deserved this.
"Shh," Strife soothed him. Once upon a time he'd joked with Cupid that he sucked at offering solace to people. Cupid had replied he'd learn real quick when it became necessary and now Strife had to admit, he was right. Strife had learned how to comfort people real quick last night when Hades had begun to scream in his sleep.
From what Strife and the others had been able to make of it, Hades had suffered so much pain for so long it had become his norm. Not any more. Never again if Strife had anything to say about it. He was Hades' son. Course, his ma and his Unc also belonged to Hades but his conception wasn't the rape he's been afraid it was. No, it was Demeter again trying to get control a his dad. For once, Zeus had helped his brother. He'd decreed Strife as the Heir of the Underworld but had not mentioned why. Demeter had hated it. She'd hated it so much she'd made it so his dad couldn't raise him himself. No one knew what she had done but his ma and Ma wasn't telling him. So in that way, Strife knew it was bad. Of course, Demeter had made the fatal Error of telling Hades Strife would never love him, especially not when she told him about his father. Strife had made himself get over it just to prove the bitch wrong and he found in doing that, he did love his Father.
Strife turned as Hades began to thrash again as he was hit by another nightmare/memory. His poor father. And Strife thought his life had been shit he hadn't lived with a bitch torturing him everyday for over 800 years.
Hades' body suddenly thrashed and he jerked into a sitting position crying out "No, Seph, Please! I'm up."
His father sounded so tired as he relived each and every one of those tortures for even sleeping late. Now Strife was pissed. She may not have loved his father but Strife did. And Strife was going to save his father from ever suffering anymore pain at her hands.
"Strife?" his grandmother/aunt asked as she appeared. He knew Zeus was there as well and he turned to look at them.
"I want them both to hurt for this," He said not sounding at all like the mad man most mortals thought he was. "This was an attack on Asphodel and on -My- father. They are going t' pay, one way or another."
Zeus nodded and Strife watched as Hera laid her hand on Hades' face gently.
"I hereby dissolve the marriage of Hades and Persephone," she said. "Let all Olympus hear the news."
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On the mortal plain, Iolaus was just picking up his travel packs when Hercules grabbed him. He so did not want to do this.
"Let me go Herc," Iolaus said. "I have some place I need to be and it isn't here."
So saying, Iolaus turned to leave. He knew it wasn't over. Hercules would never let this go. But right now, Hades needed all the friends he had around him and Iolaus was glad to call him 'Friend.' Iolaus walked into the woods where Cupid and Joxer were waiting for him. Ares was about to make a lot of mortal's wish they'd never been born because he was so angry and they wanted Iolaus out of the line of fire. Hades needed his mortal friend to be safe while Ares blew his rage off.
"IOLAUS!!!" Hercules bellowed after him. "Where are you going?"
Iolaus sighed and looked at Herc before they vanished.
"I'm helping a friend," he said.
Title: The House Of Kings Chapter 4: Death's Torment Shown
A. N.: Lust is here thanks to Mac's generosity.
Strife found himself alone with his father as Apollo and Asclepius had needed some rest. Now he was watching him as he tossed fitfully, still not looking so hot and still with the fever but at least it had lowered and stayed down this time. Strife carefully brushed his father's damp hair off his face from repeated bathing of cool cloths and sighed. His father looked so fragile laying on the bed unconscious. Fragile and weak.
"Strife?" A voice asked behind him. Strife looked over his shoulder and saw Dionysus standing by the door looking like he was going to bolt but not moving to. He was a good God of the Vine, Strife knew but he wondered...
"Why ya here Dio?"
"I...I think Demeter gave Persephone something that made hism sick...One of my Satyrs heard her laughing about how much it was going to hurt him to recover because of whatever it was...She...She also said something about making him fear Love but I think Persephone did that..." The nervous God of the Vine said. Strife had always been nice to him but he was still so unsure of his place here. Demeter hated him because he had more worshippers and was an earth God so she saw him as stealing her rightful worshippers. "Also...also, Persephone found out about Hera dissolving the Marriage...She's um...pissed."
"Dio..." Strife began, "You wanna sit with him for a few while I go an' have a look at the Hall of Time? Unc was too furious to tell me what was done when he came back from there but I don't wanna leave him alone."
Dionysus swallowed and took the offered seat. A more powerful God was asking -Him- to do something important. Most Gods tended to ignore his presence because he'd grown up somewhere else and was still making etiquette mistakes.
"Did you call Mistress Lust?" He asked tentatively as he picked up the cloth to cool Hades' fevered skin. Strife shook his head as he walked towards the door.
"I wanna know everything before I call her. That way, she'll know everything an' wont be scramblin; like we been. Iolaus is in the dining room. He'll come in a bit an' you can go back t' your wines..." Strife regretted that as Dionysus flinched like that had stung him. He was trying...
"Look, why don't ya stick around for as long as ya want? Just I thought you'd want to go look at your crops..."
"Oh...they'll keep. Demeter ruined most of them anyway," he said lamely as he retook his seat. Strife growled and flashed out. Demeter was being a real bitch to Dionysus and he was going to find away to make her stop. Maybe he could ask Pan for help there.
Arriving at he Hall Of Time, strife quietly went in. He went to the mirror with scorch marks on the floor around it and figured that was where Unc had been standing.
"Show me my father's Pain," Strife said. Images formed in the mirror. Three boys Demeter had lost. Strife swallowed rage there. The oldest looked like a younger version of Hades except for his eyes. His eyes were emerald green.
Another flurry of images. With Persephone's torment of Hades shown in everything. He was angered at her sheer cruelty. Hades, in ever meal image he was shown, was not eating. In ever other image it was some kind of torture that was physical but Hades had been forbidden to scream...most of the time he was gagged.
The rapes were the worst. Strife stared at those transfixed with horror as he watched the repeated torments. No wonder Hades never smiled. He thought he had nothing to smile about. Strife suddenly got Hades' silence on a lot of issues now as well as his always wearing that armor. He couldn't bleed through that.
Finally Strife got up to the day he'd found him at the bottom of the steps. The day started much as his father's days did. With Persephone kicking him in the stomach. Next, he watched his dad get up and bathe only Persephone caught him there too. She froze him in the water and then boiled it around him. From the look on Hades' face, this was nothing new. He screamed though. Persephone seemed to enjoy those screams and laughed as she made the water much to hot.
"please..." was what Strife heard his father whisper. He felt his own rage reaching boiling point then. He saw everything Hades had been through that day. From the hard strike at his legs, to the shove that sent him head first down those steps. Finally, Strife couldn't watch anymore even if there had been more. He vomited where he stood then did the only thing he could think to do...
"MA!!! LUST!!!" he screamed. He was answered instantly by two flashes of power. His winged sister, and his mother appeared. Strife collapsed against them both crying as he pointed to the mirror which was now replaying everything it had recorded on the day, a week ago, in Asphodel.
"Daddy..." Lust whispered as she watched it. Eris looked furious as the events played out to the end and she ordered the mirrors to stop. She then looked at her two children adn hugged them both.
"We'll fix this," Discord said as she hugged them. "We will fix this and that bitch will never lay a hand on him again!"
The three of them flashed back to Asphodel where DIonysus was still sitting by Hades' bed. At least Hades was always nice to him when he saw him. Dionysus liied it when people were nice to him. It wasn't his fault Zeus had lost him...
He turned sensing Demeter adn Persephone coming and swallowed.
"Uh-oh..." he said hoping Strife got back quick.
Title: The House Of Kings Chapter 5: Confrontation Over Death's Bed
Dionysus stood between Hades and Demeter and Persephone as they appeared in the bedroom. He was frightened but he just couldn't leave Hades alone with the woman who had hurt him so badly.
"G-Go away," he stammered. "You...You have no right to be h-here anymore. Your marriage was dissolved."
"Move wine boy," Demeter sneered. "Persephone wants her husband."
"She ain't his husband no more Bitch," Strife yelled as he appeared. "Hera done dissolved 'at marriage. Ya ain't got no right nor reason t' be here no more. So do us all a favor and leave!"
Persephone stared at Strife as she realized Hera's decree was not a joke. Her marriage had been dissolved. She stared at Mischief and her face suddenly turned ugly with rage.
"It's your fault! You ugly mistake!" she screamed.
"Watch what you call my brother, harlot," Lust said as she appeared behind Persephone. "It wasn't his fault you abused your husband. He ain't make you torture Hades like this. So, it ain't no one's fault but yours. An' if ya don't get outta my sight in the next five seconds you'll be fucking stalagmites and sodomizing yourself on same from here to eternity!"
Persephone backed away from the angry goddess as Strife went to Hades' bedside and gently stroked his face.
"He's safe from ya now, bitch," Strife said as he caressed his father's cheek. "Ya ain't never gonna touch him again. We'll see ta that."
Persephone watched as Eris, Strife, Lust, Iolaus and Dionysus as well as Apollo and Asclepius appeared surrounding Hades' bed to keep them away from him. Ares appeared behind both Demeter and Persephone with Cupid in front and he had the Sword of War at their necks.
"Hades is no longer yours, bitch," Strife said to his step mother. "You ain't never gonna touch my daddy again. And Demeter? I do love him. Whatever ya done, whatever ya said ta make him afraid ta raise me 'imself? It ain't gonna stop me lovin' him. He's my dad and He loves me 'smuch as I love him.
Strife heard Hades sharp intake of breath from the bed behind him but he wasn't able to turn to him right then. Persephone had to be dealt with before she could inflict more damage on his father's already damaged mind.
"I, Strife, Heir t' the Underworld, do hereby ban Persephone from it's territory forevah. An' when we find the Soul Seeker, whom ya mother lost, He will know only his fathah's nature. Ya done lost him the second ya Mom threw him into the Tapestry of life. His only connection ta you's gonna be his eyes. An even then, it'll only be in colah. His eyes will be his fathah's jewel toned eyes. Emerald Green."
Strife then turned back to his father and sat on the bedside. Hades looked at him from a still fever dazed state. He was so tired but he had woken up hearing Strife say he loved him. His baby boy loved him? That...That was something he had been so afraid to hope for even.
"Love you too," Hades croaked out of his parched throat. He wearily laid his head back against the pillows and felt himself drifting off. There would be time later for more discussion.
Title: The House Of Kings Chapter 6: Recovery (First Steps)
Strife sat but his father's bed watching him eat. It had been almost a week since Persephone had been banned from Asphodel and it showed in Hades. So far he was eating normally again and sleeping better. However, Strife still hadn't let him return to his duties. For some reason the souls of the dead were still turning up prejudged and checking had revealed it was not Thanatos or Charon doing it. It was someone or something else. Someone or something with a direct tie to Hades. Strife had his ideas about what it was but he didn't want to say anything until he was sure.
"Like the soup dad?" Strife asked Hades when he'd finished his lunch. So far the Lord Of Dis seemed to be recovering well but Strife knew he still cried and still would not laugh. Hades nodded and turned to look out the window. This was his main bedroom now. It was better than the other one. That one Ares wanted to blast out of existence.
"Iolaus is comin' back today," Strife said as he smiled at his dad. Hades' eyes brightened a bit at that news. Strife had finally figured out that Iolaus' visits were the bright spots in Hades' life now. He smiled thinking he felt much the same about his Cupe. "I think he might even stay a few days this time since you an' Zeus suspended that law about eatin' here for him. He said he enjoys hangin' out with ya."
Hades smiled slightly then but it faded quickly. And that was one of the things Strife wanted to fix. His dad really needed to learn to laugh again.
"Hey, how's about when ya are up to it, we all go to the mortal realm? Ya, me, Lust an' Ma and Unc? Like a real family we could go to one of the festivals?"
Hades looked into Strife's eyes and saw the hopeful expression. he knew he'd relent. He always did for this favored son. That's why he had sent him back. He loved him too much to see his bright Mischief trapped in the Underworld for eternity.
"I think we can do that Strife," he said softly. His voice was still a bit raspy and hoarse from the fever and the screaming in agony thing that happened before that.
"I could let you know where the festivals are in Greece?" a voice offered behind them. They turned to see Iolaus standing in the doorway of the bedroom with his packs refilled of junk he picked up around the mortal world. He and Strife and Cupid and Bliss were redecorating Asphodel to remove any vestiges of Persephone that remained.
"Oh, and if Herc screams? Could someone ask Zeus to deal with him? I'm really getting tired of answering his questions and having him not want to hear the answers. So, Hades, Chess?" Iolaus asked. He had to be the worst chess player in Greece but it was something that amused Hades so Iolaus kept playing and loosing. "Or, could I introduce you to Checkers?"
Strife giggled as he left to go talk to Zeus about Hercules' behavior. Hades would whip his ass in Checkers too but it might be nice to have more than one game in the underworld.
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"Yes, Strife?" Zeus asked as Strife appeared in his study. He was still Mischief but lately he was more focused on his father's health and it's restoration.
"Could ya please tell Hercules ta leave Io alone? He keeps badgering him every time he goes up there for somethin'. Lust is gettin' annoyed with him constantly ruinin' her children's orgies. She and Dionysus are workin on soemthin' ta keep the population in check and Herc keeps screwin up their energy to do it screamin' for Iolaus."
Zeus groaned and nodded. Something would have to be done about Hercules and that annoying, blond, bard. She kept going to Cupid's temples and demanding Iolaus and Joxer be returned even though they so obviously didn't want to be with her and the others right now.
"Have we discovered why the souls are being prejudged yet?" Zeus asked. Strife took a seat opposite his desk and got a thoughtful look on his face.
"One a the kids, I said was the next Soul Seeker. They have an innate knowledge of their jobs. I'm thinkin' where ever he is, this kid is judging the souls unconsciously as they die. I noticed when I was lookin at stuff in Asphodel that the Seeker's Gems ain't there anymore so I'm thinkin' Hades sent them to the Soul Seeker to use. Cause I mean, occasionally, we get a soul brought to us who is dressed in another style a' clothes like the Seeker himself is droppin' em off occasionally."
Zeus nodded thoughtfully. It was a possible explanation. And if the Soul Seeker was now in the future, perhaps he was judging souls there too and not knowing it. Zeus shrugged and looked at Strife.
"And how is Hades today?" he asked compassionately.
"He smiled today," Strife said. "It was fleetin' but he smiled. His eyes were actually happy when I told him Iolaus was comin' back today and he actually smiled. Oh, an' when he's feelin' up t' it, we gonna take him t' a festival an' just be a family for a couple a days."
Zeus smiled and nodded thinking that might be just what Hades needed.
"Take Bliss and Cupid with you. I've learned from watching that having children around makes even the dourest person relax."
Strife grinned and nodded before swearing and flashing out. Zeus followed his energy signature to a grove just outside of Athens. He sensed Hercules' presence there with Gabrielle and he sighed knowing it was time to take Hercules in hand.
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Appearing in the clearing, Zeus watched invisibly for a few moments as Hercules demanded Iolaus back pompously.
"Iolaus will return when he's ready to," Zeus said when it became clear Hercules would not listen to either Lust or Strife who had been trying to explain things quietly. He also saw Dionysus watching too and that boy looked like he was running to the end of his tolerance for Hercules.
"But, father," Hercules whined. Zeus shook his head.
"Iolaus is helping a friend of his Hercules. Anything more you want to know ask him and for once try to listen," Zeus said as he looked at the three younger gods and they all flashed out. They left in their wake one angry hero and an irritated blond bard/harpy that had been listening.
"Well," Gabrielle said huffily. "That was rude."
Title: The House Of Kings Chapter 7: Going to The Faire
Hades looked up on the morning a month after Persephone had been banned to see his great grandson Bliss flying right at him.
"Gwampa Dis!" the little godling yelled happily as he nestled himself against Hades' chest. Hades was sure he was never going to get used to this feeling he got whenever one of his children or grandchildren hugged him. Strife had told him the feeling was happiness and apparently everyone was entitled to it. It was new to him. Or at least being relearned to him.
"We go Faire today right?" Bliss asked. Hades chuckled and nodded as he hugged the little one to his chest. As per Strife's request, they were going to the Fair in Corinth. It was one of Gaea's festivals but Bliss couldn't say that word yet so they'd settled on Faire. Bliss giggled and snuggled uncle his Gwampa Dis' chin. Dis was a name Hades had only in the last two weeks begun to answer to again. Mostly by the efforts of Bliss was he doing it. Hades looked up to see Strife and Cupid in the doorway to his bed chamber. Cupid was smiling at him as he held Bliss like it was second nature.
"You were made for family Hades," Cupid said as Bliss snuggled Hades' chest. "Come on, we're all ready to go. Iolaus is going to meet us there."
Hades nodded and followed them out to where Lust was waiting with Eris, Ares and Joxer.
"All ready?" Eris asked as she moved to Hades' side. He nodded and rubbed his thumb on his daughter's cheek. For some reason, Strife being his son as well as his grandson didn't weird them out. Probably because Eris had chosen to bed her father so Demeter couldn't. In that act, Strife was made out of love.
They all joined hands and vanished from Asphodel to reappear in the woods just outside of Corinth. Iolaus was waiting with cloaks for all of them so they didn't have to use magic to disguise themselves. Today was simply a fun day. No work or hidden jobs to be done and all the other gods would be popping in and out to check on them all day.
"I figure we can do morning tour of the Festival area, then go have that picnic Strife wants and then do afternoon wandering and stuff," Iolaus said. Hades nodded completely lost as to what to do in this situation. Iolaus chuckled.
"Come one then, we're going in t9 the square. Oh, and Herc and Xena and Gabrielle are around so be careful. Xena's okay with you guys coming here but Herc's been pissed and Gabby's been his little flunky like forever."
Everyone nodded and followed Iolaus into the busy city. It was decorated with colors and swirls and people laughing and dancing in the streets that seemed to be cleared just for this. Hades followed the others as they walked through the city. He stopped at a house in a side street Iolaus was cutting through feeling someone call him.
Entering the house he found an old woman who kept his shrine at Corinth running. She was sitting by the bed of her granddaughter.
"Lord..." the woman said beseechingly. Hades looked out to the laughing people outside to this poor woman who had little to nothing to have joy in life but this child and made a decision. He touched the child and broke her fever.
"Laugh and play, little one," he said as he left the house to where the others were waiting for him outside. He really hated it when children were sick and dying. Especially on festival days.
"Hades?" Ares asked as they walked through Corinth into the heart of the festival.
"Nothing," Hades answered. "Just a woman asking her God for a boon. I granted it. Come, lets eat something all right?"
Ares nodded so they made their way to a stall selling pastries and other such things. Hades was curious as Strife ordered for him since he had no idea what he was doing here. What Strife got him, he would later be told, was a Strawberry tart. It was good and he enjoyed it as well as the milk he shared with Bliss. Hades was not a heavy drinker.
"Hello Iolaus," Xena's husky voice said. They all turned nervously but she was alone. She looked them all over and nodded.
"Have fun today. See you around," she said as she walked away. Of all his sometimes companions, Xena was the only one Iolaus had told his reasons for bringing the Gods to a Festival. She smiled and winked at Hades as she walked away having Strife and Cupid snigger int each other's mouths. Those two seemed almost constantly locked at the lips and Hades really didn't mind hanging on to Bliss for them. The little Godling was a joy to watch and since this was new to Hades, they both had almost identical expressions of child like wonder on their faces.
"Pony Ride!" Bliss squealed in his ear. Hades winced but nodded and took Bliss over to the ponies. He watched the little one as he took his turn then carried him back to his two fathers.
"Thanks gramps," Cupid said as he saw them coming back. Hades shrugged and let Bliss pull him all over the place until it was time for lunch. Then they walked to a field and had the picnic Strife had wanted. Hades couldn't recall a day he'd had as much fun as he was having now.
After eating lunch, Bliss wanted a story before his nap which Hades was again called upon for. He had no idea why but he shrugged and told Bliss a story about dragons and heroes. Bliss fell asleep near the end and everyone else settled for a rest. A rest they needed as Bliss proved an hour later that children are always energetic.
Everyone noticed Hades avoided plant stalls and the like and they all knew why. Strife smirked as he led Cupid to a stall selling little feathered people.
"Hello children," a voice said behind hem. They both jumped but were relieved to find it was only Gaea.
"I sense several of you here. Is something wrong?" she asked. Strife shook his head not quite sure how to tell his great grandmother what was the deal.
"Nothing ma'am," the Mischief God said as they began to walk back to where the rest of the group was waiting. "We're just showin Hades a good time."
"Ah," Gaea said. "This wouldn't happen to do with the disturbance I felt last month or Ares War of Rage would it?"
Everyone knew she could see the wrongness still in Hades. It was fading but it would take time.
"It had sumthin a do with that Gaea," Strife said. "Hades was hurt an'..."
"Persephone?" Gaea asked. Seeing the nods she received in reply the Earth mother sent a shock wave/warning to Demeter to keep herself and her daughter out of Gaea's path for a while.
"Are you enjoying the festival Hades?" Gaea asked. When he nodded she smiled and gently brushed his cheek.
"Enjoy the rest of the festival," she said. By now it was heading for nightfall and the closing of most of the stalls. There was still a lot of dancing and Eris persuaded Hades to dance with her. He was a wonderful dancer she knew. He just never had reason to or a partner.
Finally, it got dark and was Bliss' bedtime so they all headed back to Olympus with the things they'd bought from different stalls at the Festival.
Hades for the first time in centuries, dropped right of to sleep causing Strife to smile when he checked in on him later.
"night dad," Strife said as he joined the others in the parlor.
"Out like a light. We're gonna have to do this again sometime."
Hades, for the first time in he didn't know how long, slept peacefully and dreamed happily.
Title: The House Of Kings Chapter 8: Faire, Day 2
Hades followed Bliss through the crowded Festival area letting the little godling lead him. He could feel Strife and Cupid watching them from about 50 ft. back. This was new to him. He normally only stayed for the first day of a festival. Bliss squealed and ran towards the pony's again. Hades had figured he'd want another ride so he caught Bliss before he got in to trouble.
"All right little man," Hades said. "Lets get you in line."
Hades made Bliss wait his turn not seeing the heroes watching him. He'd completely forgotten they would be there. He watched Bliss finally get his turn and then took him back to Cupid and Strife who were waiting by a stall.
"Thanks dad," Strife said as he took Bliss. "Why don't ya go look around on your own for awhile? Bliss wanted us all to go to the Puppet show in a few hours."
Hades nodded and walked off. He was enjoying this place. more than he'd ever admit but he was.
"Uncle Hades?" A voice asked form behind him. He flinched somewhat but turned to face Hercules and Gabrielle who were there with Xena.
"Yes Hercules?" he asked tiredly.
Hercules lifted his hands placatingly. he could see his uncle wasn't doing anything and for once decided not to demand anything.
"I just wanted to know what you were doing here..."
"I'm walking through the festival. I wanted..."
"Is Persephone with you?" Hercules asked. Gabrielle caught his flinch and just suddenly knew his pallor had something to do with Persephone not being present.
"We're divorced," Hades said softly. Gabrielle noticed he was favoring his right knee and kicked Hercules.
"Lets go sit down and talk Hades..." she said.
Hades nodded and went with Gabrielle while Hercules was getting some food for them. Gabrielle looked at him when they were seated and sighed.
"She hurt you badly, didn't she?" the amazon asked. "I'm sorry about Hercules' behavior last month. Iolaus was helping you wasn't he?"
Hades nodded and Gabrielle smiled understandingly.
"So, are you here alone?" she asked.
"No, Hades told her. "I'm here with my children and grandson."
"Children and Grandson?" Gabrielle asked.
"Of course, you don't know. most mortals don't. I suppose Hercules should know too?"
"Might help him understand more," Xena said as she joined them. How are you today Hades?"
"I'm better. Slept all through last night with no problems," he told her. Xena nodded and looked up as Hercules came back. She'd told him to get milk for his uncle who did not drink in the morning.
"Here you are Uncle," he said as he sat down. "Xena said you like Strawberry tarts and I got you some milk."
"Thank you Hercules," Hades said. "I'm sorry to have monopolized Iolaus this last month. I just..."
"Xena told me last night, Hercules said. "I'm sorry I was an ass. Who are your children and grandchild?"
"Hum..." Hades was interrupted by the arrival of said children and grandchildren.
"Hey dad," Ares said as he sat down. Eris kissed his cheek lightly as Strife and Cupid joined him on the otherside.
"They are your kids?" Hercules asked dumbfounded. Ares nodded.
"No need to be jealous of us Herc, Zeus isn't our father. We've always known but no one was sure how to tell you," Ares said. Herc nodded and looked at his brother...Brothers and sister with new eyes. They were actually cousins if what he'd just been told was true and he had no reason to doubt them. Hades had never lied and now that he thought about it, Ares had always been honest in a cutting, 'I meant it to hurt' kind of way.
"So," Herc said finally accepting it. "What are you all planing to do? We don't have a schedule..."
"Puppet Show in about thirty minutes," Strife said. "You're welcome to come along."
Cupid nodded knowing this stupid rivalry had to stop. it was just hurting all of them.
Hercules nodded and they made their way to the ampitheater. Hades sat with Bliss on his on his lap and they all watched the show. Hades stiffened briefly as he sensed Persephone but he could nothing while they were here.
After the show, he and the others walked towads a clearing when Persephone suddenly appeared.
"I told you it wasn't over Hades," she said. Hades noticed the others fanning out but he just stared at her cruel eyes frozen until Bliss' voice brought him out of shock.
"You not hurt my Gwampa!" he yelled.
Persephone raised her hand to strike Bliss...
And found herself across the clearing and seeing the glow just leaving Hades' hand.
"You were allowed to hurt me you little bitch because I wouldn't want you harming my children," he said as the rage that had casued him to fire ball her settled. "But if you ever, EVER Dare to rase a hand to any of my children or grandchildren or any of my blood or those they love ever again, I swear you will be living in Tartarus with you Grandfather!"
Saying that, Hades looked down at Bliss who was grinning up at him. He felt light headed suddenly and sat down on the ground.
"What the hell was that?" Xena asked. Hades shook his head unsure. he was so furious when Persephone had raised her hand to Bliss but he only barely realized he had blasted her.
"Good one Hades," Hercules said as they joined him under the tree. "That was a damn good shot."
"Felt good too," Hades said softly as he sat against the tree. he needed a rest before they moved again. he also finally felt like he had gotten her for what she'd done to his other children.
"For you my children," he said softly. She will never hurt you again. no matter where you are."
He felt painfully sad as he thought of those children and wondered where they were. Not realizing he was calling them and all lost children, home to them.
Everyone turned at the flash of light not sure what they were seeing as it cleared but sure it would be explained soon.
"BLOODY HELL! Where the Sod are We?"
Title: The House Of Kings Chapter 9: Kings of Death, Soul and Demons
The light had been blinding that filled the magic box. Blinding and painful and now...now there were confused as hell as to where they were. Spike had summed up what everyone was wondering with his question when they realized they were some place else.
There were two strangers to the group that was together as well. One looked exactly as Strife had said the Soul Seeker would look. He stood and looked around seemingly dazed but in reality looking for the reasons the gems were humming.
"Hugh love," a man who was a dead ringer for Ares said. "Stop looking so hard. I think the answer is right in front of you."
The dark man looked at them as he kept Hugh near him. After the incident in the Bible belt he would not allow his beloved mate to be hurt again.
"I say, who are you?" another British voice asked. He was a thin young man with hazel eyes and brownish hair. A young man with dark hair and eyes was staring at Cupid almost blankly.
"Where's my sister?" he asked Cupid. Cupid looked blank until Aphrodite appeared. She knew the boy for some reason. He was so familiar but she wasn't quite sure why.
Strife had immediately moved in front of Hades to protect him from any attack these strangers might mount but three of them...Three of them seemed almost like they belonged.
"Father below," Hades whispered as he looked at the three Strife was looking at. One was a bleached blond Bacchai, one was the young man with hazel eyes and glasses and one was the young man named Hugh. His wrists were adorned with the Soul Seeker's gems which told Hades and Strife exactly who he was.
"Hugh?" Hades asked. The young man looked at him, then looked into him and saw his answer.
"Yes,...You're feeling better?" he asked uncertainly. Hades nodded as he pulled the young man into a Hugh.
"I am now. Thank the fates I thought you were dead. Your mother..."
"The bitch?" the dark man asked as he placed a hand on Hugh's shoulder. Hades nodded.
"We told her where she could go when she visited Hugh."
"So did I when she wanted t' hurt Dru," the blond Bacchai said.
"I as well," the young man with dark hair and hazel eyes said. "Something about her just...Felt off to us I guess."
"She threw ya all away cause ya look too much like your dad," Strife told them a he finally figured it out. "Hades musta called ya here and anyone in yer vicinity with any godly blood. All a ya's apparently."
Where are we?" yet another British voice asked. Strife looked at him and answered. "Corinth. Where there's a festival a' Gaea goin' on down the road. Hungry?" he asked. the group nodded. Even the Bacchai wanted food now. Something was itching at the dark haired Bacchai was he walked with them when he was suddenly grabbed in a Hugh from behind.
"Angelus!" the two beings cried happily. Celeste and Thanatos just hugged him within an inch of his life but for some reason, he didn't feel like crawling out of his skin at their touch. A form rose from a brook near the clearing as Poseidon took on his human for of a man with Blond Hair and Dark eyes.
"Alexander. Thank Zeus. We were so afraid we'd never see you again. Dite, this is your twin brother, Alexander."
"Huh?!?" they both exclaimed as they looked at him. Poseidon shook his head at them.
"Go enjoy the festival. I will go and tell Zeus. We will have a feast tonight."
He vanished causing Hades to chuckle. 'Don never cared much for Olympus but apparently something had finally happened to make even him care.
"So...food?" a blond girl asked. A woman who was obviously her mother stood there as well.
"This way," Cupid said. The blond girl looked at Hercules as they walked and for once, he found himself looking back. Iolaus snickered as he took Hades' hand unconsciously. For once, Hades did not jerk his hand away.
Something told them all this was a good thing.
"What are all ya names?" Strife asked as they walked through the crowds to find a large table.
"Well, the third British guy said. "I am Rupert Giles. This is Xander, Angel, Spike, Wesley, Buffy, Willow, Cordelia, Joyce, Dawn and Faith."
"This is Hugh and I am Armond," the dark man said.
Hugh, Wesley and Spike looked at Hades as they walked back to the table. He was their father something told them. And he loved them. Cool.
House Of Kings Chapter10: The Feast
Lunch was great, Xander decided as he came back to the table where the older winged blond and the guy with dark hair were kissing like anything. But he couldn't wait for dinner. He looked at the goddess sitting next to him and swallowed hard. His own twin sister was Aphrodite. Jeez, who knew? He looked across the table at Wesley, Spike and the new guy, Hugh and the way they sat with Hades. When they were all together, Xander could see the resemblance. He could See Spike had his father's eyes and they were the same as Strife's. Hugh was almost a spitting image except for his eye color. Wesley looked as if he belonged between Hugh and Spike and always had. He seemed to be a blend of both of them.
"Mom, this place is so cool," Buffy said when they came back to the table from a clothing stall. Hades had given them some money to buy something. Buffy's younger sister Dawn nodded as she joined them at the table.
"Hey, B," Faith called and held up a Choker with a dagger in the center of it. "It is me?" She asked. Buffy laughed and nodded as Faith sat down.
Joxer grinned as Cordelia sashayed over in a new dress that brought out her dark beauty. Aphrodite nodded approvingly.
"Something is still missing," Giles thought to himself as his mind wandered to his lover. Ethan had felt like one of them as well...
There was another, muted this time, flash and Ethan Rayne stood looking confused until Giles jumped up and hugged him.
"There you are!" Giles exclaimed. "You were right next to me in the store and I couldn't figure where you had gotten to."
"I'm here now right Ripper?" he asked as he looked around. They all turned as Gaea appeared.
"The children..." she whispered. Hades shrugged.
"I called them mother. I was thinking about them and..." he trailed off sheepishly but Gaea nodded.
"Zeus asked I bring you all to the feast. We have everything set up," she said.
The group nodded and found themselves outside a set of ornate double doors. Gaea made a gesture and the doors opened revealing a large room full of people. Spike and Wesley shrank back slightly but Hades touched them both and moved them forward. Hugh stayed between them and the crowd just as he had when he was younger. He was the eldest and apparently was even better at handling crowds now than he had been then. Demeter paled when she saw them and Angelus growled at her.
"Her trial is set for tomorrow," Strife told the angry vampire. "Calm down."
Angelus growled again but subsided to si with his parents Thanatos and Celeste. Spike, Wesley and Hugh and Armond sat with Hades, none of them so much as glancing at their mother. Xander sat between Zeus and Poseidon with Aphrodite and her husband Hephaestus and on Poseidon's other side were Joxer, Ares, Jett, Jayce and then Hades. The set up did not go past anyone's notice. Joyce Dawn and Buffy sat with Gaea, Cordelia sat with Hera on Zeus' other side. Giles sat next to Apollo and Ethan between Hermes and Giles. Faith sat by Discord and Dionysus, her parents. Willow was seated with Hecate. Strife was on Hades other side with Cupid and Bliss next to him and the heroes were scattered around the room.
We welcome home the lost children," Zeus said to start the feast. "We welcome them all home, the Unity Of Olympus."
Demeter began to sweat and they all watched Angelus turn and look at her.
"Hello Auntie," he said ominously.
The House Of Kings Chapter 11: The Trial, part 1 Discoveries and Pain
Olympus was bustling the next morning as the trial was to begin. Demeter and Persephone were led into the Great Hall in chains and everyone watched. Hugh stood by Hades still judging the souls of those who died simply because he could. He knew however, as did Spike and Wes, that their father was tense. He was nervous about facing these two but it needed to be done.
When Demeter looked their way, Spike growled at her. He had the biggest set of balls right now as Hugh and Wes were keeping their tempers and anyhow, something about vampires made them more cocky and arrogant. Spike was ready, willing and able to pound the snot out of 'Mother' and 'grandmother.'
"Please be seated," Zeus said as it was time to commence the trial. Hades sat but Spike, sitting on his left, could feel the tension coming off of him.
"We're here dad," Spike said. "we're right here with ya an' she can't do nuthin' about it. She tried and failed."
Hades looked at his children and smiled weakly. The other Gods had tried to persuade him not to be here. He wasn't needed. But he'd told them he had to be here. And he felt more sure about himself with his children near him.
Angelus stood behind Spike and as he sat, he looked at Demeter with his amber eyes. Spike knew why he was doing it. Angelus' mother and father stood with their son between them and Iolaus was directly behind Hades to give him support should he need it. Wesley was on Hades' right and Hugh and Armond were in front of him.
"Demeter, Persephone, you are hereby charged with the following crimes.
1) Kidnapping and deliberate loss of the children who were The Unity Of Olympus.
2) Breaking and defiling marriage laws and vows.
3) The abuse and torture of a major God whom you, Persephone were married to
How do you plead?"
"Not guilty," they said together. Strife snorted but said nothing. The mirrors would tell all that had happened and not even Demeter and Persephone could alter these images.
"So noted," Zeus said. "Let it be known they have pleaded not guilty to all charges. Let the prosecution bring forth it's evidence."
Apollo stood and brought forth mirrors from the Hall Of Time.
"See this evidence of what Lord Hades endured for 800 years at the hands of that sadist."
No one corrected what he said and as the mirrors played out their ugly story, everyone believed she was one. They saw everything Strife had seen in the mirrors of Hades' life. The pain in his life was almost too painful to watch. Even Zeus was moved by it.
Persephone smiled coldly as the images of the rapes played and looked at Hades who was sweating and shaking a little in reaction.
"I enjoyed you lover," she said cruelly. Angelus moved before anyone could stop him but something strange happened. He drew his hand back and struck her across the face but it was Demeter who reacted to the blow.
"What the hell?!?" Giles demanded. Everyone was confused by that until Angelus raised his hand for silence.
"700 years ago, we were taken from ye all. We were removed from a beds and cribs and taken and lost in time. I'll tell ye why if you so wish t' hear."
"Please," Hermes said as he looked at Ethan. All the gods nodded.
"I was four when I saw it. I saw her," here he pointed at Demeter, not Persephone, "Beat Hades into unconsciousness and shove him down a flight of steps. I was four but I will ne'er forget her voice as she laughed. It looked like her," he pointed to Persephone, "but it sounded like her." A gesture at Demeter.
"She told me...She told me he'd die if I said anything to anyone and that it would be made to hurt so badly before he did. I know now she couldn't kill Death but I was four then and didn't. All I knew was my uncle was on the floor and not movin. Now, Ye all know as The Unity Of Olympus, all o' us kid were bonded mentally aye? Well, She knew it too and she knew that everythin I saw, so did the other children and some of them would not keep silent. So, she removed us. She lost us in time hopin we'd never meet cause if we did the memories would begin to return. They were startin' to when we were all called here. That's why we were all together in the store. We were discussin the dreams. SO, now you all know. Why ye were put through the pain of losin us. I hope it helps ye decide guilt or innocence..."
"You little freak!" Demeter shrieked lunging for him. Angelus dodged backwards laughing as she fell on her face.
"I do know the difference Auntie. Between ye' and yer daughter no matter whose face ye wear. What did ya do to her?"
Demeter smiled cruelly as she decided to remain silent. She had no idea what she did began to play on the mirrors. Revealing a truly horrid crime as she stripped he daughter of her own personality and took her over.
"I hope ye rot lady," Angelus said coldly. "I really hope ye rot. Wherever ye end up."
Angelus turned and smiled at the two new being who had joined the room. Cronos and Rhea had come form the Isle of the Blessed to be support for their son. They stared at Demeter in rage and horror as the story played out and then turned to Zeus.
"Decide soon son. We'll stay until you do."
Zeus nodded and watched as they sat by Hades. That was something else The Unity Of Olympus was supposed to fix. Maybe now they could. Maybe after this trial was over...maybe...
Title: The House of Kings 12/?
Author: Kate
Demeter stared at the group who stood before her knowing she couldn't get away. Angelus, son of Death and his handmaiden, was too close to try running. And she knew he had no compunctions against hitting a woman. Now she stared in fear as Hugh stepped forward and touched Persephone's face. He was looking for her soul, Demeter knew. But even if he found it, she would be as a child. Her revenge on her daughter had been to take what she wanted most away.
"You must be suicidal," Apollo said as he watched Hades and Persephone's children surround their mother. "Everyone of them can kill you know. Hugh could erase you Demeter. He could and would if he was angered enough. Ethan and Giles could also kill you. We know Angelus could. What were you thinking losing those children? Are you mad? Do you know Dahok wouldn't have been able to touch this world if they had been here? The Unity would have stopped him cold."
Demeter gave a cold shrug. What did she care for mortals? A low growl from William stopped the conversations as Hugh found their mother's spirit. He turned on Demeter with an icy cold rage in his eyes and his voice was arctic.
"My sentence on you, grandmother. You will care for your daughter through out all eternity and you will do so with love. I condemn you to that life and I hope it makes you burn. You will never be able to raise your hand to your child-like daughter in anger or with the intention to hurt. That is my sentence on your soul."
Zeus stared at the boy who he knew to be the God of Judgment in awe. That punishment was perfect. Unable to be angry with her daughter and unable to stop watching over her, Demeter would learn to be nurturing.
Hugh turned to his father and smiled. He was to be judgment, so be it. He would be Judgment.
Next they looked to Cronos and Rhea. All the lost children.
"We are your grandchildren and great grandchildren. It needs to stop. This war and insanity and hatred. In time we will heal all. But for now, understand you do not want to cross us. No one does."
It was Angelus who spoke. They were tired form the Trial and could do no more for the day but one thing. And that Giles did. He walked to Hades who sat off to the right of Zeus and took his hand.
"My eternal loyalty to you, My King."
The End