The Fall

Mist rose in swirling eddies as the cloaked figure chanted almost inaudibly.

The figure circled the clearing making arcane gestures in the air, leaving behind silver golden trails that faded slowly. The moon bathed the forest clearing in a silver haze. The fire burning in its center crackled. Its embers glowing like a living thing.

The cloak spilled from milk-white shoulders, pooling in a dark mass on the edge of the clearing. Sky-clad she stalked into the center. Long limbs glistened with sweat as she spun in an intricate, sensual dance around the flames. Cloud like filaments curled up her body painting glyphs across the flesh.

"Ego vocare ab obscurus divus! Ego vocare tenenebricosus bestia! Ego vocare caligo! Accipere es virgo sanguis! Capere es corporeus! Accipere es donum pro Alexander! Donare metallum cor. Donare et lumnous!"

Her screams rent the air as a spinning void opened at her feet.

Hecate rolled away from the rutting bull that was her husband, giving herself over to the now familiar despair. Before it could pull her into its familiar embrace, power surged through her ripping apart her shields like smoke. She trembled beneath the onslaught struggling not to drown in power the likes of which she hadn't felt in eons.

It burned like divine wrath a wild rush of darkest magicks. It leaked beyond her control. Stinking of lust, blood...death. Bacchus rolled towards her. Even in sleep the magicks called to his base nature. Riding the surge of virulent power like the King of Gods round her, Hecate's mind sought frantically for answers.

She lay silent as death as claws stroked pale flesh.

Silent even as alien flesh parted her thighs. Silent as virgin blood spilled from her to soak the ground. Silent as things she had no name for thrust into her body. Liquid silver tears fell mixing with the blood. Mouth, ass, cunt plundered...ravaged...forced open...used ruthlessly and yet still all was silence.

The night passed in timeless increments as she was fucked by things she had no words to describe. The only witnesses were as silent as the moon that slid across the sky.

Hecate rushed into the tiny garden on the outskirts of Greece.

"Hera! Hera," she screamed. The goddess slowly strolled into the garden. She eyed her sister warily.

"You stink like one of Zeus' catamites," she snapped.

The witch-goddess ignored her taunts. "Hera, please!" The elder goddess sighed but refrained from further comment. "Something's happened! Magicks unlike any I've ever seen have been wrought this night. What's been done, I know not. We must discover the source before Bacchus! It could save us all."

Hera shock her head sadly. "Our time is past. Victims of our own folly. Let it lie, sister. Let it lie!"

Hecate eyes narrowed in disgust at the self-pity tainting her sister's words. "So you'd fail your son again. Hmm, Hera?"

The ex-queen bristled at the condemnation even as old memories swamped her.

The Age of Gods

"Ares! Ares!" roared Zeus appearing in the War god's temple with a blinding flash of light. Furious with his son he stormed through the empty temple. As his anger simmered he took note of his surroundings.

The place looked like it hadn't been used in months. Zeus frowned if Ares wasn't spending his time here then were was he?

Joxer twisted helplessly in the inhumanly strong grip. Fine-boned hands beat at broad shoulders as he cursed loudly. "Ares, no! Don't you dare!" he spat.

The war god grinned then let go. Joxer shrieked in outrage as the ice cold water closed over his head. He came up sputtering, arms waving wildly as he tried to gain his balance. The warrior shot Ares a glare that would have meant death if he'd been a god. Instead, all it did was make Ares laugh harder. Muttering dire threats, Joxer dragged himself from the stream. When his lover went to wrap his arms around him, he turned his back on him.

Ares laughter died down as he realized Joxer was really upset. "Love," he said trying to get Joxer to face him. The mortal ignored him as he began to wring out his wet clothing. "Beloved, I'm sorry." Joxer kept quite.

Ares stared worriedly at the stiff-necked figure. Panic welled up in the normally stoic god. There were very few who loved him as he was and only Joxer who loved him with his whole being. And despite how much the mortal loved him, he was always afraid something would make him leave. He had to make this right. Whatever it took. "I'm sorry. Please don't be angry, love. Tell me what to do and I'll do it."

Joxer sighed, he hated his lover's insecurity. He snorted softly in derision. He was a fine one to talk. He'd denied his love even as he'd striven to prove himself a warrior. All in the twisted belief that if he didn't admit his love he couldn't be hurt. Talk about obscene levels of insecurity.

It was only with Aphrodite's help that he'd become willing to take the risk. And it'd been worth it. He was Ares' world. Now all he had to do was convince Ares' that he was Joxer's. Through Olympus and Tartarus. Come Hades or High-water. Dealing with the emotional baggage the war god had from his 'god awful' relatives wasn't easy but Joxer didn't think there was anything more worthwhile.

"Ares, I'm pissed. Humans do that, ya know. Sometimes for no rational reason at all," he said with a shrug. "And at times there won't be a damn thing you can do about it but deal. You have to realize that I'm not going to leave you just cause we fought or disagree or whatever."

Joxer moved forward wrapping his arms around his lover unable to resist the forlorn expression on the god's face. "Ahh, luv. I forgive ya," he said melting into the strong arms.

Ares grinned, catching the pouting lips with his mouth.

Zeus appeared with a muted flash inside the Fates cave. "Why didn't you warn me," he hissed. Clothos glanced up from her weaving.

"We told you a long time ago," said the child.

"War's love would cause Olympus to fall," said the woman.

"Making Ares King of the Gods when the fool returns to him," said the crone.

Zeus snarled flashing out of the temple.

Ares moaned as his lover thrust into him. He clutched greedily at the body above him.

"Please, Jox... please," he whimpered as the pleasure rolled through him in waves. He'd never felt so vulnerable, so needy as when his mate took him.

Joxer leaned forward capturing the full lips. The change in motion caused the body beneath him to shudder. Joxer cried out as the tight channel spasmed around his cock. His thrusts lost their rhythm as he came screaming out, "Areeeesss!"

The war god stared transfixed by the sight of his lover. He hissed in pleasure as strong hands grasped his leaking cock.

Joxer caressed his lover as he placed kiss after kiss across the broad chest. Pausing to suckle at a nipple even as his strokes grew faster.

Ares pushed his hips into the mortal's hands, groaning as he climaxed. He opened sleepy eyes to watch as Joxer licked his seed from his fingers. Joxer grinned down at him. "Can't get enough you. Love you."

Ares returned the grin before pulling him closer as they drifted to sleep.

Zeus screamed in rage. Lighting split the sky as torrents rained from the heavens. The other gods stayed far away from the enraged King of Gods. No one knew what was driving him to the edge but all knew they didn't what to catch the fallout.

Hera appeared before her husband smirking. "So you finally know what defeat feels like," she laughed the sound heavy with bitterness.

"Never," roared the Sky god.

"There has to be away to stop this," cried Zeus as he paced. The Fates ignored him. "Tell me," he screamed. "Or I'll simply kill him."

Clothos glanced up.

"Death has no hold on this man," said the child.

"His end will herald the end of the gods," said the crone.

"Xena is the key," said Lachesis.

Zeus growled. "Will you make up your minds! You're saying, living or dead, he'll be the end of the gods. Which is it!"

The three women finally looked away from there work.

"Both and Neither."

Ares stared at the woman. She was magnificent. She'd make a warrior almost worthy of being his champion if it weren't for Joxer. Still she'd be one to watch for.

Hera frowned as Zeus gloated. "As you can see his eyes already been turned by the warrior woman."

Hera shook her head. "I wouldn't be too sure."

Zeus ignored her. Hera shrugged. It didn't really matter anyway. It was only Ares.

Zeus bit back a stream of curses as Ares appeared before the gathered gods with the mortal at his side. "I, Ares God of War seek petition with Zeus, King of Gods."

The others glanced around curiously. What could Ares possibly want enough to force him to come before the pantheon? He never fraternized with them. Preferring to keep aloof. No one considered it might have been their attitudes that kept him away.

"What is it you wish, Ares?" Zeus asked even though already knew what his son wanted. He'd never give it to him. Never!

Hera glanced at her husband. She could feel the energy seething around his aura. Whatever their child wanted, it certainly had the old goat on edge.

"I ask permission to make Joxer of Corinth my consort."

Disbelieving gasps filled the air at his announcement. Whispering filled the hall.

"Petition denied," said Zeus. "Meeting..."

"Why," cried Ares, stepping forward.

Zeus gazed at him, as if he were a simpleton. "War cannot love." Several heads nodded in agreement.

"But..."

Zeus stood, "Are you questioning me?"

Ares spine stiffened. "Yes! You've given this no thought. If I were one of your little bastards..." Lightening crackled around the Sky god.

"Silence."

Ares glared at him mutinously. Zeus could hear muttering. It would not do to have the others believe he was not willing to be 'fair'. He smiled suddenly. Ares backed up.

"Fine. We'll put this to a vote. If even half of the council vote yes, you shall have your consort," he paused, turning to face the assembly. "In fact if just any six gods vote yes, you'll have your consort." He sat back down on his throne. "Shall we begin?"

Ares nodded silent even as dread filled his heart. Zeus was never this calm and logical.

Gaia, please. He prayed silently. Though his heart told him he'd never get those votes.

"We'll start with the easiest part. Who here agrees to Ares marriage?"

Ares waited anxiously as Joxer pressed against his back. Aphrodite stepped forward, throwing a quick grin at her brother. "Yay," she chirped.

Cupid joined his mother. Both turned to Hephestaus who growled, but stood. "Yay."

Only one person from the House of War stepped forward, Strife. "Yay."

He had no friends here. None other than the few who'd already stepped forward. The dread he'd been feeling crystallized. The War god steeled his features knowing that what happened next would be unpleasant.

Zeus waited, giving Ares time to squirm, as no one else stepped forward. "I see there's no need to do an opposing vote," he smirked condescendingly.

Aphrodite turned a sympathetic look to her brother before returning to her seat with the others. Ares waited. He fought a scream, at the hungry look in his father's eyes. When nothing happened he turned to collect his lover and leave.

"Hold it, son. We're not quite finished," the words were sneered. "Did you forget there always consequences to your actions."

Ares stilled, giving one last feverent pray to his grandmother. His prayers went unanswered.

"You had the audacity to question me in my court. You've gotten ahead of yourself, boy. Now what should I do?" Ares moved to stand protectively in front of Joxer. "Hmm... yes! Killing him would teach you a lesson."

Ares tensed, as Joxer clutched at his vest. "But I'm feeling mercifully. Instead, you're forbidden any further contact with Joxer of Corinth." Before Ares could speak, his son and second lieutenant were beside him. Aphrodite wrapped an arm around Joxer. And the group flashed out.

A low moan broke the nights silence as two lovers hastily came together. Joxer lay his head on the broad chest beside him. "Oh...I've missed this, my love." Ares was silent only carding his fingers through the mink hair. "But...."

Ares sighed. "Miss you. Can't help it. Don't worry. No one knows. Xena..." he shrugged looking away shame-faced.

Joxer reached up to stroke the clenching jaw. He nibbled along his lover's chin. "I know. I know. As long as they think you're obsessed with her..." Joxer slid his finger around the cock that was already hardening again. "Whatever it takes."

Ares groaned then rolled until his lover lay pinned beneath him.

"Ares, step forward." All eyes focused on the solitary figure standing before the King of Gods. "As punishment for your crime, and continued defiance; Joxer of Corinth shall be stripped of all memory of you. If you violate my edict again he'll be sent to Tartarus."

Present

Hera turned tear filled eyes to her sister. "We did nothing. If just *one* of us had stood up for Ares...." She cast her eyes to sky. "We sinned the sin of apathy. We cared not for one of our own and so we were punished."

Hecate looked away in shame as silence filled the garden.

Age of the Gods

Strife flashed into his Uncle's temple. Watching the morose god, he couldn't imagine what he must be feeling. If he and Cupid were ever separated, he didn't think he could handle it.

"Unc," he said hesitantly. The war god grunted at him. "I sent him to Xena, like ya wanted. She and the harpy 'ill look afta him."

Fire raced through the temple. Pink gauze flamed incessantly as the war god raged. The Goddess of Love ducked behind her throne.

Ares screamed, as blood lust raced through him. "How could you!"

Sensing her brother was beyond reasoning, she quickly called for her son and nephew. Ares was chained, before he realized they were no longer alone.

Cupid shot his mother a worried look. "Uh... Moms. I think ya'd better explain and fast."

Aphrodite moved from where she'd been hiding, to stand in front of her brother. "I didn't do it, Ares. It was Zeus! I don't know why he has it in for Joxie, but he's the reason Joxie's obsessed with the blonde twat."

Ares stared deep into her eyes, before slumping into the younger gods' hold. Cupid gasped as his father's heartbreak tore through him. Without a word, Ares disappeared from his sister's temple.

"Mom..." cried Cupid.

The Goddess of Love sighed tears glistening in her eyes. "I know, son. I know."

I don't know how long it took it me. But I did it. Not even the Fates could stop me. Course, that may have been the problem in the first place. Cause, see, I finally figured out why 'Dear Old Dad' wanted Joxer gone. Seemed the Fates had warned him that I'd be the end of Olympus. You'd think the old goat would've figured out by now not to take the Fates so literally. Lachesis told him, "War's love would cause Olympus to fall." He was so sure it meant Joxer literally.

No. It was my love...my love for him...the love I was denied at every turn...that was Olympus' downfall. See, I could stand seeing Joxer on the sly. I could even stand not being with him. But her ...to know he loved her was more than I could take.

It's funny! All of this could have been avoided, if just once, he'd cared about me. None of this would have happened. If just once, he'd loved me more than himself.

Like that was gonna happen. He had to be punished. They all had to be punished. If just one...just one of them...had helped me, I would have stayed my hand.

Ah well!

But even then, I wasn't going to go as far as I did. Until...

He couldn't leave it alone. He couldn't let me have one fucking ounce of affection. It ate at him that not everyone hated me. So what did he do? What did he do that finally pushed me over the edge?!! I'll tell you....

Joxer's soul.

Zeus had consigned it to the void. It was woven into the Fate's loom, in his own blood...that should Joxer die, his soul would not go to Hades realm. Instead it would be lost forever.

I wanted to die. What good was being a god, if I were to live forever without the one I loved? So now your wondering what I did? How I did it?

Well, have a seat. It's a hoot.

What was left of the gods, gathered slowly after the debacle. Panic pervaded the room. They could already feel the foreign gods slipping past cracks in the barriers. Hades realm was in chaos.

The Twilight had come.

Ares watched as they gathered in Zeus' temple, twirling a silver dagger between his fingers. He fought the urge to laugh hysterically. All of them glaring at him. Furious that he'd not only survived the Furies, but had the nerve to return to Olympus.

Some of the smarter ones had figured out that he's somehow responsible for a lot of this. No one approached him, despite his mortal status. There were several stunned gasps, as Strife and Eris appear beside him.

Eris' high-pitched giggles fill the hall. "You look like you've seen a ghost or two."

"How the hell are you two alive?" Apollo stepped forward.

Eris gave him a look. "I wouldn't get too close if I were you."

Apollo sneered at her. "He's only a mortal."

Eris shrugged. "A mortal who was once God of War and is currently in possession of a Hind's blood coated dagger."

Apollo jerked back as Strife snickered. Everyone glanced up as a wave of power arrived on Olympus. Several deities relaxed, at the site of the Elder Goddess. Things would soon be fixed.

Gaia paid no mind to the young gods and goddesses, instead moving to stand before her grandson.

Ares grin was spiteful as he turned his gaze to the Earth Goddess. "So, now, you deign to grace me with your vaunted presence. Where were you when I needed you?"

Gaia sighed, then turned to Eris. "I can feel the imbalance inside of him. Perhaps it would be best if you told us why?"

Eris shrugged, moving to sit on the arm of the throne her twin lounged in. "It's very simple. Vengeance."

"For what," cried Hestia.

"For turning your backs on him. For allowing Zeus and Hera to abuse him like they did. For snubbing him. For standing by as his one love was utterly destroyed. That enough for you?"

"What are you talking about," asked Hecate.

Eris rolled her eyes. "Joxer of Corinth."

A heavy silence descended on the group.

"Ya know, he never forgot or forgave," said Strife. "He plotted and planned. After untold millennia of abuse, Joxer was the last straw. No wonder he decided to pull a Hamlet."

"Why us and not you Eris," snapped Morpheus.

Eris grinned. "Do you really think I wouldn't have wanted my brother to marry Jox? He saw which way the wind was blowing and told me not to even bother."

Gaia settled herself before the trio of gods. "Tell me how he brought about the downfall of Olympus." Eris opened her mouth to speak but Ares hushed her.

"I was just gonna get rid of Zeus. But then I thought, you were all just as guilty as he was. So I let you think I forgot. I pretended to be obsessed with Xena. It was perfect. I got to see Joxer, while I watched and waited. Truthfully," he said standing.

"My anger cooled until he fell in love with that blonde bitch! Well...you see, that just wouldn't do. So I went to the Fates. You'd be surprised what they'll tell you when you imply that you might just destroy their little toys." He snickered, then perched on the back of the throne like a bird of prey. "They told me all about Xena's fate. What her child would become. They also told me, I was the deciding factor. Wow! Isn't that just wild! All of your fates in my hands when you hate my guts!"

Strife giggled insanely as Eris tsk-tsked.

"Still, even then, I wasn't too keen on bringing about the end. I was just gonna use the situation, to get rid of Zeus. Oh, and it worked perfectly. Eris would you..."

She smirked and brought up a mirror. All eyes turned to it as a the scene unfolded....

Zeus is with the Fates. "My dreams are dark. There's danger. Illuminate that section (touches a string) there, my Fates. Tell me."

"As it has been since time beyond remembering, you will continue to rule supreme among supreme," said Clothos.

"Until such time, as a child not begotten by man is born," said Lachesis.

"A time that is fast approaching," said Atropos.

"See there!" cried Ares as his sister froze the image. "That's the beauty of the Fates. They're so fucking vague." He snickered, rocking back and forth, before stilling.

"This prophecy would have been mote if Joxer had still been my champion. If they'd just told him...I wouldn't have needed to keep Xena alive. Okay, Eris roll it."

Zeus exhaled one last time as he died. He disappears.

Hercules looks to the sky.

The Fates snip Zeus' lifeline.

Hercules looks down. "Father," whispers Hercules. He looks to the sky and screams out his pain. "FATHER!"

Dark clouds roll over the sun. Xena held Eve close. The Earth shakes. Lightning flashes.

Ares is with the Fates. The ground shakes. Ares looks at his hands and raises an eyebrow.

The Fates stare at him in horror, as he throws his head back and howls of laughter fill the air.

"So the fall of Olympus begins," said Clothos.

Ares shrugged carelessly and vanished.

Everyone stared, aghast, as the images play themselves out. Horrified eyes stared in wordless dismay at the ex-god.

Ares laughed the sound, eerily reminiscent to the one just heard from the mirrors. "You all thought yourselves so much better than me. Despicable, brutish, a blight on the purity of Olympus. But...none of you were even aware of how deeply I was involved."

He paused, shrugging slightly. "No. I take that back. Athena was. But she was so blinded. Even when she had all the evidence, it still didn't really register that it was me. Daddy's throne had her too wet to really question anything."

"But Xena... you wanted a child...You loved her!" Apollo looked livid. Ares snorted.

"Please! Yes, I cared for her but she was still a tool. First Zeus' then mine. I used her to replace Joxer as my champion and as a cover. When 'Dear Father' removed Jox's memories, making him the Fool, I used her to protect him. And finally, I used her to have my vengeance."

Eris giggled at the looks of stunned disbelief. "Didn't you guys ever wonder why he never showed himself to her until she'd left him? He had to make it look like he still wanted her. It was the only way he could check up on Joxer, without the old goat getting suspicious."

Gaia sighed. It seemed they'd all underestimated Hera's dark children. "You said you hadn't planned on the rest of us dying. What happened?"

Ares stilled, as the question roused all of the buried pain...despair...

If he'd still been a god the air would have burned with the intensity of the emotions roiling of the dark-eyed man.

Eris hurried back to his side, slipping an arm around his waist.

Strife scowled at his great-grandmother. "What da ya think? Ya guys fucked him over but good. Shit! It wasn't enough to take Jox from Unc. No...ya had to take control of his life. Making 'im fall for the harpy... making 'im a fool! He was once Unc's greatest warrior."

Despite the tension several loud snorts filled the air.

Strife glared at the crowd. "What ya thought that was really Jox. He was...no, I ain't gonna go there..."

Getting a handle on his grief, the ex-god looked up. "That's enough." Strife quieted, but gave the others several nasty glares.

"What happened grandmother? I'll tell you. Truthfully, I didn't know Xena wasn't really dead. Hades really fucked up that one! And yeah, I approached Livia, but only cause her darkness reminded me of Xena's but then it should've. Still, I was all for killing the bitch, after what she did to Jox."

Phobos stepped forward. "Yeah, and what about that Ares? You didn't seem to broken up then." Phobos waves his hand.

Xena is by herself. Ares appears.

"That Virgil is one angry guy. I can't say I blame him," said Ares, his usual smirk somehow at odds with the rest of his face.

"Get lost," snarled Xena.

"But he shouldn't hate Livia, should he? You're the one he should hate. You could have prevented all of this, but, no, Joxer is dead because the thought of me made you sick. Okay, but if I sicken your soul, stopping Livia will kill it."

Ares disappears. Gabrielle enters.

Eris released her brother, hissing in rage. "How dare you! He was inconsolable. The only thought that kept him sane was that Joxer could be reborn!" She waved her hand, wiping out the image and bringing up another.

Aphrodite paced outside the doors of the bedroom. Every attempt to pass them, threw the trespasser across the hall.

Cupid looked up from where he was bandaging his aunt Eris seared hands. His eyes glistened with tears. "Moms he isn't... I don't think...."

Sobs made his speech unintelligible as the goddess of Discord slipped her arms around her nephew. Eris looked to the door then her sister.

"Nothing, Dite. He came back from Xena...looked at me...and...oh Dite, it hurt...just the look in his eyes. It was like he was broken inside. There was nothing there and he whispered so softly 'you can only take so much' and then the doors slammed shut."

Finally, the doors opened. Aphrodite gasped, seeing her brother for the first time after she'd heard about Joxer. Fear gripped her heart. Ares looked like...

Oh Gaia, for a moment she could have sworn she saw a glimpse of madness. She moved to his side. "Res..."

Ares placed a finger over her lips. "I'm going to Hades. When I get Joxer back then we can talk."

"He's not here, Ares. Now be gone. I have much more important matters to attend to," growled Hades.

Ares face held its usual contemptuous sneer, but those who knew him could see the facade fraying around the edges. It showed in lines around his eyes, the slump of his shoulders.

"What do you mean he's not here," snarled the god.

"Exactly what I said. He's not in the Elysian fields or Tartarus. For all I know, Zeus really did..." The God of the Underworld froze. Regretting his blunder, even as fire lit his nephew's eyes. But instead of the fight he'd expected, the war god disappeared.

"Atropos," screamed the enraged god.

The Fates paused in their work. This was the end.

"Atropos," screamed Ares, again. "What happened to Joxer's soul?!"

The three women looked at each other. If it were possible they'd curse Zeus.

Ares looked at the gods, a wild fire burning in mad eyes. "Zeus couldn't just arbitrarily cast Joxer's soul into the void. He'd have to get permission from Hades to interfere in his domain. He'd have to have most of the pantheon's consent, whether spoken or unspoken," he hissed. "With your silence, you gave consent. And with that silence, you condemned my lover and yourselves." The dagger spun faster and faster in his hands.

Into this chaos dropped Hera. "What have you done," screamed the goddess.

Ares turned to face his mother. He'd known she'd show up sooner or later. Zeus' little trick would only have trapped her for so long. "I did what you should have done mother. I avenged the destruction of my love. Now... all I wait for is Celesta."

The contempt in her son's eyes silenced Hera. She turned slowly to her mother. "Gaia..." she began.

The Elder goddess shook her head. "It is done. Do what you must to survive." With that the Earth goddess vanished.

And so the struggle for survival began in earnest upon Olympus.

Ares looked upon the squabbling gods and goddesses and grinned. He watched as Olympus golden age ended.

He looked at what he had wrought and saw that it was good.

Eris looked at her brother, wary about his mortality. "Are you sure you want me to leave you here?"

Ares nodded, giving her a halfhearted smile. "Sis, no matter where you leave me, it's all the same to me."

Eris could see the truth in his eyes and for a minute fear grips her heart. Suddenly she gripped him in a tight hug. "Did I thank you for the life of my son," she whispered.

Ares pulled back, wiping at her tears. "You don't..."

She shushed him. "I do. Thank you for Strife's life," she paused. "And mine. You gave up your god-head."

This time the ex-god silences her. "Shush, sis. Who better to be the new Goddess of War. Now go." Eris released him, backing away slowly.

Ares gave her a sad grin. "Don't let Strife and Cupid get away with too much. And keep an eye on Dite." Eris nodded then vanished.

Ares stared at the spot for a long time. Then sighing he turned and walked away. Only the wildlife heard his words, as he walked on. "Joxer the Mighty. Roams through the country side. He never needs a place to hide..."

Present

Hera forcibly withdrew from her memories. "Enough! Do you think I haven't spent every moment since then regretting my foolish pride! Do you think I haven't wept for the harm I did to my children! Gaia's tears! I'd give anything to fix his hurt, but nothing is going to do that! Nothing but Joxer's return!"

With a final punishing thrust, the last demon spent itself inside her; tearing at her sore flesh as it withdrew. Silence reigned as dawn seemed to stall.

She staggered to her feet, running trembling hands up her thighs. Taking the blood and seed, she smeared them across the headstone before collapsing. Slowly, through the fading darkness, the silver mists began to shift.

Inky midnight tendrils spilled in, chased by swirls of blood red until it was a roiling mass of seething ebony and crimson. It rolled across the ground, like the shadow of the unclean, obscuring the girl and the grave she lay on from view. Storm clouds appeared as thunder split the black sky.

Deep in the earth, long since forgotten, three women raised their heads.

"It has begun," cried the child.

"Our salvation is at hand," cried the woman.

"The defender has returned," cried the crone.

She lay still, unable to move at first, then slowly feeling returned as the day finally dawned. She struggled to her feet, whirling in shock as strong hands held her steady. "What are you doing here," she cried trying to cover her body.

Willow stopped her with gentle hands. Pulling her close, she held her still as she used baby wipes to clean the stains from Cordelia's bruised body.

"How," she asked quietly.

Willow rolled her eyes as she helped the brunette into a pair of sweats she'd brought along. "You forget who was interested in the witchy stuff first. I figured you were up to something when you wanted Xan to be buried here."

Cordelia stood beside the red-head, one arm wrapped around trembling shoulders. She shared a worried look with the watcher, as the priest made the appropriate sounds of remorse, and comfort. The glazed eyes and the unnatural silence disturbed the brunette. She'd only spoken once since the death of her best-friend. And only to his parents...that in itself had been scary.

"We've decided to cremate him. It's easier."

Cordelia frowned as she 'heard' the implied cheaper as well.

Green eyes glistened like poison as the red-head drew herself up to glare at the couple. "This was were he wanted to be buried."

For a moment Cordelia was sure they'd refuse but the eyes flashed brighter and Xander's parent's were agreeing to the request. She ignored the look Willow gave her as she sighed in relief.

Cordelia shook herself from the memories, moving to stand by the coffin. He was gone. Gods, he was gone! Her constant. Her light. Gods, it hurt....

Before the brunette could protest, Willow pushed her down to sit on a blanket at the far end of the grave. "Rest. I'll dig."

Cordelia looked up at the girl in quiet relief.

Willow smiled gently stroking back a lock of hair then turned away.

Willow paused in her digging to glance over at the brunette. She lay curled up on the blanket, sleeping soundly despite the nights activities. With a pleased grunt she turned back to her work.

"Cordy, luv. Wake up."

Cordelia muttered incoherently for a moment. Returning memory made the brunette shoot to her feet. She gawked at the sight before her. Willow stood with Xander's body tossed over one shoulder.

"Wha..." she muttered blinking.

Willow sighed. "There're somethings I have to tell you."

fin

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Shadith...

*Rough Latin Translations*

"Ego vocare ab obscurus divus! Ego vocare tenenebricosus bestia! Ego vocare caligo! Accipere es virgo sanguis! Capere es corporeus! Accipere es donum pro Alexander! Donare metallum cor. Donare et lumnous!"

"I call upon the dark gods. I call the black beasts! I call the darkness. Accept this virgin blood! Take of this body! Accept this gift for Alexander! Give back mine heart! Give back the light!"