A Trial of Heroes

Part Eleven

Hercules stood with the other forum members as they looked down at boxes that had been laced on the table in the tavern. Curled up in each was the body of a cat, one with plain brown stripes and one, jet black as night.

The tall man looked down at the resting place of the silly, plain woman who had turned herself into an ordinary house cat. He recalled the sarcastic exchanges that the cat had had so often with Iolaus.

“It was just a stupid cat,” Iolaus said, standing behind his friend. His voice was strained, his face constricted with suppressed grief.

“She was a great sorceress,” Calico managed to say, trying to hold back tears. “And a good friend.”

She began to cry. Kendaa put her arm around her grieving sister, trying not to let her own anguish overtake her.

“Just a stupid cat,” Iolaus repeated and walked away. Hercules watched him go.

Bwell began to go after him but was pulled back by Chantal. “He needs to be alone,” the scholarly Amazon explained to her younger friend. Bwell nodded but watched as Iolaus disappeared into the night.

“We will have a great funeral pyre,” Valiance said.

“No!” said a voice. The forum members looked around to see Hygea coming out of the back of the barracks where she had been resting. “Their spirits have been separated from their bodies but they are still on this plane. Don’t ask me how I know this. My voices are silent, but I know beyond doubt that they are still here.”

Hercules reached down and stroked the soft brown fur of little cat. “I’m glad you won’t be here to see tomorrow, you crazy little thing. I hope you can help us wherever you are,” he whispered, then he turned and looked at the others.

“We’d better make the final preparations,” Lessa said. The others nodded.

The tall warrior sighed and followed his friends out into the streets of the dreary city. Everyone knew that tomorrow would most likely be the last battle before the city was overtaken.

There was blackness all around. The terror of the unknown swirled around the spirits.

“Are we where I think we are?” asked the spirit of Waart.

“Yes. We’ve fallen into the darkness,” Xastet’s more jaded soul replied. “Didn’t you feel it when we entered the enemy’s camp? We were nearing a vortex, an entrance to the dark place.”

“Just as I thought,” Xastet whispered back. “This is awful, worse than I imagined.”

“Now you know how I feel,” said another voice.

There was silence in the cosmic space.

“Hello?” said Waart.

“Hello,” said a velvet voice that had an edge of anger. “I have waited for ... I wonder how long I’ve been here ... a long time to hear another voice.”

“And you are...?” Xastet asked.

“Oh, you know me.”

“Hera!” Waart exclaimed.

“Yes, Hera!” replied the voice. “I have waited here in the prison of this endless night. Waited for the time when I would escape. Now the time is coming. Discord is nearing the entrance. All dead warriors will be brought forth to join the dark Master.”

“Not all will come,” Waart replied. “Some earned a place in the Elysian Fields.”

“Any departed soul that took a life will be under the domination of Dahak. He has already promised me a place in his new order. The gods of Olympus will be trampled under his boot heel as the Master sweeps over that plane of existence.”

There was a pause in the blackness.

“This is not good news,” Xastet said finally.

“But not unexpected,” Waart replied. “Stay close, sister mine. We need to find the entrance.”

“You can’t fight this force,” Hera said.

“We will see,” Waart whispered.

Then there was silence.

“You can’t win,” Hera said after a while.

Only silence greeted her.

“Where are you?” she asked. Now panic had crept into her voice but there was only silence.

Part Twelve

Ares followed as a warrior escorted him through the campfires to his new command.

“I haven’t seen you before,” said the man. “Where are you from?”

“Here and there,” Ares said tersely. “I go where the fighting is.”

“A follower of Ares,” replied his guide.

“You might say.”

“Don’t talk much, do you?”

“I say what I need to,” the dark warrior replied. “Who’s the prisoner who is going to be executed?”

The man turned to him, now looking interested. “Ah, they brought him back from the southern campaign. We almost captured the great Xena, but she got away, the clever bitch! This warlord tried to stand up against us. We destroyed his army! He wears the sign of Ares and refuses to put on the collar of Dahak!” The man laughed derisively. “Gods, what a fool. Can’t say his mighty god did him much good.” He laughed again.

“What’s his name?” Ares asked, keeping his voice impassive.

“Drakos.”

They had arrived at the campsite. A handful of men got up from where they had been lying or sitting around the fire and nodded as the warrior brought them their new commander.

“This is ...” The man turned and looked at Ares. “What is your name?”

Ares smiled slightly. “Leonides, but they call me the Panther.”

The warrior left and Ares looked around at the men who were staring back at him.

“We hope you can lead us to victory and vengeance,” one of the men said finally. He appeared to by a Spartan by his dress. “We want to be the first ones in the city! We seek revenge against an Amazon, tall bitch that fights like a fury.”

“Hm, Kendaa. Yes, they told me,” Ares replied as he walked around the campfire.

“Well,” said another, “will you see that we are in the front?”

The dark warrior continued to walk around the circle of men, looking each in the eyes. He finally stopped in front of the man who had asked the question. “I can guarantee you that I will be the first man through that gate.”

The men cheered as their leader gave them a humorless smile.

Ares sat with his men for a while, had something to eat, and got to know the soldiers under his command. Finally, he told them to go back to their preparations and got up.

“Where are you going, sir? Gon is going to execute the prisoner in an hour or so,” asked one of the men.

“I’m going to take a look around,” Ares said quietly. “I want to get the feel of things.” He began to stroll off.

As Ares walked away, he felt the stare of a soldier at a nearby campfire on his back and turned around to see someone looking at him. Suddenly, he recognized the man. It was Dalos. Years ago, he had been in Xena’s old army before it had been taken over by Darphus. Ares had watched as the man left the troop after Xena had been made to run gauntlet. For this reason, the War God had taken an interest in him and later and had chosen him to be among the few that Ares had secretly trained.

It shook Ares’ confidence that he had not recognized Dalos before now and he wondered now if the man had recognized him. He reached out with his senses as he looked back at the seasoned soldier. Dalos nodded slightly then turned and went back to tending his weapons. The War God took in the message with quiet interest, then turned away himself and continued to stroll through the camp.

Ares walked here and there for about an hour, examining the force around him and thinking about the man who would be executed soon. As he walked and watched, he realized that the feel of an army readying for battle was at once chilling and exhilarating. He’d never felt it quite so fully as now. He knew now why ordinary men could leave hearth and home to follow this kind of life. Combat bonded men like nothing else could. It brought out the noblest and the basest part of the human male. The same creature that was capable of great acts of selfless courage could rape young girls and kill them without a thought.

Mortals were strange beings, he thought, as he sat down on a bale of hay. He wandered out now to where the horses were kept to be alone for a moment. He looked at the campfires in the distance.

“You are so correct,” said a quiet voice beside him. He started and turned to see a black cat looking up at him. There was no blue aura around her, but she was wearing the familiar gold hoop in her ear. She jumped up onto the bale beside him.

“No bells to hail your presence?” Ares replied. “No aura of greatness?”

“I thought it best not to call attention to myself,” Bastet answered quietly.

Ares smiled and sat for a while saying nothing, then spoke. “They’re going to kill Drakos tonight. He’s going to die for being loyal to me.” He looked out over the campfires, his jaw tensing with emotion. “I don’t know if I can live with that.”

“I am continually amazed at your progress, blessed one,” said the ancient being. “You have far exceeded my hopes for you.”

“There’s nothing like a little mortality to give a god perspective,” Ares replied.

Bastet laughed. “Well, the lesson is lost on most mortals.”

“I’m not surprised. It’s hard to see the view of the lake when you’re drowning in it,” the War God answered.

The Ancient One smiled but then her voice became grave. “Now listen to me, my son. It is Drakos’ fate to die tonight to honor the leader he served faithfully in life. His soul is ready to go on, but yours still has a destiny here. The inhabitants of Galgona are becoming weaker and weaker. Even the Amazons suffer from the life-drawing force that resides within the city. The army will surely break through the gates tomorrow unless a force of arms keeps that gate secure.”

“And that is where I come in?” Ares replied. Then in an instant, he realized that for all his clever scheming, he had been led here by the Ancient One. “You’ve been orchestrating this all along.”

“I have given events a nudge here and there,” she replied softly. “I did not foresee the loss of your sword but your mortality has been of great benefit to me as I hope it will be to you. Also, the preparations you made so long ago to protect yourself if you lost your sword again will now be the cornerstone of the plan to save this plane. The men you trained when you built the fortress are all here and they are ready.”

“They know I’m here?” Ares asked. Then he realized the meaning of the nod that Dalos had given him.

“They knew the moment you stepped into camp,” the Ancient One said. “They will fight their way through the ranks to join you. There are two hundred or so. You will take your men to the gate and hold that position until around noon.”

Ares exhaled heavily. “Two hundred against ten thousand for what, maybe six hours?” He shook his head. “And then what?”

“Xena is arriving with an army. She will draw the Dahak’s forces away from the city and toward the hills.”

“Dahak must be aware of all this,” Ares remarked.

“The unmitigated pride of that creature never ceases to amaze me,” Bastet replied. “If he were a clever soul, he would have chosen a better servant amongst the Olympians, and he would realize that he should be more watchful. But Dahak waits, secure in the knowledge that he will win. Discord, on the other hand, is more concerned about finding you.”

Ares pursed his lips thoughtfully. “Let’s hope she doesn’t. She was near me today but I guess she didn’t notice me.”

“There are forces working for you,” Bastet stated. Ares looked at the cat’s deep green eyes and smiled. “I am so glad.,” she continued, her eyes shining, “that Dahak did not seduce you to his side. This struggle would have gone very differently.”

The warrior stroked the cat’s glistening fur as if she was an ordinary house pet. “I had a prior offer that I couldn’t refuse.” Then the warrior became thoughtful again as he contemplated that battle coming up. “When Xena’s army arrives ...” Ares lapsed into silence for a moment. “God, how I will love seeing her at the head of an army again,” he whispered, then he roused himself from his thoughts and turned to the cat. “She’s got to get through the pass. Dahak’s men can hold her off there.”

Bastet nodded in acknowledgment. “But Xena’s army will not need to go through the pass. They will go over the hills. The dragons are transporting the first wave that will lead the assault. They cannot come near the city as their sensitive natures would be drawn in by the force in the city. But they can bring enough troopers onto the plain to have Dahak’s army engaged on two fronts. You must ensure that Dahak’s army does not break through the gate.”

A chill went up Ares’ spine as he thought about the cataclysmic battle that would take place at the rise of the sun. He nodded, reaching down and stroking the cat again. She rubbed against his hand gracefully.

“What about the dark entrance within the city?”Ares asked.

“The walls of the city are built on mystic energy lines that keep Dahak and Discord out. The gate is the only way in for Discord and her master. This was Anubis’ gift to Osiris when he accompanied him on his journey to the underworld. As long as Discord does not enter the gate, the entrance is still secure. Two sorceresses were drawn in by the darkness,” Bastet said. “I did not foresee this turn of events either but even now they go toward the vortex to do what they can to guard it. The two have gone in but only one can return. Someone must stay behind and guard it.”

“For how long?”

“For as long as men still kill other men,” the cat replied solemnly. “My heart goes with them and with you for victory,” she said. Then Ares watched as her figure faded into the darkness. “You are my shield against the darkness. Hold the line,” said the haunting voice.

“I will, I swear,” the War God replied.

Part Thirteen

The tent of the leader was filled with officers. Gon stepped in and looked at his commanders, then he walked through the ranks and into the middle.

In the center of the tent was the scaffold that had recently held Hercules. Now it held Drakos, his arms stretched taut by the ropes. The swarthy warrior stared defiantly at Gon.

The leader of Dahak’s army strolled up to the doomed man and stopped before him.

“He cannot understand us,” Gon said to his men though his eyes never left Drakos. “Nor we him, but the message he gave when we caught him was unmistakable. Behold the follower of Ares, Greek God of War,” he continued as he began to walk around the man. Drakos’ eyes now stared off on some spot above the crowd. His expression was detached. “Where is the great Ares now?” Gon said. He looked around at his men. His eyes rested on Ares as the War God stood among the others, then Gon’s attention moved on. “We have the finest warriors in all of the Mediterranean and they have come to serve the true Lord of Destruction.”

Ares felt the anger rising in him. He wondered, suddenly, if Gon knew who he was. Perhaps the form that had come to him had not been Bastet, but someone else. Maybe Discord was setting him up to be defeated in a particularly humiliating manner. He took a deep breath and shook the doubts from his mind. Doubt was a soldier’s greatest enemy. Ares closed his eyes for a moment and then looked back at Gon.

The leader had gone over to the table behind the scaffold. He picked up a knife and walked back to the bound man. Ares swallowed hard, tightening the grip on the sword at his side as Gon stood before Drakos. The prisoner’s eyes looked into his executioner’s and his expression was one of contempt. Gon raised the knife and Ares felt himself begin to draw his blade. He had seldom felt as strongly as he did this moment. He could not let this happen.

Then a strong hand covered his sword hand and he looked over at a tall, black Amazon. She was the darkest female he had ever seen, her head was shaven, and her eyes were as green as bright emeralds. Her long nails dug into his hand. “This must be,” she said quietly. She shook her head sadly and Ares noticed now the golden hoop earring in her right ear.

He swallowed and looked over again as Gon plunged the knife into Drakos’ heart. The prisoner winced once, then the life force left him and he went limp in his bonds. A cheer went up among the officers who watched the bloody event. Ares felt tears of anger sting his eyes. He took another deep breath and then felt a comforting hand on his shoulder.

The crowd had been satisfied now and was breaking up. Men were leaving the tent, Gon had wiped the knife blade on the chest of his victim and was talking with two other men as Ares approached the body.

Gon turned to see Ares standing in front of the dead man now with a tall black Amazon behind him.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you before here,” Gon said to the woman.

The woman’s head turned toward the leader with feline grace. She smiled slowly. “I have just arrived,” she said.

The man beside Gon frowned. “I don’t recall putting a collar on her,” he said to his commander.

The Amazon stepped up to the man, her hands playing delicately with the collar around her long neck. “Perhaps you would like to take it off me,” she answered, staring down at the man.

“No, no,” the man answered. “It’s just that, well, you are the sort of woman who stands out. I just don’t remember you.”

She ran her fingernails down his cheek seductively. “I will take that as a compliment,” she replied. She began to leave the tent.

Ares was still staring at the dead man before him. His face was tight with emotion.

“Maybe I have misjudged whether you should lead men,” said Gon’s lieutenant. “You seem to be disturbed by this death.”

Ares looked at the man with a cold glare. “I served with him once. He fought well and he died well,” he growled. Then he turned and followed the tall Amazon out of the tent.

In the night air, Ares walked stiffly toward his command. He felt as if there was a tight belt around his chest that kept him from taking a breath. The look of Drakos’ face in death flashed through his mind with crystal clarity again. He swallowed hard and continued to walk, hearing the footsteps of the tall Amazon behind him.

“This must be what men call grief,” he said quietly.

“No, what you feel is shock. Grief will come later,” she replied. Then, in an instant, Ares felt her presence vanish and he experienced a moment of lonely panic. He willed himself to calm down and was back at his men’s campsite by the time he had restored himself to deadly focus. The men were asleep now. There was a place near the fire left for him so he sat down and looked into the flames. He realized it would be hard for him to sleep tonight. He looked over at the men in slumber here and there. They slept secure in the knowledge that their malevolent master, Dahak, would bring them victory tomorrow. He was not so sure they weren’t right. He shook his head, dismissing the unpleasant thoughts from his head. He had to focus on victory and have faith in himself and his troopers.

Then he thought about the Amazons. Another wave of panic swept over him as he thought about them watching him from the parapets. They would not know who he or his men were and he could not tell them. They might unleash their fury on him at the very time that he was trying to save them all.

He lay down by the fire and closed his eyes but rest eluded him for a while until he finally fell into a fitful sleep.

Another slept badly also. Hercules opened his eyes again and sighed, getting up. Iolaus was asleep now in the bunk next to him. Hercules had always marveled at how Iolaus could sleep at any time. It seemed that the small man was more fit for the life they led than he was. He didn’t seem to have the same yearning for hearth and home that Hercules so often longed for. He was always ready for the battle and never seemed to tire of adventure. In nearby bunks and mats on the floor, the Amazons were also catching what rest they could.

He walked out into the evening and climbed the stairs to the parapet, looking down at the enemy camp in the distance. Fires burned low as the foe slept also. Guards could be seen walking their duty. He looked over to see Lyrical standing in the shadows.

The tall warrior smiled. “Can’t sleep,” he remarked.

“They asked for volunteers for guard duty. I knew I wouldn’t be able to either so I volunteered.” She came over and joined him, leaning on the stone wall and looking out over the battlefield.

The tall man stood up and put his hands on her shoulders, massaging her. “I don’t know how you do it. You cook for us like a farm wife and then you fight like a fury.”

She laughed, feeling the stiffness melt away under his strong hands. “The cooking talent is a gift from Aphrodite. They think that the way to a man’s heart is through use of the female wiles but I say it is through his stomach!”

Hercules laughed. “They’ll quote you some day. You’re so right. Look at Iolaus. He was ready to marry you after the first stew you served him.”

She laughed. “He does have a singular ability to eat! I think he must have been starved a bit when he was young.” She paused for a while as he tended her. “Was your wife a good cook?” she asked finally.

Hercules laughed again. “No, neither of them were. Deianeira was alright. She got better after the children were born. And Serena had never had any practice. I loved her but I probably would have lost weight on her cooking!”

The Amazon looked out over the field as they lapsed into silence. He continued to rub her back and both stared off thinking now about the morning that would soon arrive. “Well,” she said, finally turning to look at him. “Try to get some rest. I’ll keep watch, Lessa is down on the other side of the gate.”

“Maybe, I’ll just sit down here,” he replied, “and rest my eyes.” He sat down on the hard stone and put his head back against the wall. In a moment, he was breathing regularly. Lyrical walked off to check in with her companion.

It seemed like only an instant, then the horn sounded and Lessa came running down the walkway. Hercules was on his feet again, rousing himself.

“Movement on the field!” she cried out at the Amazons below. Warrior women swarmed out of the barracks and to their places on the walls.

Hercules looked out at the early light, and saw the enemy approaching carrying two huge battering rams.

“This is it,” Kendaa called out, coming up the walkway toward him, buckling her armor in place. “Be strong in a world that is weak, sisters!”

Part Fourteen

The dogs of war approached their prey. The army that was converging on the gates of Galgona was massive. It brought with it two battering rams on wheels each needing twenty men to pull it. Ares had gone to Gon in the early morning as the army had readied itself for battle, and persuaded Gon to allow his company to be in the front of the assault. Gon had commended him for his enthusiasm and given orders that his men would be in charge of the first battering ram.

Now as they approached, Ares rode beside his men as they struggled with the weight of the huge machine of war. He looked up at the figures in the distance manning the walls of the city and reached out to sense any familiar souls. He hoped that Kendaa, Lessa or his daughter Klio might be in front. He was sure that they would be the first to face the enemies, but he felt nothing of their presence and this concerned him. He wondered if the collar had cut him off completely from his powers.

He called out to his men, spurring them on with commands, and looked back at the army behind him. A thrill went up his spine as he sensed men moving through the ranks, making their way to his side. He felt his secret force maneuvering into place. He could feel their eyes focused on him. He turned back toward the gate. It was less than a hundred yards now. He thought suddenly that the battering ram would make a good defense if laid out in front of the gate. It would be a challenge to figure out how he was going to accomplish this. He screamed orders at his men all the more as they continued on.

As they neared the walls, javelins and arrows skewered over half of the men pulling the ram. When they fell, the ram stopped as the other men struggled with its weight.

“I need help here!” Ares cried out to the forces behind him. His thoughts were racing with possibilities and plans.

Soldiers rushed to take up the places of the fallen. The enemy was less than fifty yards from the gate and men were raising their shields against the arrows that rained down now.

Ares looked at the gate and then back at the coming force.

“Now!” he screamed. “To me!” He spurred is horse forward, taking a shield from a nearby soldier, who was cut down then instantly by an Amazon arrow.

His men began to run. Most had come into the front part of the forces, broke free of the army, and were running toward the gates.

Dahak’s forces were still struggling with the ram as one wheel had fallen off. There was confusion in the ranks. Gon looked up from the ram to see the soldiers breaking ranks. He started screaming orders at his men to attack the soldiers who were running.

Ares rode up to the gate, seeing the faces of the Amazons above him. Then an arrow pierced his shield, nearly spiking him in the shoulder. He looked up to see Hercules reloading his bow for another shot and taking aim. Beside him Kendaa had a javelin poised to throw.

“Kendaa, it’s me! It’s Ares!” Ares cried as his men took their positions and turned toward the enemy. He turned his horse toward the enemy and called out toward his men. “Hold the line, men! For the love of Greece!” Ares dismounted and drew his sword, slapping his horse’s rump to drive the animal away from the fight. He waded into the fight, cutting down the enemy ruthlessly.

“We can’t let them near the gate!” Calico cried out. She loosed an arrow and a man below went down but got up again, pulling the arrow out of his shoulder.

“What the Hades is going on?” Iolaus said as he took in the chaos below. He and Hercules exchanged confused glances. The Amazons were talking to about the soldiers below turning toward Dahak’s army.

“Maybe this is some kind of trick,” Hercules said. He raised his bow and aimed carefully at the commander on the horse. “Do you know him, Kendaa?” he asked as the man shouted something up at her. “I can’t understand him but that sounded like your name.”

Kendaa put down the javelin that she was about to throw and stared at the man, shielding her eyes from the morning sun. “I don’t recognize him.”

“Look again!” said a voice. Hygea had joined them. She was pale with illness now but had taken her place near the wall. “My voices are back. They tell me that that man is Ares! And he is here under the banner of the Ancient One, Bastet! He is here to help us!”

Kendaa looked again. “Gods! You’re right. I didn’t recognize him but you’re right.” A thrill went through her to see her lover in the thick of battle.

An Amazon warcry pierced the air as Klio repelled down the wall to join her father. Lessa was next and then Lyrical. Suddenly, the Amazons were filled with a new strength as they took in the turn of events. Kendaa, Chrysim, and Bwell went down to join their sisters. Then Calico and Valiance joined the forces on the ground before the gates. The Amazons waded into the battle as waves of men came toward them.

Above, Hercules, Iolaus, and the others kept up a deadly rain of arrows on the enemies and the battle raged.

Part Fifteen

“They are holding off our forces!” Discord ranted as she looked at the mayhem of the battle from the magic window she had opened in Ares’ throne room.

The spider sat quietly on the throne. “I am very displeased with the way you have handled this,” it said.

“Me!” The goddess whirled around to face the creature, her face twisted with rage. “You haven’t done a damn thing to help this! This is all your fault. I should have known better than to trust you!” she screamed. She began to vanish but the spider whispered and her form coalesced again. She gasped and snarled at the creature.

“You will go now and turn the tide of that battle. You’re a god, go and do something about this,” it whispered angrily. “We need to access the vortex!”

Discord stood for a moment thinking frantically about her options. Then she calmed herself and smiled with affected obedience at the spider. “Yes, master! I will go and do what you order. The gate will be breeched soon.” She took the sword of War and vanished.

Zeus stood before his throne in a hall of glorious light. The gods and goddesses of Olympus had gathered in council. Before Zeus, Discord knelt crying.

“Please, mighty Zeus, you must believe me. I come to give you the Sword of War and to warn you about Ares’ plan to take over the vortex,” she said, wringing her hands.

The gods in the Olympian hall were silent. No one said a word to her defense or blame. Their silence was unnerving but the young goddess went on none the less.

“You assisted Dahak,” Zeus said quietly.

“Ares made me!” she cried. “He was the one that helped Dahak. He tried to make a deal with him! You know that! I took his sword away from him to try to stop this terrible plan.”

“He helps the Amazons even now,” Aphrodite said, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at the goddess.

Discord looked over at her with a hateful stare. “He wants that city for himself!” Discord spat out. “He doesn’t want Dahak to win because he wants the Army of the Dead for himself!”

“And you are completely blameless in this?” Zeus asked. “Answer carefully.”

Discord looked up at the King of the Gods with a expression designed to tear at his heart. The usually randy god seemed implacable. She hung her head for effect. “I am a victim here. I did nothing that would be less than honorable in your eyes, Sire.” She looked back up to see how her words were affecting him.

His face was grim. “Less than honorable? You have no honor at all,” he answered, and stepped aside so she could see his throne.

There on the throne sat the Ancient One, Bastet, radiating the blue light of her power. She looked down at the young goddess with sadness. “You have condemned yourself by your lie, my child. And you have cost this plane many good souls, gone now because of your folly.”

Discord began to speak, then stopped as she stared up into the green eyes of the powerful being. “I never had a chance, did I?” she spat out.

“You have had an eternity of chances. And role models aplenty to help you see the path. But you refuse to come into the light,” the cat replied.

“Surrender, you mean,” Discord answered angrily.

“The time of the gods is changing,” Bastet said, now addressing everyone in the hall. “It is time that mortals knew the true seat of power and glory in this Universe. The One entrusted you with the job of caring for His children and you have abused it as we did before you.”

The gods and goddesses began to murmur. The fear of losing their power over the mortal world shook the beings in the hall.

“We are good shepherds,” Zeus said to the Ancient One.

“You are self-centered and greedy for power,” Bastet replied. “It has not gone unnoticed.”

“We’ll do better. We will give the mortals the truth about the light when they are ready to hear it. They are foolish and superstitious, hardly more than little children. They need us to guide them. They cannot understand a being without form and figure, without a name. The ways of the light are too complex for them,” Zeus replied. The other gods were nodding and agreeing.

Bastet smiled. “You underestimate your charges, as usual, but it is not my place to dictate to you. I am old and wish to sleep in the peace which passes all understanding. I have told you what I believe is the best course. Now you must decide what you wish to do,” she said sadly.

“Then the One will not punish us?” Zeus asked.

“No one can escape judgement,” Bastet said quietly. Her form began to fade. “Least of all, any of us.”

The vision of the black cat disappeared leaving the gods of Olympus to deal with the errant member.

Part Sixteen

The battle raged. Ares led the Amazons and his own forces against wave after wave of the enemy that came on. Hercules and Iolaus had joined the fighting on the ground when the last arrows had been shot. Now the two cut a swath through the enemies beside the God of War. The Son of Zeus gave a moment’s thought to the fact that this was the first time that he and his half brother had fought side by side. His brother was a grim site, covered with blood from the enemy, his face set in an unreadable expression, completely focused on his deadly task. Bodies piled up like cords of wood around the force that kept the gate secure.

The allies could not communicate but the dance of war was not hard to figure out and the brutal exercise continued without ceasing. Ares had lost around fifty of his men and fifteen Amazons had gone to the other side as the small band held their position against Dahak’s army. It began to seem hopeless, for as brave as the allies were, the army came on in numbers that never diminished.

Then a trumpet sounded. Leaders from the rear called out in their strange tongue and the enemy began to fall back.

Ares smiled a grim smile as he watched the enemy retreat. “Xena’s army is here!” he said to his men. They looked out over the field confused as the Amazons and the Greeks began to talk amongst themselves, confused also.

In the distance behind them, the sky began to darken. Huge dragons blotted out the morning sun as their strong bat wings kicked up dust, landing the creatures gently on the plains.

Dahak’s commanders called to their men to retreat to meet the new force that now flooded the battlefield at their backs. At the head of the new allies, Xena, Iphicles, and four of the Amazons led the attack, pulling Dahak’s army away from the city. Overhead, Lady Pegasus had taken to the air, raining arrows of death down on the troops below.

Ares let out a whoop of relief as the band around him fell back toward the gate. He ordered his men to take front positions between the two forces and turned toward the Amazon allies just as Kendaa threw herself into his arms and kissed him hard on the lips.

“Hey, how come we don’t get that kind of greeting from her?” Iolaus joked as he watched the two embrace. Then he felt someone tap him on the shoulder, and he turned around to find Bwell right behind him. She grabbed him, kissing him also. Hercules laughed.

In the distance, the Greek army began to cut it’s way through Dahak’s forces. The allies heard the sharp piercing sound of Xena’s war cry mixed with the Amazon’s own battle screams. The Corinthian forces began pushing the enemy toward the North and away from the city as they swept around the flanks of the floundering army.

Then a blackness began to form in the sky and the enemies and allies alike shrank back as the sun was blotted out now by dark clouds. There was a piercing cry in the air, so high pitched that the humans barely heard it but the sound sent waves of chilling force through them all. In the distance, Xena’s army began to retreat back to the dragons and Ares and Hercules heard screams coming from within Dahak’s forces as they began to run in all directions.

Suddenly, Lady Pegasus dropped out of the sky where she had been swooping over the enemy. Calico went to embrace her.

“No time, sister!” she said motioning them all toward the gate. “Hurry, something evil is spilling out of the earth. It’s coming from a hole in the middle of Dahak’s forces.”

The gates opened and the allies ran to safety, just as Dahak’s forces neared them again. Hercules and Valiance shut the gates quickly as terrified men were heard clawing at the timber and screaming.

Calico and the others ran to the walkways above the gates and watched in horror as a host of spiders swept over the enemy forces. The Amazons held their breaths to see if the spiders would be able to make it beneath the gates but some mystical force kept the creatures from coming into the city. In the distance, the dragons could be seen burning a fire line with their hot breaths to keep the Greek forces safe from the dreadful onslaught.

A strange wind blew over the darkened field.

The horrified forces within the city looked down at the sea of carnage. As the army of Dahak died, the spiders that had attacked began to fade away as quickly as they had come.

Ares stood looking at the incredible sight, holding his Chosen at his side. “Dahak’s revenge for their failure,” he said, with a sneer. He shook his head with disgust and looked over at Kendaa, only to realize that she still could not understand him. He looked down into the courtyard to see his men trying to pull off the collars from around their necks. Hercules was helping one of them but even the Son of Zeus could not budge the seals of the magic yokes.

Ares pulled at his own collar but the band was firm. He gave a growl of frustrated fury.

Hercules came up onto the battlement and said something to him. Ares realized that his half brother was asking to help him pull the collar off.

Ares glared at him and then rolled his eyes. “You realize that if you remove this for me then ...,” he said, then didn’t finish realizing that Hercules could only shrug. He growled again.

They both pulled on the collar but it did not give. Ares sighed, looking at his men. “I will find a way to get us out of these damn things,” he said. He looked back at the field, now still in death. “I wonder how Dahak rewarded my dear Discord,” he said bitterly.

The air shimmered beside him and he could smell the exotic scent of myrrh. Then Aphrodite appeared, looking furious.

“Discord!” she said to him angrily. “She went to Zeus and begged for mercy!” She paced around among the Amazons who greeted her with respect. Then she saw Lyrical and smiled the dazzling smile that made men swoon. “My sweet adopted daughter!” The Love Goddess went over and kissed her fondly on the forehead, then gasped as she saw that the Amazon was wounded. “Totally gross!” she said and touched the wound, healing it.

Ares sat back on the wall, crossing his arms over his chest and his legs at the ankles. “Excuse me!” he said, annoyed. “Discord? Zeus? Mercy? You want to stay on topic please.”

She turned and looked at him. “Oh, yes. Well, the old bull was very put out with her, but he has this ‘no kill’ rule with the gods, you know. So he banished her for a thousand years. A thousand years! It takes me longer than that to do my hair!” she cried. She rolled her eyes and looked at Ares with disgust, expecting him to escalate into fury.

The God of War looked back pensively at his sister. He sighed heavily. “Well, the One knows that I have brought this on myself but ....” His voice drifted off as he looked away for a moment, then back at his beautiful sister. His eyes were cold now as he continued, “but you go back and tell my father that if he, or Discord or anyone else ever takes my sword again, I’ll hunt them down and kill them, god or not.” His voice was chillingly matter-of-fact. “By the way,” he added, “where is my sword?”

Aphrodite smiled. “Hephie has it. Discord gave it to Zeus when she came to him. He gave it to Hephaestus because the blade had a piece missing. You know father, he’s a stickler for these things,” she said.

Ares laughed. “That missing piece is embedded under my right shoulder blade. It gave me what little power I have left. In a way, I should be thankful to Discord for that. Her spitefulness kept me going,” he replied.

Aphrodite put her hands on her hips affectedly. “You’re thankful to Discord, that cow?”

Ares smiled. “I said I ‘should be’. Now, can you get these damn collars off? I want to tell my lady that I love her.” He slipped his arm around Kendaa’s waist again.

Aphrodite smiled. “Totally! I’m on it!”

“It’s over,” Xastet said in the darkness. “You lost.”

“For now,” replied Dahak, who perched behind the portal sealed with magic. “I have the patience to wait. Another opportunity will come along.”

“And what about me?” said the anxious voice of Hera. “You were going to take me with you!”

“Another time,” Dahak answered. “You must be patient also, Hera. These matters are delicate. I will escape.”

“We will be here to stop you,” Xastet added.

“You are only mortal, powerful, yes, but finite,” the Dark One whispered from his prison. “You will tire of the struggle some day, then will come madness and death.”

“Possibly ... but not today,” Waart answered quietly.

The two sorceress whispered between themselves. Then there was the sound of quiet weeping and one life force returned to the living plane while the other remained, trapped by the destiny that surrounded the dark place, to stand guard before the gateway of evil forever.

Part 17

The mighty Zeus, King of Gods, had ordered that the city of Galgona be razed to the ground to bury the entrance to the dark gate forever. The inhabitants were given three days to take their belongings and leave. Many were now happy to go from the cursed place. On the third day, a storm of lightening destroyed the city, leaving a huge pile of rock amid Dahak’s dead army. Carrion bird circled overhead as the dust cleared from the destruction.

Ares, once freed from his collar, had turned and kissed his Chosen, whispered something in her ear, then had disappeared with Aphrodite’s help. All were left to wonder what would happen now in the halls of Olympus.

The Amazons had gone the moment that the conflict had been decided. Most of the dragons had taken the Greek forces back but Iphicles had joined the four Amazons who had finally been reunited with their sisters. Corum, the great black dragon, took the Amazons and the three Greek warriors back to the Amazon Nation.

As they passed over the lands between, they saw the destruction that had been done by the army of Dahak as it had come through. Corum increased his speed to get his charges home so they could find out about the safety of their own people.

As Corum landed in the training field just outside the city, those who had been left behind streamed out to greet the returning warriors. Tears of joy and sorrow were shed as the Amazons exchanged stories about what had happened. Dahak’s army had not come toward the Amazon Nation, but long range patrols that had been sent out had not returned. The small force left behind had pulled everyone out of the outlying villages and into the more easily protected City of the Queen to await the return of the troops sent to Galgona.

Among the Amazons returning, Calico and Calee had come, each carrying a small box. In the boxes were the bodies of the sorceresses. Calico felt the heavy burden of carrying Waart in her cat form. She had cried all the tears that she thought she had until she saw her daughter running toward her. New tears came as she and Amberlia embraced and Calico told her daughter about the death of Waart. Then Tosh came bounding toward her, chuffing happily to see his mistress return.

Now the dead had to be buried and the sick and wounded, tended.

Funeral fires burned all day and all night for three days. The Amazons danced the Dance of Farewell to their dead sisters and sang songs of mourning. On the third night, Calico finally decided to put the small boxes on a waiting funeral pyre. It seemed that the spirits of the sorceresses would not be returning even though Hygea had predicted that they might.

The day had been chilly. The sisters were tired from the rites that had gone on and many had retired to their villages now. The sorceress Waart had not been well accepted among the Amazons. Only the Greek guests and the Forum members now gathered around the small pyre as Iolaus put Waart’s box on it and Calee put the box of Xastet next to her sister’s. Lessa and Valiance held the torches ready, and once the two stepped back, the two Amazons lit the wood kindling below and watched as the flames began to grow around the small containers.

Everyone stood quietly as the flames began to build. Cassopeia stepped up near the pyre and began to sing:

The sky had been growing darker as the afternoon had gone on. The wind had begun to blow and now it started to rain, dampening the flames and sending them back into the smoldering wood. Everyone looked at each other wondering now what to do. Lessa readied another torch to relight the fires. Hercules went to Calico and put his arms around her as she shook her head in disbelieving sorrow.

Then the sound of a tinkling bell was heard. Before the funeral pyre, the air began to crackle and swirl and the imposing figure of Ares took shape, restored now to his dark godhood with his sword by his side.

In his arms, was the Ancient One, Bastet, a blue light radiating from her illuminating the face of the god. The Ancient One looked at the mystified observers and spoke as the rain magically subsided.

“Hello, my blessed children,” she said. “Your mourning is premature for one of these sorceresses. Though one must stay and guard the dark entrance, the other has been returned to this plane.” She looked at Tosh and mewed softly and the huge tiger went over to the smoldering pyre and put his paws on the platform, standing up to reach the boxes. He took Waart’s box in his mouth and brought it over, placing it at Calico’s feet. “Open it,” the Ancient One ordered quietly.

Calico knelt down and opened the lid. She reached in and picked up the cat gently in her arms. The brown tabby body was warm now. In a moment, she smiled and more tears ran down her cheeks.

“She’s purring,” the Amazon said, laughing.

The Ancient One smiled. “Take care of her and watch over her for me. Henceforth, I wish her to bear my name.”

Ares looked down at the cat in his arms. He had been silent and expressionless so far. Now he frowned. “Are you going somewhere?”

“I am needed on other planes,” the Ancient One replied. “But I will come when you call to me.”

The God of War said nothing. Kendaa was surprised to see a strange emotion cross his face. It looked like sorrow. She doubted that anyone else could tell.

“All of you, take care of each other, and of this plane,” Bastet, the Ancient One said. “Fight only if the cause is just.” Then she looked up at Ares. “Your sword is both an aid and burden. I command you now to use it with honor.”

“I will,” Ares said quietly. Then the small black cat jumped out of the War God’s arms and trotted over to the funeral pyre, leaping up onto it. As she jumped up onto the pyre, flames leapt out of the smoldering wood beneath her and soon became an immense conflagration. The Ancient One faded slowly, and the body of the Xastet was consumed by the flames.

Epilogue:

Calico sat by the fire in her hut. It was early evening now, and her daughter had gone out to see friends after the two had talked for hours about the trials they had both endured. On the hearth before the fire, lay the sorceress now called Bastet in a basket. She had still not awakened though it had been several days since the funeral. Calico was hesitant to try to rouse her so she had put her in a makeshift bed, curled up by the fire to keep her warm.

As the Amazon sat stroking Tosh and watching the fire’s light, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” she said quietly.

Iolaus threw back the heavy canvas of the door and he and Hercules came in. Calico got up and greeted them. They embraced her in turn and Hercules kissed her on the cheek.

“So how is furball?” Iolaus asked, going over to the fire. “We’re heading out in the early morning, but we wanted to check on her before we left.” He stroked her brown fur gently.

“No change,” Calico answered, coming over beside him. She looked down into the basket.

“Hope she’s all right,” he said, scratching her ear fondly.

The ear twitched.

The three humans gasped. Then Iolaus laughed quietly and tickled the delicate hairs in the inside of the cat’s ear. The ear twitched again. Then the cat’s head shook slightly and she woke, stretching until she trembled.

“God, what a nightmare,” she said, yawning widely, baring her white fangs. Then she looked up at the humans around her.

“Wakie, wakie, furball,” Iolaus said.

The cat stood up and stretched again, snorting affectedly at the name.

Calico sat down by the cat and stroked her. “I’m sorry about your sister,” the Amazon answered.

The cat’s green eyes seemed to tear up for a moment. “I wish it had been me,” she answered quietly. “I know she seems like the stronger of the two of us, but I am actually more accustom to the darkness. That’s a long story and a painful one, but I only wish the fate had fallen to me. Now I only hope that some day I may find a way to bring her back.”

“I thought someone had to guard the entrance,” Hercules replied, becoming serious now.

“Yes. It went unguarded for many centuries but unfortunately, when we went to the entrance we led your dear stepmother there. Now she knows where it is. If she finds a way to get Dahak out and release the Army of Darkness, we are truly doomed. My sister’s destiny lies there for now. I will examine what sources I have to find an answer to this problem. She cannot last forever down there. Dahak knows that. So does Hera.”

The name of the goddess sent a chill down Hercules’ spine when he heard the name again. “Hera,” he whispered angrily.

“Yes,” the cat replied, “that’s where she ended up when you tossed her into the pit. Living things everywhere thank you for that, by the way.”

“My pleasure,” Hercules said, “I’d do it again if I had the chance.”

Iolaus nodded in agreement.

Bastet smiled and replied. “Good, you just may have to someday.” She yawned again. “And I may ask you for your help in rescuing my sister, but for now I need to rest and be with friends.” She jumped down from the hearth and went over to Iolaus, rubbing against his leg gracefully.

“You’re not going to get all sentimental on me, are you?” the blond warrior said.

“You don’t know anything about cats, do you?” Bastet replied. “I’m putting my scent on you. I own you now, blondie.”

Iolaus laughed. “Well, come on, master, I’m hungry and Lyrical is making her famous stew.” He went out followed by the cat, her tail pointing skyward with enthusiasm.

“Lyrical’s stew! Excellent,” she said as she left.

Hercules watched them leave, shaking his head and laughing. He looked over at Calico. “Shall we join them?” he asked, holding out his hand for her to take.

She took it, smiling, and the two followed their friends toward the mess hall.

Ares, the God of War, sat on the backless throne in his fortress. The throne room before him was empty and the light of the moon through the skylight, and the few torches along the walls, were the only illumination in the vast, dark place. He thought about all that he had learned in the last week or so. It seemed as though he had lived a lifetime in that other form. He shook his head as he thought about the events that had transpired.

His face was lined with fatigue even though he had been restored to his godhood. Immortality could rejuvenate the form but not the spirit. He sighed and got up, realizing that it was pointless to ponder his feelings. His priests waited outside the doors of the throne room, wondering about their Lord. There was much business to take care of. His elite force, now with him in the fortress, would soon be enjoying a banquet in their honor. Leonides, his son by his Chosen, had been brought from a place of safety to the fortress and was being bathed now in preparation for seeing his father.

With all this to think on, he wondered why he still felt a heaviness in his heart.

Then there was a swirling light that formed in the middle of his symbol on the floor of the room and the goddess Aphrodite appeared. Beside her were the two boys that had tended him in what seemaed like a lifetime ago. Their eyes were now wide with awe as each held a hand of the goddess. Ares noted that she had cleaned them up and dressed them somewhat ostentatiously for his taste. He laughed as he came down the stairs and approached the two.

“Please take these two off my hands, brother,” Aphrodite said, putting her hands on her perfect hips. “They are .... hmmm, how should I put this, all-boys.”

Jared looked up at the imposing figure now standing in the light of the moon.

“Is you really the God of War?” he whispered.

Aphrodite sighed. “Are you really the God of War?” she corrected. “I am not cut out for the mommy gig at all. Raising gods is easier.”

Ares laughed again. “Yes, I am the God of War, for what that’s worth.”

He reached out and took each by the hand, nodding his thanks to his sister.

“Later, bro,” she replied. “There are killer waves off Crete.” She disappeared in a flash.

“She does that all the time,” Saphir said, looking around.

“Yes, we have an annoying habit of doing that,” the War God replied, leading the two out of the throne room. “Let me introduce you to my son. I may have plans that include the three of you.”

Jared brightened. “Are we going to be soldiers?” he asked excitedly.

“No, you are going to be warriors,” Ares replied.

“Will we be heroes?” Saphir asked.

“That is entirely up to you,” the War God replied, as the doors of the throne room opened, and they walked out.

Finis

* “That side of the Moon” by Tret Fure on her album Terminal Hold (1984)