"We need to get to Diana," Xena told the others. "Faith's Guardian. Faith says she knows some Magic and may be able to trace the origin of the Magic used to bring us here and transform everyone. Not everyone appears to have been affected though."
"I noticed that too." Autolycus said thoughtfully. "Mostly adults, who instead of trying to help the transformed children, have run away. They must have seen that moment of transformation and know children are affected, but instead of trying to help them, they ran away. Why?"
"Superstition breeds fear." Xena answered. "They may fear they're no longer children permanently and as monsters would likely devour them."
"That makes sense in regards to the behavior of the untransformed." Queen Cordelia nodded. "And I agree that Magic is likely the cause of this. Like Ceridian, though, I question Janus' involvement. Eris or even Ares might delight in this chaos, but he wouldn't. So why would he respond to a request for power for something that could and likely will cause harm to innocents?"
"Xander told me there's a door to a Hell in this city." Autolycus offered.
"Faith mentioned that too." Xena looked thoughtful. "She also told me about the Accords. We've been displaced in time, as well as location. The Accords were enacted by the gods a couple thousand years ago, they're an agreement the gods made with each other to withdraw from personal interaction with humans, to allow humans to develop without interference from the gods. Now the gods can only come in where invited."
"A god of gates, a protector, has been invited into a city with a gate to a Hell?" Queen Cordelia mused. "He could be using the opportunity to try to help in some manner, that would explain why he allowed his power to be used."
"I agree, that likely explains Janus' involvement, but I doubt we're going to get an answer from Janus himself." Ceridian pointed out, his centaur body moving restlessly. "There simply isn't time to attempt to question him once we locate the source of tonight's madness. We need an end to this chaos, quickly. The more time that passes, the more likely people are to be hurt. Especially children, I have dedicated my life to children, I will not stand by and allow them to be harmed. We must end this quickly. Where do we find this Diana?"
"Xander says we also need to find his foster father, Mason." Autolycus said. "Mason leads a team of humans that hunt bacchae, which are drawn to the energy released by this Hellmouth. Mason and his team were patrolling to try to ensure none of them took advantage of the children celebrating the holiday."
"It would be just like them." Queen Cordelia growled. "And this chaos would make it even more tempting for them. I saw you all attempting to get the small beings out of harm's way and into the homes, behind the thresholds Janus guards, but there are likely many more children affected than just the ones in this small area. I volunteer to travel with Autolycus and find Xander's foster father. Xena, you could ride on Ceridian's back and he could get you to Diana more quickly. Which would enable her to begin tracing the Magic. Autolycus and I can help this Mason and his people keep order. Sound good?"
"Sound's good." Xena agreed. "If Ceridian has no issues with carrying a passenger."
"I don't, but have you consulted your host? I understand she carries a child, she may fear her child's in danger from a fall from my back."
"I know Xander is." Autolycus waved his hand. "The child is his as well. But he also knows his brother is currently sharing headspace, as he puts it, with you, Ceridian and knows that neither Faith nor his brother, will allow harm to the baby. So if Faith feels she can handle it and Jesse keeps watch for trouble, he will not object."
"I thought Xander and the girl I've become a part of were involved?" Queen Cordelia questioned.
"They are." Xena answered. "Faith says the baby was conceived when both she and Xander were possessed by animal spirits. Diana succeeded in excising both spirits, but there were consequences to the possession. Xander intends to be a father to his child, regardless of the circumstances of conception and Cordelia and Faith have become friends. All four of these young people are determined to protect this child."
"Admirable," Ceridian murmured. "that young ones, still closer to childhood then adulthood, would be so willing to commit to an unexpected child and allow its presence to deepen and not strain their bonds. They have learned their lessons well and I hardily commend how they are applying them. So, Xena, will Faith allow me to take her to her Guardian?"
Xena answered by grasping Ceridian's hand and leveraging up onto his back. "Faith says she's never ridden a horse and being a city girl never thought she would. But she wants this over with quickly and is willing to trust your reputation, Ceridian. But if you don't live up to your reputation, she'll personally kill you. I think she's serious."
"Than I will prove my reputation is deserved. Guide me in the direction I must go to find this Diana." And they were off as Autolycus turned to Queen Cordelia.
"Xander thinks he knows where Mason's patrol route would have put him when this madness started. We should start looking for him there."
"Agreed." Queen Cordelia fell into step beside Autolycus as they raced to find Mason and his team, hopefully before anyone died because of this madness.
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A/N Eris is the Greek goddess of discord and chaos. Ares of course, is the god war, primarily brutal warfare. Not the fun loving and devious Ares depicted on the show unfortunately. 😄