Chapter 12: Breakdown
Gabrielle was riding with Telemachus behind the king's carriage. She could feel the tension in the air. She noticed the uncomfortable glances exchanged between Xena and Ares, and her mind raced to understand why Ares was there in the first place. As they neared the palace, Gabrielle's curiosity grew, but she kept her thoughts to herself.
Upon arriving at the palace, Ulysses dismounted and ascended a lower balcony where he could address the gathered crowd. Xena sat behind him. The air was filled with excitement and anticipation as the people of Ithaca awaited their king's words. Ulysses raised his hands to quiet the crowd and began his speech:
"People of Ithaca, today marks a day of great joy and reunion. I have returned to you after many trials, and it is your support that has given me strength through it all. Our kingdom has endured much, but together, we have emerged stronger. I stand before you not just as your king, but as a man deeply grateful for the love and loyalty you have shown. Together, we will continue to build a future for the better of the Kingdom. To Ithaca!"
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, their faces glowing with pride and happiness. Ulysses turned to Xena, his eyes filled with love and determination. He reached out his hand to her and gently pulled her to her feet. As she stood, he dropped to one knee. His heart was pounding as Xena's heart raced.
"Xena, you have been my captain, my strength, and my love. In you, I have found not just a partner, but a soulmate. You have brought joy and purpose to my life in ways I never thought possible. Without you, I would not be standing here today. Will you do me the honor of becoming my queen?"
The crowd fell silent, every eye on Xena as she looked down at Ulysses. For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Xena looked around the crowd. She saw shock, loving smiles, and some even looked annoyed. She found Gabrielle smiling brightly and gave her a small nod. Xena then turned back to Ulysses and, smiling brightly, she said,
"Yes." The crowd erupted into cheers once more, the sound echoing through the palace grounds. Ulysses rose and slipped the ring onto Xena's finger before pulling her into a tight embrace. As they held each other, Xena's felt an uncomfortable presence.
She scanned the shadows, and her eyes landed on Ares. He stood in the dark, his face twisted with rage. For a brief moment, their eyes locked, and she saw something else in his gaze—hurt? No, he didn't know what hurt felt like. Then, suddenly, he disappeared.
The joy in the air was full as the people of Ithaca celebrated the promise of a brighter future with their king and his newfound queen. Gabrielle watched from her seat beside Telemachus, her heart swelling with happiness for her friend. Despite the tension with Ares, she felt a sense of peace knowing that Xena had found love and a new beginning with Ulysses. She noticed Telemachus' proud smile as he witnessed his father's joyous moment.
Ulysses, still holding Xena close, turned back to the crowd. "People of Ithaca, let us celebrate not just my return, but the love and unity that bind us all. Today marks a new chapter for our kingdom. Together, we will face any challenge and seize every opportunity."
While the crowd continued to cheer, Ulysses and Xena made their way back into the palace, hand in hand. Inside, preparations for the grand feast were underway. The halls were filled with the scent of roasted meats and freshly baked bread. Music and laughter echoed through the corridors as everyone gathered to celebrate. Wine was passed around generously.
As Ulysses and Xena entered the grand hall, they were greeted with applause and congratulations. Ulysses kept Xena close, his arm around her waist, guiding her through the crowd of people. Despite the festive atmosphere, Xena couldn't shake the feeling of Ares' expression when she accepted Ulysses' proposal. Gabrielle noticed Xena's unease and quickly joined them.
"Congratulations, you two. This is wonderful news!" she exclaimed, hugging Xena tightly.
"Thank you," Xena replied, her smile genuine but the underlying tension was there. The feast stretched into the evening, filled with dancing, music, and laughter. Ulysses was now more relaxed and content, ensuring he still kept Xena close as he introduced her to everyone he still remembered.
With all the guests still celebrating, Ulysses and Xena stole a quiet moment on a balcony overlooking the kingdom.
"Are you happy?" Ulysses asked, his voice soft as he looked into Xena's eyes.
"More than I ever thought possible," Xena replied, her hand resting on his chest.
"Thank you for making me a part of this." Ulysses kissed her gently.
Ares stood on the edge of a jagged cliff, the wind whipping around him as he stared out at the roaring sea below. His chest heaved with barely contained rage, and the sky above seemed to darken in response to his fury. Clenching his fists, he raised his voice in a thunderous roar that echoed across the waves.
"Poseidon! Show yourself!"
The sea churned violently, and moments later, the god of the sea emerged from the depths, his form towering and majestic. Water cascaded off his trident as he addressed Ares.
"Nephew," Poseidon rumbled, "what is your problem?" Ares' eyes blazed as he pointed an accusing finger at Poseidon.
"This is all your fault!" he shouted, hurling a fireball at the sea god. Poseidon raised his trident, effortlessly extinguishing the fireball in a burst of steam.
"Elaborate," he said, his voice calm but commanding. Ares paced back and forth on the edge of the cliff, his anger barely in check.
"Ulysses is going to marry Xena," he spat. "And it's all because of you, letting her set sail with him in the first place!" Poseidon's brow furrowed in confusion.
"Ares, I did not force her to stay with Ulysses. Xena made her own choices." Ares clenched his fists.
"If you hadn't meddled, if you hadn't allowed her to sail with him, she wouldn't be in this situation! She wouldn't be...falling for him." Poseidon sighed, a deep, rumbling sound that seemed to rumble with the very earth beneath them.
"Ares, you cannot control the hearts of mortals..." Ares disappeared before he could finish. Ares materialized back into the Halls of War. His eyes were dark with fury. His priestesses, who had been tending to the place, froze as they felt the oppressive weight of his anger.
"Everyone out!" Ares commanded. His voice echoed throughout the hall, causing the walls to tremble. The priestesses scurried away, their footsteps echoing in the suddenly silent space. They knew better than to question him, especially when he was in such a state. Two seconds later, the silence shattered as Ares unleashed his wrath.
He hurled a marble column across the hall, where it smashed into thousands of pieces. Statues of warriors and ancient relics fell under his relentless assault, reduced to rubble. His rage was a storm, destroying everything in its path. The air was thick with dust and the scent of destruction, while the women who had served him trembled just outside the hall, praying they wouldn't be caught in the crossfire. In the midst of this chaos, a soft pink light began to glow, and Aphrodite appeared. She surveyed the scene with her hands on her hips.
"Whoa, bro, this is totally not going to fix anything," she said, her voice cutting through the den of destruction. Ares stopped mid-swing, his hand still gripping a massive stone fragment. He turned to her with a frown on his face.
"Stay out of this, Aphrodite. You have no idea what I'm dealing with." Aphrodite raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "
Oh, I think I do. You're all twisted up because Xena's marrying Ulysses, right?" Ares' jaw tightened and he threw the stone down with a deafening crash.
"It's all because of that damn Poseidon, and his interference! If he hadn't let her sail with Ulysses—" Aphrodite interrupted him, shaking her head.
"Please. Xena makes her own choices. You can't blame Poseidon or anyone else for this. Besides, wrecking your own place isn't going to change her mind." Ares glared at her.
"What do you suggest I do then, huh? Just stand by and watch?" Aphrodite sighed, stepping closer to her brother.
"Listen, Ares. Love and war aren't so different. They both involve strategy, patience, and sometimes, accepting defeat. But this? This destruction? It's not going to help you win her heart." Ares held his hand up towards her,
"Love? I am not in love!" he snapped, his voice echoing through the ruined hall. "I don't even know what love is." Aphrodite smiled at him, seeing through his denial.
"Sure, Ares. Whatever you say." She paused, then asked gently, "If you're not in love, then what's the problem?" Ares glared at her, frustrated with all her questions.
"The problem is that Xena is wasting herself on Ulysses. She deserves better." Aphrodite raised an eyebrow.
"Better? Like who? You?" Ares scoffed.
"I didn't say that." Aphrodite laughed softly, shaking her head.
"Oh, Ares. You can't even admit it to yourself. But your actions speak louder than words. This rage, this jealousy—it's not about Ulysses. It's about her." Ares clenched his fists, struggling to maintain his composure.
"She's supposed to be a warrior, not some queen tied down to a mortal." Aphrodite's expression softened.
"Maybe she wants both. Have you ever thought about what she wants, instead of what you want for her?" Ares looked away, his mind racing. He had always seen Xena as someone who thrived in the heat of battle. But was it possible that she wanted more than just a life of fighting?
"She will always be my...warrior princess. She was meant for greatness. Not being somebody's wife and mommy." Aphrodite raised an eyebrow.
"Your warrior? Is that what this is about? You're losing your best fighter?" Ares nodded; his frustration clear.
"Yes! She belongs on the battlefield, commanding respect and fear." Aphrodite sighed, seeing through his facade.
"Ares, you can keep telling yourself that, but we both know there's more to it. You're not just losing a warrior; you're losing someone you care about." Ares scoffed.
"Care about? I care about her potential. Her prowess. She's unparalleled in combat, and she has an innate understanding of strategy. I can't just let that go to waste." Aphrodite shook her head, smiling sadly.
"You're so stubborn, Ares. Always hiding behind your godly duties. You might not be ready to admit it, but your feelings for Xena go beyond her abilities in war." Ares glared at her, refusing to back down.
"I refuse to believe this is anything other than what it is. A god protecting his best asset. Nothing more." Aphrodite's voice softened even further.
"You can't control everything, Ares. Sometimes, the greatest strength comes from letting go." Ares sighed, the fire in his eyes dimming.
"I don't know if I can." Aphrodite placed a gentle hand on his arm.
"You can. And you should. Hiding behind your anger won't get you anywhere." With that, Aphrodite vanished, leaving Ares standing amidst the wreckage of his rage. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm within. Maybe, just maybe, there was a way to reach out to Xena that didn't involve brute force.
Xena sat at her vanity brushing her hair. She was glad to be out of that uncomfortable fancy attire. The guests were still in the palace, celebrating. The hour was late, and she'd had her fill of people for the day. She carelessly let her dress fall onto the floor. She kicked her sandals off and left them wherever they lay. Gabrielle was still enjoying the festivities. That was one person that loved to be around people.
Xena laid down in her bed and sighed, releasing a long breath. She knew Gabrielle would likely be gone for hours so naked was the way to go. She wrapped her plush blankets around her body, offering her a comforting cocoon. She closed her eyes and thumbed over her ring. Her mind raced with thoughts and doubts. She cared deeply for Ulysses but as she stared at the ring, a small voice in the back of her mind questioned whether she had known him long enough to be his queen. Their time together had been intense and passionate, but was it enough to build a future on?
"Am I really ready for this?" she wondered aloud, her voice barely more than a whisper in the stillness of the night. She would be expected to lead, to rule, to stand by Ulysses' side through whatever challenges might come their way. But did she truly know him well enough to commit to such a life? For most of her life, she manipulated her way to hold such power and now, it just fell into her lap.
She thought back to her life before him. She was on a path for redemption and then one twist of fate, she runs into Ulysses, while "stopping to smell the flowers.'' The doubts gnawed at her, and she found herself questioning whether she was making the right decision.
She couldn't shake the feeling that she might not be enough. Her past, filled with violence and redemption, made her question if she was worthy of such a role, of such a man. Did she deserve Ulysses, his love, and the future he envisioned with her? Or was she fooling herself into thinking she could ever leave her past behind and embrace this new life?
As her mind drifted away from her doubts about Ulysses, Xena found herself thinking about the ride through the kingdom, the celebrations, and the eyes that had followed her. Her thoughts settled on Ares, and the subtle, undeniable, eye contact they had made during the carriage ride.
She remembered the way his gaze had felt, intense and penetrating, as if he could see straight through her. Despite the festivities and the crowd cheering them on, she had felt his eyes burning into her, making it difficult to focus on anything else. She had tried to ignore it, to concentrate on the people and the celebration, but the intensity of his stare had kept drawing her attention back to him.
Ares was always there to mess with her head, to confuse her thoughts and throw her off balance. His presence was like a dark cloud hanging over her, making her question her choices and her future. She knew he thrived on chaos and conflict, and his sudden appearance at the homecoming was just another attempt to disrupt her life.
She sighed, feeling a strange mix of emotions as she thought about Ares. He was everything she had fought against, yet there was an undeniable connection between them, a pull that she couldn't fully understand or explain. The memory of his gaze, the unspoken tension between them, lingered in her mind, making it difficult to fully embrace the future she had agreed to with Ulysses.
Ares sat in the wreckage of the Halls of War. Destruction laid around him. His priestesses had fled at his command, leaving him alone to contemplate his next move. The silence was heavy, punctuated only by the occasional creak of settling debris.
He clenched his fists, feeling his power coursing through his veins. His sister had dared to lecture him about love and strategy. Love. She only saw the world through the lens of romance, unable to grasp the true complexities of life. Ares scoffed at the notion. Love was a weakness, a distraction. He couldn't deny the pull Xena had over him, but it definitely wasn't love. It was a hunger, a need for power. She was meant for greatness, not to be shackled by the life of a wife.
He needed to grab Xena's attention, to remind her of who she really was. She was wasting herself on Ulysses. He was a man who could never understand her true potential. Ares knew she was destined to be the greatest in Greece, to lead armies, and conquer lands. She was his ultimate warrior, forged in the heat of battle.
Aphrodite had been right about one thing: he needed to go to her. He needed to make her see that she was throwing away her destiny. But how? He couldn't simply waltz into Ithaca and demand she leave Ulysses. No, he needed a plan, a way to show her the truth.
He leaned back against his throne, his eyes narrowing in thought. He would remind her of the thrill of battle, the glory of victory, and the honor of being a warrior. He would make her see that her place was by his side, leading armies, and shaping the fate of Greece.
He stood up, brushing the dust off his vest, and walked to the entrance of the Halls of War. He was the God of War, and he would not let anyone, especially Xena, slip through his fingers. She was meant to be a legend, and he would be the one to guide her to that destiny.