Warning! Warning! Warning! This chapter contains a scene with non-consensual sex.
Later chapters will depict various forms of torture sexual and otherwise.
My Immortal III
As Xena walked through the small village that had grown up around the gates of Asgard, she mulled over the events of the last twenty four hours. Some things just weren't adding up for her. Namely, as Aphrodite had so bluntly pointed out, there were an awful lot of Olympians who were uncomfortable with Xena's presence on their little mountain. So, what in Zeus's name had Eve being doing up there? How had she gotten there? It was unheard of to scale the mountain without the aid of a god. Had Michael transported her there or was some back-stabbing Olympian working with the god of Eli's minions to remove Ares as a threat to the Olympian mantle? Xena was definitely going to need more information but first she needed allies. And, although, she and Odin had never really seen eye to eye, she was hoping to sell him on the old enemy of my enemy adage.
Walking into a weapon shop, the sight of a pair of sais made her feel guilty about leaving the bard behind on this one. Still, she didn't know how deep this thing went, how dark she might have to go to get him back. Hades, she didn't even know why she wanted him back so bad. All he did was torment her! Was she being a fool? Maybe she should just let sleeping gods lie. No! He had given up his immortality to save her. True, she had gotten it back for him but he didnt' deserve to die, not because of some theological politicking. So much for free will, she thought. Why was Michael so threatened by Ares regrouping his followers. And if he made a better sale's pitch than the Elijans then wasn't it within the realm of human free will to be able to choose Ares as well as Eli. Michael talked a big game but when it came down to it, he was really stacking the deck. Well, houses of cards always tumbled and Xena was going to delight in bringing Michael's down.
"Can I help you ma'am?" The shopkeeper eyed Xena with mistrust. He was always wary of women warriors and this one had a particularly dark look to her.
Xena fished into her bosom and pulled out her breast dagger. "How much for this?"
The dealer took the weapon, hefted it in his hands and eyed the blade.
"Most of my buyers ain't gonna have much use for it but it's unique. I know of a couple of Valkyries that might be interested in such a piece, I can go as high as two silfrs."
"Five," Xena counter offered.
"Three's the best you're gonna get."
"I'll take, it." Xena shook the guys hand and he handed over the coins.
"How long you gonna be in town?"
"Just passing through," Xena answered.
"You interested in a long sword, I gotta. . ."
"No, thank you, Not looking to buy, just off load. Pleasure doing business," Xena said and left the shop.
It was going to be a long walk up to Valhalla, Xena hoped she had enough coin to buy the right provisions. She walked into a clothier's shop and started browsing through the heavy cloaks. She briefly thought about calling Aphrodite to bring her Argo but decided against it. She wouldn't make as good time on foot but things could get ugly between her and Odin, she didn't want her horse getting caught in the crossfire.
An hour later, Xena was satisfied that she had all she needed. She grabbed a warm meal at the town's tavern before heading out the city gates and up the hill toward Valhalla.
Throughout the trek, Xena was aware of the ever-present ravens swarming over head. Gods! Why didn't Odin just come down and ask her what she needed, instead of playing his little games? Subtlety was lost on him apparently, everyone knew the jet black birds did his bidding.
As Xena lay down for the night, the emptiness in her her soul still addled her nerves. His absence caused her stomach to roil and churn. Why was this having such an effect on her? Of course she knew she loved him, she'd even admitted to him that he always got to her, but she had lost plenty of loved ones, why was this one killing her slowly? That's how she felt, like she was rotting on the inside. She knew the answer was that it wasn't that she just loved him but that she was in love with him, but she didn't want to think about that, so she ignored it. What good could come of it anyway? Him and her, together. To what end? Things were so different than they were before. She was different. He was even different. Could it work without all the violence and bloodshed? Did she want him that way? Did she want him as her lover? As her partner? Gods ,she had to drop this line of thought. No, she was just doing what anyone would do for a trusted friend. Was he a trusted friend? When did she start thinking of him along those lines? No, of course he couldn't be trusted. For all she knew, he was behind this and it was a clever hoax constructed just to make her crazy and drive a wedge between her and Gabrielle.
Xena pulled the heavy cloak tighter around her body and used her spare shift for a pillow. She studied the dancing flames. She remember his touch and how he had always set her ablaze. She especially loved those feather soft strokes he often placed along her cheek. They made her feel feminine and alive in a way no other's touch did. She nodded off to dreamland as she watched the fire reach for the heavens like a supplicant in search of her god.
Her dreams were cloudy. He was there. She could see him, she could hear him. He was laying in his bed in the Halls of War, waiting for her on his black silken sheets. His marvelous body was covered from the waist down but Xena could see that his cock was free, it noticeably tented the sheet. She ached to taste him. She crept toward him and climbed onto the bed and crawled on all fours. She straddled him, pressed her hot center to his. When she reached down to kiss him, he was gone, only the sheets remained, and the pillow. She punched at the pillow, her hand went through it. She heard a dark, sinister laugh. She turned. Suddenly, she was no longer in the bedroom but in the throne room. Ares was seated in his black leathers. He wore his ram's head pendant, she could see the silver from it glinting in the candle light.
"You've done well, Xena, you've pleased me beyond expectations."
"Oh, I have many other ways of pleasing you, my Lord," she promised as she walked closer to the throne.
This wasn't a dream, it was a memory.
"I bet you do," he chuckled, "climb on that altar," he commanded. "Take you leathers off."
"My Lord," she pretended to be aghast.
"Do as your god commands, Xena. Or . . ."
"Or what?" She cocked an eyebrow.
He was on her in nanoseconds. He stripped her and pinned her to the altar. She could feel his cock straining against the leather. With a wave of his hand, he had her bound.
Yes, this was a memory. One that Xena had relived many a lonely night, when the fantasy of no one else would do.
"Tell me what you want, Xena."
"You, Ares. I want you. I want you to fuck me."
"You want me to fuck you?"
"Yes, yes, gods yes, quit running your mouth and fuck me."
"You fucking whore. I am going to fuck you alright. You good for nothing slut! You're a nasty bitch, Xena. I nasty god-whore! A mortal who goes around lusting after god-cock that she can't handle. Will never be worthy of"
Xena didn't remember the dream going this way. Ares hadn't treated her with such malice. Oh, he'd fucked her rough and tough and said plenty of dirty things to her but he had never told her she wasn't worthy or called her a god-whore. She wasn't some fucking groupie who went around after any Olympian dick she could get. She knew bitches like that! Only one immortal cock could scratch her itch.
"Ares, what're. . ."
But it wasn't Ares. When she looked at the hazy figure between her legs, she shrieked at his red skin and his long thin horns. It was Lucifer, in his demonic form. Not Ares at all. This was a not a fantasy, not a dream. It was a night terror.
"You're gonna finally get what's coming to you," Lucifer bellowed as he impaled her.
Xena shot up like a bottle rocket. She was panting. She looked around her camp. It was still in the cold, dark night. Why would she dream of that demon? Did he have something to do with Ares' death?
She clutched her heart when she realized that it didn't matter if he had anything to do with his death or not, Lucifer had his soul and he wasn't likely to let Xena have it back, not without a fight.
It was then, that Xena realized that Valhalla didn't matter. Olympus didn't matter. Even if she managed to broker an alliance between the Norse and Greek pantheons, Xena was still going to have to face down the keeper of Hell. And, she only knew of one way to get there!
"Odin!" Xena called.
The god predictably ignored her. So. she took her chakram and beheaded one of his beloved ravens. With a flash of light the sour-faced god stood before her.
"Xena, what do you want?"
"From you nothing. Nothing but a lift back to Olympus."
"Olympus, you know I can't go there."
"No, but you can take me to the border."
"Why would I help you?"
"Because, Michael has had Ares killed and I am betting that when the Elijans finish with the Olympians they'll make their move on Valhalla."
"Let them come, no Norseman alive will bow to them. A god is only as strong as his worshippers."
"Yeah, we'll they are pretty manipulative. Have you seen what's happening in Greece, Rome for Zeus's sake?"
"Still doesn't explain why I would help the likes of you."
"Because, If I can serve them up a dose of their own medicine then maybe I can stop them and you and yours can live in peace."
Odin scratched his beard as he thought about it. "Fine, I want you out of Asgard anyhow. Let's go," he extend his hand.
Within seconds, Xena was on the Macedonian border. Odin didn't hang around, nor did he bother to say goodbye.
"Aphrodite," Xena called. Hoping the goddess could pick up on her the way Ares could.
Nothing happened. "Cupid," Xena called.
Still nothing. "Hestia!"
Suddenly, Aphrodite appeared followed by Cupid and Hestia on his heels.
"What?" They all said in unison.
"Aphrodite will suffice."
Aphrodite shrugged, "You're gonna get me killed."
"Look, I hate to have to involve you but it can't be helped. First, who's working with Michael?"
"What do you mean?" Cupid asked.
"Someone helped Eve onto Olympus. Michael maybe but I am betting she's getting inside help."
"From who?" Hestia asked.
"Someone who feels threatened by Ares," Xena answered.
"Apollo," they cried again in unison.
"Cupid, Hestia, you guys go back to Olympus, keep an eye on him but don't let him know that you suspect anything."
The god and goddess nodded and disappeared.
"What do you want me to do?" Aphrodite asked.
"You. I need you to kill me."
"What?"
"I need you to take me back to the ice caves, put me on ice and put the pinch on me."
"I don't do the killing thing, Xena. And I can't do the pinch."
"I'll teach you and you won't really be killing me, just putting me under long enough to find Ares and bargain for his soul."
"Bargain with who? Michael isn't going to negotiate."
"Michael doesn't have him. Someone else does and he knows I want him."
"Who?"
"Lucifer."
"Satan?"
"That's the one."
"Xena, we should just leave this alone."
"You know, I remember when you were in trouble. Ares risked his then-mortal neck to save your ass."
"Ugh, I know. But ole' horny face he's not to be trifled with."
"Oh, I won't be trifling. I'll be all business. Now time's wasting. There's no telling what kind of torture Ares has already endured."
"Okay, but if I can't bring you back, Gabrielle."
"Gabrielle will go on with her life." Xena placed a hand on the goddess' shoulder,"Look, I wouldn't admit this to just anyone. But, If I don't get him back. I don't know that I can go on with my life. I'd rather be in Hell with him than in Heaven without him."
Aphrodite nodded in understanding and flashed them to the caves.
Xena dropped the heavy coat and shivered. She walked over to where Ares body lay. He was cold and stiff but just as beautiful as when she left him. She lay down beside him and kissed him on the lips. She entwined her warm living hand with his frozen solid one and whispered in his ear, "I'm coming. I will find you. And so help me, if you are behind this. I swear to you I will take Lucifer's throne and I will torment you for eternity. I love you, Ares."
She placed one last soft kiss on his ear and lay down resting her head on his chest.
"I am ready, Aphrodite, come over here."
The goddess reluctantly walked to where Xena lay with her dead brother.
"It's right here," Xena indicated the pressure point.
"Why can't you do it?'
"Because you need to know where to take it off."
"When should I bring you back?"
"I'll call for you."
"What if I can't hear you from Hell?"
"Look, if I succeed then he will come back. He will know how to take if off but if he is in shock he may not be able to and I will need you to do it so I don't get stuck down there!"
"Fine, right here?" The goddess asked and Xena's world slowly faded to dark as Aphrodite cut off the flow of blood to her brain.