Hercules
stared into the flames. What was he to do? How could he call the
person, who could help him save his best friend? Could he call
her and effectively put her in danger?
Ceridwen.
There
must be a way of contacting her. He tried to remember and think
back at the time, he and Iolaus first encountered the Goddess.
She had summoned the spirits, she had reached into their minds,
she had shared images with them - but how? Hercules wanted to
scream at his inability. His best friend was under a spell, a
powerful Witch was on the loose ready to side with Hera and he
was not able to help.
Ceridwen.
Hercules
took a deep breath and stared deeper into the glowing embers of
the fire, trying to concentrate to find the answer to his
tormenting question in the glowing shine of the fire.
Summon
her Hecate's remark raced through his mind. Your
heart will know what to do.
Ceridwen.
Suddenly
a noise brought him out of his thoughts. He turned around and saw
a hooded figure steeping into the light of the fire. The figure
drew the cape back from her head and Hercules looked into the
familiar face of an auburn-haired woman. Her green-blue eyes
looked at him gently.
"Hello
Hercules." she said and smiled.
Hercules
stood up and slowly walked towards the woman.
"Ceridwen!"
he whispered as they embraced. "But how?" he
stammered. "I didn't manage "
Ceridwen
smiled sadly. "Yes, you did. But it was not necessary,
Hercules. I felt Iolaus' pain."
Hercules
released her from his embrace and stepped back to look at her.
"Then
you know about Cyran?"
Ceridwen
nodded. "Yes I do, for it was I who banished her from my
coven. She is evil and has turned to darkness."
Hercules
eyes found hers and she could see the sadness and confusion in
them. "Ceridwen, I don't like this." he whispered.
"You have to be careful. Cyran wants revenge on you and she
might find a powerful ally and you ..."
The
Goddess took a deep breath and took Hercules' hands in hers.
"Don't worry, Hercules. You yourself know in your heart
that the powers of evil can not be allowed to win."
Hercules
looked over to where the body of his best friend was laying
motionless on the ground. "Can you help us?" he asked
carefully.
The
Goddess swallowed and walked over to where Iolaus was laying.
Ceridwen crouched down next to the blond and her hand moved
across his body to rest on his forehead as she closed her eyes.
"Cyran
has used a powerful spell. It is designed to separate you by any
means. I can only break it at sunrise."
Chapter 5
Ceridwen
looked into the rising sun as she produced a pink candle out of
her travel bag. She reached for Hercules hand and placed Iolaus
dagger into it. Her blue-green eyes found his' as she placed the
dagger in his hand and lead his hand over the candle. As Hercules
followed her eyes down at the candle, he had inscribed the word
Friendship' into the waxed surface.
Ceridwen
looked at the demi-god.
"Do
you trust me?" she asked a notion of seriousness in her
voice.
Hercules
nodded. "I trust you with Iolaus' life and my
own." he answered.
Ceridwen
pulled Hercules down with her to sit on the ground. Then she took
hold of the candle and placed it in front of them on a rock. The
Goddess reached again into her pocket and brought out two pieces
of rose quartz, then took Hercules hand as she enclosed the
stones. Hercules closed his eyes and in his mind, he could see
images. Images, he knew Ceridwen produced.
A
positive future for him and Iolaus.
He
saw himself and Iolaus living, laughing, and enjoying life
together. Hercules smiled at the vision and as he opened his
eyes, Ceridwen had placed the stones around the base of the
candle and had lit it. She visualized a strong sense of hope,
strength and friendship and Hercules could share those feeling
through their physical connection. The candle had burned down
half of the way as Ceridwen bend forwards and extinguished it
with her fingers. Then she repeated the vision once more until
the candle had burned down completely. Ceridwen picked up the two
rose quartz pieces and walked over to a willow tree. She kneeled
down and with her hands dug a whole at its roots, dropping the
two stones gently into the whole and closing it again. She rose
and turned to look at Hercules.
"It
is done." she said simply.
Hercules
turned his head at the still unconscious hunter.
"Iolaus?"
he asked carefully.
Ceridwen
smiled gently. "He will be fine. All is like it was
before."
*
As
they settled down next to the fire and watched the sun peek over
them, Hercules watched Ceridwen. His thoughts whirled in his mind
as he tried to make sense out of what had happened. It has been
almost a year ago, that the Goddess from the West had come to
Greece in search for a book, which was stolen from her temple. It
was a magical, powerful book and she had traced it all the way to
Greece. But in this land, which was strange and unfamiliar, she
needed help - and she'd found it.
Iolaus.
When
they first met, Iolaus had fallen head over heels in love with
her and Hercules knew that this was more than just one of the
blonde's usual flirts. This went deeper, but he also felt
that this relationship was doomed from the beginning. Iolaus was
mortal and Ceridwen a Goddess. Both knew that it would never work
and so Ceridwen left after they had recovered her book. The quest
for the book was hard and Ceridwen's powers managed to
defeat even Hera, the Queen of the Gods. But Hercules had watched
as Iolaus and Ceridwen said their good-byes and he was there when
Iolaus tried to take his mind off the beautiful Goddess for
months after that. Eventually, there were other women, who caught
the hunter's eye but Hercules could see that something of
the old, exuberant and easy-going Iolaus had died when Ceridwen
had left.
And
now, Ceridwen had returned and Hercules wondered how a Goddess
could be like her. Gentle and caring - and it was not only out of
her feelings for Iolaus. That was clear to him. Her actions were
deeper rooted and he wondered about her beliefs. Hercules wanted
to know more about the woman, who stole his best friend's
heart just one summer ago. But how could he ask her and what?
Ceridwen
smiled. "Ask anything you want, Hercules." she said
tenderly.
Hercules
laughed in amazement. "Do you always know what a person
thinks?"
Ceridwen
looked at him. "We share a close bond through Iolaus. I can
feel your thoughts. It is not the same as knowing." She
stared into the flames. "You wonder about me."
Hercules
nodded. "We haven't really had time to talk the last
time we met and I think I was a little well ... I
didn't know what to make of you."
Ceridwen
sighed. "I know. But we have time now." She looked up
into his eyes. "You wonder how I, as a Goddess, can care so
much about life."
Hercules
nodded. "The Gods I met all my life were petty and cruel and
always plagued mankind with suffering. They don't care about what
happened to mankind. But you ..."
"I
respect nature and believe, that all the good that one does,
returns three fold in one's life. Harm is also returned
three fold."
Hercules
smiled. "Sounds like a very good way to live to me. I
don't understand why so many people hate and fear your
followers."
Ceridwen
smiled gently. "Many say the way we live is wrong, but they
have no reason. They accuse without knowledge, relying on their
fear. They worry about dying and think nothing of the life they
have."
Hercules
stirred in the fire. "So, where does Cyran fit in?"
Ceridwen
sighed heavily as a shadow moved across her face. "Cyran has
broken the most basic of our rules. A person should feel free to
do what ever they want, as long as it does not harm anybody or
anything. This prevents us from doing harm or attempting to
manipulate others. Cyran has broken this law and used the magic
and powers she raised to harm and control others."
Into
the sudden silence, they could hear a soft moan. Hercules turned
and rushed to Iolaus' side, gently lifting his head.
"Take
it easy, my friend. You had a nasty fall and were unconscious for
quiet a while."
Iolaus
tried to push himself resolutely up into a sitting position.
"I'm fine, Herc. Stop making such a fuss." He
rubbed the side of his head gingerly and looked up into the
demi-god's eyes. "What happened, Herc?"
Hercules
took a deep breath. "It was Cyran. She had cast a spell on
us."
Iolaus
eyes widened in confusion. "A spell? Why would she do that?
We helped her!"
Hercules
shrugged his shoulders. "She didn't take your rejection
of her too lightly. I think you should change your way with
women."
Iolaus
threw him a pained look and tried to push himself up.
"Ho,
ho, my friend!" Hercules said. "Take it easy!"
Iolaus
smiled. "Herc, I said I'm fine! Now, let me get
up!"
Hercules
shrugged his shoulders. "Well, fine then. I take it you can
receive visitors then?"
Iolaus
stared at him. "Visitors?"
Hercules
nodded. "There is somebody here to see you."
Iolaus
looked questioningly into the demi-god's eyes and as his
friend moved to the side, the hunter could see Ceridwen. At first
he didn't believe what he saw. Was this true or was it a
dream? One of those dreams he had often since they had parted
more than a year ago?
"Ceridwen?"
he asked carefully, fearing that the sound of his voice could
turn the image in front of him into just another dream.
Ceridwen
smiled and as she kneeled down, she gently brushed her hand over
his cheek.
"Yes,
Iolaus. It's me. It's not a dream."
Iolaus
smiled and reached for her hand. "You've come
back."
But
suddenly, his feeling of happiness was replaced by the memory of
their parting and he realized that there must be more to her
visit than a just a social call.
"Why?"
he asked and then he answered his own question. "It's
Cyran, isn't it?"
Ceridwen
nodded. "I must stop her." she said resolutely.
"She's my responsibility. I taught her and she turned
against me. I had to banish her into exile because she had turned
to evil and I'd have never believed that she'd come
here."
Hercules
sat down next to Iolaus. "Cyran hasn't wasted any time
either since she's been here." He looked at his friend.
"She's already been at Hecate's temple to ask for
immortality in exchange for her allegiance, but Hecate had
rejected her. She said it would threaten some sort of balance of
power if Cyran becomes immortal and kills another Goddess in
revenge."
Iolaus
looked at his tall friend in confusion. "Kills another
Goddess? Who does she wanna kill?" Then Hercules' words
sank in.
Revenge.
The
hunter looked over at Ceridwen. "It's you she's
after, isn't it?"
Ceridwen
nodded. "Yes I fear so. I was the one who banished her into
exile, but I wouldn't have thought she'd come here of
all places "
Iolaus
straightened his back in alarm. "Then you've got to get
out of here. It was stupid of you to come back just to help me.
Herc and I can take care of Cyran now. You've got to go
back. Go home. Now!"
Ceridwen
shook her head. "I'm not going to run away from her,
Iolaus."
"But
you'll be going against her and whoever she'll find to
help her - on your own. There's no way you can win!"
Ceridwen
sighed. "This isn't about winning or loosing. Only
about the forces of darkness not succeeding."
Hercules
cleared his voice. "Hecate suspects that sooner or later
Cyran will stumble across Hera and she will certainly not turn
her away. Not with what happened when she last encountered
Ceridwen."
Iolaus
shook his head. "Hera " he whispered. Then he
looked at the Goddess. "Listen, the last time you managed to
defeat Hera. But only just. Now with Cyran running around looking
for somebody to help her - and if that somebody turns out to be
Hera and makes her immortal who knows what their combined
powers can do to you. It's too dangerous, Ceridwen.
You've got to leave!"
Ceridwen
was persistent. "Iolaus I won't run away and leave
Cyran in a place she doesn't belong."
"If
Cyran becomes immortal and is out to kill you and joins up with
another Goddess - then what?" Iolaus asked.
Ceridwen's
face went serious as she met his worried gaze. "It might
demand the ultimate sacrifice to stop her and then that's
what has to be done."
Iolaus
looked at her. "The ultimate sacrifice? What is that
supposed to mean? You're a Goddess, you can't die. Can you?"
Her
silence was Ceridwen's answer and Iolaus shook his head. "I
won't allow you to throw your life away like that."
"And
I can not allow your feelings for me to cloud judgement here. The
Great Goddess has many faces and I'm just one manifestation
of them. She can easily do without me if this is what it takes to
stop evil."
Iolaus
turned away, stubbornness obvious in his posture. Ceridwen pulled
him back. "Iolaus, look at me. You know what has to be done.
And you yourself know that no sacrifice of one is too great if
the lives and safety of many are at stake." She released him
and looked deep into his eyes. "You yourself have made this
sacrifice many times. Once even for me."
Iolaus
returned her look. "Then *I* will make this sacrifice again
if necessary. Not you. You're much too important, I'm just
..."
Ceridwen
shook her head. "No, Iolaus. Not again. You shall not make a
sacrifice of flesh and blood, for man has no right to destroy
what he cannot create."
Iolaus
laughed. "There speaks the Goddess. Making decisions for the
mortals once again."
"Hey,
you two!"
Both
turned around as Hercules had stepped up to them. He had
overheard the conversation and felt this was getting a touch too
emotional and heated. They all needed to cool down and clear
their heads.
"I
don't think we should talk about this right now. We
don't know what's going to happen or who Cyran will
find to help her - if she finds anybody at all!"
Hercules
took a deep breath before he continued. "So before we sign
our lives away and decide who will do what, we should wait and
see."
Iolaus
and Ceridwen were silent.
The
demi-god smiled. "Good. That's that then. Now why
don't we have some lunch?" he suggested and turned to
Iolaus. "Iolaus, go and catch some quail, while I go and get
some wood and Ceridwen can get some water from the lake."
Iolaus
nodded. "Good idea." he said and looked at Ceridwen.
"I need some fresh air right now."
The
Goddess shook her head, crossed her arms in front of her chest
and turned away to star into the thickness of the forest.
Hercules
watched his friend leave the campside. When he was sure, Iolaus
couldn't hear him, he turned and looked at Ceridwen.
"You're
worried?" he asked.
The
Goddess nodded. "Yes, Hercules, I am. Cyran is already very
powerful and if she'll find a God or Goddess who will make
her immortal, there is only one way for me to stop her."
Hercules
swallowed hard. "A life for a life?" he asked.
Ceridwen
nodded. "It might be the only way."
Hercules
walked over to Ceridwen and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Ceridwen.
I know Iolaus better than I know myself. It's been a long
time, but he still loves you and should it come down to it, he
won't allow you to sacrifice yourself. And neither will I.
There has to be another way."
The
Goddess sighed heavily. "I know what Iolaus feels, Hercules.
I feel the same way about him, but what must be done must be
done." she whispered. "It's silly of him to want
to throw his life away for something, which is my fault, my
responsibility. Cyran is dangerous and only I can deal with her.
He and his stupid pride "
Hercules
smiled gently. "That is called *Love*, Ceridwen!"
The
Goddess looked at the son of Zeus and stood up. "Not if I
can help it." she said resolutely as she walked over to
Iolaus' things, picked up his sword and walked into the
woods.
Hercules
watched her leave and from what he had seen so far, he somehow
knew what she was about to do.
Iolaus
returned with three rabbits dangling across his back.
"Didn't get any quails but I came across those three
guys!" he started. Then he looked around the camp side.
"Where's
Ceridwen gone?" he asked, as his eyes rested on his carry
sack. "And where is my sword?"
Hercules
tried to find anything but his friend's eyes to look at.
"She's just ... she'll be back. There was ...
something ... she wanted to do."
Iolaus
smiled. "What would she have to do in a forest on her own
and with my sword "
But
then he could feel it. He dropped the rabbits to the ground and
looked up into the demi-god's eyes.
"Oh
no ... Hercules, how could you let her?"
Chapter 6
Ceridwen
stood inside a circle, which she had drawn into the sand and took
a deep breath. Even though, she could not ease the pain in her
own heart, the spell would free Iolaus. Make him forget his
feelings for her. Even though it was not right to do this without
his consent, she knew it was for the best and would not harm
anybody.
Ceridwen
held Iolaus' sword in her right hand and could feel her
energy and her need flow into the weapon.
"The
beginning of all sorrow is because of touch. There is sensation -
the end of all sorrow with the end of touch, comes the end of
sensation. Because of sensation, there is craving - the end of
all sorrow with the end of sensation, comes the end of
craving."
Suddenly,
somebody was behind her. She turned around and stared at Iolaus.
"No,
Ceridwen. Don't do it. Please."
Ceridwen
sighed and smiled gently. "Iolaus, it's for the best.
Hercules "
The
blond stepped into the circle and grabbed her arms pulling her
gently to face him. "This isn't about Hercules. This is
about me and you. Don't I have a say in this? About
what I can feel and what I can remember?"
He
sighed heavily, released her and turned away. "I had my
memory messed with before. By another Goddess." He turned
back at her "No matter how painful they're my
memories, my feelings. Even if you're a Goddess and it would
never work out between us, you have no right to take them away
from me. They're all I've got."
Ceridwen's
eyes sunk to the ground. "I'm sorry, Iolaus. I never
meant to hurt you."
Iolaus
stood and only now noticed the circle on the ground. "What
is this?" he asked.
Ceridwen
followed his eyes. "A sacred space to provide protection, to
keep out undesirable energies and contain the powers, I raise
until I release them."
Iolaus
took a deep breath. Even though his heart could feel the answer,
he had to know. "Did you cast a spell on me, too?" His
voice was heavy with a feeling of pain and betrayal. "Did
you try and make me forget?"
Ceridwen
smiled gently. "I did, but the spell won't work.
You've stepped into the circle without a doorway and I
hadn't finished."
She
looked away and bent down to gather her things. Iolaus stepped up
to her and closed his hands around her shoulders, pulling her up
to face him.
"We
have to talk about this."
Ceridwen
looked deep into his eyes. "There is nothing to talk about,
Iolaus. Whatever we want for us can never be."
Iolaus
shook his head. "I won't accept that. The last time,
you said anything would have to be forever." He released her
and looked up into the midday sky and the clouds flying past in
the sunlight. "Back then, I was afraid." he whispered.
Then he turned back at her with an expression of determination.
"Well, guess what. I'm ready now. Whatever
forever' means. Nothing can scare me anymore."
His eyes pleaded with her as he shrugged his shoulders
helplessly. "I love you and I want to be with you."
Ceridwen
looked into his eyes. "Forever means forever." she said
plainly. "Immortality."
Iolaus
starred at her and opened his mouth. "Immortality?" he
whispered.
Ceridwen
nodded. "If we want to be together, you will have to become
like me."
Iolaus
drew a breath as he tried to understand the meaning of her words.
His eyes rested on her face. "Like you? What, a God?... But
how ?"
Ceridwen
smiled. "The cup which gives life also gives life
eternal."
Iolaus
eyes focussed onto something in the distance. To become a God.
Was that what he wanted? The hunter had hated the gods and had
fought against them most of his life. And now to become one of
them. He remembered Hercules and his adventure when he became a
God and followed his father to Mt Olympus. Back then he had told
his friend that it was a particularly bad idea. So why should he
do it now? Iolaus took a deep breath and looked up at Ceridwen.
He loved her and he would do anything for her. Being immortal
would mean that he would have more chances of helping her now
against Cyran.
"You
wouldn't be alone when facing Cyran ..." Iolaus'
eyes went serious. "Let's do it." he said.
Ceridwen
stepped in front of the hunter and took his hands into hers and
squeezed them gently. "I want you to consider this very
carefully, Iolaus. I don't want you to do this because of
Cyran or out of love for me. You yourself have to be ready.
Becoming a God is a great step. Are you prepared for this?"
A
noise from behind drew Iolaus out of his thoughts. Hercules had
stepped up behind them. The hunter sighed deeply as he could see
in the demi-god's eyes, that his friend had heard
everything.
"What
should I do?" the hunter whispered.
Hercules
shrugged his shoulders and smiled reassuringly. "Whatever
you do I will support you all the way, you know that and I can
tell you from personal experience that it won't be
easy."
Iolaus
looked at Hercules. "Do you really mean that? Please,
Hercules. The truth. Do you honestly think I should do
this?"
Hercules
looked at the blond hunter in confusion. "What do you mean
*the truth*?"
Iolaus
looked deep into his best friend's eyes. "You know
Herc, I never told you that, but when you just walked away from
me to go with Zeus to Mt Olympus after your mother died, it hurt
me. I really thought that you would have discussed this with me
more. Afterall, I'm your best friend. Your partner. You never
asked how I felt about your decision or how your decision would
effect me. I couldn't believe how easy it was for you to just
break up our partnership."
Hercules
shook his head. "Iolaus, how can you say that?" His
eyes narrowed. "The only reason for me not to have gone up
to Mt. Olympus would have been because of you. It wasn't
easy for me to leave you behind. I would have never forgotten or
deserted you even as a God. You are my family."
Hercules
was ready to tell the blond that he himself had told him that
he'd been selfish and that he thought that Hercules could do
much more up there', but the demi-god had known then
that this was a lie. Iolaus had tried to make the decision easy
for him and pretended that it wouldn't bother him that much.
But
when they said their farewells, he had felt the tight and
desperate way Iolaus had returned his hug and when Hercules left
with Zeus, he had seen the tears glistering in his partner's
eyes. And still he had left for what he had thought was the best
for everybody.
The
greater good.
For
him it hadn't worked out, but Iolaus now was not in the same
position. For him, it could work. Hercules looked into
Iolaus' cerulean eyes. "This will be different from
what I've experienced. Once this is over, you will go with
Ceridwen to her land and might not come back."
Hercules
smiled as Iolaus' eyes sunk to the ground. "I'd
miss you, Iolaus, but I know that you'll be with somebody
you love and who loves you and you will be doing what you love
best. Helping people." Hercules grinned. "And I'll
sure be looking forward to your visits!"
Iolaus
looked up into his tall friend's eyes. "Do you think
they would have a hunter as the consort of the Great
Goddess?" he smiled.
Hercules
laughed. "I can't see anybody more fitting." he
sighed. "Ceridwen is right. It's a choice you have to
make for yourself and not for anything or anybody else. Maybe you
should think about this."
Iolaus
nodded and turned to Ceridwen.
"I
don't need to think about this. I know in my heart what I
want to do."
Chapter 7
Ceridwen
raised the cup in her right hand and closed her eyes.
"I'm the gracious goddess
who gives the gift of joy unto the heart of man.
Upon earth I give the knowledge of
the spirit eternal and beyond death
I give peace and freedom and reunion
with those who have gone before.
For mine is the secret door which
opens upon the door of life.
And mine is the cup of the wine of
life and the cauldron,
which is the holy grail of
immortality"
She
handed the chalice to Iolaus as she continued.
"Behold, I'm the Mother of
all living. Arise and come unto me.
For I'm the soul of nature who
giveth life eternal to the universe.
From me all things proceed and
before my face,
thy inmost divine self shall be
enfolded in the rapture of the infinite."
Then
she nodded at Iolaus and handed him the chalice.
The
hunter took a deep breath. It was actually happening and suddenly
the hunter wasn't sure if this really was the best thing to
do. He had watched Hercules when Zeus came and asked him to join
him on Mt. Olympus after Alcmene's death. Back then, Iolaus
was sure that it was not the right thing to do for Hercules. How
was this now different from then? Was he really ready for this?
For godhood?
Iolaus
looked over to where Hercules was sitting. The demi-god smiled in
encouragement and pride. Iolaus knew what his childhood friend
was thinking. That there was so much good Iolaus could do as a
God and that finally he'd be with somebody he loved.
Iolaus' life had robbed the hunter of most of his naiveté
and he would surely not make the same mistakes as Hercules did.
Or would he? But Hercules trusted him and that trust shone
brightly in the tall man's eyes as he smiled at the hunter.
Iolaus
turned back at Ceridwen and brought the cup to his lips.
"So
Mote It Be" she whispered as the blond emptied the cup.
Hercules
watched the scene in front of him and smiled. He knew where
Iolaus was going as he had been there before himself. The son of
Zeus just hoped that his friend would be up for the change, but
then Iolaus wasn't going to Mount Olympus. His spirit was
loyal and brave and he didn't carry with him the burden of being
the son of the King of the Gods. And Ceridwen's realm was
different to those of the Greek Gods. There seemed to be no
hatred against mankind, no need to play and influence
people's lives. Ceridwen valued life in all its forms and
Hercules knew that Iolaus would be happy with her.
As
Iolaus lowered the chalice, suddenly a silver glow surrounded his
form and he closed his eyes as he could feel a warm shiver
running through his body. And it was almost over as soon as it
had started. He opened his eyes and looked down at himself.
Nothing seemed to have changed. Hercules stepped up to the hunter
and slapped him on the back.
"So,
how do you feel?" he asked.
Iolaus
considered the question for a moment. "I don't know,
Herc. I don't feel any different."
Ceridwen
took a deep breath. "You wouldn't feel any different.
Divinity is a part of all living."
Iolaus
looked from Hercules over the Ceridwen. "What now?" he
asked.
Ceridwen
smiled. "You have to get used to what you are now. It's
not as easy as it feels. You have to learn to control your
emotions because they're now raising energies within your
body which can be projected to the outside."
"Project
energies to the outside? How do I do that?" Iolaus asked.
Ceridwen
walked up to stand in front of the hunter. "You have to
visualize your need, feel the energies inside of you and then
project them towards that need."
Hercules
looked at Iolaus. "Like throwing lightening bolts?" he
asked.
Iolaus
grinned. "I'm sure I can do that!"
He
closed his eyes and concentrated. Then he lifted his right hand
in front of him, his palm formed a cup and a light-blue energy
ball appeared inside his hand. Iolaus opened his eyes and looked
over to a near-by tree.
"Watch
this, Herc!" he said and threw the energy bolt against the
tree.
With
a loud crack and a cloud of blue smoke, the tree split into two
and crashed to the ground. Iolaus turned at Hercules with a
smile.
"Kewl!"
he said and his eyes sparkled in excitement. "This feels
amazing! I can't believe it. What else can I do then?" the
hunter wondered and looked around. "Oh, hey - I know! I
always wanted to do this!" He closed his eyes again,
concentrated and took a deep breath. Then suddenly his body was
engulfed in a sparkle of blue light and he dissolved.
Hercules
looked over at Ceridwen, who just shook her head heavily.
Hercules swallowed hard as he could see the emotions displayed in
her eyes.
Sadness.
He
shrugged his shoulders uncomfortably. This was typically Iolaus.
Exuberant as always. But those were powers, which couldn't
be carried with such an easy attitude and Hercules started to
worry if he had done the right thing to encourage Iolaus to this
step. It was a great responsibility and even though Hercules
trusted Iolaus with his life, he wasn't 100% sure that
Iolaus was up to the challenge. But Hercules' own constant
advice was that one should follow one's heart and Iolaus had
done just that. Hercules looked over to the Goddess.
"Ceridwen,
I ... he ..."
But
into his sentence, Iolaus re-appeared behind him.
"BOO!"
he whispered and then burst into laughter.
Then
he looked over at Ceridwen and noticed her expression of
seriousness and sadness. Iolaus swallowed and walked up to stand
in front of her.
"Ceridwen
... I ... I ... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ..."
Ceridwen
closed her eyes and shook her head. "It's okay,
Iolaus." she said. "I understand. This is new and it's
not easy to control. You have a lot to learn."
Iolaus
stepped closer to her and took her hands into his. "I'm
ready to learn, Ceridwen." he said. "Anything you have
to teach me, I want to know."
Then
he looked deep into her eyes as his face sunk down and his lips
met hers. It was the most sensual feeling he'd ever felt as their
tongues found each other and his arms wrapped around her pulling
her body close to his. Iolaus could feel her heart beating
rapidly against his chest and as his fingers found her silken
hair, it was like nothing he'd ever touched before. Iolaus ran
one hand along her back and down along her hips, while the other
ran through her hair and rested at the back of her head, holding
it firmly against his as he could feel her moan underneath his
touch.
After
what seemed like an eternity, their lips parted and Iolaus' eyes
glistered with tears. Ceridwen smiled gently and wiped a single
tear away from his cheek with one of her fingers.
"Why
the tears?" she asked gently.
Iolaus
smiled embarrassed. "I ... I'm sorry, it's just that ... I'd
have never believed this could happen."
Ceridwen
answered his smile with one of hers. "I know." she
said. "But we have much to do before we can start thinking
about us."
Iolaus
nodded and looked over to where Hercules was shuffling his feet
uncomfortably.
"Hey,
Herc!" he called over. "Didn't you say something about
food?"
Hercules
laughed and nodded.
"So
you haven't changed at all then. Still thinking about food!"
Cyran
walked out of Ares' temple and stood on the big square in
front.
The
God of War – what another disappointment.
She
sighed heavily. All he was after was some fun and games. She had
no time for this. For the past couple of hours she had begun to
feel uneasy. Haunted, uneasy somehow. She could sense the
presence of a familiar power.
Ceridwen.
The
Goddess had followed her here and Cyran had a pretty good idea
why. To stop her. But not this time and Cyran knew that the only
way she could truly be free was to rid herself of Ceridwen. By
any means possible.
Then
suddenly she drew a breath and stared across the place. There was
something.
Somebody.
She
was calling her. Cyran smiled as she tried to concentrate on the
voice. It was a woman ... no a Goddess. She was trapped.
Trapped between worlds.
Cyran
took a step forwards and listened. Then a smile brushed across
her face and she extended her hands. Intense concentration
brought pearls of sweat on her forehead and she released a scream
as the powers she raised seemed to explode within her. Two green
flashes released themselves from her palms and where they met a
couple of feet away from her, they produced a large circle. The
circle seemed like it was made out of emerald fire, and suddenly
through the green mist, a woman with long blond hair stepped out.
Cyran's powers were drained and she sunk to the ground in
exhaustion. The circle had vanished and as she looked up into the
sunlight, a form clad in black leather and high black boots stood
over her.
The
blond woman took a deep breath and smiled.
"Haaa
it's good to be back."
Chapter 8
Callisto
stretched her arms up into the air and led them in a circular
movement down again.
"It
felt like forever that I was trapped in that place. Together with
this -- maniac!" she spat as she looked hatefully towards
the centre of the square where the green circle had been.
"All thanks to Hercules!"
Cyran
stepped closer to her. "I've heard your plea and I
answered it!"
The
blond Goddess walked up to her and stopped. Her head tilted to
one side as she examined the woman opposite her "*Plea*?
Where are you from, Sister?"
Cyran
shrugged. "I'm from the West."
Callisto
opened her mouth, then turned around. "West. East. Whatever.
What do you want here?"
The
black-haired woman straightened her back. "Power and
revenge."
Callisto
laughed. "My favourite past times!"
Cyran
walked and stopped behind the blonde woman. "Then we should
work together. We could ..."
Suddenly
Callisto turned and stared with wide eyes into Cyran's.
"We? WE? There is no we. I'm alone. I don't need
anybody! I don't want anybody."
Cyran's
expression went serious. "I freed you."
A
smile hushed across Callisto's face. "And for that, I
owe you one." She took a few steps then stopped and slapped
herself on the hips. "So, what will it be? What deep hidden
wish do you have that I can fulfill?"
Cyran
grinned. "Make me a Goddess." she said.
Callisto
laughed and span round herself. Then she skipped up to Cyran and
stopped in front of her. "A Goddess? You? I don't think
so, Darling."
Cyran
placed her hands on her hips. "You owe me!"
The
Goddess raised her eyebrows. "I might owe you but I'm
certainly not going to make you a Goddess." She walked
around the black-haired woman and regarded her from top to toe.
"Why do you want to be immortal anyways? You've got
powers. I can feel it."
Cyran
crossed her arms in front of her chest. "I need to kill
another Goddess."
Callisto
stopped and looked at her from the side.
"Tell
me more!" she whispered.
After
they had eaten and Hercules had washed and filled their water
flasks at a nearby lake to wash and fill their water flasks,
Iolaus went to look for Ceridwen. He found her sitting on the
ground underneath a tree, her legs crossed and her arms folded,
laying relaxed in her lap. Iolaus stood and watched her for a
while. Her eyes were closed in meditation and she emanated an
atmosphere of total peace. As he focussed on her form, he could
hear her voice clearly in his head. It seemed to blend into the
sounds of the forest around him.
"I
sit by myself, but not alone." she whispered. "The
light is small and darkness is vast but I feel secure. Nothing
compares to the peace in the Earth. I dedicate myself to the
Earth"
Iolaus
wasn't sure if he should interrupt her. During his travels
to the East, he had learned about meditation and used it often to
relax or to gather his thoughts. It was a very private and very
personal moment and he was about to turn around and walk back to
the camp as he heard Ceridwen's voice.
"It
is private and personal, but I want to share it with you."
she said without opening her eyes.
Iolaus
sighed heavily. He didn't need to ask how she knew what he
was thinking. He could feel her touching his soul just like he
had just touched hers. The bond felt good and he took a deep
breath.
"Ceridwen,
I want to apologize to you." he started and then cleared his
voice. "For the way I behaved earlier. I got carried away.
It wasn't right. I'm sorry and it won't happen again. I
promise."
Ceridwen
opened her eyes and looked at him. "Yes it will happen
again, Iolaus. But it's okay. You have to learn to use the powers
within you wisely and this you only learn by making
mistakes." She smiled gently. "And in any case, joy and
fun is part of who you are, Iolaus. Never forget that and never
try to ignore who you are and what you feel!"
Iolaus
walked up to stand close to her and Ceridwen pulled him down to
sit opposite her.
"You
are a very passionate man, Iolaus." she said, "Full of
life and your heart is brave and honest. No matter what hardships
you've experienced in your life, you have retained your innocence
and your joy for life. It will take you some time to learn to
control the energies within you, but you will learn and you will
make the right choice when the time comes."
Iolaus
closed his hands around hers and smiled gently. "With you by
my side, I will."
Ceridwen
took a deep breath and took his hand in hers. "Then come
with me." she whispered. "I've got something to
show you." She closed her eyes. Iolaus watched her for a
moment and suddenly felt a feeling of peace and relaxation coming
over him. He moved to sit comfortably and also closed his eyes.
Ceridwen
spoke softly.
"You, who surround us -
Guardians and Watchers.
The dead we were and are and the
unborn.
Help us, guide and bless us for we
are at one and one in spirit and in life."
Then
suddenly Iolaus stood on a path and as he looked ahead, he could
see that it lead into a forest. It was early evening and he knew
that he wasn't really on this path - that this was all in
his mind. He had learned many meditation exercises, but it had
never been this easy or this vivid.
"What
do you want to show me?" Iolaus whispered.
"Yourself."
he could hear Ceridwen's voice inside his mind. "This
path will help you to know yourself, to see deeper inside your
soul than you have ever done in the past. It will show your
fears, your hopes and your joys."
Iolaus
looked ahead and took in his surroundings as Ceridwen continued,
"You may stop whenever you want and take as much time as you
need, but never leave the path and never look back."
Iolaus
nodded. "Will you come with me?" he asked.
Ceridwen
shook her head. "I won't be coming with you, but
I'll guide you and be with you all the way. Just follow your
instincts. Listen to your heart and you will know what to
do."
Iolaus
nodded and took a deep breath. He looked towards the edge of the
forest and at the beginning of the dirt path. The early evening
sky stretched overhead with small birds flying across the vast
expanse. Iolaus took another deep breath, stepped onto the path
and started to walk.
The
forest grew thicker around him, dark silhouettes of the trees he
passed reached towards the sky and as he looked up at their
towering stature, it was as if their branches were arms reached
up towards the sky. Iolaus continued down the path and behind the
next bend, he could see a lake. He stopped in front and stared
across. The waters were deep and almost black. There was no
movement, no waves and the hunter was almost drawn into the
shadowy depths of the lake. He crouched down and stared into the
waters, opening his mind and relaxing his body. Suddenly, he
could see images on the face of the lake. Obscure forms at first
and then they started to take shape.
An
entangled object, like a snake and it took Iolaus a while to
recognize it. It was his medallion and his hand went
absentmindedly to his chest to enclose the familiar object. The
medallion he had worn since he was a child. Since he was told
that his father had died in battle.
His
father.
Iolaus
closed his eyes for a moment and thought about the last time he
had seen him. They had been on the Other Side and they had
finally made their peace.
Unexpectedly
the medallion dissolved and a face appeared. Iolaus smiled as he
recognized the features of an older woman.
His
mother.
A
warm feeling wrapped itself around Iolaus as he studied her
smiling face. It was filled with pride and joy and he knew when
he had last seen her like this. When he had visited her after
years of avoiding her because he was too ashamed of what he had
done as a youth. But she had forgiven him - in fact told him that
there was nothing to forgive. Iolaus had outgrown his past and he
had nothing to be ashamed of anymore.
His
mother's faced changed – became the face of a man.
Long, brown hair and blue-green eyes. The hunter smiled as he
recognized Hercules' face.
Hercules.
The
son of Zeus. His best friend since childhood. Iolaus studied this
face for a moment not sure about why it was there. He opened his
heart to listen to the emotions he was hiding inside. Guilt, fear
and anger. Why would he feel like that when looking into the face
of his best friend? He had to find out, had to unearth those
feelings, examine them and face them.
There
was Guilt. Iolaus had to think of all the times he'd felt
he'd betrayed Hercules and at no time did the demi-god blame
him for his emotional shortcomings. Xena was only one case of
many. Hercules had argued that Iolaus had been deceived and
didn't know what was going on or what he was doing. In the
end, he'd always made the right decision. But Iolaus
wasn't convinced and the feeling of guilt was nagging deep
down inside of him. He knew that there was no way he could rid
himself of it. He just had to accept it.
There
was Fear. The hunter was afraid. Afraid of losing his best
friend, of failing him in a battle. Of not being there to protect
his back as they had sworn so long ago. To be the friend of the
great Hercules was also a burden of responsibilities. And even
though Hercules would never support this thought, Iolaus knew
that it was true. He felt it every day they travelled down the
road, every day they faced a battle, everyday they faced a God.
And Iolaus was also afraid of what his certain death would do to
his long-time friend. The hunter had always known that one day,
he would die and there would be no way for Hercules to bring him
back. It was the way of things. But how would it effect the
demi-god?
And
there was Anger. Iolaus took a deep breath as he tried to control
the rising feeling he was now facing. As he relaxed to face it,
it was now easy to see where this anger came from. To be
forgotten, to travel with Hercules and fight by his side facing
the same dangers and never to be recognized. Iolaus knew that
Hercules wasn't to blame for this, but still Iolaus was
angry. Hercules received all the attention and he was pushed
aside. Iolaus took a deep breath. This was strangely enough the
hardest feeling for him to face. He felt ashamed. As more reasons
for his anger became obvious to him. The countless times Hercules
had pushed him away when the Faites had struck at him. The death
of his wife Deianeira and the kids, Serena - in all cases, Iolaus
wanted to help, wanted to be there for his friend and comfort
him, but the demi-god had pushed him away. It had hurt and hurt
had turned to anger.
Iolaus
took another deep breath as he allowed the feelings to wash over
him. He couldn't rid himself of them, he knew that now. They
were part of him. Part of who he was and he had to accept them
rather than deny and bury them deep inside.
Iolaus
opened his eyes and looked back at Ceridwen who he felt standing
behind him. She nodded and smiled as pointed back to the path.
Iolaus
walked for a while longer. The path descended as the forest fell
away. The blond was now walking up a dry, barren slope with
patches of grass, pale and silver in the summer sun scattering
around his feet. His legs began to ache and his breath came hard
as the incline was getting steeper. But now, he could see his
destination above him: a small dark cave opening in the top of
the hill. Iolaus took a deep breath and looked at Ceridwen, who
was standing at the entrance, waving him to come up. The hunter
discovered that he had to use both hands and feet to push himself
up the last stretch. He grabbed hold of rocks jutting out of the
cliff and in one last push, he scrambled up to the ledge by the
cave opening.
Iolaus
took a deep breath and stopped for a moment outside the opening
of the cave. The ledge was firm and wide enough for him to sit on
and as he sprawled on the rocky surface, he thought about why he
came on this journey.
*You
have come to learn about yourself* Ceridwen had said.
Iolaus
stood up and took three deep breaths and then entered the cavern.
As he walked in, he stopped to allow his eyes to adjust to the
sudden darkness. As the dimness gave way to faint shadows, Iolaus
started to notice a soft sparkle of light on the walls of the
shaft. It lit his way ever so slightly, just enough for him to
see. As he walked down a narrow, sloping passage. It was close,
with loose rocks underfoot and Iolaus had to cautious, for it was
easy to slip. He felt himself slipping further and further into
trance, going deep within himself as he walked within the Earth.
Each step took him further into the depth of his subconscious,
which he came to explore. The light was now just around the next
bend and Iolaus stopped. Ceridwen's words rang in his ears
"You will find yourself."
The
hunter swallowed hard. "What should I do?" he asked.
"You
have to face your demons and lay them to rest."
Ceridwen's voice echoed in his mind.
"Who
will I find in there?" Iolaus asked carefully as he looked
ahead into the flickering light.
"Only
you know."
Iolaus
took a deep breath as he stepped inside. The cave was cold and
humid and a shiver travelled down his spine as images from
another cave materialized in front of his eyes. He could re-call
the panic and fear he had felt when he'd followed the bandit
into the depths of the mountain only a couple of days ago.
Iolaus' breathing came faster as he tried to push the
uncomfortable feeling aside. Into his thoughts he could see a
flickering light at the end of the tunnel.
As
he slowly walked around the bend, he spotted a figure sitting at
a table in the centre of the cave. The flickering light came from
a small candle, which stood in front of the man, only partially
illuminating his face. He was tall and in his late 50s. The heavy
armour he was wearing made him look even taller even though he
was sitting down. As Iolaus stepped closer, the man raised his
head.
"Hello,
Boy!" he said and smiled tiredly at the blond.
Chapter 9
Iolaus
edged closer and stopped in front of the table.
"Father?"
he asked carefully and looked around him. He didn't
understand. "What are you doing here?"
Skouros
motioned at the empty chair across him. "Sit down,
Son." he said and to Iolaus, it didn't sound like the
usual orders the General would give. Iolaus pulled the chair up
and lowered himself down. He stared at his father, trying to see
any hint of emotion in the old man's face. Anything which
would tell him why he was here.
"Why?"
was all he could ask.
Skouros
looked down at the patters of the rough wooden table. "We
have some unfinished business, you and I." he said simply
and continued to stare down at the table.
Iolaus
shook his head. "No father, we don't. We made our peace
when we met on the Other Side, remember? I've no unfinished
business with you."
But
deep inside, Iolaus knew that it was a lie. He knew that if it
had been true, his father wouldn't be sitting here. Iolaus
sighed heavily. "Tell me why?" he whispered as he
placed his elbows onto the table and placed his face into his
hands.
"I
was a bitter man." Skouros said as he looked into his
son's eyes. "I only saw your shell, but I didn't
bother to look into your heart or to try and imagine what you
might become." The general was silent for a moment before he
continued. "I had my mind made up about your life from the
day you were born."
Iolaus
couldn't speak and he had the feeling that all he was meant
to do was listen.
Skouros
shook his head. "It was never your fault, my son." he
continued. "It was mine. And my loss as well. I never saw
you grow up into the man you are today. A man your mother is
rightly proud of. You're a hero, saved the lives of so many.
You did so much good." Skouros smiled. "Now Pandion
calls you his son and I missed it all." Skouros reached out
and took one of Iolaus' hands into his. "It is my loss,
Iolaus. It was never yours."
Iolaus'
heart had grown heavy and he bit back tears as he watched his
father smile at him gently. Then he squeezed his father's
hand, nodded and stood up.
"I
know, Father." Iolaus said. He regarded the figure of his
father gaze at him for a short moment and then he turned around
and walked out of the cave. The feeling he had was indescribable.
The hunter felt free, at peace with himself and he had never
thought that the answers to what had haunted him all his life had
been inside his heart all those years.
Iolaus
knew it was time to get back and as he went back towards the
entrance of the cave, he started to count.
Ten
nine eight his surroundings started to
become more real again as he made is way towards the exit of the
cave seven six five the light of the
outside world was getting closer and he had almost reached the
outside four he began to feel vibrant three
he could see that he was only a few feet away from the
outside two the ground turned from sandy rock to
grass and with one last step, Iolaus had reached the outside and
allowed the sunlight to wash over him. He took three deep breaths
and slowly opened his eyes.
He
was back in the clearing, sitting opposite Ceridwen on the
ground.
"You
have done this before." she said.
Iolaus
smiled as his eyes to look at her. "Yes. I've travelled
to the East and I've learned some meditation and mind
exercises there. It was similar to this, but not the same."
He looked around him. "The images and the sensations were
not as vivid as this was now." Iolaus looked back at the
Goddess and his eyes sparkled. "It was almost as if I could
feel the wind and smell the forest, the tingling feeling on my
skin. This was amazing."
Then
he looked into her eyes. "My father " he said and
shook his head. "He was so real, so alive."
Ceridwen
took one of his hands into hers. "He was real. You carry him
in your heart and there, things are always alive and real."
Iolaus
put his hand under her chin and pulled her into a kiss. The
feeling of passion has no sooner washed over them and it was
over. Iolaus could feel Ceridwen stiffen under his touch. He
opened his eyes and found himself staring into hers.
Ceridwen's eyes focussed into the distance behind him and a
shiver went over her body. Iolaus pulled her into her arms.
"Ceridwen?
What is it?" he asked in obvious concern.
But
he didn't need her reply. Through his touch, their
connection, he could share her images, the pictures and feelings
deep inside of her. Darkness and evil come to life. Iolaus
swallowed hard and looked into her eyes with worry.
"I
can feel it, too." he said. "And I don't like
this."
Ceridwen
looked into his eyes.
"Cyran
has found help." she said dryly. "She's freed
somebody strong and evil."
Hercules
stepped into the clearing and looked down at Iolaus and Ceridwen.
He cleared his throat uncomfortably almost as if he'd
disturbed something.
"I'm
sorry," he started. "I didn't mean to I
just wanted to see if you're okay ... Obviously you are ... so
I'll come back later."
Iolaus
turned around. "Hercules, something is wrong." he said
and looked up into his best friend's eyes.
"Cyran's found somebody to help her."
Hercules
turned around and looked at Iolaus. "Who?" he
whispered.
Ceridwen
shook her head. "I don't know. All I can feel is this
cold feeling. Darkness. Evil." She took a deep breath.
"It's somebody who was trapped between worlds and Cyran
has opened the doorway."
Iolaus
straightened his back, still looking at Hercules. "Somebody
trapped between worlds?" he asked.
Hercules
eyes widened. "The Sovereign." he breathed. "But
how can he help Cyran? He's not a God. He's got no
powers. He's got nothing she needs."
Iolaus
thought for a moment. "He's got the Hind's
blood." he said.
Hercules
shook his head. "No, Iolaus, he doesn't. Don't you
remember? Callisto had taken it from him and used it to kill
Strife. She had it when we trapped her in the Netherworld with
the Sovereign after ..."
His
voice trailed off and his mouth dropped open in shock.
"Callisto!"
he said. "Cyran has freed Callisto!"
Iolaus
mouth went dry. "Dear Gods, no" he replied as he
looked back at Ceridwen.
She
creased her eyebrows. "Who is this Callisto?" she
asked.
Hercules
stepped forwards. "She's bad news. A Goddess, not like
the Olympians. She was mortal and made a Goddess and now, she
doesn't follow anybody but herself."
"We
must find her and stop her!" Ceridwen said resolutely.
Iolaus
and Hercules stood next to each other. "I think I know where
to find her." Iolaus said and looked up at Hercules.
The
demi-god nodded. "The gateway in front of Ares'
temple."
"Then
what are we waiting for?" Iolaus asked. "Let's
go!" and he started to dissolve.
Hercules
sighed heavily as he watched his friend. "Iolaus!" he
with a pained expression.
Iolaus
looked at him and grinned apologetically as he reappeared.
"Uuups, sorry, Herc!" he said.
In
front of Ares' temple, the two women stood facing each
other. Cyran smiled at the tall blonde woman in front of her.
"If
you help me kill Ceridwen, then it will also mean the death of
Hercules and Iolaus who are protecting her."
"Iolaus!"
Callisto snared and turned away. She released a frenzy scream and
then turned back at the woman in front of her. "I have a
score to settle with him."
Cyran
moved closer to Callisto. "Then help me!" she whispered
conspiratorial.
The
blond Goddess stared at the ground. "I can't make you a
Goddess, but I can help you anyways. I can show you how to kill
your Ceridwen."
Cyran
lowered her arms and turned at the woman in front of her.
"She's a Goddess and can't be killed."
Callisto
smiled and produced a bottle, which hung around her neck.
"Gods can't be killed? Ha. A popular misconception.
This contains hind's blood. The hind was a mythological
being, which lived here in these lands. Its blood can kill a
God."
Cyran
stepped closer and inspected the small bottle. "You mean to
say, it could kill *any* God?"
The
Goddess tilted her head. "I've only tried it on an
Olympian God before "
Cyran
smiled and reached for the bottle but Callisto pulled her hand
back and shook her head.
"Ah
ah ah!" she whispered. "Not so fast!" Callisto
smiled. "Give me your knife!" the blonde Goddess
demanded and held out her hand.
Cyran
reached underneath her cloak and produced a dagger. Callisto took
it and opened the small bottle, cautiously covering the blade
with the red liquid. Then she handed it back to Cyran.
"Okay
don't lose it, cause that's all you're
getting, Darling! Now, shush and have fun!"
With
this, she closed the bottle, placed the necklace again around her
neck and vanished.
Cyran
stood in the centre of the square and as her gaze fell onto the
dagger in her hand, she smiled wickedly.
Chapter 10
Ceridwen
had followed Iolaus and Hercules and as they walked past
Ares' temple onto the square in front of it, she could see
Cyran. The woman turned around and looked coolly at the Goddess.
"How
good of you to come, Ceridwen" she smiled. "I've
been waiting for you."
Ceridwen
walked slowly towards Cyran, and Iolaus and Hercules followed
her.
"What
have you done, Cyran?" Ceridwen asked painfully. "I can
feel it. You've released an evil into this world to serve
your purpose." Ceridwen shook her head. "How could you?
You had no right to interfere in this land."
Cyran
shrugged her shoulders. "What can I say? We were two souls
in need and we could help each other. Isn't that what you
always teach? Helping those in need of help? Working
together?"
Ceridwen
laughed. "You've always been good with words,
Cyran." she said and shook her head. "But it
doesn't make right what you've done."
"So,
and what are you going to do about it?"
Iolaus
had stepped next to Ceridwen. "We'll stop you and
return you to where you belong so you can face your
punishment."
Cyran
turned her head and looked at him. "You?" she said and
her voice echoed the hatred she felt. "I can't believe
you dare to challenge me again. Haven't you learned what it
means to betray me? Stay out of this, Hero. This is none of your
business."
Iolaus
just stood and looked at her. He didn't know what to do as
he suddenly felt a strange sensation rising up inside of him. It
felt as if all his hatred had collected in the centre of his body
and turned into pure energy. Iolaus knew that if he wanted, he
could release this energy at any time and it would obey him.
Cyran
glared daggers at him and smiled suddenly as she closed her eyes
briefly and then looked at him.
"My,
Iolaus." she said. "This is a twist of events. I can
feel your powers."
She
turned and looked outraged at Ceridwen. Then she laughed.
"I
can't believe you made *him* a God. Somebody who
doesn't have the experience with the powers. Somebody who
doesn't know anything about the hidden energies and how to
use them. You are so naïve, Ceridwen and I'll have fun
destroying you ..." She turned back at Iolaus. "
and your lover."
Iolaus
stepped forwards and the amount of energy, which had collected
inside of him was almost ready to spill out. But a gentle,
calming hand laid itself on his arm.
"Iolaus,
don't.." Ceridwen said as she looked steadily into his
eyes. "This is not the way. Don't let her upset you.
It's not worth it. Your energies are not for
destruction."
Suddenly,
a blond woman wearing a black leather dress materialized on a
nearby rock.
"Callisto!"
Hercules snarled as he recognized the Goddess.
Iolaus
turned to the demi-god. "We were right, Hercules. Cyran has
freed her from between the worlds!"
Callisto
brought her hands up to her hips. "Hey! Don't talk like
I wasn't here!" Then she smiled, jumped from the rock
and leisurely paced up to them. "Let's just say,
somebody kindly opened the door for me."
Hercules
looked behind her as if he was looking for something ... or
someone.
Callisto
grinned and then her face displayed false pity. "Oh sorry,
Hercules. The Sovereign couldn't make it. He sends his
regards."
Iolaus
moved towards her and raised his head. "What do you want
here, Callisto?"
She
looked down at Iolaus. "Don't worry, Blondie! It's
not my fight. I'm just here to enjoy myself and watch you
guys die!"
Hercules
laughed. "More powerful Gods than you have tried that and
failed. What makes you think you two will have more luck?"
Callisto
shrugged her shoulders. "I guess, you'll just have to
wait and find out. Won't you?"
Hercules
stepped resolutely forwards. "Callisto, I'm warning
you. This isn't the time for your games. Stay out of this
and don't interfere!"
"Or
what, Hercules?" Callisto asked looking genuinely
interested. "You'll kill me?" Then she shook her
head. "Oh no, of course you don't. You're the
great Hercules. You have a conscience. You have pity. You
don't kill people." Then she smiled wickedly.
"But
I do."
The
Goddess screamed fiercely and in one move, raised her arms and
released two fiery bolts at Hercules. The demi-god stiffened and
fell to his knees. Callisto towered over him and the glow, which
kept escaping her palms seemed to keep him unable to move. He
took several deep breaths as he felt his lungs being drained of
all air. With the last of his strength, Hercules rose and punched
Callisto in the chest, sending her flying a couple of feet away
into the dust. The Goddess steadied herself and jumped back to
her feet. Her eyes turned red as she stared back at Hercules, who
had again sunk to his knees.
"Zeus'
protection or not. Now you die!" she hissed and released two
more red fire flashes in Hercules' direction. The demi-god
crouched exhaustedly on the ground and stared defiantly at
Callisto.
"NO!!!"
Iolaus'
scream echoed across the square as he extended his hands towards
the Goddess. Two white flashes released themselves from his hands
and headed for Callisto. The flashes collided with the red
flashes, she had sent towards Hercules and, in a small fireball,
stopped them in mid-air. Callisto looked at Iolaus in surprise.
"Now,
that is new!" she said and stepped forwards, turning at
Hercules. "Looks like your little buddy here has picked up
some new tricks!"
She
turned back at Iolaus. "Where did that come from?" Then
her eyes wandered over to Ceridwen. "Oh no - let me guess
..."
Iolaus
stood defiantly and stared at the blond woman. "Let's
just say this time, I'll make it a little more difficult for
you to kill me!" he smiled. "I'm sick of dying,
you know!"
Cyran
stood proudly next to Callisto and looked at the group in front
of them. "Ceridwen!" she hissed coldly at the Goddess
standing next to Iolaus. "I knew you'd follow me here.
You're so predictable!"
Callisto
raised her eyebrows and looked at Hercules then at Ceridwen then
at Cyran and finally at Iolaus. The blond was now a God and she
was really not out to test his new-found strength against hers.
Callisto grinned widely. "I can see, this is going to be
such fun, but you know what? I guess it's between the two of
you now. I've got better things to do with my new freedom
than watch you guys. So, I'm out of here."
And
with a flash of red light, she vanished leaving Cyran standing in
the centre of the square. The woman looked at the group of
friends in front of her. "I don't need her anyways. I
have all I need and you're too late, Ceridwen!" she
said calmly. "I have the powers to take my revenge and get
rid of you once and for all."
Ceridwen
was silent and Cyran giggled in amusement. "You don't
know do you, Ceridwen?" she hissed. "Has she made me a
Goddess or not? Am I more powerful than you, or not? Can I kill
you or not? Well, I guess it's time to find out!"
Ceridwen
stood next to Hercules and looked at the other woman. "I
shouldn't have underestimated you."
Cyran
laughed as she regarded the other woman with an expression of
cold hatred. "No, you shouldn't have!" she hissed.
"And you can feel my powers, can't you? You can feel
what's about to happen."
Ceridwen
swallowed hard as her eyes never left Cyran's. "I will
stop you if it's the last thing I do." she said
determined.
Iolaus
stood next to Hercules and was watching the conversation. At the
last words, he looked up in confusion.
"If
it's the last thing ?" he asked and suddenly
understood the meaning of those words. If Cyran was now immortal,
they would fight to the death and nobody knew what could happen
to either of them. Iolaus knew that Gods couldn't be killed,
but then he'd seen how Callisto had killed Strife and
he'd seen Callisto with Cyran
"No!"
he shouted and rushed forwards.
Ceridwen
extended her hand out, motioning him to stay back. "Stay out
of this, Iolaus!" she called. "Cyran is my
responsibility."
Iolaus
only managed a few steps before he felt his body restrained and
his arms held back. Hercules had grabbed hold of him and held him
back.
"Let
me go!" Iolaus raged.
"Iolaus,
you heard her. It's between them." Hercules said
determined.
The
hunter struggled against the demi-god's restraint. He could
have freed himself easily, but he was focussed on the two women
in front of him. "Ceridwen! Noooooo ..."
But
it was too late.
Ceridwen
and Cyran circled each other like two proud cats ready to defend
their territory. But there was more at stake here than just
territory and Iolaus could feel, that something was not right.
Something terrible was about to happen.
Suddenly,
there was a knife and Ceridwen stared at Cyran in confusion.
"A
knife?" she asked. "What do you expect to do with it?
An Athame should not be used to draw blood." (Note by
the Author: Athame - dagger used in ritual magick solely
to direct energies and - in some traditions - to cut herbs.)
Cyran
laughed. "In your weak idea of magic maybe. But certainly
not in mine!"
Ceridwen
edged closer to her and stared firmly into her eyes.
"I'm not afraid of you." she said. "I'm
immortal. You can't kill me with a knife!"
Cyran
laughed again. "That's where you're wrong."
She shook her head slowly. "You're so trusty and naive,
Ceridwen. One day that will be the death of you!" She
shrugged her shoulders "and I guess, that day's
today!"
She
kept turning the knife in her hands and in the sunlight, the
blade had a strange glow to it. Iolaus had listened to
Cyran's words and kept staring at the knife. Somewhere in
his head an alarm bell rang as he spotted the red-stained blade.
"Herc."
he breathed. "The knife! Callisto "
Hercules
stared at the two women, the knife and then at his friend.
"Hind's
blood!" the two men said as one and Iolaus freed himself out
of Hercules' grasp. He stormed towards the two women.
"Ceridwen
- get back! Get away from that knife!!!" he shouted, but it
was too late.
Cyran
laughed deviantly as she thrusted the dagger forwards.
There
was an expression of surprise in Ceridwen's face when her
hands closed around the handle of the dagger and she stared down
at the blade. As she sunk to the ground, Hercules rushed forwards
to catch her.
Iolaus
stopped dead in his tracks and looked from Ceridwen to Cyran. His
eyes narrowed. "You pay for this!" he screamed and his
voice sounded so alien to his usual light and gentle sound, that
Hercules had to look up to see if it was really him.
Ceridwen
tried to lift her head over the agonizing pain spreading through
her body and looked over the where the blond was now facing
Cyran.
"Iolaus
..." she whispered desperately.
Hercules
watched his friend with concern and could feel what he was about
to do.
"Iolaus
don't do it " he whispered, but he knew
Iolaus couldn't hear him and even if he could, the demi-god
doubted that his friend would listen.
Iolaus
stepped resolutely in front of Cyran and raised both his hands.
Tears glistered in his eyes. Tears of sadness, pain and rage. He
was beyond reason and control. The dagger had pierced his heart,
too. She laughed and looked at him.
"You
haven't got the guts!" the black-haired woman laughed
in amusement.
But
she underestimated the depth of his pain and dispair and she
never expected the deadly reaction Iolaus would show. He was
beyond reason and control.
Out
of the corner of his eyes, he could see Hercules crouching next
to Ceridwen, holding the dying Goddess in his arms. Iolaus turned
back at Cyran and saw her amused face and heard her laughter. And
as she raised her right arm to point at him, his rage and pain
took over and he raised both his arms, sending two blue
lightening bolts into her direction. The flashes were fueled by
all the hatred, anger and pain, which filled his heart and a long
scream escaped Cyran's mouth, as the full force hit her and
she started to dissolve. Her eyes widened in fear and horror and
her mouth dropped open. She raised her hands to the sky and with
a final howl of agony, her form exploded into a cloud of grey
smoke.
Then
there was silence.
Chapter 11
Iolaus
stood like a statue. His breathing was staggered as he stared at
the smoke that was left from where Cyran had stood just moments
before. The hunter's eyes were still frozen with rage and
hatred and his entire body was shaking. Then he lowered his arms
and his eyes sunk to stare at his hands for what seemed like an
eternity as he realized what he had done.
Hercules
had watched the scene in front of him. It was not only the
imminent death of the woman in his arms, which had staggered him,
but it was Iolaus' sudden reaction, which he was not
prepared for.
The
man he had known all his life, his best friend and brother had
just taken a life.
Even
though, the reasons where just and he understood the feelings
which must be raging inside the blonde, Hercules felt uneasy. He
wanted to call his friend, but no sound escaped his throat.
"Iolaus!"
Ceridwen
had lifted her head and her voice whispered across the clearing.
Iolaus
raised his eyes from his hands and looked over to where Hercules
was crouched on the ground, holding Ceridwen in his arms. As if
in a trance, the hunter walked over to them and kneeled next to
the demi-god. Hercules moved aside and Iolaus pulled her body
gently close to his. His hand found the dagger, which had pierced
her chest and stuck several inches below her heart. It was as if
the touch of the blade brought him out of his trance. Suddenly
his face fell and his eyes flew over her body and her face.
"Oh,
Ceridwen ..." He could feel her shivering in his arms and he
knew she had little time left.
Ceridwen
smiled. "It would have been nice." she breathed.
"But I must move on. The Gateway has opened."
Iolaus'
eyes found hers. "You're a Goddess!" he whispered
as he fought back tears. "Ceridwen. Don't do this. You
told me not to make a sacrifice of flesh and blood, for man has
no right to destroy what he cannot create."
Suddenly
his eyes froze again and sunk to the ground as he realized, what
he had just said and what he had done just minutes before.
Ceridwen
smiled. "But I'm not of men. And neither are you."
Iolaus'
eyes wandered away from her face and tried to seek something in
the distance, which would help him to sort his emotions.
"Iolaus,
look at me!" Ceridwen whispered gently. "I'm only
one face of the Great Goddess. She has many more and that for
which she stands will continue to live because of you."
Iolaus
sighed heavily and slowly turned back at her. His eyes were heavy
with tears and his face was ashen as took a deep breath. "I
betrayed you." the hunter whispered, his voice breaking with
emotion. "I've killed Cyran."
Hercules
put his hand on the hunter's shoulders. "You had no
choice, Iolaus "
Iolaus
shook his head. "I had a choice, Hercules. There's
always a choice." He turned and looked at his friend.
"You yourself said more than once killing never solved
anything'!"
His
eyes went back to rest at Ceridwen's soft face. "Harm
ye none." he whispered. "I've betrayed you and all
you believe in." He swallowed hard as he lost the struggle
to control his emotions. "It should be me, not you."
Tears started to roll down his cheeks. "I've failed
you. I've abused the powers you gave me and I've become
just like Cyran."
Ceridwen
reached for his hand and gently took it into hers. "You did
what you had to do." she breathed.
Iolaus
shook his head slowly. "No. I don't deserve to be a
God. Eternity without you was not the deal. I can't face
that. I don't want to face that. Send me back!"
Ceridwen
shook her head. "I can't "
"Yes,
you can. She who gives life, can take life, remember?"
Ceridwen's
hand went up to stroke over his cheek and brushed away a sole
tear, which had escaped from his burning eyes. "You have
learned much, Iolaus. And you haven't failed me. But if this
is your wish."
Iolaus
nodded heavily. Her eyes went to rest on Hercules' figure.
As she reached for his hand, he stepped closer and grasped hers.
She could feel the compassion and pain in the demi-god's
heart and she could feel his worry and love for Iolaus. Ceridwen
smiled weakly.
"With a fool no season spend,
Let ye be counted as his friend.
Merry meet and merry part, bright
the cheeks and warm the heart."
Then
she returned her gaze at Iolaus, touching his lips with her hand
and produced a tender smile. "Don't worry,
Iolaus." she whispered. "You have a good heart and a
clear conscience and you should have no fear of what you have
done or of what lies ahead. I'll see you again and until
then, seek always the truth and blessed be"
Then
her head sunk to the side and she was gone. Iolaus felt the loss,
but there was no pain. Somehow he knew, she would live on.
Hercules stepped up behind his friend and kneeled down next to
him.
"Iolaus,"
he said, his voice heavy with emotion. "I'm so
sorry."
Iolaus
looked at him. There were no tears in his eyes and he smiled
tenderly. "No, Hercules. I can still feel her." he
whispered as he looked around him. "It is strange, but she
is like - everywhere. In the trees, the air, the earth. It is
only this body, that's is gone."
He
gently looked down at Ceridwen's body and carefully released
it from his embrace. He placed it onto the ground and stood up,
taking a few steps back. Iolaus took a deep breath and smiled,
then he looked down at the body on the ground and his expression
became peaceful. When Hercules joined him, Iolaus was engulfed in
a blue light, which travelled into Ceridwen's body. The body
of the Goddess started to glow and with a flash of lightening it
disappeared, leaving the two friends standing in silence.
Iolaus
looked at his tall friend with a peaceful expression.
"Ceridwen would say that the sacred law of life is the
guiding star of all existence." he whispered. "All is
like it was before."
They
stood for a while in silence before Hercules moved closer and
placed a hand on Iolaus' shoulder. The hunter looked at his
tall friend.
"I
know what you're going to say, Hercules." he said
heavily. "That I had no choice that it wasn't my
fault that I shouldn't blame myself"
Hercules
just watched him silently.
"And
I know, that it was for the best. It's just ..."
Hercules
moved to stand in front of the blond. "It's just
what?" he asked.
Iolaus
sighed heavily. "It's just that I have the feeling, I
could've done something different."
Hercules
kept looking into Iolaus' eyes. "Like what?" he
asked.
Iolaus
shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know something
anything You'd have found another way."
Hercules
shook his head. "You can't know that!" he said
resolutely. "I might have done the same thing."
"Yes,
but you're not sure, are you?"
Hercules
took a deep breath and closed his arms firmly around Iolaus'
shoulders. "Iolaus, there is no point torturing yourself
over this. What happened, happened. In the end, we stopped evil.
*You* stopped evil. That's all that counts."
"Hercules,
I killed her."
"Yes,
and you know better than anybody that sometimes this is the only
way to stop evil."
Iolaus
paused for a moment and then relaxed in his arms.
"You're right, Hercules." he sighed.
"It's just that it went against everything Ceridwen
believed in. I feel like I betrayed her."
Hercules
smiled gently "She didn't seem to think so."
Iolaus
smiled in defeat and nodded. "I think it'll take me a
while to handle this." he whispered.
Hercules
put his arm around his smaller friend. "I know it
will." he answered. "But I'll be there for
you."
Epilogue
As
they had found the road again and headed towards Corinth. They
walked in companionable silence for a while, then Hercules
grinned and glanced at his friend.
"So,"
he started and looked at Iolaus from the side. "From one
ex-God to another, what did you think of Godhood then?"
Iolaus
looked at his friend and laughed. "Eahhhh, I don't
know. Throwing lightening bolts was kinda kewl. And that
disappearing trick is just awesome, but I don't think
I'm up for that sort of thing! The responsibility, the power
... "
Iolaus
grew silent for a moment and Hercules could see a pained shadow
cross his cerulean eyes. Then the hunter smiled.
"I'd
rather be down here with you annoying you with one of my
songs, like the one about that girl in Thebes, which goes like
this "
As
Hercules listened to the hunter singing away - totally off key as
usual - he sighed deeply. This was Iolaus hiding his feelings.
The hunter had just lost the love of his life - again, become a
God, become mortal and killed a woman in cold blood. And all that
in the space of only a few hours.
The
demi-god realized that it was going to take a long time for
Iolaus to get over this, but the demi-god wasn't worried. He
wasn't worried, because he would be there for his friend.
Like
always.
And
maybe at some point in the future, everything would really be
like it was before.
The End
Disclaimer:
All spells used in the writing of this story have been
successfully reversed and there will be no lasting effects on
anybody or will there?