Make Love, Not War

Part 5

“It’s about time you got here, Eris.” Gaia said with a sad smile.

“I take it you know about what happened to my son and why he was punished?”

Gaia nodded, “I know, but there is much to be played out before Strife will return.”

Discord asked in shock, “Do you swear Strife will return?”

“I swear it grandchild. Protect Joxer, now is a dangerous time for him.”

“Why is Zeus so afraid of him? Who is he?” Discord said thoughtfully.

Gaia grinned ruefully, “That young man can bring about the end of the Gods. His marriage will decide the fate of Olympus. If he marries the correct person then Olympus will be strong enough to survive the coming troubles, if he doesn’t we are doomed.”

“Who is it he’s supposed to marry?” Discord retorted wondering if whoever it was would be worthy of him. Her grandchild was going to marry someone he deserved no matter what the Fates said.

“Only Moira knows and she will not say.” Gaia said ignoring her granddaughter’s growl of annoyance.

Discord fumed, “How am I supposed to convince him to marry a stranger to save people who have essentially ignored him and abandoned him?

“Speak to Hera about young Joxer, she can help.” Gaia said signally their discussion was at an end.
*******
Ares said angrily, “You killed my nephew and I want to know why!”

“It was his destiny but his son will ensure all is right.” Moira smiled gently.

“We cannot tell you more, you must trust us in this matter.” Atropos said a second later.

Joxer said scornfully, “Trust you when you killed my dad? I can tell you now, that’s never going to happen.”

Clotho grinned, “Maybe but let me give you a piece of advice the man you must speak to is the living dead.”

“He will bring back your father,” Moira smiled at their shock.

“A baccae?” Ares questioned in shock as he wrapped one arm around Joxer’s waist and the pair disappeared.
*******
Joxer held onto his friend tightly as they appeared back in the war god’s temple. Sighing the warrior asked, “Ar, what am I supposed to do now? I’ve just found out I’m the son of a two Gods one of whom has been killed because of me.”

Hugging Joxer Ares said softly, “You survive like we all do. You’re not alone, I will never leave you. CupiCupid knows who you are there’s no way he’s going to leave you.”

“Thanks. You think there’s anything we can do to help dad?”

Ares said honestly, “I don’t know. Hera will understand the pain Strife went through when he gave you up. Zeus will be angry, he must have known about Strife’s pregnancy.”

“If he did then why didn’t he kill me?”

Ares shrugged, “There’s nothing about you to suggest you’re a demi-god so he wouldn’t have noticed you.”

Anger radiating from him in waves Cupid flashed in snarling, “Fucking cold hearted bastard won’t give Strife back to me! Hades said all I did was hurt Strife and wouldn’t give him back because of it.”

Ares said gently, “You did hurt him though, everyone could feel the pain from him. He hasn’t smiled or laughed in years. You flaunted your relationship with Psyche in front of him.”

“I was angry. Do you know how he broke up with me? He smiled and said that he was going to spend a year with a lover of his from Asia he had been seeing for the last ten years.”

Ares scowled, “That should have been your first clue that something was wrong! He’s only been involved with you and Apollo.”

Cupid shouted as his father, “How was I supposed to know? I didn’t exactly ask for his complete sexual history when we got together.”

Joxer growled at his father in disbelief, “I can see what Hades was talking about! You should have known dad. I might not know much about him but I can tell he isn’t the kind to cheat on someone.”

The blonde looked at his son fosecosecond before answering, “Don’t presume to tell me how I’m supposed to act! It’s your fault he’s dead in the first place.”

Ares growled and lunged a fireball at his son unable to believe the way Cupid was treating Joxer. He couldn’t believe his own son had become so cold and that he hadn’t realised. How could Cupid shout at his own son merely three hours after discovering who he was?

Glaring at the pair Joxer shouted, “STOP! Cupid, I know it is my fault he died and I want him back. If you’re not going to help then leave.”

Silence reigned for a few seconds before a sullen Cupid said, “Fine, I’ll help Strife. Even though he did betray me. What did the Fates say, dad?”

“I’ll tell you when the others get here. What exactly did Hades say?”

Cupid shrugged, “He’s never going to give Strife back. I declared war on The House Of Death in the name of The House of Love.”

Cupid stuck his chin out defiantly, “I told him the war will only end when he returns Strife.”

Joxer said reasonably, “Threatening him isn’t going to make him agree with you. He obviously cares for dad and he’s not going to give him back to be hurt.”
*******
Aphrodite appeared angry, “The Old Goat just smiled when I told him Strife was dead. He said we needn’t worry as Strife wouldn’t be missed.”

“He probably thinks it will be easier to find Strife’s son now.” Ares shrugged while he squeezed Joxer’s hand supportively.

Joxer said honestly, “As soon as I’m formally introduced, he’s going to figure out who I am.”

“Yeah but we’ll be able to protect you then.” Discord said with a smirk appearing in the room without her usual sparks.

Joxer grinned at his grandmother, “Thank you for doing all this. What did Gaia tell you?”

“She promised Strife will return and said you determine the fate of Olympus.”

Joxer said happily, “Dad’s really coming back! That’s great.”

“What did you mean determine the fate of Olympus?” Ares asked suspiciously looking at his dark sister who was avoiding his eyes.

Discord said seriously, “If Joxer marries the right person we will survive the Twilight if not then we will be killed.”

Joxer bit his lip nervously, “Did she say who I was supposed to marry?”

“No, only Moira knows and she refuses to say anything.” Discord confessed sadly.

Angry Joxer retorted, “I’m only getting married to the man I love! I’m sorry but that’s it!”

Aphrodite said seriously, “Joxie, you have no choice in this. You have to marry the right person. I’m sorry but it’s about the survival of all of us.”

“NO! You’re not marrying me off to anyone!” Joxer said as he leaned against Ares, shaking in anger and fear. He knew if they really wanted to, they could force him.

Ares shouted in outrage, “You’re not taking him away from me!”

Sadly Cupid said, “Dad, this isn’t just about you two anymore. The many are more important than the few.”

“NO ONE is taking Joxer!” Ares shouted angrily as he flashed out of the room taking Joxer with him.
*******
Angry Aphrodite shouted at her sister, “Why did you tell them? You should have waited until we could find out who Joxer has to marry. It might even be someone Joxer likes.”

“What’s this about you declaring war with Hades?” Aphrodite said disapprovingly as she turned to look at her son.

Cupid protested, “It’ll make him give back Strife, I thought you wanted that!”

Discord nodded, “We do. However, it’s never a good idea to anger the God of the Underworld, you never know when we might need his help. I’ll go and explain was just an expression of grief, he’ll let it go.”

Aphrodite nodded, “Its worth a try. Now I’m going to see if I can convince Moira to tell me who Joxer has to marry.”

“Fine mom, I’ll be with Bliss if you want me.” Cupid said as he disappeared from the room.

Appearing from behind a pillar Auto enquired, “Aren’t any of you going to help Joxer? It seems a little unfair that’s he got to deal with all this alone.”

“He’s not alone. Ares is with him and will take care of him.” The love goddess said smiling.

“What are you doing here?” Eris asked worried the thief had heard everything.

“Ares wanted to play with me earlier. He came and got me when I was hanging out with Herc and Xena. Could one of you send me back?”

Aphrodite nodded, “I’ll take you. If you tell anyone what happened today I will hunt you down and show you just how cruel love can be.”

“Okay. The others will be looking for Joxer though, what do I tell them?”

“Just say I promise to take care of him.” Aphrodite said helpfully, it was the truth.

Auto answered as the pair disappeared, “Okay but they won’t believe me.”
*******
Aphrodite appeared at her brother’s camp shocked to find him and Iolaus arguing over Zeus while Gabrielle took notes. As the goddess appeared Xena narrowed her eyes suspiciously as she looked at Auto.

“What’s up bro?” Aphrodite said smiling cheerfully.

Hercules answered angrily, “Iolaus has been fucking Zeus. Ares told me so.”

The love goddess shook her head, “Not true. Do me a favour and keep away from Ares for a while? He’s under a little stress.”

“You mean he’s lost his mind. What has he done to Joxer?” Xena countered not wanting the man to be in danger, she knew from personal experience how dangerous Ares was.

Outragehrodhrodite said, “He would *never* hurt Joxer! They’re best friends. Joxer is a helping Ares recover from the stress he’s under. Do you have any idea how exhausting it is to do this job for hundreds of years?

Iolaus grinned, “I’ve never thought about it. Can you tell Joxer I’d like to hear from him sometime. I just want to make sure he is okay.”

“Will do.” Aphrodite said as she disappeared leaving only rose petals in her wake.
*******
“You actually going to talk to me today or what?” Methos said with a smirk as he looked at the new immortal.

Strife smiled, “Yeah but don’t expect anything deep. I’m still angry about what happened. So how long have you worked for Hades?”

“Four hundred years so far. I’m his Horseman of Death.”

Strife nodded, “Do you like your job?”

Methos said honestly, “Yeah. This way I know the people I kill are supposed to die at that time. The way I see it death is part of the natural cycle and all I’m doing is taking my place in the cycle.”

“How did he find you?” Strife said wanting to know about the man, he was going to be with for the near future.

Methos shrugged, “No idea. He just turned up one day and said he had a job for me. He explained the job and pointed out if I didn’t kill the people someone else would but I could make sure they didn’t suffer. If he wants someone to suffer he gives them to me, I take care of all the people with whom Hades has a personal score to settle.”

“Hmm. I did the same for Ares. I was the star pupil of our God of Pain so people are normally given to me when Ares feels they need special attention.”

“You like this Ares then?”

Strife smiled, “He’s great. He’s been like a father to me, he didn’t even freak at me after I broke up with Cupid. The featherbrained idiot didn’t bother to try to stop me. The annoying part is that it was a really weak lie, he should have known I wasn’t telling the truth but he didn’t.”

“Maybe he didn’t love you, or know you as much as you thought then.” Seeing the look of contemplation on Strife’s face Methos changed the subject quickly, “Did Hades tell you about the rules of our existence?”

“No. He just said you would fill me in.”

“Okay, we can’t fight on holy ground of any religion. I saw someone do that once, when he won his body was literally burnt to ashes.”

“Nice (!) Anything else?”

Thinking he liked this kid's attitude Methos said, “We fight to the death, one on one. Decapitation is the only way to kill us. *No one* can interfere once a fight has started.”

“How long until we meet your friends?”

Knowing he needed to tell Strife some truths about the man’s new situation Methos explained, “About two months. They’re the other three horsemen. They are immortals that are doing this because they want to. The others should leave you alone if I make it clear that you’re mine which means we will be sleeping together regularly and you are not to address anyone but me. You are to come with me all the time, I will teach you to fight. I know they are seriously nuts but being with them helps me perform my job and it stops them coming after me.”

“I understand. I’ll do what is expected of me. What am I supposed to call you?” Strife said quickly amazed the Horsemen sounded reasonable.

Methos smiled, “Methos when we’re alone and Death when we’re not. It’ll take at least four hundred years before they accept you. Every couple of hundred years we will take a break and retreat somewhere to hideout. At which time you come with me and we’ll go travelling a while where you can take your place at my side.”

Strife absorbed the information asking hesitantly, “Okay. Can I ask what I’m supposed to do when The Horsemen go on raids?”

“You come with us and do as I ask. You haven’t got any weaknesses about torture, slavery or rape have you because they are very common amongst the Horsemen?”

“It doesn’t matter if I do because it’s now my existence. What happens if one of the others come after me?”

Methos growled, “I will deal with it, in their eyes you are my property. When we’re alone, we can talk more but in public, I will have to be harsh to you. If they see I’m attached to you then they will come after both of us.”

“Okay. You know, I’ll never even see my son again. If we ever come back to Greece, he will probably be dead.”

“You will survive, as we all do. You can always talk to me as long as we’re alone.”

“Thanks, Methos.” Strife said sincerely as they boarded the boat taking them from Greece and his family.

End Part 5