| Part 32 When Joxer appeared in the circle, that hadn�t yet broken, Asclepius and Apollo immediately ran forward to tend him. � Gods, Joxie!� gasped Aphrodite. The rest stared in silence, even Fear and Terror were horrified by the extent of the damage inflicted by their grandfather. � Mother, can we use your room again?� Apollo asked. Hera nodded and Apollo, Asclepius and Joxer disappeared. � Where�s Ares?� whispered Eris. Hera went pale, � He�s waiting for Zeus. One of them will die.� Her head dropped to her chest and sighed shakily. There was nothing they could do, but wait. ------------------------------------------------------------------- � Ready for some more fun, Joxer?� Zeus chuckled as he appeared in the room. He sucked in a breath of surprise and pain as he was stabbed through the heart. � Ares,� he gasped. � Father,� Ares smiled viciously and snapped the manacles onto Zeus� wrists before he could recover. � H-how?� Zeus stuttered in astonishment. Ares stared at him, � Never having known true love, I suppose you wouldn�t have realised that after losing Joxer once, there was nothing I wouldn�t do to find him again,� he laughed harshly. � Even owe favours to Apollo!� Zeus struggled hard against the chains. Ares laughed, � If you didn�t have such a fondness for Hephaestian metal, you wouldn�t be in this mess.� � What are you going to do?� Zeus screamed angrily. Ares raised an eyebrow, � Now Father, do you really have to ask?� He walked up to Zeus and leaned forward, � Just be glad the Hind�s blood dagger has disappeared. But then again, death would be too easy for you.� � Let me go!� Ares snorted, � Are you trying to be funny?� He pulled the dagger from Zeus� chest with a jerk. He smirked at his father, then shoved it back into his stomach. Smiling with relish at Zeus� screams, he twisted the blade slowly. He wandered casually back to the table and perused its contents, as if he were shopping for a gift. Then he grinned and picked up a thin hollow tube, the end of which was razor sharp. He walked back over to his father, twirling it in his hands. � Much as I would love to stay and play longer, I have to be getting back to my consort.� In a lightning fast move, he pierced his father�s chest with the tube, pushing it in until it penetrated his heart. Then he stepped back and watched the blood jet out of the open end, with every pump of Zeus� heart. � See ya,� Ares made to leave. � Wait,� Zeus gasped, � You can�t leave me here like this.� Ares frowned, � Why not? It�s not like you�ll die.� A small smile played over his lips. � You�ll just hurt forever.� � Someone will find me and free me. I do have loyal family.� Ares burst out laughing, � Sure you do.� Zeus looked confused. Ares stared at him. � You really don�t know, do you? Your ego won�t let you admit that you�ve alienated everyone who loved you. Father, *I* loved you. I never understood why you turned on me, but I guess you just couldn�t get past the prophecy,� Ares looked away sadly. � Power always was the one thing that meant anything to you.� Without waiting for a response, Ares transported himself back to his mother�s temple. He ignored the nausea and looked around wildly. Hera was the only one there. � Where�s Joxer,� he asked frantically. � It�s okay, son,� Hera grasped his shoulder and pulled him into a hug. � Let Apollo and Asclepius look after him.� Ares nodded, his body shuddered against her and she rubbed his back soothingly. � What happened?� she asked eventually. � He�s not dead if that�s what you�re worried about,� Ares muttered. Hera pulled back, � I�m just glad you�re not!� she whispered. Ares smiled at her and hugged her again. � You left him there?� Ares nodded, � Chained up so he can�t escape.� � Okay, but, what if he does?� � If he does and he comes after me, or anyone I love, I�ll kill him,� Ares growled. � Where are the others?� � I forced them to go home, there was nothing they could do.� Ares nodded. Then he sighed � I need to see him, Mother.� � I know, I�m sure it won�t be too much longer.� Hera sat him down and held his hand. After what seemed to Ares to be an eternity, Apollo finally appeared. Ares leapt to his feet, � How is he?� � He�ll be fine, he�s sleeping now, but you can see him if you want,� Apollo replied. Ares nodded and walked to his mother�s bedroom. Quietly he opened the door and slipped inside. He leant against the door for the moment, breathing deeply, then he moved slowly over to the bed. Joxer was lying face down, asleep, his back and legs had been bound and a single sheet covered him. Ares sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to stroke his cheek. He sat and stared at Joxer for a long time, before getting up and walking to the other side of the bed to lie next to him. He propped himself up on one elbow and continued to stare at his lover, gently caressing his hair. � Never losing you,� he whispered, � Never.� |