10.16.1995 "THE RECKONING" 4
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ARES
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I am Ares, the god of war, the son of Zeus and Hera, the rulers of the gods!
I am incredibly old. Almost three centuries! Almost as old as time itself!
I have existed for so long. I have seen it all. There's nothing that can surprise me anymore.
Being a god is freaking boring. I'd do anything for a moment of entertainment.
I chose war as my domain, because anything else was already taken. And have to compete with my sis Athena anyway! Rotten luck.
And I love war. It's entertaining.
Being a god is boring. Because the gods have it all. The gods never change.
To a god, every day is exactly like the one before. And it will be so, for all eternity. There is no hope for a change.
And so, to any god, the best of entertainment, is to play with mortals.
They live so short. Their passions are strong. They never cease to invent new things.
They keep changing every day. They got it good.
And as the god of war, my favorite entertainment, is to play a game of "who is strongest" with the mortals.
They fight so much. They are so easy to manipulate. They make the most entertaining game pieces.
In my centuries of living, I have known quite a few that were remarkable. True war heroes they make legends out of!
To play with those is so much fun. Such shame they die too quickly.
And so, I'm always searching for a new game piece. Good ones are so rare. Most only happen to look good, but turn out to be trash should you dig deeper than skin-deep.
Most start out humble, and then become incredible as time goes on. If I wanna find more good game pieces. I need to not only look at what is. But also what could be. Shame to miss a good potential.
That's what the gods with hobbies like mine do. They groom themselves mortals from early age, so they could enjoy them later.
As the god of war, I sense it when a good battle is being fought. But because my domain is so good. There's so much war going on. I can't even sense them all.
I keep missing good game pieces, and this frustrates me to no end.
Even as a good, I can't be everywhere at once.
Take for example. This one game piece I had for many years.
I've only noticed her recently. What history she had, happened all without me. Only after I took notice, I look into her past.
A woman. Who is not an amazon! One who hasn't been taught. One who's made herself.
A warrior. One that started simple. Just wanted to protect a single worthless village.
A woman. Meant to become a barmaid. A peasant!
And who has made herself into a warrior, on her own.
She started simple. And then she quickly grew into something great! Started robbing caravans and villages, for greed! Hoping to find a greater meaning!
I didn't notice her back then. She was just one of many, nothing else.
She could have been something great, but then chose smallness. Left her war ways, and became a pirate.
That isn't my domain, so I would have never noticed her. Back then, she still was nothing special. A little thing beneath my notice.
And then she disappeared. Went towards unknown lands. They aren't my territory, so I wouldn't know what happens there.
No pont learning what happens there. Just to be jelous of what great toys foreign war gods possess.
And she. In there. In those foreign lands. She has became something special. Something incredible. One of a kind. The best game piece that any god could ever dream of!
She was so great, that me, a god, to whom the business of mortals is of no relevance, has heard the mortal rumors about her.
A god, hearing mortal rumors.
A mortal so great, they make legends about her.
And all she is. She is by herself. No god has ever influenced her!
How jealous I was. A mortal of this caliber, from my lands, escaped my notice, and went to foreign lands to make war great! My countrywoman, now being subjected to foreign gods!
That was so unfair! I was frustrated to no end! This was worst oversight! My biggest failure!
I have spent years playing with the smaller game. Mortals not as worthy. Being forced to see the small things, and be reminded, of the big thing I missed!
Me, the best war god! Being shown humility! By a mortal! And she didn't even know she's doing it!
Existense was no joy when my only entertaimnet is being spoiled. I did my best to push her out of my mind. To try and find another just as worthy. While knowing that nothing compares to what I've lost.
And that went on for years.
Until she came back.
Back to Greece. She who could be my strongest toy. My masterpece.
The most perfect embodiment of war, born and self-created by herself, without my influence or knowledge!
The one who seemed like she was born for me.
The one who could be my most perfect partner.
A mortal so good, that even gods lose color next to her.
A mortal so great, that she is, in some ways, an equal to gods! Superior to gods!
A mortal so exceptional, I would like her to have ambrosia, if I had some!
And she came back. Back to Greece. She was to be mine back then.
And she was so perfect. Perfect in every way.
Perfect so much. That she already had it all. There was nothing that I could give her.
There was no lure for me to pull, for her to become mine.
She was a mortal so great, that she needed no gods. She was the same thing as a goddess, on her own.
A being so perfect. So great. That gods pale next to her. So majestic. That I'm sure she could challenge even Zeus himself, and win!
She was a mortal of such caliber, that I, the immortal god... felt inadequate next to her!
I am the god of war. War is what I do. But next to her. I felt like chicken feed.
Like everything I do. Is kids' games compared to the greatness of her mind.
When I looked at her. I wasn't the god of war anymore. It was like she was the goddess. And I was a mortal, next to her.
Because I could sense her. Could look into her mind. And see the greatness inside her, that I couldn't comprehend.
Her mind was perfect. There was no flaw. There was no way for me to influence her in any way.
That's why I never made myself known to her. I knew there would be no point. She was so great. That I would be nothing next to her.
But her senses were so keen. I didn't make myself known. Yet she could sense me. I've never seen a mortal do that before. Just what is she?
I knew. That there were no words that I could tell her. No offer that I could make. That could get her interested.
There was nothing I could do to which she wouldn't laugh me in the face for.
I am the god of war. But next to her. I was poweress.
Next to her. I'm nothing.
But I'm a god! I'm not meant to be made to feel like nothing! This impudent mortal! She should be punished for her sins!
I was going to strike her down on the spot, that very moment.
But she was so beautiful. So perfect. The most perfect embodiment of war that has ever lived.
So perfect. That she would never become mine.
So perfect. That I can't make her into a toy.
The most perfect being. The one that was born just for me.
And I couldn't have her.
But she's so perfect. I've never seen a being so perfect. That's why I didn't strike her down.
It would be a shame to destroy a being of this caliber, without seeing her true potential.
That's why I let her live.
Because she's mortal. And mortals change every day.
If she can't be mine today. She may change. And become obtainable tomorrow.
But for now, I'll leave her. It hurts too much to see a being so perfect. And know she can't be mine.
And just like that, I left her. My hope was that time will change her. Her perfect armor will wear out. And there will be hole for me to seep in.
All I needed was time. So I thought. Just time. And she would be mine.
And I left her for a year. She was waging wars. But I wouldn't interfere. I knew she can do it all without me.
I was curious to see how far she could go without my influence. This woman, who is the gooddess of war, despite being a mortal. Completely self-made. I wanted to see the heights she could reach by her own strength.
And then it happened. I felt a change. My biggest worshipper. My fated partner. I felt a change in her. She was who she was, no more.
I came to look. And who I saw...
A pale shadow. An empty shell.
The greatest embodiment of war. The woman bigger than a goddess. My fated partner. Was no more.
In that mere year that I looked away from her. She has self-destructed.
The greatness she was. It has disappeared. Her mind was small now.
She who was more than anything. Has become a less.
In one mere year. I lost the best mortal that I have ever had.
First I didn't notice her when she was young. And I missed her. She left to serve foreign gods. I missed her once.
And now. I look away. And she gets broken. I miss her twice.
A woman meant to be a barmaid, a peasant, makes herself the greatest warrior that has ever lived, on her own.
And then she, all on her own again, devolves into something small.
It's true. This woman has no need for gods. She is the maker of her own destiny.
She, who was the greatest embodiment of war that has ever lived.
Became a small time warlord now. Just robbing poor villages, just fighting unskilled peasants. That's the height her mind can reach, this time.
She, who was to be my perfect partner. Has lost everything that's good about her, without ever knowing me. We never met!
She really is my biggest regret. My biggest oversight.
She who could challenge gods and win. Is something small and petty now.
I wouldn't show myself to her. She isn't worthy anymore.
I am immortal, and my time has no value. But I won't waste a second on something this small.
I can't stand looking at something that was so beautiful, yet has degraded so much.
It hurts to see. Hurts to know. That I could have had something this wonderful. And then I missed all of it.
And so I leave her once more. But I leave with hope.
Mortals change. She may be small right now. But she used to be great.
Who knows. Another year, and she may change again. I'll keep waiting. I'm immortal, and I have all the time in the world.
Years pass. She doesn't change. She doesn't grow.
I actually lower myself. And interfere. It hurts to know what she was, what she could have been. And what was lost.
But she is small. Anything I throw at her, is a waste. She doesn't grow.
Maybe that great, incredible woman, was just an illusion? Maybe I saw it wrong? Maybe I made it up? I don't know anymore.
And just like that. I forget about her. There are way too many small game warlords to keep track of, to remember any one.
I forget her. But deep down. I remember. The one that got away. The what could have been.
I am a god. I never change. Every day is just like the last. But these mortals. There is just no end of surprises from them.
Years pass. And suddenly. I notice.
The presense of that one small warlord that used to be special. It's gone!
She died and I didn't notice? But not too many years have gone. Guess she wasn't as great as I imagined, after all.
I search for her out of curiosity. I search and search. She is nowhere to be found.
It doesn't look she's dead, but I can't find her. Just how small has she become?
I search and search. Divine methods do not work. She really is beneath my notice now.
I lower myself further. I take mortal means. I search her by the way of words.
Or I want to. But I forget what her name was. Think it started with a Z?
I look for the warsites that she caused. Look for the villages she destroyed.
And I find out her name again. Apparently it was "Xena". How could I forget.
But where has she gone to? What happened to her small army?
I investigate and discover her army's been defeated in Parthus. Oh. So she failed. Couldn't even keep an army.
I really should forget this whole thing. This is beneath me. This is way beneath me. I'm lower than a worm now, trying to find things out about a being as small and inconsequential as her. I have better things to do, have some real wars to wage!
And as I decide to leave the matter alone. I remember.
She used to be someone great. She used to be exceptional. She was one in a million.
At some point, I thought she was my fated partner. I wanted to give her ambrosia.
She was something so great. That I couldn't even strike her down when I decided to.
I let her live. Because I hoped she would become something great, again.
But she didn't. She has failed. She is beneath my notice. I should forget about her.
Then why... can't I put her out of my mind? Why do I care what became of her?
That's gotta be mordid curiosity. Nothing else.
She really was one of a kind. Started so low. Raised to such heights. Then hit rock bottom.
There wasn't another mortal like her that I know of. Who's had life turns this extreme.
So it isn't weird that I'm curious. I sort of liked her at some point. If only out of the respect of what she could have been. I'll be curious. And keep looking.
I keep searching, using mortal means. I gather rumors. What is with this woman, and making me gather mortal rumors about her, again and again?
Apparently she's... helping peasants now? What? Who dares spread such false rumors about who was to be my partner once? I should strike them down!
I search and search and search. And finally I find the source.
Some scrawny blonde is sitting in some tavern and is telling tales about my interest. Happy as it gets. What a pervert - twisting the truth to such an extent.
There's no way my chosen would do things like that! I KNOW her!
I should strike the blondie down. But she says she's traveling together with the one I'm looking for. The blondie will lead me to her, so I let her live, for now.
Now that I remember this blondie, I can find her anytime. My warrior is not with her now, so I'll come back later, to finally check her out. To see how she's changed, and what she's become.
But gods, the nonsense the blondie's spouting. And with such pride, too. She believes herself a storyteller? She isn't any good at it. She should just stay home.
A day later, and I bring myself to the blondie at dawn. I get there. And what do I see.
My chosen warrior. My fated partner. Sitting there and crying, miserable. With aching body, with tortured mind. Dirty and uncouth, with a poopy butt. Owning nothing, not even carrying any money.
Sleeping on cold hard ground all alone. No lovers, no slaves. No army. No intention to gather up another army.
Feeling old and useless.
I see her sitting there and crying miserable because she hates her life.
My greatest discovery, my proudest warrior, the enbodiment of war, my fated partner.
And now I see her at the height of shameful.
I flinch and move away as if scalded.
That sight was painful to see! I'm traumatized! I wish to erase this from my memory!
Just how low has she fallen?
Why, just why would she choose this for herself?!
She could have had it all! She has the skills to conquer the world!
Yet she chooses THIS? She must be out of her mind!
And I chose THIS as my partner once? I feel tarnished by association! I need a bath!
Mortals! There's no end of surprises from them!
She who was the greatest mortal that has ever lived! Who changed! Who devolved into averageness! But who could change again! And become great again!
But instead! She changed! Into THIS?! THIS is what she chose? This is what she devolved into? This is how low she's fallen?!
I can't stand knowing this! Now I wanna erase her from this earth! So I'm not reminded of the biggest failure of a mortal that I have even known!
I should come back and make her disappear. Erase this past shame of mine. Purify myself from this!
...
But she's so beautiful. Or she used to be. At some point. She was the greatest mortal that has ever lived.
I wish to erase what I saw just now. But I can't erase what I saw back then, years ago. She was just too great.
I cannot... forget who she used to be.
I want her to live. And I want her to be great. And I want her to be mine.
A being like that... I'd do anything to get her back.
If only I chose differently before. If only I conquered her when she was worthy.
We... could... have... had... it... all! ! !
How could I ever let her go. I let her go. And I lost her. And now she's worthless.
I am a god! I'm in control! I do not make regrets! My decisions are always right!
But now... I think I have a regret.
I shouldn't have let her go.
I'm a god. I don't make regrets.
If it look like I made a regret. That just means I'm bidding my time.
I'll fix this yet.
I'm not gonna lose her again.
If she changed twice. From the greatest being in the universe. To small game. To THIS.
Then she could change again.
Mortals change. And I know her potential. I know what she might still do, still be.
She may change yet. And this time. I'll help her.
I won't lose her, again.
That means I'll be interfering in the lives of mortals directly, to try and win back one that doesn't want me. That's pathetic.
But I don't care. She just *thinks* she doesn't want me. She just doesn't realize how much we're meant for each other.
She just doesn't realize that she was born just to be with me.
But I'll teach her. I'll show her to her real place in life.
She will learn that she was meant for me.
First. Try and figure out why she's like this.
She's abandoned waging wars. She lives the life of a impovertied vagabond. Blondie says she's helping peasants.
...
I don't understand. I can't understand a single thing about her! What kind of a twisted mind does she have, to choose this for herself?!
She should just wage wars! That's where she belongs! That's what she was born to do!
But how do I convince her? I don't even understand what motivates her!
She's helping peasants? Why? She wants to be praised by peasants? Why?
Because she was a peasant once? Is that it? She wants her youth back?
But she's still in her prime, godsdamnit!
I don't understand what she wants at all.
All I know. Is that she chooses a life of hardship, because she wants something.
All I know. Is that I want her back, the way she used to be.
She hates her life now. She must have loved her life back then.
That means I just have to remind her, how good her life used to be. She wouldn't choose hardship over comfort, would she? She's not crazy! I hope.
Maybe she chooses hardship now. But she hasn't met me, yet. I can be convincing. I'll seduce her into it! She'll be mine yet.
After all. She is only a mortal. And I'm a god. The game is rigged in my favor. I can't lose.
And so, I come back and investigate. She's right near some worthless village or another. I can use this. I'll lead her to it.
And the logistics. If I lead the peasants just right, she can't escape me.
She wants to be loved by peasants. I can take that away from her, easy as that. She's powerless to stop me.
There they are, the useful peasants. The sacrifice to the god of war. This is pathetic, but I'll do it.
I'll materialize and kill them all. So that she gets involved.
And then she'll have to choose to be a criminal on the run, again. If she just wants to live. She can't escape this.
I kill them all. She gets involved. Our first meeting in the flesh. Hi beautiful. I have big plans for you!
I disappear. I lead the peasants to her. And she... is treating peasants. Pervert. With blood all over her hands! Just perfect. I couldn't have asked for a better development!
Now I don't even need to inspire them into anything. Just seeing her will make them want her blood!
Now she will learn. That no, you cannot escape your past.
They want her death. They attack! But she won't kill them. She just escapes.
I do my best to help them chase her. I enhance them to the max - can't go further or I'll break them. And I still need them for my next step.
But she still escapes! Her darned horse is fast!
That's fine. I put adjustment into the land. She is at a dead end. She has nowhere to escape.
She runs and hides. But I lead the peasants to her. She cannot escape.
Says she'll escape by night time. Dark and cloudy night it is, then!
I wait until the morning. Now she should be starved and exhausted, by now. Just the right condition.
I lead the peasants again when she tries to escape. I don't need to inspire any bloodlust in them. They're ready by themselves. But I interfere in their actions. I help them surround her and catch her.
She is captured. Now is the moment of truth. Now she will learn that this is you or them. That this is the world of kill or be killed. That this is the world of war, and I am the master of it.
They may be just peasants. But she will learn. That you cannot escape your past. That her destiny is this. They may be just peasants. But killing them is just a step in the right direction. I only need to nudge her.
And she'll get back to her real path. Her path to me.
She's surrounded and they want blood. I raise their bloodlust so there's no talking out of it.
Now is the moment she learns her real self.
The moment comes. And she... drops her sword and lets them kill her.
What?
I don't understand. She must be crazy after all. Looks like this may not be as easy as I thought. Stubborn bitch.
She's gonna get lynched now. I didn't plan for this. Err awkward. Guess I'll do an out of character thing. And pacify them.
Just how low is she making me fall for her. What am I, a sucker? Do I have to do everything for her?
So now she is captured. Put in prison. Fine. I can work with that.
So she will learn her place a little differently than I anticipated. The end result is what matters!
I've already lowered myself a lot for her. I can go a little lower.
I'll appear to her myself and tell her everything directly. This way she couldn't possibly say no.
And there I am, the god of war, about to seduce a mortal directly. She really is an exceptional case. I hope she knows how far I'm going for her.
Actually, let's rearrange her prison conditions a little. Let's make it fun! Let's add a little fetishist bondage thing into it. She'll look sexy bound like that!
Aw she looks pathetic. Beaten and hurt, bound in shackles, stripped down to her poopy underoos. I can't watch this. She is the proudest being in the world!
She should be shining on a battlefield, wearing the best of armors. Not doing whatever she's doing these days.
Used to be she was a woman greater than gods. So perfect, so complete, that gods were nothing to her. Used to be her armor was so flawless, there was no hole for me to seep through.
And now she's THIS. She doesn't have an armor anymore. All she has is one big hole. There's no "seeping through" anything. She's as open as it gets. Anyone that wants her, will have her right away. She is but a putty in anyone's hands.
It hurts to see her. One that used to be glorious. Reduced to this pathetic creature.
I should drop this. But I remember who she was. And I continue. But gods, she's pathetic now.
I hate watching this. But I have to. Because there's this damn blondie again, and she won't leave.
...
Finally she leaves. Made the god of war wait my turn! Cheeky little thing. I appear. My first time showing myself to her. After watching her all these years. I prepared so much for this. Put on my best beard. She must be impressed!
Now time to play her. She should be at her most miserable condition now. Let me ease that up, for just a while. First, outta the shackles. I made sure they were too tight. She'll be grateful for the relief.
Made sure she'd be shackled in the most humiliating position, too. Gotta play the game of contrasts to win this one.
I give her a backrub. I know how much she wants one. She likes it very much!
I can give her anything she wants. Just you wait. I've conditioned you for this. You can't resist me!
And then she resists me. But I have confidence in my backrubs! What's wrong with her? Refusing the good stuff!
Pft. Thinks she can refuse me. I'm a god! I'll just up the game. Change the prison into the room of luxury. Make her realize the comforts she can have with me!
This is the most luxurious, most stylish room in the universe! I designed it myself! Be impressed, mortal! This shall be our love nest.
Instead of being impressed, she speaks of the peasants. Oh yeah, she now has this thing about peasants. Gotta work around that!
Let's distract her. Let's give her a pretty dress! She should fall for this. I will shower her with praises! Tell her sweet nothings. I never do this to anybody. She should know her honor!
She doesn't actually look her best right now. I'm so kind for praising her. Why isn't she impressed with the dress? I picked it myself! Green, just like her eyes!
... No wait. They're blue. Let me change it quickly!
Why isn't she more impressed? She should be impressed! Because I'm a god, and she's a mortal! I can do anything to her! Does she realize her life is in my hands?
Calm down. I'm not here to overpower her. I want her soul. Let's try and reason with her.
Your life sucks, why don't you improve it?
And she... is actually proud of what she has. I... don't understand her at all. Let's try and talk some sense into her.
She wants to fight for a better world? She can do that with me!
I play with her hair. She likes that, too! She's kinda easy. I even put a little magic into it. Make her feel good, feel young, feel powerful.
Let's show her what she can get with me. Let's show her anything she wants! Teach her that she can get anything she wants with me.
Remind her. Of the greatness she used to have. Teach her. That she can have it all, again.
All she has to do. Is be with me.
She doubts. She resists. She doesn't know what's good for her!
Asks what do I want. I can't just tell her that I want her. That's my secret.
She's immune to reason. Fine! Let's go with force, then.
Let's play the game of contrasts now.
Back into the smelly prison with you! Back into shackles! Tight shackles in a humiliating position! Back from a pretty dress into your poopy underoos! Back from
feeling great, to feeling awful!
This will teach her what's good. And to drive her to a corner. Let's have the crowd lynch her now, too.
Now it's the choice of me versus death! She can't choose wrong!
They bring her to her lynching. I look at her confidently. Learned you place, have you?
And she... hasn't. She shakes her head. She refuses me.
...
What a stubborn fool. But I already started this! I've already pacified the crowd once before! I'm not gonna do that again!
Do I actually have to execute her to teach her?! Fine! If that's how she wants it! So be it!
I offered you a life of glory! But you choose death over a life with me?! Then death is what you'll have!
And as the crowd is about to start killing her. A thought raises.
Hey. This isn't what I actually wanted. I got too into it. But I can't stop now.
Sorry, warrior princess. You shouldn't play with gods too much. Your own fault!
I really should have planned this better. But oh well, loss is loss.
I wish I could stop this now.
And just as I think that. That dumb blondie appears. And pacifies the crowd for me.
Thanks blondie. I owe you one! Now thanks to you, I get to have another chance with Xena.
She looks at me, just as stubborn as before. Just what in the world do I have to do to drive some sense into you?
It's like we're playing a game of who outstubborns the other.
... This is kinda fun.
Actually. I haven't had this much fun since I was born.
What is wrong with me? This isn't even a battle. We're just playing a mind game! And she's just a mortal! She shouldn't matter to me! I should be furious with her! How dare she refuse me! I should teach her her place!
I should. But in reality. I'm grateful. This is the most fun day I've had in life.
Just what in the world is she. Her intrigue is never-ending. She is an enigma I can't solve. Every time I think I understand her. Her meaning eludes me.
Nobody has fascinated me so much, not in my entire life.
She more she resists me. The more I want her!
Oh I can just foresee this. The lifetime of fun we're gonna get, once I teach her reason. This will be amazing!
Now I just have to get her sentensed. That should give me an extra day to convince her. She'll see reason, yet!
The judge announces the blondie as Xena's defendant. But I didn't plan for her to be defended.
I look at the blondie again. Was she also there when Xena was captured? I wonder what her deal is.
She's a wild card. I can't predict her actions. But if Xena keeps her. She may be useful. I better watch.
But honestly. She seems kinda dumb. I'm overthinking this. What could she possibly do.
And then the blondie... is about to shatter the whole case for me. She picks my footprints! I forgot to erase them! Good thing I watched the blondie! She almost cost me!
She's too dangerous to keep around. I should erase her, too!
And as I'm about to. I think.
Why would Xena keep this village fool around? She sees in her something I don't?
I'm reminded. That I have missed Xena. Because I didn't pay attention to her. Had I been watchful. I might have noticed her when she was young and ripe.
But I didn't. I didn't notice her when she was young. I didn't notice her when she was ready for me. I didn't watch her back when she fell apart.
And now I'm watching her, but I can't figure out the way to get her back.
All because... I didn't notice her potential before she was noteworthy.
And now. She keeps this blondie. For incomprehensible reasons. And I'm about to erase that.
Am I about to make another mistake again? Am I to miss something great because I'm inattentive?
And so, I check the blondie out, just in case. I look into her.
Ugh. My head aches. She's such a mess. I need a drink.
...
But. Beneath all that. I see potential.
In another lifetime or two. The blondie could become a little something.
She can't be a warrior. Or a peasant. Or a lawyer. Or a storyteller. Or whatever. Or anything, really.
But in her, I see. The most stubborn woman that has ever lived. She may make something out of that, I guess.
So stubblorn. She's actually a match for Xena.
How do two such stubborn fools even tolerate each other? They shouldn't bear a day together!
Ugh my head hurts. I can't keep looking. What if foolishness is infectuous?
Guess I'll keep the blondie around for a while. If Xena wants her. Then she's useful.
And then the hearing. The witnesses do their best. The best sobstories in the world. Now there's no way she won't be sentensed! She may have chosen death over me once. But she must have been thiking unclearly. Now she should know better. Now she can't choose wrong!
And just as I think "she's as good as sensensed now".
The blondie ruins my case yet again.
She's actually pointing out every flaw, every mistake I've made. Guess I didn't think this through?
She may not be sentensed now. All because of Blondie! She irritates me to no end. I should have erased her, after all!
But it's okay. I have my trump card. The surviving witness. I can puppet him just enough so he only says what's damning. There! Thought you were stubborn? I can be stubborn, too!
The verdict's in the morning. That gives me the whole night with her. I'll make her see reason!
Looking at Blondie, I come to an idea. If it's a game of "stubborn". Then I haven't done my best. I can do so much worse.
She'd rather die than be with me? She thinks she's better than me. She thinks she's above gods. I'll show her to her real place.
She'd rather die that be with me. She chooses a smelly prison to my bedchambers, my love nest. Fine. I can do worse than just a prison.
How about torture, too?
I don't even need to do much. The crowd lusts for blood already. Just a simple idea whispered into the right ear.
And the village's best men come to torture her to death, in secret.
There you go, Xena. This is what you choose. When you could have chosen me.
And so. They beat her up.
I know her. She is one of mine. I know what's inside her head.
Sure, she's stubborn. But that's not the only thing she is.
The first thing she is. Is proud.
How do you like eing beaten to death by scum? Hm? Xena?
Drives you insane with fury, doesn't it?
You resist it. But what you resist. Is your truest self.
The furious monster inside you.
The creature that just wants to spread death and agony.
That's what you really are. That's what you'll ever be.
What you pretend to be right now. Is just pretense. A pretty mask to hide your real self.
You try to reign in your real self. But it's too much for you. You can't restrain this beast.
All you can do. Is die trying. And as your senses die. The pretenses will fall off. The beast in you will roam free.
And when that happens. You will see. You'll recognize it.
You'll see. That real happiness for you. Is in being true to yourself.
Your real self is this. Your real life is this. You can have anything, if you just have this.
And she does. She roams free. The reign is off. She is her truest self.
She's so beautiful. Just like all those years ago. This is why I never forgot her.
This is whom I always wanted.
And now she's mine. I won. She never truly stood a chance.
Because I'm a god. And she's just a mortal. I'm her destiny. She was born just to be with me.
One can never defy their destiny. One can only obey it.
And now she knows it. Now she'll choose to kill them all.
Now she will escape. Now she'll be wanted for one more case.
Now she'll have to flee. Flee like a rapid animal. Flee into my arms. Flee from hardship. Flee into comfort.
And I shall give her everything. On my terms. For as long as I want her.
Because in the end. Her soul in mine. And I decide. How she is to live and die.
And so she roams free. Only knocks people around, so far. But only for now. I'm already gathering people. Soon everybody will enter the prison as she runs wild.
And then there will be a blood bath. She will kill them all.
Just a few moments. And the matter's over. She's mine for good.
And right on cue. The first person enters. Her first victim.
Hey it's the blondie.
...
Fine, whatever. If the fates decided so, let it be the blondie!
Even better if it's the blondie. With this, she will lose her only ally.
Now all she'll have, is me.
And so she smacks the blondie. This is hot, bring me popcorn.
And just when the good stuff is about to start... she stops.
Aw she stops at the best part. But fine.
This is good enough.
Because even with this much. She has seen the truth.
She has been shown her real self.
If she was averting her gaze before. Now she can't.
Now she knows there's no defying destiny.
Now she knows where her real path lies.
Now she knows, that her only path, is towards me.
She sits there, contemplating. I know her thoughts. She thinks of me. Of the fun and glory she can have with me.
Because. What are her options. A miserable death on one hand. And a lifetime of glory on another.
This is not a choice.
If she only knew this before now. Now she's been shown.
Her destiny's decided. She is mine.
And as I watch her next actions. She doesn't run.
She's smart. She knows she can't escape from me. She has already tried. I would just have the peasant capture her again.
Instead of running, she stays there and... helps the peasants.
But I thought I had finally figured her out. Again she mystifies me.
I think I understand her now. She has a fetish for smelly peasants. That's the secret of Xena!
If so, then I can use that. I can provide her with anything she wants. If she's mine.
The blondie comes back. Guess she likes being beaten.
Xena sends her away. So they have a master/servant relationship. I'll use this in the future.
And then. She. Calls. For. Me.
Finally. I've waited two days for this. I've waited my whole life for this.
I'm actually a little disappointed. I thought she would resist me more. I wanted more surprises. But oh well. She is only a mortal, after all. What can I expect?
Immediately I bring her to our love nest. Heal her battered body. Make her young, make her healthy, make her strong. Give her every comfort.
Now she knows that I hold all the cards. That her life is in my hands.
That in the deepest sense. Her soul's mine.
She knows it all. She knows she is my slave.
And she is to do as I command. Because her destiny is mine.
And as I'm about to make her mine... she resists.
...
There really is nobody more stubborn than her. She knows all this, and still plays hard to get.
She still wants to play games with me.
Fine. Makes this more interesting. I like playing games with her. She just keeps surprising me.
It's fun to play games with mortals. Because I know I will always win.
She wants more out of this. Fine. I'll promise her whatever.
Because in the end. She's only a mortal. She may play at having big dreams. But when faced with reality. Her wants can only be small.
She'll play at building a new world. But in the end. All she'll do, is just lead enother army. Wage another war. And then get lost in it.
Because right now. She is something small.
She used to be big. She used to be someone who could conquer the world.
But that Xena's gone by now.
This new Xena. Being a small game warlord is her top.
As soon as she reaches that, she won't want more. She's small.
So it doesn't matter what I promise her. A small being like her, will only have small desires. She probably can't even remember how big she used to be.
But I'll work on her. I'll try and make her big again.
Because that Xena whom I've seen all those years ago. She was a sight that I cannot forget. The most incredible mortal that has ever lived.
It's in the name of that past Xena that I deal with this one. Her pale shadow. Her empty shell.
Out of the hope. That she may grow again.
That's all I want from her.
And then. If she can grow. Then maybe.
She could become that old Xena again.
She could become someone great again.
That old Xena was so impressive. She made me feel things that no god has ever felt.
I'll do anything to bring that Xena back.
Right now she's small. Her wants should be small. But she actually asks to bring the dead back.
...
That's... actually difficult. That would be Hades' domain.
...
Oh well. He does owe me three ressurections. He lost that to me in a game of dice.
But then he caught me cheating, and now he won't play with me anymore. But a debt's a debt!
I just hope she won't ask for four or more.
Maybe I'll tell her I can only do one or two, and keep the rest a secret.
Almost as if she feels I'm plotting something. She shoos me away. Aw no deal consumnation tonight? Guess we'll have her whole life for this. So cute, she's playing hard to get. Wants to keep me interested. I know all these tricks! I can see right through her.
We wait until her execution in the morning. I can't wait. I can't wait until she's mine. I've waited years for this! Finally I'll get what's mine by right!
She's pronounced guilty. She's mine! She smiles at me so happy. She knows the lifetime of glory awaits for her, under my command. Finally, she knows what's best for her!
And then she... cheats me!
!
Me! The god of war! This audacious thing! She dares challenge the god of war!
Why I should eradicate her for this! Destroy her, and this whole village! Nobody mocks the gods like this!
...
I just don't understand her. Maybe if I undertsand her, then I can conquer her, yet?
She could have had it all. But she chooses smallness. I incite a crowd to lynch her. She chooses to be lynched. I offer her the world. She chooses execution. I show her her truest self. And she... chooses to cheat on me.
I don't understand. I don't understand her at all. What is her motivation?
She must be insane. That's gotta be it. I've spent all this time, obsessing over a madwoman. I'm pathetic, aren't I.
My biggest shame. I will erase it!
And as I am about to. I look at her. And I realize.
She's smiling. She's... laughing me to the face.
Wait.
She's actually mocking gods? She's smiling at me. Not because she wants me. But because... she feels *superior* to me!
She is the same... as she was, all those years ago! When I looked at her, and knew! That there's nothing I can do for her! No lure for me to draw her with! No hole in her armor for me to seep through!
A woman so great and exceptional, that she needs no gods! That she is her own creator!
The woman godlier than gods! The woman so great, I didn't dare to approach, because I felt small next to her!
The woman I thought gone... but she's standing there right now! Laughing me to the face!
She's back! No! That great woman... never left! She just hid herself! And I didn't notice!
I just keep missing her! She keeps escaping me, and I keep chasing her!
I missed her once when she left for foreign lands! I missed her twice when she lost her edge!
And now... I missed her a third time! Because I didn't notice... that she has cheated me! She has surprassed me!
She's had me for a fool this whole time, and I never noticed! She really is a neverending stream of wonders! The source of infinite entertainment!
I... want... her... so... much! ! !
Oh how much I wish she was a goddess! She really is fit to be my queen! She really was born just so she could be with me!
Except she's just denied me. I waited for her all these years. And she denied me!
And yet... what I feel right now... is the happiest I've ever felt in life! The happiest moment of my life is now!
Because just now. I have learned. That the woman who has caprured my mind all those years ago, was no illusion! She's here! Laughing me to the face!
And now I know! That she could be mine! That I want her mine! That I'll make her mine!
Because she's a mortal! And I'm a god! I can do anything! And she cannot resist me!
I may have lost right now. I've lost a battle, but I haven't lost the war!
I'm a god, and I'm immortal! And she is the greatest warrior that has ever lived! She will have many decades ahead of her!
And that means... I have decades yet, to make her mine! Decades of her mortal life... spent playing games like this with me! Playing hard to get! Playing the game of stubborn! Doing our best to oursmart each other!
I foresee... an entire mortal lifetime of amazement from her!
I anticipate this so very much!
The happiest day of my life is now. Because today, I learned. That the most amazing woman in the universe, exists! And I swear on Zeus, she'll be mine!
Just you wait, Xena! On our next encounter, it'll be me who'll surprise you!
And I fulfill my promise and go away. To my bedchamber without her. Our future love nest.
It may be without her. But I know soon she'll get here. I just have to work and wait.
I am a god, and my life is boring. Gods don't change, and every day is just like the other.
But now. I think that something's changed. Now my life obtained a meaning. Now I have a goal! Now I can anticipate things.
Is this how mortals feel? They sure have it good!
And now I have that, too.
Or so I thought. But the empty bedchamber without her, is depressing.
I know. I should find some blue-eyed brunette just like her. Just so I coud pass the time as I wait and plot.
I wonder if there's anyone just like her. I wish the whole humanity, was just like her.
Or at least, it would be great if she had a lookalike.