Chapter 271
.
This was never easy for Hercules. Now matter how many times he saw loved ones die, it never got any easier. He'd tried to sieze what happiness he could in these final days. For Hercules, there was a few good points to all of this chaos. He had found both of his wives, Dienera and Serena, his children, and his best friend Ioulas. But then the plague came, and once again he saw his three children die. But this time Dienera was alive, and they could mourn them together. Hercules believed this theory of the plague targeting only good and innocent people, which meant they were in Heaven now. Hercules liked to believe that he would join them eventually. If he could now fight against Evil, he'd be fine. Either he'd die in the final battle, or he'd survive and live out the rest of his life in the new world. But there was one thing Hercules did not expect, a dinner invitation from his half-brother Ares. Ares invited Hercules and their sister Aphrodite, to dinner, along with their father Zeus. Hercules was uneasy, but he had one reason for going, he had to ask Ares one question. At any rate, with his children gone, a small part of him did want to cling to what remained of his family, dysfunctional as they might be. Hercules and Aphrodite arrived and found Ares and Zeus already here.
.
Zeus: Thank you both for joining us.
Hercules: I have one question, my children died recently. Have you seen them in Hell?
Zeus: No.
Ares: I haven't. If I see them, I'd probably use them as leverage against you.
Hercules: You're right, which means they're probably in Heaven now.
Zeus: I truley hope they are safe and happy Hercules.
Hercules: Thank you. Now, why did you two want to have this family dinner?
Ares: Ask dad.
Zeus: We all know that the end is near. Very soon, we won't even be able to travel between worlds. I wanted one last family dinner before that happenned.
Aphrodite: I believe you dad.
Zeus: Thank you.
Hercules: That doesn't explain why ares is here.
Ares: Is it really so hard to believe I also want to have a family dinner?
Hercules: Yes.
Aphrodite: Yes.
Zeus: It took some convincing on my part. I have no delusions, it's too late for me. I can't make up for all that I've done, I can only enjoy what I can before the final battle and then await reincarnation.
Ares: Dear old dad has no intention of fighting for Evil in the final battle.
Aphrodite: But you will, won't you Ares?
Ares: That's the plan. If we win, I will take care of Zeus.
Hercules: I remember you trying to kill him.
Ares: True, but if I can rule supreme and let him live, why not.
Zeus: Children, you know I hate it when you fight. Please, can we have one last family dinner together?
Hercules: I'm hard pressed to think when the four of us ever had one. But these must be the end times, because I'm willing to do one.
Aphrodite: Me too.
Ares: Fine, one dinner.
.
Zeus got his family dinner, he and his children reminisced about old times. Not all good memories, but Hercules and Ares did remember one time, Zeus trapped them both in a mystical maze, they had to work together to get out. In hindsight, they were glad to have one good memory. And when Ares killed Hercules, ironically at Hercules request, to stop his demonic possesion. Aphrodite admitted that Ares had been helping her recently, specifically he taught her how to shoot a gun in preperation for the final battle. Aphrodite tried her message of peace and love to try and prevent others from falling to the darkside, but she also wanted to be able to protect herself when the time came. At the end of the dinner Hercules and Zeus had perhaps their last conversation.
.
Hercules: Maybe it's not too late for you.
Zeus: I try to do good, but I know it will not be enough. Can you ever forgive me for failing to protect your family?
Hercules: I do forgive you. Maybe I was being a hypocrite. I railed against you and the other gods for interfering in mortal's affairs. Yet when it happened to my family, I pleaded for you to bring them back.
Zeus: You weren't a hypocrite, just human. You may have gotten physical strength from me, but it was your mother and the other people in your life who gave you your character.
Hercules: I am sorry about having to kill you.
Zeus: I gave you no choice. For what it's worth, I was always proud of you, and I always loved you.
Hercules: I love you too dad.
Zeus: Do what you have to do to stop Evil, and free all of these innocent souls. Maybe I belong on Hell, they don't. Remember that.