From the Annals of Bastet

Kendaa went into the darkened hut. There on the cot lay Klio, pale and sick with the fever she had developed ever since the Amazons had engaged the Bacci in a brutal battle in the mountains of Norn. The tall Amazon went over to her friend and sat down. Klio smiled up at her but said nothing, her blue-green eyes had a dazed look, and her raven hair was wet with perspiration.

Kendaa leaned down and hugged her friend and comrade-in-arms, brushing the hair away from her hot brow. She could tell that even since yesterday, the sick woman had lost more weight. She took her friend's hand and sat quietly beside her, feeling a helplessness that made her sad and angry.

Kendaa looked up as Lady Pegasus came into the hut. The healer came over and put her hand on the forehead of the sick woman.

"Has she said anything to you?" the healer asked. Kendaa shook her head and Lady Pegasus frowned. "She hasn't said anything since the battle. I don't know whether she can't speak or won't speak." She sighed. "We must prepare for the possibility that she will become one of them."

Kendaa sat back, aghast. "What do you mean?"

Lady Pegasus looked at her sadly, "She was bitten by a Bacci. I was hoping that not many knew."

Kendaa looked down at her friend again and now saw the tiny marks of the Bacci on the woman's neck. Two small welts over the woman's jugular vein marked the spot where a creature had bitten her. Anxiety flooded over the usually calm Amazon.

The Bacci had invaded the mountains that bordered the Amazon Nation in the spring of the year. Since then, mysterious creatures had made several raids on outer villages, swooping down in the dark of the night and killing more than a dozen Amazons. On the last raid, eight young women had disappeared and seven women had been found dead. It was then that the Sister Soldiers decided to retaliate and had headed into the mountain caves to find their lost children and hunt down the Bacci. The resulting battle had left many dead on both sides as the warriors hunted down the creatures in their lair. The predatory beasts met their match in the angry women, whose wrath was further inflamed when they found the bodies of their young sisters dead in the depths of the caves. The battle now also left Klio hovering between life and death, possibly another victim to the Bacci. Rumors flew in the villages, and in the Council, of why none of the women had been converted so far to a Bacci.

Kendaa looked up at Lady Pegasus.

"Why Klio?" she whispered to the healer. "They haven't tried to convert anyone else." She thought for a moment, then her face became a mask of determined outrage. "We can't let them have her!"

"It may be too late," Lady Peg replied. The healer put her hands on Kendaa's shoulder. "Try to get some rest yourself."

Lady Pegasus turned and left the hut, leaving Kendaa alone with her friend.

Laurissa knocked and came into the hut to find Kendaa sleeping, sitting up by the bed, her head leaning against the wall. Laurissa woke her gently.

"Where's Klio?" she asked.

Kendaa stood up, looking around frantically. "She was in bed, asleep. She wasn't in any condition to go anywhere!"

"Well, she's not here now. Maybe the fever broke while you were asleep."

The two went out into the evening air. The sun had set, and Kendaa was filled with a sense of dread as she saw the last light of the sky slowly fade. She put her hands on her hips and sighed, throwing her head back in frustration and running her hands through her long blond hair.

"What's the matter?" Laurissa asked. "She's probably gone to the mess hall."

"She was bitten by a Bacci," Kendaa answered quietly. "Lady Peg didn't tell anyone."

Laurissa's mouth dropped open. "Oh, my gods!"

"Exactly." Kendaa headed off into the village to look around. Laurissa trailed after her, still dazed by the news.

The two Amazons inquired at the mess hall, and at the training field. They visited the huts of friends and Forum members to see if anyone had seen Klio. Finally, they returned to Klio's hut. Lady Pegasus was waiting for them and with her was the Queen. Both women looked grim.

"Has she come back?" Kendaa asked, not wanting to hear the answer.

"No," replied the Queen. "And Amberlia's friend, Cai, has been found dead, savaged by a beast. Only a Bacci could get into our camp unnoticed."

Kendaa felt panic well up inside her.

Laurissa gasped. "Well, I know what you're thinking and you are wrong! Klio just wouldn't! I don't care what you say about the bite of a Bacci. I know Klio, and she wouldn't."

The Queen brushed past her. "I'm sorry, Laurissa. I am calling a general assembly. I will put the warriors on alert about this new development. I have no choice."

As the Queen walked away, the two tall women exchanged worried glances. They were torn between the love for a friend and devotion to their sisters. They looked at Lady Pegasus.

"I'm flying out tonight," the healer whispered. "Perhaps the dragons can tell us something, or Hephaestus can guide me. And Kendaa," the healer's wings fluttered nervously as she leaned close the tall Amazon, "maybe you can see if Ares will help."

Kendaa nodded but said nothing, her face not showing the doubts she felt.

The three warriors parted company. Laurissa and Kendaa headed to the general assembly to speak in Klio's defense. Lady Peg took flight toward the valley of Hephaestus, where the dragons had made their new home.

Klio stood in the clearing of the forest. She looked up and saw a night sky full of stars. The Amazon peered at the forest around her. Every sense she had was heightened. The trees glowed with primal life. She could see every leaf and twig move. She could hear the small animals moving in the underbrush and smell the blood coursing in their veins as they foraged. She could hear their rapid little hearts beat.

Then she realized she had no idea how she had gotten to this place. What was even stranger was that it did not matter. If she had a past, it was a fading dream to her now. She took in the delicious scent of the night. She felt hunger and looked around again at the forest underbrush. There in the shadows, a badger peered out at her. In an instant, she lunged and caught the beast, and her lightening speed surprised her. As the Amazon looked down at the beast, struggling in her hands, she saw the terror in its eyes. It squealed with alarm.

She had the thought to bite into it and taste its lifeblood. This thought seemed so natural and yet, she was repelled by the desire. She tossed the creature back into the bushes and walked out into the clearing again. She thought she heard a call on the wind. The wind caressed her cheek and it seemed to be talking to her. She reached out, and felt the air move around her arms. She heard the call again.

"I'm coming," she said quietly. "I'm coming."

The Amazon crouched down and put her hands on the ground in front of her. Then, where a woman had been, a white wolf took form, and the she-wolf trotted off toward the mountains of Norn and the origin of the call.

The she-wolf traveled quickly, gulping up the miles of terrain at a running pace. The forest gave way to plains, and the plains to rolling hills. The hills became steeper and the air became chilly. The wolf knew that the mountains were close. Beyond the next ridge, the Mountains of Norn rose majestically into the sky, their shoulders covered with snow and their tops so high that they were always cloud covered.

The wolf stopped in the hills to hunt. She ran down a rabbit, and then a snake, and killed and ate each rapidly. Then she moved on toward the mountains. As she traveled through the hills, she heard a distant sound that made her curious. The wolf trotted into a nearby wood and the sounds became more distinct. Then she saw firelight through the trees. The wolf came closer to the sound. There in the clearing was a fire where two men sat warming themselves.

Hercules and Iolaus sat by the fire, enjoying the last of their meal and talking about the events of the day. "I thought to see more game around," Iolaus said. He took another drink from the waterskin and then broke off another piece of the bread they had brought with them.

"I know," Hercules replied. "It's strange, there aren't even many birds around, like the place is haunted or something." He looked around and then back at his friend. "What do you say we head down into the plains tomorrow and see what the fishing is like at Lake Cala?"

"I don't know," Iolaus answered, "what do you think?"

"I asked you first."

Iolaus snorted with disgust. "This is why we don't take vacations. We can never agree on anything. Now, if you give us a slimy hydra with seven heads that is eating its way through the countryside populace, we're on the same scroll; but when it comes to leisure time, the decision making in this relationship goes to Hades. We are leisure cursed!"

Hercules rolled his eyes. "What do you mean, we can't agree? I just asked a simple question. Do you want to stay up here in the haunted forest and hunt where there is no game; or do you want to go and fish by the nice, quiet lake, teeming with delicious freshwater fish as long as your arm?" Both men were beginning to laugh.

"Well, since you put it ... " Iolaus began to say.

Then both men froze as they heard the growl of the wolf. The two turned their heads slowly toward the sound and saw an immense white wolf emerging from the underbrush toward them, her fangs bared as she growled. Iolaus reached down slowly. He gripped one of the pieces of wood burning in the fire. He raised the burning weapon now, hoping the fire would drive the hungry animal away. The wolf continued to approach them, the pitch of her growling becoming louder and louder. Hercules realized that the wolf was not looking at them but was focused on something behind them. He turned slowly to see three sets of gleaming red eyes peering out of the darkness on the other side of the clearing.

"Iolaus," the tall warrior said quietly, "there's something in the forest behind us."

Iolaus turned and looked where Hercules had nodded. He was about to speak when the wolf attacked. The two men could only brace themselves as she leapt toward them; but instead of striking, the animal bound over them and into the bushes. Savage sounds followed as one animal attacked a pack. Snarling and growls gave way to an anguished cry of pain and then silence. The two men got up. Hercules looked at his friend who was still holding the torch. Iolaus looked back at him and, cautiously, the two approached the place where the fight had occurred, shining the light before them.

There in the underbrush lay Klio, unconscious. She had gaping wounds on her arms, back, and legs, but the wounds did not bleed. She was naked, curled up on her side, and her skin was a pale ivory white, very different from the usual olive tan of the Amazon. The two went to her quickly. Hercules stripped off the vest and shirt he wore and put them around her gently.

"What the Hades is going on?" Iolaus wondered aloud, trying to rouse the woman gently. The two men sat back even more amazed; as the wounds closed and disappeared before their eyes.

Iolaus touched her shoulder again. "She's cold as snow," he said. He handed his companion the torch and picked up the woman, carrying her back to the campsite and laying her beside the fire. As he lay her down, she moaned softly and curled up again on her side. Iolaus reached into the pack and pulled out one of the cloaks they had brought, covering her with it.

Hercules scanned the forest depth, trying to see where the attackers had gone. He came back and joined Iolaus, sitting down and looking at Klio, still unconscious by the fire. For a while, the two men sat quietly, looking at the woman and then looking around the clearing to detect any danger. Ordinary hunters would have been long gone from the campsite after such a bizarre experience; but the two champions, so long used to odd turns of fate and supernatural events, took in the new development with curious concern.

Hercules frowned and rubbed his chin in thought. He looked at the Amazon, then reached down and felt the vein in her neck. He shook his head. "Just as I thought, she has no pulse."

Iolaus stood up and paced around the fire angrily. "Gods, poor Klio!" He thought for a while, pacing. "There's only one thing that can explain this."

"I know," Hercules replied. "I had heard rumors that the Bacci had come south. I had no idea they were so close. One must have bitten her. The attackers must be other Bacci," he looked around, "which means that they may still be close."

"And means no sleep tonight. We better head down toward the plains as soon as possible." Iolaus sighed, and looked at his friend. "Like I said, we are leisure cursed."

Hercules snorted in response, laughing despite the turn of events. He thought for a while as Iolaus continued to pace. Resting his head on his fisted hands, the tall warrior looked into the firelight and considered the best course. "You know. It might be a better idea to stay here. Traveling in the dark, through the forest, with an injured woman, we'd be too vulnerable," he said, thinking out loud. "Also, we should prepare for the possibility that she may turn on us."

Iolaus nodded in agreement. "True. Gods, I hate to think about that but you're right. One of us can sleep while the other takes the watch." He thought for a moment, then looked back at Hercules. "Klio is going to need some powerful assistance. I don't think an herb or two is going to do the trick here. Do you think you can call on any of your relatives?"

Hercules sat back, crossing his arms on his chest and pursing his lips. "Well, I think my relatives will probably be as helpful as they usually are."

Iolaus shook his head and continued to pace.

The Queen stood in the middle of the yard, surrounded by Amazons in battle dress. Warriors from every village were there, representing the loosely bound "tribes" that made up the nation of women. The warriors had been assembling all evening and tension showed on their faces as the news of the girl's death circulated through the ranks. The women whispered about the bite of the Bacci to one of their own, and fear and outrage spread.

Torches lit the meeting place. Many were tired from battle and angry about the new incursion. "We cannot let down our guard now. I know you are all tired," the Queen explained in the torchlight, "but I want every village to remain on alert and continue to post double guards. As some of you know now, one of our own, Klio, has been bitten and may be the killer of Cai, so be on the alert for her. Remember that the Bacci are clever and have the power to seduce with their eyes. That is probably how they have been so successful up to now. The woman we knew as Klio is no longer one of us."

Kendaa stepped forward. "You don't know for sure that Klio was the one who killed Cai."

The Queen held up something and Kendaa groaned. The necklace that Klio always wore hung from the Queen's fingers. "This," she said, "was found next to the body." The Queen walked over to the champion among the Amazons. She looked Kendaa in the eyes. "If you want to save your friend, save her soul by taking her life before she does more evil."

Behind Kendaa, Laurissa stood silently. She could feel the tears stinging her eyes. "I still don't believe it," she whispered.

"Fine," Kendaa said to her Liege, "post guards. Defend the Nation. But let me go after her. If I find her, I'll bring back the woman or kill the creature."

"You can't beat the Bacci," the Queen replied. "This is foolish."

"This is friendship." The tall Amazon took the necklace from the Queen, and walked off into the darkness.

The camp was silent. In the night sky, bats flew across the full moon's face. The crackle of the fire was the only sound other than Hercules' regular breathing in sleep. Iolaus put another piece of wood on the fire and scanned the forest around them. He thought about the many adventures that the two had been through together.

"Well, there was the time that I got turned to stone while doing the job he was asked to do,' Iolaus thought to himself," and he had to realize that destroying Hera's temples was a poor career choice, and come rescue me and a village full of people. That was a lot of fun. Then there was the time I got killed and sent to Hades and he had to work with the Inforcer to bring me back to life. Yea, that was great. Of course, I did get to meet my father again, finally. Then there was the time that we were forced to be gladiators ... working like slaves by day and fighting each other by night."' He gazed into the fire's light. "Then there was the whole Serena thing. Gods, that took a piece right out of both of us." Iolaus looked down at the scars on his arms and hands. "Cut, stabbed, beaten, shot with arrows, struck by lightening ... "

Iolaus looked up to see Hercules gazing at him with a frown on his face. "What are you thinking about?" the tall hero said quietly, yawning.

"I'm thinking this work is too hard, let's be farmers," Iolaus replied.

Hercules chuckled. "We tried that, remember?" he said. "We're terrible at it. We're better at killing giants than tilling fields." Then Hercules frowned. "That's a sad statement."

Iolaus shook his head and ran his fingers through his blond hair. The two men lapsed into silence and watched the fire burn. Klio had not moved, and still lay curled up by the fire, now wrapped in Hercules' shirt and the cloak, her black hair covering her pale face. Hercules tried to go back to sleep but opened his eyes shortly, and looked at Iolaus. The smaller man's face was serious. Iolaus looked back at him.

"What?" Hercules asked quietly, troubled by the look on his friend's face.

"It's just ... " Iolaus looked at his hands, front and back. He sighed, looking at the scars that he had. "I worry about ... well, not being able to keep up with you." Hercules began to speak but Iolaus shook his head and interrupted. "No, listen ... I struggled for many years with the idea of being the sidekick, the other one. It was Hercules, hero of the Greek people, and that other one. And it made me angry that I was 'the other one'. But then, somewhere along the way, I got it. I finally got it! I thought about what my life would have been had I not been 'the other one'. I'd be on the edges of society, eking a life out as a thief or a bully, probably now having had my hands cut off for stealing. So I finally became satisfied being 'the other one'."

"So ... " Hercules replied.

"So how long can I keep up?" Iolaus said. "Hercules, you're half god. You're stronger, you heal more quickly, and you'll last a lot longer than the rest of us, than I will. I worry about when the day will come when I can't keep up, when the fights are too hard and the walls are too high."

"Well, when that day comes, I'll take you home," his friend replied.

"Take me home where? My mother is an old woman, she'll be dead. Your mother is dead. Neither of us have any children to take us in."

"We'll think of something. There are plenty of people who owe us that much," Hercules answered.

"People have a way of forgetting," Iolaus said. "Look how they forgot all that you did when they put you on trial."

Hercules nodded but said nothing.

"I just worry, that's all."

"I'll take you to the Amazons. They'll take you in," Hercules added, smiling.

"They don't allow men! You know that!" Iolaus answered, laughing.

"The Forum members will take you in. Chantal, Bwell, and Valiance will hide you in a cave somewhere, probably chained to a bed," Hercules said, laughing also.

"Yes, those ladies do like having the upper hand. It must be a girl warrior thing."

"Xena was the same way, too," Hercules added, and they both nodded.

"Well, once we get Klio fixed up, she can ... "

Both men looked over at the sleeping woman and started. Klio had disappeared from the fireside. Where she had lain moments ago, only the cloak now lay, empty. The two warriors were chilled by the ease with which the Amazon-turned-Bacci had slipped away undetected, from right beside them.

Kendaa stood in the heart of the forest. Slender beams of moonlight made their ways through the dense canopy and gave the darkness some light. She closed her eyes and called silently to her lover, knowing that sometimes he came and sometimes not.

This time he came. The dark Lord of War stood behind her and she could sense his presence but she did not turn around. She could feel his eyes on her, studying the lines of her body.

"I know why you have called. I am aware of my daughter's situation. This is a matter for the Gods to deal with. Go home and wait," Ares said quietly. There was a chilly anger in his voice.

Kendaa turned and looked at him. "She's my friend. Please let me help."

"No," he answered. The hardness of the God of War melted slightly as Ares looked Kendaa in the eyes. He stepped over to her and brushed her hair back with his hands. "This is not about you. It isn't even about Klio. This is a struggle between the Gods."

"But it is about us. Klio is out there, somewhere, a creature now. Doesn't that bother you?" Kendaa cried.

"Of course, it bothers me. She is being used to affect me and I will retaliate," Ares replied.

"But SHE is being affected! Don't you think about that?" Kendaa asked.

"She's mine to use. You're mine. Lessa is mine. Even Discord is mine," he answered flatly. "For what that is worth."

"So we're just things to you, objects for your amusement," Kendaa countered, feeling the same old painful conflict come up.

"Do you eat meat?"

"What?"

"I said, do you eat meat?"

"Well, yes but ... "

"Do you ever think of the suffering of that animal? Doesn't it bother you when it screams in death?"

"Well, yes but ... "

"That animal is to you, as you humans are to us."

"But we kill for food," Kendaa replied desperately.

"Not all of you do," the Dark Lord retorted. "Some kill for sport and some lash the horse or kick the dog because they can't lash out at other humans. You humans are so quick to dominate, even with each other, but when you're the victims, you scream and call it injustice. You can't understand the reasons the Gods have for what we do, but we have our reasons. That is all you need to know. I do not have to justify my actions to you."

Kendaa was silent for a moment, studying the lines in Ares' face. "But there are beings even above you," Kendaa said.

"Yes."

"And you have to account for what you do to them."

"Yes." Ares crossed his arms over his chest. His face was hard again, the look uncompromising. "Everyone serves someone. That is the way of things. Who we serve is far beyond your comprehension. Now, go home. I will call for you if I need you."

The tall Amazon stood looking at the God of War defiantly and moments passed. She knew that in this test of wills, she would not win; but she hated the idea of going back to her companions empty-handed and having to explain her retreat. She turned and walked into the darkness of the forest, heading back to the village.

Ares stood for some time, watching the woman walk away, and when he could not see her anymore, sensing her all the further. He closed his eyes and let his head fall back as he took a deep breath. A sliver of moonlight lit his face. "You are mine," he whispered. "You are all mine and I will not give you up. I know you think I am harsh, but I am what I am. And considering who raised me ... I think I turned out rather well."

Lord Ares disappeared into the night.

Hercules and Iolaus made their way as quickly as they could through the forest. The canopy was thin in many areas and the full moon made traveling easier than they had expected. They were aware of every sound the other made, so as to be sure that they were not being followed through the underbrush. The two worked well together. Trained by Ceredian the Centaur at the Academy, the two had been teamed together to learn all manner of warfare, from scouting and intelligence, to strategy, and logistics. They had learned all forms of personal war-making, and both excelled in all areas. Hercules was better with weapons like the bow and javelin. Iolaus was better with a staff and a sword, though he didn't have Hercules' strength. Both were excellent in hand-to-hand combat. Hercules was stronger but Iolaus was faster. Only Hercules, however, had perfected the technique of catching an arrow in flight. The two moved on, having decided after finding Klio gone, that the best course was to go to the Amazon Nation and report what they had seen. Catching Klio, in her Bacci form, would be impossible, they realized. They were both concerned about what might be happening with the Amazons. Klio might only be the first.

Once out of the woods, they ran the distance of the plains at an easy lope. They stopped at the first light to rest and eat. They had abandoned their packs in the woods, and now carried only the food that remained, the waterskin, and the weapons they had brought - each carried a knife and a bow and arrows. The two men ate quietly, saying little, and then went on into the lands of the Amazons.

As they approached the villages on the outskirts of the Nation, they met with one of the patrols. They would have been turned away during this time of danger, as even these heroes were viewed with suspicion by many of the Amazons, but Calee was among the warriors. The Amazon patrol surrounded the men, some with swords drawn.

The red-haired woman greeted them both warmly and cut off the grumbling of her sisters quickly, seeing the resentment from them that could ignite into a battle.

"It's all right!" Calee said to her patrol-mates. "I can handle these two." She put her arms around the waists of the two men and started to guide them toward the village of the Queen. "I'll take these two suspicious characters to the Queen and you all continue without me." She left no time for the other women or for the two Greek intruders to argue. She dragged the two men off while the Amazons put their swords away and went on, looking back periodically to frown and whisper.

The two men followed Calee's direction without question. Once away from the patrol, they asked what was going on that warranted such quick tempers on the part of the patrolling Amazons.

"I know I'm not liked, but they seem quick to pull steel on us," Hercules said, suspecting the problem was the one he and Iolaus already knew about.

"Yes," Iolaus added. "What's going on?"

"Bacci," Calee answered, walking on between the two men. "They came in the spring and have killed almost thirty women and children." Then she stopped. She looked at Hercules and then at Iolaus. "Two days ago, they bit Klio. We think she might be one of them now."

"We know about that," Hercules replied. "That's why we came. We met with Klio in the hills while we were hunting up there. She could have attacked us but she didn't. What's more, she attacked some Bacci that were stalking us."

Calee gasped. "If she did that then that may mean she didn't kill Cai yesterday."

"Cai is dead?" Iolaus asked. He recalled the youngster who was an orphaned friend of Amberlia, daughter of Calico. Iolaus had shown the two young women some tricks with a bow the last time he had visited. He sighed as he thought about the slender, shy teen, now laid to rest. "Gods, that's awful. I cannot believe that Klio would do that."

"And it doesn't fit with Bacci lore," Hercules added. "It takes awhile for the Bacci bite to convert someone. They don't start seeking human blood until the next full moon."

Iolaus and Calee both looked at him, surprised.

"I didn't know you knew so much about the Bacci," Iolaus said.

"Hephaestus shared some news about them with me," the tall warrior replied, continuing on the journey. The two followed after him, catching up to hear what he had to say. "The Bacci are a strange sort of race, according to Hephaestus. They are as old as the gods. They were once the servants of the Ancient Ones, changelings who would go between the heavens and the earth as their messengers. They could assume any form to communicate with those that lived here. But according to the legend, the Bacci forged a secret pact with men to try to gain power. They went to war against the Ancient Ones and lost, then the Ancient Ones cursed them and the humans. The Bacci were cast out of the Heavens and forced to join the humans. They can only live at night and sunlight is deadly to them. They can only go where they are invited, and they must live off the blood of humans. This was the punishment for the human race for joining them against their masters. When the beings we know now as the Gods came into power, they tried to destroy the Bacci but a few escaped them. Since that time, the Bacci have been trying to increase their numbers by the use of their bite to take a new soul. But as the blood of the Bacci becomes less and less in the descendants of descendants, the spirit of the person bitten remains more and more intact," Hercules explained.

"And Klio is the daughter of Ares," Calee said. "Maybe she won't want to drink human blood at all, or maybe Ares will intervene."

Hercules thought for a moment and then looked at the slim Amazon. "Ares rarely speaks about her, but Aphrodite suspects that his feelings for her run deep, very deep." He turned to Iolaus as both his friend and the Amazon frowned at the comment. "I get all the gossip about Olympus from Heph who gets it all from his wife," he added.

They were nearing the Queen's village now. Hercules and Iolaus scanned the scene and were surprised at the number of warriors that seemed to be on guard.

"You women are expecting an invasion? It looks like you're expecting the Persian Army," Iolaus said to Calee.

"Everyone's upset. When we get upset, we get defensive," she replied. "It's silly to have all these guards. The Bacci could come through the defenses as a bat or a wisp of wind, and we know they won't come till night. But still, even though we know that, it makes us feel better to do this."

Both men nodded. They understood the feeling very well. They knew that when a warrior felt helpless he or she did what they did best to try to regain a sense of control. It was human nature. Both men knew instinctively, also, to stay calm and let Calee takes the lead. They followed her quietly, making very little eye contact with the women warriors as they walked. Periodically, the two would see someone they knew. Hygea waved at the two of them and then went off in a different direction. Cassopeia looked up from her work and smiled, putting down the scroll she was working on outside her hut, and coming over to the two men. She put her arm around Hercules' waist and joined him as he walked along.

"Will you protect me," he asked jokingly, "if trouble starts?"

"My voice is at your disposal," she replied.

Hygea walked quickly to the outskirts of the village where Lessa had her smithy, attached to one of the large barns where horses were kept. She went into the large building and found Lessa at her anvil, fashioning javelin points with a tong and hammer. Sitting over in the corner on a bale of hay was Kendaa. The tall Amazon looked up and had her usual impassive look, but Hygea could tell that the woman was troubled.

"Hercules and Iolaus are here," Hygea said.

"Great," Lessa said sourly. "All we need is for men to arrive and make this situation worse." She looked up at the other two. "Not that I'm not thrilled to see them, but it's a bad time for intruders."

"True," Kendaa added. "I can just see a young warrior challenging one of them just to prove her loyalty to the Nation."

The three women went to the Council Hall and Kendaa's words became prophecy as they walked in, joining the warriors in the back of the hall. Many had gathered in the Hall, following the men. The Queen was finishing some business with the Council and had stood up to greet the two heroes. Calee was on one side of the two and Cassopeia on the other. Hercules and Iolaus stood in front of the dais as the Queen began to walk down toward them. Suddenly, her way was barred by a young Amazon who drew her sword, challenging the two men. Cassopeia began to speak but the young woman cut her off.

"How do we know that these two aren't Bacci?" she said angrily.

Whispers and grumbles went through the hall as the crowd responded in agreement.

"Do you know anything about the Bacci?" Hercules asked the young woman, coming up before her till the tip of her sword touched his chest.

"I know enough to be suspicious of everyone who comes here now," the young woman answered.

"Then you're wise," the hero replied. "But the Bacci cannot come out in daylight. Also, you may not know that the Bacci don't bleed." Hercules touched the end of the sword with his fingertips and pushed it gently down his chest, cutting himself lightly. Blood began to bead along the cut and run down his chest. The effect was immediate upon his challenger.

The young Amazon now looked confused. She looked up at the Queen and then back at the two men. The Queen put her hand on the young woman's shoulder.

"Thank you, Sekhara," she said. The young Amazon put her sword away and walked back into the crowd, looking embarrassed.

"Sekhara has a point," Hercules said, addressing the Queen. "You should suspect everyone, even those who have spent any time away from the village, even for an hour. The reason why I came to intrude upon your Nation is to tell you that we have seen Klio. She defended the two of us against attackers in the hills below the mountains of Norn while in the form of a white wolf. She slept by our fire for awhile, then while we were talking, she slipped away."

The Queen shook her head. "To slip away from the two of you would be difficult. Thank you for coming to tell us this. I don't know what we can do for her now. I'm afraid she is on her own."

The hall was silent for a moment, all eyes were on the Greek heroes as they stood quietly before the Queen.

Then the room began to get unusually cold. The temperature dropped quickly and women began to whisper as the torches around the room dimmed. Then darkness formed in the seat of the throne. It grew and took shape, and then, sitting on the throne, was the God of War, Ares.

Hercules began to speak but then stopped, reading in the expression on his half-brother's face a look he had never seen before.

Ares surveyed the room slowly. His dark eyes commanded the attention of every soul. His gaze stopped only twice, to acknowledge Kendaa and Lessa.

"You have said, Queen of the Amazons, that my daughter is on her own," he said, his deep voice ringing through the hall. "She is the daughter of Ares, and can withstand any trial. But I have told your champion and I will tell you, this is a battle between my mother, Hera, and myself."

"But it affects all of us, as it has affected your daughter," the Queen answered quietly, careful not to incite the quick temper of the god.

Ares smiled a thin smile. "Kendaa said the same thing." He thought for a moment. "Gather the Forum members here at the full of the moon tonight. I will give them the weapons needed to defend your people the Bacci's attack."

"Why not give the weapons to all of us?" asked someone in the crowd.

Ares smiled again, this time the smile chilled the air even further. "Because I do not trust all of you," he said quietly. "The Forum members have shown that they are willing to challenge a god. This takes a kind of courage that not many have. I am giving you powerful weapons; they need to be in the hands of warriors that can handle them."

"And Klio?" asked Kendaa, who had come through the crowd and was now standing next to Cassopeia. "What weapons will you give her?"

The Amazon was challenging the God of War in public. Kendaa could see his jaw tense in displeasure. The room was as silent as a gravesite as everyone held their breaths to see what the savage god would do to his minion.

Ares got up from the throne and walked down the steps of the dais. The Queen stepped aside and he stood in front of the five warriors that had come before the Queen, his arms crossed. He looked at Kendaa and then at his half brother.

"Klio needs no special weapons," he said softly. "I am her weapon."

In an instant, the Warrior God was gone.

Klio stood in the clearing. Again she was lost and alone, but she felt only the exhilaration of the night. This forest was strange to her. She knew that she had traveled a long distance and had only a fleeting memory of two men by a fire. She looked down to see the large, gauzy shirt covering her. She reached down and pulled some of the material to her face and smelled it. The image of a tall warrior flooded her mind. For a moment, she was confused as she lingered between two worlds.

Then the Amazon looked up at the full moon and smiled at its eerie beauty. She looked around and sensed the presence of others and then before her materialized a man. He was tall and slender, with fine features and long black hair that fell to his shoulders. He was bare to the waist and had on tight pants of tanned suede and soft laced boots. His eyes were dark. He stared at her, smiling for a moment. Klio saw others take shape in the forest around her. They varied in their looks but all had the same dark eyes.

"Welcome to the tribe of the Bacci," said the man before her. "You are not one of us and you never will be. Your blood is tainted."

Klio stared back at him. She had a sense of danger and a strong desire to run or fight. "Who are you?" she asked, trying not to let her fears control her.

"Moloch."

The name sent a chill through her but she was riveted to the spot where she stood. His eyes seemed to burrow into her and she realized that she could not move. He willed her to approach him. Her jaw clenched as she resisted his spell.

"Your spirit is strong, but mine is stronger," he said. In the darkness around her, she heard the growls of animals as the Bacci turned into creatures of the night forest.

The man before her turned into a huge black bear and Klio jumped back as it roared at her, baring its teeth. The Amazon transformed into the she-wolf again. Surrounded now by enemy animals, she backed off nervously, looking around for a means of escape. She crouched down, readying herself for the attack of the bear.

Then into the middle of the clearing jumped a large panther. It barred the bear's way from attacking the wolf; and in an instant, bear and panther lunged at each other. A titanic struggle followed as the two animals fought. The bear was bigger but the panther was faster. The bear raked the panther with its claws, leaving huge gashes in big cat's back, but the panther now had the bear's neck in it's jaws. The bear changed quickly back into the man and then disappeared, leaving the panther to drop to the ground, angrily switching its tail as it looked around, growling. The figures in the forest had disappeared as well.

Klio changed into her human form as she watched the tall figure of the God of War transform from the big cat.

Ares paced back and forth as he tried to calm himself from the battle. He turned and looked at his daughter. Klio could not read the look on his face, a strange mixture of emotions.

"Are you all right?" he asked flatly.

"Yes, are you?" she answered quietly.

"I'll live," he retorted. He paced, stretching his arms and shoulders as if he was in pain. Finally, he tore the black vest he wore off and threw it aside. As he turned away from his daughter, she saw the deep gashes that had been torn into his back. Klio gasped and went toward him.

Ares spun around. "Don't touch me!" he said angrily.

"But Father, you're hurt."

The God of War continued to walk around in the clearing angrily. "Gods of Gods. Almighty Heavens!" he cried out. "If I live until the sun sets for the last time, I will never understand that horrid woman!" He spun around and glared at Klio as she stood silently watching her father's wrath. He pointed at her. "That woman will never be satisfied," he yelled. "She is as rapacious as she is evil." He paced past his daughter, panting with the exertion of his fury. Blood had begun to run down his black pants, leaving a trail in the grass of the clearing. "It is not enough that she is Queen of Heaven. It is not enough that she rules over us with an iron claw buried in us ..."

As he paced and ranted, Klio watched as another figure took shape in the moonlight. Hades stood near her, watching the God of War. Then Aphrodite materialized, barring Ares' way.

The goddess put her hands out, laying them gently on the War God's chest. "Brother of mine, please, calm down," she said. It was unusual to see the goddess so serious. "I know you are in pain but you must get a grip on this anger. It only serves her purposes."

For a moment, Ares stared at his sister. Then he looked over at Hades. "She has called forth Moloch and she has given him the leadership of the Bacci!" he said.

Both of the Olympians gasped.

"No!" Aphrodite whispered.

"Yes!" the War God replied angrily. "That woman is just plain evil. She will never be satisfied until we are all back in the depths of chaos." Ares put his hands on his hips. He put his head back and let the moonlight flood over his face. His expression was pained.

Klio stood quietly, watching this tense scene unfold. The presence of her father had catapulted her back into the world of mortals. She remembered the change. She remembered leaving the Amazons and the struggle with the animals in the forest outside the campsite of Hercules and Iolaus. The savage feelings flooded back and she fought back tears of fear and anger at her transformation.

Then she felt Hades' hand on her shoulder. She looked over at the god, who was usually so dour. He pulled her toward him and put his arms around her. She frowned, confused, and a little annoyed at his familiarity.

"Why are you doing this?" Klio asked.

Hades smiled and brushed a wisp of hair from her face.

"Because he can't," he replied quietly. They both looked over at the War God, still pacing like an angry beast.

Suddenly Ares stopped and looked over at his daughter and the God of the Underworld. At first, Klio feared he would get angry again, seeing Hades comforting her. But the War God's expression was softened by seeing her there with him.

"Take care of her, please," Ares said. "Protect my child."

"I will. I will guard her as if she was my own. But that may not be enough," Hades replied. "Moloch is strong and he has the power to bring on chaos."

The dark Lord of War smiled a thin, dangerous smile. "You leave Moloch to me."

He turned and walked into the darkness of the forest; and where his feet had trod, the ground ignited in flames.

Torchlamps burned forming a large circle on the field where the Amazons held their games and training. Long ago, Lessa had fought Velaska here. Recently, the great dragons had flown over and Corum and Tedras had landed in this field, bringing home a war party bearing a new Amazon, Valiance. Tonight, all the Forum members gathered inside the circle of the torches.

The Forum was a band of sister soldiers who had sworn an oath long ago to fight the tyranny of Hera among the Amazons. Forty or so women waited now for Lord Ares to appear with the weapons that would allow them to defend the Nation and slay the Bacci in their supernatural form.

When the Amazons had recently hunted the Bacci to one of their lairs in the mountains, they had used the divining abilities of Hygea. Her powers as an oracle had helped the warriors to find the lost members of their Nation, but fewer Bacci had been found and killed than had been present in the raids on the villages, and rumors had been heard from sorcerers and diviners that Bacci were coming to the mountain stronghold from throughout the world. The Forum members now stood waiting. Calico and Calee were checking over each other's armor. Kendaa stood leaning on her staff watching them. Laurissa was checking her sword blade.

"I don't know why I'm even carrying this," Laurissa said to Cassopeia who stood next to her. "It's useless against the Bacci but ... " She twirled the blade around in an arc. "It makes me nervous not to have it. You know what I mean?" Cassopeia laughed and nodded.

Tedras, Ceallach and Hebea were talking quietly about the visit from the Greek heroes as Lessa and Hygea looked on. Valiance twirled her staff and talked to Chantal, Bwell, and Chrysim about Iolaus. The four women laughed quietly among themselves as Valiance related the story of how she got to know the wiry warrior.

Others stood in small groups, talking and checking over their armor and weapons. Lady Pegasus had returned from her trip to the Valley of Hephaestus and was circulating among the small clusters of women. Though the women looked calm, the healer could tell that the group was on edge.

Kendaa turned around as Iolaus and Hercules stepped through the circle of torchlight and joined the women.

"Are we invited?" the smaller man asked as the Amazons greeted them again.

"Of course," Hebea said.

"We don't mind but I don't know how Ares will feel about your presence," Kendaa added, referring to the long and bloody feud between the hero and his immortal half-brother.

"I don't know," Hercules commented to her. "The look on his face when he appeared in the hall was one I have never seen. I think this time he's focused on his daughter's welfare. Our differences may be unimportant."

Kendaa nodded.

The party continued to wait. The moon was almost at the zenith.

Clouds passed over the full moon and the Amazons and the heroes looked up to see a large flight of bats fly across the face of the moon. Hebea began to pace nervously.

"I don't like being out here when there could be trouble," she said, and others murmured their agreements. "That may be the Bacci on their way. What is keeping Ares?"

Then the torchlamps flickered and the air became cold. The group moved to form a circle inside the torches and in their midst, a dark shadow grew and took the tall shape of the War God. He was still naked to the waist. His wounds were still fresh and would remain so until the death of the being that had made them. Kendaa gasped quietly seeing the angry lacerations on her lover but she said nothing, reading his expression as he turned to look at her. His face was a mask of anger, his jaws clenched. He stood with his hands on his hips and surveyed the group as a general would survey his troops. His gaze passed over Hercules and Iolaus and he said nothing.

"Are you all ready?" he asked quietly.

Everyone nodded.

"Choose a leader," he commanded.

Everyone looked around and began talking among themselves. There were several good choices, and many were willing but did not want to presume or overstep their authority. Hercules thought about volunteering but stayed quiet as his leadership might offend the Nation and the God of War. The discussion went on quietly for a few minutes. Ares seemed impatient, and finally pointed to Cassopeia.

"Are you here to receive a weapon?" he asked.

"No, Lord Ares. I'm just here to support my sisters," she said quietly. The sound of her voice, even without song, was soothing to the furious god. Cassopeia watched as he took a deep breath and sighed.

"Well, you are now the leader," the War God said. There were murmurs throughout the group.

"What?" the Siren said, aghast. "Oh no, my Lord. Thank you but, no, I couldn't! I'm not a soldier, really. I don't know anything about tactics or strategy."

"You'll learn," he answered flatly. "Now, all of you be still." His command cut off further discussion and the War God closed his eyes and seemed to sleep for a moment. He glowed faintly with a red glow and then before each member of the circle lay a short sword with the point toward the War God. The swords were polished to a mirror finish but their metal was almost black. The hilts were wrapped with black leather and had the seal of the War God on a ball at the end.

"When you pick up the swords, you will have the power to see the Bacci in their supernatural forms, and you will be able to slay them. The swords are powerful but they cannot give a warrior bravery or skill. That you must supply. There are forty-one swords here; the number of the Forum minus one ... that's you, Cassopeia. You are in command. Hercules, you watch over her and let the others fight this fight. I will call for Kendaa or Lessa if I need them." He glanced over at the two, never changing expression. They each nodded their acknowledgement.

Then in an instant, he was gone. The group looked around amazed and picked up their swords.

"I thought maybe there would be lightening or thunder or something," Hebea said as she examined her sword. "But no, just zap, he's here; 'Here are the swords' and wham, he's gone."

"He's in a bad mood," Lessa added, testing her sword's weight.

Cassopeia turned as Hercules and Kendaa approached her. She looked dazed. "I can't do this! I'm not a soldier like you all! He's crazy!"

Hercules laughed. "He's brilliant!" he said as Kendaa agreed.

Cassopeia looked puzzled.

"Don't you see?" Kendaa replied. "He's put you in charge so that your voice can calm us when you speak. Then he's commanded Hercules to guard you so that Hercules can command through you." She shook her head. "Brilliant."

The others were nodding in agreement. Iolaus had picked up his sword and was looking at it. He smiled. "So, Commander Cass, what is your first order?"

Lessa approached the Siren and whispered something in her ear. She blushed. "I can't ask Hercules and Iolaus to do THAT!"

"Just testing," Lessa replied.

The Forum members gathered around Cassopeia. She thought for a moment then spoke. "Well, back to the village. Let's go see how these weapons work," she said. Hercules nodded his approval.

The Amazons gave the warcry and the war party headed back to the village of the Queen. On the way, Hebea, Calico and Kendaa walked with the Siren and her handsome guardian, discussing the best way to deploy the warparty. Iolaus went on ahead with the advanced group. By the time they had reached the central yard of the village and met the Queen coming out, the warparty had been divided into smaller groups and was ready to take on the Bacci.

In the ether of another dimension, the beings called gods existed on a level that their worshippers could not imagine. It was on this level that Hera now dwelt, floating in a consciousness beyond description. She waited for the presence of Moloch, one of the Ancient Ones. Moloch, who had brought terror to the world long before the time of the Greeks, was the Heart of Chaos and formed a triumvirate with two other dark beings to make up a trinity of evil. His brothers were Set and Dahak. All had been driven from the light in a monumental war that had been waged long before Zeus and the Olympians had come to power. The Ancient Ones, led by Osiris and Bastet had driven the evil armies into a dimension of powerlessness. Now they waited for any chance to reassert themselves. Hera had found a way to bring Moloch back through the many boundaries and safeguards, to bring him into the world in which she ruled with others of her kind. This expedition had had a price. It had cost her dearly but she was willing to pay it.

Anger came up as Hera thought of her lack of complete control over the world in which she presently ruled as Queen. She thought of the pathetic feelings of her husband for the mortals that lived in the squalor of their plane. The other gods were equally short-sighted or weak-willed. They did not share her vision.

Hera had had hopes for her son, Ares. He had been decisive, ruthless, and clever, but the company of mortals had weakened him. First, he had been influenced by his feelings for the water nymph, and then the half-dryad. Then he had later developed a fondness for another Amazon and had showed her Olympian secrets about the making of weapons that no mortal should know. Finally, he had taken a liking to the Golden Hind, the last of her dangerous breed; but the Hind had sealed her fate by falling in love with Hercules, and Ares rightfully had her killed even as she slept beside the half-god. That incident appeared to have changed the War God. He had become withdrawn and unfathomable to the other gods and with every passing day, he seemed to soften toward the fate of mortal men.

The Queen of the Heavens was becoming increasingly disappointed with the War God. She had thought to rouse him from his foolishness by taking the sword of his power, but the plan failed when the other gods rallied to his defense. Time and time again, Hera had given Ares the opportunity to prove himself worthy, but the War God was becoming more distant from her control. Hera was filled with rage as she thought of her losses. She had lost Zeus long ago. His attentions were constantly focused on the dalliances with mortal women. Aphrodite, once so malleable and shallow, had developed into a cleverer opponent than Hera had predicted. Hephaestus was a ghastly joke, scarred and limping, and content to live alone in his valley with only occasional visits from his wife. Artemis spent no time at Olympus at all, preferring to be with the denizens of the forest or watching the affairs of the Amazons. Hades had developed an appalling sense of duty toward his Underworld, and his love for Persephone had given him an inclination toward tenderness. Hera gasped inwardly at her Olympian kindred.

Hera's present plan was dangerous, she knew; but the Olympian was desperate to regain the powers she had lost when Set had been overthrown and she had been censured on Olympus. Her wrath knew no limits. She waited for the Ancient One who ruled over Chaos. Hera did not have to wait long now. She sensed the presence of the darkness and shivered inwardly at having to do business with the unpredictable being.

"You have called me, daughter of Olympus," said Moloch.

"I am Queen of Olympus. You should remember that. I still control the silver cord that binds you in your prison. You will do as I say or I will send you back," Hera replied.

"And what do I gain from obedience?" asked the dark being, his voice sounding almost amused.

"You gain a moment in the light. That should be payment enough."

"And the possibility of freedom. While in this world, I may find a way to free myself. I am surprised that you would take that chance."

"I have safeguards against that possibility. Do as you are told and you will exist here as long as I please."

There was a moment of silence and Hera became concerned. This creature was so unknowable.

"You are such a bitter little creature, aren't you?" Moloch said. "Very well, what would you have me do now. I have command of the Bacci, and I've gone and injured your little baby boy. I don't think he's very happy."

"I want you to kill Ares," Hera said flatly.

"You are ordering the death of your son?"

"Yes. First, give the command to the Bacci to destroy the Amazon Nation. They can do that without you. You go and seek out my son and destroy him. Bring me his body. If I am pleased with your work, I may give you his sword and the Godhood of War."

"The Godhood of War," Moloch whispered quietly. "What a quaint thought. And it goes so nicely with the other tools of chaos. Your son has given powerful weapons to the Amazons to fight the Bacci. I may need to oversee this battle myself."

"Just do as you are told."

The Queen of Olympus kept her voice steady but she was reeling from her encounter with the dark being. She left the plane immediately and returned to the dimension of Olympus. As she assumed her form again and sat down on the crystal throne in the great hall, she sighed with relief to be done with that meeting. She reached out, and in her perfectly manicured hand a goblet of nectar appeared.

"Leave the fighting to those who deserve it," she said to herself as she sipped the liquid.

The dark one descended from the higher plane also. He came back in a blink to the world of mortals. He materialized in a huge cavern, in the caves of the mountains of Norn. Before him, almost five hundred Bacci stood waiting for their leader. They milled around the cave's floor talking and preparing for the assault on the Amazon Nation.

"Their numbers will add strength to ours," said one pale creature. "The women are famed for their strength and skill as warriors, to add them to our numbers will be a truly great victory for us."

Moloch looked down over the group as his shape formed out of nothing. Faces began to turn toward him.

"Greetings, Lord Moloch," said a large male in front. "We await your orders."

"Go to the Amazon Nation. Split up into ten groups of fifty and attack the ten main villages that we discussed. Start your assault with the Village of the Queen, but be wary, as Lord Ares has armed some of these warrior women against you. They have weapons that can kill you."

"We are not afraid," said another. "The Amazons are no match for the Bacci."

Moloch reached out his hand and the unfortunate speaker of those words burst into flames and was consumed. Moloch frowned as the other Bacci cowered away.

"Do not underestimate the Amazons," Moloch said angrily. "I will not be with you and you have a powerful enemy in Ares. Fortunately, I will be dealing with him. But I wish the victory to be decisive so do not fail me."

The dark Lord of Chaos disappeared. The Bacci began to change into bats and once the transformation of the beings into the flock was completed, they took off into the night air toward their prey.

Ares sat in his fortress in the air. This vast stone structure was his private domain, where he came to be alone. Few others had ever been here.

He sat on a backless throne looking down over an empty hall. The walls were grey marble, veined with black, and the floor was highly polished black marble. His symbol emblazoned the floor in the center in scarlet. The ceiling formed a huge dome that had a massive, open portal in the middle to let in the light. Now the light of the full moon and the many stars were the only light in the room. He sat, his strong arms outstretched to rest on the arms of the throne, feeling the pain of his wounds with a disinterested curiosity. He laughed quietly to himself as he remembered the scene long ago in a dungeon cell with Kendaa. He had complained to her about the inconvenience of mortal pain and had been chastised by her for his whining. He thought idly of her courage and kindness. As if by magic, the tall figure of the Amazon appeared in the center of the room. Ares got up, surprised, as she turned around, brandishing the sword in front of her that he had given her only a short while ago.

"What are you doing here?" he said angrily.

"What do you mean, what am I doing here? Didn't you summon me?" she asked equally annoyed. "I need to be with my sisters, the enemy is arriving. There are hundreds of them!" Ares walked down the dais to her. As he approached, he could smell her leather and her clean sweat infused with the scent of lavender. He put his hands about her waist and saw her expression soften.

"While I'm here, I should dress your...." She didn't get to finish the sentence. He pulled her toward him and kissed her passionately.

"I don't know how you got here," he said, drawing away from her finally. "But I'm glad you're here."

Kendaa looked up into his dark eyes. "What is going on, my love?" she asked.

"It would take too long to explain, and you're right. You have to go back." He looked down into the green eyes that had captivated him from the moment he had seen her. He slid his hands down her arms, feeling the strong muscles beneath her skin; his gaze never left her.

Kendaa frowned slightly. She could feel tears forming in her eyes. "I'm not going to see you again, am I?" she whispered.

Ares smiled at her concern. He took her face in his hands as he spoke. "I've done many things throughout time for which I am ashamed. Many will celebrate when I am swept away from this plane of existence. Few will weep." He wiped away the tear that fell down her cheek.

"The Amazons will weep for you, Lord Ares," she said, "because it was the way of the warrior that made us free. We have pursued war and have had it come to us. War is a part of the ways of men just like farming or commerce. You don't make war, you only guide and foster it."

"War is death and destruction," he said.

"But it is also courage and self-sacrifice. It is wrong to make war, but when it comes your way, you have to stand up and fight. If you don't, then you become a slave, easily dominated."

He looked down at her and smiled again. Then he kissed her gently. As he did, her form faded and disappeared; and for a moment, the Lord of War felt panic. "Show yourself!" he yelled to the unseen force that had brought and taken Kendaa.

Then Ares heard the tinkle of a bell, so soft he almost overlooked it. He turned around to see blue light forming and taking shape on his throne. He walked to the edge of the dais and knelt down on the bottom stair, bowing his head.

"Ancient One," he said quietly.

Bastet took shape, forming the familiar figure of a black cat. Her gold earring twinkled in the moonlight. "Greetings, my son," she said quietly.

"I'm not your son," Ares said angrily, knowing he was being impertinent.

"True," the Ancient One answered. "And more is the pity for that, for had you been made from me, your life would have taken a very different path. But considering the parents you did have, and the role you were dealt, I am pleased that you appear to be waking up from your spiritual slumber and turning your face toward the light."

"I will never be someone you can be proud of," Ares said quietly. "I know what I am."

"You will struggle for many eons, that is so," the Ancient One replied. "But your spirit came into this incarnation with a heavy lesson to learn. I feared, through the ages, that you were incapable of learning this. But now I am heartened by your posture and I have come to give you what support I can."

Ares looked up and smiled slightly. "Was it you who summoned Kendaa?"

"Yes," Bastet replied, jumping gracefully from the throne seat and walking down the stairs to where Ares knelt. She sat down, and as she did, Ares sat down too on the stair, grimacing at the pain it caused him.

"Moloch has injured you badly. He believes that this will turn the tide of events in his favor," the cat said.

"And it just may do that," Ares answered. "I shouldn't have tried to go up against him before I was ready."

"But you had to come to the aid of your child."

"Yes. She doesn't deserve any of this. Even as my servant, she tried to do what was right without angering me. In the end, she had to choose to leave me and I hurt her for it." He turned away from the cat for a moment. "What kind of a parent is that?"

"Listen to me, my son," said the Ancient One. Her voice became the only thing Ares could hear and he felt her light surrounding him. "You have a difficult battle ahead. Not just the battle with Moloch, but the battle for your own soul. Light and darkness, war and peace. There is never one without the other. Until we all return to Him who gave all life, we will struggle to balance the sides within us. Some have struggled longer and are wiser. Others have just begun their journey. The age of a spirit is not based on their station in this incarnation, but on the lessons that they choose to learn while they are here." The cat looked at the warrior. She turned her head to one side in curious concern. "Yours is a difficult road to travel on right now, and there will be more darkness before you come into the light; but I am confident that you are equal to this struggle."

She reached out with her nose and touched his chest lightly and the wounds on his back faded and disappeared. "There," said the cat, "you are ready for the coming fight. Fight with courage and honor, and know that the Ancient Ones look with favor on your struggle."

"Can you give me any support?" Ares said, reverting to the tactician, planning for war.

"No," the cat said, sadly. "We can only stand and watch."

"Then may I ask one other favor of you?" he asked.

The Ancient One nodded.

"The Bacci, as you may know, are moving against the Amazons and the Amazons don't deserve that fight anymore than my daughter deserved to be attacked. Please watch over them and give them what help you can," he said.

The cat turned and went back to the seat of the throne without saying anything. Ares frowned at her apparent dismissal of his words. When she had jumped back up on the throne, she turned and sat down. The blue light around her became very bright. "My son, there are many old spirits among the Amazons. They are also favored by several strong beings that mortals call gods. Even now, Hephaestus and Artemis travel among the them, taking up their battlecry."

Ares smiled and was about to speak when the Ancient One vanished. He was alone again but ready now to face Moloch. He stood up and walked over to the center of the hall, and stood under the rays of the moon, letting the light flood over his face and chest. He put his head back and looked at the stars, and smiled.

"Well," he said quietly, "as my beautiful Lessa once said, 'let the hunt begin'."

He vanished.

Kendaa opened her eyes expecting to look into Ares' face and found herself back in the village of the Queen. She shook her head once, looking at the pandemonium around her. All the Amazons were arming and of the forty-one whom had been given the swords of Ares; five had been assigned to the defense of the Queen's village where Cassopeia had set up the headquarters for the defense of the Nation. Hercules was with her. Kendaa, Hygea, Ceallach and Lady Pegasus made up the rest of the contingent. The rest of the Forum members had been divided into groups of four to defend the other nine main villages of the Amazon Nation.

Hygea turned around from giving orders to the Amazons amassing for the fight as the bats flew over and began landing. "Where the Hades were you?" she said to Kendaa as Kendaa got her bearings.

"Someone or something pulled me to Ares' castle," she answered looking around to size up the situation. "It wasn't him, and I have no idea why because before I knew it I was back here again."

"Good," Hygea answered, "because we need you. The dark Lord will have to take care of himself." The Seer pointed down the main yard, and Kendaa saw human figures forming in the distance.

"The news is that the Bacci are five hundred strong," Lady Pegasus said as she approached the two. She had drawn her sword. Ceallach joined the three, and around the four women, other Amazons were closing ranks.

"Forty against five hundred," Hygea commented. "Not good."

Cassopeia approached as the Bacci began to move down the yard between the huts, toward the Amazon contingent. Hercules was with her. The women without the magic swords could only go on what the Forum members were telling them. The Bacci were invisible to all except the warriors armed with Ares' weapons.

The sister soldiers began to fan out. Hercules grabbed Cassopeia gently by the arm and moved her behind him. "I don't like the look of this," he said quietly, seeing the creatures approaching. "If I go down, I want you to go to Kendaa."

Cassopeia began to sing gently, watching the creatures approach. There were fifty or so of the dark beasts that had human form but their faces reflected the evil world they lived in. Twisted with rage and hunger, the creatures began to attack the Amazon lines. The Siren's voice had no effect on them. They were very strong and swift, and warriors went down quickly slashed by the razor talons that the Bacci had. The five armed warriors waded into the fight, their swords arcing out with deadly precision as they tried to take out as many of the creatures as they could.

The Amazons without arms were no match for the Bacci, and they died bravely, but died none the less. Kendaa felt panic welling up in her to see the casualties mount. She was trying to warn the unarmed soldiers, as the other Forum members were doing, but it was proving impossible to fight and to defend those who did not have the magic weapons. She could see the smoke in the distance of another village burning and wondered how the other warparties were doing. The battle rage in her increased and she screamed out, wading again into the midst of the Bacci.

Ares placed himself between the many planes of existence and used his senses to find his enemy. He surveyed dimension after dimension to locate Moloch with no luck. Finally he decided to go the mortal plane and see if the Lord of Chaos was with his Bacci army. He materialized in the huge cavern where Moloch had given orders to his army, but now the cavern was empty and the War God stood alone looking around. He had the sword of his power by his side. He was still bare above the waist, with only the bracelets that he wore to shield his arms.

He felt the presence of the Lord of Chaos and took a deep breath, preparing himself for what would probably be the most difficult fight of his long and warlike life. He drew the long sword and held it up, tapping the flat of the blade on his shoulder with annoyance.

"Well, come on," he said. "I haven't got all day."

Before him materialized the dark man who had commanded the Bacci. He was completely armored, and peered out at the War God through a visor.

Ares laughed, despite his nervousness. "Could you possibly wear anymore armor?" he asked.

"I mean to win this fight," Moloch said. "Fairness is irrelevant." Moloch moved forward, drawing a large sword that glowed with power. "Your mother has ordered your death. She has told me to bring back your body to her."

Ares took a fighting posture, brandishing his sword before him. "Mommy's always been such a sentimental woman," he commented, as he readied himself for the duel.

Moloch swung out with the blade and the two swords met in mid-air. Ares was heartened to find that his opponent was not as strong as he had feared and the War God pushed his advantage, forcing Moloch back with every assault of his blade. Ares backed the enemy up until Moloch's back was to the wall. He raised the sword to finish him and in the blink of an eye, he was looking down at Klio staring up at him afraid.

"No, father, don't!"

Ares stayed his hand, gasping at the sight. Then just as quickly, the image of the Amazon melted into a pool of unrecognizable liquid and the sound of wicked laughter filled the cave. "Insolent pup!" said the voice of Moloch. "Do you really think that I am so easily defeated. I am testing you and I will continue to test you. I do not have to win; I just have to stay ahead of you. I have no great allegiance to your mother and the longer I am here, the longer I have to figure out a way free myself and stay. So, as you said, 'let the hunt begin'." The sound of laughter echoed again through the cave and then was gone. Ares felt rage rising in him at being so easily duped. Then he vanished also, preparing to start the hunt again soon. First however, he had decided to pay a visit to Olympus.

The great hall of Olympus was filled with the pantheon of gods. Zeus sat on his throne and beside him stood Apollo, the god of light. The handsome blond warrior and his father peered down at Hera who stood in the midst of the group. Around her the gods had gathered, talking angrily and glaring at her.

"This time, Hera, you have gone too far!" Zeus said. "To call forth one of the most evil creatures in existence to destroy another Olympian is beyond even your evil intentions."

Hera's face was a mask of proud anger. "I am the Queen of the Heavens and I do what is necessary to keep my throne."

"It's not your throne you're worried about," said Apollo. "No one is challenging your power here. But you want it all. You want to rule over us as if we were your slaves. That will never be."

"Ares has defied me," Hera replied.

"We've all defied you, you shriveled up old hag," Aphrodite said, coming forward through the crowd. "And we will continue to rule here as a pantheon, not as servants to one. Now, tell us how you brought Moloch here and for God's sake, how you are keeping him from gaining permanent access to this plane."

Hera looked around the room. She realized now that she had underestimated the reaction of the other Olympians. Apollo frowned and crossed his arms over his chest, glaring down at her.

"Yes," he said, as if reading her thoughts, "you have underestimated us. We are not quite the self-centered, lazy fools that you believe."

"Actually, we probably are," said a voice from the back of the room. Ares came forward through the crowd and stood before his mother. "But the problem is, Mommy, that when you do these evil things, you weaken your own cause by scaring us. And a scared god is a dangerous god. Nothing brings a group together like a common threat. Any strategist knows that."

"I wanted to have your love," Hera said, reaching out to touch her son. Ares was dismayed by the comment but brought back to reality by hearing Aphrodite snort.

"Oh, please," the Love Goddess said. "I may vomit."

For a moment, there was silence in the hall as the angry gods looked on Hera. She thought quickly about what she could do to retrieve this defeat and turn it to her advantage. She looked at Ares and smiled.

"Very well then," she said, "I will give you the secret of my control of Moloch." She drew from her sleeve a silver scroll no longer than the span of a man's hand. "If you read the words on this scroll, he will return to his prison."

Zeus came down from the throne and took the scroll. He opened it carefully and began to read. Thunder rolled through the Heavens as he read, but when he finished the sound of laughter echoed around the Olympians.

There sitting on the throne was Moloch. He reached out and grabbed Apollo by the arm, laughing. The Sun God struggled to free himself but couldn't.

"Too late," Moloch said. "I've found a way around your petty little annoying bonds. I'm here, and I am here to stay!"

He laughed, but his laughter was cut short as Ares' sword came flying through the air at him, launched by the War God, like a javelin. Moloch caught the sword by the blade but Apollo grabbed it by the hilt and the two struggled for the upper hand as Cupid began loosing arrows at the fiend. Arrows buried themselves in the body of the Chaos god before he vanished, relinquishing the sword to Apollo.

Ares was at his side in an instant. Apollo looked at him, shaken by the experience. "I never thought I would ever say these words, but you are the best warrior we have. You must go after him." He handed Ares his sword.

Cupid had approached and was standing behind the dark god. "I hit him at least three times. The arrows wouldn't kill him, but they'll probably slow him down." He looked over at the God of War.

"Let me go with you," Cupid said.

Ares smiled. "Do you really want to be of help?"

Cupid nodded.

"Then go save the Amazons," Ares said. He walked back down the dais to face his mother. He was surrounded now by the other gods. "I have spoken to one of the Ancient Ones," he announced, staring at his mother. A murmur went through the crowd. "She says that this fight is part of my destiny and I believe that she is right. You see, mother, even you are a pawn in a greater game." Hera's face stiffened in displeasure and that made Ares laugh. "That really irritates you doesn't it?" he asked.

"This isn't over yet," she whispered to him.

"Undoubtedly," he answered, "but first, I have to go clean up the mess you made." He walked through the crowd and for the first time in his life, received the accolades of the other gods. As he passed his father, Zeus handed him the scroll.

"Take this also," Zeus said. Ares put the scroll in the back of this belt, nodding to his father, and walked on.

He vanished to start the hunt in earnest.

With the coming of the dawn, the Bacci finally disappeared. Lessa looked around at the carnage of women and the few bodies of the Bacci that were turning to dust in the sunlight. She turned to the Inforcer, a younger Amazon that was rarely seen in the villages but was an active member of the Forum.

"I just don't know," Lessa said quietly. She shook her head and looked down at the blood splattered on her. "We have sixteen hours till the coming of night. We'd better come up with a better plan. If the other villages are as badly hit as this one, we are doomed."

She saw Valiance approaching from the east with her contingent of Forum members. Iolaus, Chrysim, and Bwell walked with her. They all looked tired and grim.

The tall Norsewoman approached Lessa. "We have good news and bad," she said. "First, your goddess Artemis has shown herself in several of the villages and turned the tide in several battles. The Bacci retreated when they saw her coming. But the bad news is that the casualties before she came were substantial."

"It's the same in the Queen's village," Kendaa said, coming into the group from the western path. "We were hit very hard. But Hephaestus appeared about a quarter hour into the battle and the Bacci began to take heavy losses."

"The gods are coming to our defense finally," Iolaus said, putting away the sword he had been wiping clean. "It's about time. We'd best go back to the headquarters and see what's happening."

The warparty headed for the village of the Queen; while the Inforcer stayed behind to help the Amazons of that village gather and prepare the dead.

In the council hall, the Queen sat on her throne listening to reports from the different villages that made up the tribes of the Nation. She shook her head sadly to hear of the destruction. Cassopeia stood on one side of her, and by the Siren stood Hercules listening to the reports.

"... but the goddess Artemis appeared with her hunting dogs and the Bacci were driven back finally," said Hebea, reporting from one of the outer villages. "We were successful then in making them retreat."

"Hephaestus came to our aid in the northern village group," Calico said. "The victory was swift, but we still lost some." She looked down at the blood on her. "This is the blood of our sisters," she said quietly, letting the tears she felt fall without shame.

Calee, who had been part of her warparty, put her arms around Calico, comforting her. As the other Forum members reported in, the victories and the tragedies mounted in their telling of the news at their front.

Finally, Chantal, the last of the Forum to report in, told of the news of the villages that she and her sisters had defended. She shrugged and echoed the thoughts that Lessa had had a while ago. "So, sisters, we have one day to come up with a plan. It is only my opinion, but I suggest that we consolidate the villages and pull in everyone to the village of the Queen. From here, we can defend the sisters that are left."

"You should have done that before!" said someone in the crowd.

"Hindsight is always wiser," the Queen said, quelling the anger in the group. "I think we underestimated the Bacci numbers. I take responsibility for that. But there's nothing we can do about that now." She sighed. "I think your plan is a good one, Chantal. Bring everyone here and we will defend ourselves behind the Forum members."

"There is no need for further struggle," said a clear, deep woman's voice. Through the ranks of the Amazons came their patron goddess, Artemis. She had her hunting dogs with her, trailing along beside her, sniffing this woman and that as they went. The goddess was tall, dressed in the vest and short skirt typical of the Amazons, and armed with a short sword. She had long brown hair, tied back. She was not as beautiful as the famed Aphrodite but she was a handsome woman and had a distinct look of strength in her face.

"Olympus has been at war with itself," she said.

"As usual," Hercules commented to Cassopeia.

The goddess glanced at him, smiling. "Hello, half-brother. I see you are here helping."

"I have the honor of being one of the only two males who are allowed in the Forum. Of course I'm here," Hercules replied. "Now, as you were saying about Olympus... sorry I interrupted."

"Hera has summoned an ancient foe," Artemis continued. "It's a long story so I won't go into the details... "

"Please, don't spare us," Lessa said bitterly, "all we have left to do today is to bury our dead and get ready to be killed ourselves so we don't mind the diversion."

Artemis looked over at the insolent warrior and for a moment Hercules thought that the goddess would mete out punishment. But she only smiled. "I can see why my brother Ares likes you," she said quietly, then she addressed the crowd again. "An Ancient Evil known as Moloch has escaped his bonds and is free in this world. Already, mortal men are feeling the presence of his chaos. But Ares, Lord of War, has vowed to hunt him down and destroy him and I believe that Ares will. He has asked that the other gods come to the defense of the Amazon Nation. I have done so, as has Hephaestus." As she spoke she motioned to the figure by Lady Pegasus. No one had noticed that the muscular God of the Forge had materialized to stand silently behind the winged healer in the back of the hall. "The others have taken up the banner, and the Bacci will not be returning. My heart goes out to my Amazon daughters who have lost ones they loved. Even now, Klio waits at the edge of the river Styx comforting the sisters who have died today."

"Then Klio is dead?" Laurissa asked.

"She died when the Bacci bit her. But Hades will not let her go into the afterlife and because the blood of Ares is in her veins, I believe we can annul the curse of the Bacci. Hades is keeping her safe until this present danger is out of the way. When the Bacci who bit her is destroyed, she will return to the living," Artemis explained.

"Can our other sisters be retrieved from death?" Tedras asked.

Artemis thought for moment, in the heavy silence of the hall. "That is more difficult. Hades is consulting with the other gods about how to set straight the Bacci's destruction. The Bacci are an old and powerful race. Even when they were cursed and sent to the mortal world, they retained some very strong powers, powers that had been given to them by one who was very prominent among the Ancient Ones. It will remain to be seen whether the Olympians can save their Amazon servants. Leave that problem to us, you must gather the dead and wrap them in cold cloths and set them in a dark, cold cave. Lady Pegasus knows the herbs that should be scattered on the bodies while they wait." She turned and began to leave, but stopped as she came to the door of the hall and turned around one more time to speak. "If you wish to help, then pray for the success of Lord Ares, that he may capture Moloch and return him to his prison." She vanished leaving those words echoing in the hall.

Chaos swirled around Ares as he went from dimension to dimension, looking for his enemy. He had never felt such resolve in this life and thought idly when he wasn't actively seeking out Moloch, that this must be the feeling that mortals felt when they defended their homeland. This sense of complete focus on a goal for selfless reasons was so new to him and he felt invigorated. Moloch had sent ancient forces to detain his foe. Ares felt the pull of Chaos around him, trying to deceive, unnerve, disarm, and confuse. Ares smiled inwardly thinking of all the battles that he had been in and that these feelings were so similar to the ones a warrior felt in the heat of the fight.

The War God had a plan. In the small scroll in his possession, he had found what he felt might be a solution, but that solution came with a price. Ares only hoped that he could pay that price and survive. He hoped that Moloch was as arrogant as he was diabolical.

Soon he sensed his foe on a distant plane. This was the plane that Hercules and the Amazons had been drawn to when they went to retrieve the stone. Ares realized that his enemy wanted to meet him on a plane of strength for the Lord of Chaos. Dahak had once ruled this plane and his powers were still evident there. Here the Lord of War would have only limited powers.

Ares considered his options. He could wait for Moloch, or he could go after him in his own territory. While he contemplated this, the God of War let his mind wander and he heard a distant sound.

The War God's spirit was drawn back to the plane of mortal men again. He was above the Amazon Nation. Below he watched as huge bonfires burned and around them danced the sister soldiers. Tired from a day of battle, and from preparing and taking their dead to the caves, the Amazons should have been seeking rest. But the women had taken the words of Artemis to heart and were celebrating the way of the warrior and dancing for victory for the Lord of War.

Ares' spirit went to the fires of the Forum members. There in the fire's light, Kendaa, Lessa, and the Inforcer danced the sword dance, twirling the razor sharp blades around with deadly precision. The other Forum members sat in a circle around them and toasted to the dance with wine or freshly squeezed juices. Soon the dance was over and the three women sat down amid the cheers of their sisters.

Hercules cheered also and was talking quietly to Iolaus when suddenly the demigod looked up as if sensing his half-brother's presence. He smiled slightly and got up from where he sat, taking the cup of wine that had just been handed to Iolaus. Iolaus frowned and shrugged, wondering what his friend was doing.

Hercules went over to the fire. "Ares," he called out, "I know you are here, I can feel your presence." He held up the goblet of wine. "There's no love lost between us, but I wish you strength and courage. I hope you are victorious." He poured the wine into the fire and it hissed as it met the flames. He stared into the fire for a while as the others followed suit, toasting to the God of War. Finally, he went and sat down.

"That was hard for you," Iolaus said, handing him a cup of pomegranate juice mixed with water.

"Yes, it was," Hercules answered. He turned to his friend. "But I meant it."

Ares looked into the face the man he considered one of his chief enemies. What was it that they had fought about so often? He couldn't remember now. Soon the fight would probably begin again as Hercules' sense of concern for his fellow mortals often collided with the War God's plans. Perhaps it would be different now but Ares thought not. Hercules was stubborn and did not try to see things from the perspective of the gods, and like most of the gods, Ares could not seem to empathize with the problems and concerns of mortals.

Ares thought about appearing before the gathering. He wanted so much to touch Kendaa. He wanted to hear the laughter in Lessa's voice and look at the intense face of the young Inforcer. He wanted to be in the presence of strong warriors, closely bonded to each other as the Amazon Forum was. Ares changed his mind, shrugging off the feelings and preparing himself. He had made his decision.

"No more waiting," he thought to himself. "I go to meet him on his field."

The journey took an instant and then the god stood on the bleak shore of a brackish lake. In the distance, twisted, leafless trees stood out under a grey sky. The tall warrior stood looking around at the harsh world he had come to. The handsome man pursed his lips and whistled softly, then grinned.

"My kind of place," he said. "I'm here, Moloch. I can sense you and I will hunt you down and capture you," he called out.

A warm wind blew around him. It had the smell of decaying bodies.

"You are a foolish boy to come here, but I applaud your enthusiasm," said a familiar female voice.

Before the War God materialized the form of Kendaa. He frowned and then shook his head. "You think by taking her form you can distract me?"

"Oh, not really," said the demon in the Amazon's shape. The creature walked toward him with Kendaa's usual grace. "But it entertains me. Chaos comes in many forms. Even momentary confusion serves my purposes."

"Fine," Ares said, drawing his sword. "Amazon or demon, it doesn't matter to me. I mean to take you prisoner and put you back in your dungeon."

"I don't take prisoners," the demon replied.

"You can't kill me, anymore than I can kill you," Ares continued. "So let's dispense with the chit-chat and get on with this."

"Yes, but I can hurt you, badly," the demon said. The figure of Kendaa brushed her hand along the line of the War God's jaw. "I hurt Bastet in the war for the heavens. Why do you think she takes that ridiculous shape?"

Ares looked into the demon's eyes. They weren't the exquisite green of Kendaa's. Like everything else in this world, their color was sickly. Her skin was pale. Her hair lacked the golden sheen it usually had. He smiled. "You don't look well, my dear," he commented.

The demon reacted suddenly. The face became contorted and the shadow of the death's head showed through the Amazon's face. It growled and slapped Ares hard across the face, raking his face with its claws. As the demon drew its hand back, the War God's sword arced out and sliced off the hand that had hit him. It fell to the ground and the demon laughed.

"Pig!" the demon said. The hand leapt up and grabbed Ares by the throat, digging into his flesh. He threw it off and it flew back to the demon and reattached itself.

When Ares looked up again, the figure of Hera confronted him. "You are such a disappointment to me, boy," the demon said.

"Lady, I live to disappoint you!" Ares growled, wiping the blood from his face. "Keep this form, by the way. Nothing would please me more than slicing it up."

The demon vanished. Ares looked around for a moment, reaching out with his senses, then he followed his prey.

The demon had gone to the cave where the stone had been kept. There in the center was the altar of Dahak, brother in darkness of Moloch. Though Dahak was in captivity, the power of his dark forces still hung in the cavern. Ares felt the heaviness of its presence. He gritted his teeth, redoubling his resolve.

On the altar, the demon appeared now taking the shape of Klio. She jumped down from the altar and walked toward him, the wound from the Bacci's bite sending a trail of blood down her chest. "Look at me. Look at your work, God of War!" Her face was bitter, her skin pale. "You gave me immortal life and then took it away."

"That is between me and my daughter," Ares replied. "You, demon, have no business there."

The Amazon's lovely face pouted. "Did Daddy get his feelings hurt?" she said sarcastically. "Is the big bad God of War going to cry?" The demon drew its sword.

"Well, now I know you're not my daughter," Ares said. "She was never this annoying." He raised his sword and went after his prey.

Ares attacked the small woman with all of the skill and savagery at his command. His blade flew time and time again and the demon met his force easily, almost playfully, laughing in the musical way that Klio could when she was amused. Ares kept the anger he felt in check, knowing it would only further the demon's purposes.

The fight went on and on, and Ares began to weaken. Then the two blades came together and the two fighters were locked in a test of strength. The demon's face was close to Ares' as she pushed against him. She smiled up at the warrior whose face was grimacing with effort. Suddenly she pushed him away and he fell backwards, the sword dropping out of his hand. He rolled toward it calling to it with his power, but the demon snapped it up with magic. She twirled the sword around giggling.

"Ooo, the sword of Ares' power," she said, twisting the face of the Amazon into a strange mask of deformity. "With this, I could take away your immortality just like you took hers."

Ares got up slowly, still panting with the effort the last struggle had taken. He got to one knee and then to his feet. He glared at the demon. "You win. I can't beat you. Take my sword and let me go," he said quietly. "With my sword, you are finally strong."

The demon jumped, growling. "I don't need your sword, dog! I have such powers as you will never know." The demon threw the sword back at the War God and the weapon landed at his feet. Ares stepped on the blade and the weapon bounced up into his hands, as if happy to be home. Ares crouched in a dueling stance and the demon came after him again, raining sword thrusts and slices on the warrior. Ares parried each one but his responses were getting slower. One slice grazed his side and he jumped back.

The demon laughed as it saw more blood now on the tired god. Ares had wounds on his face, his neck, and side.

"Poor thing. Poor thing!" mocked the demon. "This is just not your day. You are just going to be a mess when I'm done with you."

The demon's visage changed again, and the Golden Hind stood in front of him, her deer body moving sideways as she as she swung the sword in a circle, baiting him. "Come to me, my lord," she said with a cutting tone. "Come to your servant. I served you and now you will serve me, not that your service is worth much. When I wanted to find a real warrior, a real man, I had to go to Hercules," she said.

The Hind had an odd look. She was the Hind but Ares saw the slightest hint of Klio in the face and form. He lounged forward at the demon, continuing the fight. The demon parried his blows easily.

"I hate Hercules," Ares said angrily, hoping the demon would take the bait.

The Hind changed into the figure of the hero, but the change took a moment and for an instant, the shape blended into the form of the hero and the hind. Finally Hercules emerged and dove toward the god, knocking the sword from his hand and throwing him backwards, landing on him with his weight. The two struggled at close quarters. Ares wrestled to get the upper hand but the demon laughed to see the warrior grapple for supremacy. The figure of the hero grabbed the War God by the throat choking him. Then, suddenly, the demon kissed him on the cheek and got up, giggling.

"Oh, my! This is so much fun," the demon in the hero's form said, kicking the warrior still beneath him.

Ares rolled sideways and got to his feet, breathing heavily. "You know," he said, gasping for air, "I really have to thank you."

The face of Hercules, somehow different now, as if the demon was having difficulty holding onto the form, smiled. "Really?" it said, and then kicked Ares in the chest, sending him backward onto the ground again. Ares lay there for a moment and caught his breath, then he got up slowly. He could feel the salt of his sweat stinging his wounded side. His chest heaved with exertion as he stood up to face the demon again.

"Yes," the War God said, "I have to thank you." He walked toward his opponent. "For as long as I can remember, I have thought that I was the most evil thing that existed. I knew there were things like you and Dahak, and I even met Dahak once. But still, I mean, personally, I thought I was the worst." Ares stood before the demon, looking at him. "But I was wrong, you are definitely worse." He put his arms out and bowed. "I do honor to you, Lord Moloch," he said, glancing up at the demon.

The form of Hercules smiled and began to change, and the form of Moloch took shape slowly. While the forms were in transition, Ares reached behind his back and took the small scroll from this belt.

He pulled the magic weapon from his belt quickly. "Be one with the words!" he cried out and thrust the scroll into the swirling shape.

"Noooo!" cried the demon, as it was sucked into the papyrus of the scroll.

In a moment, Ares was alone, holding the scroll that now contained Chaos. He stood there, still not sure of his victory, so dearly won. The scroll had had the power to contain the demon, but only if its powers were ebbing. The fighting and the many changes that the demon had made to hurt the War God had cost it, as Ares had planned. The War God had hoped he could stay standing long enough.

Ares put the scroll back in his belt and looked down at himself. His naked chest was filthy with dirty sweat and blood. "You're right, I am a mess," he said to himself. He willed himself to leave the cave and return to the lakeside where the entrance to this plane was easiest but nothing happened. Finally, he sighed, turning and picking up his sword.

"Oh, screw it, I'll walk," he said.

The victory fires burned on earth, and in the halls of Olympus, the gods had mounted an incredible celebration. The pantheon sat around a vast crystal table laden with every manner of delicacy. Their palace of gold was decorated with the Ares' symbols on flags hanging from the colonnades that lined the banquet hall. Zeus sat at the head of the oval table, and raised a golden goblet of nectar.

"To my son," he said, and thunder sounded in the distance. The gods toasted and drank.

Hera sat next to the King of the Gods. Her face was set in an expression of disdain. "By the way," she said. "Where is your son?"

"He's busy right now," Cupid said. He turned to his mother. "What a bitch," he whispered.

On the mortal plane, the fires of the Amazons blazed. The villages were all in celebration for, as Chaos receded, the bodies of the Amazon dead began to stir. The gods had made good their promise to bring back the warriors slain that day by the Bacci. The women greeted the returning sisters as they came down from the caves with the guards that had been posted to watch over them.

Kendaa hugged some of the arriving sisters then went to the kitchens to see if Calico needed help in the preparation of the feast. Hercules and Iolaus were with Calico, Tedras, and others in the large mess kitchen. Hercules sat talking to the Amazons while Iolaus tasted everything. Kendaa sat down at the table and began arranging fruit on a dish.

"Oh, this one's good," Iolaus said sampling a stew. "Hmmm, this one's good too." He went from pot to pot and then sat down and started on the plates laid out with fresh fruit and pastries. "Great," he said, chewing on a sugar cookie.

"How can anyone eat so much?" Hercules said, laughing. "I'm twice your size and I eat half as much."

"Oh, calm down," Iolaus replied, dipping another cookie into some pudding. "You think too much. Sometimes you have to just enjoy." He munched away, drinking something from the cup next to him. He grimaced. "What's this?" he asked, looking in the cup.

"It's the salt water I'm using to wet my fingers for baking," Tedras said.

"Oh, good, because it needs something," Iolaus replied. Hercules was laughing. The wiry warrior reached over and poured the contents of the cup down Hercules' chest.

"Hey," Hercules said getting up. "Why'd you do that?"

"Ah, why not," Iolaus replied, biting into a plum, then he looked up. "Gods!" he cried.

There in the door stood Klio. "Can I get a bite?" she asked. Everyone began to laugh.

The celebration went on all night and into the morning. The Amazons danced and Cassopeia and others sang. The Nation feasted and finally, in the dawn, the celebrants began making their ways to their huts to sleep.

Klio sat in the main hall now, at a table strewn with the vestiges of the feasting. Kendaa and Laurissa sat with her. They had feasted and talked all night. Kendaa had returned the necklace to her friend and Klio was fingering it as they sat quietly, about to retire themselves.

"Has anyone seen Lord Ares?" Laurissa said, echoing the thoughts of the other two.

Both women shook their heads but said nothing. Finally the three women got up and left, going to the huts. Kendaa half-expected to see the victorious god in her hut but it was empty. She undressed and went to bed.

In the fortress of the War God, Ares sat again now on his throne, looking down over an empty room. This was the greatest moment of his life. He could go anywhere on Earth or Olympus and be heralded as a hero. Yet, the God of War sat alone, feeling the pain and fatigue of his struggle, and waiting.

He did not have to wait long. He heard the tinkle of a bell and in the middle of the vast hall, over his symbol, a blue light began to grow and take shape. The figure of the Ancient One, Bastet, appeared and walked across the floor to the bottom of the dais. The black cat sat down and looked up at the War God.

"Greetings, my son," she said quietly. "The Ancient Ones are pleased with your achievement today. You have shown courage and resolve. You did well."

Ares' jaw tensed. He could feel tears stinging his eyes. "I did, didn't I," he whispered.

The cat trotted up the stairs and jumped into his lap and he was surprised to find that she had no weight. Her blue halo illuminated his tired, bleeding face. She sat down and curled her long tail around her. Her green eyes stared up at him for a time, then she sat up in a crouch, putting her muzzle close to his mouth. As she did, a white light issued out of her mouth and into his. Ares tensed and shuddered as the light went into him. He closed his eyes, and became taut as the energy went through him. When he opened his eyes, the Ancient One was gone.

So were his wounds. He was clean and even dressed again in his black vest. He looked down at the black leather. The silver studding on it now had a filament of blue running through the design.

"You are forever changed, my son," said the Ancient One's voice. Then Ares sensed that Bastet had left.

"I know," Ares whispered.

He vanished to join the celebration on Olympus.

Finis