Title: Destiny
Author: Cat
Rating: T (Possible Language and Situations)
Status: In Progress
Summary: Events following A Friend In Need...
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from the Xena Warrior Princess show or Hercules the Legendary Adventures. I do however own the story line
He made a visit he had put off for far too long, to say goodbye perhaps, to the dark world that his Uncle commanded, Tartarus. The thing about Hades' domain, was that he demanded no God be able to access his powers without his express permissions, it was also the one place the Fates' cared not to interfere with and refused to enter.
"Ares" Hades face lit up at the site of his long lost nephew "We had given up you would visit again" he stood up from his throne and quickly closed the gap between. He held out his hand and pulled Ares in for a hug as soon as the younger God grasped it "You shouldn't hide from me" he said quietly as he released Ares.
Ares smiled at that "It wasn't you in particular" he commented as they broke the hug.
Hades gestured to a pair of chairs near a small fireplace to the right of the main room "Join me" he insisted as two mugs of ale appeared and he handed one to Ares before leading him into the small alcove.
Ares sat down heavily in the chair before taking a long drink of the ale and relaxing for just a bit.
"What brings you here Ares?" Hades asked as he studied his nephew, taking note of the stress lining his face.
"Are you joining the group for the trip through the gate?" Ares asked bluntly as he locked eyes with Hades.
With no hesitation Hades replied "No" leaned back and took a drink from his own mug "I have no intention of leaving my wife and she has no intention of leaving her Mother, who refuses to abandon the Earth with no guardians" he shook his head a bit in disappointment "the mortals have caused enough damage, without some sort of forced guidance this world will implode with in a century" he sat forward, leaning a bit towards Ares "besides it is a suicide trip and my Brother knows it" again he leaned back taking in the reaction from Ares.
His voice was low and dangerous "That bastard" he took a deep breath trying to calm himself "it is true and yet he will condemn his family, his blood to death" he shook his head in disbelief as he set the mug of forgotten ale down on a small table, the taste like sand now in his mouth "why?" he asked as stood up and began to pace trying to reign in his anger.
Hades did not move, he appeared to be calm and relaxed "He fears what he has always feared and choses to believe lies over what is right in front of his eyes as he always has when it comes to them."
Ares turned to him "Who?" he asked "Who would Zeus fear so that he would throw everything and everyone away?"
Hades finished his ale, stood and placed a hand on Ares shoulder "You of all people know exactly who I am taking about" he smiled a small sad smile "think about it."
Ares gaze fell to the floor, before looking up quickly "The Fates" shaking his head again "he will kill us all because they say it is to be" he locked eyes with his Uncle "This needs to end."
Hades nodded his head in agreement "I agree, stay here with us" he gestured about the room "What once was a place for only death will now be the only haven our kind will have, a sanctuary if you will. The Fates dare not come here, my wards disable powers, even theirs and they know it" his eyes twinkled a bit "It is good to know that they have no control over me and I have never been one to give their word much thought to be honest." He again reclaimed his seat "Sit Ares" he commanded quietly "Your half-brother Hercules drove them quiet insane preaching that people were in control of their own destiny, their own Fate" he paused before looking up to Ares "I am sure that is why they messed with him so much and what they have done to you" shaking his head in disgust "no they need to be stopped."
"What do you suggest Uncle?" Ares asked "I have already played the waiting game, I stole time and traveled back to save her, only to have them stop me" he looked down to his hands "I should have ignored their threats and kept her with me."
"I think we need to think about this logically" Hades began "first, Zeus is not the only God with the power of time travel."
Ares head shot up "let me finish" Hades said "I have the ability, or I should say I have a way for you to do what needs to be done, but we must plan this carefully, for once you are there, it will not be long before they will notice a disturbance in their loom" he face hardened "that loom is the source of their power, gifted to three witches from our Father to control the lesser beings, but the power has gone to their heads and I think they mean to eliminate all others with powers and take over this world. They used your Xenia as a pawn to trick you into being there pawn against Zeus. This plan of theirs has been playing out since the days after Zeus killed our Father and claimed the throne."
"We need to destroy the loom" Ares said simply "I have seen it in their temple near Corinth."
"That is not the real loom, the Mother Thread is hidden from our eyes, only they eyes of a mortle with pure intentions can see it and I have no idea where to find it" he sighed as he sat back "and there lies our problem, I have the method, but not the destination."
Ares was staring at the flames of the fire, his mind lost in the thought as he delve back through memories from centuries ago…..It was a different time, ancient Greece, her battle tent and they engaged in a conversation while sharing a meal that he created for her…"Eat up Princess" he smiled at her as he offered another ripe olive to her waiting lips "your spoiling me" she countered as she bit into the ripe olive and leaned back on the bed of pillows "why can't life be like this?" she asked more to herself than him.
Suddenly a smile lit her face "did I ever tell you about the time Gabrielle and I destroyed the loom of Fate?"
He looked to her "no I don't believe you did" he replied.
"Oh I am not sure what is real or what is not anymore, but we woke up in an altered time, Caesar had trapped the Fates and forced them to his bidding as he rearranged what he thought was his fate" she looked up to him, her face lit with humor "He thought making me is wife would be a good thing" she laughed "well he learned otherwise and found out his fate was exactly what he earned" she paused "dead."
"And exactly how did you and blondie destroy the loom?" he asked curiously.
Xena sat up, leaned towards him "Well it turns out it was actually pretty easy. Gabrielle found them, she was drawn to them, they were secreted away in the Caves of Ida in the Dekte Mountains in Crete. There they were, the Fates, the Loom and Caesar" her eyes widened "and do you know what destroyed the almighty Loom of Fate?" she asked.
"What?" he asked
She shook her head as she leaned back upon the pillows, her hands falling to her swollen stomach "a simple torch and Gabrielle's determination" she replied.
"If you destroyed the loom" he questioned "how are you here?"
"We destroyed the loom in the future" she replied "and I have been sent back to the past."
Forcing himself back to the present "I know where it is" he said as he turned quickly to Hades "I know where the damn Loom is" excitement edging his voice "and I think I know how to destroy it."
Hades was very serious "If you fail Ares, there will be no coming back" no lightness in his tone "you will not have much time when you arrive in the past" he was already crossing the room. He made his way to this throne, with a wave of his hand it moved aside. There in the floor was a small door. He held his hand above the door and it opened, reaching in, he pulled forth a small green stone. He held it to Ares "This is all that remains of the Chronis Stone" he looked down upon the palm size stone "there is enough power for one trip through time" he looked up to Ares "You must chose wisely the timing for you will have but one chance" he handed the stone to Ares.
"You have been waiting for me to come to you" Ares started as he grasped the stone "How did you know?"
Hades smiled and his voice lifted in laughter "Shall we call it Fate?" his laughter died down "Travel well my nephew, stop this before it grows to this point" he placed his hand up on Ares shoulder "change all of our futures."
Holding the stone close to his chest, he felt his powers returned to him by his Uncle. He knew exactly the time and place he would go on this one way trip. Closing his eyes he felt the power of the stone morph over his body and the ground disappear beneath his feet. When he appeared the stone vanished.
A bloody hand reached out and grasped the edge of the well. Slowly a figure pulled itself up, collapsing with a thud next to the opening. Blue eyes opened to the darkness of the half built temple, as she let out a ragged breath "I'm out" she whispered to herself. Taking a deep breath, she pushed her beaten body up to be stopped by an offered hand "Need a hand?" she looked up "Ares?"
"Yep" he replied has he took her hand and pulled her to her feet "and as much as I would love nothing more than to ravish you for having missed you for so long" he smiled has he traced her cheek with his fingers "We don't' have time right now" he turned and began walking towards the exit of the temple.
"Wait" she called has she quickly caught him, her injuries forgotten "Where?" she started "How?" she started again "I was told you were imprisoned by Zeus" she managed.
"Well technically I am right now" he smiled "My darling Princess I have traveled on a one way trip back through time to stop three conniving witches from succeeding in killing everything I hold dear."
Her face slacked, her hand fell to her side "The Fates?"
"How did you know?" he questioned.
"Somethings that that demon I just killed addled on about" she looked up at him "Ares I don't know if I can destroy it" she shook her head "Gabrielle did it before, in the future" shaking her head in frustration "you know what I mean" frustration getting the best of her for the moment.
"I don't have time for you to not have faith in yourself" he said calmly "We have one chance at this and it won't be long before they are aware I am here" he held out his hand "Take my hand and I need you to clear your thoughts and focus on the cave you saw it in the future. The loom is hidden to me, but your mortal eyes can see it."
Xena hesitated for a second. She looked up to his face and locked eyes with him. She smiled at the splash of grey, it made her think of the Ares that melted her cold heart. Taking a small breath, she took his hand and closed her eyes. In her mind's eye she pictured the caves hidden deep within the Mountain. Suddenly if felt like the ground was swept out from under her and before she barely had a chance to open her eyes, his calm quiet voice silently filled her mind as their connection as God and Chosen opened "Is this it?"
Xena opened her eyes and was met with the dim view of a cave from her memories "Yes" she replied to him through their connection "straight ahead the room opens up and the loom is across the room on the far wall" they quietly began making their way to the inner chamber "um Ares, last time Gabrielle had a torch, what exactly am I supposed to use?"
She couldn't see his smile, but she felt it "I will make sure you have something to take it out."
When they reached the inner chamber entrance, Ares pulled her back to him and stared into her eyes "When this is over, I am not letting you out of my sight no matter what you say about that Xena. I have spent the last few Milena in misery without you, I can't do it again."
She smiled "Funny you mention it, my thoughts were going that way too God of War." Her smiled dropped "Let's take these crones out".
Ares again smiled at her, by the Gods he loved this woman, no matter what time and place she was in, she was perfect.
Pressing her back against the wall, he formed a ball of energy and shot it at the sealed door. His powers still amped from the future and now pulling on the present worshipors as well, the blast blew the door completely away.
"Well that was a little extreme" Xena said to herself as she let Ares enter the room first and she held back in the shadows.
tbc...