The dim recesses of Hades' office were lit up by a shimmering light as Persephone and Aphrodite appeared, much to the surprise of the god of the Other Side. Hades' surprise showed on his face and he went to greet his wife warmly, but was cut off before he had the chance.

"We've got to talk, Hades," she said, her soft voice lined with steel.

His greeting died on his lips and suddenly he was aware of Aphrodite's presence as well. "What are you doing here?" he asked his niece.

Aphrodite smiled sweetly for effect, but was soon serious. "It's about Hercola."

"Herc . . . What about him now?" Hades asked in aggravation.

Persephone forced him to meet her gaze. "He's not supposed to be here, Hades."

"Look, I know he's popular." The god threw up his hands, "There's nothing I can do."

"You're wrong, Unc," Aphrodite corrected him. At Hades' lost look, she continued. "Are you missing any paperwork on the big dude?"

Hades sighed, "Paperwork?" He paused, thinking back to when his nephew arrived. "As a matter of fact, yes. When he first arrived, I thought he was still alive." Hades laughed sourly, "Thought I was off my game."

"There's your problem," Persephone reasoned. "This wasn't meant to happen."

"What are you talking about, Sweetheart? Have you been talking to Iolaus?"

Persephone sighed, "Yes I have, but that's not the point. This isn't right. Hercules shouldn't be here, and Iolaus shouldn't be forced to suffer like this because of it."

"So what are you saying happened?" Hades asked the two women.

"Ares happened, bud," Aphrodite interjected.

Hades attention shot to his half-sister. "Ares?"

The goddess of love nodded. "You got it. Big brother just may have been caught in the act. You need to talk to Zeus, Unc."

"Zeus, why is it always Zeus?" Hades muttered under his breath. Looking at his determined wife, he relented. "All right. I'll talk to Zeus, but who will watch over things here?"

"We can do it," Aphrodite offered.

Hades looked at his niece, fighting the urge to laugh. "You?"

'Dite laughed. "For Curly and my fave big bro? Ah, why not."

"Go, Hades. Everything will be fine here while you're gone," Persephone consoled.

With a nod of his head, the dark-clad god disappeared in a black flush of smoke. "Now what do we do?" Aphrodite asked.

"We wait."

It wasn't long before Hades returned and stalked over to his desk. "Bring the blondie here," he stated simply.

"What happened?" Persephone asked.

Hades sighed, "I'll explain when the mortal and Hercules are both here. Aphrodite?"

'Dite grinned, "On my way." With a flash the goddess was gone.

"Iolaus?" Aphrodite called out, prior to letting herself be seen.

The hunter, nerves already worn, jumped and scanned the area. Not seeing anyone in the forest around him, he continued walking. However his hunter's instincts prickled to life and he spun around in time to see Aphrodite shimmer into existence.

"Hey ya, Curly."

Iolaus closed his eyes tightly. Hercules' little sister was the last one with which he wanted to get into a discussion. "Aphrodite," he replied steadily.

The goddess of love walked over to Iolaus. "You have to come with me," she said cryptically.

He looked at Aphrodite closely, wondering if she had finally flipped. "Sorry, 'Dite. I am not going to get burned by Hephaestus."

Walking up to the babbling warrior, Aphrodite placed a finger over his lips. "It's not what you're thinking, bud. It's about Hercules."

"Hercules?" Iolaus' attention was immediately caught. "What about him? He's dead."

"But maybe not for good." With that, Aphrodite disappeared.

"Aphrodite! I hate it when you do that!" Iolaus yelled, his hands on his hips.

'Dite laughed, "Get a grip, Sweetcheeks! You're coming too." Before the echo of her words faded from the woods, Iolaus disappeared as well.

"Where are we . . ." Iolaus' question was cut off when he realized that he was standing in Hades' office. ". . . going?" he added under his breath. "Uh, Hades. Hi."

Persephone smiled softly, "Hello, Iolaus."

Before Iolaus could ask, Hades offered, "I guess you're wondering why you're here?" Iolaus nodded, and the god continued. "It would seem that my nephew, Ares, not Hercules," he clarified in response to Iolaus' confused look, "made an error."

"Hades, you send me to the fields and then you call me back. Make up your . . ." Hercules complaint ended abruptly when he saw Iolaus. "Iolaus?" he asked, his voice a whisper.

The hunter, however, had paled at seeing his friend again. "Herc. You're . . ."

"Now that we're all here," Hades interrupted. "We can get to work."

Hercules walked to stand next to Iolaus, grasping his hand in a familiar warrior's grip. "It's good to see you, my friend." Looking at Hades, the demigod pressed, "Why is Iolaus here, Hades? What have you done?"

Hades held up his hands. "It wasn't me. The mortal is here because of those two," Hades pointed at Persephone and Aphrodite.

"I don't follow," Hercules said.

Iolaus scoffed, "You're telling me."

Hercules turned to look at his friend, "But you're not dead?" he asked hesitantly.

"No, I've done that before," Iolaus observed. "This doesn't feel the same."

"Guys? Pay attention would ya?" Hades asked. "Now, Iolaus. As to why you're here."

Iolaus rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I was kinda wonderin'."

"You're here because of Ares, as I mentioned before Hercules arrived." Hades paused, glancing across the faces of his audience. "It would appear, nephew, that Ares' actions in your fight have cause some, how should I put this, discussion on Olympus."

"Why?" Hercules asked.

Hades sighed, "You've been granted a rare opportunity, nephew. Because of Ares' interference resulting in your death, you have one chance to return to the world above."

"Why now? Why this time?" Hercules questioned.

"Call it a father wanting to reign in his son. Or you could call it a favor between gods. Either way you have one chance to live again, Hercules." Hades paused, and turned to face Iolaus. "And whether or not he is able to return is up to you, mortal."

"Me? How is it up to me?" Iolaus asked, disbelief flaring in his blue eyes.

Hades went around his desk and picked up a single scroll that he had brought with him from his talk with Zeus. "If you are successful in this challenge," he handed the paper to Iolaus, "you win Hercules his life back."

"No." Hercules stated strongly. "I won't let you."

Iolaus sighed, "I haven't even read it yet, Herc. What? Don't think I can do it?"

"I have no doubt that you could do anything, Iolaus." Turning to his uncle, Hercules asked, "Why does Iolaus have to face some ridiculous challenge, anyway?"

Hades sighed, "The extent to which Ares broke the rules is still uncertain. To that end, a compromise was necessary. This challenge," Hades said, indicating the scroll in Iolaus' hand, "was the result."

Sparing a glance at their audience, Hercules grasped Iolaus' elbow. "Let's talk about this outside."

"I'll take that," Hades said, making a grab for the scroll. "You have to decide before you read the challenge," he explained.

When the two men disappeared through the doorway, Hades said, "We could listen in, you know."

"Hades, don't you dare," Persephone responded. Hades turned an eye to Aphrodite, who in turn just giggled at the couple's dispute.

Outside, Hercules and Iolaus found a little-used hallway for their discussion. "Why don't you want me do this, Herc? I want to."

"Because," Hercules replied, "I know how these challenges work. The odds will be stacked against you from the beginning."

Iolaus grinned, "How is that any different from any other time?"

Still serious, Hercules rubbed a hand over his face. "I'm already dead, Iolaus. I don't want you risking the life you have left for me."

"I don't plan on dying, Herc."

"Neither did I, Iolaus. Don't you understand? If you do this, Ares will know. He'll throw everything he can against you. I saw you handle those slavers, Iolaus. You did great without me."

Iolaus sighed, "It wasn't the same." He turned, walking back toward Hades' office. "I've made my decision, Herc. I'm going to take Hades' challenge."

"Iolaus . . ."

Over his shoulder, the hunter added, "This isn't just about you, Herc. It's about me, too."

"It's not your fault I died, my friend," Hercules added softly.

Iolaus stopped and turned to face his friend. "Everyone keeps telling me that, and maybe it's true, but even so. If I do this, I can help you to live again." Iolaus paused, an idea suddenly occurring to him. "Unless you don't want to, I know you must love being with your family again."

"I do love being with my family, Iolaus," Hercules admitted. Seeing the fallen look in his friend's expressive eyes, he continued, placing a hand on Iolaus' shoulder. "But I miss you just as much, my friend. I hate knowing you're in pain."

"Herc . . ."

Iolaus sought to change the conversation, but Hercules cut him off. "I met your mother on the way here."

The hunter's eyes shot up to the taller man's face. "Mother? Is she okay?"

Hercules nodded, "She's fine. She and Mother have taken to spending time together. She was concerned about you being left alone when she found out who I was."

"But she's really okay?" Iolaus asked again.

The demigod smiled at Iolaus' concern. "Yes. She even met Anya and the baby."

Iolaus closed his eyes and nodded his head sadly. "Thanks, Herc." Before Hercules could respond, Iolaus walked the rest of the way to Hades' office. Staring down the god of the Other Side wasn't something many mortals were able to do and survive, and Iolaus wanted to make the most of it. "I'll do it," he stated simply.

Hades smiled, noting his nephew's continued displeasure. "Then here you go. Read over it and then Aphrodite will take you where you need to go."

Iolaus nodded and took the scroll from Hades' hand. "Now or never, I guess." Unrolling the scroll, he sat on a bench and began to read the instructions.

Hercules glanced over at his sister. "Aphrodite, what do you have to do with this?"

The goddess shrugged. "I'm just here to help out you and Curly, bro."

"Uh huh. Why do I have a bad feeling wherever you're concerned?" Hercules asked.

Iolaus interrupted them. "I'm ready. Let's get this show on the road."

"Cool beans, Sweetcheeks. Let's jet!" Aphrodite said. With one last glance between the hunter and the friend he was trying to save, they disappeared in a trickle of glitter.

"Here ya go, Curly," Aphrodite said. "When you want to go back, just come here and yell. 'Kay?"

Iolaus nodded. "Got it. Wish me luck."

"I'll do ya one better," Aphrodite leaned forward and gave Iolaus a kiss on the cheek. "Now go kick butt, Curly." In an instant, the goddess was gone and Iolaus was alone.

Looking around, Iolaus rubbed his hands together. "Okay, Iolaus. Lets get this over with," he muttered under his breath.

He approached the hidden temple carefully, his eyes alert for anything out of place. The dark stone of the building blended into the surrounding foliage, and gave it an almost alive appearance. Following the stone-lined path that led to the door, Iolaus was about to enter the temple when a voice called out.

"Halt. Declare yourself."

Iolaus cleared his throat. "I am Iolaus of Thebes."

"What is it you wish to do here, Iolaus of Thebes?" the ethereal voice asked.

"I am here to recover the Chalice of Knowledge," the hunter announced, his voice strong. "The chalice was stolen from Zeus by Ares."

The building began to rumble on its foundation, and the door slid open. "Before you will lay four challenges. One of strength and three of reflection. Are you prepared to meet them?"

"Yes," Iolaus said, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "I am."

"Then proceed, warrior." Iolaus stepped through the doorway and removed a torch from the wall. "First," the voice echoed, "the test of strength." With that, the entrance rumbled shut behind him.

Iolaus turned and began to make his way down the first corridor carefully. His senses on the alert, he ran a mental check on what little information the scroll had provided. The hunter had known to expect four challenges once inside the temple. However, he had been surprised by the revelation that three would be of reflection.

He was still wondering what that might mean when the voice again rang out from the walls, interrupting his train of thought. "Past this door, you will meet the reason you are here," it said cryptically. "This temple was built so that no god could enter, however if they forsake their powers for the time being, they may venture this far inside."

"Yeah, and?" Iolaus asked.

"Beyond this door waits Ares. Here you will face him in his weakest form. For here, he is a mortal such as yourself. Survive this challenge and you may pass on to the next."

The voice faded and a large stone door slowly slid to the left. Holding the torch out in front of him, he walked cautiously into the room beyond.

"You finally arrive," Ares' voice beckoned. "About time, mortal."

Iolaus laughed cooly, "Who are you calling a mortal, Ares? From what I hear, you're no better than I am in here."

"Think what you will, little man." Ares approached the hunter, and they slowly began to circle one another. "You are still no match for the god of war."

"Oh really?" Iolaus asked, dropping the torch in a corner. "Well, we'll just have to see about that, now won't we?"

The two men continued circling each other until Ares finally made a move. Leaping toward the hunter, he landed a punch to Iolaus' mid-section. Taking advantage of his distraction, Ares moved to bring his knee up in Iolaus' face. However, he was too slow as Iolaus rolled from his grasp and brought a fist up to Ares' chin, causing his head to snap back.

Following the punch with a quick kick to the god's chest, Iolaus backed a step away when Ares tried to counter with a left hook. Thrown off balance by Iolaus' dodging the strike, Ares stumbled into another kick from the quick minded hunter.

"Not used to a fair fight, are ya, Ares?" Iolaus taunted. He knew that to heckle Ares was asking for it, but Iolaus figured he wouldn't have another chance to get in a few jabs.

Ares recovered and scowled at his opponent. "You will pay for that, blondie."

Iolaus giggled, "Ooh, I'm so scared," while launching another kick at Ares.

Prepared for his attack, Ares blocked the blow and countered with a quick kick behind Iolaus' knee, driving the hunter to the ground. Ares moved to stand over Iolaus, but he was knocked onto his knees when the smaller man rolled beneath his legs and kicked him in the back with both feet.

Ares flew forward, slamming into a wall face first. Taking the opportunity while the god was disoriented, Iolaus jumped up onto Ares' shoulders. When Ares began to stagger to his complete height, Iolaus drove his elbows into the larger man's neck.

Gasping for air, Ares reached up to pull Iolaus off his shoulders, but not before the hunter was able to land a blow to a pressure point on Ares' temple. Within a second, the god of war dropped to the floor, unconscious but not dead.

With one last glance at Ares, Iolaus retrieved the torch he was carrying and proceeded to the doorway to the next passage. A vibration heralded the opening of the door and Iolaus quickly made his exit.

The further he walked in the interior of the temple, the more cobwebs hung on the interior walls, clinging to his face and torso. He had been walking for over a quarter of an hour when he reached another closed door.

"Passing beyond this door," the voice warned, "means facing the first test of reflection." The door slid open, and as Iolaus walked up to it, the voice added, "Here, you will see through the eyes of a child."

The voice fell silent, leaving Iolaus to wonder what the meaning was behind the words. Stepping through the door he expected to find a dark room, but was surprised to instead walk into the familiar dorm room of Cheiron's academy. Walking inside, he looked down to find himself in the body of a 17-year-old.

A look in a mirror confirmed his suspicion. The now younger Iolaus looked up when the also much younger forms of Hercules and Jason rushed into the room.

"Hey, Iolaus. You're gonna be late for drills!" Jason yelled, hitting him lightly on the arm.

Hercules laughed, "Jason's right, buddy. You better hurry up." He grabbed something from beside his bunk and added, "You need to get dressed already."

Iolaus blinked, not responding to his friend's comments as he might have. Two things kept him silent. At first, it was the shock of seeing his comrades as they had been so long ago. Hercules' comment about getting dressed shook him. It only took an instant for him to remember this day, and why he had still been in bed.

Jumping up, he quickly threw on his usual outfit and headed out to the drill area. The day before he had received a message. His father was coming to see him, and Iolaus could think of nothing good that could possibly come of the visit.

Although Iolaus' ideas of his father had changed somewhat after their meeting in Tartarus, he found himself filled with the emotions of youth. A young man who knew little of the man he called father. Who wanted nothing more than to be loved, and who had been taught nothing more than how to hate.

His tardiness earned him a disapproving look from the headmaster, but his attention was turned from the cadet by the approach of several men on horse back. "Who goes there?" a sentry called out.

"I am General Skourous. I'm here to see my son. Iolaus."

Every pair of eyes in the drill area stopped and turned to look between the large, imposing man and the spry blond youth. Cheiron nodded, "You may use the meeting room. Iolaus, you may lead the way."

With great trepidation Iolaus waited for his father to dismount his horse, and then walked ahead of him into the meeting room. "Did you get my message?" the general asked.

Iolaus nodded, "Yeah. Couldn't figure out why you'd want to come here."

"Don't speak to me that way, young man," Skourous scolded his son. "I'm going on a great campaign," he finally said.

Iolaus shrugged, "So? Why bother telling me?"

"Watch your mouth, boy," he again threatened. "All your time in this so called school has taught you nothing of manners." Iolaus remained silent, his arms crossed over his chest. "I came to have you accompany me in this battle."

"Me?" Iolaus' voice rang with skepticism. "Sure Dad, let's go impress your troops with your runt son."

"Don't speak like that . . ."

"Or what?" Iolaus asked, pacing in the large room. "How is it any different from how you've always spoken to me?" He paused, turning to look at the aging man. "Why are you really here? I want the truth, Father."

Skourous shook his head, "Not for your witty banter, that's for sure. I thought that seeing some action might finally make a man out of the permanent little boy you seem to be."

"My whole life you've shown me nothing but scorn. Now you've changed your tact to pity." He laughed, "For such a great general, you know nothing of raising children."

The general stood, raising his arm back to hit his still young son when they were interrupted. "I wouldn't if I were you," Hercules voice echoed through the doorway.

"Butt out you godling bastard," Iolaus' father tossed over his shoulder. "How I discipline my son is none of your concern."

Iolaus glanced over at his friend, his eyes begging for him to leave well enough alone. "Get out, Herc. I can handle this."

"That settles it," the general said, pulling Iolaus roughly by the arm toward the door. "You're coming with me."

Hercules stood, blocking their path through the door. "Maybe you missed it when you were out fighting your battles, but Iolaus can't leave."

Skourous tried to push past Hercules but stopped when Iolaus added, "He's telling the truth." He lowered his gaze from his father's burning eyes. "If I leave here, I go to prison."

The general let go of Iolaus as if he had been burned. "You never fail to surprise me, Iolaus. It's for the best you're not at home anymore. Your mother must be sick of you by now."

"What would you know of home?" Iolaus asked, angered by his father's callous words. "How often do you go to see Mother?"

Iolaus managed not to flinch when his father pointed a finger close to his face and growled, "Insolent as ever, boy. I'll be back for you later." With that, he turned on his heel and fled the building.

The boy didn't have the heart to chase after his father as he once had. Instead, he stood his ground in the meeting room. Eventually he glanced at his concerned friend. "Go back to practice, Herc."

"Not till I know you're okay," the demigod insisted.

Iolaus forced a flippant smile. "Why wouldn't I be okay?"

"Iolaus . . ."

"Not now, Herc," the smaller youth pressed.

Iolaus sighed in relief when Hercules turned to leave, but flinched when his friend added, "We will talk, Iolaus. Someday, we'll talk."

Suddenly the image dissolved leaving the grown Iolaus standing in a stone room similar to every other in the temple. The faceless voice again spoke.

"But when, Iolaus?"

Glancing around, the hunter asked, "When what?"

"When will you let someone be there for you?" With that question, a door on the far side of the room quaked open. With one last look around the room, Iolaus walked out.

While he pressed on toward the next challenge, Iolaus thought about what he had just been forced to relive. He had always felt his father's disappointment in him, but it never terrified him as when he looked up to see Hercules standing there. The only thought that had been in the young man's mind was what if his best friend saw truth in his father's words.

Yet, the youth hadn't seen truth in Iolaus' father's cruel words. Instead, Iolaus remembered how Hercules reached out to try and comfort him, only to have his hand slapped away. The hunter had never been able to tell Hercules why he couldn't talk to him, but he believed that his friend understood anyway.

As Iolaus approached the next doorway, he cringed at the thought of what memories this one would entail. He wasn't left to wonder for long when the unearthly voice again broke through the silence. "Challenge number three, the second test of reflection."

"Yeah, let's get this one over with, too," he muttered under his breath.

The voice echoed, "In youth, you shied away from an outstretched hand. In adulthood, you felt the sting of the other end." The next door slipped open, and the voice continued. "Proceed now, warrior. However, no arms will be of aid here."

The corridor fell silent and Iolaus walked through the doorway. He was forced to squint against the onslaught of unexpected light that met him. Once his eyes had adjusted, he looked around to find himself on a road outside of Corinth. A quick check revealed him to not be wearing his familiar purple vest, but a lighter blue shirt instead.

A short walk to the top of a hill revealed the slumped figure of his best friend. His head was bowed, kneeling next to the graves of his wife and children. In a flash Iolaus recalled the day that he had confronted Hercules about his grief. It was still days before his decision to rampage though Hera's temples and Iolaus' subsequent capture by the She Demon.

Iolaus shuddered at the memory and continued to walk up to his friend. "Herc," he called softly, wincing slightly when he didn't respond. "Herc?" he asked a fraction louder.

The demigod moved his head slightly. "Leave me alone, Iolaus."

Iolaus shook his head, "I can't do that, Herc. You need to talk. You need to let someone be there for you."

"The one's I want to be here for me," Hercules snapped, "are dead. End of story." Standing stiffly, the demigod walked as fast as his long legs would carry him away from his friend. When he turned, he saw the hurt flash in the shorter man's eyes. "Iolaus . . ."

"When are you going to learn you don't have to take on the world all by yourself, Herc?" Iolaus asked, his voice impassioned.

The larger man shook his head and sighed. "I can't."

Iolaus, remembering what he had just experienced with Hercules at the academy, he continued to argue with the demigod where before he had let him go. "I don't think so. Whatever happened to the guy who wouldn't let me leave it alone when my father came to visit?"

Confusion flickered in Hercules' eyes. "What are you talking about, Iolaus?"

"That time when we were at the academy and my dad showed up. He wanted to drag me off to some battle or another." Iolaus paused until recognition appeared on his friend's features. "I was upset. My dad ran off. I pushed you away when I needed someone, but you wouldn't let it drop."

"Iolaus . . ."

The hunter shook his head. "It might have been three days later, or three years. You finally convinced me to talk about it, at least a little. Now I'm here to repay the favor."

Hercules looked at him with sad eyes, "I'm sorry, Iolaus. I just can't. It's too fresh right now. Maybe . . . Maybe someday, my friend."

"Why won't you let me help you?" Iolaus asked as the scene faded, plunging him into the darkness of the temple.

A door opened, and Iolaus paused, waiting for the voice to speak. He was almost to the door when it finally broke the stillness. "Who needs who, young mortal? Do you gain strength from this friendship, or does he?"

The longer Iolaus was in the temple, the more confused he became. He had been through three of the trials, but he couldn't decide what they had to do with anything related to a test. True, the fight with Ares made sense well enough, but the memories confused him.

The hunter had finally decided it was like the maze wanted to teach him something, only the lesson was hazy. Also, if the challenge was to retrieve the chalice, why he was being forced to face down his own demons was a good question. His conflict with his father, a near breaking point in his friendship with Hercules, it made no sense. Neither seemed to be a test in between him and the chalice.

When he finally approached the door to the final challenge, Iolaus felt a wary feeling in the pit of his stomach. Glancing around nervously, he waited for the voice to announce his next trial. He was only made to wait a short time before the voice rang out once more.

"The final test, brave warrior. Here you will face your greatest fear, and see in your friend its reflection." The door moved open and the voice commanded, "Proceed." Swallowing nervously, the hunter held out a torch, walked through the door and into whatever might lay beyond.

He didn't recognize the forest where he found himself. However, he turned when he heard the voice of his friend call out. "Hello?" it rang through the woods.

"Herc?" he called in response, but was startled when Hercules appeared with a group of men he didn't know and walked right past him. Iolaus turned, following Hercules' path with his gaze. Confused, he started out after his friend, again calling his name. "Herc? Didn't you hear me?"

As the hunter watched, the band of men came upon a small group of warriors. Almost immediately, the two groups began fighting one another. Before Iolaus' eyes, the image of Ares appeared, and he and Hercules quickly got into an argument.

Iolaus stepped forward to hear what was being said and almost missed the man who sought to run Hercules through with his spear. Acting on instinct, Iolaus tried to block the blade, or place himself in its path. He paled when he watched it go through him as if he wasn't even there and embedded itself in the demigod.

"No!" Iolaus cried when his friend collapsed onto the ground. He noticed Ares' hasty retreat from where he was kneeling next to Hercules. "Come on, Herc. Don't do this to me."

In an instant it had become clear to the blond warrior what he was observing, and why Hercules hadn't been able to see him. His breath caught in his throat when hear the larger man's choked cry, "Iolaus?"

"I'm here, buddy," the hunter assured, even though he knew he couldn't hear. "I'll get you back, count on it," he whispered.

A dizzying feeling of vertigo washed over Iolaus. When he was able to look around his surroundings, he realized he had again shifted in time. Instead of the eerily calm forest where his friend had been killed, he was struggling to cross the space between himself and Hercules. He had to warn his friend of the new enforcer.

A kinder twist of fate had spared him the details of his slow death in Hercules' arms as Alcmene and Jason watched. Instead, time focused on the helpless look on his friend's face. "I'll get you back," Hercules muttered through his shock. Neither Alcmene nor Jason heard his promise, but Iolaus did.

"Yeah," Iolaus commented, "you do, don't you." Looking up, he added, "But now it's my turn, buddy."

With a flash, the outdoor scene was again replaced by the damp temple walls. "What now?" Iolaus called out to the empty room. "What's your point?" he asked more quietly. The far wall suddenly erupted in flames, and Iolaus jumped back a step. "Some warning woulda been nice," he mumbled under his breath.

"To succeed in your task, you must face the trial by fire," the voice said obscurely.

Iolaus laughed nervously, "This is a joke, right?"

"The doubts you have of yourself, your friend has never seen. In you he sees the guiding star by which his life has traveled. To safely traverse the flames," the voice explained, "you must see yourself through his eyes."

"In the end," the voice continued after a short silence, "each of you values the other's life more than his own. In this is the mark of true friendship. To save your friend, you must see as he sees. How he sees you, your friendship, and the vital role it has played in both of your lives. You must not allow yourself to doubt your own abilities any more than you might doubt his."

"I don't doubt his abilities," Iolaus said.

"And he has every faith in yours," the voice assured him. "You are no lesser a man than the demigod. Your noble actions and pure heart confirm that. Now jump."

Taking a deep breath, Iolaus leapt into the flames before he had time to think about the sheer stupidity of the act. He let out a short yell when he fell onto the floor on the other side of the flames. "Congratulations, hunter. You have reached the Chalice of Knowledge. However, your quest was not quite as you believed."