To Corinth

AN: I had plans to post several times last month, but my computer went out on me. Well… it's fixed, so back to action. You can expect updates in all three of my stories this month. Remember, any review I get, will be returned with a review of a story you wrote.

8

Selenta sat upon the throne of Corinth, inside the castle waiting for the inevitable. She knew it was coming, the armies of Callisto and Xena. As for Hercules, he was out of the way. Hopefully dead, but it was hard to be sure. Chaos wasn't a predictable fellow it seems.

"Thinking about me?"

Selenta turned around, to see a single god floating in the air, emanating a purple aura. He wore robes that seemed to indicate imperial power, that hung to the floor. From his face seemed to flow a kind of godly power, unlike anything she'd ever seen before, even among the Olympians. This god, he was above the Olympians, by far. It was already clear to her, that within just a few hours of being free, he'd already grown much more powerful than even Zeus could ever dream.

Selenta smiled, "So, I take it things have went well."

Chaos casually lowered himself to the ground, "It seems they have, but the time is not at hand yet. I haven't decided on who is going to serve my on high just yet, and who I'm going to tear asunder just for kicks."

"Surely, I am worthy to continue serving you."

Chaos approached her, with a wicked grin, "Maybe you are, and maybe you aren't. You've shown me that you do have potential, but you've made me wonder, do you have the ability to go after that potential? Can you truly own power, tame it, make it yours? Can you rise above your second rate status?"

"Second rate!"

"You heard me, second rate. In case you didn't notice, there was a story going on, and it has gone pretty well, but the main guy… well… he's gone!"

Selenta questioned, "So Hercules is dead, that's good?"

"No, something worse, he's become a good guy again."

"What?" Questioned a surprised Selenta.

Chaos floated towards Selenta, staring into the warrior's deep blue eyes, "Oh I know… he was doing so good. Wiping out whole massive cities. Restructuring the very power base that is Greece as we know it. Learning how to ski. You gotta admit, he did a good job. Not that I'm into that kind of thing, as I tend to prefer the trial aspect of life, and he kinda just well… did things, no trial, just did em. But I digress, as I said, you're second rate villain."

Selenta shouted, "You expect me to be your ally, and then you insult me!"

"Tell me more!"

"I don't have to take this kind of bullshit from you! I can do things myself!"

Chaos smiled, "So, what are you going to do?"

Selenta replied in a dark voice, "I'll kill Callisto, Xena, Gabrielle, and the wonderfully reformed Hercules."

"Now this I like. I don't mean to sound like a certain war god, but drive, determination, focus; these are things I like to see in you. I'll tell you what, I want to see if you can take those words of yours, and turn them into actions. Callisto and company are on their way here. Impress me, and I may feel like giving you something worth your while, and trust me, what the God of Chaos, Trial, and Choice has to offer, is… worth your while." Chaos disappeared in a puff of purple smoke.

Selenta slammed her fist into a stone table. She was going to end Callisto, and her army, and all her allies. Now, as she focused her energies, her job lay before her. If she's gotta go down, take them all with were, burning themselves a path straight to hades.

8

Olympus

Zeus was intensely concerned. He felt Chaos' presence, at almost the very moment the God touched the Heart of Chaos. He was back, and he was more powerful than ever. Even the thundersword, which resided at Zeus's side, would not be able to kill him. It had been unable to before, while it was at the hands of Callisto. Still, it might have its uses.

Hera did her best to reassure the King of the Gods, but nothing could be done. It was if Zeus knew that his days were numbered. Still, inside his head, a plan was forming, he knew he wouldn't be the one to carry it out, but as he watched his son charge towards Corinth with the Warrior Princess at his side, he already had an idea of how to stop Chaos. Still, Chaos had to make his move. It wasn't time yet.

Ares appeared, "How bout it dad!"

Zeus turned to Ares, clearly annoyed at the presence of his other son, "Took you long enough. If it took youany longer, I'd be under Chaos' heel already!"

"Hey! If you hadn't limited my powers, I could have done more."

Zeus sighed reluctantly, "Very well, I see it wasn't your fault I guess."

Ares felt the power bubble up inside him. Feeling the urge, he fired a ball of energy, he was back. He turned to his father, "Now what?"

Zeus starred at his son, just really wanting Ares out of the way. Then an idea hit him. "There is something you can do. Bring back Aphrodite."

"What about Chaos!"

"It's not time yet Ares. Bring back Aphrodite!"

Ares cursed under his breath, finally, he relented, "I will bring back Aphrodite."

"Good, now go."

Ares rolled his eyes, and teleported away.

8

Outside the walls of Corinth, the army under Callisto, approached. They were ready to end this war, once and for all, and restore peace to Greece. At the same time, Hercules, alongside Xena, stealthily approached the city. For Hercules, it was about fixing what went wrong, and putting a stop to the destruction, that he himself had caused.

Xena was glad to be by his side. Now more than ever, she could understand Hercules's suffering. So much bad had come from him in these last few days. She could understand the guilt he was surely feeling, more than anyone else. She would help him, end this war. The wrongs may not ever be able to be righted, but at least, at the very least, the war, that Hercules had caused, was coming to a very end. Hercules himself, he was going to make it happen, even if it meant his life.

For Selenta, Callisto, Gabrielle, Xena, and Hercules… the Siege of Corinth awaits.