Part IV
Months passed as if in the blink of an eye. Ares' anger towards his daughter and her mystery lover subsided. He announced their engagement a few days after they were released from their punishment. Because she knew her father would expect no less, Hippolyta continued her self punishment until the day before the announcement of her engagement. She had been surprised when Ares gave her the news. She never thought it would be allowed. Antiope had told her of the idea, but she never thought it would actually work. She did not dare to hope. After all, hope remained locked in Pandora's Box, never to be released for the daughters of Ares. She was speechless at the announcement. Mere days after the announcement of his engagement to Hippolyta, the young Wolf Captain was promoted to General. As an engagement present, Ares gave the city and villa of Argros, a large port city on the Mediterranean, to his daughter and future son-in-law. A few months later, Hippolyta and Daniel were married. The wedding was held in Ares' villa, in the garden that his daughters so enjoyed. Afterwards, they were sent immediately to Argros. The day after the wedding, Daniel was to leave with his new Argrosian army. They would join a battle in the far south of Ares' kingdom, and extend his borders one hundred miles before being allowed to return home. It seemed almost hopeless.
Through this trial, Daniel proved his worth and his love for Hippolyta. In less than two years time, Daniel and his men ended the war in the south and extended the borders of Aresia by two hundred miles. He returned home triumphant and his legend grew. He and Hippolyta spent years together in happiness, fighting this war and that, bringing glory to Ares. Years after their marriage and to the joy of all, Hippolyta found herself with child. Daniel was perhaps the most excited of all with this news. He loved children and had always longed to have a son or daughter of his own, or both, he cared not. Through out Hippolyta's pregnancy, he stayed constantly at her side, leaving only when necessary and usually only at the direct order or threat of punishment of death from Ares. He would not anger his father-in-law, his lord and master, and have his rage passed to any child he may sire. The end of Hippolyta's pregnancy drew near, her belly swelled and her husband was constantly near.
"Hippolyta! Hippolyta, beloved, where are you? Ha-ha!" Daniel's voice echoed through the stone chamber as he entered the doorway. He saw his beloved sitting at her dressing table and smiled lovingly. "Beloved! You should be in bed resting!" He crossed the chamber to embrace her as she met him half way.
"Daniel, my love, I am fine! You worry far too much!" Hippolyta's smile brightened as her husband showered her with his love. "I am only eight months pregnant, my love! There is plenty of time before the birth of our child! And a large child it should be! Ha-ha! My father will be quit pleased with the grandson you have aided in providing him!"
"A son! By the gods, Polly, if it were a boy! I would be the happiest man alive! But, Polly! If our child were a girl, by the gods, a daughter to carry on your immortal beauty! Could you imagine how beautiful a daughter of ours would be? With you for her mother? The warriors would line up! And I would gladly send them away! Ha-ha!" Daniel left his wife in the center of the room and strolled to one corner. There was set a large crib with gossamer veils and silken pillows. He gently rocked it back and forth, dreaming of the day his child would occupy that crib and giggle as he rocked her slowly to sleep. "A daughter.as beautiful as her mother." A smile claimed his lips as he dreamed of the day.
Hippolyta approached her husband's side and rested her head on his shoulder. "Soon, my love, soon, you will have your wish. Though, should you not have the daughter you wish for now," a playful smirk crept onto her face as she slyly looked at her husband, "I think we could negotiate something for later."
Daniel returned her playful grin as he took her in his arms and carried her to the bed. Gently, he placed her in the bed and kissed her lips.
"*Ahem*"
Daniel reluctantly looked away from his wife and towards the doorway. A young warrior stood in the entryway, averting his eyes from the scene in the bed. Daniel looked at the young boy; he could have been no more than seventeen. Looked to his wife he gave her an apologetic smile.
"Yes, Son, what is it?"
"Forgive me, Sire, but there has been an attack on your forces at the north end of the kingdom. Ares demands that you see to it immediately." The warrior said as he continued to stare at the floor of the chamber.
"Tell Ares that my wife nears the end of her term, I will not leave her side nor will I leave her unguarded. He knows as well as I how important the birth of this child is. There is no one here to care for her. I will not leave. Send my second, he can do the job as well as I can."
"But, Sire, Ares demands it. He has sent the Princess Antiope to look after her sister during this time."
"Hrn.I do not care. Send my second, if he thinks I am needed after that, then I will go. But only reluctantly!" Daniel returned his attention to his wife as the young warrior bowed and retreated from sight. So wrapped up were they in each other that they did not notice a darker figure appear in the still open doorway.
"Perhaps you should learn how to shut the door before enjoying the sweetness of your lover's embrace." Daniel and Hippolyta jumped at the voice.
"Who are you? How did you get in!?" Daniel was off the bed in a second, sword in hand, as he approached the dark hooded figure of the doorway. "What do you want, Stranger?" His sword was raised and ready for the strike.
"Easy, Brother. I mean you and my sister no harm." The stranger slowly reached up to the hood of the cloak. With steady hands, the stranger lowered the hood and smiled.
"Antiope!" Hippolyta cried as she struggled out of the bed. "I should have known you would play such a cruel joke!"
"Ha-ha! Forgive me, Sister! I meant no harm, but at least now you know your beloved husband is ready for almost anything." Turning back to her brother- in-law, Antiope continued, "Your enemies are great of late. They wish you more harm than all of Ares' warriors combined. What did you do to anger them all so?"
"By the gods, I wish I knew!" Daniel returned his sword to its sheath. "There have been numerous attacks on my outposts and bands recently. I do not know what they are so riled about. Perhaps the impending birth of my child, but.I see not why they would be so worried about that."
"Aye. I have heard word that there are those within your ranks that seek your downfall as well. Perhaps they are all upset over your quick rise in ranks. As well as the favoritism showed you by Father."
"He was Ares' best warrior before our marriage." Hippolyta said, shaking her head. "I do not understand why these little men can not be happy with what they have already. OR why they cannot work for it as Daniel has done."
"Not all men are as noble as your husband."
"Aye, that is unfortunate for them." Hippolyta said as she smiled lovingly at her husband.
"Aye.but that is enough of that talk! These are dark times and they continue to get dark, though I have a feeling that will not be for long!" Daniel said as he placed a loving hand on the protruding belly of his wife. "The light of our world will soon be joining us. May she always be happy."
Antiope rolled her eyes. "By the gods, Hippolyta, did you have to marry a man that was so soft?"
Hippolyta laughed as she welcomed her sister. "Come, my beloved, let me show you the nursery!" Antiope followed Hippolyta and Daniel into an adjacent room.
In the ensuing days, the plight in the north of the kingdom worsened. All incoming reports to the Argrosian villa carried nothing but bad news. Hippolyta tried to comfort and aid her husband to no avail. A few nights after Antiope arrived, Daniel was forced to leave his beloved wife and unborn child and journey to the front lines. Antiope remained at the villa to guard her sister and see her through the last months of her pregnancy. All of Aresia was in uproar.
Thunder clapped loud and long. A storm brewed. Clouds filled the sky and made the day into night. Not even lightening dared penetrate that dark sky. It had been so for days. For days not a star had been seen, nor even the sun. The inhabitants of the darkened kingdom remained in their homes as best they could, venturing out only when necessary. The days and nights were blurred to them, all was as one. It was an omen. An omen forewarning all of danger. It was a bad omen.
"Be safe, my love. Come home to us soon." Tears filled Hippolyta's eyes as she bade her husband farewell. As he pulled away from her embrace, a tear slid down her cheek. He gently dabbed it away as he spoke.
"I promise a quick return, my love. You will not be long without me. I promise, my darling." He quickly kissed her on the forehead and turned his back to her. He strode quickly to his awaiting steed and mounted. Looking back to her, he waved and shouted, "I shall return as soon as I can!" With that, he gave the signal, and he and his men were off. The thunder roared after the army as if in warning.
Antiope put her arm around her sister as they watched the Argrosian General lead his men to war. "He will come home soon, Polly. He will come home safe. Do not worry, Sister."
"Nay. Nay, Antiope, he will not come home to me." Hippolyta watched in the distance where her husband had long since disappeared from sight. Antiope stared at her sister, about to speak. "He will not come home to me. I feel it in my very soul. I shall never again see my husband's face. The omens are clear." Hippolyta bent her head as her tears began to overflow. She turned and ran into the palace. Antiope stood and watched after her. She had seen the omens, as well, and it did not bode well for her family. She looked back to the direction that Daniel had last been seen, then slowly turned and followed her sister inside.
The darkness surrounding the villa in Argros only thickened as the hours passed. Hippolyta tried to occupy her time as best she could. She feared for her husband's life, yet she yearned for anything that would take that thought away from her mind. In the east-sitting chamber of the villa, overlooking the road her husband had left on, Hippolyta sat near the window and stitched her needlework. It was to be a blanket for her child, something to keep her warm during the cold nights and darkened days ahead. Antiope sat adjacent her, reading a book by the dim lantern light.
Across the kingdom, to the north, a war was raging. A war that was not planned by Ares or any of his men. It was a dark war that threatened all that was held dear. Fires could be seen in the distance as Daniel and his men approached the fray. Though bright as the fires were, their light barely illuminated the darkened day. Daniel and his men ventured on with darkened heart. The foreboding was unbearable as they approached the end of their three-day journey. Daniel could not help but think of his wife and unborn child. They were not far from his thoughts. He prayed to the gods to protect them. Daniel and his men reached the fighting sooner than any would have liked. They joined the battle with blazing swords and thundering hooves. As metal sword clashed against metal sword, the thunder in the clouds roared.
In the villa, night had fallen, or as close to night as could be possible under the darkened sky. Hippolyta dismissed her servants for the evening as she and Antiope laid in bed talking about anything that might keep their minds from the impending doom they both felt. On the south side of the villa, several grappling hooks flew over the wall to take purchase.
On the battlefield, Daniel and his men fought bravely. The battle seemed to be one only of loss. Many men were killed and many more were injured and awaited a slow and painful death. Daniel's men did not fight alone, though. They were joined by many other troops and armies sworn to Ares. This was a battle to end all battles, depending on the victor. The enemy was great and his forces were many, but Ares was the god of war, and as such his warriors were the best. Though they were outnumbered, Ares' men gained a foothold in the battle. They pushed their enemies back.
At the villa in Argros, masked warriors entered the main palace. Swiftly, silently, they slaughtered the guards and any servants they came across. They inched their way to the west wing where the royal chambers were housed. A young serving maid spotted the intruders as she was walking down a flight of stairs the intruders had already passed by. The maid hurried as quickly as she could to sound the alarm. As the remaining Argrosian warriors took their stand, the young maid rushed to the royal chambers to warn her queen.
Daniel led the charge. Long since on foot, he fought his way through the massive horde of warriors. Men died all around him as he fought on. He was covered with blood and he prayed none was his. He dared not look. He kept fighting. He pushed his way through their lines and kept going. He would take their base camp. A fleeting thought of Hippolyta passed through his mind as he dropped another enemy soldier.
Hippolyta grabbed her sword, pregnant though she was, she would not go down without a fight. Antiope stood beside her, ready to fight. The doors to the royal chamber had been bared. Argrosian warriors, those that could be rallied and did not find intruders elsewhere in the villa, fought the invaders on the other side of the doors.
Daniel made his way to the enemy leaders. His men were close on his heels as the fighting neared its end. The last of the enemy forces began to fall. One by one they surrendered or met their end on the end of an Aresian sword. Daniel took down the last of their leaders.
"Who are you working for!? What Lord sent you, monster?!" Daniel demanded from his adversary.
"Ha-ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha!" The enemy commander laughed as Daniel's anger grew.
"Who threatens the way of Ares?"
"Ha-ha-ha! Would you not like to know! Ha-ha-ha! Do not worry, fool! Ares will not fall this day! You may have defeated my Master's army, but you are not the victor here! Kill me, as you will! You have lost! Your Master has lost! This battle is over and we have won!"
"What do you mean? Speak, Vagabond!"
"Ha-ha-ha! You think we sought your ground, Warrior of Ares? But, nay! Ground is not what we wanted! At least, not the kind you think of! Nay! For this day we have defeated Ares' greatest warriors! Labored as they are, they are gone! Defeated! Ha-ha-ha!"
"What? You have not defeated us, Fool! We are Ares' greatest warriors and we stand victor this day!"
"Ha-ha-ha! Labored though they are.Ha-ha-ha.labored though they.WERE."
"What? Labored.? NO! Hippolyta!" Daniel dropped the limp form of his opponent and rushed through the carnage of the battlefield. His men watched as he ran past them, confused as to his swiftness. News traveled up the line of an attack at the villa and this fight only being fought as a diversion from the invaders' true purpose. Daniel found his steed, mounted, and rode in the direction of the villa. He hoped to shorten his three-day journey into mere hours. His heart and mind raced with the possibilities, none of which were good.
The last of the Argrosian guards fell outside the royal chamber. The invaders sought to break down the doors to the chamber. Inside, Hippolyta and Antiope stood ready for battle. They knew not how many opponents they would face, but they would kill a good many before taking their last breath. The doors flew open as the invaders forced their way into the chamber. Hippolyta and Antiope were greatly outnumbered. They knew they had little chance. The clang of swords rang through the air as they entered battle. The two sisters, daughters of Ares, fought valiantly. Many of their opponents were injured, some lost body parts as the two warriors fought to defend themselves. The number of invaders was too many, however, and the sisters' guard was soon weakened. They were separated by their attackers and forced to battle alone, with little sight of each other. Several of their opponents fell, but not enough. They were soon overwhelmed. Hippolyta was greatly slowed by the burden her unborn child caused. She stumbled as one of her attackers struck. The blow leveled her. Another soon followed and she dropped to the ground. Her blood flowed freely. Across the chamber, Antiope faired as well. When she saw her sister fall out of the corner of her eye, her opponents took their chance. Their swords flew out and Antiope fell. Her head rolled to look at Hippolyta as she awaited the final blow.
Antiope felt the cold, hard, sharp tip of a sword at her throat. She looked to her opponent. She was beaten, unable to move. She was weak from loss of blood and her vision blurred. Yet her opponent made no move to kill her. He stood there, poised, tip of his sword to her throat. He looked in the direction of Hippolyta. Antiope followed his gaze. Through blurred vision she could see her sister was still alive. They had not yet killed her, though it looked as though they were about to.
"No." Antiope said, barely above a whisper, her body was too weak to struggle as she realized what they were to do.
Hippolyta lay on the cold stone floor. She had lost much blood and she felt as though her body was revolting against her. She looked to where her sister lay and back to her opponents. She wondered why they had not killed them yet. Her opponents stood over her. She watched as one pulled out a long knife and slowly lowered it.
"No.please!" Hippolyta tried to cry as she felt the knife cut through the skin of her stomach. She bit back the screams that threatened to escape her bloody lips. Tears rolled freely down her face as she tried to fight back. Her opponents held her down as she watched them remove her child from her womb. The infant did not cry as she looked into the eyes of the invader. He handed the child to another and returned his hands to Hippolyta's womb. Hippolyta cried more freely as she felt the man grope inside her and more as she watched the other invader pull out a knife and slowly cut the throat of her child. She watched as the child was dropped lifeless to the floor with a sickening thud. Across the room Antiope fought against her attackers to no avail. They held her down with their knees and held her head so that she might watch.
The initial invader brought his hands from Hippolyta's womb a second time, holding another child. Hippolyta's heart sank. He handed the child to his fellow and returned his hands again to Hippolyta's womb. Hippolyta watched helplessly as the throat of her second child was cut and her lifeless form dropped to the cold floor. The invader brought forth his hands again, holding another child. The same routine was performed. The child was handed to another, her throat slit, and her body dropped to the cold stone floor. Hippolyta closed her eyes and cried as her third and final child was dropped to the floor. Three children. Three little girls murdered before they lived. Hippolyta cried as she awaited the end of her life.
The invader that had taken her children from her womb stood and stepped away. He looked to Antiope and saw her tears as well. He gave the signal. "As they were in life, so let them be in death." With that, the invaders struck their final blow, ending the lives of Hippolyta and Antiope. The invaders gathered their weapons to leave. They left the bodies of their fallen comrades where they laid and exited the chamber by the balcony. As they left, one of the invaders kicked one of the murdered babes, then continued on.
Daniel urged his steed on faster and faster. His heart raced. He feared what he might find at his villa. As a dark dawn entered a new day so did Daniel enter the gates of his villa. As he neared the steps of his palace, his horse collapsed beneath him, dead from the exertion. Daniel ran up the stairs as quickly as his feet could carry him. All around there was mourning. Mothers and daughters wept over the bodies of their loved ones. Men carried the bodies of their fellows and dragged the bodies of their enemies. Daniel pushed his way through them, panic rising swiftly in his throat. As he reached the hallway leading to the royal chambers, his servants averted their gaze. They mumbled apologies as they carried the remains of their loved ones. As he approached his chamber, the chamber he shared with his wife, Daniel's heart sank. Blood was every where. He entered the chamber, mouth agape. His surviving warriors and servants looked up to him as he entered the chamber. They stopped their doings and stepped away from the bodies of the royal family. Daniel's knees became weak as he saw the lifeless forms of his wife and sister, and his children. He struggled on weak knees to make it to his wife's side, where he lost the battle and fell to his knees. Tears streamed down his face as he took his wife's limp hand. He bent over and kissed her forehead as he began to sob. He whispered a tearful "I'm sorry" as his body was racked by tremors. He sat up and looked to his children. He crawled to their sides and tenderly touched them. Taking each child in his arms, he hugged them close as he cried. He returned to his wife's side with his three daughters. He lay next to her, his arms around them all, as he cried.
Daniel watched as his family's funeral pyre burned. As the light of the fire died down, he turned his back to the ashes and stormed to the palace. Gathering all his weapons, he ordered his fastest horse saddled. Mounting, he rode to the capitol of Aresia and home of Ares.
Entering the gates of Ares' palace, Daniel pushed his way past the guards, many of whom he had trained. He broke into the throne room of Ares and pulled his sword.
"Murderer! How could you allow your own daughter.your own children and grandchildren to be butchered!?! Where were you when my wife watched as our children were cut from her! Where were you when Hippolyta and Antiope were murdered! They were outnumbered! Why did you not defend them!"
"Quiet yourself, boy! Do not dare to come here and demand of me! I am in mourning! My daughters were just killed while under your protection! Where were YOU when they needed YOU!?" Ares bellowed in return.
"Where was I? Where was I!?" Daniel yelled. "I was fighting a war that you refused to end! You could have ended it, War God! But instead you would have me end it for you! And now my wife and children are dead!" Daniel attacked Ares with all his might. Ares easily deflected his sword and dodged each blow carelessly. Finally, tired of the game, Ares struck Daniel, knocking him to the floor.
"How dare you! You dare blame the death of my children and grandchildren on me! You dare no longer!" With a wave of his hand, Daniel vanished from sight. He gave an evil look to those warriors still in the chamber and watched as they retreated. He returned to his throne, alone, and wept.
Daniel opened his eyes to find himself outside of Ares' fortress. He grabbed the largest rock he could find and threw it at the gate. His horse looked up from where it grazed on leaves. He grabbed its reigns and mounted. "Fine, have it your way." He said with a voice full of malice. He turned his horse away and headed down the path.
Consumed by grief over the loss of his family, Daniel traveled the countryside aimlessly. Every where that an Olympian was worshipped he entered and destroyed their temples. So it continued for months. The gods watched from high on Olympus as he traveled, destroying their temples and often murdering their priests. After months of this, the gods decided they had enough. They appeared to Daniel as he sat about his camp, cursing their names for allowing the brutal murder of his family.
"Daniel of Argros, you have wronged us! It is not we who should be blamed for the death of your wife! It was none of our doing! You have traveled the known world destroying our temples and followers! No more! You die tonight for such treachery!" Zeus boomed. He raised his hand and pointed a single finger at Daniel.
"So be it, dark god! Do your worst! End my suffering!" Daniel stood and pulled his shirt apart revealing his chest. He stood ready for Zeus' blow, dreaming of seeing his family in the Elysian Fields. His wife.his daughters!
Zeus readied to fire, then hesitated at Daniel's readiness. "So, it is death you long for, is it? Death so that you might be with your accursed family for all of eternity? Well, then, what better punishment for your crimes than to deny you just that! Your sentence then is eternity! But not eternity as you would wish to spend it! I grant you immortality! Never shall you die and always shall you live! You are hereby doomed to walk the earth forever, alone. Watching as those around you die as your wife and children once did."
Daniel's jaw dropped at this. "No! Please! Kill me! Let me be with my wife and children! Have I not suffered enough? Please!" Daniel dropped to his knees before the king of the gods as he begged for mercy in the form of sweet death.
Aphrodite stood beside her father and watched as tears slid down Daniel's face. She knew of the love he held for his wife and children for she had helped it to grow. It had been her greatest masterpiece. Beseeching her father, "Oh mighty Zeus, would not it be better to grant him a way out of this curse. I think it would be fun to watch if nothing else. Let him live immortally, never knowing the sweet embrace of death, but with one addition. Let him be immortal and live forever without death until, that is, until he finds the love with which he seeks. When he finds this love then and only then may he choose the sweet embrace of death over life. There is no harm done in this little addition to your curse, oh noble one, for the love he seeks is dead. Let him seek it as best he can. Never shall he enter the gates of Hades where it rests."
Zeus looked to his daughters and then to his fellow gods. All seemed to be in agreement. "Let is be so, then." With that, the gods of Mount Olympus vanished from sight, returning to their home of legend. Daniel, stunned to silence, arose from the ground and ran to his camp. He pulled his sword and buried it deep within his chest. Nothing. He removed the sword, and dropped to his knees. He howled as though he were an animal in pain. For in pain he was, he felt the pain rip threw him as he plunged the sword within him, but the pain was not as bad as that of the knowledge he held. He gathered his things and mounted his horse. He returned to Argros.
Upon arrival, Daniel told everything that had happened to his men, including his curse. He ordered a ship readied. If the only way for him to be with his wife and children was to search them out, then so be it. He would find a way to Hades. Reluctantly, but loyally, his men obeyed. They pitied him and all he had lost. The ship was readied and he set sail. He left his villa to sail for all eternity, returning only to restock. So he sailed for all eternity, in search for the love he lost, and would never see again.
Deep within the earth, the spirit of nature herself mourned. More of her daughters died unjustly. Murdered by the pawns of a great evil. She reached out and took each soul as they escaped the forms they once called home. She brought them close and received them in her womb. There with others like them, they swam. The two older comforting the cries of the younger.
Months passed as if in the blink of an eye. Ares' anger towards his daughter and her mystery lover subsided. He announced their engagement a few days after they were released from their punishment. Because she knew her father would expect no less, Hippolyta continued her self punishment until the day before the announcement of her engagement. She had been surprised when Ares gave her the news. She never thought it would be allowed. Antiope had told her of the idea, but she never thought it would actually work. She did not dare to hope. After all, hope remained locked in Pandora's Box, never to be released for the daughters of Ares. She was speechless at the announcement. Mere days after the announcement of his engagement to Hippolyta, the young Wolf Captain was promoted to General. As an engagement present, Ares gave the city and villa of Argros, a large port city on the Mediterranean, to his daughter and future son-in-law. A few months later, Hippolyta and Daniel were married. The wedding was held in Ares' villa, in the garden that his daughters so enjoyed. Afterwards, they were sent immediately to Argros. The day after the wedding, Daniel was to leave with his new Argrosian army. They would join a battle in the far south of Ares' kingdom, and extend his borders one hundred miles before being allowed to return home. It seemed almost hopeless.
Through this trial, Daniel proved his worth and his love for Hippolyta. In less than two years time, Daniel and his men ended the war in the south and extended the borders of Aresia by two hundred miles. He returned home triumphant and his legend grew. He and Hippolyta spent years together in happiness, fighting this war and that, bringing glory to Ares. Years after their marriage and to the joy of all, Hippolyta found herself with child. Daniel was perhaps the most excited of all with this news. He loved children and had always longed to have a son or daughter of his own, or both, he cared not. Through out Hippolyta's pregnancy, he stayed constantly at her side, leaving only when necessary and usually only at the direct order or threat of punishment of death from Ares. He would not anger his father-in-law, his lord and master, and have his rage passed to any child he may sire. The end of Hippolyta's pregnancy drew near, her belly swelled and her husband was constantly near.
"Hippolyta! Hippolyta, beloved, where are you? Ha-ha!" Daniel's voice echoed through the stone chamber as he entered the doorway. He saw his beloved sitting at her dressing table and smiled lovingly. "Beloved! You should be in bed resting!" He crossed the chamber to embrace her as she met him half way.
"Daniel, my love, I am fine! You worry far too much!" Hippolyta's smile brightened as her husband showered her with his love. "I am only eight months pregnant, my love! There is plenty of time before the birth of our child! And a large child it should be! Ha-ha! My father will be quit pleased with the grandson you have aided in providing him!"
"A son! By the gods, Polly, if it were a boy! I would be the happiest man alive! But, Polly! If our child were a girl, by the gods, a daughter to carry on your immortal beauty! Could you imagine how beautiful a daughter of ours would be? With you for her mother? The warriors would line up! And I would gladly send them away! Ha-ha!" Daniel left his wife in the center of the room and strolled to one corner. There was set a large crib with gossamer veils and silken pillows. He gently rocked it back and forth, dreaming of the day his child would occupy that crib and giggle as he rocked her slowly to sleep. "A daughter.as beautiful as her mother." A smile claimed his lips as he dreamed of the day.
Hippolyta approached her husband's side and rested her head on his shoulder. "Soon, my love, soon, you will have your wish. Though, should you not have the daughter you wish for now," a playful smirk crept onto her face as she slyly looked at her husband, "I think we could negotiate something for later."
Daniel returned her playful grin as he took her in his arms and carried her to the bed. Gently, he placed her in the bed and kissed her lips.
"*Ahem*"
Daniel reluctantly looked away from his wife and towards the doorway. A young warrior stood in the entryway, averting his eyes from the scene in the bed. Daniel looked at the young boy; he could have been no more than seventeen. Looked to his wife he gave her an apologetic smile.
"Yes, Son, what is it?"
"Forgive me, Sire, but there has been an attack on your forces at the north end of the kingdom. Ares demands that you see to it immediately." The warrior said as he continued to stare at the floor of the chamber.
"Tell Ares that my wife nears the end of her term, I will not leave her side nor will I leave her unguarded. He knows as well as I how important the birth of this child is. There is no one here to care for her. I will not leave. Send my second, he can do the job as well as I can."
"But, Sire, Ares demands it. He has sent the Princess Antiope to look after her sister during this time."
"Hrn.I do not care. Send my second, if he thinks I am needed after that, then I will go. But only reluctantly!" Daniel returned his attention to his wife as the young warrior bowed and retreated from sight. So wrapped up were they in each other that they did not notice a darker figure appear in the still open doorway.
"Perhaps you should learn how to shut the door before enjoying the sweetness of your lover's embrace." Daniel and Hippolyta jumped at the voice.
"Who are you? How did you get in!?" Daniel was off the bed in a second, sword in hand, as he approached the dark hooded figure of the doorway. "What do you want, Stranger?" His sword was raised and ready for the strike.
"Easy, Brother. I mean you and my sister no harm." The stranger slowly reached up to the hood of the cloak. With steady hands, the stranger lowered the hood and smiled.
"Antiope!" Hippolyta cried as she struggled out of the bed. "I should have known you would play such a cruel joke!"
"Ha-ha! Forgive me, Sister! I meant no harm, but at least now you know your beloved husband is ready for almost anything." Turning back to her brother- in-law, Antiope continued, "Your enemies are great of late. They wish you more harm than all of Ares' warriors combined. What did you do to anger them all so?"
"By the gods, I wish I knew!" Daniel returned his sword to its sheath. "There have been numerous attacks on my outposts and bands recently. I do not know what they are so riled about. Perhaps the impending birth of my child, but.I see not why they would be so worried about that."
"Aye. I have heard word that there are those within your ranks that seek your downfall as well. Perhaps they are all upset over your quick rise in ranks. As well as the favoritism showed you by Father."
"He was Ares' best warrior before our marriage." Hippolyta said, shaking her head. "I do not understand why these little men can not be happy with what they have already. OR why they cannot work for it as Daniel has done."
"Not all men are as noble as your husband."
"Aye, that is unfortunate for them." Hippolyta said as she smiled lovingly at her husband.
"Aye.but that is enough of that talk! These are dark times and they continue to get dark, though I have a feeling that will not be for long!" Daniel said as he placed a loving hand on the protruding belly of his wife. "The light of our world will soon be joining us. May she always be happy."
Antiope rolled her eyes. "By the gods, Hippolyta, did you have to marry a man that was so soft?"
Hippolyta laughed as she welcomed her sister. "Come, my beloved, let me show you the nursery!" Antiope followed Hippolyta and Daniel into an adjacent room.
In the ensuing days, the plight in the north of the kingdom worsened. All incoming reports to the Argrosian villa carried nothing but bad news. Hippolyta tried to comfort and aid her husband to no avail. A few nights after Antiope arrived, Daniel was forced to leave his beloved wife and unborn child and journey to the front lines. Antiope remained at the villa to guard her sister and see her through the last months of her pregnancy. All of Aresia was in uproar.
Thunder clapped loud and long. A storm brewed. Clouds filled the sky and made the day into night. Not even lightening dared penetrate that dark sky. It had been so for days. For days not a star had been seen, nor even the sun. The inhabitants of the darkened kingdom remained in their homes as best they could, venturing out only when necessary. The days and nights were blurred to them, all was as one. It was an omen. An omen forewarning all of danger. It was a bad omen.
"Be safe, my love. Come home to us soon." Tears filled Hippolyta's eyes as she bade her husband farewell. As he pulled away from her embrace, a tear slid down her cheek. He gently dabbed it away as he spoke.
"I promise a quick return, my love. You will not be long without me. I promise, my darling." He quickly kissed her on the forehead and turned his back to her. He strode quickly to his awaiting steed and mounted. Looking back to her, he waved and shouted, "I shall return as soon as I can!" With that, he gave the signal, and he and his men were off. The thunder roared after the army as if in warning.
Antiope put her arm around her sister as they watched the Argrosian General lead his men to war. "He will come home soon, Polly. He will come home safe. Do not worry, Sister."
"Nay. Nay, Antiope, he will not come home to me." Hippolyta watched in the distance where her husband had long since disappeared from sight. Antiope stared at her sister, about to speak. "He will not come home to me. I feel it in my very soul. I shall never again see my husband's face. The omens are clear." Hippolyta bent her head as her tears began to overflow. She turned and ran into the palace. Antiope stood and watched after her. She had seen the omens, as well, and it did not bode well for her family. She looked back to the direction that Daniel had last been seen, then slowly turned and followed her sister inside.
The darkness surrounding the villa in Argros only thickened as the hours passed. Hippolyta tried to occupy her time as best she could. She feared for her husband's life, yet she yearned for anything that would take that thought away from her mind. In the east-sitting chamber of the villa, overlooking the road her husband had left on, Hippolyta sat near the window and stitched her needlework. It was to be a blanket for her child, something to keep her warm during the cold nights and darkened days ahead. Antiope sat adjacent her, reading a book by the dim lantern light.
Across the kingdom, to the north, a war was raging. A war that was not planned by Ares or any of his men. It was a dark war that threatened all that was held dear. Fires could be seen in the distance as Daniel and his men approached the fray. Though bright as the fires were, their light barely illuminated the darkened day. Daniel and his men ventured on with darkened heart. The foreboding was unbearable as they approached the end of their three-day journey. Daniel could not help but think of his wife and unborn child. They were not far from his thoughts. He prayed to the gods to protect them. Daniel and his men reached the fighting sooner than any would have liked. They joined the battle with blazing swords and thundering hooves. As metal sword clashed against metal sword, the thunder in the clouds roared.
In the villa, night had fallen, or as close to night as could be possible under the darkened sky. Hippolyta dismissed her servants for the evening as she and Antiope laid in bed talking about anything that might keep their minds from the impending doom they both felt. On the south side of the villa, several grappling hooks flew over the wall to take purchase.
On the battlefield, Daniel and his men fought bravely. The battle seemed to be one only of loss. Many men were killed and many more were injured and awaited a slow and painful death. Daniel's men did not fight alone, though. They were joined by many other troops and armies sworn to Ares. This was a battle to end all battles, depending on the victor. The enemy was great and his forces were many, but Ares was the god of war, and as such his warriors were the best. Though they were outnumbered, Ares' men gained a foothold in the battle. They pushed their enemies back.
At the villa in Argros, masked warriors entered the main palace. Swiftly, silently, they slaughtered the guards and any servants they came across. They inched their way to the west wing where the royal chambers were housed. A young serving maid spotted the intruders as she was walking down a flight of stairs the intruders had already passed by. The maid hurried as quickly as she could to sound the alarm. As the remaining Argrosian warriors took their stand, the young maid rushed to the royal chambers to warn her queen.
Daniel led the charge. Long since on foot, he fought his way through the massive horde of warriors. Men died all around him as he fought on. He was covered with blood and he prayed none was his. He dared not look. He kept fighting. He pushed his way through their lines and kept going. He would take their base camp. A fleeting thought of Hippolyta passed through his mind as he dropped another enemy soldier.
Hippolyta grabbed her sword, pregnant though she was, she would not go down without a fight. Antiope stood beside her, ready to fight. The doors to the royal chamber had been bared. Argrosian warriors, those that could be rallied and did not find intruders elsewhere in the villa, fought the invaders on the other side of the doors.
Daniel made his way to the enemy leaders. His men were close on his heels as the fighting neared its end. The last of the enemy forces began to fall. One by one they surrendered or met their end on the end of an Aresian sword. Daniel took down the last of their leaders.
"Who are you working for!? What Lord sent you, monster?!" Daniel demanded from his adversary.
"Ha-ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha!" The enemy commander laughed as Daniel's anger grew.
"Who threatens the way of Ares?"
"Ha-ha-ha! Would you not like to know! Ha-ha-ha! Do not worry, fool! Ares will not fall this day! You may have defeated my Master's army, but you are not the victor here! Kill me, as you will! You have lost! Your Master has lost! This battle is over and we have won!"
"What do you mean? Speak, Vagabond!"
"Ha-ha-ha! You think we sought your ground, Warrior of Ares? But, nay! Ground is not what we wanted! At least, not the kind you think of! Nay! For this day we have defeated Ares' greatest warriors! Labored as they are, they are gone! Defeated! Ha-ha-ha!"
"What? You have not defeated us, Fool! We are Ares' greatest warriors and we stand victor this day!"
"Ha-ha-ha! Labored though they are.Ha-ha-ha.labored though they.WERE."
"What? Labored.? NO! Hippolyta!" Daniel dropped the limp form of his opponent and rushed through the carnage of the battlefield. His men watched as he ran past them, confused as to his swiftness. News traveled up the line of an attack at the villa and this fight only being fought as a diversion from the invaders' true purpose. Daniel found his steed, mounted, and rode in the direction of the villa. He hoped to shorten his three-day journey into mere hours. His heart and mind raced with the possibilities, none of which were good.
The last of the Argrosian guards fell outside the royal chamber. The invaders sought to break down the doors to the chamber. Inside, Hippolyta and Antiope stood ready for battle. They knew not how many opponents they would face, but they would kill a good many before taking their last breath. The doors flew open as the invaders forced their way into the chamber. Hippolyta and Antiope were greatly outnumbered. They knew they had little chance. The clang of swords rang through the air as they entered battle. The two sisters, daughters of Ares, fought valiantly. Many of their opponents were injured, some lost body parts as the two warriors fought to defend themselves. The number of invaders was too many, however, and the sisters' guard was soon weakened. They were separated by their attackers and forced to battle alone, with little sight of each other. Several of their opponents fell, but not enough. They were soon overwhelmed. Hippolyta was greatly slowed by the burden her unborn child caused. She stumbled as one of her attackers struck. The blow leveled her. Another soon followed and she dropped to the ground. Her blood flowed freely. Across the chamber, Antiope faired as well. When she saw her sister fall out of the corner of her eye, her opponents took their chance. Their swords flew out and Antiope fell. Her head rolled to look at Hippolyta as she awaited the final blow.
Antiope felt the cold, hard, sharp tip of a sword at her throat. She looked to her opponent. She was beaten, unable to move. She was weak from loss of blood and her vision blurred. Yet her opponent made no move to kill her. He stood there, poised, tip of his sword to her throat. He looked in the direction of Hippolyta. Antiope followed his gaze. Through blurred vision she could see her sister was still alive. They had not yet killed her, though it looked as though they were about to.
"No." Antiope said, barely above a whisper, her body was too weak to struggle as she realized what they were to do.
Hippolyta lay on the cold stone floor. She had lost much blood and she felt as though her body was revolting against her. She looked to where her sister lay and back to her opponents. She wondered why they had not killed them yet. Her opponents stood over her. She watched as one pulled out a long knife and slowly lowered it.
"No.please!" Hippolyta tried to cry as she felt the knife cut through the skin of her stomach. She bit back the screams that threatened to escape her bloody lips. Tears rolled freely down her face as she tried to fight back. Her opponents held her down as she watched them remove her child from her womb. The infant did not cry as she looked into the eyes of the invader. He handed the child to another and returned his hands to Hippolyta's womb. Hippolyta cried more freely as she felt the man grope inside her and more as she watched the other invader pull out a knife and slowly cut the throat of her child. She watched as the child was dropped lifeless to the floor with a sickening thud. Across the room Antiope fought against her attackers to no avail. They held her down with their knees and held her head so that she might watch.
The initial invader brought his hands from Hippolyta's womb a second time, holding another child. Hippolyta's heart sank. He handed the child to his fellow and returned his hands again to Hippolyta's womb. Hippolyta watched helplessly as the throat of her second child was cut and her lifeless form dropped to the cold floor. The invader brought forth his hands again, holding another child. The same routine was performed. The child was handed to another, her throat slit, and her body dropped to the cold stone floor. Hippolyta closed her eyes and cried as her third and final child was dropped to the floor. Three children. Three little girls murdered before they lived. Hippolyta cried as she awaited the end of her life.
The invader that had taken her children from her womb stood and stepped away. He looked to Antiope and saw her tears as well. He gave the signal. "As they were in life, so let them be in death." With that, the invaders struck their final blow, ending the lives of Hippolyta and Antiope. The invaders gathered their weapons to leave. They left the bodies of their fallen comrades where they laid and exited the chamber by the balcony. As they left, one of the invaders kicked one of the murdered babes, then continued on.
Daniel urged his steed on faster and faster. His heart raced. He feared what he might find at his villa. As a dark dawn entered a new day so did Daniel enter the gates of his villa. As he neared the steps of his palace, his horse collapsed beneath him, dead from the exertion. Daniel ran up the stairs as quickly as his feet could carry him. All around there was mourning. Mothers and daughters wept over the bodies of their loved ones. Men carried the bodies of their fellows and dragged the bodies of their enemies. Daniel pushed his way through them, panic rising swiftly in his throat. As he reached the hallway leading to the royal chambers, his servants averted their gaze. They mumbled apologies as they carried the remains of their loved ones. As he approached his chamber, the chamber he shared with his wife, Daniel's heart sank. Blood was every where. He entered the chamber, mouth agape. His surviving warriors and servants looked up to him as he entered the chamber. They stopped their doings and stepped away from the bodies of the royal family. Daniel's knees became weak as he saw the lifeless forms of his wife and sister, and his children. He struggled on weak knees to make it to his wife's side, where he lost the battle and fell to his knees. Tears streamed down his face as he took his wife's limp hand. He bent over and kissed her forehead as he began to sob. He whispered a tearful "I'm sorry" as his body was racked by tremors. He sat up and looked to his children. He crawled to their sides and tenderly touched them. Taking each child in his arms, he hugged them close as he cried. He returned to his wife's side with his three daughters. He lay next to her, his arms around them all, as he cried.
Daniel watched as his family's funeral pyre burned. As the light of the fire died down, he turned his back to the ashes and stormed to the palace. Gathering all his weapons, he ordered his fastest horse saddled. Mounting, he rode to the capitol of Aresia and home of Ares.
Entering the gates of Ares' palace, Daniel pushed his way past the guards, many of whom he had trained. He broke into the throne room of Ares and pulled his sword.
"Murderer! How could you allow your own daughter.your own children and grandchildren to be butchered!?! Where were you when my wife watched as our children were cut from her! Where were you when Hippolyta and Antiope were murdered! They were outnumbered! Why did you not defend them!"
"Quiet yourself, boy! Do not dare to come here and demand of me! I am in mourning! My daughters were just killed while under your protection! Where were YOU when they needed YOU!?" Ares bellowed in return.
"Where was I? Where was I!?" Daniel yelled. "I was fighting a war that you refused to end! You could have ended it, War God! But instead you would have me end it for you! And now my wife and children are dead!" Daniel attacked Ares with all his might. Ares easily deflected his sword and dodged each blow carelessly. Finally, tired of the game, Ares struck Daniel, knocking him to the floor.
"How dare you! You dare blame the death of my children and grandchildren on me! You dare no longer!" With a wave of his hand, Daniel vanished from sight. He gave an evil look to those warriors still in the chamber and watched as they retreated. He returned to his throne, alone, and wept.
Daniel opened his eyes to find himself outside of Ares' fortress. He grabbed the largest rock he could find and threw it at the gate. His horse looked up from where it grazed on leaves. He grabbed its reigns and mounted. "Fine, have it your way." He said with a voice full of malice. He turned his horse away and headed down the path.
Consumed by grief over the loss of his family, Daniel traveled the countryside aimlessly. Every where that an Olympian was worshipped he entered and destroyed their temples. So it continued for months. The gods watched from high on Olympus as he traveled, destroying their temples and often murdering their priests. After months of this, the gods decided they had enough. They appeared to Daniel as he sat about his camp, cursing their names for allowing the brutal murder of his family.
"Daniel of Argros, you have wronged us! It is not we who should be blamed for the death of your wife! It was none of our doing! You have traveled the known world destroying our temples and followers! No more! You die tonight for such treachery!" Zeus boomed. He raised his hand and pointed a single finger at Daniel.
"So be it, dark god! Do your worst! End my suffering!" Daniel stood and pulled his shirt apart revealing his chest. He stood ready for Zeus' blow, dreaming of seeing his family in the Elysian Fields. His wife.his daughters!
Zeus readied to fire, then hesitated at Daniel's readiness. "So, it is death you long for, is it? Death so that you might be with your accursed family for all of eternity? Well, then, what better punishment for your crimes than to deny you just that! Your sentence then is eternity! But not eternity as you would wish to spend it! I grant you immortality! Never shall you die and always shall you live! You are hereby doomed to walk the earth forever, alone. Watching as those around you die as your wife and children once did."
Daniel's jaw dropped at this. "No! Please! Kill me! Let me be with my wife and children! Have I not suffered enough? Please!" Daniel dropped to his knees before the king of the gods as he begged for mercy in the form of sweet death.
Aphrodite stood beside her father and watched as tears slid down Daniel's face. She knew of the love he held for his wife and children for she had helped it to grow. It had been her greatest masterpiece. Beseeching her father, "Oh mighty Zeus, would not it be better to grant him a way out of this curse. I think it would be fun to watch if nothing else. Let him live immortally, never knowing the sweet embrace of death, but with one addition. Let him be immortal and live forever without death until, that is, until he finds the love with which he seeks. When he finds this love then and only then may he choose the sweet embrace of death over life. There is no harm done in this little addition to your curse, oh noble one, for the love he seeks is dead. Let him seek it as best he can. Never shall he enter the gates of Hades where it rests."
Zeus looked to his daughters and then to his fellow gods. All seemed to be in agreement. "Let is be so, then." With that, the gods of Mount Olympus vanished from sight, returning to their home of legend. Daniel, stunned to silence, arose from the ground and ran to his camp. He pulled his sword and buried it deep within his chest. Nothing. He removed the sword, and dropped to his knees. He howled as though he were an animal in pain. For in pain he was, he felt the pain rip threw him as he plunged the sword within him, but the pain was not as bad as that of the knowledge he held. He gathered his things and mounted his horse. He returned to Argros.
Upon arrival, Daniel told everything that had happened to his men, including his curse. He ordered a ship readied. If the only way for him to be with his wife and children was to search them out, then so be it. He would find a way to Hades. Reluctantly, but loyally, his men obeyed. They pitied him and all he had lost. The ship was readied and he set sail. He left his villa to sail for all eternity, returning only to restock. So he sailed for all eternity, in search for the love he lost, and would never see again.
Deep within the earth, the spirit of nature herself mourned. More of her daughters died unjustly. Murdered by the pawns of a great evil. She reached out and took each soul as they escaped the forms they once called home. She brought them close and received them in her womb. There with others like them, they swam. The two older comforting the cries of the younger.