"How did you get in here?" Bodhe raised his sword. Demona's group appeared in the center of the dining hall in Castle Moray. The guards rushed forward and surrounded the group quickly.

"Wait," Gil shouted as he and Vivienne rushed forward. "Demona? How did you get here?" Gil asked in surprise.

"It's a long story." Xena interrupted. "Would you mind telling all of these people to relax before they run us through with their swords?"

"Put your swords away." Gil ordered. Bodhe slowly lowered his sword but nodded for his men to lower theirs as well.

"What do you want?" Bodhe asked irritably.

"Bodhe, stop grandstanding. You know very well why they're here." The Fates said simultaneously as they appeared in the room between Demona's group and Bodhe's troops.

"You don't have any authority here." Bodhe informed them. The Fates grinned and walked towards him.

"Have you forgotten what we told you the last time we were here?" They asked. "We promised that you would receive the reinforcements you asked for if you did what we wanted. You've done well so here they are."

"Them?" Bodhe shouted. "You promised me that my reinforcements could help me defeat Duncan's armies. How in the hell am I going to do this with a handful of gargoyles and a couple of farmers."

"We will ignore your insulting tone for now. This is Hercules, a man that is worth ten armies. To his right is Xena, the warrior princess that requires no introduction, and these gargoyles just led the war against Constantine and his men and defeated them." Gil nodded to Bodhe to say that they were telling the truth.

"This is all very nice, but what do we do when Duncan brings Drexia back here. He's sure to find out about what we're doing." Vivienne asked suddenly.

"Prepare for war." The Fates circled around them.

"You," The blonde fate pointed towards Macbeth. "You're very important to the coming battle. In three days, you will receive an invitation to go hunting with Prince Duncan."

"You will need to accept it and during your trip we will convince Duncan that you are the only one that can overthrow his rule." The white-haired fate advised.

"Why would I want him to think that? He would kill me if he thinks I'm a threat." Macbeth asked.

"The thought will drive him to the breaking point, and he will become obsessed with you. That will give us the advantage that we need to defeat his armies." The black-haired fate pointed out.

"It's a good idea," Gil advised. Vivienne nodded in agreement. "Duncan does get careless when he believes that there is a threat to his power, but with Drexia under his control we do need to be cautious."

"We can handle Drexia." Demona informed the group. "Just focus on stopping this Duncan from achieving his goal."

"Drexia isn't like her mother. She's not a monster that we should destroy." Gil pointed out.

"Have you heard about the things she's done?" Vivienne asked in shock.

"I've heard about what Duncan has forced her to do." Gil sighed and put both of his hands on her shoulders. "When I was there with her she wasn't capable of these actions."

"Don't lie to me. I heard about the deaths caused by her training." Vivienne pointed out angrily.

"That was because of Duncan. Once Duncan is gone I am sure that she could become an asset and more importantly, a friend." Gil pointed out.

"If Duncan is controlling her then we may not have the chance to spare her." Bodhe stated. "Now, we need to prepare. I will send messengers to our few allies and prepare for his attack."

"And we are certain that Duncan will attack simply because he believes this story you will tell him regarding Macbeth?" Brooklyn asked in a disbelieving tone.

"If we can make him careless then I don't see how we can pass this up." Xena pointed out. "If we are going to have a chance to stop this tyrant then we will need to act now."

"So, it's settled. Macbeth, you'll need to pack and leave first thing in the morning if you are going to make it to the hunting trip in time." Bodhe advised. Macbeth nodded and got up to leave. "The rest of us will prepare for the coming battle."

"Once Macbeth returns we will need to perform one last ritual. He's not strong enough to take on Duncan and as you can see the gargoyles are aging." The Fates advised. "We will perform a ritual to take care of both of these problems once he returns."

"Drexia, I haven't been able to contact Gil for over a week now." Duncan said when he entered Drexia's chambers. "I need you to track him down and bring him back here."

"Is this urgent? Is he in danger?" Drexia asked her voice full of concern. Duncan looked at her for a moment as if considering his next words.

"That would depend on what you find, but no. As of right now I just need to talk to him." Duncan advised her. Drexia could tell by his tone that he wasn't telling her everything, but she was sure that Gil would be fine.

"Alright, I will head out right away." Drexia went to leave and Duncan grabbed her arm. "If he refuses to come back then I want you to kill him."

"Why? What has he done?" Drexia asked in surprise.

"If he refuses my command then he is useless to me. When someone becomes useless they should die. Will you follow orders, or will you also become useless?" Duncan asked her in a menacing tone.

"You could never turn against me." Drexia reminded him of what he had told her before.

"Don't give me a reason to or I may have to." Duncan advised. "Now, get out of here and find him." Drexia nodded slowly. She walked out the front gate and began to flap her wings. She started to fly towards Castle Moray.

Demona took Brooklyn to the side after the meeting.

"I hope you didn't leave because Cold Fire put us through that." Demona said in a worried tone. "I know that it was traumatic, but we passed and now we know that we are doing the right thing."

"I just wasn't ready to see her again and I don't trust Cold Fire." Demona's couldn't hide her shock, but before she could speak Brooklyn continued. "I know that she has been trying to end our bonds and push us together since she found us again."

"She has been insistent about telling me that I'll never see Goliath again and that I should do what it takes to be happy." Demona informed him. "I will admit that I was a little concerned about her eagerness to test the strength of our bonds." Brooklyn nodded as he turned away. He was about to step outside when Demona grabbed his arm. "We know now that we are doing the right thing."

"What do we do now then?" Brooklyn asked curiously.

"We convince Cold Fire that we are happy where we are. She wants to see what it would be like if we were bound to each other but we both know that wouldn't work." Demona replied.

"Are you certain that it wouldn't work?" Brooklyn asked with a smirk.

"What do you mean?" Demona asked curiously as she backed away from him. Brooklyn chuckled.

"Nothing, it's just that… well, I guess I can tell you now." Brooklyn took a deep breath before he continued. "I've always had feelings for you, and I envy Goliath every day that he got to spend with you."

"You have a mate now that's better for you." Demona replied after taking a moment to think about what he said.

"I know however, I can't be around you without those old feelings coming back." Brooklyn advised. "I have moved on and have a strong bond with Katana, but I can't help feeling what I feel."

"I understand, thank you for telling me." Demona replied.

"We're still friends right?" Brooklyn asked curiously.

"Always" Demona replied. Brooklyn took a step to leave. "Thank you for telling me." Brooklyn nodded as he left the room.

"I think this is beyond us." Gabrielle, Iolaus, and Alcmene were sitting around a table discussing their options. "After the wedding I was hoping that you both would come with me and help with my new task."

"What task is that dear?" Alcmene asked curiously.

"She is Aphrodite's new priestess, and I assume that she was given a time frame to recruit more followers." Iolaus informed her.

"I also need to have a few temples constructed. I need to make one or two per year." Gabrielle added.

"Perhaps you're right. After the wedding we should probably head out to some of the neighboring towns." Alcmene agreed and Gabrielle looked surprised by that.

"Wasn't that the answer that you were hoping for?" Alcmene chuckled. Gabrielle nodded slowly.

"I just didn't expect for anyone to agree with me that quickly." Gabrielle admitted.

"So, it's settled. Now, I just need to find a way to tell Herc that I'm leaving." Iolaus interrupted. Gabrielle gave him a bright smile.

"You're coming too?" She asked excitedly.

"Of course, I am. I can't let my future wife go off alone now can I?" Iolaus grinned at the surprised look Alcmene was giving them. "Once we realized that Hercules and Xena would need time alone we started to talk about our future, and we thought that maybe it was time for us to further our own relationship." He explained.

"Well, congratulations. Have you chosen a season yet?" Alcmene asked.

"Not yet, but we are both thinking spring might be too traditional. Perhaps, the fall or maybe even early summer." Gabrielle replied.

"You must give me plenty of time to prepare. I will need to know so I can prepare my wardrobe for the big day." Alcmene advised them.

The Crusaders were becoming more fanatical every day. Titania and Renard were pushing their new baby down the street in her stroller when two men in grey suits walked up to them and handed them a couple of flyers.

"Did you hear that the demons plan to kill us all and take over this country themselves?" The first man asked in an urgent tone.

"It's dangerous to walk the streets with them on the loose. You should stay inside for your own protection." The second one advised.

"It's the middle of the day." Titania pointed out. "I'm sure that we'll be fine."

"You're putting your child at risk." The first man insisted. "We cannot allow that."

"At risk from what?" Renard asked beginning to feel annoyed by the conversation.

"We know that you haven't attended any of the rallies or the hearings to judge the guilty beasts. If we didn't know better brother Renard we would have to assume that you were a sympathizer." The second man pointed out.

"You know the penalty for sympathizing with those creatures." The first man pulled out a gun and aimed it at them. "The Crusaders will put an end to these creatures and all the people who foolishly decide to align with them."

"You can't be serious. I started this group." Renard said angrily. "I know all of your leaders personally, and I guarantee they will have your heads for this."

"No Renard, we wouldn't." Renard looked up in surprise as a man wearing a black trench coat and jeans walked up to them. He had short white hair and a white beard to match. "We know that your wife here has been protecting some of them and that you've been helping her."

"Macbeth, that's not true. I simply called a meeting to make sure that the trials against the gargoyles were being handled by the book." Renard argued. "I heard about some of the executions without due process and that needs to sto…" Renard didn't get to finish his sentence as Macbeth shot him in the chest killing him instantly. Fox began to scream from her stroller and Titania looked on in shock. Macbeth turned the gun on her but out of nowhere a winged creature fell from the sky in front of them.

"What are you doing here?" Macbeth snarled and opened fire. Drexia was surprised to see a green force field surround her. Titania had done away with her human disguise in a fit of rage and cast the shield before the bullets could strike them.

"I've come to stop you from making even more of a mistake my old friend." Drexia advised him bitterly.

"You're not my lover any longer. You have no right to tell me what is and is not good for me." Macbeth pointed out. "That was your choice remember."

"How could you expect me to choose otherwise with what you've become? You used to have morals and ideas. You were brave, honest, and decent. Now, though you are cruel and unforgiving. You broke my heart and gave me no choice but to leave." Drexia sighed. "After Gruoch and Gil died I thought that we would be alone forever, but your strength pulled us to each other." She looked up at him with pleading eyes then. "Why can't you be that strong now?" Titania took advantage of the distraction to teleport her family away from there and back to their house.

"I can't believe that I'm going through with this." Macbeth said for the seventh time since he began packing. Gruoch walked up to him and held his hands in her own.

"You're doing this for all of us and I couldn't be prouder of you." Gruoch looked away for a moment and sighed. "I need you to be careful though."

"What's wrong?" Macbeth asked as he noticed her sudden change in tone. She looked at him with joy in her eyes, but he also saw a bit of anxiety.

"I'm pregnant and I don't want to have to raise our child on my own like so many of the other women here do." Gruoch pointed out. "No matter what happens I need you to come back to me and our child."

"I…you're…I mean…wow. Yes, of course I will come back. Are you sure?" Macbeth was having trouble forming a coherent sentence. "Wait, I can't go now. I have to stay here to…to." He began.

"No, you will go because it's the only way to be free from that monster. I don't want to even think of what our child's life will be like under his rule."

"I understand," Macbeth said after a moment. "I will come home as quick as I can I promise." He replied and began to pack again.

"I know that Duncan sends whores to the rooms of those that he wants to impress." Gruoch said and Macbeth froze. "I'm not a fool so if he does and you have to accept one then I will understand but don't lie to me about it later." Gruoch gave him a quick kiss and left the room.

I have no interest in any of his whores. Macbeth chuckled and then froze again. He may not give me a choice. He shivered as if the thought gave him chills and after he finished packing he went down to say goodbye before he left. Drexia landed in the courtyard just as he saddled his horse and glared at him before walking up to the front entrance. Bodhe, Gil, and Vivienne came out to greet her. She growled deep in her throat when she saw Vivienne holding onto Gil's hand.

"Gil, Prince Duncan wishes to have a word with you back at the castle." Drexia said in a voice that trembled as she spoke. "I have been sent here to escort you home." She emphasized the word home as she glared at Vivienne.

"You can't go with her. He may know that you lied." Vivienne said frantically.

"If I return alone then he will definitely find out and attack this place. You cannot withstand an attack from an army that size." Drexia pointed out. "I was meaning to mention that Gregor is dead, and Duncan believes me so I need you to come with me to avoid causing any suspicion." Gil nodded and turned to Vivienne.

"She's right my love. If I do not return with her then Duncan will know that I have turned against him and he would kill everyone here just to get to me." Gil pointed out. "If she lied for me already and killed our accuser then I see no reason to doubt her now."

"You can't go to Duncan. He's crazy and will kill you without thinking twice about it." Vivienne said in a pleading tone. Gil gave her a quick kiss.

"I have to, but I should be able to return soon." Gil advised her.

"Please hurry, I will spend every waking moment worried about you until you return." Vivienne said as she could feel her eyes starting to tear up.

Human women are such weak creatures. What could possibly interest him in her? Drexia thought bitterly.

"I will be back as soon as I am able to be, I promise." Gil vowed before he turned and walked down towards Drexia. "I'm ready to be taken to him now." Drexia grinned and winked at Vivienne as she wrapped her arms tight around Gil and Vivienne nearly rushed forward when Drexia began to flap her wings but Bodhe quickly stopped her.

"No, if you stop him now then we will all die. You'll need to trust him to come back." Bodhe advised her. Drexia smiled in triumph as she lifted off the ground and began to fly back to Duncan's castle with her desire held tight to her chest.

"I'm glad that you decided to come back with me." Drexia said after a moment. "I really didn't want to have to kill Gregor, but he would have insured that Duncan killed you and I couldn't allow that."

"I appreciate you protecting me Drexia, but I must ask why you would put yourself at risk just for me." Gil inquired and Drexia thought about the best way to respond.

"I did it because I love you. Just like I know you love me. You were always kind and very gentle with me." Drexia said remembering a few of the moments they shared together in the training yard.

"I didn't know you felt that way." Gil said in surprise. "He wasn't even sure before now if she was capable of those kinds of feelings.

"I knew that you thought I didn't love you back and that's why you felt that you needed to settle for another, but now that you know we can move past that." Drexia purred. Gil became silent as they continued to fly but Drexia didn't notice because she was already beginning to plan their future together in her mind.

"What's taking them so long?" Duncan snarled irritably as he paced back and forth in his study. Lucifer slouched in the throne and grinned as she watched him pace back and forth.

"Don't worry, they'll be here soon." She grinned at him. "You'll wear out your carpet pacing like that."

"What would you have me do instead? She should have been back hours ago." Duncan nearly shouted.

"If I didn't know any better I would say that you loved that creature. Yet when you first saw me your eyes were full of disgust." Lucifer said referring to the azure gargoyle's body that he was now possessing.

"That's different. I practically raised her. She may as well be my daughter." Duncan pointed out.

"I'm just astonished that you would consider a monster that was created artificially your child." Lucifer replied. "I hope you understand that for this plan to work that she will still have to play her part." Lucifer advised with a wicked grin.

"I know what she will have to do Duncan snapped irritably. "Why are you still here?"

"I'm simply protecting my investment. I didn't create her to be your daughter or a human's lover. I created her for the same reason I created her mother." Lucifer appeared within inches of Duncan's nose. "I created them to be the perfect weapons."

"They are more than that." Duncan argued. Lucifer's eyes began to glow a bright white.

"Do I need to have you replaced with someone more agreeable?" Lucifer asked in a menacing tone. Duncan shook his head.

"No, I was simply making you aware of the fact that they have more to offer than a simple weapon would." Duncan replied.

"Make her ready for war when she returns. If you fail me then I will show you what true torment feels like." Lucifer threatened.

"I told you that I would make sure that she is ready, and I am doing just that." Duncan said irritably.

"That's why you are still alive." Lucifer laughed and disappeared from the room.

"That bitch needs to learn who the boss here really is." Duncan said irritably. Drexia and Gil landed on the patio outside of his window at that moment. He flung open the doors and stepped outside. "You're late, what took you so long?"

"We had to take a slight detour, but I thought we made it just in time." Drexia said sounding confused.

"I grew accustomed to you arriving early I suppose." Duncan nodded after a moment. "Gil, there you are my old friend. You never reported in, so I became concerned."

"I thought that Drexia advised you that I was getting acquainted with the new castle that you gave me." Gil pointed out. Duncan grinned at him.

"She did but it would have still been good to hear it from you." Duncan replied. "I know this will come as a shock to you, but Gregor attempted to betray you in your absence."

"Wh…why would he do such a thing?" Gil asked feigning surprise at the news.

"His motives are still unclear at this time. I couldn't allow him to continue to spread those vile lies against one of my best agents." Duncan said in a calm tone. "I also have been meaning to contact Vivienne. Have you seen her recently?" Drexia cast a warning glance at Gil. Gil however thought that it would be best in that situation to be honest.

"She is staying with me at Castle Moray for the time being. While I am in a strange place I found it necessary for someone familiar to keep me company." Gil stated honestly.

"I suppose I can understand that. You still should have told me sooner." Duncan reprimanded him.

"Understood, I promise that I will be more mindful of that in the future." Gil promised. Duncan clapped him on the shoulder.

"I would hope so. I have so very few people that I can trust. I would hate to lose you to." Duncan grinned and walked back to his desk. "Oh, that reminds me. I have a hunting trip planned with Macbeth coming up. You should come with us."

"It sounds tempting, but I only hunt gargoyles so I'm afraid that I would possibly slow you down." Gil replied.

"Nonsense, most of the time is spent talking and drinking anyway. To tell you the truth I would like for you to come with us because I need someone with me that I can trust." Duncan informed him.

"I would be happy to go in that case, milord but if I may say so I believe you can trust the young Macbeth. He has proven to be nothing but loyal to the crown since I have met him." Gil advised.

"That's great news, but since I do not know him I am glad to at least have my friend with us." Duncan grinned and sat at his desk. "I believe that Drexia would like to talk to you as well. I know that she missed you dearly while you were away."

"We had a chance to catch up on the way here, but yes I will make it a point to visit with her while I am here." Gil grinned and turned to leave.

"Just one more thing." Duncan said as Gil reached the door. "When will I get the wedding announcement from you and Gruoch?"

"I heard you and Brooklyn discussing my motivations." Cold-Fire said when she sat next to Demona awaiting the humans to show them where their chambers would be.

"Yes, so…" Demona asked curiously.

"Do you know that I have your best interests at heart?" Cold-Fire asked curiously.

"Well, you have the tendency to interfere when you believe that you're right." Demona smirked at her. "I have to wonder though, if whoever brought you here is the one that wants me to break my bond."

"The Fates believe as I do that you can be happy even if Goliath doesn't return. Is it so bad that we want to see you move on with your life?" Cold-Fire asked. "Brooklyn proved to me that he would be a good match when I tested his bond."

"I appreciate that you're trying to look after me, Sister but I need you to understand that I will never choose another." Cold-Fire looked as if she would argue but Demona held up her hand to stop her. "I know what you would say but hear me out. I will be alone for an eternity and will die long before I give up on Goliath."

"That doesn't make any sense, Demona. Don't you think that Goliath would want you to be happy? Don't you think that he would understand that you're lonely?" Cold-Fire asked. Her tone gave away her frustration as her eyes began to tear up. "You've always been there for me. Let me be here for you now. Goliath may never wake up now that you've changed history and I think deep down you know that." Demona shook her head but Cold-Fire forced her to look at her. "Think about what I am saying. You changed history and now neither of us know if either of your mates will be there for you."

"Enough," Demona said sternly. "I am the elder sister and as such I need you to trust me. I love Goliath and we will find a way back to each other. Our bond is too strong not to." Cold-Fire sighed, and she slowly rose to her feet. She looked down at Demona with pity in her eyes.

"I will always trust you with my life. I care for you deeply, but in this you are wrong. I only hope you see that for yourself before it's too late." She left the room then before Demona could respond.

"She'll come around. I'll just give her some time to herself to think this over." Demona said out loud after a few minutes. Cold-Fire however had other ideas. She walked outside to the lake where she knew Brooklyn would be bathing.

"We need to speak right now." Cold Fire said in a tone that told Brooklyn that it was an order rather than a request.