Hercules' Sorrow

by DreamCatcher

A continuation of Only Sorrows, Only Truths by Cobber and Moon and DreamCatcher's Epilogue to 'Only Sorrows, Only Truths' both stories can be found under the author's names at the Iolausian Library.

The cell was beginning to close in on him. The demigod had paced it for weeks. He knew every inch of it; every crack in the wall, every sound. He had been confined to this lonely, isolated cell in the lower dungeon immediately after the incident in the arena. When had that been? A month ago? He wasn't sure anymore. Sometimes the days blended into one another and he lost track of time.

Here in lonely isolation he had remained all this time; no closer to being reunited with Iolaus, than when he had first been brought here. Though he had begged and pleaded daily to see his friend, his pleas had been ignored. For days he had not even been sure whether Iolaus was dead or alive.

He had constantly worried whether Iolaus had recovered from the arrow wound received in the arena? Whether he too was being held in isolated confinement? Whether he was being made to participate in the deadly games? Would he participate? Visions of the two men he had cut down who had been used as examples of non-participation had flashed before his mind more than once.

Here in this cell, all that was left to him, day after endless day, was memories. Anguished memories of that final day in the arena. Horrifying images embedded in his mind. Playing over and over again. Tormenting him. Blaming him.

The two warriors had been helping to get Felicita's baby to safety. Iolaus had managed to get to the wall and hand the child over when it had happened. Hercules who had stayed below to clear the path, had been hit by a spear tipped with a paralyzing poison. Iolaus had turned back, seen his fallen comrade, and without a second thought to his own safety, returned to the arena. The cause had been lost from the start, but that had never stopped Iolaus before; and seeing his best friend in danger, it was not about to stop him now.

Iolaus had fought brilliantly, but had ultimately been brought down by an arrow. Hercules had watched helplessly, unable to even shout a warning, as it had hit Iolaus in the back. Everything hushed in the arena as Iolaus, his pained eyes on Hercules, struggled a few more feet before falling. And even then his stubborn will refused to let him give up. The blond hunter had crawled, finally collapsing only inches from where Hercules lay. His hand outstretched towards the demigod. So close and yet still so far away.

"NOOOOoooo!!" Hercules yelled, trying to stop the vision from once more playing that scene before his eyes.

Iolaus had been taken from the arena, and from his life, as surely as if he had been removed from this earth. Hercules shuddered with that thought.

In the beginning, Hercules had been unable to move. Maxius' healer had made several trips to the dungeon over those few days it had taken for the poison's effect to wear off. However, once Hercules was able to function on his own, the visits had ended. His voice had been the last to return, but the healer had stopped coming before he had been able to voice the one question that tormented him the most.

He could have easily broken out of the cell at any time. Now, over and over again, he wondered why he hadn't listened to Iolaus' words and done that long ago. Iolaus would have been safe.

Although he had thought many times about escaping this torturous cell and going in search of Iolaus; the purpose of his escape had eventually become what had kept him there -- a well placed threat by Maxius, himself, that Iolaus was also sequestered somewhere in this large complex. That if he attempted to escape, his beloved friend would be dead before Hercules could get anywhere near him.

Hercules knew Maxius' threats were not idle ones. He had been in this place long enough to know that the evil despot and his wife were a cruel and sadistic pair. The lives of the people under these two were insignificant in their eyes. The men and women in this compound were there only to serve, entertain and amuse them, and, their friends. And when one no longer functioned for that purpose, they were expendable.

Hercules couldn't understand why he himself was still alive. He had refused Postera's advances. He had refused to fight. At this point they hadn't even asked him to fight again. But here Maxius had put him and was keeping him, for whatever evil purpose he had in mind.

After Maxius had delivered his little speech, he laughed as he had seen both the hatred and the submission in the face of his victim. Little did Hercules realize that Maxius had found a similar look in the hunter's pained blue eyes.

Suddenly Hercules' mind was pulled back to the present as he heard the heavy outer door opened. The guard opened it only wide enough to allow a man with a tray inside. A torch held by the man dimly illuminated the cell block.

"Hello, son!"

Hercules rose and moved to the cell door. It was Spargus, the cook and all-around care-taker of the cellblocks. He was a short, plump man, with grey hair and beard. He was the only prisoner that had some freedom to come and go through the cellblocks. He and Iolaus had met him when they had first arrived.

"Spargus, what are you doing down here?"

"The guards decided I was to start bringing your meals from now on. How are you doing down here?" He handed Hercules a tray through the slot.

"Oh, just fine. It's quiet and peaceful. Great scenery! Great food! You know!"

Spargus chuckled. "Anything I can do for you, son? Anything you need?"

"Just one. They won't tell me anything about Iolaus. Have you heard anything? Do you know where he is?"

"No, I haven't heard anything and he's not in any of these cells."

"Maxius was down here just a couple of weeks ago. He said he was holding Iolaus prisoner. I need to know for sure. I need to know if he's really alright. Do you think you could find out for me? Please?"

The guard suddenly yelled in at Spargus. "What's taking you so long? Just shove in the meal and come on. This ain't no social."

"I'm coming, I'm coming," he yelled back to the guard, and added not quite so loudly, "keep your shirt on."

He turned backed to Hercules and saw the pleading look. "I'll see what I can do. I know a couple of the guards, -- they like my cooking." He laughed and shook his head. "They come down on occasion."

Hercules smiled. "Thanks! I appreciate it."

Two nights later, Hercules tossed and turned for several hours. After finally falling into a restless sleep, he envisioned Iolaus coming and standing before him. No words were spoken, but a look of unadulterated love beamed from the bright blue eyes. He raised his arm as if in farewell and then disappeared. Hercules woke in a sweat, a cry of the hunter's name on his lips.

He sat for a moment, breathing deeply. His breath was ragged and short. He realized there were tears running down his face. The vision had been so real. And so final. A feeling of terror almost smothered him. He suddenly felt such an overwhelming loss.

Late that evening, Spargus came in without his usual breezy chatter. Hercules started out with his usual sentence of the past couple of days: "any news?" but there was something this time that filled Hercules' heart with dread. He watched the man's precise movements, his lowered head, his refusal to meet Hercules' eyes. "Spargus, what is it? You have news, don't you." The last was more a statement than a question.

Spargus slowly raised his eyes to Hercules, as he handed him the tray. Hercules took it and quickly put it on the bench behind him and turned back around questioningly.

"Please! Tell me."

Spargus swallowed hard. "I'm sorry, son. He's, ... he's dead."

Hercules had been half-expecting it, but, the words still hit him hard. His head fell forward and his hands tightly clenched around the bars; his face a portrait of vastly changing emotions. Finally in a tightly controlled voice, he ventured. "When?"

"Last night."

Hercules closed his eyes, to keep the gathering tears at bay. That was what had awakened him. In his heart he had already known the truth. It had been Iolaus' passing he had seen in the vision. He had always believed that even if they were apart, he would know the exact moment he lost Iolaus. It was small comfort to know that he had been right.

"How?"

"Son, he's dead. Just leave it at that."

Hercules looked through the bars at him and realized the implication of those words. "I said 'how'?"

"Some things are just better left ..."

"TELL ME!" he yelled.

Spargus looked around to check the cellblock door. He was surprised the guard hadn't been in long before, hollering at him to hurry or checking on the commotion.

"Spargus, please?" came Hercules' imploring voice.

Spargus nodded and drew a deep breath. "When Iolaus was removed from the arena, he was taken to the palace, to Maxius' healer."

"The palace? Why? I don't understand." The healer had never even mentioned to Hercules on any of his visits, that he had been treating Iolaus as well. And Hercules had been unable to ask.

"Because Maxius had seen him."

Hercules looked confused and shook his head. "Seen him?"

"The guards told me he's been sharing quarters with Lin Ho. That told me all I needed to know."

"Lin Ho? Is he another prisoner?"

"Yes, but a very special one. Maxius' 'private stock'."

When he got only a blank stare from Hercules, he tried again. "Postera had you brought to her chambers a while ago. Do you remember?"

Hercules nodded. "Yes, of course, but what does that have to ..."

"Well, did you ever wonder why she did that so openly in front of her husband?" Spargus interrupted.

"I hadn't really given it any thought."

"Son, they're in competition for the warriors here. Postera for the big muscular ones like you. Maxius for the small compact ones, like ..."

All of a sudden a dawning look came over Hercules' face. He looked at Spargus, a horrified, sick feeling coming over him. "Like Iolaus!"

Spargus nodded.

Hercules shook his head. "No! No, Iolaus would never let anyone touch him." Refusing to believe what his mind was starting to envision.

"Let me ask you a question, son? Why is the strongest man in the world still here in this cell?"

"Maxius threatened to kill Iolaus if I ..." He stopped. The stricken look returned. Now he knew why Maxius had been keeping him alive. The answer was obvious: a well-placed threat to Iolaus would have been all it would take. He knew Iolaus' heart and loyalty well.

He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the bars again. His knuckles turned white from his grasp and his voice cracked with emotions. "How did he die, Spargus?"

"Hercules, ..."

"Spargus, how did he die?" His voice was chilling.

"I don't have much news. Two days ago, three of the guards, after Maxius had left Iolaus ...; before they took him back to his room they ..." He struggled for the words, but from the look on Hercules' face, he realized the meaning had been conveyed. "Maxius caught them. He was furious and had them executed. But Iolaus was no longer ..." He hesitated again, there was no easy way to put this. Spargus finally blurted out: "He had become 'damaged goods' in Maxius' eyes."

Spargus looked at Hercules before he spoke again, this would be the hardest part, possibly the undoing of Hercules. "Maxius turned Iolaus over to the rest of the guards late yesterday."

As the meaning became clear to Hercules, a wordless scream tore from his throat, and he slid slowly down the bars onto his knees. He felt as if a knife had been plunged into his heart and was being twisted. The pain overwhelmed him completely.

At the cry, the guard suddenly opened the door. "What's going on in here? Are you through yet?"

Spargus knew there was nothing more he could do for Hercules right now. He wasn't even sure Hercules would hear him. He reached through the bars and squeezed his shoulder. "I'm sorry, son." He then turned and started toward the door. "Yeah, I'm ready."

But Hercules never heard Spargus leave. "Iolaus!!!" came the cry from Hercules' shattered heart. "My friend, what have I done to you? You have suffered so much because of me. How will you ever forgive me for putting you through this?" Another wordless cry came from his lips, as he fell prone on the floor. His head lay across his folded arms and the tears came. Sobs racked his whole frame. He cried until his overwrought mind and exhausted body, finally sank into oblivion.

Hercules hadn't realized how long he had been asleep, but as he opened his eyes and sat up, the heaviness of his heart overwhelmed him once more. In anger and grief, a plan formed in his mind.

And this plan conveyed itself in thought to the one who was being grieved over, and brought fear to his heart. Iolaus' first response was to cry out for Hades.

Hercules rose calmly from his seated position and made short work of getting out of the cell. No cell could hold the son of Zeus once he had decided to leave. And there was no longer any reason to stay. The threats that had held him, had ended with Iolaus' last breath.

As he exited the large heavy doors leading into the corridors, he caught the surprised guard, by the arm and threw him against the wall. The guard slumped to the ground; injured or dead, Hercules was beyond caring. Only one thing was on his mind at present; to make the ones who had torn his heart from him, pay.

As he rounded the corridor, he heard more guards heading in his direction. He ducked into a small passage and caught the four guards by surprise. Two of them he disposed of immediately. Holding the other two aloft, one in each hand, he realized these were private guards from the castle. Postera's guards.

Without much effort he had been able to find out they had been sent for him. He was to be brought to her chamber once more. It wasn't hard to imagine the reason.

Hercules decided that using these guards was the easiest way to get inside the castle. With a few well-placed threats to the two guards, they were "persuaded" to escort him into the castle, straight past all the other guards. However, his destination was far different from the one they had been instructed to take him to. Before entering the room, he disposed of the two guards.

As Hercules opened the door and entered, he saw a small, dark-haired, almond-eyed man. "Are you Lin Ho?"

"Yes! And you are Hercules." It was a flat statement.

Hercules nodded. Spargus had been right. This man was of the general appearance of Iolaus -- both were small and muscular, both were attractive in appearance; the only difference was Iolaus had been blond and blue-eyed.

"I feel as if I know you already. Iolaus spoke of you often." Lin Ho paused. "I am sorry for your loss."

"Thank you. I was told you had been with him this past month."

"Yes."

"Please, I need to know about him."

"Yes, ... I know. Please, sit."

Lin Ho spoke of his own misfortune that had brought him to this life. Then he told of his encounter with the one Maxius had called his "golden treasure." Hercules had cringed at the name. He felt anger rising up within him. First at the man who had dared to carry out those hideous outrages on Iolaus, using their friendship and love to accomplish it. Second, at himself for not having listened to Iolaus when he had wanted out.

Hercules had stubbornly stayed, and by doing so had opened Iolaus up to the beatings, the wounds, the unspeakable outrages, and now death. His hands would never be clean and he knew he would never forgive himself for this. As much as Hera had tried to destroy Hercules, it had finally been accomplished by his own hands. If it hadn't been so tragic, it would have been funny.

By the time Lin Ho had finished, tears were streaming down Hercules' face once again. Vaguely he wondered how there could possibly be any more tears left in him.

Hoping to ease some of the pain, Lin Ho looked over at the broken man. "He loved you very much, you know. After his returns from ... that room ..., he would speak of you and of your adventures together. It seemed to ease his mind and the pain, to speak of them."

"Iolaus was always at his best telling stories," Hercules smiled. Then his ragged voice finally asked one last question. "His death .... Did you know about it? Were you told?"

Lin Ho nodded. "Maxius' healer, Darius, is a good man and a good physician. He is every bit as much a prisoner here as any of us. By his presence, he has been able to help the suffering of many." Lin Ho looked away for a moment. "I believe at times he wished that he had let Iolaus die from the arrow."

Hercules look almost mirrored the acknowledgement.

"Darius tried as hard as he could to save Iolaus when the guards finally brought him in. But there was so much damage .... The guards had given him drugged wine, to make him more tractable. When he was brought to Darius he was not even conscious. Darius knew it was only a short time until death would claim him and he kept him heavily medicated until the end. He did not wish him to suffer any longer, Hercules."

Hercules turned from Lin Ho, the sobs choking him once again. Lin Ho moved off and left Hercules for a few moments to recompose himself. When the sobs had died down, he spoke softly once again.

"He asked me to give you a message, if anything should happen to him."

Hercules raised a startled look toward Lin Ho. "He knew he was going to die?"

Lin Ho shook his head. "I don't think earlier; not until after the incident with the three guards."

Lin Ho moved over towards the window and looked out, as if seeing the scene all over again played out in his mind.

"He had been trying to sleep, recovering from the attack by the three guards. I had moved about quietly, not wishing to disturb him. He had slept only fitfully from the first day he arrived and he hardly ate enough to stay alive. What he did eat, he usually couldn't keep down. However, yesterday morning, he called me. He was in such pain." Lin Ho paused. "He asked me to get word to you, that if he died, you were to escape and never look back. You were not to blame yourself for any of this. He also wanted you to know he would miss you and that he was proud to have fought beside you all these years."

Lin Ho continued. "He also said to tell you that he would be waiting at the River Styix for you, when your time finally came to join him. And that it was not to be soon."

Lin Ho turned towards the demigod and watched as Hercules looked up at the man who had shared Iolaus' last days of life. "Thank you!"

"You must already know, Hercules, that he did this because Maxius had told him it was keeping you alive."

Hercules nodded.

"... I had seen him die a little bit every day. I knew how he had felt. I wished to spare him anymore pain and I had planned on telling him that I had heard of your death. I knelt how he felt about you, and I knew he would probably die trying to avenge you. But it would release him from all the pain. I never got the chance. I'm sorry."

"As hard as it is to hear, I wish it had been so. Thank you for taking care of him for me."

During the silence Hercules and Lin Ho both heard the sound of guards approaching.

"They will be coming for me," said Lin Ho. "You must hide."

"No! I may not have been able to save Iolaus, but you're not going to that bastard again." Hercules rose to confront the guards. "He's going to pay for what he did. For what he's been doing."

"No," Lin Ho swiftly stepped between him and the door. "You stay here for now. You are in no condition to confront all those guards. I appreciate your willingness to save me. But one more time will not matter. I will return and we will make plans to end the suffering of all in this place." Lin Ho smiled the first smile he had in a long while. "I can see why Iolaus loved you as much as he did. You are a good man, Hercules. Now, hide!"

Hercules swiftly moved to the barred windows and concealed himself behind the heavy draperies. He heard as Lin Ho left the room and as soon as things had quieted back down he came out and sank down on the bed that had belonged to Iolaus. He was so weary, he wanted nothing more than to end it all. All the pain, all the guilt. To see Iolaus once again and beg forgiveness.

"Hades!" he spoke out loud. A plan formed in his mind. He would take care of Maxius and his evil kingdom, and then he would join Iolaus. What did he care for life anymore after the loss of his beloved friend. He didn't even deserve to be alive.

First he needed to see Iolaus. To explain, to let him know that he was going to take care of everything and then would soon join him.

"Hades! Hades, where are you!!" he shouted. "Hades, I need to speak to you."

Hercules suddenly appeared in a lush green meadow. The bright blue skies and small puffy white clouds floating lazily by, were a sharp contrast to the dark gloom where he had spent the past month. Darkness and isolation; fear and resignation.

Before him flowed a large glittering lake, surrounded by rock formations. Perched atop the closest one, turned slightly from him, was a small blond man, dressed in dark blue leather pants and a purple patchwork vest. The man sat idly, gazing off towards the water, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. The sight was one of the most beautiful he had ever seen and tears formed in his eyes.

Hercules just stood for a few moments, silently watching his beloved friend. An overwhelming feeling of joy and pain running through his very being.

He had only stood there for a moment before the blond head suddenly swiveled around, as though having felt his presence. Iolaus' clear blue eyes lit up with such delight, that it almost overwhelmed Hercules. He jumped down from the boulder and practically ran towards Hercules, a beautiful bright golden smile spreading across his face.

"Herc!" Iolaus approached him and started to reach out towards him.

"Don't touch me, Iolaus," came the harsh reply from Hercules' lips, and he backed slightly away, throwing up his hands in front of him, warding off the blond hunter.

Iolaus was caught off-guard by the gesture and words. He looked confused, then he colored slightly in embarrassment. A look of deep shame spread across his face and his eyes dropped. "I'm, ... I'm sorry. I forgot for a moment. I know you don't want me to touch you, after what happened ... It was -- it was just the excitement of seeing you after so long."

When Hercules realized what had happened he came forward and took Iolaus by the shoulders. There were tears coursing down his cheeks. "Iolaus, when will I ever stop hurting you?" He paused. "It's not because of what happened to you, but what I did to you. I don't deserve your friendship or your love."

Iolaus looked up surprised. "What are you talking about?"

"You must hate me for all that I have let you go through."

"Herc, I could never hate you."

Hercules looked deeply into the eyes of the man before him, and saw no anger, no hatred, only a deep unconditional love beaming brightly back at him.

"I don't deserve what I see in your eyes, nor what I know is in your heart for me." He struggled again to speak. "What you did to keep me alive .... I don't even have the words to tell you all that I feel. Iolaus, I -- I didn't think it was possible to ever love you anymore than I already did. But, what you endured ..." He choked.

He encircled his arms completely around Iolaus and pulled him tightly into his embrace. Iolaus' arms went hungrily around his friend and for a moment only the weeping of both men intruded upon the silence of the meadow. After awhile they finally released each other, a small semblance of a smile showing on each face.

Both men, as one, headed over and sank down on the bank of the lake, their backs against the large rock Iolaus had previously occupied.

"Iolaus, I begged Hades to let me come here because I had to see you before I did anything else. I'm going back and take care of things in that hell hole, before I come back to join you here. But I had to ..."

"No, wait! Hercules, I heard your cries. I know how much you blame yourself. But I don't. And I don't want you sacrificing your life because of it.

"Iolaus ..."

"No, Herc! You have a lot left to do up there yet. Yes, Maxius needs to be taken care of; he's destroyed so many lives, but there are other places, other problems, other people that need the mighty Hercules. You can't just give up."

"There is nothing more important to me than settling the score with Maxius. But I'm just as guilty as he is, Iolaus. I let you down."

"When did you ever let me down?"

"I took you to that place against your will, and I ignored your requests to leave."

"You mean Hercules, the half-god, may have been human enough to make a mistake?"

"My mistake cost me your life, my friend. Do you think I can live knowing the pain and suffering you went through this past month because of me."

Iolaus looked over earnestly at his friend. "Herc, I won't lie to you, each day I woke, I wanted nothing more than to die and be released from it all. But each day I was there, brought you another day of life. I did it, hoping and praying it would give you the chance to finally free yourself. I knew you'd eventually get out." He smiled. "And I would do it over again without hesitation if I had the same choice.

Hercules reached out and placed a loving hand on Iolaus' shoulder. "Maxius told me he was holding you in another part of the cellblocks. He said if I escaped, you would be dead before I even got near you. With all we had seen there, I believed him. But, if I had known what he was putting you through, he would have never even walked out of the cell that day. And, I swear, he'll pay with his life for what he's done to you."

"I don't care about any of that anymore, Hercules. All I care about is you."

"Iolaus, you have always been my lifeline, my heart. It's because of you that I've been able to get through all the heartbreak and the problems. Without you I feel completely empty." Tears welled up in Hercules' eyes.

"My friend, without you even the Elysian Fields will seem like Tartarus to me, but I want you to swear to me that you won't let your life be taken."

"No! I won't swear that, Iolaus."

"Herc, please! ..."

"No!"

Watching through a small window were two men. One dressed in black leather; the other in royal robes. They stood silently listening to the conversation between the two friends.

"I can release him back to Hercules, if you just say the word," Hades said off-handedly.

"No!" came the stern reply, but a saddened look belied the sternness of the words.

"You want to do it yourself?" asked Hades, as he looked up at Zeus.

"No. The boy is dead. He'll remain so. Hercules, has to learn that he can't just go off on some tangent, do anything he wants, and expect me to always pick up the pieces."

A shocked look passed over Hades' face. "I don't think he asked for your help," came the curt reply.

Zeus looked angrily over at Hades. "It didn't take him long to bellow to you though, did it?"

"He asked to see Iolaus. With all the guilt he was carrying, I felt he deserved that chance, yes. Besides, Iolaus had made the same request. Iolaus had heard Hercules' thoughts. He knew what Hercules was planning on doing. I realized the only one that Hercules would possibly listen to was Iolaus."

"Is that why Iolaus had not been processed completely and sent to the Elysian Fields."

"That, and because I had a feeling maybe this time you'd want to send Iolaus back."

"No."

"In case you haven't noticed, your son is planning a one-way ticket back here after taking care of Maxius."

"He's just talking, he would never do that."

"You're sure about that?"

"He knows his duty and his destiny."

"You really don't know your son very well, do you Zeus?"

Hades realized he was getting close to crossing the line with Zeus, but for a change disagreed with him. He really didn't think Zeus understood the seriousness of the situation this time.

"What is that suppose to mean?"

"You know how much he cares about Iolaus."

"Yes, of course, I do. I brought them together didn't I? It was the best thing I ever could have done for either of them."

"Yes, it was. And that's what makes it so difficult for Hercules right now. If Iolaus' death had been in battle, or by an accident, it would have been hard enough for Hercules to deal with. But his death under such circumstances as these, is too much for even Hercules to bear. You must realize that."

"He'll get over it in time."

"No, this time I don't think he will." Hades paused. "Iolaus is the only one that is capable of reaching him right now, and he's failing, too. Look at him, Zeus. The guilt and blame is too much for him to handle."

Zeus watched the two boys in silence for a short while. "I can't just let him off the hook for this."

"You don't have to, Zeus, if you don't mind a suggestion."

"I'm listening."

"What would happen if you put time back to just after the attack on Iolaus by the three guards and just delayed Maxius' turning Iolaus over. Lin Ho was just about to tell Iolaus that Hercules had died. Postera was getting ready to send for Hercules once more. If those things were allowed to happen, I believe there will be a completely different outcome.

"But how does that teach Hercules any lesson?"

"His love for Iolaus will accomplish that. I'm not saying to change all the circumstances. If Iolaus lives, Hercules will always have the knowledge of what his decisions cost his best friend. He'll have to live with that." He paused. "If Iolaus runs true to form, he will want to avenge Hercules, he could still die, but at least his death would be in battle. Although painful, Hercules could at least accept that.

Hades finished and stood silently as they both watched the continuing disagreement between the two men in the "window." Hades knew that Zeus had finally realized the truth of his words and it was obvious he was having a hard time making a decision. It would probably bring down the complaints and scorn of some of the other gods. But what was the use of being king of the gods if you couldn't bend the rules a little.

Both gods were interrupted by Hercules' voice. They watched closely.

"Hades! Hades, I'm ready to go back."

"Herc, please! Don't do this," Iolaus cried out once more, as he grabbed his friend's arm.

"I'll see you soon, Iolaus," he smiled. "Hades!"

"So be it!" Zeus finally said and lifted his arms. The clouds swirled, lightning flashed, and time dizzily spun backwards.

The pit writhed with living metal. Spears at his back. Swords, which pierced the sides of his vest until they brought rivulets of blood; foreshadowing tears to come. If he'd let them come. But, not tears for himself; tears for his second self, taken from him by these brutal murderers. Then, suddenly, a dagger at this throat, forcing his head high. Turning his eyes toward a blinding sun. ....