Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5
Title: A New Destiny
Author: Angel Ser-Desa
Email: AngelSerDesa@yahoo.com
Rating: As of now, R to be safe. Later it'll be NC-17
Fandom: Xena/Hercules
Pairing: A/J, C/S. More as they come.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Greek Gods nor do I own Xena: Warrior
Princess or Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Lord Ares strike me if
I lie. I'm Pagan and worship the Ancient Greek Gods, Deal with it!
(Though I mainly worship Ares, Eris, Cupid, and sometimes, like once
in a blue moon, i'll pray to Hera. Maybe.). I do own, however, my own
characters! Those are mine that I made up in Math Class one day and
ended up turning in a lemon instead of a worksheet (don't ask!). So,
enjoy! Also, this is an answer to a Challenge I found on AJCS.
Warning: Does Hercules and Gabrielle-bashing count for right now?
Summary: I suck at summaries, so here's the challenge i'm writing it
for:
In Ancient Greece, a Fate hiccuped and caused the Gods to
become slaves. They are still the Gods you know and love, but now
ruled by their masters' hands and for nothing else. Who's fault is
this you ask, why Hercules and Gabrielle of course. But then the
magic that caught the Gods also caught anyone with godly blood. So
now they too are slaves, along with Auto, Xena and others. Joxer
watches as his father uses Ares to do his bidding. Knowing that
somehow he must find the way to free the gods.
Status: WIP
Series: Nope. Nada. No way. I'm not that imaginative.
Archive: If you want it, take it. However, a notice must be sent to
me if you do. I like to know where my fics go.
Website: http://www.geocities.com/angelserdesa
Notes: I thank my beta, Katie, for yelling at me to get this done.
Standing over me and taking my pocky and my Ares poster from me is a
good way to get me typing, so thanks Katie. She beta'd this and I
spellchecked it, so there should be no mistakes!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(A/N: A note, Moirae is the original Ancient Greek name for the
Fates. In Rome, they are known as the Parcae.)
Prologue:
Gabrielle snickers under her breath as she and Hercules silently
creep from the Moiraes' Cave. It took weeks of planning, but they
finally were able to place the potion in the Moiraes' Goblets while
the Moirae were sleeping. They may be the Moirae, but even they need
to sleep. Hopefully, no one'll figure out it was them until it's too
late to change it back!
"Let's go before they wake."says Hercules to Gabrielle. Gabrielle
nods and they run from the Cave, never looking behind them and never
seeing the image of a lone woman, glaring at them. The woman then
looks into the Cave and sighs, before warping the potion with her
magic. She is not able to do away with the potion, but she can lessen
the effects of it. Too long without prayers have nearly depleted her
energy source. This'll be the last thing she does until her daughter
returns to Greece to save Olympus and the Greek Gods.
As the Sun Rises, the Moirae awake. Once every thousand years do they
sleep. Only once a thousand years. As they approach the Tapestry Of
Fate, each Moirae taking a drink of their ambrosia laced wine. Never
sensing the potion hidden in it. They begin their work, with Clotho
holding a spindle, spinning the Thread Of Life, Lachesis placing the
thread on the distaff and presenting it to the third, Atropos, who
weaves it into the tapestry, cutting threads here and there when
needed.
Hours go by as the Moirae weave and cut, spin and handle, the potion
slowly working it's way through the Moirae, it's effects muted by the
mysterious woman's power. When the sun is at it's Zenith, the
potion's work is done, and ready to be unleashed. Suddenly, Clotho
hiccups, and then Lachesis, and finally, Atropos. Looking at each
other, with something akin to fright on their faces, the Moirae look
at the Tapestry and drop the thread, the distaff, the spindle, and
the scissors. Being the only three who can read the Tapestry, they
pale. Fate has changed. Gods no longer are dominant over the mortals.
Mortals are dominant over the Gods. Memories have no changed, and
Mortals know exactly who their slaves are. Not exempt from this are
demi-gods, meaning the Daughter Of Ares, The Son Of Zeus, And The Son
Of Hermes are also slaves, along with other demi-gods.
"May Rhea Have Mercy." says the Moirae as one as they begin to weave
again. They cannot stop and try to reverse it themselves, or lives
will be lost, maybe important lives.
Meanwhile, in Egypt, a woman cries out in pain as the world that she
knows is turned upside down. Greece has changed. For the worse. As
the Pharaoh, the Queen, their Children, and the slaves watch, the
woman's long black hair turns silver. Her eyes turn from black to
green, and her clothes change from a white linen dress to black
skintight leather pants, a black vest, black mid-calf high boots, and
a sword is attached to her waist. Tasha, nanny to the Pharaoh's
children has become Senaqua, Greek Titan Goddess of War.
"Tasha! What is the meaning of this?!" snaps the Pharaoh.
"Oh shut up Pharaoh" says Senaqua before disappearing and reappearing
in the Cave of the Moirae.
"Welcome Home, Titan Goddess Of War." says the Moirae as one.
"Cut the Crap. What just happened?" snarls Senaqua.
"The Tapestry Has Been Changed." says Clotho.
"Destiny Has Come." says Lachesis.
"Innocence Has Lived." says Atropos.
"Gods Ares Slaves And Mortals Are Masters." says the Moirae as one,
being as confusing as usual.
"And you are no help at all." growls Senaqua. She snarls and
disappears, leaving the Moirae to their weaving.
~End Of Prologue~
~Chapter One~
Joxer yawns as he awakens, cornflower blue eyes still filled with
sleep. Maybe he'll have time to visit the Temple of Ares before he
goes to obey his father. Yawning again, Joxer pulls on a pair of
black leather pants, a white tunic, and black boots. As he stumbles
down the stairs, he stops, blinks, rubs his eyes, and blinks again to
no avail. There, dressed in nothing but a piece of cloth wrapped
around his waist, is the God of War himself, kneeling on the marble
floor besides his father's throne-like chair. Joxer's mother is in
her throne next to his father. Kneeling on the ground beside her is
the God of the Sun himself, Apollo.
"Joxer! Go get water!" barks his father spying Joxer.
"Yes, Father." says Joxer respectfully before bowing towards him and
leaving, his mind a whirl. What in Ares' name is going on?! Walking
towards the well in the middle of the town, Joxer's eyes widen as he
sees Eris as the slave of his father's captain, Remae. Strife's is,
thankfully, the slave of the kindest woman in the town, Maria, who is
also his most faithful worshipper. Maria is also only 17.
"Hi Maria." says Joxer walking up to the well where Maria also is
with Strife.
"Hey Jox. Do you know what in Hades' name is going on?" asks
Maria. "I woke up this morning to find Lord Strife as my slave!"
"I don't know either but Ares and Apollo are my parents slaves." says
Joxer. "Do you know what's going on Strife?"
"Not a thing." groans Strife. "At first I thought it was Zeus'
punishment for us of War, but then I saw Athena as the slave of
Martia, so I crossed that out. Athena may be War, but she's also
Zeus' favorite."
"JOXER!!" roars his father and Joxer cringes.
"I'll see you Maria." says Joxer before walking off with a full
bucket of water.
"That's Joxer's father?" asks Strife.
"Yes Lord Strife. When Joxer, Jett, and Jayce were young, their
father beat them and it's rumored that Joxer and Jett were raped by
him." says Maria as they watch Joxer enter his house.
Entering, the bucket is immediately taken away from Joxer and he's
shoved to the ground, painfully. Barely stifling his cries of pain,
Joxer ignores the looks of shock from both Apollo and Ares. Ares,
because he never knew the intensity with which Joxer was beaten and
Apollo because the rumors that Jayce told him were true.
"You're a weakling who should've never been born." growls Joxer's
father before slamming his fist into Joxer's stomach. Immediately
Joxer curls into a fetal position, apologizing for something he
didn't do, again.
On Olympus, Senaqua looks around the Halls of Time, not surprised to
see a couple Gods and Goddesses have escaped whatever happened to
Greece. Cupid, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, the Muses, and Hera are there.
Apparently the magic protecting the Halls of Time is also protecting
the Gods and Goddesses in there.
"So what happened?" asks Cupid as he tearfully tears his gaze from
the mirror showing Strife as the slave of Maria. At least Strife was
given to a kind worshipper.
"Look." says Hera gesturing to a mirror that shows Hercules and
Gabrielle pouring the potion into the Moiraes' goblets and then
leaving. It also shows the Moirae hiccuping, which caused the gods to
become slaves. Senaqua leans against a pillar, unseen.
"It figures." growls Aphrodite. "Hercules and Gabrielle are trying to
ruin the Gods!"
"Ah, but look." says Clio, Muse of History pointing to another
mirror. It shows Psyche brainwashing Hercules and Gabrielle.
"What was she trying to get?" growls Cupid about his ex-wife. Senaqua
then closes her eyes and searches Greece. She may be the Titan
Goddess of War, but not even she can stop this without help. Course,
not many people would be willing to part with God Slaves. Senaqua
then stops as she feels the underlying hatred of War just culminating
with no God of War to absorb it and use it wisely. She growls and
starts to absorb it herself. It won't do to have a War in the middle
of all this.
"She might have been after Ares." says Hephaestus. "We all know that
without Ares absorbing the dark side of mortals, they'd kill each
other off and we would have no worshippers and die."
"Yeah, but we would see some sign of it by now." says Urania
gesturing to a mirror showing Greece as it is now. "There is none."
"So do you all enjoy standing around or is it something new?" wonders
Senaqua stepping forwards and into the light so that Hera, Aphrodite,
Cupid, Hephaestus, and the Muses can see her. Hera pales, recognizing
Senaqua.
"Ah, so i'm guessing you recognize me Hera." says Senaqua leaning
against another pillar. Aphrodite, Hephaestus, and Cupid are
confused. The Muses are writing down everything that happens for
their records.
"Senaqua. You're dead!" says Hera. At that, everyone pales
recognizing the name of the Titan Goddess of War. She's rumored to be
more ruthless than Eris when it comes to torture!
"Oh no, i'm very much alive. I just fled to Egypt and lived there for
the past sixteen hundred years." says Senaqua. "You're lucky you
know. Only I know how to turn everything back to normal, but I can't
do it alone."
"How?" asks Cupid wanting his lover back. Senaqua smiles at him,
recognizing the Titan signature in him.
"I'm guessing you are Cupid, am I right?" asks Senaqua.
"Y-Yes." says Cupid.
"Don't tell him anything Senaqua!" roars Hera. Senaqua glares at
Hera, who all but withers underneath that glare. Aphrodite,
Hephaestus, the Muses, and Cupid are shocked. Senaqua's glare could
rival Ares'!
"Don't you tell me what to and not to tell my grandson Hera!" roars
Senaqua.
"G-G-Grandson?" asks Aphrodite.
"Yes, my grandson. Ares and Eris are my children, not Hera's, not
Zeus'. Mine and Arlux's." says Senaqua.
"But he was married to Jarum, the Titan God of Peace." says Clio.
"Yes, but what is less known is that I was ordered by Chronus to get
pregnant. I had two weeks or he'd do it himself. Arlux offered with
Jarum's permission. Ares and Eris were the result. Pure War
children." says Senaqua. "I had to give them up when I fled so I left
them where Hera was sure to find them. I knew as the Goddess of
Childbirth and Marriage, she wouldn't kill them."
"So that makes Strife your grandson also." says Hephaestus.
"Yes." says Senaqua. "Now, Are we going to stand around talking about
my past or are we going to try and fix what's happening now?"
"Fix it." says Aphrodite.
"Good. Now, do you know anyone, ANYONE at all who would help fix the
balance of power?" asks Senaqua.
"Joxer and Maria." says Cupid and Aphrodite as one.
"Uh, who?" asks Hera.
"Joxer's is Dad's Blood Innocent. One of three. Maria is Strife's
only Priestess. His High Priestess." explains Cupid.
"Let me guess, Maria is Strife's master?" asks Senaqua.
"Yes." says Cupid.
"Then Strife's coming too." says Senaqua. "Alright, now, here's what
we gotta do. Despite the fact it took a potion to cause this, it'll
take much more to undo it. Cupid, go get Maria and Strife. Bring them
back here. Aphrodite, you go get Joxer and Ares if you can. If not,
leave him."
Aphrodite and Cupid disappear. Aphrodite reappears in Joxer's
father's house to see him still beating up on Joxer, with Ares and
Apollo helpless to stop it. Hephaestian made metal is around their
necks, causing their power to go down to that of a mortal.
"Weakling." growls Joxer's father before stopping and turning around,
stalks over to Ares. However, before he can do anything, Ares,
Apollo, and Joxer disappear, as does Aphrodite, never seen by Joxer's
father.
At Maria's house, Strife and Maria are eating and talking. Strife's
dressed in his normal black clothing, with a hephaestian made
bracelet around his wrist. It lowers his power to that of a mortal. A
burst of light and Cupid appears.
"Lord Cupid." says Maria as Cupid makes the bracelet disappear.
"Come on Strife, Maria, we're going to fix this mess." says Cupid
wrapping an arm around Strife's waist. Cupid then places his hand
around Maria's waist and all three disappear. Reappearing in the Hall
of Time, they see Senaqua fussing over Ares and Joxer.
"Hera, you are dead when this is over." snarls Senaqua at Hera before
healing Joxer with a thought.
"Got them Senaqua." says Cupid not letting go of Strife.
"Good, now sit. I only wanna explain this once!" says Senaqua. Cupid
and Strife grab a couch and Cupid leans against the arm and pulls
Strife ontop of him, arm around his waist. Ares grabs a recliner and
ignoring everyone, pulls Joxer ontop of him. Joxer doesn't protest,
which causes Aphrodite and Cupid to snicker. A glare from both
Senaqua and Ares quiets them though. Hera gingerly grabs a recliner
while Maria sits on the floor, leaning against the couch Strife and
Cupid are on. Apollo is leaning against Hera's recliner.
"So, who are you?" asks Strife.
"I am Senaqua, Titan Goddess of War." says Senaqua. "And your
grandmother."
"My grandmother?" asks Strife, shocked. "Would that make you Mom's
mom?"
"Yes, I am Ares and Eris' real mother." says Senaqua kindly. "Now,
listen, we really don't have time to waste. If this isn't fixed in
two weeks from now, then it can't be reversed."
"What do we have to do?" asks Maria as Ares is in shock.
"We must go to The Caves Of Enchantment in Phocaea. However, we have
to teleport to Halicarnassus and then walk to Phocaea. It's about 140
miles away from Halicarnassus. If we can try and walk the distance in
a week, then we have a week to fix it. I'm hoping we can walk at
least 20 miles a day. Anyway, in the Caves of Enchantment is an
amethyst jewel. My mother's jewel. It was placed there in case of
extreme emergencies. It can reverse this, but to activate it we need
two people with no godly blood in them at all to want to help us
reverse things back to the way they were." says Senaqua. "I will
explain more once we get the jewel."
"I'll help." says Maria.
"I will too." says Joxer softly from Ares' lap. That's when everyone
gets a clue that Ares and Joxer are together. Joxer doesn't seem
scared to be in Ares' lap, nor does Ares seem to care if anyone
realizes it.
"So how long Ar?" asks Aphrodite trying to lighten the mood.
"How long what?" asks Ares.
"You and Joxie?" asks Aphrodite.
"Three years." says Ares. Senaqua bursts out laughing at the
dumbfounded expressions on everyone's face.
"That's just like his father." laughs Senaqua leaning against a
pillar. "It took the Titans nearly five years to figure out Arlux and
Jarum were a couple, course I knew from the get go cause I got them
together."
"Can we go?" asks Maria. "I'd like to get this over with. It's
frightens me to see the Gods as slaves."
"As does it for me. First thing though....MOIRAE!! FRONT AND
CENTER!!" yells Senaqua. Clotho, Atropos, and Lachesis appear.
"You Called?" asks the Moirae as one.
"You watch over Eris and make sure she comes to no harm. If she does,
i'll burn the tapestry." threatens Senaqua. The Moirae nod. Not even
they can overpower a Titan Goddess, especially the Titan Goddess of
war. They then disappear.
"Alright, let's go to Halicarnassus." says Strife.
"Right, Hera, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Muses, watch over the Gods. No
harm better come to them. Apollo, you're coming with us. Joxer, do
you have any brothers or sisters who would help? The more mortals in
the party the easier it will be to pass off the Gods." says Senaqua.
"Um, Jayce and Jett." says Joxer. "But Jett wouldn't help. Jayce
might. He's in Thebes."
"Alright. Apollo, you'll be Jayce's slave." says Senaqua before
teleporting Jayce up.
"Uh, what's wrong?" asks Jayce, dressed in a purple dress.
"We're saving the Gods. Jayce, you're going to pretend to be Apollo's
master. Joxer, you're going to pretend to be the master of me and
Ares. Maria, you get Cupid and Strife." says Senaqua. "Now lets go!"
Ares, Joxer, Cupid, Strife, Apollo, Jayce, Maria, and Senaqua
disappear. The hephaestian metal that blocked the powers of the Gods
are on the ground. Hera, Aphrodite, Hephaestus and the Muses pray for
their safe return.
~End Of Chapter One.~
Title: A New Destiny
Part 2/22 (Counts Prologue and Epilogue)
Author: Angel Ser-Desa
Email: SlrYugiSerenity@aol.com
Rating: As of now, R to be safe. Later it'll be NC-17
Fandom: Xena/Hercules
Pairing: A/J, C/S. More as they come.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Greek Gods nor do I own Xena: Warrior
Princess or Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. I do own, however, my
own characters! Those are mine that I made up in Math Class one day
and ended up turning in a lemon instead of a worksheet (don't ask!).
So, enjoy! Also, this is an answer to a Challenge I found on AJCS.
Warning: Hatred of the Gods, Established Relationships,
Summary: I suck at summaries, so here's the challenge i'm writing it
for:
In Ancient Greece, a Fate hiccuped and caused the Gods to
become slaves. They are still the Gods you know and love, but now
ruled by their masters' hands and for nothing else. Who's fault is
this you ask, why Hercules and Gabrielle of course. But then the
magic that caught the Gods also caught anyone with godly blood. So
now they too are slaves, along with Auto, Xena and others. Joxer
watches as his father uses Ares to do his bidding. Knowing that
somehow he must find the way to free the gods.
Status: WIP
Series: Unfornately, after the prologue and first part, a sequel hit
me, so, this is becoming the Destiny Saga.
Archive: If you want it, take it. However, a notice must be sent to
me if you do. I like to know where my fics go so i'm tempted to write
more.
Website: http://www.geocities.com/angelserdesa
Notes: Thanks to everyone who sent me praise. I know I probably don't
deserve it, but it helps. I appreicate the help I got in the reviews
too. So, thank you all. Also, I changed my email address cause it's
easier to read the messages that way. Heh, who knew?
~Part Two~
As they reappear about a day's walk from Halicarnassus, Senaqua
blinks. Strife, Cupid, and Maria burst out laughing as Ares, Joxer,
Apollo, and Jayce look affronted. Senaqua smiles sheepishly right
before Cupid and Strife dunk Ares and Apollo underneath the river
they landed in.
"You know." says Jayce climbing out of the river, purple dress
soaking wet. "Next time we teleport, let one of the others do it."
"Oh be nice Jayce." says Joxer as he helps Ares and Apollo up. "At
least we didn't land in a swamp."
"True." says Jayce shuddering. Maria, Cupid, and Strife have gotten
into a waterfight, with the two godlings winning.
"As much as I normally wouldn't mind, we don't have time to waste."
says Senaqua to the playing three. Maria, Cupid, and Strife grin
sheepish as they walk up out of the river. Sighing, more from relief
than anger, Senaqua cleans them all with a thought, while placing
fake hephaestian bracelets around the Gods wrists.
Ares and Apollo blink at their new clothes. They are both dressed in
black leather pants, with Ares in a black silk shirt and Apollo in a
white silk shirt. Black mid-calf high boots are on their feet. Cupid
and Strife are dressed exactly the same, except Strife's shirt is a
light cream color and Cupid's is a mellow gold color. Senaqua is
dressed in a black leather skirt that reaches her knees, black mid-
calf high boots, a white silk shirt, and the manacles.
Joxer is in black leather pants, black boots, and a white cotton
shirt, with a sword attached to his belt. Jayce is dressed in black
leather pants, black mid-calf high boots, a cream Chin-like silk
shirt, with his hair brushed back. A sword is attached to his belt.
Maria is dressed in a flowing black dress with slits up to mid-thigh.
Her hair is pulled back into a intricate braided design and black
high heeled shoes are on her feet. Around her neck is a single
amethyst necklace with the amethyst resting in the hollow of her neck.
"There." says Senaqua happily before three horses appear, all three
black. "The horses are for Joxer, Jayce, and Maria. You three are to
act like you are from a neighboring kingdom and are here to make a
treaty with the King of Phocaea. You were given Ares, Cupid, Strife,
Apollo, and myself as gifts from Iphicles, the King of Corinth for
saving the kingdom from, say, Callisto or whatever."
"Are you sure this is going to work?" asks Joxer.
"Yes." says Senaqua patiently. "Now, we all remember our roles? Ares
and myself are to pretend to be Joxer's slaves, Cupid and Strife are
Maria's, and Apollo is Jayce's. Let's get going, it'll be a day's
walk to Halicarnassus."
Joxer, Jayce, and Maria apprehensively approach the horses, who are
gently nibbling the grass. Smiling, Senaqua gently helps Joxer up
onto the first horse, while Cupid and Strife help Maria onto the
second and Apollo helps Jayce up onto the third. Ares stands behind
Senaqua, glaring at her. Senaqua only looks at her son and he backs
down, unhappily. Senaqua smirks. She then conjures up ropes, one of
Jayce, two for Maria, and two for Joxer.
"When we get within an hour's walk of Halicarnassus, tie these around
our wrists. That way no questions are asked. We ALL must play our
parts to the fullest near villages." says Senaqua sternly. "We don't
want to be delayed and not reach the Caves of Enchantment in time."
"We got it, we got it." says Strife looking at the ropes with
something akin to anger. Maria then leans down and whispers something
to Strife which causes him to laugh. Sighing, Ares walks up next to
Joxer, as they start to walk towards Halicarnassus. Every second they
waste is a second they could use to get to the town faster.
Back at the Hall Of Time, Hera, the Muses, Aphrodite, and Hephaestus
watch the group's progress through a mirror.
"Why do I think when Senaqua returns, Zeus won't have a throne to
return to?" wonders Aphrodite leaning against Hephaestus on the
couch. Four of the Muses are watching the mirror, while the other
five write it down. This'll make a great epic for them to use.
"You're right." says Hera sighing, sitting in a recliner. "It's a
prophecy, one which Zeus and myself worked hard to keep from coming.
We failed."
"What prophecy?" asks Clio.
"The actual prophecy itself was lost, Zeus probably erased it
himself, but the gist of it is that when trouble hits Olympus,
Senaqua shall return. Upon her return, a chosen few shall leave,
along with Senaqua herself, to save Greece. Should the Way interfere,
Greece is lost. Should the Way be stopped, Greece is saved." says
Hera. "If Greece is saved, then War and Peace shall become the King
and Consort of Olympus, securing the throne for the Titans, forever."
"Well damn." says Aphrodite, causing the Muses to snicker. "Wait, by
War do you mean Ares?"
"Yes." says Hera.
"Then who's Peace?" wonders Hephaestus.
"We don't know." says Hera. "We've been guessing it's Ares' lover,"
"So that's why you never allowed him to love, besides knowing he's a
Titan, you knew that when he fell in love, he would take the Throne!"
says Aphrodite accusingly. Hera nods but doesn't look apologetic
about it.
"Shh!!" says Euterpe. "I wanna listen!!"
Hera glares at her, but the Muse of Music ignores it as Joxer starts
humming his theme song. Calliope giggles while Urania rolls her eyes.
"You know she's proud of that song." says Melpomene before they hear
Joxer's song.
"Joxer The Mighty
Roams Through The Countryside
Never Needs A Place To Hide
With Gabby As His Sidekick
Fighting With Her Little Stick
Righting Wrongs And Singing Songs
Being Mighty All Day Long
I'm Joxer, I'm Joxer the Mighty!"
Euterpe sighs as she leans against the chair, looking starry-eyed.
Calliope, Clio, Erato, Melpomene, Polymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, and
Urania roll their eyes. Euterpe's always had a crush on Joxer since
he was three.
"Why don't you just leave him alone. He's HAPPY with Ares." says
Polymnia.
"So? I can dream." retorts Euterpe before watching the mirror again.
"Let's just hope they can do it." says Hera.
"It's the Titan Goddess of War, our God of War, God of Love, God of
Mischief, and the most innocent mortals in the world plus Apollo, I
think they can do it." says Aphrodite glaring at Hera and looking for
all the world like Ares. "I don't appreicate the innuendo that my
son, my ex, my nephew, and my favorites aren't able to do this."
"We'll see." says Hera. Aphrodite growls as Hephaestus slowly
massages her shoulders. They go back to watching the mirror as the
group of eight as they walk or ride, the way to Halicarnassus.
~Part Three~
Senaqua, Ares, Cupid, Strife, and Apollo lean against some trees,
exhausted. Gods were not made for walking. Maria, Joxer, and Jayce
are around the campfire, cooking rabbits and bits and pieces of other
animals they came across. Cupid and Strife are asleep in each other's
embrace, while Apollo watches Jayce with something akin to
wonderment. Senaqua is cross-eyed from watching Apollo watch Jayce
and watching Ares and Joxer flirt with their body movements.
"Dinner's done." says Joxer walking up to Senaqua and Ares with some
leaves of food. He hands one to Senaqua, and then sits down on Ares'
lap, sharing with him. Jayce puts some meat on a huge leaf, walks
over to Apollo, and to Senaqua's amusement, sits down on Apollo's
lap. Maria has awakened Cupid and Strife to give them a leaf of food.
"Um, Senaqua, could you tell us a story about your life?" asks Maria
timidly. They may be acting incase passerbyers come by, but when
facing the Titan Goddess of War, you can't help but be in awe and
fright.
"Sure. What would you like to know?" asks Senaqua from her tree. Ares
wraps an arm around Joxer's waist while Jayce leans against Apollo's
side. Maria is between Cupid and Strife.
"You said Ares and Eris were your children. How?" wonders Joxer.
"During the War of the Titans, Zeus murdered Jarum, Titan God of
Peace and Arlux's Consort. Arlux was so distraught that I offered
comfort. The next day, Arlux was murdered by Zeus. That's when the
War started to hit it's downfall. Two days after Arlux's murder, I
realized I was pregnant, with twins. Ares and Eris. What surprised me
however, was that Ares was Arlux's reincarnation. Not even Hades
knows how that came about, even though he is the King of Asphodel.
However, you all know that the War ended two weeks after Arlux's
death, right?" asks Senaqua.
"Yes." says Apollo. "It was said that Zeus also murdered you."
"Ha! Please! The only reason Zeus was able to murder Jarum was
because Jarum got distracted by an innocent stumbling across the
battle. Arlux was killed because he wasn't trying to defend himself.
Anyway, without Arlux, I ended up channeling the full power of War.
Like Ares and Eris, Arlux and Myself as Twins. Both being War, we
each channeled half of the evilness of it. I ended up getting the
full blast, causing Ares and Eris to mature greatly. A week after
Arlux's death, they were born. I knew that if I didn't leave my
children with Hera, that they would die.
"That's when I made a blood oath with her on Styx. If she would claim
Ares and Eris as her own, and protect them, I would flee Greece and
return only if Greece was about to fall. I fled and not even a day
after, Zeus won. Hera told Zeus that Ares and Eris were her own
children, fathered by him. She also broke her blood oath, which is
why she's as evil as she is." says Senaqua.
"Well Tartarus." says Strife. "That sucks."
"Greatly." says Senaqua. "Now, everyone in place? People coming."
Immediately, Ares and Senaqua kneel behind Joxer, Apollo kneels
behind Jayce, and Strife knees at Maria's side. Cupid kneels at
Maria's other side. All the gods' faces are bent toward the ground,
so they don't see the people walking up.
"Hello!" calls a voice.
"Yes?" calls Maria. Two men walk up, both ex-Warlords of Ares'.
"We're looking for Halicarnassus." says the first Warlord.
"Down that road." says Joxer pointing down the road. "You can't miss
it."
"Hey, isn't that Ares?" asks the second Warlord pointing to Ares.
"Your point?" asks Joxer, arms crossed infront of him.
"How much you'd take for him?" wonders the first Warlord evilly.
"He's not for sale. None of them are." says Maria. "I suggest you
leave, before we allow them to kill you for threatening us."
"We di-" starts the second Warlord.
"Really?" asks Jayce, an eyebrow raised. "Then explain to me the
daggers in your hands behind your backs? I'm sure we can get
pardoned, as you are just warlords and we are the Princes and
Princess of Assyria."
"Ares, Senaqua, if you please?" asks Joxer when the Warlords don't
back down.
"Strife, Cupid, you may kill them if you like." says Maria.
"As you too Apollo." says Jayce. The five gods stand, glaring evilly
at the Warlords. They take off and Maria snickers.
"I'm going to put up a privacy shield, so if anyone has any business
with a tree or bush, go now." says Senaqua. No one leaves so Senaqua
surrounds the camp in a shield, so that the warlords can't come back
and kidnap the Gods. Not long after the shield goes up, everyone is
half asleep. Kicking the fire to keep it going, Senaqua then leans
against a tree and to everyone's eyes, falls asleep. Following her
example, Ares and Joxer sleep by the fire, Cupid and Strife sleep
with Maria between them, and Apollo and Jayce sleep on the other side
of the fire.
Opening an eye as she feels them go to sleep, Senaqua smiles at her
son. He looks exactly like Arlux and she can sense the underlying
Titan energy building up in him, waiting for the right time to
explode out. Same with Cupid and Strife. Cupid being half Titan, and
Strife being full Titan, if the story about his conception being due
to an overload of discordant energy that forced the mischief out.
Sighing, Senaqua closes her eyes and lets Gaea's realm comfort her.
~End of 3~
~Chapter Four/Sixteen~
"Alright, next time I decide to wake up the Titan Goddess of War when she's in the middle of a nightmare...hit me." grumbles Strife as the five gods and three mortals make their way down the dirt road towards Helicarnassus. They can see the village in the distance, which is why they have been tied to the saddles.
"Or tie you up." says Cupid with a leer.
"Later boys." drawls Senaqua from Joxer's horse. "We'll be in Helicarnassus in about three minutes.
"So where are we going after this?" wonders Cupid.
"No talking to anyone but Joxer, Jayce, or Maria. If someone is trying to get close to you, get closer to your respective 'owners'." says Senaqua. "Now, be quiet. We don't talk unless Joxer, Jayce, or Maria talk to us, got it younglings?"
"Got it and ate it."says Strife with a smirk. Joxer snickers as Ares and Senaqua roll their eyes.
"Welcome to Helicarnassus." says the short, fat man dressed in a white toga. "I am the Magistrate of our fair city. What brings you here?"
"We're just passing through." says Joxer. "We're heading towards Phocaea."
"Then you must participate in the Festival of Enchantment. Once a year, Phocaea holds a festival in honor of the Caves of Enchantment, which were laid down by the Great Goddess Hera after the War of the Titans." says the Magistrate.
"That is why we are going to Phocaea." says Maria with a smile. Senaqua, Ares, and Strife are watching out for danger, but they also spy a few minor Gods. Aeolus: God of Wind, Eos: Goddess of the Dawn, Thallo: Goddess of Spring and one of the Horae, and Thetis, a Sea Goddess, among various forest and sea nymphs.
Is that....Ares?" wonders the Magistrate spying Ares. Cupid and Apollo have all but gotten ontop of the horses of Maria and Jayce, due to the looks from various villagers. Strife is actually on Maria's horse, between her and the horse's head. Ares and Senaqua are as close as possible to Joxer, without being in danger of startling the horse.
"Yes, he is. He, Senaqua, Cupid, Strife, and Apollo were gifts from King Iphicles of Corinth." says Joxer coldly. "If you have a problem with it, take it up with him."
"N-N-No problem!" stammers the Magistrate. "Please continue."
"Thank you." grumbles Jayce under his breath sarcastically. Maria giggles before the eight of them continue on towards the Inn.
"How long are we staying?" wonders Joxer.
"A day. We need to buy supplies and I, for one, would like to sleep on a bed for at least one day out of the week we will be spending on the road." states Maria, an arm wrapped around Strife's waist protectively as villagers break out into whispers.
"That's Ares, ex-god of war."
"That girl has her arm around Strife, ex-god of mischief."
"Oh what I would give to have him for a day."
"Repay him for what he's done to us, considering he's powerless."
"I'd rather have Apollo."
"No, I'd want Ares. Tall, dark, handsome, and powerless."
"We can hear you all you know." drawls Joxer at the top of his voice, causing dead silence in the village.
"Let's put it this way." says Maria before she pulls Cupid behind her carefully, as does Joxer with Senaqua. Joxer then pulls Ares infront of him while Jayce does the same to Apollo.
"You touch any of them or hurt any of them, while we're their owners...we'll let them kill you, got it?" drawls Joxer.
"We have no problem with letting them loose. Learn something. Treat your slaves with respect...and they might just treat you with the same." says Jayce coldly before they continue on towards the Inn. Reaching it, Senaqua and Cupid jump off the horses, before helping Joxer and Maria down. Ares, Strife, and Apollo then get off the horses before Apollo helps Jayce down. As they enter the Inn, dead silence resounds as villagers and warlords stare at them.
"Well, well, well. Lookie what we have here." drawls a warlord walking up, pulling a tree nymph with him. That's when the eight of them realize that almost every warlord has a tree or water nymph with them.
"Got a problem?" drawls Maria looking the warlord dead in his eyes. "Or are you eager to die?"
"Learn something wench." says the warlord coldly. "I rule this place. Not you, not the Magistrate. Me." He then reaches out to grab Maria's amethyst necklace but a blur of black stops him. Looking down, the warlord sees Strife holding his wrist, his eyes flashing.
"Don't you dare defile her." snarls Strife. Whatever had him scared earlier has apparently worn off, something that Ares, Senaqua, Cupid, Apollo, Jayce, Joxer, and Maria are thankful for.
"And who are you?" sneers the warlord.
"Metis, meet Strife, God of Mischief." drawls Maria. "My bodyguard."
"Bodyguard?" mouths Ares to Senaqua as the villagers and warlords pale at realizing who Strife is.
"Slave, bodyguard, it keeps people from hurting us." mouths Senaqua back.
"True." mutters Cupid under his breath.
"Question." drawls Strife. "What does one pissed off God of Mischief due to a stupid warlord who dares to hurt his owner?"
"He has free reign." says Maria with a smirk. "As long as I can help."
"And that's why she's his High Priestess." snickers Cupid. "She's almost as good as he is when it comes to mischief and torture."
"Why isn't she a god then?" wonders Joxer softly.
"Zeus said no." mutters Ares. "He didn't want anyone to become a part of War voluntarily."
"I did." smirks Senaqua. None of the inhabitants of the Inn can hear them.
"Now, are you going to back off and leave us alone, or do I have to get the others here to become violent too?" drawls Maria.
"If they want too they can. I'm not going to stop them." says Joxer loudly. "After all, they deserve it for trying to steal from the Princess of Assyria."
"The P-P-P-Princess of A-A-A-Assyria?" stammers Metis before wincing as Strife adds on pressure.
"Yeah, the Princess of Assyria, my owner and the one whom I guard with my Immortal life." drawls Strife. "Gotta problem with it Metis?"
"No." says Metis, a bit pale before Strife lets go of him.
"Oh, we're taking the nymph too." drawls Joxer. "You don't deserve her."
"S-S-S-Sure." stammers Metis leaving the tree nymph behind.
"And what's your name?" wonders Maria kindly.
"Karin." says the tree nymph shyly.
"Well Karin, i'm Maria." says Maria.
"I'm going to get us some rooms." says Joxer before approaching the innkeeper.
"Yeah?" asks the innkeeper.
"We need three rooms." drawls Joxer."Next to each other if possible."
"Ten dinars." says the innkeeper.
"Five." drawls Joxer. "And I won't let Ares kill you for overcharging."
"Done!" says the innkeeper. Joxer smirks and hands over five dinars before getting three keys.
"Got'em." says Joxer tossing two of the keys to Maria and Jayce.
"You've changed." says Jayce.
"Not really. It's called a disguise." mutters Joxer under his breath. 'If I can pass off as Jett, then I can surely pass off as a disgruntled Prince."
"Alright, arrangements?" wonders Maria.
"Ares and Senaqua are with me." says Joxer.
"Cupid and Strife are with me, as is Karin." says Maria.
"I'll take Karin because otherwise you won't have enough room." says Jayce. "Otherwise i've got Apollo."
"Done." says Maria before they head up toward their rooms for a nap.
~End Chapter Four~
~Chapter Five/Sixteen~
Three hours later Jayce smiles as he peeks on his brother. Lying on the huge bed, safely esconded between Ares and Senaqua, is Joxer. Ares has an arm thrown over Joxer's waist protective and Senaqua has a....wing over the two.
'Since when did she gets wings?' wonders Jayce to himself before silently shutting the door and going back to his own room. Inside, Apollo and Karin are on the bed, sleeping deeply. With a yawn, Jayce climbs back into the bed and falls asleep between the two.
In Maria's room, Cupid and Strife are talking to each other mentally while Maria sleeps easily between them.
/She's not what I expected...or rather, she's not acting like she was at the beginning of this journey./ thinks Cupid.
/That's my 'Ria./ thinks Strife proudly. /But it doesn't surprise me. It's gonna take us at least a week to reach Phocaea and she's more than likely going to reveal talents that no one expects./
/Like what?/ wonders Cupid gently touching Strife's shoulder.
/That's she more than what she appears to be./ says Strife cryptically.
"No talking mentally cause i'm a mere mortal and can't hear you that way." murmurs Maria as she awakens.
"Sorry 'Ria." laughs Strife before ducking as Maria swats in his general direction before curling up ontop of Cupid and falling back asleep. Cupid looks shocked but Strife only smiles.
"Uh, Strife?" asks Cupid a bit confused.
"She's accepted you as part of her family now." giggles Strife, a sound that has made more than one mortal faint out of sheer cowardice.
"Oh." says Cupid.
Next door, Senaqua is looking out a window overlooking the village of Helicarnassus.
"When are we moving out?" wonders Joxer walking up beside her quietly, Ares still asleep on the bed.
"Tomorrow." says Senaqua. "We need supplies and we'll be safe for about a day or two before people realize we aren't your slaves or bodyguards."
"Not your slaves at least." yawns Ares as he awakens. "But just try telling Strife he's not allowed to protect Maria. He'll go on a rampage. Last time he was told he couldn't protect her, Strife set fire to all of Zeus' togas and his official robes. Because the damage was caused by a God, Zeus couldn't repair them for nearly a month. Since then, no one tells Strife who he can and can not protect, especially since he married Cupid."
"Do they know they're cousins?" wonders Senaqua turning around and sitting on the windowsill as Ares pulls Joxer into his lap. "Considering Zeus forbid you from claiming your children?"
"Cupid actually knew I was his father since he was five but surprised me one day with that tidbit." says Ares with a smirk.
~*Flashback*~
Ares growls as a burst of pinkish-white light signals the arrival of his son, Cupid.
"What?" barks Ares. Cupid starts.
"You're Ares right?" wonders Cupid. "God of War and all that?"
"Yeah, and you are?" drawls Ares, already knowing who he is.
"Cupid, God of Love." says Cupid.
"Yeah, what do you want Love? Did Aphrodite send you?" asks Ares.
"Mom doesn't know i'm here." says Cupid. "I have a question for you Ares."
"What?" asks Ares.
"UNC!! I AM GOING TO KILL THOSE TWO!!" roars Strife appearing in a burst of light, furious, dragging Phobos and Deimos behind him.
"Now what have you two done?" wonders Ares with a groan.
"They." says Strife glaring at the frightened Gods of Pain and Fear. "Have ruined the war between Argos and Epidaurus."
"You did WHAT?!" bellows Ares ignoring Cupid for now as he walks out from behind his desk.
"We're sorry!" squeaks Deimos.
"We didn't know it was a war you needed!" whimpers Phobos.
"Bullshit." growls Strife
"Didn't you stop to think WHY Strife was there?" growls Ares.
"He's at most of your wars!" says Deimos, a bit angry. "You have him watching over every one of your wars, important or not!"
"Not lately dimwad." growls Strife.
"It was announced to *everyone* on Olympus that Strife became my Second-In-Command and any war that he's at is to be LEFT ALONE!!" roars Ares. "Now, how did you ruin that war?"
"They tortured Amina to death." states Strife. "Infront of both armies. Thus, the two armies stopped fighting and now are talking about peace treaties."
"Dammit." swears Ares. "We can't time travel either, since Zeus forbid it. I needed those two villages to fight so it would clean up. Left alone, there'll have to be another war there in two weeks, and I can't afford to plan two wars for the same two villages!"
"Um, Amina, as in the Princess of Tirnys?" wonders Cupid.
"Yes." says Ares.
"Aw cerebus shit." groans Cupid. "Mom's going to go on a rampage!"
"Aphrodite, why?" asks Ares.
"She has plans for Amina and Venur." says Cupid as he begins to pace up and down the room, ignoring Phobos and Deimos' paling faces. "I'm surprised she's not here herself once Amina died."
"She might be petitioning Hades to release her." groans Ares. "And it won't work."
"I tried already." says Strife with a growl. "He basically ignored me."
"Yeah, well he owes me a favour." says Cupid. "Three of them actually."
"I thought it was four." says Anteros, God of Passionate Love appearing in a burst of light.
"He paid one up. What are you doing here 'Teros?" wonders Cupid.
"Hey, it was either me or Mom." says Anteros with a smirk.
"And?" asks Ares.
"Oh, hey Dad." says Anteros. "Anyway, Mom said if you get Amina back to life within the next day, she won't, and these are her words not mine, 'Make Ares fall in love with a goat!'."
"Trust Mom to go off the deep end." groans Cupid not seeing Ares' shocked look.
"Yeah, well, you go. He owes you favours." says Anteros.
"Yeah, i've kept Demeter off his back during quick reunions between him and Persephone during the Spring." says Cupid. "And I gotta do it again next week."
"Want help?" wonders Anteros.
"Nah. I'll think of something." mutters Cupid. "Want her to reappear anywhere in particular Dad?"
"I think you broke him." snickers Strife seeing Ares' shocked look.
"What? Didn't he know we knew he was our dad?" wonders Anteros. "That was one of the favours Hades repaid Cupid. Zeus can't do anything because he said Ares couldn't claim us. He never said anything about us claiming Ares as our dad."
"I suggest you just bring her up here." says Eris appearing in a burst of black light. "Yo! Ares! Wake up already, you're scaring the younglings!"
"Ma!! We're not younglings!" protests Strife.
"You're younger than me, thus you're younglings." says Eris with a growl.
~End Flashback~
"Ever since then, Cupid and Strife just started hanging out more and one day announced it to houses of War and Love that they were together and wanted to get married." says Ares.
"Then what about Psyche?" wonders Joxer.
"Psyche?" asks Senaqua.
"Our Goddess of the Soul and Mind." says Ares. "She's Cupid's ex-wife."
"Ex-wife? This I have to hear." says Senaqua.
"Nothing much to tell. Cupid hit himself on accident with one of his own arrows and fell in love with Psyche. Before the arrow wore off, he ended up married to Psyche and she became pregnant with his son, Bliss. When the spell wore off, and Cupid realized what had happened, he had a long talk with both Strife and Psyche. Surprisingly, she was very understanding and divorced Cupid willingly. Right now, I believe she is dating Asclepius." says Ares.
"Actually, she's dating Phobos." says Cupid entering the room with Strife and Maria.
"Phobos?" asks Ares.
"Is she....um, safe?" wonders Joxer.
"Actually, it seems like Phobos is good for her and her, him." says Strife. "Phobos has mellowed since dating her and Psyche's becoming more confident. Don't ask me why, I don't want to know."
"I don't either, so who's getting supplies?" wonders Senaqua.
"I will." says Maria.
"We're going." says Cupid and Strife as one.
"Better get some things for Karin too while we're at it." says Joxer.
"True. Anything else besides the basics?" wonders Cupid.
"Not really. We can make things we need on the road." says Ares.
"Alright, well let's get at it." says Strife before clothing Maria in an backless, lavender dress and shoes. Her hair is loose and a black cloak covers it all.
"See ya later." says Maria waving before the three head off towards the market. Walking down the stairs, Maria unconsciously takes a step closer to Strife when warlords look up at her, leering.
"Gotta staring problem?" drawls Strife, fingering a dagger that appeared from seemingly nowhere.
"No." says the Innkeeper before the three step outside.
"Now what are we getting Mistress?" wonders Cupid.
"The basics." says Maria. "Bedrolls, sturdy shoes, some waterskins, some cloaks. The usual."
"Oh...cool." says Strife spying a dagger lying out on the blacksmith's table. Walking up, Strife picks up the dagger, looking at it with awe. It's perfectly made with a black leather handle.
"Hey! Who's slave are you?" growls the blacksmith, going to grab a hammer.
"He's mine, and he's looking at your wares with my permission." says Maria coldly, as she steps out from behind him.
"S-S-S-Sorry ma'am." stammers the blacksmith.
"Here." says Maria handing Strife about fifty dinars. "Buy whatever you want." She turns to the blacksmith. "I also expect him to get a good deal for what he wants or i'll ask my brother to let his slave handle you."
"Which slave?" sneers the blacksmith.
"Ares." states Maria smirking as the blacksmith pales. "Have fun Strife, and let me know if you don't get a good deal."
"Will do Mistress." says Strife with a smirk as the blacksmith pales more upon hearing his name.
~End Chapter Five~
tbc