It's just begun
"Oh my son," Hera sighed as she ran her hand over his withering body. "The fates can be so cruel."
"Cruel indeed to those who break their contract." Hera turned towards the voice and Odin appeared before them.
"And to what do we owe the pleasure of seeing the King of Asgard?" Odin grinned.
"There is talk of Xena becoming the new Goddess of war," He told them menacingly.
"Hmph, so they seek further to replace my son by taking his job away."
"You think they could get rid of him without a replacement. The world needs love and war to balance it out. If she doesn't take his place soon people are going to start getting very angry."
"Still doesn't explain why you're here," Ares groaned. "What do you care?" Odin looked at him with anger in his eyes.
"I have two reasons for being here really, one I owe Xena a debt of revenge and two I owe the war gods an Egypt a debt. Anhur and Horus were planning a war with you. I'm finding that most war goddesses tend to alleviate horrible symptoms of war, and there's talk of Bastet, Neith, and Sekhmet are talking about meeting with her to prevent war. And they might convince Menhit and Pakhet to join them."
"So you're angling to kill Xena," Ares replied.
"Naturally, and once she's gone your father will be forced to take you back."
"Yes, and in the mean time I'll just lay here in pain."
"On the contrary my son, I do believe Odin can get you out of this oblivion." Odin grinned.
"You are correct in that."
"And what if I don't want my position back?" Ares asked him to see what else Odin could offer him.
"Well if not your position, how about control of your children?" He waved his hand and showed Ares his children displaying their powers.
"You have my attention now."
"I thought I would..."
"What did they want?" Gabrielle asked when Xena had reappeared in the Amazon village. She had been visiting for the day when Artemis had asked her to accompany her to see Zeus.
"They have offered me the position of Goddess of War. They said without Ares, the balance of good and evil will shift, and like when Ares lost his sword good people will start to lose control."
"Well if anyone can handle that job it's you." Xena sighed.
"Yes, I know, I could stop senseless wars and actually back armies that defend people and not those who seek only to create carnage. But it feels weird after all this time." Gabrielle nodded thoughtfully.
"I guess you have been ducking and dodging this position for a long time. It's almost all Ares ever wanted." Xena nodded.
"And when he offered it those things came with certain repercussions. Now the prospect seems less threatening."
"It's because he's not in control." Xena nodded. "When do you tell them your decision?"
"As soon as possible, but I want to talk this over with the boys. Shall we have dinner tonight?" Gabrielle nodded.
"We can fish tomorrow I will have free time than." Xena smiled and hugged her friend before disappearing easily. The younger ones had the chicken poxes so she hadn't ridden Argo to the Amazon village. Apparently all Gods had to develop immunity as young Gods or they would get sick rather quickly if for whatever reason they became mortal and got sick.
"Xena you aren't supposed to be back yet," Cyrene scolded. She had sent her daughter off with Gabrielle to relax and fish while she watched the children a few hours.
"I know, I know but I have some news I wanted to discuss with you and the boys."
"Well they're both in the garden for once." Xena nodded. She went to the door and waved them in. Once they had talked about it they all agreed it was in their best interest and the best interest of the people of Greece.
"Mom can you show us Mount Olympus?" Daniel asked. Xena nodded they took her hand before disappearing to the throne room of Zeus. Everyone was quiet and barely looked up when she arrived.
"You have good timing Xena, I'm afraid there's been another prophecy."
"By whom?" Xena asked.
"Niobe, a spirit who Celeste has become fond of. Her gift of sight does not stop even in death," Athena told her. Xena nodded as Celeste appeared with Niobe.
"Here me warrior princess, when the position of Goddess of War is filled, the war God shall return once more and war she rage upon the land. He will take your children." Niobe fell quiet.
"Then I do not accept the position," Xena told Zeus.
"Unfortunately that's not a choice," Zeus sighed. "The position must be filled and if Ares kills the God we appoint and he will as it is a matter of when the position is filled and not a matter who fills it that releases him. All hell is going to break lose." Xena sighed. She needed every advantage she could muster onto her side.
"Already his loyal servants gather at my wife's temple where he kept you, I have tried to rain lightening down upon them, but they are protected."
"So I have to build an army and war will rage on our land." They nodded grimly.
"But if you win it will end."
"Mom we can do it, you've told him it's over before."
"Unfortunately son I think our fight has just begun."
The End until the next installment of the series…