Part Nine From the Annals of Bastet

The white of the snow and the howl of the blizzard surrounded him as Ares felt the power that neared the company of Greek and Amazon warriors. He grimaced, looking at his hands in front of him, holding them out in the whiteness. He was disappearing into the storm. He could feel something dragging him into another plane. He looked off into the whiteness and saw the swirl of an opening into a vortex. He had nothing to hold onto and his powers were compromised by this place. He felt tiny, stabbing pains in his leg and then was swept into the place between dimensions.

The landing was unceremonious. Ares spit out the dirt in his mouth and looked around as he hauled himself up from his place face down on the ground. He looked at his leg to see what had hurt him. The sorceress tabby clung to the leather of his pants with all her feline might. The cat opened her eyes.

"What a ride!" she exclaimed. "I grabbed onto you as soon as I felt us being pulled in." The War God turned over and sat down, prying the cat off his leg. "Now I can't seem to get my claws to retract," she added, her teeth chattering from the cold of the blizzard and the fright.

Ares picked up the cat, feeling her heart beating wildly. He put her against his chest and began to stroke her. "Better?" he said as he looked around.

"Oh, yes," she replied. "I thought my heart would burst. You have a gentle touch for such a hard soul."

Ares smiled. "I've softened over the years," he replied. He looked at the rocks and the dirt. He was in a small cave-like place with exits on both sides that stretched out into a sort of nothingness. He'd been here before. He felt movement behind him and turned to see the Sovereign sitting up on a rock in the far corner of the cave.

The dark, bearded twin of Hercules inclined his head slightly and spread his arms. "Welcome to my world, Lover boy."

Ares frowned and then laughed and got up. "I'm not the Ares from your world. I'm Ares, God of War. He held the cat with one arm as he brushed off his pants, then put her on his shoulder and walked over to the entrance, looking out at the road to nowhere.

The Sovereign jumped down from his rocky perch and came over beside him. He leaned against the rock and looked out also. "My kingdom. The gods know that I deserve it," he said bitterly.

Ares looked at him. "Perhaps I hit my head but I thought I heard remorse in your tone."

The Sovereign looked back over at him. "I used to be purely evil. I was blessed with the lack of guilt or empathy. Hercules had all the soft, fuzzy feelings. I had all the iniquity." He sighed. "Then he held your sword and a world of understanding was opened to him."

"It almost killed him," Ares said.

"And me!" the Sovereign replied. "Imagine just a hint of the understanding of what I had been flooding over me unexpectedly. I was right in the middle of sex." He snorted disgustedly. "I started crying, wracked with guilt. It was a new experience for me and damn near cost me my life. At the first sign of weakness, my enemies were quick to close in. There are a lot of people in my world that would love to see my head on a pike outside the local tavern door."

Ares frowned. "Wait a minute. I thought you had been trapped here."

"I was, and then I got out. I was rescued by ... oh, what's her name. You know, short little bitch, pouting mouth."

Ares frowned again.

"He means Discord," Bastet said quietly.

"Oh," the War God said. He rolled his eyes.

"Discord," the Sovereign went on, "that's the one. She got me out of here. She's the goddess of compassion in my world. Well, I was out and having a great time when your boy decided to muck with his dark side. Now my side of light has been revealed to me." He crossed his arms and shook his head, looking out over the nothingness that existed beyond their small cave. "Being a bad boy will never be the same."

"Tell me about it," Ares replied. He walked back into the cave and sat down. "Right now, we have to figure out how to get out of here." Then he looked up at the Sovereign. "What got you back in here?"

The Sovereign turned from his place by the door, still leaning on the rocks. "I was so appalled at all the things I had done that I asked Discord to put me back here so I couldn't do anymore damage." He held out his arms again. "Can you believe it? I'm atoning for my sins."

Ares laughed. "Well, how is it so far?" he asked.

The Sovereign glared at him. "Disappointing."

Ares laughed again. "Well, I'm happy for you in your new life as a penitent but as I said, we have to think of a way out. Your twin has gotten himself into trouble in my world. I hate to say this, but I am responsible for his mess. I need to help him and, right now, myself. Oh, and you too." He reached up and got the cat off his shoulder, stroking her again. "Have you got any ideas, sorceress?"

The cat jumped off out of his lap and trotted over to the door. "Hmm, I haven't felt a power this strong in many years. Only the Ancient Ones could command such forces," she said, sitting down. She wrapped her tail around her body gracefully.

"So one of the three is involved in this?" Ares asked. He shook his head as the sorceress nodded. "This time I'm going to kill at least one of them."

"If you could, you would have already," Bastet replied. "As you cannot kill other gods, you surely will not have the power to kill Dahak or one of his brothers, besides it would be a grievous sin to kill an Ancient One."

"I can live with the guilt," Ares grumbled. "So how do we get out of here?" He stood up and stretched, then closed his eyes to take in sensations from all the dimensions that he could detect. All he felt was blackness, a blank outside the tiny cave. He felt a wave of panic overcome him and tensed his jaw against the feeling. "Damn," he whispered.

"Exactly," the cat whispered back in reply.

Ares opened his eyes again to see the Sovereign standing in front of him. "Lord Ares," the tall man said quietly, "if you find a way to leave this place, will you take me with you? I'll serve you as a warrior, even a slave. I'm as strong as Hercules."

The God of War was taken aback by the directness of the request. The Sovereign was earnest, his face solemn.

"I'll do what I can," Ares replied. "You know that you and Hercules cannot exist on the same plane. It will upset the balance of things. I'll take you with me out of here if it's possible, but I'll have to leave you before we get to the dimension where Hercules is, if we can find it."

The Sovereign nodded and held out his hand. "I'll take what I can get," he said. The two warriors shook hands.

"This all may be pointless," Ares said, looking around. "This may be the end of the line for me."

"Bastet would shudder to hear such resignation," the cat said. Then she hissed and spit with anger. "Pffft! Bastet, what an idiot I am!" She trotted back to Ares. "You should call on your mentor."

Ares put his hands on his hips. "The last time we spoke, she said that she was going onto other planes and wouldn't be available."

The cat rubbed against his leg, letting her tail trail across his shin. "Oh, Ares, you know the Ancient One has a fondness for you. If you call out to her, she'll hear you, take my word," she answered, almost seductively.

All the while, the Sovereign had been watching the cat. He was amused at the thought of a cat talking. He crouched down before the small animal and ran his hands over her soft fur. "There's so much I never experienced," he said as the cat's back arched to receive his stroking. "The touch of a cat, watching the sunset, and reading."

"Reading?" Bastet said.

"Yes, I never learned to read or write. I thought it was for weaklings," he said. The two looked up to see Ares lean back his head and close his eyes. "I think he's calling whoever you talked about," the Sovereign said to the cat.

"Let's hope she is listening," the cat replied.

"Whoa, I think she is!" the Sovereign said, scooping the cat up into his arms. The cave had begun to shake. Ares opened his eyes and braced himself. He saw the Sovereign fall backwards and realized the that floor of the cave was literally dissolving. They were falling into space. He smiled and put out his arms, falling back also into the blackness. He heard the tinkling of a tiny bell.

Part Ten

Camp was breaking now. The ragged band of soldiers prepared to march at the orders of their officers. Mace and Atlas packed away what they had and readied themselves. They said little and did not look around. Mace could tell that Atlas' demeanor had changed. He was cautious now and seemed tense. The Tiger felt it too. There was a disquiet in the air. Earlier he had seen several of the officers looking over at the two of them. This was never a good sign. Mace kept close to his friend as the troop moved out.

"Perhaps we were comrades-in-arms in life," Mace said quietly as they marched along the mountain pass. Both men looked frequently into the skies as others did, anticipating an attack from above.

"Perhaps," Atlas replied. "Who knows. Maybe we were arch rivals and this is the gods' joke on us. Enemies in life and thrown together in the afterlife to rely on each other for survival."

Mace smiled and said nothing more. They marched along until the pass in the mountains opened up to reveal the plains that stretched out below. The men could see a valley now shrouded in fog. The troopers began their descent, relieved to be out of the mountains; but the path down would be a perfect place for an attack and the idea was not lost on the soldiers. They became vigilant. Men pulled out their weapons and had them at the ready. Mace and Atlas made their way to one side and kept the wall close to them so that they would have their backs to solid rock in a fight.

Down in the valley, the snow was melting. There were patches of brown grass here and there. A heavy fog swirled in valley the mountain's base, making it impossible to see what was down there.

"I don't like it," Atlas said looking at the fog. "Not that I have liked anything so far but I have a feeling crawling up and down my spine telling me that there's something brewing, something bigger than we've been through so far."

"What's bigger than dying?" Mace answered sourly but he nodded. "I feel it too. I just don't want to think about it." The two marched on with their comrades.

"Tell me more about these officers," Atlas asked after a while. "What do you know about them? Who put them in charge?"

"I don't know much," Mace answered. He picked his way around a boulder and then turned and waited for Atlas to come over also. "I think that ..."

"What do you think?" said another voice. Mace spun around to see one of the officers behind him.

"Sir," Mace said, laughing and trying to look embarrassed. "I didn't see you come over. Can I help you with something, sir?" He smiled, trying to look unwary.

The man stepped up to him. Mace felt the stir of the fight come up as he approached and his smile turned grim. His eyes closed slightly and he tightened the grip on the hilt of his drawn sword.

"What do you think," the officer asked again, "about us?"

Suddenly Atlas was between the two of them. The officer stepped back at the intrusion and glared at the interloper. Atlas glowered back closing the distance between them again. The two were so close that Atlas could feel the man's breath on his face. It stank of death and was strangely cold.

"I think that I know you," Atlas said, keeping his voice low and steady. "I don't know how I know this but you and the other officers are the real enemy here. I'm not going along anymore. Kill me here, leave me, or do what you wish but I'm not taking one more order from you."

The officer's eyes became like black jewels. The human eyes were transformed. Atlas inhaled sharply to see two black wells of darkness. He stepped away suddenly and the officer began to laugh.

"Not so brave now are you, boy?" he said. The officer looked over at the crowd of soldiers that had gathered and smiled. Another officer came up and the two looked at each other.

"This is pointless, Dahak," said Set. He looked over at the other soldiers. "I've grown tired of your game and it's time to get going." He motioned, looking up into the sky. "Kill them all," he cried out to some unseen force, "except that one," He motioned to Atlas. "and that one. We'll take him too." He motioned to the Tiger.

Mace gathered himself to bolt but felt a hand on shoulder. A stab of pain came over him. It was so intense that it took his breath away. He opened his mouth to scream but nothing came out. He was paralyzed in his spot. He looked over to see Atlas standing with the officer's hand on his shoulder, his eyes wide with agony.

Everything happened so quickly. The poorly disciplined band was no match for their enemies now. From above, creatures came out of the sky and the slaughter began. There were hundreds and their numbers never diminished, no matter how many were killed. They hunted down every man to the last, slashing them apart. Soldier and officer alike were killed without mercy. The sound of men's screams were heightened by the wailing of the beasts. Atlas and Mace stood frozen watching the band of warriors fight their last battle.

The three officers watched the destruction with a casual ease, commenting periodically, as if they were viewing a game. When it was over the creatures left as quickly as they had come and it was quiet again. The silence was eerie.

Atlas looked at the gory scene with utter horror. He could feel tears on his cheeks. He looked over at the one called Dahak. "Why?" he asked, almost in a whisper.

Dahak stepped up to him and took the man's face in his hands gently. He stared into the blue eyes and smiled. "Hercules, you are responsible for this slaughter. It was done so that you will remember who is master until I spill your blood on the ground as a supreme sacrifice."

"My name is Hercules?"

"Yes," Dahak replied. He smiled, almost fondly and stroked the man's cheek with the back of his hand. Then, Hercules cried out as Dahak touched him on the forehead and his memory was restored. "Your blood will bring us back our kingdom. You will bring the darkness."

Hercules moved to strike him but realized again that he was unable to act. Dahak laughed under his breath at the look on his face, then he looked over at his brothers. "We'd best be going," he said. "Ares is most likely on the battlefield."

"I haven't felt his presence for a while," Moloch answered, frowning.

"No matter," Dahak replied. "He's probably lost his power here just as ours has been curtailed but we'll find him."

"Be wary, brother," Moloch said. "There is too much riding on this plan for you to be careless."

Dahak looked over at him. "Perhaps you're right." He turned to Set. "Tell our Olympian spies to find him and report back."

"Hera," Hercules spat out angrily. "Only she would stoop so low."

Dahak looked back at him. "Hera and others. We've gathered quite a following among the weak, self-serving, so-called gods that you worship."

"I don't worship them," Hercules was quick to reply.

"Well, it doesn't matter," Set said. "Soon, all will worship us."

Part Eleven

This time the God of War was careful to land on his feet. All around him was a heavy fog that chilled him to the bone. He hit the ground, bent his knees to take up the shock and then went down on one knee to listen and prepare for any attack. His sword was out of its scabbard in a heartbeat. Then he heard a thud and a snort.

"Get off me!" said the cat. "You're as big as a house. I feel like the whole of the Heavens just landed on me."

"Well, sorry," answered the Sovereign. Then he laughed. "Quite the opposite."

"Sovereign?" Ares called out trying not to raise his voice too loudly. He heard a reply. "Get ready. I'm not sure where we are but I am sure this fog is not natural." Then he paused. "And what do I call you anyway, you're not the sovereign of anything."

He heard silence, then, "My real name is Agony."

Ares stopped in his tracks. He had gotten up and was beginning to move toward the sound of the Sovereign's voice. He stood stunned. "Agony? What kind of a name is that?"

"My mother was in a great deal of pain when she had me and she wasn't a tolerant woman. Zeus had deserted her and she had to take it out on someone," the man replied. His shadow loomed up in the fog and Ares watched as he appeared in the mist with the cat in his arms. "I was a twin, you know. My mother said that I killed my brother in the womb and took all the life for myself. I was wicked before I ever took a breath and my mother never let me forget it." He sighed and looked around. His hair was wet now from the fog and beads of water ran down his arms and the leather of his outfit. "I can kid myself all I want but my destiny is in the darkness. My fate will be the flames of Tartarus." He put the feline sorceress up on his shoulder and motioned to Ares. "I don't have any weapon. You go first." He grinned at the joke.

Ares snorted. "Two bad boys trying to stumble into the light. Fitting that we should be wandering around in a fog," he said quietly. Then the two men realized that the fog was clearing.

Kendaa gathered the troops around her. They had camped the night, rested, and broken camp in the usual Amazon fashion. It was orderly and disciplined except for Lessa's grumbling about the time of day and Iolaus complaining about the sparseness of the rations. Overhead, the sky was grey and a low fog loomed over them like an ominous ceiling. The mountains and the northern horizon could not be seen as the patchy fog made the distance vanish. The Amazons prepared for the forced march that would close that distance, getting them to the mountain's base.

First, as was their custom, the warrior women stood in counsel discussing what should be done before they set out as a unit. There were few enough of them that they could stand in a large circle, with Kendaa in the middle. Everyone stood quietly, except for Tosh, who seemed to be impatient, growling and pacing outside the group of women.

Calico turned from the circle to calm the beast and saw what was exciting her feline companion. She looked out to see the wall of fog in the South begin to intensify and swirl, coming at them at an amazing speed and called her sisters to alert.

"No time now for long discussions," Kendaa said as the sisters closed ranks with Iolaus coming to the front. "Run or stay?"

"We can't outrun it!" Iolaus exclaimed.

"And if there's something in it, if we run we'll have our backs to the enemy! I say we stand and fight!" Lessa added.

Kendaa nodded in agreement. Others were doing the same. "Then stand and fight, it is! Be strong, sisters, in a world that is weak!"

Swords came out and staffs came to the ready. The tiger paced before the women, looking at the advancing menace and growling. Within minutes the fog had overtaken the troopers and they found themselves surrounded by the eerie mist. The world was now wet and grey, and with a preternatural coldness.

"Stay close! Don't anyone wander away. Keep a sister in sight at all times," Kendaa's voice ordered through the fog.

"Kendaa?" said a man's voice through the fog.

"Ares?" said Kendaa, Klio and Lessa in unison.

Out of the mist, now lifting as quickly as it had come, walked the tall God of War toward the Amazons. Behind him was a another tall man dressed in black studded leather. Calico gasped but Iolaus groaned.

"Hercules! You're safe!" Calico cried out, and ran over to him, throwing herself into his arms. The sorceress was thrown off his shoulder by the force.

The Sovereign grinned. "I'm happy to see you, whoever you are but I'm not Hercules," he answered. Then he swept her up into his arms, kissing her hard on the lips until his rough passion made her pull away. She shoved herself out of his grasp and slapped him hard across the face.

"I can see that now," she said angrily. He was still laughing.

"Enough," Ares commanded coming over to his Chosen. He kissed her lightly on the cheek in greetings. "These women are the Amazons," he said to his companion. "My advice: don't annoy them."

The Sovereign was still laughing when suddenly his feet came out from under him and landed his seat on the ground. Someone had tripped him from behind. Lessa walked past him, glancing down at the man she had just tripped.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't see you," she said, and walked over to Ares. She nodded to him and he smiled in acknowledgment.

"You'll get the hang of things," Ares said, walking over to the Sovereign and offering him a hand up, but the tall man just lay stretched out now on the ground, continuing to laugh under his breath.

"I like these women already," he replied. He smiled up at Lessa and the others. "I like it rough, ladies." He winked at Calico, still fuming from his kiss. She wiped her mouth with the back of her arm, and spit on the ground. That made him laugh all the more.

The fog had cleared. It seemed as though the troop was back where it had started, on the plains and heading toward the mountains. The God of War looked over at Iolaus and Kendaa.

"I thought we'd have an answer by now," he said.

"An answer?" Iolaus asked, looking at the distant horizon. "I don't even know what the question is."

"The question," said Ares, "is what in Tartarus is going on." He looked over at the Sovereign, now called Agony, and frowned. "I thought at first that I'd been stolen by one of the Three when I disappeared, but when I found Agony and we left the cave, I thought I heard a bell ringing."

"Agony?" Iolaus replied, his eyebrows shot up with surprise.

The Sovereign smiled and got up off the ground. "It's a long story. You can call me the Sovereign although Ares is right, I'm not the Sovereign of anything anymore."

Iolaus frowned all the more and turned toward Ares. "Long story," replied the War God. "No time now."

Calico grinned. "The Ancient One? She might be here to help us?"

"I thought so," Ares said, "but now I'm not so sure and we're back where we started."

The God of War walked through the crowd of warriors and stood looking into the distant fog. He ran his hands through his hair with frustration then looked over at the cat who had quietly rejoined the unit, greeting a friend here and there. Now she sat comfortably in Calico's arms.

"Well?" Ares asked.

"Well, what?" Bastet answered. "We march. We're here and our goal is there." She jumped out of the warrior's arms and started toward the North, her tail pointed skyward with determination. Tosh followed her, chuffing, and the unit moved out, walking in small groups and talking rather than their usual orderly pattern. The mountains, hidden by the fog, seemed so far away.

Part Twelve

"So all this was part of some twisted game?" Hercules asked as he trailed behind the three ancient deities. The small party was making its way down the mountains into the valley still covered with fog. His face had a set look of determined resistance as he followed. Mace lagged behind him. Both were unable to do anything but obey, but their faces showed the disgust that they felt.

"I liked it," Dahak answered, cheerfully. "We sent Discord in the guise of a soldier to your half-brother, to tell him of the Battlefield. I knew it would whet his appetite for power."

"I think you may find that he is not as gullible as you think," Hercules stated angrily.

Set turned and looked at him, making the tall man back up. "He's on his way here, isn't he? And he's brought the Forum Amazons. The slaughter will be ... hmmm, interesting at best and titillating to boot. All those female bodies strewn about." He laughed under his breath.

Hercules looked away. He felt sick. His mind raced with possible plans for escape. The small party had stopped during the conversation and now resumed its slow journey down the rocky terrain. He imagined his friends coming toward the danger and his jaw tensed in anger. He looked back at Mace who had been walking without a comment. Mace looked up and nodded to him as if to acknowledge their common thought.

"What about him?" Hercules asked, making the three stop again and look at the other warrior. "Who's he?"

Set came back to where Mace stood. "He was a servant of mine who betrayed me," he replied, "and I have chosen to punish him in the manner he deserves."

Mace spat on the ground and grinned, looking his opponent in the eyes. "If what I did had anything to do with hurting you, I can die a happy man."

"Your crime was disobeying me," Set replied, stepping close to him. Mace could see the anger in his black eyes. "You were my darling, the Chosen from among the warriors of my temple. You worshipped the serpent. Then for some reason which will forever elude me, you turned on me. You fell in love with a young woman who poisoned you with ideas of justice and compassion." He spat the words out as if they were contaminated.

Set turned back and began to start the journey down. He continued, "so you had to be punished. I sent my warriors to your little whore and they beat her almost to death. They had their way with her also. She was a pretty little thing," he said casually over his shoulder. "But she didn't die until you could see her one more time."

Mace walked along mechanically, feeling the tears welling up as the memory of a bruised and frightened face flooded into his mind again.

"She died in your arms," Set said finally.

Mace felt fury well up inside him until he could not stand it. He put his head back and cried out with all his might. He broke free from the spell and charged toward Set, pushing Hercules aside. The Ancient warrior turned and faced him, throwing out is arm and a bolt of light shot at Mace, throwing him back and he slid over the cliff's edge.

Mace grabbed onto rock as he fell and tried to hold on, but felt the rock give way. Hercules ran to the edge and dove down, grabbing his arm. "I've got you!" Hercules said, between clenched teeth, his face was tight with effort as he grabbed Mace's arm with his other hand also. "I've got you. Hold on!"

Mace struggled to snake his wrist around and grabbed Hercules' arm. The hold was firm. He looked over at the ravine below, trying to move as little as possible, then looked back up at his friend who was inching him up to safety.

Hercules flexed his shoulders with effort and pulled the man toward the ledge, then he felt the power drain out of his grip. His face dawned a look of horrified surprise as his arms went limp and Mace gasped. Mace still had hold of him but his grasp was failing also. The Three stood over Hercules and watched as the two men played out their unwilling parts.

"No," Hercules cried, "no!"

Mace smiled sadly as he lost his grip and began to fall. "This time I don't think I'll be returning," he cried as he disappeared into the depths of the ravine.

Hercules watched as the man's body hit the rocks and bounced down to the grounds far below. It lay still there.

The hero turned over on his back and looked up at his three enemies. "Why?" he gasped, holding back his anger. He was afraid he might start to weep and it angered him that they would see it. "Why bring him this far just to kill him."

"Who said he was dead?" Moloch replied. "He's lying down there still alive, with a broken back. He can crawl on his belly like a snake for the rest of his miserable life. It's only fitting, don't you think?"

The Three turned and resumed their journey. Hercules felt their mystically grip again and got up, following them. He knew that at other times in his life, he had been this angry but he couldn't remember when.

Dahak nodded, hearing his thoughts. "Oh, yes, you've been this angry. You were insane with rage when Hera killed your family. Damn near lost your soul." He paused. "Too bad, you would have made a good weapon." The other two laughed quietly. "And then when Ichor returned and you held Ares' sword. Well, you were not too happy then either."

The hero walked along listening and saying nothing. He set his face in a stony, impassive look and stared ahead, burying his feelings deep within him, fanning the fire of his anger carefully. He recalled so long ago when he had been controlled by another agent of evil, Idolla. She, also, had looked into his mind but Hercules had learned quickly to conceal his inner thoughts and feelings so well that they were barely available even to him, and not at all to her. He called on that skill again.

Set turned around and looked at him. The warrior stopped, looking back at him without response.

"You think you can defeat us," Set said. "Well, good. I welcome the unlikely challenge."

"Bastet defeated you," Hercules said quietly. He saw the reaction he sought as all three dawned looks of indignation.

Set calmed himself and smiled back. "You are going to be a handful, aren't you, boy?"

Hercules smiled back grimly. "I will do whatever it takes."

Moloch came up beside his brother. "Do you want to end up like your friend there, a pitiful cripple? They say you've had that experience before. Perhaps we should refresh your memory," he spat out, putting his face close to the man.

"Anything is better than being here with the three of you," Hercules replied, returning Set's gaze.

"Enough," Dahak shouted. "Let's get on with this. Our fog will soon burn off and the sun will be on the field. I want our army to get a good look at the enemy before they kill them. The ritual needs to take place within the next few hours or all these plans are useless."

Hercules brightened at the sound of the information. The two facing him glared back at their brother but he shrugged off their reactions. "He's helpless." Dahak motioned Hercules to take the lead and the tall man swept past him and continued down the path. The valley floor was now in sight through the mist. In the distance, Hercules thought he heard movement.

Part Thirteen

"We can't call you Agony," Lillian said, walking up beside the Sovereign as they marched along. "It just doesn't seem right. Besides, I thought your name would be Hercules, like his."

The tall man looked down at the Amazon walking beside him. "I was named Hercules by my father; but he left and mother was angry, so the only name I ever heard, other than curse words even I can't repeat, was Agony. I didn't know until I was six that I had a real name. Now I go by the Sovereign, makes me feel important." He smiled at her but she only shook her head.

"Well, like Ares said, you're not the sovereign of anything but it's your name, so why don't we call you Sov?"

"Sov," he replied, grinning. "I like that. Xena used to call me that. Actually, she called me Sovvy but I thought it sounded stupid so I tried to have her killed."

The Wolf frowned. "And this is your usual way of taking exception to something?"

"It used to be," he replied. "But I grew a conscience. Believe me, that was painful."

"And now, you are on the side of goodness and light," she answered back, arching one dark brow in inquiry.

The tall man looked down at the smaller woman again. She was pale skinned with dark brown hair and dark eyes. Her quizzical smile reminded him of another woman whom he had loved deeply at a time when he had no idea as to what that emotion meant. It had only made him feel vulnerable so consequently, he had sent his love away to war and she had died a terrible death.

"You remind me of someone," he said, smiling.

"Another one you had killed?" she retorted.

He laughed. "No, but I might as well have. Would have saved her the trouble of a slow death by my enemies."

"Well, you're just a heck of a good time, aren't you?" she said.

"I can be, I guess. I don't think any woman has ever dared to be honest with me and I never wanted to hear anything but flattery. That was then..." His voice trailed off.

"And now?"

"And now, I struggle with a conscience I don't want," Sov stated. "I have no idea where it will lead. I don't think I want to know. It's so much easier being wicked. You just sink to the lowest notion you have and run with it."

She laughed under her breath. "Well, I hope you don't strain anything in your new role."

"Oh, I won't," he replied, smiling again. "I have a natural tendency toward self preservation. It's gotten me through many a fight and intrigue against my numerous enemies." He thought for a moment then continued. "Now, tell me... are all you Amazons so tough?"

"Only the ones that are left," she answered. "The others have been weeded out by war or the rigors of our martial lifestyle."

"Sounds hard," he said, looking down at her as they walked along. "Don't you ever get tired of the soldier's life?"

"Not really. Our motto is 'Be strong in a world that is weak.' All of us have trained our bodies to be strong, our minds to be sharp, and our ... "

"And your spirits? What are they? What gods do you worship?"

She laughed. "We feel that women should worship what gods they will. For all our discipline, we are an egalitarian society," Lillian said.

"For women," he added.

"For women. Our one prejudice," she answered. She stopped and looked up at him with that quizzical look that he had begun to associate with her. "We do keep men as servants sometimes. Are you interested in the job?" She felt his arm and the muscles in his shoulder. "Nice tone."

He laughed and walked on. "You can't afford me," he said over his shoulder as he walked away.

The fog was clearing now and the mountains could be seen. Ares walked in front with his Chosen by his side. He walked with an easy stride. Behind them walked Lessa and Klio. He was discussing his last campaign, analyzing the hand to hand combat out loud when Kendaa agreed.

"Yes, we teach that to all the Forum members," she said. "It's a handy move in battle."

Ares stopped and stared at her, shocked. "You teach my own private techniques to your fellow warriors? Those maneuvers are secret!" He looked at the two other women. "Do you?"

"Of course," Lessa answered. Klio was laughing under her breath, then coughed and her face became serious again.

"Father," she said, "we share everything and anything than will help our sisters survive. It's not like it's secret. I've seen those movements in the East!"

"Where I shared them with select warriors who could handle my knowledge!" he exclaimed.

Kendaa frowned. "You never told us these were secrets!"

He rolled his eyes, exasperated. "I shouldn't have to! Besides, most of these women can't handle them anyway, as I'm sure you've found!" He started out again, angry now. His pace quickened.

"On the contrary, many of the Sister Soldiers have mastered them quite well, even improved on a few," Lessa dared to say as the Amazons followed behind him. Kendaa groaned inwardly, knowing the outcome of the train of conversation.

Ares stopped suddenly and turned around. "Improved on them? That is impossible!"

Lessa crossed her arms over her chest, sighing. "Yes, improved on them. It may come as a shock to you, sire, but some of these warriors are quite good, great in fact. And they practice day in and day out to become better. Take C'Jai." She turned and motioned to a short blonde, who nodded in response and came over. The troop had decided that the confrontation was a good time for a rest and small bands of women were now sitting around, watching with interest as the Amazon approached the God of War and his entourage.

C'Jai was a short woman, with an athletic, almost boyish, build. She usually wore the leather vest and short skirt of the Amazons with no other adornments though now she was dressed like the others for the cold. In her life, she had trained tirelessly with a sword, and as a consequence, had well defined muscles in her arms and shoulders. She stepped up to Lessa and smiled.

"You called, oh great follower of the Lord of the War!"

"I want you to fight Ares," Lessa replied.

"Oh, fancy that, and here I thought he was an ally," she replied, smiling and winking at the God of War who still stood in indignant anger at learning that his martial secrets were commonplace knowledge of the Forum members.

"Well, I don't want you to hurt him or anything, just show him that underhand that I taught you and you improved on," Lessa added, smiling.

Ares rolled his eyes and grunted at the insult. "Hurt me or anything!"

C'Jai's brows went up in surprise. "Thanks so much for getting him all ready for me," she said. She reached out and shook Lessa's hand. "It has been a pleasure serving with all of you,"she went on, looking around. "Calico, you get my staff. Make sure my animals get fed."

Now everyone was laughing and Ares himself had begun to smile. A ring of observers formed now to define the fighting area. Ares took off his vest and belt, exposing the detailed musculature in his arms and chest. He drew his sword as he tossed the belt aside.

"Is that the one you keep losing?" the small Amazon said as she pulled out her short sword.

Ares' smile disappeared. He glanced over at the woman. "I have it now," he growled.

"You know, I have a theory that your losing of your sword is an unconscious wish to be castrated," she mused as she ambled around waiting for him to start. She waved her short sword in a tight circle, flipping it over in her hand.

Ares glared at her. "Today, I will not kill you," he said, almost as if he was reminding himself. Then he attacked with such speed that the whole group jumped. C'Jai had seen him collect for the move and was ready but even her practiced skills paled against his speed and strength. She parried his moves with effort and used the maneuver in question but the God of War was ready. Her sword went flying, he kicked her feet out from under her and in an instant, she lay on the ground, his sword point on her throat. The whole fight had been over in less time than it had taken for them to prepare.

"Make it quick, okay?" she said, putting her chin up so he could have a clear shot at her neck.

"Castrated, eh?" he asked quietly.

She grinned sheepishly. "I was sort of hoping you would have forgotten that."

"Not likely," he answered and put his hand out to haul her up. She grabbed his hand and found herself on her feet in a heartbeat.

C'Jai straightened her jacket and brushed her hair back away from her face again. "Well, I see that my technique still needs work."

Ares had gone over to where Kendaa held his vest and belt. He put the sword in its scabbard and handed it back to her, then took the vest. "Don't feel bad," he said, as he slipped into the leather. He flipped his long hair out of the collar and fastened the front then he took his belt and put it around his waist, fastening the buckle. "They don't call me the God of War for nothing."

Part Fourteen

The sun was indeed now on the field of battle. The Three waited at the foot of the mountain watching the rays burn their eerie fog away. As the sun lit the distance, they could see the war party approaching. Dahak smiled at the perfection of his plan. His brother waited patiently.

Set stood on a boulder looking down at Hercules who was positioned below him. Hercules had, a moment ago, tried to break free from their hold and go to Mace, whose broken form still lay over by the cliff's face. He had gotten ten good strides away before Moloch's grip stopped him. The force of the dark Ancient deity made the man turn around, and with fury burning in his eye, he walked stiffly back to his place.

Now Moloch stood beside him with his hand on the hero's shoulder. The touch was like ice and Hercules felt a wave of nausea come over him at having the being touching him. Moloch was taking no chances.

"I don't understand what you need me for," Hercules said quietly. "Just kill me and get it over with."

Moloch smiled mirthlessly. "Don't be in such a hurry, boy," he said. "Your end will come soon enough. Perhaps Dahak is right, we worry too much. This plan is coming together nicely." The deity slid his hand up Hercules' shoulder until it rested on his neck. The chilly touch made the hero shiver and it angered him to have the other laugh. "What do they say, 'cold hands, warm heart?'" Moloch added.

Ares was in sight now with the Amazons behind him. He'd had Kendaa step back although she objected at first. His glance told her that his orders were final. She fell in behind him with her squad and Iolaus came past her to stand by Ares.

The War God stopped just enough distance away so that they could be seen but not heard though he wasn't sure what powers they possessed in this strange place. Ares knew his own powers were seriously compromised. He assumed that theirs would be limited too but he couldn't gauge how much and so he planned for the worst.

Iolaus began to walk toward the enemy but Ares reached out and pulled him back.

"Listen," Ares said. His voice was deadly serious as he stared at the blond warrior. "They're there alone, but there's an army somewhere watching. I can feel it." Ares' eyes scanned the horizon above, searching out the rocky terrain. Iolaus joined him, trying to spot an unseen enemy.

"I need to see if Hercules is all right," Iolaus said.

"They won't let you near him. Look at him standing there! Do you think he would stand like that unless they had him under a powerful spell?"

Iolaus looked into the distance where his friend stood with a warrior close by him. "Looks like they have to touch him to keep him in check," Iolaus answered.

"This is a mystic place," Ares replied. He sighed and shook his head. "I should have figured it out before now. I really must start listening to my own advice." He paused and looked around at the rocks and sky. The colors were close, but slightly odd. "We're in one of the worlds between worlds. The fog brought us here. I have no idea why I went to that cave and why I came back with him." He motioned to the Sovereign who had come through the crowd now and was approaching.

Ares felt a hand on his shoulder and glanced back to see Kendaa put her lips close to his ear. She whispered something and Ares nodded. "Good," he said, and she stepped back and motioned to her troopers.

"Green, left. Red, right," she called out, motioning the women to fan out. "White, stay behind." Black and Blue will take the lead." She gave a predatory grin. "Symbolic of the day." The troopers to which she referred began to line up behind the men, an arcing half circle of warriors preparing for battle. The other two troops were flanking the field with enough distance between them and the main force to make a sweeping attack difficult. The Whites lagged behind though some of them grumbled at being held back.

Dahak and his two brothers began to walk toward them. Moloch held Hercules fast, his hand still on the nape of the tall man's neck. It took minutes for the party to approach and finally, Dahak was close enough so that the warriors could see each other clearly and be heard without shouting. The wind had begun to pick up just a bit and Ares looked around to see if he could feel any supernatural movement. He felt nothing but was not comforted by the thought.

"Well, you have come as I knew you would," Dahak said. "The soldier I sent drew you forth, it was Discord, you know."

Ares shook his head imperceptibly. "Fool," he muttered under his breath.

"But your mother gave her extra powers so that the guise would stand," Moloch added. "Your mother is a dear sweet thing. She'll make a worthy servant for us."

Ares smiled. "Dear sweet thing? We are talking about Hera, correct? And is she aware that you have such lofty plans for her?" Ares asked.

"She's no fool," Set replied. "She trusts us no more than we trust her; but ambition, oh, now that will make even the Queen of the Gods take that extra little step."

"I've been there," the War God replied. "That step almost put me in the abyss."

"Pity too," Set replied. "You would have made a wonderful slave."

"Enough," Dahak said, interrupting his brother. "When the sun's direct rays come over the mountains, we will begin." The Three were now positioned in a triangle with Dahak in front, Set to his right and back, and Moloch at his left flank. Hercules was between them with the Ancient One still holding onto him lightly. Iolaus and Ares could see the muscles standing out in Hercules' neck as he strained to try to move. Ares felt needles on his leg as Bastet climbed up his leather pants. He reached down and swept her up into his arms. She stretched her tiny form to get close to the ear of the War God, whispering something. Ares smiled and cradled the cat in his arms as she nestled down in his embrace and glared at the Three.

"I should have known by the stench that you'd be here," Set said, returning the cat's angry gaze. "You weren't always the silly, doddering fool you make them think you are."

"Fool perhaps," the cat replied, "but better that than what I was and what you still are."

"Well, well," the Sovereign exclaimed. "Our pussy has a past."

"Oh, be still my heart," Iolaus muttered.

Ares laughed under his breath. "She tells me you'll try to invoke the seventh sense, using the ritual of Blood and Spirit to free yourself from your bonds. That's why you need Hercules."

"Or the other Hercules," Set said. "He'll do if this one doesn't work out."

The Sovereign's eyebrows went up in mild amusement. "Me, hero? That's rich. I'm the evil twin, remember?"

"And you'll need the soul of a god," Ares went on. "I don't think I need to remind you that I'm ... uh, still using mine for what it's worth."

"Do you really think you can stand against our power?" Moloch said, squeezing Hercules' neck gently. The pain was exquisite and the tall man grimaced and fell to his knees but struggled back up. Moloch smiled. "Just a little demonstration." He raised his other hand and from the crevasses and rocks of the mountains, the army of creatures appeared and stood ready, letting out a moaning call all in one voice. The Amazons drew arms but the odds were grim. There were hundreds of the winged beasts scattered throughout the mountain's crevasses.

The sun continued to rise over the mountains, its rays illuminating the field closer and closer to the Three. Ares saw the glint in Dahak's eyes and turned around, screaming out as the earth began to shake.

"Fall back!" he called. "Fall back, all of you. Now!" Ares threw the cat toward the Greeks but the tabby hissed and came back toward him.

Iolaus and the Sovereign took off toward the Amazon forces as the women reluctantly gave up the field. It took a moment for everyone to realize that Ares was not with them and Iolaus turned and started back toward the god when he saw that Kendaa was running toward him.

Ares' arm swung out and a bolt of light landed just in front of them as the half-dryad reached the Greek. "Just get back! All of you!" the War God yelled.

Kendaa screamed and started again toward her love but Iolaus caught her and pulled her along with him as he retreated. The earth was now opening up between the god and his allies, driving him toward the Three. The small cat crouched at his feet.

"Come on," Iolaus yelled to Kendaa, "You can't help him. Think of your son."

Ares turned around and looked back at the Three. The ground continued to give way to a huge abyss behind him, cutting him off from the main party and driving the Greeks and Amazons farther back. The gaping chasm in the earth roared from within with fire and chaos. It widened more, swallowing in the top soil as flames licked out. It began to form a circle around the five men.

"Welcome to our world," Dahak shouted to Ares above the noise of the fury. "Now I invoke the Seventh Sense, the sense of being and ask all forces in this world and all worlds to release us from our bondage." The other two had raised their arms in supplication. As Moloch released Hercules, he stumbled and then began to run toward his half brother. Moloch waved his arm in one swift motion and five of the creatures perched above them moaned and then took off, descending toward the hero.

"We offer the forces of light and darkness, good and evil, the blood of the hero. May he be a fit sacrifice in your eyes!" Moloch called out as the earth shook, and the crevasse widened.

The creatures closed in on Hercules, cutting him with their rapier claws. They raked his arms and chest until he bled from a myriad of wounds. Then strangely enough, the creatures retreated back to their perches on the rocks. Hercules had been whirling around, fending them off as best he could. He twisted around to see them retreat. He fell once, then got up and stumbled toward Ares, past the now glowing form of Dahak. The Three beings were rapt in power, their forms were beginning to expand.

Hercules met Ares face to face. The cat waited, hunkering down in the chaos, and staring up at the War God. Hercules watched as Ares pulled out the sword of power. He frowned and stared angrily at his dark sibling.

"So this is it? You're going to kill me?" Hercules asked in confused anger. "Is this your legacy to your son?" Blood ran down his body onto the ground below and he felt himself getting weaker. He went down on one knee, shaking his head.

Ares looked at the sword that had been his jewel and his jailer all his life. "No, I'm not going to kill you," he said quietly, "I'm going to kill myself."

Part Fifteen

The Ancient Ones had now grown in stature. Their true hideous forms emerged and Ares could feel them pulling the life force out of him. He smiled sadly, then raised his sword and with all the strength he had left, he hurled the sword into the fiery pit. As the lava of the earth consumed the supernatural weapon, the War God screamed once and then turned mortal, falling onto his knees beside his brother.

"No!" cried Dahak. "NO!" His ghastly form began to twist and turn as if it was pursued by unseen forces. It melted and ran into the lava of the pit, flowing into the depths. His two brothers screamed alike, the power of the earth drawing them down now that they did not have the cost of their freedom. Ares' sacrifice was their undoing.

As their bodies were drawn into the bowels of the earth, Set screamed one last order.

"Kill them all!" he cried out and then the lava consumed him.

The creatures in the mountains began to moan and take to the air with bat wings. The two men stumbled to their feet, helping each other up and looking around. They were cut off from the main force by the large gorge where fires were now subsiding but the gap was too wide to jump. Neither had a weapon.

The Amazon forces had been closing in, watching the scene. What had seemed like a long time had really only taken moments and the sister soldiers and the male warriors now stood at the other side trying to figure a way over. The women had no ropes to span the gap.

The lithe tiger jumped the gorge easily and joined the two men in their captivity, roaring with anger as the creatures descended.

The rift in the earth could not be spanned by any human but as the troopers talked quickly, Tedras had assumed her dragonian form. The huge dragon called out once, spewing fire into the sky and burning creatures who dared to come to near to her. They fell, moaning, into the pit like fireballs. Other creatures now closed in on the two men.

Tedras spanned the gorge with her reptilian body, laying her strong wings out also. Iolaus was first across her and jumped onto the soil by his friend, slicing the feet off a creature that was attacking his friend. Amazons followed, pouring onto the small space. The blood bath began.

Archers stayed behind. Lady Pegasus led a troop of the best archers of the Nation. They showered arrows into the path of the creatures, carefully picking them off in the air so that no arrow went unused. The warriors on the ground had the two wounded men covered. Ares looked up from his place to see Agony cutting a wide swath in the air with a huge sword. The creatures were careful to avoid his long reach. Kendaa stood over Ares, screaming with battle fury as the creatures dipped down to try to claw at her. A head lopped off and bounced near Ares and rolling into the gorge.

Tedras took to the air and flew toward the mountains, sending a deadly spray of fire over the mountainside. The poor creatures knew no retreat, and were obeying the orders of their god without thought. Hundreds went to a fiery death from her fury.

The battle seemed to go on forever, but sun was at midmorning when the troopers finally looked around to see that no more enemies stood alive. There was a moment of stunned silence as everyone looked around realizing that the fight was over. Then a cheer went up, led by Calico, as they celebrated their hard won victory. The Forum members looked around at each other. There were many wounded but no one had been killed. Kendaa dragged her lover to his feet, and looked at the tired, all too human man. She kissed him and he returned her passion.

Agony went over to where Hercules was sitting. Iolaus was already tending his friend's wounds.

Hercules looked up with surprise. "What are ...?"

"It's a long story," Agony interrupted. "Ares has taken me from my imprisonment. I only hope that I can find a place to go to where I can begin to make up for the life I have lived." Hercules' eyebrows went up in total surprise.

Iolaus laughed at his friend's expression. He shook his head as he put another field bandage on his friend. "Well, you've lost a lot of blood. You're lucky to be alive," he said. Hercules nodded.

In the distance, Amazons were coming from the mountain's base carrying something. Tedras had flown over a ravine to find Mace lying where he had fallen, barely alive. The Amazons from the White Squadron had made a makeshift litter and had Mace tied securely to staves to keep from any further injury. Lady Peg had already made a cursory examination of the man and found that he had broken many bones, including his back.

Tedras spanned the gorge again so that the warriors could leave the small body-strewn space. They helped the wounded across the dragon's back and the troopers put a distance between themselves and the area of battle. It was mid-day and now camp had to be set up.

It was evening before camp was fully set up and the wounded had been attended. Camp fires with an odd color flame burned now on the plains that stretched endlessly in all directions save the mountains. The world here was a strange place and gave everyone a feeling of dread even though the Three were gone. The sunset was a strange mixture of blues and greens.

"So now what," Hercules said as he accepted another biscuit from Lyrical. Iolaus was busily wolfing down his portion of stew. Hercules looked over at Kendaa across the fire. Ares lay asleep by her, exhausted from the experiences of the day.

She shrugged. "I have no idea," she answered. She looked down at her lover. "I have often wanted him to give up that sword. Now I would do anything to get it back."

Hercules nodded but said nothing.

Calico came up to the fire and squatted down, squeezing Hercules' shoulder in a friendly greeting. "Has anyone seen Bastet?" she asked quietly.

Ares awoke from his light sleep. He rolled over and sat up. "The last I saw of her was just before I threw the sword away." He turned and looked at his Chosen. "I threw it away," he said as he could not believe it himself. He shook his head sadly, then sighed lying down again. "Our next order of business is to figure out how we'll get out of here," he stated, closing his eyes.

"Perhaps this was your mother's plan all along, to get rid of you, us and the Three. She's free now to have her way in the mortal world," Hercules answered.

Ares opened his eyes, looking over at his brother. "I don't think my mother is that clever. She couldn't have foreseen this turn of events."

"But it certainly makes things easier for her," Iolaus added.

They all agreed glumly. The Amazons had begun a victory celebration, despite the desperation of their situation. Women danced now around a large camp fire that the Amazons had made in the middle of the camp.

Hercules got up and went over to where Lady Peg had started a field hospital. There were no tents but some women had made small enclosures from capes and jackets to keep the wind off of those with serious wounds. He found Mace in one enclosure. The hero sat down by his friend and offered him a cup of mulled wine.

Mace shook his head and looked away. He had said nothing since being found. Hercules could see the pain in his eyes. It was bad enough that the man was crippled now for life, but the memories of the life he had lived and the loss he had sustained were evident in his expression.

"I wish I could help you," Hercules said, feeling as if the words were so inadequate that he regretted saying them. He didn't know what else to say.

"This is my punishment," Mace said finally, barely above a whisper. "Remember I said, that I could not imagine a world worse then the one we were in? Well, this is it." His face was tight with emotion. Hercules could see his jaw tense as he tried not to cry.

"This is worse?" Hercules asked.

Mace nodded almost imperceptibly. "This is worse, to remember what I was and what happened to the one I loved. I left her because we had a spat, a lover's quarrel." His words drifted off to silence as he looked away. "I was going to go back to the temple and beg Set's forgiveness," he said. "Can you believe that? Can you?" He looked over at Hercules. "I was so angry with her. How dare she question me! I went to the temple. It was quiet and I had a bad feeling. I thought to myself 'what am I doing here? I hate this place!' Then I went back to her hut." His eyes drifted back to the blackness beyond the camp where no stars nor moon gave light to the what lay beyond. Hercules could see the tears well up in his eyes in the firelight. "I found her there, raped, beaten, dying. She said she was sorry for making me angry." He grimaced in anguish, unable to move or hide his face. "Gods," he whispered. "This is worse. This is so much worse."

Hercules felt his own tears well up at the suffering of his friend. He bent over and put his body across his friend's holding him as they cried.

The celebration songs and dances seemed so out of place to the two warriors as Hercules comforted his friend. In a minute, Mace's crying was spent and he drifted into a troubled sleep.

Part Sixteen and Epilogue

"Where are you?" called a woman's voice. "I can feel you close but there is no light."

"I'm coming, sister! Hold on."

Bastet willed her spirit to find her sister in this dark place. She had felt the stirrings of the other as the Three were sucked back down into their black prison. This was the entrance to the pit. The little cat had made her way through the fighting and had jumped into the fires of the pit, hearing the calling of her sister, Xastet.

Now they both dwelt in darkness. Bastet feared that she would be lost, along with her sister, and doomed to stay in this place, close to the evil Ancient Ones. The thought spurred her on as she felt her cosmic fear increase.

"Call to me," she said.

"I'm here," said the other. The sound was closer. "Here."

The two spirits touched. They mingled and swirled as they found each other again.

"Now we have to get out," Bastet said.

"I know," Xastet replied. "I don't know how."

"Neither do I," her sister answered back. "I think this is what the Amazon warriors call being in deep sh ... " Her words were cut off by a deep, hollow moan. The Three were near. The two sorceress spirits waited anxiously. The moaning came close and then began to lessen. Finally the sound was gone all together.

"Whew!" Xastet said. "I wonder what that meant."

"I think they are in the darkness forever," Bastet replied. "Let's hope so."

"And us?"

There was only silence. The silence seemed to last a lifetime as the two waited. Then, at first so imperceptibly but then gradually increasing, the two heard the tinkling of a bell. A blue light surrounded the two spirits. The peaceful presence of the Ancient One, Bastet, began to pull them out of the dark place.

"You have done well," said the Ancient One. "You have found approval in His sight."

"But we didn't do anything," Bastet the Sorceress said. "We didn't use our powers at all."

"Perhaps that was what you were supposed to do," the Ancient One replied.

Then the two cats were hurdled into the corporeal world. Xastet rolled over and over and finally hit something. Bastet had landed, uncharacteristically, on her feet. She looked over to see Hercules sitting near a man lying down under a small tent of clothes.

Hercules smiled and made a sign to be silent. The tabby nodded but then looked at her sister whose fall had been broken by Mace's side. Mace's eyes opened again. Hercules rolled his eyes then realized who is was.

"Xas? Xastet?" he cried. "Gods, you're back." He reached out and scooped up the black cat in his arms. "How are you?"

The little sorceress was purring with delight. She rubbed against the stubbly chin of the hero, purring and cooing. The reunion had been overheard by Amazons close by and soon the small party was surrounded by women shouting and crying at the reunion of the Amazons with the sorceress and her sister.

Calico picked up her tabby friend. "You scared the Tartarus out of us, you little fiend," she said, petting the cat.

"I'm sorry but I heard my sister and knew I could get to her," Bastet replied. "The Ancient One came and rescued us." She rubbed against the small Amazon, licking her cheek.

Kendaa came over and took the cat from Calico's arms. "You're back! Thank the gods," she said.

"Thank one God only," Bastet corrected.

Kendaa nodded in agreement. "I'm going to have to get use to that," she said. "Did I hear mention of the Ancient One, Bastet?"

"Yes," the little sorceress explained. "She came and found us in the darkness."

"I hope she can help Ares, and this one," the half-dryad replied, nodding over at Mace.

Hercules was still with Xastet, surrounded by others. The tent had been removed and Mace was in the midst of a crowd of Amazons greeting the lost sorceress. The black cat was greeting this one and that when she looked down at the man on the ground for the first time.

She jumped out of Calee's arms onto his chest and walked up to his face, smelling his cheek then sitting down on his chest. "Could it be?" she asked, almost to herself. "Is this Taligaro, the first warrior of Set?"

Mace's eyes became wide with surprise. "Who are you?" he asked angrily.

The black cat stepped delicately off him and walked over to where she had room. The warriors backed away as she sat down and began to change. Her form eddied and swirled and then grew. From it emerged a young woman, dark haired and dark eyed. It looked like Xastet but with youth and innocence.

"Anya," Mace said, his voice breaking with emotion. "My love."

The young woman knelt down beside her lover. "I was sent by Bastet, the Ancient One, many hundreds of years ago. She sent me to show you love and give you the chance to change your destiny. She knew that you had it in you to walk a different path," she explained. "It was mine to fall to the cruelty of Set's men." She kissed him on the lips. "That was long ago," she went on.

Hercules cleared his throat and the sorceress-turned-girl looked up at him. "He can't walk," Hercules said.

"That will be easily remedied," Lady Pegasus said from the crowd. "We have the scales of the white dragon. There aren't many but there will be one for him. It will heal the broken back. The other wounds can heal on their own."

"So you weren't real?" Mace said to the young girl, frowning.

"I was as real as your love for me and mine for you," Xastet replied looking back at her lover. "The incarnation was my mission, but the love was my choice." She paused to stroke his cheek. "We will put away your old name. Now you will be Mace." She smiled. "I like that name," she added and kissed him again.

Epilogue:

The celebration continued again. Now Mace lay with Xastet in her cat form curled up next to him near the central fire. Hercules and Iolaus sat with resting warriors while others got up and danced and sang. Ares lay by the fire asleep again and Kendaa lay next to him watching the festivities from a distance.

Sov sat with a group of the Amazons, watching the dancing and making slightly rude comments which were periodically responded to with the Wolf's elbow in his side. This made him laugh and comment all the more.

As was the custom, the celebration went on through the eerie night until the last warrior had a chance to dance. Iolaus had even gotten up and danced, but his movements, usually so fluid, were comic and clumsy and he admitted later to having been very nervous in front of the women.

Now everyone was asleep save for a few who had been chosen as guards. The lone Amazons walked the perimeter of the camp, nodding to each other as they scanned the blackness. Beyond the campfires, there was no light. The sky was black with no moon or stars and the darkness was unnerving.

The camp fires burned low now, making the darkness encroach on the troopers even more. The guards walked their duty stations tiredly. It was difficult to see at first, but a mist began to come up. The guards became too tired to stand and lay down, not even thinking that they were deserting their posts.

Then the mist took on a strange radiance, as it began to shine blue. In the mist appeared a tall figure, a black female warrior. She was shaven headed and lanky, dressed in the outfit of the ancient warriors of the Pharaohs of the Nile. She strode into the sleeping camp and looked around, a slight smile on her face. The mist swirled around her.

She walked over to where Tosh lay. Crouching down, she stroked the beast as he slept pillowing the head of his mistress on his chest. The tall warrior bent down and kissed the Amazon on the cheek, smiling at the sleeping woman. She went to Calee and kissed her also, whispering something in her ear as she slumbered.

Then the Ancient One walked over to where Ares lay in the arms of his lover. The warrior looked down at the man and sighed.

"You have done well this day," she said quietly. "He is proud of the sacrifice that you were willing to make." Then she reached up to the sword that was strapped to her back and pulled out the gleaming blade. "But your struggle with this burden is not over," she said. She laid the blade on the ground by his side.

Then the Ancient One turned and walked to the edge of the camp. She looked back over the sleeping warriors, raising her arms and her face toward the sky and singing:

God presides in the great assembly; He gives judgement to the gods:

"How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. They know nothing and they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

"I said, 'You are gods'; you are all sons of the Most High.' But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler."

Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all nations are Your inheritance.*

Then the tall warrior knelt down and whispered a prayer. Her form vanished as it had come and the mist vanished with her. Outside the glow of the camp fires the light of the stars began to shine, first one and then another until the night sky was filled with the light of the stars and the crescent moon, and the mountains of North Macedonia loomed in distance.

Finis

*Psalm 82 of the Psalms of David, New International Version of the Holy Bible.