DISCLAIMER: The characters belong to MCA/Universal and were used without permission. No copyright infringement was intended and no money was made.

Thanks to Sel for beta-ing this monstrosity, and Jen for her help on hot, winged sex. Thanks also to Birdy Jae for the poem "This Fire" in Chapter 22.

Unforgiven Soul.

(A sequel to 'Awakening Soul' and 'Fire In His Soul')

By Spooky.

****************
1
Missing.

Hercules slowly opened his eyes.

The sun was warm on his back and there was a light breeze that ruffled his hair slightly. He lay for a moment, composing himself for the day ahead, then, as consciousness slowly returned, realised he was alone.

He raised his head slightly, looking around the clearing, then rolled over and sat up. Puzzled, he got to his feet, dressed swiftly and went down to the nearby river bank to see if Iolaus was fishing or taking a bath.

No hunter to be seen.

He put his hands on his hips, frowning. It was most unlike his lover to leave the camp without saying anything. Perhaps he'd gone hunting and hadn't wanted to disturb the sleeping demigod.

Still, Hercules could count the times Iolaus had risen before him on the fingers of one finger. He took a deep breath and yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Iolaus?"

The only sound he could hear was the rustling of the trees, the soft gurgle of water and birds singing. Hercules would have been enchanted at the peace if he hadn't felt so worried. He cast around for a moment, then realised that Iolaus couldn't have gone hunting. His bow and sword were still there.
Perhaps he'd cut himself a spear?

No. No pile of wood shavings nearby. The fishing gear was also intact. Hercules decided he would wait. There had to be an explanation for the hunter's disappearance and Hercules was worrying heedlessly.

He decided to catch breakfast and bathe at the same time, while he waited for his partners return.

***

Dusk stole over the campsite, lengthening the shadows and stilling the birdsong. Hercules gazed into the fire, hypnotised by the dancing flames. Looking into fire always reminded him, now, of the elemental Janus, just as eating the fish he had had for breakfast, lunch and supper reminded him of Klas, Janus' lover, the water spirit who had died so horribly in the fight with Ares over Arges, the Cyclops stone. Once more, his worry for his own lover came to the fore.

He sighed and looked up at the moon. *Stop thinking about that. Iolaus is fine,* he thought to himself.

So why wasn't the hunter here, by his side, where he belonged? Where was he?

Hercules shut his eyes. Iolaus had been gone too long. It was time to search for him. He concentrated hard, calling a name in his mind.

Within a few short moments there was a flash of light and a sprinkling of love hearts and confetti wafted gently over him. He sighed and brushed the stuff away. His sister had a melodramatic, but messy touch.

The goddess of love stood before him, holding a large cake with candles on it. She wore a smile and nothing else. She looked surprised to find herself stood in the clearing, and glared at the demigod.

"Herc! I was about to give Hephy his birthday present," she said in annoyed tones, stamping her dainty foot..

Hercules looked away from his naked half sister and blushed; he had to consciously stop his lips from twitching into a smile. "I need your help, 'Dite. Iolaus is missing."

The goddess sighed. "Can't this wait? Sweet Cheeks can take care of himself."

"Normally I would agree, but when I woke up early this morning he was gone, his stuff is still here and it's nearly night time. I'm worried. Could you have a quick look for him?"

Aphrodite made a 'hmph' noise in her throat. "Look. Let me just give this to Hephy, and his... other present, and I'll get back to you? He can't have gone far."

Hercules resisted the urge to grab the cake and pile it into her beautiful face. Couldn't she see how worried he was? He let out a soft growl of frustration. Sometimes having all these godly relatives was a real pain. They just didn't understand how mortals could be endangered, had no concept of time being of the essence.

"Dite, please…I thought he meant something to you."

"Bro…he does." Aphrodite's face softened, as if realising how upset her half brother was. "You know if you are really that strung out about this you could always ask Cupie. I'm sure he'll look for you. I'll send him down if you want."

Hercules nodded.

"And it'll keep him out of my hair. He gets this urge to spy on what Hephy and I do. I'm not putting a show on for him," the goddess added.

Hercules sighed and this time he did smile. "All right, 'Dite. For you... and wish Hephaestus a happy birthday for me."

She grinned brilliantly at him. "Thanks, Herc. I owe you." The confetti and hearts scattered once more over the clearing, and Aphrodite and her cake disappeared.

Hercules sat, once more staring into the flames. He could feel his eyes closing as they lulled him into sleep. He jerked himself awake and looked up at the constellation he and Iolaus had once, a very long time ago, named 'Table'

"Where are you, Iolaus. They can't tell me that you've gone off on your own. It's just not like you."

He wondered if perhaps Ares had his lover. It wouldn't be the first time, and the war god still bore a grudge against them for helping Janus in his fight, and witnessing his humiliation at the hands of the First and Last.

Why was he thinking so much of those mysterious beings tonight? Was it because going to help them, had been the last time Iolaus had gone somewhere without him? Admittedly, he'd told Hercules where he was going that time, and Hercules had worried, and followed him to Naxos. Iolaus had been furious that his lover was unable to trust him. And, Hercules thought, with good reason.

Maybe they had called for his help again and he hadn't wanted to get Hercules involved. He knew the jealousy the demigod still held for his deep link to Janus and Klas, even if Hercules never mentioned it.
The demigod also knew that the link hadn't been properly removed - There was another factor involved this time. Klas had died, but his replacement had been Kalios, Iolaus' water spirit son.

Hercules frowned. He had never really got all that straight - how a being that, to all intents and purposes, looked male, but was able to produce offspring. It was weird that Iolaus had a son who was fully grown within moments of his birth, was not even human, and had been sired on another man.

He was jerked out of his thoughts by another flash of light. He started to his feet in reflex, then relaxed as his nephew Cupid, the god of love appeared.

"Hey, Unc. Mom said you had a problem." The winged god was never one to take things seriously, but because he had a good relationship with all the other gods, was probably the logical choice to look for Iolaus.

Hercules sat back down. Cupid joined him at the fire and listened as the demigod explained what had happened. As Hercules mentioned his fear that perhaps the First and Last had asked for his help again, Cupid's hazel eyes grew sad. Hercules remembered that Cupid had fallen deeply in love with Kirok, the element of air, but Kirok had gone back to his partner; and frightened the god of love witless into the bargain.

"He'd tell you," he said at last, after a moments thought. "Iolaus wouldn't let you worry. Perhaps someone else has him. I'll take a look, but you'll have to ask mom to ask Ares... even if he is the most likely dude to have him. I haven't spoken to him since...the labyrinth."

Hercules understood. Cupid had gone through some bad torture at Ares' hands. The god of war had broken his wings and chained him up, making him watch the multiple rapes he had inflicted on Klas. Cupid had been unable to do anything as Ares tried to destroy the First with the Argesian Stone. It had only been Klas' sacrifice that had saved them. Now Cupid hated his uncle for what he had done. The god of war's desire for vengeance had almost destroyed the world.

He lifted his head from his memories as he heard the impatient rustle of feathered wings. "Please," he said quietly. "Please check for me. I need to know no one else has him, before I go to find the First."

Cupid nodded, and disappeared.

*********

Hercules slept fitfully that night, even worrying in his dreams about what could have happened to Iolaus. The little hunter was an infuriating, talkative man, who sometimes drove the demigod to distraction, but the year he had been without his lover, when Iolaus had been dead, had been the saddest and loneliest of his life. He couldn't imagine life without him ever again.. it frightened him sometimes how much he loved the blond.

He awoke with a gasp, out of a nightmare that involved Iolaus and Janus, and sat up. His heart raced and his pulse quickened. He wiped the sweat from his face, and then wondered, once more, why that fiery being was so foremost in his mind.

He lay back down and tried to think rationally. He hated losing the way his well-ordered thoughts were jumbled and incoherent - but this was bugging him too much. He would have to find Janus and talk to him. There had to be a reason he couldn't get him out of his mind.

He was about to lay down and compose himself once more for sleep when the tell-tale flash of light brightened up the clearing and Cupid appeared.

"You still awake?" he asked.

Hercules groaned. "What did you find?"

Cupid shook his head. "Zip, Nada. Zero. No one's seen him or heard that anyone might have him."

"Not even Ares?"

Cupid paused and then shook his head. "Everyone I talked to said he's been closeted away in a sulk for the last year. I wasn't going to even try seeing him... even if I wanted to."

"I might have to go see him." Hercules sighed. He, too, hadn't spoken to his half brother since their last encounter at the labyrinth.

Cupid looked reluctant, but made an offer anyway. "You want me to come along? I guess I'll have to face him sometime. Now is a good a time as any other."

"No. I'll go... but, if you could find where the First are, I'd be grateful. It'll save me wandering Greece to find them."

"They might not be in Greece. You know they wander all over the world in that way-out, living ship of theirs."

Hercules nodded. "I know that, but somehow I have the feeling they're here. It's just a matter of finding them. Look for people talking about the minstrels 'Tallicus'. That's who they are in their human forms... though, now Kalios is with them, they might have given it up."

Cupid let out a long breath. "You know, I think I'd rather talk to Ares than meet Kirok again."

Hercules reached out and put a reassuring hand on the love god's shoulder. "I know. You don't have to talk to them, just find them and let me know where they are. I'll take care of the rest."

**********
2
Ares.

Ares lounged on his throne, idly listening to the sounds of prayers and pleas of bravery in battle. As far as anyone was concerned, the mighty throne was empty, and had been for a year. It had only been recently that Ares had pulled himself together and gone back to the temple.

He had hidden, far from the eyes of men and god for all that time, humiliated and hurting at what Janus had done to him. Now he was ready to assume his proper duties again, and be the god he was. He had skulked like a child for far too long, alone with his need for vengeance.

He had promised he wouldn't go near the elementals ever again, but as time passed, he could feel the need to exact revenge coming once more to the front of his mind. Ares began to plot vaguely in his warriors brain, wondering if there would ever be a right time.

He looked up alertly, as his half brother strode into the temple, exerting his authority as a demigod to dismiss the worshippers.

Hercules stood, hand on hips, staring into his brothers eyes, as muttered complaints from unrepentant warriors fluttered around him, about how high and mighty the hero was these days, and didn't he have anything better to do than rout the people from their prayers.

At last the two were alone.

Ares met the dark blue eyes with his own unwavering gaze. He wouldn't back down from this man, whatever happened, even though nebulous fear mumbled at him from his stomach. The last time he'd seen Hercules, the demigod had watched him compelled to his knees by a grief stricken fire elemental. That was abasing enough, but then Janus had forced the god to suck his cock in front of them all, preparing to come molten fire down Ares' throat and kill him in the most terrible way imaginable.

The strain in the air was palpable, but Ares refused to break it. He continued to stare at Hercules, silent and brooding.

It seemed Hercules had enough of the mental power play and approached the throne.

"Do you have Iolaus?" he asked.

Ares considered this. Did he have Iolaus?

"Once," he replied, adding a touch of gloating to his voice.

Hercules' eyes narrowed. "That isn't what I mean, and you know it."

"You want to know if I'm holding your pet fuck toy prisoner?" Ares asked with as much nonchalance as possible.

Hercules gritted his teeth. Ares could almost hear them grinding together. "Yes. Do you have him?"

Ares shook his head. "If I did, I'd let you know about it... by sending him back to you... piece by bloody piece." He relished the words as he spoke them, entertaining for a brief moment the thought of fucking that golden flesh, then ripping him apart and posting the parts to Hercules... first his cock, then his balls.. then...

"Do you know where he might be?" Hercules interrupted the war gods train of thought.

"How the fuck should I know? Gods, Hercules. You're always losing the little bastard. You should keep him on one of Hephaestus' chains." Ares started to grow angry. "Perhaps that fiery fuck-head Janus has him. He seems to like sticking it to him."

Hercules' lips tightened and once more he folded his arms defensively across his chest.

Ares suddenly was struck by an idea. Time to play nice... or as nice as he got anyway.

"No, Hercules. I don't have him, but... I owe him one. I'll help you look for him if you want?" Oh yes. Just the right amount of grudging acquiescence. He could see Hercules wasn't impressed by his apparent honesty.

"Why the sudden change?" he asked?

Ares took a deep breath and set his mind on sincerity. "Look. If it wasn't for him, I'd be an ex-god," he said. "He pleaded for my life."

Hercules blinked and his gaze went inwards as he remembered.

Ares, too, remembered Iolaus, holding the body of the water elemental in his arms, pleading with Janus not to kill Ares. It wasn't what his dead lover wanted. His simple words and the way he had held Klas' body close, seemed to have brought Janus to his senses, and he had let Ares live.

"All right," he said at last. "I could use your help. I have the feeling something's very wrong here.... but I need to talk to the First and Last. Remember your promise?"

Ares smiled wolfishly. "How could I ever forget?"

*******
3
Cupid's Request.

Cupid searched. He followed rumours and trailed after village gossip. He hadn't had so much fun in aeons, listening to old women gossiping about lovers, telling the dirty to their neighbours. He lingered invisibly at windows, listening to soft murmurs of speech, and sometimes, the gasps and cries of lovemaking. Those, he had to watch, a dreamy smile on his face. He liked to know that his worshippers bowed so often at his feet without even realising it.

Before he knew it, the news he'd heard had headed him toward Corinth, and there, he saw the huge stage area the minstrels used, being set up by employed workers from the town.

Cupid was about to leave, and go back to Hercules, when he saw a familiar figure come into view from behind the stage. He stopped, not wanting to see the being he loved, but unable to stop himself watching and remembering.

Kirok!

The small being, dressed in loose flowing black silks moved quickly across the courtyard, talking to someone who had to hasten his pace to keep up. Kirok didn't so much walk as glide, his waist length black curls drifting around his beautiful face in a soft wind... a wind that could be felt by no one in the totally still, sultry air.

As he approached, unaware of the watching god, Cupid heard his voice, soft as always - an almost sibilant whisper, like the wind through long grass.

"I'll have to ask King Iphicles. I'm sure he'll let your men in. I'll ask as a special favour," he said.

The man bowed briefly and left Kirok, who promptly turned and entered the castle.

Cupid followed, his heart breaking. All the love he thought he had forgotten about and put aside returned full force. He could actually feel the small elemental deep in his soul and thought back to the time they made love in the air. A wonderful, hot, passionate time, one he tried to forget but was unable to. Why had he consented to Hercules request? It only hurt him.

Kirok walked towards the throne room. As he approached the large double doors, they swung aside of their own accord, making the guards either side of the entrance blink and stare at the girlish figure, but not challenge him.

"Kirok! Welcome." Iphicles, King of Corinth, and Hercules' half brother, had been lounging on his throne looking bored, but now he sat upright, a smile on his handsome face. He stood up and walked swiftly to the man, holding out his hand. Kirok clasped it briefly.

"I thought I was going to have to come down to speak to you guys," Iphicles said.

"Sorry we didn't make our compliments earlier," Kirok said. "We were busy. Jason has been ill, and we were... taking him to a healer."

Cupid heard the lie in Kirok's breathy voice.

"If he needs anything..." Iphicles started.

"Thanks, but he's fine now."

Iphicles smiled, his face filled with genuine pleasure. "Are you going to stay here? You know I always enjoy your visits and I haven't seen you guys for a very long time... must be a year or so. How is Janus, and... Klas?"

"Janus is, as usual, his normal angry self, but... Klas was killed a year ago."

Iphicles suddenly looked pale and he froze in shock. "Killed? He's dead? How?"

Kirok shrugged. "It's a long story."

Cupid was surprised to see tears in Iphicles' eyes. Come to think of it, he seemed rather too shocked about Klas' death than a casual friend would be. What had gone on between the little water spirit and the king?

"I'm so sorry," Iphicles whispered, touching Kirok's shoulder. "So, there's only three of you now?"

"No. We asked... Klas'... twin brother, Kalios to join us."

Yet another lie.

Iphicles nodded. "Well... you're all welcome to stay." He reinforced his offer.

Kirok nodded and bowed deeply and gracefully. "Thank you. We accept."

He abruptly turned and left the king. Cupid smiled at the look on Iphicles' face. Kirok, and indeed all of the elementals sometimes forgot the niceties of human interaction. He followed Kirok out of the door, which once again opened and closed with no human hand touching them, and down the large echoing corridor that led to the castle gates.

"Ok, Cupid. What do you want?"

Cupid jumped in surprise. Kirok could see him?

The air spirit faced him, his black eyes boring into Cupid's own. Cupid cleared his throat and smiled at his once lover.

"Kirok... I didn't realise you could see me... I ..."

The man folded his arms and tapped a foot impatiently. "I don't have time for this. Were you spying on me?" he asked shortly.

"No... I was... I mean, well, yes I was, but not... Shit. Hercules asked me to look for you."

The spirit stared silently at Cupid, as if trying to catch him in a lie.

"Iolaus has gone missing. None of the other gods have him. He hoped, as they helped you out before, you could return the favour and help him find the guy."

Kirok considered for only a moment, then he began to walk back to the stage, an aloof figure, untouchable by anyone, even the love god. "Tell him to come," he said shortly.

Cupid got the idea he'd been dismissed, and disappeared back to where Hercules was staying, to inform the demigod that the elementals would help him.

**************
4
Elementary, My Dear Janus.

"You did what?" came a roar.

Kirok didn't even blink. "He needs our help. We can't turn him down. He and Iolaus have helped us out enough times."

Janus paced in the small backstage area, his movements jerky, his golden hair flying around him.

"We can't do it right now. You know we can't. Jason's been sick... He can't..."

"Don't mind me," Jason said, from his place perched on top of one of the huge conch shells that they used to amplify their sound. "Kirok's right. We have to help them."

Janus glared at Kirok's partner. "You don't have the strength. You know I even wanted to cancel this show? After the last one you looked awful."

"I'm fine," Jason insisted.

"Janus. Let it lie," came a soft voice. Janus' lover spoke up at last.

Kirok had forgotten that Kal was there. Kalios was identical to Klas, their dead fourth member, except perhaps the hair, and a tendency to lapse into long periods of quiet. Kirok absently remembered with a fond smile, that if there had been silence, then Klas would have to fill it with the sound of his voice. He was always on the move, incessantly talking, forever restless - like his element of water. This newcomer didn't feel the need. The air elemental wondered if it was because he had been corporeal for less time, and had been born of another being, rather than created out of the earth force as he, Janus and Jason had been.

"Anyone would think that you didn't want to help them," Kal said, going to his man and leaning against him, stroking his arm gently.

Janus' eyes lightened up a little at the tender caress, and he smiled down at the tiny man. "I do, but I'm just worried about what's making Jason sick."

"It's humans," Jason said quietly. "They infest the earth and take what they need. They don't give anything in return." His voice was dull, devoid of life, and Kirok eyed him worriedly. He went to Jason and squeezed his shoulder.

"One day they'll learn."

"In the meantime, Jase gets weaker and weaker," Janus growled. "Why should we put up with this?"

"We don't interfere," Kirok said firmly.

"Exactly, so if a human goes missing, we shouldn't have to look for him - whoever he is."

"He's part of us!" Kal said, his voice raising a little. "Not only has he been linked to you, but he's my father too. We have to help."

Janus sat down and pulled his lover close, stroking his hands through the wheaten mix of braids and wavy hair. "I'm sorry. I forgot," he whispered.

"I've told Hercules to come," Kirok said firmly, exerting his little-used authority as the oldest of the small group. "So the point is moot. He will come and we will do our best to help him." He glared at Janus.

Janus sighed and nodded. "Ok, fine. Just don't expect me to like it. I've got a nasty feeling about this, and I don't want to go through anything like what happened before." He looked down at Kal. "Do you see anything... in the future?"

Kal shook his head. " You know I don't have that ability. I think it's because I'm partly human," he said. "I'm sorry. I guess we need it right now."

Kirok picked up the strange lute he used to enchant the hundreds of people who came to see their shows. "Come on. Let's get this over with, before Jase falls over."

The band armed themselves with their respective instruments and went on stage.

***

Hercules was restless. Cupid hadn't yet come back and Ares was off on some war or other, but had promised he would return as soon as possible. The demigod was staying in an inn in a small village near where Iolaus had disappeared, and every now and then, he returned to the clearing to search for his lover.

He would call his name for hours, getting nothing back but the sounds of nature around him. He called until his voice was hoarse, then go back to the inn, feeling more depressed than before. He hoped Cupid would be able to find the elementals soon. He could feel dread overcoming him, blackening his soul, just like the time Iolaus had been killed by Dahak.

The innkeeper was a friendly soul, who seemed to sense Hercules' sadness and jollied him along, trying to get him to come down to have a drink and mix with the villagers, rather than skulk in his room. Hercules finally decided to do just that, just to shut the guy up.

He was sat alone at a table, quietly watching two pretty serving girls putting on an impromptu dance for the benefit of their appreciative customers, when there was a flash of light beside him. He looked up and batted away the love hearts and little arrows that showered around him.

"Do you have to do that?" he complained.

Drinkers nearby caught the sight of the demigod waving his hand in front of his face and talking to him self and looked at each other, shaking their heads. It seemed the big guy was so upset at the loss of his friend that he was slowly going mad.

Hercules observed their sympathetic faces and got up abruptly, dragging the love god with him outside the inn.

"Well?" he demanded.

"I saw Kirok. He said they'd help."

"Where are they?"

"In Corinth. They're staying with your bro, Iphicles."

"That's handy," Hercules remarked. He grabbed the god by his leather harness and took him up to his room.

"Stop hauling me around like I was a carry sack!" Cupid complained, as the demigod started packing up his belongings.

"I have to tell you... Ares told me he'd help me," Hercules said, not looking at his nephew.

"What? Ares? Are you fucking mad? You know you can't trust him," Cupid yelled.

"I need all the help I can get," Hercules said stubbornly. "I don't know where Iolaus is, but I have the feeling there's more to this than meets the eye."

"You're fucking right, there, Uncle Herc, but Ares...?"

Hercules stopped packing and looked up at the winged god. "You don't have to come with us. You've already been a great help. You don't need to do anymore."

"Are you kidding? Someone has to keep an eye on that snake."

Hercules smiled. "And of course there's Kirok."

Cupid's face grew angry. "There's nothing between us now. He made sure of that when he showed me what he was, and what I would become if I joined them."

Hercules stood up from his bent position, and shut the carry sack he had finished packing. "But you wish there was, don't you?" he said, feeling sympathy for the lovelorn god.

Cupid was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I still love him. I thought I was over it, but seeing him today, remembering how we made love in the sky and on the ground... I can't get him out of my mind."

Hercules slapped Cupid on the arm. "Love god, heal thyself," he said, and walked out of the room.

************
5
The Corinthian King.

"Hercules!" Iphicles' voice was coloured with pleasure at seeing his brother once more. "Long time no see. What have I done to deserve this visit?"

Hercules looked shifty and tried to smile at the king. "Well... to be honest, I'm looking for 'Tallicus'," he said, clasping arms with his brother and clapping him on the shoulder.

Iphicles' face fell a little. "Oh? I thought you'd come to relieve me of boredom."

"Iph, it's great to see you, but Iolaus is missing The guys are the only people that can help me."

Iphicles looked puzzled. "'Tallicus? How can they help you? Play a ransom show or something?"

Hercules thought about this for a moment. His brother didn't know about the supposed minstrel's special attributes. He was interrupted in his thoughts by a flash of light, and the sight of Iphicles' face paling a little.

"Ares," The king stammered, then his face flushed.

Hercules looked between his brothers, frowning. He could see the tension there and wondered how or why that had happened.

"Hello, Iphicles," Ares said quietly.

The Corinthian king didn't take his eyes off the god, but he addressed Hercules. "The guys are in the guest wing. Why don't you go and look for them?"

Hercules suddenly felt like he was unwanted. "Oh... uh… Ok... I'll… uh..." he turned and walked away, still puzzled.

***

Ares eyed the king, his former lover. Iphicles looked pensive, and his eyes said 'we need to talk'
The god wasn't sure if he wanted to talk. He was a god, not one of these weak humans who needed to sit there and talk their feelings out. As far he was concerned, Iphicles was a great fuck and nothing more, but, looking at that sculpted profile and running his eyes down the muscular chest, Ares decided that it might be worth renewing their acquaintance after all.

He tried to remember the last time he had spoken to the king of Corinth, and found it had been too long.

Damn! Once again it had been those fucking elementals that had been the cause of their fall out. Iphicles, in a fit of pique, had slept with Klas, the water spirit, Ares had found out and had felt wildly jealous - vowing to kill the little man.

He hadn't realised just who these guys were at the time. It had only been when Janus and the others had stormed his temple, nearly killed him and brought the temple to the ground with their strange powers that he had realised they weren't just a bunch of wandering musicians. From then on, his only thoughts had been how to destroy them. He had forgotten about Iph in his search for vengeance.

He had managed, in a round about way, to kill the, admittedly sensual, little spirit. Now he had to work on the other three. He could see this was going to be difficult. They wouldn't trust him in the slightest - but he knew they liked and trusted Iphicles.

Hmmm. Perhaps this might come in handy after all.

All this ran through his head as he watched the king. Iphicles was now pacing, waiting for the god to say something... anything.

Ares knew this drove Iph nuts, him not talking, just standing there, being all godly. He folded his arms and waited.

At last he was rewarded. Iphicles turned on his heel and spun to face the waiting god of war.

"So what are you doing here after... what is it? Three years?" he burst out. "Isn't that rather a long time to hold a grudge against me sleeping with Klas?"

Ares smiled slightly, and hid the smile with his hand across his mouth. Same Iphicles... always impatient, always brooding.

"I'm helping out my brother," he said.

"Herc? But you two hate each other!"

"I owe him and Iolaus a few favours," Ares said ambiguously.

Iphicles narrowed his eyes at the god. "So what's in it for you?" he asked.

"Nothing. I'm feeling generous. There's only one problem."

Iph raised his eyebrows questioningly.

"Those.... uh... guys that are going to help Hercules. We had a small problem a year or so back. They don't trust me, but all I want to do is help."

Iphicles snorted. "No one in their right mind trusts you. I say they have their heads screwed on right."

Ares swore under his breath. This didn't seem to be going the way he wanted - execute plan B. He moved forward, turning on his 'come to bed' look and smiling seductively at his ex lover. "Come now, Iphy," he wheedled. "You know I'm not the treacherous type. Can't you put a good word in for me? All I want to do is help my little brother." He stroked down Iphicles' cheek and moved closer, letting his crotch rub up against the king's.

Iphicles flushed and melted into the god of war's arms.

"You know I will," he mumbled, nibbling tantalising little kisses over Ares ready lips.

Ares was tempted to take the king there and then in the middle of his throne room. Gods, he had missed this horny human. He sternly ordered his cock to behave. He had business to take care of first. He pushed Iphicles away slightly, but gave him a promise of 'later' with his eyes.

"I have to go and see them... Do you think you could come with me? I need them to trust me from the very start."

"You know I will," breathed Iph into his ear.

By Zeus, this was almost too simple.

*******

Hercules could hear Janus' ever-angry voice as he approached the guest suite. He stopped to listen for a moment, intrigued with what these beings talked about when they weren't masquerading as human.

"I don't like this. I don't understand why Jason should be so ill."

"He already told you. It's the humans," came Kirok's soft, placating whisper.

"But why the fuck should they affect him like this? We know it's going to get worse. How can he be so weak with so few humans on the earth?" Janus argued.

"Ares, perhaps?" The melodious tones of Kalios suggested.

"He wouldn't dare," Janus growled. "He knows what I'd do to him if he interfered."

"A thirst for vengeance is a powerful emotion, even for gods," said Kirok. "He'd kill us if he could."

"But he promised," a quiet, weak voice said. Hercules realised the pained voice was Jason. The earth spirit sounded nothing like his usual stony self.

"He's an Olympian. He won't keep his promise. They never do," Janus said.

Hercules had enough of listening to the men debate and knocked on the door. The door opened and he saw the four beings stood in the middle of the room in a loose circle.

"Hello, Hercules. I was starting to wonder if you were going to eavesdrop on us for much longer, or make yourself known," Kirok said softly.

Hercules groaned inwardly. He'd forgotten that nothing got past the air elemental.

********
6
Taken from Earth...

A solitary figure walked out of the void, drawing aside the fabric of being as if it was a window curtained from the sun. He was dressed in flowing white, his gold breastplate the only point of colour, even his hair was colourless.

He raised his arms and began to chant in a rich voice that rumbled over the lonely hills, echoing back to him in a blast of wind.

"E Terra extraxit. Renoavit completum que facitur. Donec Bellum Primum et Extremum accipiet."

Light blazed between his hands and a tablet of stone materialised above him, dropping abruptly out of the sky into his grasp.

He pointed at the ground and a bolt of lightning shot from his finger and buried itself into the earth leaving a gaping hole. He placed the tablet into the hole and covered it up with a single scoop. He got to his feet and closed his eyes.

"Finet!"

There was another flash of light and the hills were once more left alone, guarding their terrible secret.

************
7
Truths and Lies.

"Herc! Great to see you again. We heard Iolaus was.... ahhhhh."

Jason crumpled where he stood and fell to his knees clutching his stomach. Immediately Kirok was there, helping him to stand. The pain in Jason's face was almost tangible. Hercules leaned forward in concern, and helped Kirok with his partner. Jason staggered again and Hercules took matters into his own hands. He swept the earth spirit into his arms and put him on the bed.

"What's wrong with him? It seems worse this time," came Kal's worried voice.

Hercules brushed a hand over Jason's face, feeling how hot he was. If the guy was human, he'd say he had a bad fever, but these beings were not human by any stretch of the imagination, and he didn't have the foggiest idea what was wrong.

"I heard you say he's been ill," Hercules said, wondering if he dare try to cool the elemental down with water. He knew that water could be dangerous for Janus but had no idea about the others.

"Yes. It started a few days ago. He's been weakening rapidly. We even had to cut one of our shows short. We don't know what's wrong with him, but he seems to think it's something to do with humans and the earth force," Kirok said.

"I think that's a pile of shit," Janus said in his crude fashion. "If it was the earth force, we'd all be feeling it."

"Not if it was just beginning, he would feel it before us," Kirok argued.

"Look... Can you fight about this later?" Hercules started. "He's got a fever, and I have no idea how to cool him down. Will water..."

He stopped as Kirok started to glow slightly and held his hands over Jason. He could feel a soft breeze in the air, and the feeling of pressure from all around him, as if energy was being taken out of everything, including himself. Kirok gathered the power in his hands in the form of a ball of light then with an abrupt movement, forced it downwards. The light exploded from his hand hit Jason full in the chest then dissipated as if it had never been.

The earth spirit breathed a little easier, and when the demigod touched his face, it was cooler. He covered the sick elemental up with a sheet, then got up. "Will you need to keep doing that?" he asked Kirok.

The beautiful man shook his head, his eyes shadowed with worry. "I have no idea. I was improvising," he said.

"You look like you have too many of your own problems to be able to consider helping me," Hercules said. "When did you say this happened first?"

"Three days ago," Kirok said. "We were beginning to think it was Ares up to his tricks."

"No. It's not Ares. Believe me, I know. It's strange, because Iolaus disappeared three days ago... and he's been linked with you. Do you think there could be a connection?"

The three men looked at each other, then back at Hercules. Janus scowled angrily.

"I don't know who's doing this, but when I find him he's toast!" he said. "If it's Ares, I'm gonna burn him up so bad you'll be able to sell his body as charcoal."

"Not a good idea," came a new voice. Ares and Iphicles had just entered the room quietly.

Hercules turned and put a hand over his eyes. Now was not a good time. He feared for his brother's castle if Ares and Janus tangled with each other right now.

Janus growled low in his throat. "Ares! I should've known you'd be..." he started forward, his body starting to blaze into his half human form.... the body that Hercules knew would be detrimental to Ares' health..

"Janus, hold!" Hercules said, grabbing the fire spirit and pulling him back with difficulty. He'd forgotten how powerful he was, not only that, but grabbing a handful of fire elemental when he was angry was really not a good idea. He shook his hands, trying not to show the pain from his burned skin. The last thing he wanted was his brother finding out about the four men's interesting peculiarities.

"Ares is on our side this time," the demigod continued "He made a promise and he told me he'll keep it. He's going to help us."

Iphicles walked forward. "I know you have no reason to trust him. And I know you are still hurting from Klas' death." The king looked saddened. " Ares and I have talked, and he only wants to help. Iolaus' life may depend on it. You have to trust him."

Janus, ever suspicious, narrowed his blue eyes even further than their usual hate-filled glare. "What's the catch?" he asked.

"That's personal," Ares said before Hercules or Iphicles could say a word. "Let's just say, I owe him and Iolaus."

Janus took a deep breath and seemed to calm. Kal went to his side and stroked his long, gold hair. "Be cool," he whispered. "Don't lose control."

Hercules looked from his half brother to the fire spirit. They could be almost the same person, both tall and powerfully built, the same facial hair and dangerous aura, the same unrelieved black leather clothing. The only difference was their colouring - Ares, dark as night, his soul as black as the pit of Tartarus, Janus, golden haired and destructive as his element.... both were unpredictable, full of seething anger and hatred... opposite sides of the same coin. No wonder they hated each other so much - they were so similar they could almost be twins.

"We're here to find Iolaus," he said softly. "And, I think his disappearance and Jason's illness are linked."

"Why should my father vanishing have anything to do with us?" Kal asked.

Ares folded his arms and lounged against a wall. "Iolaus is your father?" he asked, his deep voice curious. "I thought you were that water spirit I raped.... I thought you died."

Hercules grabbed Janus again, as he started forward with a snarl. This time Kirok interrupted. "He is both Klas and Klas' son. I wouldn't expect you to understand. It seems beyond you to understand anything but your own Olympian petty squabbles." His voice was coolly insulting.

"Now you look here pretty boy..." Ares started. It was Iphicles' turned to grab the god and pull him back, though his expression was puzzled at Kirok and Ares' exchange.

Hercules sighed. "Ares. Go poof off somewhere before I have a fight on my hands. Remember what Janus did to you last time? Well if you carry on, I'm not going to let anyone stop him. these guys aren't held by Zeus' rules remember?"

Ares backed down a little. "I have to go, anyway," he said. "I have work to do. He shook a fist at Janus. "I'll be back, fire creature, and one day you and I are going to have this out mano-a-mano."

Janus nodded. "Name the time and place, dick. I'll be there," he said, his voice flat.

Ares grinned evilly and disappeared with his usual flash of light. Iphicles paused a moment at the door, then gave Hercules an 'I'll talk to you later' look and left.

"I'm not sure I can cope with this," Hercules moaned softly.

"You and me both," came Kirok's whispering tones from beside him.

**********
8
Pain Renewed.

Kirok turned back to his sick partner and brushed a hand over his face, feeling his skin. "He's better than he was," he said. "But this is worrying me. We don't get sick."

Hercules, too, felt the sleeping earth spirit's forehead. Jason seemed a lot cooler and he didn't seem to be in pain anymore. "Cupid's pretty good at healing. Perhaps you should get him to have a look at him when he gets here," he said.

"Cupid?" Kirok's eyes narrowed. "I thought he only came to tell me that you wanted our help. I didn't realise he was involved."

Hercules opened his mouth to answer when he heard Janus' growl of fury behind him. "That fucking winged cock sucker?" he yelled. "What the fuck is he doing helping us?"

"Janus..." Kirok started, but the fire elemental turned on his heel and walked out of the room.

"Oh fuck!" Kirok and Hercules chorused and ran after him. They both knew he could do some bad damage if he wanted to. They caught up with him in the corridor. Kirok grasped Janus by the shoulder, and pulled him back. Hercules carefully didn't touch him. His hands still smarted from the last time he'd inadvertently grabbed him.

Janus' eyes were glowing with suppressed power. "I don't want Cupid involved," he spat.

"I think we might need his help," Kirok said softly. "I have a feeling we're going to need every ally we can get. I've got a bad feeling about this."

"Not him! I'd rather have that fucking war god on our side! At least I know I can't trust that motherfucker!" Janus' glared down at the smaller man, his blue eyes blazing - literally. Hercules hoped that Kirok could head off any temper tantrums.

"He helped us," Kirok said. "Remember?"

"He fucking betrayed us! He told Ares who we were and that we were coming... and because Ares was ready for us when we got to the fucking labyrinth, Klas died!" Janus burst out.

"I know.... I know... but you have Kal, now. You and him are joined." Kirok soothed uselessly.

"You don't fucking understand, do you?" Janus screamed, his powerful voice making Hercules back off in alarm. "Fifty fucking billion years means nothing to you. You don't have Jason the same way me and Klas had each other. You'll never understand what we had. Kal is just a pale imitation."

Kirok held up a hand, his palm glowing white, as if to ward off the grief stricken elemental. It was like Janus had lost Klas all over again.

"You think I don't know?" Kirok whispered. "I know. I finally had a chance at happiness. Finally found a being I could love... and I had to turn him away. I know what it's like to be with one I don't love... to lay awake at night and wonder what it would be like if..." he stopped, and the watching demigod wondered if he should be there, witnessing the two beings fighting.

Kirok, too, seemed to realise Hercules was still there beside him, and he dropped his hand, the glow fading. "I know what it's like," he said again, his voice almost a sob.

Janus let out a low cry and hugged Kirok to his body. The air spirit rested his head for a moment on Janus' chest, then pulled away.

"Come on," he said, regaining his calm composure and addressing Hercules. "We have to go have a talk with Iphicles."

*************
9
Beneath my wings...

Iphicles brooded and when he'd finished brooding, he brooded some more. He had an idea that things weren't all they seemed. What was going on here? What had Ares been talking about when he asked Kalios if he was the water elemental he'd raped? Why did he call Janus fire-creature?

The king pulled himself out of his thoughts and looked down at the scroll he was sure he'd read about six times without actually taking in its contents. He had to get on with the work, but something kept pulling him back to the men staying in his guest quarters.

He remembered meeting Kal for the first time, and the shock that had shot through his body when he'd seen him. Obviously he and Klas were identical twins, but... what was that about Iolaus being Kal's father?

He shook his head, confused, then looked up as he heard a light tap on his office door.

"Come in."

He groaned inwardly as Hercules and Kirok came in. More confusion to add to the fire. He sat back in his chair and played with the quill in his hand as he regarded his half brother.

Hercules leaned against the desk and folded his arms. "I guessed you'd want to talk," he said.

"I'd hoped I made it obvious enough. What was Ares talking about?" Iphicles looked at Kirok. The minstrel was stood quietly in the middle of the room.

"Iphicles, we haven't been entirely honest with you all this time," Kirok started in his quiet voice.

Iphicles stood up. "Damn right you haven't. Time to rectify that, don't you think?"

Kirok shot a look at Hercules, who shrugged. "I think you should just show him," he said.

Iphicles frowned then gasped in utter amazement and shock as Kirok blazed into light, raising his arms then lowering them as he abruptly changed his form, from the beautiful, feminine, dusky man Iphicles was used to, to an incandescent being with huge white wings and a transparent, crystalline body.

Iphicles knees became weak and he found himself sitting in his chair once more. "Fuck me!" he croaked.

"That was kind of my reaction," Hercules commented.

Kirok changed again, back into the more familiar human form.

"Are you a god?" The king asked finally, still agape.

Smiling his ambiguous smile, Kirok shook his head. "An elemental," he said.

Iphicles considered this. Certain things fitting into place at last. He had always suspected that the four men weren't what they appeared to be. He had felt it when he had made love with Klas, the total connection to the small man, the way Klas had been utterly his for those times they had been together. He's never had the chance to ask about it, but he had always felt having Klas had been worth risking Ares' wrath. Another wave of sorrow swept over him, leaving him depressed.

"Let me guess... air?" Iphicles asked at last, fighting off his feelings.

A nod.

"And, Kal looks watery... Janus must be fire... he couldn't be anything else....so that means Jase must be earth," Iphicles said finally.

Kirok raised his brows. "I'm impressed," he said. "Not even Hercules, as a demigod knew what we were, right away."

"I've heard tales of the spirits of the earth force. I've heard about the First and Last... that's what you are, aren't you?" Iphicles said.

Kirok just nodded again.

"I get all sorts of wise men and such coming to the castle and telling stories... I never thought they were true... but here you are... and what are you here for?"

Kirok shut his eyes for a moment. "You have to be wary of Ares," he said quietly. "It's because of him, Klas is dead."

Iphicles scowled. "He didn't say that."

Hercules snorted. "He wouldn't."

The king stared at his brother. "You and Ares never got on. How the hell you think you two are going to work on the same team is beyond me. Anyway, you would say that...last thing you want is your family tangled up in this."

"My family already is tangled up," Hercules said. "Iolaus is missing, and as far as I'm concerned, he's my family too."

"Yeah, above and beyond me," Iphicles sneered.

"I didn't mean that," Hercules snapped. "Stop being so fucking jealous."

"Stop it!" Kirok's normally light voice rapped out. Iphicles and the demigod both looked at him. Kirok walked over to Iphicles and leaned his hands on the desk, moving forward to face the king. Iphicles drew back, not knowing what Kirok was going to do, but Kirok only stared into his eyes, the jet orbs reaching down into Iphicles' soul.

"I'm here to tell you about what happened with Ares - why you shouldn't just trust him blindly. What you do with that knowledge is none of my business. I'm only concerned with finding out why Jason is ill, and getting Iolaus back. If telling you this helps, then that's what I'll do."

Iphicles stared back at Kirok for a long time. "You aren't going to stop the way I feel about him," he said quietly.

"I don't want to."

"Hold on... what do you mean?" Hercules asked, coming forward and standing by the elemental. "Just how do you feel about Ares?"

Iphicles sighed and threw his quill down onto the desk "We were lovers. After all this happened the first time, he didn't visit me again... after I slept with Klas... I had hoped..." he stopped. "I thought you knew. I remember telling you."

"Why the hell don't I remember it then?" Hercules demanded.

Kirok looked at Hercules. "That was one of your memories I didn't restore. I didn't think Iphicles would want you to know," he murmured.

Iphicles could see his half brother was starting to get angry. He suddenly picked Kirok up by his silken collar and pushed him up against the wall. "Give me all my fucking memories back, you bastard!" he yelled. "You've no right to tamper with them."

Kirok struggled briefly in the demigod's grasp, reaching his hand between them and placing it on the demigod's chest. His hand flashed white and with a violent, powerful force, Hercules was thrown across the room. He landed with a crash against the opposite wall, and sat there, rubbing his head and looking dizzied. Iphicles half rose, then stopped as Kirok rounded on him, his hand held out.

"Don't even think it," Kirok whispered. "Janus can kill gods...but I have no problem killing humans if needs be."

The king put up his hands, showing he meant no harm. He went over to his brother and helped him to his feet. "Are you all right?" He asked.

Kirok relaxed and let his hand fall. "You'd better leave," he said quietly to Hercules. "I need to talk to Iphicles alone."

Hercules looked embarrassed by the fact that he'd been thrown across the room by a man not even Iolaus' height - and much slimmer. He straightened his shirt, ran a hand through tousled hair, then shook his head. "I'm not leaving Iphy with you. How do I know you won't hurt him?"

"He won't hurt me." Iphicles said, patting his brother's shoulder reassuringly. "I'll be all right. You'd better leave."

"If you're sure, Iph?" Hercules gave him a long questioning look.

Iphicles nodded. "I can take care of myself, Herc."

Hercules sighed and nodded. "I'll uh... take a walk," he said and went.

Iphicles watched him leave, then snorted with laughter. "That took him down a few demigodly pegs," he said.

Kirok didn't laugh. He rarely laughed, it seemed. Iphicles suddenly wanted to see this strange being's true form again. He was fascinated by him. He'd never thought tales of the First and Last were true, but now he'd seen the evidence with his own eyes.

Once he'd gotten over his shock, not only of what Kirok was, but what Klas had been all the time they had lain together - making love, he found a deep-seated curiosity gnawing at him to get to know these spirits better. He had so many questions, so many feelings. Iphicles knew these beings were here before the gods, before humans. He longed to know so much more.

He regarded Kirok silently, wanting to ask a million questions, but somehow knowing they wouldn't be welcomed. He contented himself with sitting down on a comfortable lounging chair and inviting Kirok to sit beside him Kirok sat, then curled himself up like a cat.

He then began to tell Iphicles what had happened - about Janus getting out of control, and none of them able to help him, calling for Iolaus to help, finding out that Ares had Arges, the stone that controlled all things of fire. He went through how Janus had killed the minotaur, filling the beast with his lethal seed and burning him into dust, then how Cupid betrayed them, warning Ares that they were coming. He told in excruciating detail how Ares had taken Cupid and Klas prisoner, forcing a broken winged Cupid to watch as he tortured the water spirit, forcing him into his true form which couldn't tolerate the air, raping him over and over as he lay dying - then the fight between them all.

Iphicles found himself weeping as he heard about how Klas had sacrificed himself rather than let Janus destroy the world with the Arges stone. Horror filled him, as Kirok told, in his cold sibilant hiss, of how Janus had taken Ares, forcing the god to suck his cock; fully intending to kill the god with his deadly essence.

Kirok stopped his tale, watching the king, who struggled with all this, the sadness, the betrayal and the pain they must have all gone through because of his war god lover. Finally he raised his head.

"Ares is still here. Obviously Janus didn't kill him. No wonder they hate each other. What happened next?" He asked.

"Iolaus pleaded for Ares' life. He told Janus that it wasn't what Klas wanted and Janus saw sense. He let Ares go."

"So that's what he meant when he said he owed Iolaus a favour?" Iphicles murmured.

Kirok nodded. "So I don't know whether to trust him or not. Janus doesn't, but he... doesn't trust Cupid either. He blames him in a way for Klas dying, but we need all the help we can get. Could you... stay with Ares? Try and persuade him that he needs to keep his promise? We don't need any distractions. We really need your help in this."

Iphicles nodded. "I only want one thing in return?" He asked.

"If I can give it, I will."

"Can I... I mean... will you... show me again what you are? You're so beautiful... I want…" The king paused, blushing wildly. "I want to touch your wings."

Kirok smiled. "Gladly," he said, and stood up.

This time the change wasn't quite so dramatic. He slowly metamorphosed, the wings stretching and growing from his shoulders, his body slowly turning from flesh into his true glowing form. His wings, once fully formed, spread out; radiating beauty, as he gently lifted into the air - becoming part of it.

"Breathtaking," Iphicles whispered, spellbound. He stared at the being, now totally naked in front of him, sexless and formless, only the huge wings quivered slightly in the enclosed space of the room. The king rose to his feet and walked round the being, taking in the glassy beauty, the snowy, feathered wings. He reached out and tremblingly touched the nearest wing, running a hand along the downy softness. He closed his eyes lost in the feel, the touch, the perfection. He felt another shudder beneath his hand and Kirok changed again, his hair flowing around him in long ebony ringlets, his body once more becoming flesh.

Naked flesh.

Iphicles' eyes darted open as he stood behind the silent Kirok, then he wrapped his arms underneath the wings, around the slim waist and buried his face in the warm feathers. He felt the wings come up and around him, folding back and cradling him gently. He breathed deeply, nuzzling his face in the black curls of Kirok's hair, smelling its spice, feeling its softness.

"Gods," he sighed. "I feel... so safe."

"You are safe," came the gentle reply. "Within my wings, you cannot fall."

Iphicles swept the long mass of hair away from Kirok's neck and nuzzled into the satin skin, kissing downwards until he reached tiny velvet feathers nestling on his shoulder blades. He felt Kirok tremble beneath his lips and a soft gasp. The wings wrapped around him rustled urgently and then arched outwards.

"Iphicles..." Kirok whispered. "What are you doing?"

The king stepped away and watched as Kirok turned to face him, completely unselfconscious of his nudity. His eyes travelled downwards and widened as he saw tattoos of flame covering Kirok's hips and thighs. He felt himself drawn to those etched markings and reached out to touch.

Kirok held still as Iphicles' hands stroked gently over his thighs, marvelling at the long, thick cock that reared out of the nest of black hair at his groin. Iphicles looked into the beautiful, other-worldly face and saw Kirok's shut his eyes, then bite his lip, trying not to whimper, but failing.

Touching this spirit, holding him close and feeling the soft brush of trembling feathers, Iphicles felt calm and protected. He felt Kirok's arms go around him and they cradled each other, not speaking, hardly moving. He could feel his own body reacting to the nearness of the smaller man, but he wasn't sure what to do, whether to start making love to him, or just hold him, sinking into the shelter and warmth he felt radiating out of Kirok.

At that moment, all his cares and worries fell away. He forgot about Ares, forgot about his kingship, the work he should be doing. Everything faded and all there was, was security and seclusion beneath this being's wings. He whispered Kirok's name, trying to tell him, in that one word, how he felt.

At last Kirok stepped away and Iphicles felt a sudden shock of loss. He raised his head and looked into the ebony eyes. "Kirok..." he whispered again. "I... gods..." he felt unable to articulate his emotions, but Kirok nodded, understanding.

The wings raised above his head, clearing the floor, and Kirok knelt at the kings feet. Iphicles looked down at him, stroking the curly head, wondering what was happening. He felt a touch on his hip and then without thought, dropped to his own knees.

"You won't be able to stand up." Kirok said, smiling.

"What... why...?

Kirok's cool fingers were at Iphicles' jerkin, undoing it and laying bare his chest. Iphicles shut his eyes, his cock reacting to the gentle touch, then he felt Kirok's hand lay flat over his heart and a feeling of warmth infuse his whole body. He opened his eyes and saw Kirok glowing with power, but he wasn't afraid. He trusted this being totally, more than any other person in his life except perhaps for Rena.

Suddenly he gasped, his body filled with immeasurable desire and pleasure. His hips jerked forward instinctively and he felt his cock throb powerfully then release it's essence, sending him headlong into an explosion of orgasm. He cried out, and nearly collapsed backwards, but once more the wings enfolded him, holding him safe. At the same time he became aware of Kirok writhing against him, felt the wetness of the spirit's release against his stomach and the soft, sobbing mewl of completion in his ear. The sound of Kirok's climax sent shivers through his body, somehow knowing that that his own pleasure had triggered the same reaction in the being knelt before him. He whimpered, leaned forward into Kirok's own shuddering torso and felt soft lips touch his own in a tender kiss.

At last his sight returned and he dizzily looked up, finding himself laying on the floor, Kirok hovering above him, his wings extended forward like an Egyptian *Ka*, still holding him. He raised himself up and felt the feathered warmth leave him.

At last Kirok melted into his human form and was once more the enigmatic man Iphicles knew, dressed in loose, silken black. The king got to his knees and grabbed the desk, using it as support as he climbed slowly to his feet.

"I'm sorry that was so intense. I didn't mean for it to happen that way," Kirok said. "But... I think you needed it." His lips curved into a smile. "I know I did."

"How did you... Gods... that was..." Iphicles couldn't find a coherent sentence to say. He reached for the flagon of wine on his desk and poured some, offering a goblet to Kirok. Kirok shook his head.

"I have to return to Jason." He said. "Please... Don't trust Ares."

Iphicles shook his head, and buried his face in his goblet, draining the wine. When he looked up again, Kirok was gone.

******************
10
Reaching For Iolaus
(ep spoiler, season 5, Revelation)

"So how do we find Iolaus?" Kalios asked. The tiny man was perched on the table in their room. His huge green eyes roamed around the others, then fixed on Hercules.

Hercules watched as Jason scrubbed his hands through his hair and rubbed his eyes. he still looked pale, but at least he wasn't in pain. Whatever had been weakening him had faded now. He lifted his head and caught the demigod looking at him. He smiled ruefully and shrugged.

"Kal, he's your father. You must have some kind of link to him," he said, his voice hoarse.

"I'm not sure... I never tried..." Kal said doubtfully. "I'll need your help," he said to Hercules.

Herc nodded.

Just then Kirok entered the room. Hercules frowned at him, running his eyes over the man looking for... he didn't know what, but he wanted to make sure Iphicles was all right. Kirok nodded at him.

"He's fine. We... talked," he said. "You both have nothing to fear from me."

"What makes you think I'm afraid of you?" Hercules asked.

Kirok just smiled. "You forget, demigod. I know how you feel. Remember that time you showed me how humans make love? Remember what I told you then?"

Jason made a rumbling noise deep in his throat. "They all have you... all of them, except me," he said.

Kirok glared at the earth elemental. "You've never wanted me," he snapped. "We may be joined, but if I had my own way..."

"Enough!" Janus' deep voice came. He had been standing by the window, gazing out into the courtyard lost in his own thoughts. He walked over to stand beside Kalios. "Before we started getting involved with humans, we never had bad words between us. We're breaking up. We're no longer the closed fist and I hate it. Sometimes I wish I had destroyed them when I had the chance."

"You don't mean that!" Hercules said. "What is it with all you powerful beings... I had this out with Michael and the four riders. Why did you create humans if all you want to do is destroy them?"

"I didn't create humans. None of us did. Your fucking gods did that! We just made it possible for the earth to let them live. We didn't want them here, and now they spread like an infestation over the world," Janus growled.

"Peace, Janus," Jason said quietly. "We can go back to our long sleep once we've dealt with this, but for now we have to find Iolaus for Hercules, and also what's going on with the earth force."

"You really think it's that?" Kal asked.

Jason looked confused. "I don't know, but I think it is. I don't know of anything else that would harm us.... nothing left in the world anyway."

"Who is Michael?" Kirok asked at last.

Hercules sighed and told them all about the ultra powerful being he, Ares and Iolaus had faced. He told them of the breaking of the seals and the four riders of the Apocalypse, his own sacrifice and Iolaus' 'punishment' to be returned to earth to be once more with his lover.

When he'd finished he looked round at the silent men. Janus and Jason both looked confused, Kal was frowning and Kirok had his eyes shut, looking as if he was concentrating hard.

"What's wrong?" Hercules asked at last.

Kirok opened his mouth to speak, but then shook his head, apparently changing his mind. "I think Kal should try and find Iolaus now," he said instead.

"How?" Kal asked. "You'll have to show me."

Kirok nodded and stood up. As one the other three went to him and held out their hands. Kirok beckoned Hercules. "You too. Come here."

Hercules did as he was told, putting his hand on top of Janus' hot skin. He'd seen Iolaus do this several times when he had been linked with Janus, and knew what was about to happen, but had to bottle down some underlying fear that it might hurt him. He wiped away the bead of sweaty apprehension that ran down his brow, then felt Kal stroke his arm. He looked down at the small man.

"It won't hurt. You might feel some heat, but that's all," he said.

Hercules looked round the others. They all had their eyes shut, concentrating on Kirok, who looked down at the linked hands. As Hercules watched, the air spirit began to glow slightly.

"Begin," he whispered.

Janus opened his eyes, his brutish face, for once calm and at peace. "We are the closed fist..." he murmured.

"We are what should have been," Kal said, his voice sounding sad

"What has always been," Jason said.

"What will be," Kirok completed the ritual. "Kal... think of Iolaus... nothing but Iolaus. Hercules... I want you to focus on what you know of this light you told me about. I think I know where he is."

Hercules shuddered as he felt even more power course through him and realised that Kirok was using his thoughts as a catalyst to Kal to contact Iolaus where ever he was.

He could feel his own body straining, his muscles trembling as the energy swirled around and through all of them. He did as he was told, remembering what Iolaus had said about the light being perfect bliss, of the guardians, of the huge room he had been in when Michael had meted out his punishment to his lover. He saw Michael's face in clear detail as he stood on the hill with the four horsemen, ready to end the world. Once more a lone bead of sweat trailed down the demigods face.

Kal suddenly gasped and his whole body rippled with energy as he melted into his true form... a blue and jade being made of water, with large diaphanous wings like a manta ray, fluked like a whale's tail.
Hercules remembered that Iolaus was able to contact him through water the last time and he focused instinctively on Kalios.

"Iolaus!" he said urgently. "Iolaus, are you there?"

Kal moaned, writhing under the power that held him and he spoke. "Yes. I'm here." It was Iolaus' voice, sounding echoed, as if miles away. "Get me out of here, Herc!"

Hercules was aware of Kirok intensifying his own power further, pouring it into Kal. Across from him, Janus groaned softly as if in pain, but didn't break the circle. "You're hurting him, Keer," he whispered.

"Not for long," Kirok replied. "Hurry, Hercules."

"What do I do?"

"Reach into him."

Hercules balked. "But..."

"DO IT!" Kirok's voice snaked out like a whip.

Hercules put his hand out, touching Kalios, expecting to feel the elemental's skin beneath his fingers, but instead, his hand disappeared inside the being's chest. He withdrew, uncertain, wondering what the hell was happening, but Kirok urged him on.

He tentatively reached inside again and felt a firm grip on his hand. He let out a yelp and pulled his hand back. The grip remained firm, holding on for dear life as Hercules pulled back, his arm withdrew from the elemental and Kal rippled once more and writhed in pain, unable to voice his agony in his true form.

Slowly the demigod pulled and saw a familiar hand accompany his… then an arm and a shoulder. Hercules could see his lover's face and pulled harder. Finally Iolaus stepped from inside Kal's body, as if from beneath a waterfall, soaking wet, falling abruptly into Hercules' arms. Kal collapsed and Janus broke the circle, grabbing him and lowering his lover carefully to the floor, as Kal slowly returned to his human form, gulping for much needed air.

"Shit!" rasped Hercules, filled with shock and loathing at what he had just done. He glanced at his hand, but it seemed normal, if damp. He resisted the urge to go wash, and then felt himself enfolded in a tight hug.

"Herc! Thank the gods! Fuck.... I didn't know if you'd know where I was," Iolaus said, his voice coloured with happiness.

Hercules forgot about the strange experience he had just had and hugged his lover close, burying his face in the blond hair, drinking in his familiar warmth and scent. They hugged for long moments until Iolaus suddenly realised where they were. He pulled away from the demigod and turned to face the others.

"Kirok! Jase! Wow. It's great to see you guys... Janus... shit. What's wrong with Kal?" he knelt with Janus, stroking the wheaten locks of his son's hair.

"He got you back," Hercules said. "I don't know how they did it, but you just walked out of his body... it was... uh... weird, to say the least."

Iolaus went an interesting shade of green. "Woah!" he said. "No wonder he looks like shit."

Kal's eyelids fluttered and he opened them, grinning brightly at first his lover, then his father. Janus helped him sit up and Kal clasped hands with Iolaus. "I'm glad I could get you back," he said, his melodious voice sounding weak. "Now, if you don't mind, I think I'm going to throw up."

Janus lifted the water spirit to his feet and carried him quickly to somewhere where he could be sick in peace.

*************
11
Brotherly Love.

Hercules walked down the corridor toward his brothers' office, thinking hard. Iolaus had been obviously happy to see his lover, but had also been concerned for the wellbeing of his strange offspring, and reluctant to talk about what had happened for now. The demigod had left him with Kal and Janus, vaguely worried about what had happened with Kirok and Iphicles. He was determined to find out what Kirok had said to his brother and marched to his office with a determined look on his face.

Halfway there he felt a familiar surge of power and ducked the shower of love hearts. "Doesn't he ever get fed up with all that?" he muttered to himself as his nephew appeared.

"Cupid," Hercules said in greeting.

"Hey, Uncle Herc," Cupid returned the acknowledgement. "What's happening?"

"We got Iolaus back."

"Cool. Does that mean we can all go home now?"

"No. this isn't over."

Cupid sighed and flapped his wings impatiently. "So, Ares is still hanging about?"

"Yes. You don't have to if you don't want to. I can deal with him."

"Uh huh. No way. I'm staying right here where I can keep an eye on him. So what's happening? Why are the element dudes still pissed?"

"The.. uh.. element dudes have problems of their own, which somehow involves Iolaus and Michael."

"Michael? Is that the guy who goes around with those four horse riders with bad attitudes?"

"Yes."

"Should get on well with Janus then," Cupid muttered.

Hercules hid a smile. Cupid was right, but he wasn't about to agree with him. "I'm going to see Iphicles," he said instead.

"Cool. I'll come with you."

"Um... not a good idea."

"Course it is Unc. I need to know more about what's happening around here if I'm helping you."

"Cupid..." Hercules started one of his lectures. "You really don't need to..."

The winged god of love disappeared in a flurry of pink stars and red love hearts. "See ya there, Unc," he said as he went.

Hercules growled, then realised just why Janus had his famous attitude problem. Dealing with teenage gods and weirdly powerful elementals was not one of his favourite pastimes.... even if they were aeons old. He sighed and went to Iphicles' office.

***

Iphicles was sitting at his desk as usual when Hercules entered his private domain. Hercules noted the dazed smile on his brothers face and his heart sank. He knew that look. He'd worn it himself a few times.

The king looked up and beamed uncharacteristically at the demigod. "Hey, Herc!" he said, his tones happier than Hercules had heard them for a long time.

"Hi Iph," Hercules said warily. "How did it go with Kirok?"

"Uh... fine. We had a long talk."

"I'll just bet you did," Hercules muttered.

"I beg your pardon?" Iphicles wiped the stupid grin off his face.

Hercules sighed. "You fucked him didn't you? Gods, Iph... Don't you know how dangerous these guys are? Janus nearly killed Ares and Kirok frightened the shit out of Cupid. How the fuck can you, a mere human, cope with these guys?"

"I may be a mere human, brother, but I know what I'm doing! How the hell can you presume what we did is anything but..."

"I've fucked him myself, Iphicles. I know what a slut the guy is. He's had me and he's had Cupid," Hercules said angrily. "I've dealt with these guys and really, I'm worried about you getting so deeply involved with a..."

"I didn't fuck him! But even if I did, you can't fucking tell me what I can and can't do!" Iphicles exploded. "Just because I'm not a heroic do-gooder. I'm not living under your shadow anymore and..."

"Don't speak to me like that! I don't want you going near these guys... not in that way at least... what you going to do next? Let Janus have you?" Hercules bellowed, advancing on his brother.

"Kirok's different! He understands me."

"Gods! Don't you know anything? The guy is supposed to understand you. He's not only an air elemental, he's also the embodiment of spirit. He can feel everything you feel and react to it. If you want sex, he'll give it... if you feel sad, he'll make you feel better... Iph, really. These guys aren't to be messed with." Hercules tone was softer as he tried desperately to calm down himself and his angry brother.

He groaned as he felt the tell tale sprinkle of confetti and flash of light that heralded one of his relatives' arrivals.

"Gods, no. Not now, Cupid," he said.

"You can't talk about Kirok like that," Cupid said, his hazel eyes flashing angrily.

"Why are you two so blind? Why can't you see what he does to you?" Hercules asked. "All he has to do is flutter those long eyelashes at you and you're a heap of orgasmic wrecks."

"Is that so?" Cupid asked coldly.

"Yes. I'd expect better of you, Cupid. You're a god."

"Oh, so I'm not supposed to know what I'm doing because I'm a puny mortal?" Iphicles asked, drawing his sword.

Hercules tensed. He didn't want to hurt his brother, but it looked as if Iphicles was angry enough to actually think of attacking him.

*Oh no!*

Hercules' heart sank as with another flash of light and a small clap of thunder, Ares appeared, leaning casually against the desk. "Do I hear raised voices?" he asked mildly.

"Get out of here, Ares!" Iphicles and Hercules chorused.

The dark god raised an eyebrow. "That's a bit harsh isn't it?" he asked, then he saw Cupid standing there, a look of total hatred on his handsome face, his wings extended in taut fury.

"Nephew," he said, bowing his head slightly. "Long time no see."

"Don't give me that crap!" Cupid snarled. "You fucking snake! You murderer! I wish Janus had killed you. You deserved nothing less than him fucking you to your slowly burning knees!"

Ares' black eyes sparked with malevolent anger. "You forget who you're talking to, love god." His voice dripped derision.

"Fuck you, Ares! I may be the god of love, but I'm no fucking pushover!" Cupid spat.

"Yeah. That's what I thought when I held you helpless and stamped on your wings. You begged me, godling, not to hurt you... You screamed like a baby when I did it. If it wasn't for that over-perfumed, pouting air creature, you'd still be a broken-winged mortal." Ares' voice slammed into Cupid, just as if he'd hit him with all his strength.

"Uh oh!" Hercules said, grabbed Iphicles by the arm and dragged him under the desk. Both men crouched there as they heard the sound of a fireball fizzle overhead and explode against the wall, making the whole building shake. There was another detonation and Cupid's wrath-filled scream rent the air. "Fuck Zeus and his laws! I'm gonna pulverise you!"

"Come and have a go, if you think you're hard enough," came Ares' taunting tones.

Iphicles looked at Hercules. "They're both pretty pissed, aren't they?"

"Uh. You could say that. We'd better do something to stop them, otherwise you'll be building yourself a new castle... and all this time I was worrying about Janus' temper." They ducked under the desk once more as another fireball hurtled through the air, and Cupid laughed.

"Missed! Eat this Ares, god of traitors!"

"You dare to accuse me?" Ares yelled. "You're the one who..."

"Enough!" came a deep, powerful voice.

There was sudden silence.

Hercules buried his head in his hands. "Oh fuck... no... please.... no!"

He was aware of Iphicles poking his head out from under the desk to see who the newcomer was. Hercules sighed and stood up. At least the fireworks had stopped for the moment. He edged Iphicles behind him, aware that he was the only mortal in the room.

Ares suddenly grabbed the king, and pulled him close. "Stay with me," he said. "I'm not having anymore of your shit with these element guys. You're mine!"

Iphicles stared in disbelief at the god. "It's been three years! How in Tartarus do you figure I belong to you?"

"Fuck. I don't care how long it's been. I'm not having you sleeping with them."

Iphicles rolled his eyes. "You're beginning to sound like Hercules!" he snapped.

As one, Hercules and Ares scowled at the defiant monarch. "Hey!" they chorused.

Ares pulled Iphicles close, meaningfully. "I've had enough of this," he growled and raised his hand as if to strike the king.

"Let him go." Janus was stood by the door, still looking mildly human, but his anger shone out of him like a beacon. He took a step forward and round to the side of Ares, his movement almost insect-like in its precision. Behind him came the other three members of the group. They ranged themselves around the god, all poised to explode into power if needed.

Ares looked around them all, as did Hercules, wondering what the hell he could do against these men if they decided to stop Ares' conniving once and for all. He could see Ares was thinking the same thing. His eyes were locked with Janus' as he slowly let the king of Corinth go.

The demigod was once again struck how alike these two were and he shuddered. One violent, psychopathic being on the loose was enough, without having Janus around as well.

Iphicles instinctively made for his brother, the one person he knew was safe. He stood beside him, his hand still paused over his sword, his coppery hair disarrayed and falling in his eyes. He swept it away impatiently.

"How in Tartarus did this start?" he asked his brother quietly.

"Beats me." Hercules was still alert and ready to head off any sudden movement, not that he'd be able to do much. The four elementals and the two gods hadn't moved.

"Your Majesty. Dinner is served." The voice of Iphicles' personal servant came from beyond the door and the man appeared, his eyes darting round the tension-filled people in his king's office.

"Uh, thanks, Tetris," Iphicles said, trying to sound calm. "We'll be along in a moment."

He stepped forward and Hercules saw him swallow. "Shall we dine?" he asked, with remarkable self-possession and walked out of the room, head held high.

"As long as it's not fish," Kal muttered and followed him. Jason shrugged and followed. Kirok gave Cupid a last lingering look and turned on his heel after his friends. At last, only Ares and Janus remained with Hercules standing, almost unnoticed, by the desk.

"This will never be over, motherfucker," Janus said, his voice soft as velvet,

"You're right. One of us will kill the other eventually," Ares said, his voice just as quiet.

Janus reached out and did a curious thing to the watching demigod's eyes. He touched Ares' cheek almost gently, running long fingers over the dark haired cheek, then he looked at Hercules.

"We going to eat or not?" he asked.

Hercules hurriedly joined the fire spirit, glancing at Cupid and Ares over his shoulder. Ares threw up his arms with a growl of momentary defeat and disappeared. A moment later Cupid did the same.

*********
12
...Renewed and made whole...

"Ex Aqua extraxit. Renoavit completum que facitur. Donec Fames Primum et Extremum accipiet."

The shining figure stood by the side of a lake, his arms raised, chanting slowly. As he finished his slow measured words, a tablet of stone appeared in a flash of light and dropped into his hands. He stroked the tablet absently, the wind ruffling his white hair slightly as he looked over the tranquil waters.

With an abrupt movement, he hurled the tablet out into the lake. At the last minute a waterspout rose up out of the depths, caught the tablet and drew it back down.

As it sunk out of sight, the being smiled his cruel smile and shut his eyes.

"Finet!"

A moment later the lake was left in solitude to ponder its dark secret.

**********
13
Healing Waters.

Iphicles smiled as he heard Kal say something funny to Iolaus. It was amazing how like these two men were and he once more ran through the father/son puzzle in his mind. He didn't get anywhere, so his eyes strayed to Hercules. The demigod was sitting next to his lover at the table, his eyes filled with open love as he gazed at the little hunter. Iolaus was eating and talking with great gusto, one hand waving his fork around as he told Kal some heroic story. The other, Iphicles assumed, must be grasping Hercules' own hand firmly under the table, away from prying eyes.

Iphicles sighed. How he would love someone like that near him - someone who made him feel safe and who he could share his troubles with. Automatically his gazed went to Kirok, who sat silently, toying with a slice of apple, always watching and aware of all that went on around him. Beside him sat Jason, talking to Janus quietly in a strange sounding language, like nothing the king had ever heard before. He listened and tried to make head or tail of the alien sounding words... a soft, sibilant, liquid language that put him in mind of wind through trees, waterfalls and fire in the grass.

He felt eyes on him and pulled his attention back to Kirok.

"It is our own language." Kirok explained without Iphicles having to ask.

"Where does it come from?" Iphicles finally decided to indulge his curiosity. Kirok looked like he wanted to talk.

"Everywhere. Can't you hear it?"

The king nodded. "Yes. I can hear it... it's very beautiful."

"The sounds of the earth." Kirok said in a sing-song voice. "The first language spoken and the last that will be heard."

"Is it true you were the first?" Iphicles asked.

Kirok nodded, his full lips curving into a gentle smile. "Billions of years ago we..." he cut off suddenly and looked sharply at Kalios, leaping to his feet. At almost the same time, Kal stopped in mid conversation, let out a strangled cry of pain and collapsed forward. Iolaus reacted quickly and caught him before he could whack his head on the table.

"Fuck!" Iphicles heard Janus' oath as he also leapt to his feet and ran to his lover.

Kirok was unexpectedly there, right beside Kal, even though Iphicles hadn't seen him move from his place. He knelt by the unconscious Kal as Janus cradled him in his arms.

"Not again." Iphicles heard Janus moan softly. "Please... not again. Mother help him."

"What's wrong with him?" Iphicles asked. "Shall I get a healer? What do I..." he stopped, realising that no healer would be able to cure whatever it was that ailed Kal.

Kirok stood up, holding Kal in his arms, the little water spirit hanging limply in his embrace. Suddenly they were gone - no light, no fanfare, nothing.

Iphicles stared in shock at the empty space then looked around wildly. "Where did they..." he halted his questions, realising that it would just draw attention to the fact that these supposed ordinary musicians weren't quite what they seemed.

Hercules was beside him grasping his arm firmly. "Come on." He said.

"Where are we going?"

"Out of here." Hercules nodded towards the blond mane of Janus as he disappeared out of the door at a run. Behind the fire elemental ran Jason and Iolaus.

"Where are they going?" Iphicles had never been so confused in his life.

"To the ship, I guess." The demigod was hurrying Iphicles along, threading their way through the streets of Corinth towards the port.

As they approached the quay which was fairly dark and quiet, Iphicles looked about. "Which ship is it and how do we find it in the dark?" he asked.

He could hear a smile in his brother's voice. "Don't worry. It'll find us." He said enigmatically and stood by the dock.

"Find us? What are you... Ohhhhh!"

From out of nowhere came a strange ship, moving without benefit of sail, oar or crew. It was totally, eerily silent, not even leaving a wave of its passing. Iphicles took several steps back in trepidation, eyes wide open as he took in the glittering, ice-like transport.

"What the fuck?" he gasped. He felt Hercules grab his arm again and grew a little annoyed at his brother hauling him around like he was a pet monkey. "Herc... could you stop..." he started, then stopped once more as part of the ship extended outwards like a snail antennae and rested on the dock.

"Come on. Stop staring." Hercules said. "It's a fucking ship. Maybe it's a strange kind of ship, but it's perfectly safe... well... at least it is if Kal is all right."

"That's supposed to make me feel good?" Iphicles asked, but followed the demigod along the warm slightly flexible 'gang-plank' onto the ship's deck.

They were greeted by Iolaus. Beside him was Jason. Kirok and Janus were nowhere to be seen.

"Where are they?" Hercules asked.

"Down below." Iolaus caught Hercules' hand. "Best not to disturb them. They're having a hard time."

"Is Kal all right?" the king asked.

The hunter ran his hands through his already tousled hair. "I don't know... I just don't know... he's half human... he's not as powerful as the others. Shit, what was Klas thinking of when we made him? I'm not sure he can cope with Janus."

Iphicles could hear the worry in Iolaus' voice. He put a reassuring hand on his friends shoulder and Hercules nodded in approval.

Jason looked up towards the entrance to the hold of the ship. Alerted by his sense of what was happening to his partner, the others looked up.

Janus came into view, holding his lover in his arms. He didn't look at the small gathering that watched him, but went to the side of the ship and casually dumped Kal overboard.

"NO!" Iolaus shrieked. "What the fuck are you doing?"

Janus glared at him. "He's a water spirit," he said shortly.

Iphicles was confused at Iolaus' distraught reaction. The hunter ran to Janus and punched him hard on the jaw. Janus' head snapped back but he didn't waver.

*Oh my gods. Iolaus is gonna die.* Iphicles thought, but Janus did nothing, just looked at Iolaus.

"If I thought you meant that, you'd be a pile of ash," he whispered. "Kal is all right. He needs to return to the sea to heal."

There was a sudden cessation of tension in the air. Iolaus reached forward and hugged Janus. The fire spirit held him for a moment then broke away, looking embarrassed.

Iolaus looked longingly into the water. "I wish I could see him... make sure he was all right," he said.

"Why don't you?" Janus asked.

"Are you kidding? I can't breathe underwater... let alone see in this darkness. I'm human remember."

Iphicles heard Janus' chuckle - an unexpected, happy sound. He didn't think he'd ever hear the man laugh.

"Iolaus. You still have your power. We didn't separate you from Klas last time because we were distracted and because Kal is your son, you still have the link, even if Klas is dead. You can still change your form."

Iolaus stared at Janus. "Shit. That would've come in useful over the last year," he said, and abruptly changed.

The king took a step back and barged into Hercules. He didn't look round or apologise - he was too busy staring in stupefaction at the watery form in front of him with the fluttering diaphanous wings.

"Oh shit," he said quietly. A total look of shock came over his face and the king found it hard to swallow. "He's one of them?"

"It's a long story," Hercules said as his lover drifted up into the air, then dove gracefully into the dark waters, disappearing without a splash.

"You should tell me," Iphicles insisted.

"Later," Hercules said.

Kirok came into view from below. He looked exhausted, dark rings shadowed his slanted black eyes and his hair looked more of a mass of snarls and tangles rather than the shining ringlets Iphicles was used to.

"Let's go back to the castle," he said quietly. "I need to rest."

"But what about Kal and Iolaus?" Hercules asked.

Kirok sighed. "They are safe where they are. Iolaus will take care of Kal." He looked over the side of the ship. "We forgot to unlink them," he said. "Fuck it. Got to do that when they come out."

They all started walking back to the castle. On the way Hercules finally explained to his brother how Iolaus could be Kal's father. He told of the link Iolaus had to share with Klas to help keep Janus under control when he was overtaken by the Arges stone, and how Klas had deceived him into producing Kalios."

"He was the only one of us who can reproduce." Kirok joined in as they entered the castle. "Klas could see the future. He knew of his coming death and made sure there was someone there to be with Janus. He knew Iolaus wouldn't be able to stay with us."

"But he was a... man... no.. a male," Iphicles said in confusion.

"We all choose to use these bodies," Kirok said. "They're the way we shaped ourselves, but we are both male and female... the elements have no sexual attributes. It's only humans who call the North wind 'He', the ocean 'She'. The only true Mother is the Earth that gives us all life."

There was a gust of wind and Hercules jolted beside Iphicles. Where Kirok had stood was a beautiful woman - the facial features of the already feminine air spirit were almost the same, but the body was definitely that of a woman... she was stark naked.

"Oh boy, am I glad Iolaus isn't here," Hercules commented, blushing wildly.

Kirok actually laughed, her already light voice pitched slightly higher. "Just proving a point," she said.

Iphicles watched her change back into his male form then looked at the silent Janus. Janus glared right back at him. "Don't even think it," he growled. "I don't do the girl thing."

Iphicles found himself laughing quietly all the way back to his room.

**********
14
Night Wings.

Iphicles climbed wearily into his bed and pummelled the pillow into a comfortable shape before he composed himself for sleep, but his mind kept on going over and over what had happened in that very full day. He had received shock after shock, first Kirok, then there had been that problem with Ares and Cupid, and then the ship...

He sighed and tossed and turned, unable to relax enough to fall into slumber. He sat up suddenly, thinking that perhaps he'd go to his ruined office and try to order the papers that had flown everywhere during the god's fight.

"Why bother. Get the servants to do it," came a silken voice from the darkness. Iphicles jumped about a foot, then let out a gasp.

"Ares!" he said, his eyes blinking into the darkness of his bedchamber. "Are you spying on me?"

"Of course. I was making sure you weren't going to sleep with one of those over-powerful weather-vanes."

Iphicles couldn't help himself. He lay back on the bed and laughed weakly. "Boy, Ares. Do you have it wrong," he said.

"I know exactly what they are..." The dark god came forward and sat on the bed, stroking the king's thigh over the blanket.

"Ares... I'm not..." Iphicles remembered Kirok's warning. He was determined not to let this god sucker him into bed. He knew he'd be lost if Ares used his unrelenting sensuality on him.

"Not what? Not going to let me make love to you?" Ares' voice was pitched low and deep.

"That's rich. You've never made love to me. You've always fucked me. You've always used me for your own ends, and get jealous when I seek out the gentleness I need. You don't come near me for three years then you appear, thinking we're going to carry on where we left off. You never considered my own feelings." Iphicles burst out.

"I admit I've been wrong." Ares' voice sounded slightly ashamed.

Iphicles felt a warm hand stroke up his arm and his skin erupted into goose bumps. He fought down his arousal. "Yeah, right. Like I'm going to believe you?"

"What do I have to do to convince you?" The voice was a soft purr. Iphicles shuddered in need and let himself succumb to the god's power as Ares kissed him. He moaned quietly and let his mouth open to Ares' seeking tongue. He felt exploring hands pull back the blankets and seek out his already erect nipples, flicking over one then the other until he was gasping. Ares knew how sensitive they were and used it to his advantage.

The hand continued it's slow movement down, stroking in little light swirls down Iphicles' heated skin, tugging gently at the trail of hair that led towards his navel, then fingering that dimple in his skin before moving downwards. Iphicles let out a whimper, squeezing his eyes tight shut, his hips instinctively arching towards that tender touch.

He heard a soft laugh from the darkness and the warmth of the god's body left him.

"Ares?"

There was silence. Iphicles was alone. He lay here for a moment, attempting to recover from the extreme state of desire the god had left him in, then got up, ignoring his rampant cock. He was not going to give Ares the satisfaction of knowing he was desperate for his touch.

He threw on a robe and opened the window to the gardens that Rena had loved so much. He stood there, breathing in the warm, scented night air, listening to the very faint sounds of the night - a dog's bark, the answering yowl of a cat, someone yelling at them to be quiet, the slow rumble of a cart taking goods out of the city.

He sighed, feeling his loneliness well up inside him. All over Corinth, people were sleeping with their husbands, wives, lovers; their children curled up in their beds, knowing that even if their life was hard, they would have someone to share it with. Here he was - their king. His word was law, but every night he slept alone, aching for someone to hold. Instead he got lumbered with a part time godly lover who didn't give him the time of day unless Iphicles showed interest in another, then he got jealous and murderous. Even the only family he had left, his half brother, objected to his choice of lover. Why couldn't he just find someone and be happy... even if for a little while?

He shook his head and reached out to close the window once more. As he leaned out, he saw Kirok in the garden below, wandering, as he himself often wandered, touching the night flowers that bloomed, looking incredibly lost and melancholy. Iphicles was about to call out, when there was a soft flash of light and Cupid appeared.

Kirok stood there, his eyes on the god, but not moving. Cupid went to him and touched his cheek in a curiously poignant manner.

"I've missed you so much," he said, his voice drifting up clearly to the watching king.

"Cupid... I told you how I feel," Kirok said, but Iphicles could hear a note of regret in that soft voice.

"I've seen your desolation. Can you tell me you don't need me and actually mean it? You need me just as much as I need you. You don't love Jason do you? You never have and never will," Cupid said, his hand drifting downwards and tenderly running through Kirok's hair.

Kirok bowed his head, his curls drifting upwards in a breeze that seemed to be centred only on himself. "No I don't love him. I love you," he said at last "But we can't be together. It's impossible."

"There's nothing stopping us, Keer. Nothing." Cupid took Kirok's hand. "Think about it. There's nothing that says you have to be with him all the time, and I'm a god. I can find you whenever you want me. Wouldn't you like that?" "Couldn't it be enough for us? We could be together anytime, any place." Iphicles saw Cupid raise Kirok's hand to his chest and place it above his heart.

Kirok nodded and lifted his head so Cupid could kiss him. They held each other close, their lips locked, then Iphicles was aware that they were both changing. Cupid's small wings were lengthening, growing larger. Kirok's own wings appeared slowly from his shoulders like a butterfly from its chrysalis.

They parted, then Kirok laughed delightedly and swept himself into the air. Cupid went with him and they somersaulted together like a pair of oversized birds at play. Iphicles couldn't help smiling at the sight of these graceful men swooping around each other like children, their laughter ringing out into the air of Corinth.

"Let's fly," Cupid said at last, and within moments the two had flown up over Iphicles' line of sight and disappeared out of view.

The king closed the window and, for the first time in his life he felt the magnitude of his loneliness. Feeling sadder and lonelier than ever, he went to his bed, knowing full well he wouldn't sleep tonight.

***********
15
Laying Plans.

"Iph? Iphy?"

The king opened his eyes sleepily and cast a glance at the window. Dawn was just breaking and he'd probably had about an hour's sleep. His eyes felt gritty and he rubbed them as he sat up. "Come in," he said, and went to the pot to take his morning pee.

His brother came in. "Oh... uh... sorry…I uh..."

"Relax, Herc. Haven't you ever seen a guy take a piss before?" Iphicles could have sworn he saw Hercules blushing. He finished his business then went to the water jug to wash.

"Iolaus and Kalios are back. Iolaus wants to tell us all what's going on. Do you want to join us?"

"Yeah, sure. Let me dress. Shall I have breakfast sent to the guys' room?"

Hercules thought about this, then answered in the affirmative. He left the king alone to freshen up and dress.

Once clothed in a loose brown tunic and leather pants - what the well dressed casual king was wearing this season - Iphicles went to his chancellor and told him that he would have to deal with anything that came up that day, then made his way to the guest wing. He was about to knock on the door when it swung open of its own accord. He went in and saw the collected humans, elementals and Cupid; all sitting down around the large mahogany table. Breakfast had been set there and they were all eating, with the exception of Jason and Cupid.

"Come in. Join us," Jason said, standing up and letting the king take his place. The earth spirit still looked a little pale, but his smile was friendly as always. His red-brown hair was loose for the first time since Iphicles had known him and crackled with static around his shoulders.

"Aren't you eating?" Iphicles asked.

Jason grinned. "Never happen," He said and sat down on the windowsill slightly behind Janus, busily pulling his hair back into the high-gathered ponytail that showed the sides of his shaved head.

Iphicles looked round the others. Iolaus was eating as always. Hercules was talking to Cupid. Kal sat silent and pale, his incredibly long hair hanging in damp rats tails. Janus sat beside him, his eyes on his lover, looking worried. Every now and then he would touch Kal's hand and Kal would look up, nod and go back to the contemplation of his breakfast.

Iphicles shot a look at Kirok and saw he was dressed in white. Iphicles raised his brows. This was a day of firsts. The silky material he wore accentuated his dusky skin and dark eyes - eyes that were firmly fixed once again on the love god.

"So what's going on?" Iphicles asked, forgetting about examining his companions.

"We're waiting for Ares," Hercules said.

"Can't you call him? He's your brother."

"I could, but he'd make it a point to ignore me," Hercules said with a smile. "It's quicker to just let him turn up when he's ready."

Janus made a low growling noise in his throat. Kal seemed to pull himself out of his sickness and slapped him lightly on the hand. "We have to work together with this," he said. "The sooner you realise that, the better. Stop being an old grouch."

Iphicles had to hide his laughter with a cough and pretend he was choking on the bread he was eating. Calling Janus an old grouch was like calling the pit of Tartarus, 'a small hole'.

Ares finally walked into the room via a curtain of light. He stood there regarding the gathered people and then grinned wolfishly. "What's this? Happy families?"

Janus growled again. Kirok and Kal both grabbed his shoulders and prevented him from standing up.

"Sit down Ares. We have to talk seriously, without all the immortal posturing," Hercules said.

The god relented and perched on a corner of the table - the other end from Janus, Iphicles noted he purposely kept as much space between them as possible. He couldn't help but wonder if Ares could actually be afraid of Janus.

They all looked expectantly at Iolaus, who realised he was the centre of attention and swallowed his mouthful hurriedly.

"Ok, guys," he said. "As you know, I got kidnapped, and most of you know I was taken by the light, *again*. Seems they love me so much they want me to stay."

"Does this mean you have to go back again?" Hercules interrupted.

"No. This time they took me by force. I wasn't sure what they wanted, but once I got there, Michael told me that as I stopped the Apocalypse last time, I would have to help them remake the seals. Well I refused, of course. I mean I don't want another one of those things any more than any of you do. If they put the seals back, there is always that danger. Anyway, they told me I'd have to stay there until they'd remade the seals... just that without my help it's going to take longer, which is great 'cos it gives us some time to make our own plans."

"I should've blasted the pompous bastard where he stood," Ares chimed in. "I would've given him a good kicking. I'd have taught him to mess with my humans!" He punched the air as if Michael was in front of him.

Hercules sighed. "I told you he was losing it." He addressed Iolaus. Iolaus shrugged.

"From what you tell us of this guy and his sidekicks, the riders, they seem more powerful than the Olympians," Janus said thoughtfully.

"Gods, yes. He's like kick-ass powerful. I wouldn't want to tangle with him," Iolaus said. "Not twice anyway."

"Looks like we might have to, dude," Cupid said. "Is he starting up another of these Poxy-Clips?"

"Apocalypse," Iolaus corrected. "Well, the long and short of it all is that he's remaking the seals that summon the riders, and putting them back in their places, which is why you guys..." he motioned round at the elementals, "... are feeling so sick."

"I don't understand," Jason said. "What have we got to do with this light?"

Iolaus scrubbed his hands through his hair and stopped talking for a moment. Iphicles, watching the hunter, thought he looked older and more tired than he'd ever seen him.

Finally Iolaus got his thoughts together. "The tablets are hidden within each of the elements... uh... except for spirit..." he amended hastily for Kirok's benefit. "Which is why, every time he renews another seal and puts it back, it takes a little of your power. He's replaced the first two. Air is next, then Fire."

"So we aren't as powerful as we used to be?" Jason asked, looking alarmed.

"I don't think it's like that. You're weaker, but your powers are just the same," Kirok said.

Kal, Jason and Janus stared at Kirok, their faces all held exactly the same look of confusion. Kirok shrugged. "I know what I mean," he said and looked at Iolaus. "Does this mean that I'm going to stay just the same because I'm holding two elements?"

Iolaus pulled a face of uncertainty. "I don't know. All I know is this light's getting stronger as more people over the world start to believe in it. If it's not stopped, these guys will put the munch on the human race and start again. It's what they wanted last time but me and Herc stopped them."

"So how do we stop them this time? I don't want to be a god in an empty world, and I'm pretty sure these light dudes won't say 'Yeah sure - you can believe in what gods you want,' once they start again," Cupid said.

"You won't be gods in an empty world," Janus said chillingly. "If no more humans believe in you, you will vanish into the void and it'll be as if you never existed."

There was a long, shocked silence.

Cupid looked at Ares. "Don't know about you, but I think we should side with these guys."

Ares sighed and nodded. "Tell us what we have to do, Iolaus," he said. "We should all work together to stop this."

Iphicles couldn't believe this. Ares was actually being calm and putting aside his hate. He caught Kirok looking at him with warning eyes and nodded slightly. Kirok was twice as suspicious now. Iphicles didn't blame him. This was most unlike the tempestuous god.

Iolaus steepled his hands in front of him. "I did a bit of snooping about while I was in the light." He said. "The real cool thing about these guys is they're so convinced that everyone is good, that they don't bother to hide anything. I found out pretty easy how to stop this...and it's lucky you thought of using these guys, Herc, because we're going to need Janus and Ares.

The god and the fire elemental regarded each other with distrustful eyes.

"Us?" Janus asked.

"Why us?" Ares chimed in.

"I need to make a sword... shaped by mortal, forged in fire and tempered in the blood of war."

"So we just raid a battlefield for blood, right?" Ares asked his voice sounding nervous.

"It's not that easy. When I heard Michael say it, that's what I thought, but then I realised something. The guy was speaking Latin at the time and I'm not too hot on the subject. It's a fuck of a language at the best of times."

"What did he say?" asked Janus. "Try and remember exactly."

"Extundo mortalis et caminus cremo Ignus," Iolaus said. "Sic cruento Mars."

Janus slammed his hand down on the table. "Shit! Motherfucker! I knew it!"

"What does it mean?" asked Iphicles, alarmed at Janus' outburst.

"He said forged in Fire... as a name... not a noun, and when he said the blood of war, he didn't use bellum, but Mars... the god of war," Janus explained.

"I got that too," Ares said. "It means I have to quench the sword in my blood?"

Janus leered at the god. "I'm sure you can afford a few pints," he said. "I'll be happy to extract them from you."

"Okay! Flameboy! I've had enough of you!" Ares snarled.

Janus smirked. "And just what do you intend to do about it, dick?"

"Here we go again," Hercules groaned.

Iphicles couldn't believe how childish they were behaving. He watched Ares, Janus and Hercules all rise from their seats. Each one of them looked as if they were going to kill the other. Iphicles suddenly remembered that Ares was the only one of the gods who could be harmed by mortal means. Maybe Ares' fears were well founded. Perhaps he couldn't trust Janus, just as Janus didn't trust him.

"ENOUGH!" the king bellowed. Rising to his feet, he pounded on the table. "If the world is at stake we'd better *all* work together. Kill one another afterwards if you like; but for now SIT DOWN!"

Shock settled across the antagonist's faces as the three figures resumed their seats. Ares examined his nails with an embarrassed air, Janus began to play with the knife he'd been using to eat with and Hercules fixed his eyes on a point of the ceiling. Iphicles saw Kirok smile as he retook his seat and waited for the others to continue.

Hercules finally broke the silence. "So where do you make this sword and what do we do with it once we have it?"

"We destroy the earth and water seals...then we find Michael and stop him from replacing the other two," Iolaus said, a determined look on his face. "The only place I know that will be able to deal with Janus bursting into flames is Hephaestus' forge. Me, Janus and Ares should go there as soon as we can."

"Uh oh. You trust those two on their own with only Iolaus to field them?" Cupid asked the table in general.

"It's got to be done," Iolaus said. "We don't have time to wait for them to resolve their hatred. You two can work together for as long as this takes, can't you?" He looked between Janus and Ares.

Janus' eyes narrowed and he abruptly pitched the knife he'd been toying with, straight at the war god, who caught it with a flick of his wrist. They both grinned at each other - not friendly smiles at all... the sort of smiles attacking sharks would use if they could.

Janus finally stood up. "Now is a good time," he said.

"I guess I'm ready," Ares said, his eyes still on the fire elemental.

Iolaus nodded and looked at his lover. "See you soon. Shouldn't take more than a day."

"So what do we do in the meantime?" Iphicles asked.

"You go do the king thing," Ares ordered.

"Don't tell me what to do, war god," Iphicles said getting up.

Hercules grabbed Iphicles' arm. "Not now, Iphy. Please? We can't do anything until they return with the sword, so you may as well carry on as normal. I'll...uh...go visit Jason."

"Huh?" asked Jason looking up from where he sat.

"Not you." Hercules smiled. "Though why don't you come with me? I could use some company."

Iphicles noticed the look Jason gave Kirok and Cupid as the earth spirit nodded in reply to Hercules' offer. The two winged beings were now standing by the window, talking softly.

Iphicles could see the sadness and jealousy in the earth elementals' eyes as Cupid reached up to touch Kirok lovingly on the cheek. They were two feelings he knew very well and he knew exactly how alone Jason felt.

"I'll go have a swim," Kal said. "I need it." He got up, went to Janus, kissed him and left the room.

"What are you going to do, Kirok?" Iphicles asked, meanwhile trying to distract Kirok from his lover.

"Sleep," Kirok said, turning from Cupid. "I didn't get much last night."

Iphicles heard a low hiss of displeasure from behind him and turned to see Jason looking angrily at his partner. Kirok didn't seem to care. He didn't even look at Jason as he went to the sleeping area without a word.

************
16
Loving Interlude.

Cupid flashed into being and looked down at the sleeping Kirok. He couldn't believe that Kirok had finally said he would be his, after all this time. Cupid sat down on the bed, and stroked the flowing hair, then his cheek, his heart filled with love and happiness. He finally felt alive, knowing that Kirok was his forever.

Kirok's eyelashes fluttered and he slowly opened his eyes. He looked up at his lover and smiled sleepily. "Hey," he whispered.

"I thought I'd take advantage of us being alone," Cupid said. "I don't think Jason's very happy about us."

Kirok shook his head and yawned, stretching cat-like, then brought his arms around Cupid's neck. He pulled the love god down and kissed him. Cupid felt his heart start to thump loudly in his chest as he tasted Kirok's sweet lips. He deepened the kiss, opening his mouth and entwining his tongue with the pierced and studded tongue of the elementals'.

They kissed urgently for a long moment, and then Kirok pushed his hand against Cupid's chest. The god sat up slightly. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"I want to speak to you about Iphicles," Kirok said, his face serious.

"Iphicles? Why? What's wrong with him?"

"Can't you feel it? He's so lonely."

Cupid nodded. "Yeah. I keep thinking about shooting him with one of my arrows, but I can't decide who he should fall for."

"He's already in love," Kirok said.

"Who with?"

"Ares. Can't you tell? You're the god of love." Kirok nuzzled his face into Cupid's neck and bit gently at his ear. Cupid tried to keep his mind on the matter of the Corinthian king, but Kirok was making it incredibly difficult for him.

"Yeah... well I haven't seen either of them for a while, you know. It's not something I worry about - my Uncle Ares' love life. Besides, Uncle Herc said Iphy was hands off, as far as godly interference goes in the love department; he even warned Mom!"

"Ares is just using him and I think Iphy knows it." Kirok leaned down slightly and sucked briefly at an erect nipple.

Cupid quivered underneath the teasing Kirok was giving him. "So what do you want me to do about it?" He asked.

"Not what *you* can do - what *I* can do," Kirok said, his tongue licking once more at Cupid's neck.

"Am I going to like this?" Cupid asked letting his head fall back so Kirok could suck and nip at his throat.

"Not sure." Kirok's voice sounded amused. "Are you the jealous type?"

Cupid pulled away and stared at Kirok. "You want to fuck him?" he asked incredulously.

Kirok wrinkled his nose. "I was thinking of letting him fuck me. You know I have... ah... a way with people. I can relieve his loneliness... at least for a while. He's too busy brooding to be any good to us. Besides, it might help him to resist Ares' natural charms." He leaned forward and lightly licked at Cupid's lips.

Cupid laughed and pushed Kirok down to the bed. "As long as he doesn't fall for yours instead," he said. He sat astride Kirok's slim hips, parted the loose, white robe Kirok was wearing and ran gentle fingers over Kirok's smooth, muscular chest. "Iphy broods all the time. Even if Ares was head over heels in love with him and brought him flowers every day, he'd find something else to sulk about. It's the way he is." He flicked a finger over the stud embedded in Kirok's navel and smiled at the answering yelp of pleasure.

"I hate seeing him look so sad," Kirok said at last, reaching for Cupid's harness and unbuckling it.
"He's done a lot for us, letting us stay here every time we come to this area - going out of his way to help us now. I felt his loneliness when he was watching us in the garden last night. I want to do something for him." Cupid felt Kirok arch his body upwards, grinding his erect cock into the love god's own.

Cupid caught hold of a nipple in his teeth, teasing at the hoop that pierced it. He felt his lover shudder and let out a soft gasp.

"It's lucky I'm not the jealous type then, isn't it?" he whispered.

**********

Kirok rose from the bed, shaking his curls into order. Cupid lay naked, on his chest, watching his lover as he dressed in his usual black. He was enjoying the rather large smile that was plastered across Kirok's face.

"I like you in white," he commented. Tilting his head to the side, he smiled and met the surprised eyes of his lover.

Kirok looked at him for long moments then shrugged, glowed briefly and his black clothes changed colour to white. "Better?" he asked.

"Do you only have one outfit?" Cupid asked curiously.

Kirok laughed. "What's this? A fashion show?" He spun round in front of Cupid, arms held out gracefully, hair whirling, as if posing. Cupid had never seen him look so beautiful in his human form, or so relaxed He had fallen for the winged beauty when he'd taken his natural essence and they'd made love in the sky. Now he was falling in love with the human standing before him and he smiled, happy for the first time in millennia.

"I love you, but I don't know anything about you," he said. "I'm just curious."

"We have eternity to get to know each other. You've been with hasty humans for too long."

Cupid made sure Kirok could see his over-exaggerated pout. Kirok sighed and shut his eyes, glowing again. When the light was gone he was dressed in tight black leather pants and an open white shirt, showing off the tops of his hip tattoos and his pierced nipples and navel. The bulge of his cock stood out in sharp relief under the black leather.

Cupid sat up, his eyes popping out and his cock responding immediately. "Woah! Now you can wear that for me anytime."

Kirok smiled, then backed off as his lover got off the bed and advanced on him, a grin on his face. Cupid wanted Kirok again and he was sure Kirok could see the need in his eyes.

"Hey. You're insatiable. Didn't you get enough?" Kirok asked in a mock angry tone as the love god backed him against the wall.

Cupid grabbed him, brought him close into his arms and kissed him passionately. Breaking the kiss he looked into his lovers' eyes. "Never enough. Never enough of you," he whispered, his voice intense. "You're mine, Kirok - All mine."

Kirok leaned into the embrace. "Hmmm I like that." He kissed Cupid again briefly and then wriggled, laughing, out of his grasp and nipped the love god on the nose. "Be a nice god and let me go," he said, his brow furrowing.

Cupid did as he was told and, with a thought, dressed himself in his usual clothes - pants, kilt and leather harness. Kirok regarded him, hands on hips. "And you were asking if I only had one outfit!" He said with an uncharacteristic evil little grin.

"Slight problem with the wings," Cupid said. "I can't get rid of mine like you can. They hold my power."

Kirok raised a slightly glowing hand. "Want me to get rid of them for a while? I can do it." His voice was alight with wicked laughter.

"Uh... no... thanks... I think I'd fall over if I found myself without them. I'm used to them."

The elemental dropped his hand. "Didn't think so," he said. He left the room without any further ado, leaving Cupid standing there, his mouth agape at his lover's abrupt and very rude exit. The love god started to shake his head and laugh. Aeons of time wouldn't teach his lover to remember human
manners.

Catching a glimpse of himself in a bronze mirror hanging on the wall; he wondered what he would look like in a different colour…perhaps white.

****************
17
Forging Passion.

Janus stalked around the forge, briefly touching armour and weapons, his eyes alert and angry as always. Ares slouched casually against a rocky wall, arms folded, one leg propped up on a small box watching the fire-being.

Iolaus, in turn observed his two companions warily. The journey to Hephaestus' forge hadn't been a long one, given the powers the two beings had, but every moment, he had been on his guard, knowing that violence could explode between them at any time. He knew there would be nothing he could do about it.

At last Hephaestus made an appearance. He limped into view and smiled as he saw his brother. "Ares. Long time," he commented, then saw Janus.

Iolaus was sure he saw the fire god go pale, and remembered that, to all intents and purposes - if the gods had their own deities, Janus would be one of them. Indeed, the maimed god jolted forward with his limping gait and bowed his head slightly.

"Pyr," he whispered.

"Janus." The elemental corrected.

"What are you here for?" The god asked looking directly at his brother.

"We need to borrow your forge." Iolaus said, coming forward stepping in front of Ares.

He saw an eyebrow raise in a question. "My forge isn't for just anyone to use. There is a lot of power in there, Iolaus. That power can't be handled by just anyone," he said.

"It's a matter of life or death." Ares said, moving Iolaus aside. "Those guys up there in the light are causing problems again."

Hephaestus regarded the three thoughtfully, then nodded. "All right. 'Dite wants me to spend some time with her, anyway. You can use it until I get back."

"Way to go!" Iolaus crowed. "Thanks Hephy."

Hephaestus shook his head. "Bloody mortals… do them a favour and they think they can give you nicknames!" He remarked as he disappeared.

Iolaus turned to Janus. "All right then," he said rubbing his hands together. "Can you light the forge?"

Janus growled, "What'd you think?" The elemental extended his hands to the brightly glowing fire of the gods. With a gesture he extinguished the flame.

"Hephs' gonna kill you," Ares said shaking his head.

"He couldn't!" Janus snickered and exploded into his true form, a being of fire and intense heat.

"Hey! Warn a guy will ya?" Iolaus complained, backing off and running his hands over his singed eyebrows.

Janus couldn't speak aloud in his proper body, but Iolaus heard his words in his head. *Out of the way.*

Iolaus pulled Ares away from the being and Janus detonated a fireball of white heat into the forge. The forge erupted into flaming heat so intense that it shot out and enveloped the entire centre of the room. Iolaus ducked behind a large shield trying to keep himself from being broiled alive.

"That's overdoing it a tad," he yelled over the crackling roar of the fire.

He heard Janus laugh evilly inside his head. *Just proving a point to the godling over there. He keeps forgetting what I can do.* He abruptly became human once more.

Iolaus sighed and readied the tools he would need to make the sword. "One small problem," he said at last. "What do we make the sword from?"

They all looked at each other. Ares suddenly grinned. "I have just the thing," he said and disappeared.

A few moments later he appeared again, hefting a very large rock.

"What's that?" asked Iolaus.

"I don't know. It appeared out of the sky one day, so the soldier who gave it to me as an offering said. It's iron ore. I thought, as it came from the sky it might make its powers even more effective."

"It's a meteorite," Janus said thoughtfully, running his hand over the stone. "Yes. It'll do nicely."

"What's a meteorite?" Iolaus asked.

Janus frowned at him. "This is," he said patting the rock.

Iolaus gave up and set to work.

***

It grew unbearably hot in the forge. Iolaus stripped off his tunic and Ares did the same. The only one unaffected was Janus, but as Iolaus asked him to help with pumping the bellows, he, too, pulled off his leather tunic, his muscles rippling in the red light of the forge, his golden hair falling around his face and body as he concentrated on keeping up a solid rhythm of pumping air.

Ares stood watching, as he often watched Hephaestus when the fire god worked. He loved to watch the controlled power of the fire, being used to forge a thing of war. The fact that it was his brother's little lover standing there sweating and wiping moisture from his brow as he worked, made him horny. He'd always lusted after the hunter ever since their one time together several years ago, but being with Iphicles, then the business with the elementals had put his desire out of his mind.

But now he watched the play of red light on Iolaus' damp skin, the way his blond hair darkened and dripped with sweat as the mortal got hotter and hotter. Iolaus took a break for a moment and drank some water, pouring it over his body with a gasp of pleasure. Ares could imagine taking him in his arms and kissing him, making him his. He had once. He could do it again...

"Stop it," Janus said softly in his ear.

Ares rounded on the being. "Stop what?"

"He needs to work. Leave him be. This is important... besides... he's still one of us. You really wouldn't want to take him while he was linked with one of us."

"I think I couldn't handle it." Ares said with a sneer. "I'm a god remember."

"And what did I do to you, war god?" Janus asked, moving closer so that Ares could feel the heat of his body, the scent of his lightly sweated skin. He looked into the fire being's blue eyes and remembered exactly what Janus had done to him. He felt an irrational fear gnaw at him and stepped back slightly, trying to look nonchalant.

Janus closed the gap between them his breath hot on the god's cheek. "You do remember," he said, casting a sardonic smile. "Do you also remember the wanting?"

Ares shuddered, looking into the fire in Janus' eyes. Truth be told, he knew he wanted the elemental the day he spared his life. He wanted to feel the power he knew Janus possessed. "Don't flatter yourself," was all he could say, spitting out the words.

"You don't fool anyone, war god," Janus quipped, leaning even closer. He stopped suddenly, pulled from his task of belittling the god by Iolaus' voice.

"It's finished," The hunter said proudly. Ares watched as Iolaus lifted the blade, glowing bright hot. "Well almost, just one thing left to do."

Ares stepped back reflexively as Iolaus walked toward him.

"Quench the fire with your blood," Janus said, his deep voice almost hypnotic. "Feel the heat - the need of the flame in your soul." His eyes were fixed on Ares, his expression lazy and aroused by the nearness of the flames he had kindled in the forge - and in the Olympian's body. "Experience what I feel, war god. Let the fire envelop you, draw you in and hold you…the metal is so white hot, it's like the sun…it can overpower you! Be careful or it can control you…instead of you controlling it! Feel it, war god.... Feel how I feel."

Ares stepped back again. "I... uh..." incoherent need rose up in him at Janus' soft words, but he stared at the glowing blade as if it was a snake poised to strike. He had been dreading this moment, wondering just how much immortal life-force it would take to put out the fire in this vitally important sword.

He heard the soft 'slush' of a knife being withdrawn from its scabbard and swallowed down his fear. It would have to be done. He was the god of war. He wanted to…no, he needed to be in control.

Janus turned to Iolaus. "Leave us. I'll do this." He took hold of the glowing sword with his naked hand, and it took on the same glow, keeping the sword heated and ready for its baptism of blood.

Iolaus looked unsure, knowing of the hatred these two felt for each other. "If you're sure..."

"I'm sure. Ares won't want a mortal seeing this. Go." Iolaus turned and walked out of the forge.

Ares backed off one more step as Janus advanced, the wickedly sharp knife glinting in the firelight.

"It won't hurt much, war god," he said. "Besides, we *still* need you."

Ares held out his hand and stilled the tremor in his arm. He could only remember being this afraid once, and that time it had been the same being that had instilled that fear in him. Janus moved so close, Ares could feel the tickle of his long golden hair on his arm. He bent over the god's wrist, putting the point of the knife to Ares' skin. He shut his eyes as pain shot through his body and he felt the wet heat of his immortal blood washing over his wrist and hissing malevolently down onto the sword.

He opened his eyes and watched, feeling weakness overcome him as his life's fluid gushed out over the super-heated metal, becoming cooler, turning black. He could smell the stench of scorched blood and the tang of iron in the air.

"That's enough," Janus said. "Stop it."

Ares shut his eyes and concentrated on stopping the blood from flowing. He didn't heal the cut just yet. He knew that this quenching would not be the last. Janus lifted the sword, looking at it critically.

"It's black," Ares whispered. "I've never seen anything so fucking ugly in my life."

Janus nodded. "It doesn't have to be a thing of beauty. It'll destroy the tablets without releasing the horsemen. That's our goal." He put the sword down on the anvil then turned back to Ares; his eyes still filled with hot, blue fire. He reached for Ares' blooded hand then lifted the cut to his lips, kissing it, then slowly licking the blood from Ares' skin.

"Now I want you," he whispered.

Ares shut his eyes and felt the soft prickle of Janus' facial hair on his lips and the scent of his own blood on the elemental's skin. He couldn't help himself. He reached for the golden hair, grabbed a handful of it and pulled Janus closer, kissing him so hard he felt his lip split. Janus responded, pushing him roughly against the wall, his tongue invading and exploring. Ares opened his eyes; his whole body filled with need and desire. He thrust his hips forward, grinding his hardness into Janus' cock; already hard and pulsing against his own. He was burning, lost in the heat.

Janus' hand rubbed crudely at his crotch, ripping open his leather pants, his breath harsh in Ares' ears. Ares moaned, his nails raking a path down Janus' body, catching his nipples and raising long red welts, drawing blood. Janus shuddered and Ares went back up to those twin nubs of sensation and squeezed them cruelly. He felt Janus' answering moan and those hard, merciless lips once more on his.

With a thought, he removed his clothes, wanting to be skin against skin with the being. His whole body ached with lust, his cock straining upwards, begging for a touch. Janus pulled away from the god and looked down at the throbbing flesh. He touched the tip gently, spreading the wetness of Ares' need around the helmet, a cruel smile on his face.

He grabbed hold of the war god and pushed him to the anvil, forcing him down across it, then he too was naked, his purpling cock jutting out from a nest of golden curls. Ares felt the black sword cut into the skin of his back, and he arched upwards in pain as Janus met his cock with his mouth, going right down on him and then pulling his mouth slowly off the hot flesh, sucking hard.

Ares cried out, pushing his hips up, wanting more, but Janus wasn't going to let him come that easily. Ares could feel the almost flaming wetness of the elementals tongue swirling around the head of his cock, the scrape of his teeth as he went down once more and swallowed him wholly.

Ares gritted his teeth, unused to such a violent lover It was usually him doing the taking, him doing the hurting; but he needed this, had needed it since the first time Janus had forced him to kneel in front of him and suck him, his body filled with deathly flame. He cried out and rammed his cock down Janus' throat, grabbing his hair and thrusting upwards, hearing the fire-beings growl of lust vibrate around the wanting flesh. He shuddered, wanting more.

Janus stopped sucking him and went down to his balls, tonguing the heavy globes and taking them one by one in his mouth and suckling. Ares felt hot fingers at his asshole, stroking and tantalising until he could bear it no longer and ground down on those seeking digits. Janus abruptly thrust two fingers into him and began to finger fuck him hard, his mouth once more, found Ares' cock, biting at the ridge of his helmet, sending the war god into paroxysms of desire.

He moaned incoherently, not wanting to plead to get fucked, but wanting it just the same. He opened his eyes as fingers and mouth were withdrawn from him and Janus parted his thighs, pushing them upwards. He looked into Janus' cruel eyes and nodded, telling him silently it was what he wanted. He reached up and squeezed a nipple and was gratified to hear Janus' gasp of pain, then he let out his own shout as Janus thrust hard inside him, uncaring that he would hurt.

Ares felt the pain once more of the sword cutting into his back but lay back on the blade, feeling Janus' hands grab his hair, and withdraw from his body, then ram back in. He groaned, his hips rising to meet the hard thrust. He reached forward to grab the silken flesh of Janus' ass-cheeks, pulling him closer.

Janus bent over the god, his hips pumping back and forth pounding into the god's willing body. Their lips met again, kissing and biting, relishing the pain. Ares felt the hold on his hair tighten and with an animal cry of pleasure Janus came hard inside him. Ares jolted, momentarily terrified of what this being could do to him, and then pulled him closer, wanting him deep as possible inside his body, feeling the elementals seed fill him.

The only sound was their harsh breathing as Janus bent forward, laying his head briefly on Ares' chest. He licked quickly at Ares' nipple then stood up, tossing his hair out of his face, then withdrawing abruptly. Ares stood up and caught the long hair, pulling Janus close once more, biting at his neck.

"My turn," he said forcefully.

Janus nodded and moved to the anvil. Ares bent him over it and caught Janus' hips, parting his cheeks and plunging hard into him, wanting to give Janus the pleasure/pain that Janus had given him. He felt the being beneath him shudder and snarl in surprise, then push back onto his cock. Ares ran his hands down the beings back, feeling the slowly growing heat of his skin beneath his fingers. He once more dug his nails in and bent to lick at the slow trickle of blood they left. The scent and taste of the being's body was intoxicating. He had wanted this for so long, but hadn't admitted it to himself, hadn't admitted the lusting fear Janus permeated into him.

Now Janus was beneath him, impaled on his cock and Ares was going to fuck him as hard as he could. He grinned in brutal enjoyment and rammed his cock hard and fast into the elemental, letting the ecstasy of the danger take him into delirium. He was aware of Janus' cries and gasps, the hard pounding of his cock into the hot, velvet depths of the fire-being's body and his mounting climax. He could also feel runnels of blood coursing down his back from the sword-inflicted cuts, the pain in his wrist from Janus' knife. Never had he felt so many different sensations, never had he been so aroused as he was now, caught up in the heat and the pain.

With a cry, he reached a thundering completion, and withdrew, as his seed jetted from his cock and let it fall over Janus' back and ass-cheeks, pearly drops mixing with the sweat darkened gold of Janus' long locks. Janus swore hoarsely and fell forward onto the anvil and Ares felt him quiver beneath his hands, as he too, came once more, his seed falling onto the sword and mingling with the war god's blood.

Once more there was silence then Ares moved away from Janus and clothed himself. Janus stood up and blazed into fire for little more than a second. When the light died down he was once more clothed and looked as fresh as a daisy, unlike the hot, sweaty, blood covered god. Ares scowled and with another thought, cleaned himself up. He had been so lost in the animal lust for the being he hadn't thought of his surroundings; the blood and the sweat, the heat and the seed of their desire.

Janus picked up the sword and ran a finger along the length of the blade, wiping off the fresh blood and his own semen. He glanced at Ares, licked his fingers, and then smiled his cruel, feline smile as he offered them to Ares. Ares slowly, without taking his eyes from the fire-spirit, took the fingers in his mouth and sucked them clean. Janus nodded approvingly and put the sword down.

"I think it's finished," he said.

*********
18
Accusation And Healing.

Hercules and Jason walked back to Corinth in the gathering dusk. They'd had a good day, visiting with Hercules' old friend and officially his stepfather. Jason now headed the academy that Hercules and Iolaus had attended, when they had been teenagers. The earth being had been encouraged to show off his own fighting skills, and had begun to spar playfully with Hercules with a staff of wood.

The demigod had been surprised when he had found himself sprawled in the dirt after only a few blows, and he realised that the smaller man hadn't pulled any of his hits. He had been even more alarmed to see the look in Jason's dark blue eyes when he leaned over him - an expression of anger and disdain - and Hercules had been aware of the subtle hum of power surrounding the elemental.

The boys at the academy had enjoyed the show, though and had all taken turns to attempt to beat the demigod. They had seen the slim, black-clad and unassuming man take him down, and now they'd wanted a go. Hercules had laughingly let them play, but he was troubled. Jason seemed to be eaten up by something he couldn't name. He resolved to ask the earth spirit about it as they walked back to Corinth.

Hercules glanced at Jason as they walked, wondering how to open the conversation. Jason walked silently, his rock-like visage closed as he strode soundlessly beside the demigod.

"Jason...why do you hate me?" Hercules asked at last.

Jason looked up. "You think I hate you?" he returned.

"You're making it pretty obvious. Back there, it was more than just sparing. You were really fighting me. I could feel it."

"You're half god. I knew you could take it," Jason replied, his voice void of emotion.

"I don't think so," Hercules said forcefully. "That wasn't what I was getting from you."

Jason stopped and cast out a ball of blue light that illuminated the path in eerie shadows. "You're right, but I'm not Janus. I'm not going to let the way I feel interfere with the work we have to do."

"But why? What have I done to you?" Hercules' voice was sincere. He had always liked the friendly man in front of him, always gotten on well with him. Out of the four elementals, he was the most human - the voice of reason. He honestly believed they had a lot in common.

Jason looked around the clearing, refusing to meet Hercules' eyes. "You were his first." He balled his hands into two tight fists. "He was content with our way of pleasure, then you showed him the human way and I lost him," he said.

"Kirok?" Hercules suddenly understood Jason's emotional outburst.

Jason nodded. "I knew he couldn't or wouldn't totally love me, but we were happy together in our link. We were one, then you fucked him, gave him the gift of human desire, and he fell in love with Cupid. Our link is fading more and more every day. We're no longer as close as we once were."

"That can't be true. You didn't see the look on his face when you fell sick. He was scared for you," Hercules argued.

"You have to remember, without each other, we die. He was probably more afraid for himself," Jason said bitterly. "It's all your fault, demigod. I can't give him what he desires. I can't take him the way he wants, and now I'll never have his love. Even now, as we speak, he's making love with your brother and yes it's true. I hate you. I hate you for what you taught him."

The earth elemental turned and carried on walking, without another word.

Hercules stood dumbfounded for a moment. Kirok and Iphicles? They were...? He had to get back to the castle, but first he had to make things right with Jason.

He ran after the angry Jason, grabbed his shoulder and spun him round. He didn't want Jason to hate him and truly believed that they could set things straight between them. He had to reason things out with the elemental.

"Jase. Please, you have to listen to me," he said forcefully.

Jason glared at him, folding his arms, his eyes shining bright azure in the darkness. "Go ahead," he said tightly.

"I know you're hurting, but… it's not my fault. If Kirok had loved you, then nothing would've gotten in the way of that love." Hercules paused wanting to find the right words. "Physical pleasure wouldn't be enough to divide you. I know it, and if you look deep enough you do as well. Look at what happened with Iolaus and Janus once they were linked. Iolaus chose to come back to me, because he loves me... and he knows I love him," Hercules urged.

"That's different," Jason said sadly. "You're human. Humans can find other mates; and you don't have our life-span. It's not like we can just link with anyone we please. There are not a lot of choices out there for our kind. But now things are worse; we're stuck together like this. He doesn't love me and he doesn't understand how much I love him. Or what his being with Cupid does to me."

"No matter what you say, I know he does care for you in his own way. I understand loving and losing. I know it hurts beyond words but you have to go on. If you don't and let it eat you up inside, what kind of a life would that be? You'll get over it eventually, you have to." Hercules tried to be reassuring.

Jason laughed bitterly. "You'll never understand. Do you know what fifty BILLION years feels like without love? At least we were together and nothing came between us, like now. He didn't know the intensity of physical love...he couldn't know... humans don't fall in love with us, but gods... gods are different, and you opened the door for him to love Cupid"

Hercules tried to calm the angry elemental down. "It's true I took his virginity, but believe me, I saw Cupid's face the first time he ever saw Kirok. He wanted him and he would've taken him eventually, even without what Kirok and I shared. I can understand you hating me, but Cupid wouldn't give up. Kirok resisted him. You know he did, but in the end they had to have each other."

Hercules touched Jason's shoulder in sympathy. "No one is to blame. You just have to accept that Kirok just doesn't love you, the way you love him and never will, but at least you're together...think about Janus. He still loves Klas, even though he has Kal. He hurts every day for his dead lover and Kal will never mean as much to him.

Jason raised his head sharply. "Bad analogy demigod. If Kirok were dead, I would be dead too; there would be no pain and I wouldn't have lost anything. I was deprived of the little we had together the day you made love to him, Hercules. I can never forgive you for that." Looking away he whispered, "And it does seem that Kal and I have more in common than I thought."

He glowed bright blue for a moment, then changed form into the delicate, gold and silver shot, flower and plant entwined being Hercules had only ever seen once before, then he was gone, leaving Hercules alone.

*****

Safe in the womb, deep in the loving depths of the sea, drifted a still form, eyes shut, a peaceful expression on his face. Fish swam up to him and nudged him, sharks and turtles swam around him, curiously then swam away. An octopus curled loving tentacles around his waist; bit gently at his
fingers then jetted off.

Even whispering mer-people came to see what this being was and seeing he was asleep, not dead, safe in the arms of the sea they loved, they left him alone.

The being drifted, embraced by his element, home and healing. He stirred slightly as the sun's first rays touched the water, his blond hair changing colour slowly, deepening into a warm amber. He abruptly awoke and changed form into the rippling colours of the ocean, the huge manta wings propelling him back towards the shore.

As he walked from the water, back to the land and changed form once more to the small, impish-faced leather-clad human, he stopped, and lifted a lock of tawny hair in his hand, looking at it sadly. He sighed and his form wavered and fluttered once more.

When he walked slowly back to the castle, the hair drifting on the night air and swinging around his hips was once more the colour of ripened wheat.

*********
19
Wings of Solace.

Cupid spent a little time trying to figure out how to follow Kirok without the elemental knowing he was there and finally came up with changing himself into a ghostly form with no apparent godly energy. He shadowed his lover through the empty corridors of the castle, pleased that Kirok hadn't noticed him, and passed through the wall of Iphicles' bedchamber, shuddering at the sensation of cold stone passing through his body. He didn't much like it and decided he'd use the door next time.

He watched as Iphicles rose from the bed at Kirok's knock, drew on a loose robe, hiding his superb nakedness, and went to see who was disturbing him at this hour.

"Oh. Kirok. I was in bed," he said softly as he saw who his visitor was.

"Do you want me to leave?" Kirok asked, his own voice just as quiet.

"Uh... no… no…please come in. I was having a hard time sleeping anyway," Iphicles moved aside allowing the elemental to enter. Kirok looked around, as Iphicles shut the door and regarded the spirit from frowning eyes. "Is there something I can help you with?" He asked at last.

Kirok turned to the king. "Actually I want to help you. I can feel how lonely you are," he said. "You remind me of me... the way I've been for longer than you could imagine. I want to help."

The king studied the elemental for a long time before he spoke. "No one can help me," Iphicles said, his voice bitter. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I've finally realised that even though I run an entire kingdom; I'm doomed to either be alone, or the part time lover of a god who doesn't care how I feel and the brother of a demigod who only lectures me and tries to control my life. Then of course there is always the threat of having to choose between them. If I'm with Ares, Herc hates it, and if I'm not, Ares gets possessive. I can't win either way."

Kirok drifted over to the king, his body moving smoothly in his strange gliding walk. He reached out and touched the king's cheek. "I can help you." His voice was a mere breath.

Iphicles leaned his head against the stroking fingers and shut his eyes. "You made me feel better when we...when you...when I touched your wings," he said.

"And you can do it again if you wish. Would you like that?" Kirok stroked away a stray curl of copper hair and touched his lips briefly to Iphicles' forehead.

"More than anything," Iphicles said. "You took away my sadness. You made me feel safe. I don't care what Hercules says. What I felt was real."

Kirok smiled. "That's because it is real," he said and changed form.

The watching love god felt his heart leap at the beauty of his lover and he shifted uncomfortably, his cock responding to Kirok's naked body.

Iphicles, too, stepped back and ran his eyes over the air elementals' slim form, reaching out to touch, with a single finger, the flamed tattoos that Cupid always found so fascinating, and then the stud piercing Kirok's navel.

"I wish I could fly with you," Iphicles said sadly.

Kirok moved closer and his hands stroked lightly over Iphicles' chest then round his neck. They kissed, tongues exploring and tasting each other, then Kirok moved downwards, parting the folds of Iphicles' robe, fingers teasing at erect nipples and tangling in the furred chest. He kissed and licked at first one, then the other nipple, and the king gasped softly, bringing his arms round the elemental's body and burying his hands in the feathered wings. Kirok let out a light moan and let his head fall back.

Cupid knew how sensitive those wings were and his excitement grew. His hand crept to the opening of his pants and he released his hard cock from its confines, stroking at it gently.

Iphicles took advantage of the baring of Kirok's throat, and bit gently at the dusky skin, then licked his way downward until he reached the gold ring embedded in Kirok's left nipple. He caught it in his teeth and pulled slightly, then suckled at the hard nub of flesh. Kirok quivered in his arms, his wings sweeping upwards and lifting them slightly into the air. Iphicles jolted, and grabbed onto Kirok's body, swearing violently.

Cupid smiled, and teased the very tip of his cock with his thumb, shutting his eyes feeling his body tremor beneath his own familiar touch.

Kirok laughed a little and set himself and the astonished king back down on the carpet. "Sorry," he said. "You took me by surprise." He took Iphicles' hand and led him to the bed. "It won't happen here," he said looking up at the curtained canopy above them. He pushed the king down, and straddled his waist, lifting his wings slightly to clear the mattress.

Iphicles had a confused look on his handsome face. It was as if he didn't know what to do with this being who was telling him what to do and at the same time still was so submissive. Cupid knew the feeling well. He watched Kirok bend to kiss Iphicles again, and let out his own soft sigh of pleasure as he teased gently at his cock, letting the feeling of pressure build so incredibly slowly. He licked a finger and brushed it over an erect nipple taking delight in the cooling wetness as he kept an eye on the two lovers on the bed.

Iphicles was touching Kirok's body, running gentle hands over lightly muscled arms and chest, down to slim hips, then along satin, flame-etched thighs. Kirok was kissing him all over his neck and chest with slow sensual kisses and small nipping bites. Every now and then he would lift his head and flick his tongue out at the king's lips or bite down hard on a nipple, eliciting a gasp and arching of hips from the man beneath him.

Iphicles wrapped his hands once more in the feathered warmth; sitting up slightly and feeling the powerful appendages enfold him safely. He leaned his head on the hot, spice-scented skin and felt the beat of the being's heart beneath his ear.

Cupid shut his eyes once more; using his godly power to sink into what Iphicles was experiencing. It was like he was making love to Kirok for the first time once more, seeing him through the eyes of the mortal, feeling Iphicles' need and loneliness, the sanctuary of the wings holding him near. The sensation brought tears to his eyes, and he dropped his hand away from his cock He couldn't watch this. This wasn't just lust; this was the healing of a desperately isolated and love-divided man.

He ghosted back out of the room, careful to use the door this time. As he left, he heard Kirok's gentle voice in his head.

*Thank you for understanding.*

He smiled. Trust Kirok to know he was there.

***

Iphicles sat encompassed by the benign velvet of the shining wings, his eyes shut, all need gone from his body. Finally relaxed, at peace and tranquil for the first time since Rena had died; Iphicles finally felt whole. He felt the wings move slightly and looked up at the calm face of the elemental. Kirok moved forward and kissed him, his soft, full lips abruptly awakening the desire once more. He opened his lips and Kirok's warm tongue entered, flicking at the roof of his mouth, then entwining with his own tongue. The kiss deepened, and Iphicles pulled Kirok closer, letting out a small sigh of pleasure, softly stroking a warm shoulder.

He could feel his cock nudging up against Kirok's ass-cheeks, and arched his hips slightly, rubbing his hardness against the smooth skin. Kirok smiled enigmatically, and pushed Iphicles down once more to the bed, his wings moving backwards and arching above them. He moved so one leg was pressed gently against Iphicles' balls, the other by his side, his hands stroking feather light over Iphicles' skin. The king gasped again and reached for his lover, wanting more and more of him. The elemental kissed his neck, his ear lobes, his cheeks, even his eyelids and Iphicles let himself fall into the spell the being was weaving on him.

He could feel Kirok's hips now pressed against his own, his cock warm against his thigh. Kirok moved down and took a slow taste of Iphicles' cock, his mobile tongue swirling around the tip, then going down gently on him. Enclosing his whole length in his mouth and sucking deliciously up and down the hard flesh, the metal stud in his tongue vibrating over the cock and sending tremors of need through Iphicles' body.

Iphicles let out an oath, his whole body trembling. He could feel the slight scrape of Kirok's teeth, the warmth of his mouth like velvet on his sensitive flesh He opened his eyes and looked down; Kirok was on his knees, wings outstretched, his powerful hands pulling against the king's hips as he took his time sucking him to completion. Iphicles' body started to shake as Kirok worked him toward climax, using only his studded tongue and lips.

"Please…." he whispered his voice sounding strange to his ears. Kirok stopped what he as doing and Iphicles let out a groan of frustration. "Please," he said again.

Kirok gave Iphicles a wicked grin, and pushed him back to the bed. The king reached for Kirok as the smaller being knelt above him, running his hands up and down his flanks; his eyes filled with desire, his wings trembling like a feathered canopy above them.

"Take me." Iphicles whispered. Kirok smiled and covered his body, kissing him once more, marking him again with his teeth. Iphicles let out a tiny hiss of pleasure as he felt Kirok's tongue lick downward once more to his nipples then suckle on them one by one, his fingers exploring Iphicles' navel then down to the nest of curled black hair. Iphicles groaned and thrust his hips upward, then let out a small cry as Kirok went down and parted his legs, taking his balls in his mouth and sucking on them gently, licking strongly at the sac with his pierced tongue.

Iphicles tossed his head, made delirious by the pleasure Kirok was giving him, then he whimpered in surprise as Kirok parted his legs further and started to lap at his tight asshole, probing inside, then licking gently at the smooth skin between his balls and ass. The king was overwhelmed by the sensation - the combination of hot, wet tongue and hard metal - and parted his legs further, groaning with need, his hands reached down of their own accord and caught at soft, black ringlets of hair.

Kirok lifted his head and started once more to suck gently at the needy cock, two fingers entering the king's wet and willing hole. Iphicles jumped in shock then let out another low moan as Kirok began to move his fingers in and out, pushing harder as Iphicles thrust downwards, wanting the fingers deeper inside him. It had been so long and he needed this more than anything.

The elemental hit the king's pleasure spot and Iphicles suddenly shrieked and grabbed at the sides of the bed, holding on for all he was worth as pleasure flooded his body. Kirok moved upward, his fingers still moving in and out, and kissed Iphicles again, the metal piercing his tongue rubbing up against the roof of his mouth. The king grabbed him, his hips moving in time with Kirok's hand, desperately seeking the hot, willing lips.

"Fuck me, Kirok," he gasped into the elemental's kiss. "Fuck me hard. Please."

Kirok drew away, uncertainty in his eyes. "I've never.." he started.

"I don't care! Do it... please. You have no idea how much I need it," Iphicles demanded in low, throaty tones.

Kirok sat up, looking away from his lover. "I can't.. I don't know how," he said, his voice shaking. His wings mirrored his nervousness, the pinions rustling together like wind through trees.

Iphicles leaned up on his elbows and regarded the elemental. He took Kirok's cheek in his hand and made the elemental look at him. "You mean to say you've never fucked anyone before?"

Kirok shook his head. The king sat forward and kissed his lips once more. "Then its about time you learned," he whispered, and pushed Kirok away slightly, turning over and presenting his back to the being, laying on his side.

There was a pause. Then he heard the rustle of wings again and felt soothing warmth settling against his back, felt the feather-light kisses on his shoulder, trailing down his shoulder blade, while Kirok's hand reached around him to tug painfully at his erect nipple. The contrasting sensations had Iphicles' hips thrusting backwards against Kirok where he was driven wild by the promise of the hard cock grazing against his ass.

"Please," he groaned, twisting until he was at the right angle and the elemental's cock was between the cheeks of his ass.

He heard an in-drawn breath, whether of passion or misgiving, Iphicles couldn't tell, and then Kirok's fingers were sliding into him again, working him until he was moaning and his cock was leaking with frustration and need. They finally withdrew, and Iphicles could feel the clumsily probing warmth at his entrance. He held his breath in anticipation as he felt the first tentative push. He could hear Kirok's uneven breathing behind him, and suddenly realised. His inviting position might not be the easiest angle for Kirok's first ever attempt at fucking.

"Hold on," he said, fighting his need for the elemental long enough to deal with this. He wanted this to be right for Kirok as well, Reaching behind him, he found Kirok's right hip and pushed him away slightly to ensure he was disengaged before Iphicles turned over completely onto his front, drawing himself back so that his weight was taken on his hands and knees. "It'll be easier for you this way," he said.

There was a small chuckle, and he heard the elemental moving, feeling the warmth at his hole again, and a hand reaching round to his cock. "And for you?" Kirok asked, his hand closing around Iphicles' straining erection with a touch that had the king gasping and shuddering.

There was a sudden silence, and then he felt Kirok's hands tentatively stroke at the crevice of his ass. He shivered as goose bumps rose up on his skin and he raised his head. "There's some oil over there," he said pointing to the table beside the bed. He felt Kirok reach over him and get the bottle, then the sound of it being opened and the fragrance of almonds filled the air. A moment later the cool trickle of oil flooded down between his cheeks and dripped over his balls. He, once more, felt strong, warm hands on his skin, spreading the oil everywhere as his muscles relaxed, then once again, those probing fingers entered him. He moaned into the pillow, the need to be fucked and fucked hard, enveloping his body. He pushed back onto the fingers and reached round and back to stroke Kirok's thigh. He caught hold of the taut flesh and pulled him closer.

"Just fuck me," he was pleading, offering his ass, and then he stopped breathing at the sudden familiar pain as he was entered. Kirok did so uncertainly, gently - his cock slick, a world away from Ares' un-lubricated, brutal penetrations. Iphicles thrust back, groaning, demanding Kirok's full length inside him. With a cry, Kirok sheathed himself and Iphicles felt the touch of dark ringlets on his back as the elemental's head bowed while he fought for breath at the amazing sensation.

"It's so tight," Kirok gasped out.

Iphicles clenched his muscles and Kirok's gasps turned to cries. Still panting at the unaccustomed sensations, Kirok seemed to know what the king wanted and thrust strongly into Iphicles, driving his size deep into the king until Iphicles screamed with the pain and delight of the elemental's huge cock thrusting into him.

Iphicles bit his lip, feeling as if he would split open; the guy was so fucking huge. He thanked whatever deities were listening that Ares had always used him so roughly. He hadn't been entered this way for three years and it felt great. He moaned again as Kirok's cock filled and stretched him, until he felt the soft pressure of the being's balls pressing against his ass.

They were still for a moment. Iphicles could feel the tremoring of Kirok's body vibrating through him and even that slight movement was enough to send waves of need pulsing through his own cock. Kirok leaned forward, pushing the king's hair away from the nape of his neck, then he felt soft lips kiss him there. "I don't want to hurt you," Kirok whispered.

Iphicles was starting to get desperate by now and he moved back slightly, trying to give Kirok the idea that he wanted him to move, wanted to be hurt, but the infuriating being just moved back with him, tantalising him. The soft brush of fingers over the head of his cock made him jerk forwards into the touch and Kirok chose that moment to pull out of him slightly, then slide slowly back into him, pushing him down to the bed.

"By the gods!" Iphicles gasped as he felt Kirok's cock plunge deeper within him.

"The gods have nothing to do with this," Kirok purred into the king's ear, his voice teasing and playful, his breath hot against the kings neck. "Tell me Iphicles what do *you* want?" Kirk moved his hips, sliding his cock almost completely out of the king. "What do you need?"

Getting fucked was what he wanted, what he needed, to feel complete again. Ares would have fucked him hard like this, intent on his own pleasure. Yet Kirok was focused on giving the king total gratification. His hand was still on Iphicles' cock. With every thrust of his hips he lovingly caressed the king's hardness, sliding it through his tight hand until Iphicles' head was bowed and he was trembling. He was barely able to support himself on straining arms, his hair damp and curling on his neck, his cries incoherent as Kirok's cock thrust again and again into his tight ass, then stopped once more, tantalising, pulling out almost completely.

Iphicles moaned at the emptiness and tried to thrust backward, wanting to be filled again.

Wanting to be complete…

Thrust.

Wanting to be alive...

Thrust.

"Fuck me, Kirok…make me whole again…I need you!" He shouted, shutting his eyes tightly as the elemental began an ever-increasing rhythm, drawing each of them into their climax.

He began to move back and forth in time, matching stroke for thrust. The king screamed at his touch; he could feel energy flowing through his body like nothing he had ever felt before.

"Kirok!" Iphicles screamed as he came, his seed flowing over the sheets.

Kirok released Iphicles. The king could feel his lover ready to come, as his thrusts became harder and faster He felt Kirok shudder and mewl in ecstasy as he emptied his seed deep inside Iphicles. Slowly he lowered his body next to the king, his cock still impaling him, blanketing both of them with his wing. They lay like that for quite some time breath ragged, hearts pounding.

After, what seemed like hours, Iphicles roused himself and pushed his sweaty hair out of his face. He lifted a hand slightly and stroked it gently down the feathers that covered him like a luxurious quilt. He felt a brief pang of loss as Kirok lifted the wing and folded it back out of the way.

Kirok carefully withdrew his still hard cock from Iphicles' body and sat up, melting back into human form and then lay back down on the bed, this time on his back. Iphicles turned over and smiled at the man, reaching for a stray curl and entwining it in his fingers.

"Why did you do that?" He asked.

"You try laying on your back with those things in the way," Kirok returned, his voice amused.

"Oh... yeah... never thought about that," Iphicles leaned down and kissed Kirok tenderly. "So what did you think?"

"Of what?" Kirok's dark eyes were teasing.

"Forgotten so soon? I'm hurt," Iphicles said, sticking his lip out in a mock pout.

Kirok flicked a finger over the overhanging lip. "It was good," he said.

"Is that all?" Iphicles frowned. He didn't expect the spirit to wax eloquent on how wonderful fucking him had been, but he expected more.

Kirok shut his eyes. "Sorry. I forget sometimes," he said. "Humans need...compliments."

Iphicles looked at the lovely being lying next to him and had to force himself to remember that Kirok wasn't human - didn't think, even feel emotion, or love the way he did. For all he knew, the very concept of pleasure was alien to the elemental and he was just reacting to the way he saw others behave.

Kirok suddenly sat up and kissed Iphicles hard. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. You blew my mind and I'm not thinking right."

The king grinned. "I think you just gave me the best compliment I ever had," he said. "No one ever told me I blew their mind, before."

Kirok flicked his tongue over Iphicles' lips, then his ear lobe, the gold stud sending shivers over the monarch's body once more. "Now it's your turn," he said quietly.

***********
20
Recriminations.
(warning- rape)

Hercules strode towards his brothers bed chamber; determined at any cost to stop what Jason said was happening in Iphicles' bedroom. He was angry, he had told Iph not to get involved with the elementals... it was too dangerous, and his infuriating sibling had totally ignored him.

Gods... look. Iphicles had even dismissed his guards. No one was stood outside his door. It wasn't as if the king had no enemies. Anyone could walk in and murder him in his bed, or kidnap him. What was the stupid idiot thinking of?

He threw open the door and went in, intending to give Iphicles a piece of his mind, but he stopped, seeing his brother on the bed with Kirok and all thoughts of telling his sibling off, fled from his mind.

Iphicles had Kirok on his hands and knees and his cock deep inside the elemental. Kirok's huge wings swept upwards and quivered tautly as Iphicles slammed in and out of the spirit's ass, one hand on Kirok's straining cock, milking him roughly. Hercules could see the look of total ecstasy on their faces, and, as he watched, both arrived at shuddering, screaming climaxes, calling out for one another. Hercules could feel the waves of desire and need flooding out of them and hurtling towards him, crashing over him like a tidal wave.

Kirok's pleasure washed over the demigod, deluging him with the elemental's feelings, and emotions. Hercules was overwhelmed as he felt his cock grow hard and his breath quicken. Unable to stand it any longer, he turned and walked out of the room, his whole body filled with terrible hunger, his cock almost ready to burst. He needed...he wanted...

The confused demigod leaned against the wall outside Iphicles chambers and tried to calm his pounding head and regain control over his breathing. He could feel cold sweat trickling down his back his whole body shaking in lust. Gods...what was happening to him?

"Hercules? Are you all right?" He could hear the soft, liquid tones of Kal beside him. Hercules turned to see the small water elemental looking at him, those huge, innocent, green eyes looking concerned. The demigod didn't think, just reacted, grabbing Kal by the shoulders and pushing him against the wall.

"Herc!?" Kal let out a small cry of surprise as the large man pinned him against the wall, plundering his mouth with no finesse or thought. His hand fumbled at his pants, releasing his aching cock from its tight confines and with a strong jerking motion ripped down Kal's own soft black pants.

"No..." Kal choked out, struggling wildly, his half-human strength and tiny size not enough to push away the demigod's craving lust. Hercules pushed him over to a large ornamental chest that sat by the wall. Kal came crashing down hard, his lip splitting open from the force; blood trickled down his chin. "Hercules…please stop." The whispered plea went disregarded, as with an incoherent cry, the demigod slammed his cock hard inside the cool, dry entrance, uncaring of the force he used, unheeding of Kal's' scream of pain. He wanted to fuck and fuck hard. He wanted to drive his cock deep inside the being beneath him until he bled. He no longer cared, he just wanted.

Beneath him, Kal screamed, trying desperately to push the demigod away from his unwanted penetration and Hercules forced his head down, grabbing him by the neck and biting into the soft nape, drawing blood. Kal yowled in pain and Hercules moved his hand round to his mouth, clamping his palm over the spirit's lips, almost suffocating him. He could feel Kal struggling for breath and moaning under his fingers.

"Shut up You little bastard.!" He rasped out.

Kal struggled once more and Hercules could feel him trying to change into his true form, his body rippling and wavering on his plunging cock. He crashed his fist against the back of the elemental's head. Kal slumped in pain and Hercules rammed hard once more into him, feeling the rush of his orgasm fill the limp body beneath him.

Suddenly a white-hot ball of pain hit him with full unrelenting force and he flew across the corridor, his come still trickling from his cock, his climax incomplete.

He moaned and lifted his head, lucidity returning to him. Through the haze of pain he saw a black leather winged being with baleful red eyes glaring down at him, a stream of light shooting from his hands into the demigod's chest. He screamed in terror and everything went black.

***

Iphicles grabbed his sword, wondering what in Tartarus was happening. Kirok had, one moment been lying in his arms, and then they had heard a cry from outside. In a flash, Kirok was out of the door, not bothering to walk, swooping like an eagle from the bed and crashing through the door as if it wasn't there.

Iphicles was slower to react and took a moment of time to throw on his robe, before going to see what was going on. He brandished his sword, thinking perhaps someone had invaded the castle, and crept cautiously through the ruined, splintered wood of his door, peeking round the corner to see who was killing who.

Instead he was met by the sight of a huge bat-winged being; terrifyingly malevolent, scaled tail lashing the furniture in the corridor into matchwood. A cold white light blasted from its hands straight into the slumped body of his brother. Beside the door, curled up unconscious on the floor, his clothing ripped, was Kal.

Iphicles looked around wildly, terrified out of his wits Where the fuck was Kirok?

Suddenly there was silence. The creature filling the corridor swept around to face the king, who lifted his sword, wondering how the hell he would kill this thing; then it let out an awful bone-tearing cry, grabbed Kal in powerful claws and flew out of the window.

Iphicles stared, dumbfounded, as the thing flew out of sight, then he dropped his sword as people, alerted by the commotion, started running towards him. He ran to his brother and lifted his head, wiping away a trickle of blood from the demigod's skin.

"He's alive," he said in relief, and looked up at the guards. "Help me get him to my chamber."

There was no lack of willing hands and a few minutes later he had Hercules laying on the rumpled, semen stained sheets of his bed. He called for a healer, then sat by the bed, still vaguely worried about Kirok and Kal, but mostly concerned for his brother's health and wondering what that petrifying thing had been. He'd never seen anything so ugly, so unearthly in his life. He was amazed that he hadn't pissed himself in fear. His heart was still hammering in his chest.

He took several deep breaths and tried to calm down, stilling the uncontrollable shaking in his body. He smoothed his brother's hair from his face, and took his hand, hoping the creature hadn't done anything more than knocked Hercules out. He thanked the gods that Herc was a demigod and probably immune to any killing power directed at him.

"Iphicles? Are you all right?"

Iphicles raised his head and looked round, gasping in relief when he saw Kirok stood there, once more clothed in his loose, silken black. "Gods...Kirok," he moaned and went to the man, hugging him close. "I was worried about you. Where did you go? There was some creature attacking Herc. It took Kal. I don't know what to do."

"Kal is in our rooms. He's shaken but fine," Kirok said soothingly, his hand stroking the king's hair.

"But how did he get there? The creature took him. It.." A look of confusion and horror crossed the king's face. Iphicles suddenly stepped back pulling away from Kirok, feeling his face drain of blood. "That... thing.. no...it couldn't be." Iphicles shook his head in denial. There was no way that creature was the being he just made love to. "It was you," he finally whispered in shock.

Kirok nodded.

"But... how can you... how can a being of such beauty and gentleness be...that... that... monster?"

Kirok shut his eyes, his face full of pain. "What you see, when I have my wings is air, but I have another form... When I use my spiritual body, I become the true essence of whatever I'm focussed on. I'm sorry, Iphy, but what you saw right then wasn't me at all... but Hercules."

The king stared at Kirok. "I don't believe you," he said flatly. "Hercules is the kindest, most decent man I've ever known. He's so good, it's sickening. How can he be what I saw? It terrified the life out of me."

Kirok said nothing. Iphicles cast a look at his brother, who was starting to come round. He warred with the urge to go to him and the need to know what the hell Kirok was talking about. His brother won the toss and he went to him, ignoring Kirok, suddenly despising the being for telling lies.

Hercules moaned and sat up, holding his head. "What happened?" He asked.

Iphicles glared once more at Kirok. "I'm not sure what happened," he said finally. "Kirok attacked you."

Hercules shook his head. "No it was some creature... not Kirok. It was black. Gods... I thought I was going to die."

"You should have," Kal's voice was cold. The brothers looked up. Kal was standing by Kirok, his face bruised and swollen. Kirok put a protective arm around his friend and whispered into his ear. "No." Kal said aloud. "I'm not letting you heal me until Hercules sees what he's done." He walked forward to the bed. Iphicles could see him shaking. He suddenly knew that Kal was furious and frightened - but of what?

"Tell him what you did," Kal said, his voice low with fury. "Tell your brother what you did to me."

"Kal... I'm sorry. I don't know what I ..." Hercules started.

"TELL HIM!" Kal screamed. "TELL HIM HOW YOU FUCKING RAPED ME, YOU MOTHERFUCKER!"

Iphicles leapt to his feet. "What the fuck are you talking about?" He advanced on the water spirit, murder in his eyes.

Kirok was instantly there, moving across the room faster than the eye could see, his hand held out and glowing slightly. Iphicles backed off against the bed in fear and felt Hercules grab his hand and pull him back down to sit beside him.

"It's true," Hercules whispered unable to look at any of them. "Gods, Iph I was so angry at seeing you and Kirok fucking, and I can't explain why I did it, but I took Kal against his wishes. I held him down and fucked him against his will. I wanted to hurt him and I did." Hercules looked at the small being. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, Kal. I don't understand…why?"

Kalios nodded, then took hold of Kirok's guarding hand. Kirok moved it to Kal's face and the glow got brighter. Within a moment all the bruises and cuts Kal had, were gone. Kal was still shaking uncontrollably, his body betraying his emotions. He stood for a long time trying to gain his composure.

Finally he spoke, "Janus must not hear about this. He'll kill you. We have something far more important to do and I can't let him be distracted." He turned and walked out of the room.

Kirok remained his dark eyes filled with sadness. "It's not all your fault, Hercules. Yes, you were angry, and that part is your fault, but I sent the guards away for a reason. It would have been dangerous for them to be anywhere near the room when your brother and I made love. My feelings and emotions are so magnified that they become overwhelming for anyone who is near. I'm only able to soften the emotions for the person I'm with. The results, like before, can be disastrous. You felt my pleasure and it
obviously overtook you. Your fury turned it into lust and Kal got the worst of it. I'm sorry too." He vanished without another word.

Iphicles rounded on his brother. "Why were you angry?" He asked. "Can't you get it through your head that I'll sleep with who I want?"

"They're dangerous," Hercules said stubbornly. "I don't want you getting hurt. I don't want you sleeping with Kirok. These guys are more powerful than you can imagine."

"Fuck me! You're just like Ares!" Iphicles exploded. "Listen to yourself. All you want to do is control me, just like Ares. If I sleep with someone you disapprove of, you get angry - just like Ares. Gods! Why am I surrounded by so many fucking megalomaniacs? Get it through your head, brother. I'll sleep with who the fuck I like, and nothing you, or Ares can say is going to stop me. I don't give a flying fuck how powerful Kirok is. He makes me feel good, which is far better than you or Ares ever made me feel."

The king paused in his tirade, staring down at his shocked looking brother. He spoke again, but this time, his voice was dreadfully quiet. "Now get the fuck out of my bed before I throw you out of it and don't even think about telling me who I can or can't sleep with ever again, or by the gods, brother or no brother, I'll kill you... I'll fucking kill you!"

Iphicles stormed out of his room, wishing there was a door he could slam. He heard Hercules call his name, but ignored him, angrier than he'd ever been before. He strode down to the castle exit, raced into the stables, grabbed the nearest horse and leapt onto it. Before anyone could say, or do anything, he'd urged the horse into a furious gallop and was gone, in a cloud of dust.

********
21
Preparation.

Iolaus looked worriedly at his lover. Hercules had been quiet ever since he had arrived back earlier that morning with Janus. Ares had gone off somewhere to do god-type things, and Janus was closeted in his room with Kal. He could faintly hear their moans and cries, and surmised they were making love and renewing their link. Kirok too was sat with Jason, their eyes shut, hands gently touching each other's chests, hair drifting weirdly around their heads, oblivious to any outside presence.

"So how did you get that?" Iolaus asked, gently brushing the fresh cut on Hercules' forehead.

Hercules went a deep shade of red and mumbled something incoherent. He got up and went to the window, staring moodily out onto the courtyard. Iolaus let him go, his face troubled. He didn't often see his partner in this mood, and knew better than to nag at him. He stared at the strong profile, thinking that right now, Hercules looked just like his royal brother. They looked so alike when they sulked.

He sighed and went to see what was for breakfast. He was starving. The day and night at the forge had given him a huge appetite. To his surprise, no one was down in the dining room and his enquiries met with the reply that king Iphicles was breakfasting alone in his chambers.

He decided to go talk to Iph. They had always gotten on pretty well, and while Iphicles was wont to sulk and brood, even more so than Hercules, at least he couldn't pound the hunter through a wall if he asked about it.

He went to the kings rooms and knocked softly on the door, noting it was brand new. He heard a voice telling him to enter and he walked in. Iphicles was sitting at a table, his breakfast in front of him, but Iolaus could see it had been untouched. The king looked up to see who his visitor was and smiled briefly.

"You're back. Did you make the sword?"

"Yup, and Ares and Janus didn't kill each other either," Iolaus replied, grinning.

"Amazing," Iphicles remarked, but Iolaus could see his heart just wasn't into light banter.

"So what went on while we were away?" Iolaus asked, pulling up a chair and helping himself to Iphicles' bread and honey. Iphicles sighed and pushed his plate at him, motioning that he could eat it all.

"Me and Herc had a fight. A big fight," he said.

"Yeah? What about? You don't have a mark on you. He looks pretty banged up, though. Did you swap strength for a day or something?"

"Very funny. I didn't do that. Kirok did."

"Kirok?" Iolaus raised his eyebrows. "Woah. I've only seen him angry once. Must have been one hell of a fight."

"You have no idea," Iphicles said, shuddering.

"You want to tell me what about?" Iolaus asked, his mouth full.

"Not particularly." Iphicles picked up a spoon and absently stirred the herbal tea that was going cold in front of him.

Iolaus continued to eat, watching the king as he did so. He wasn't sure what to say, but he knew whatever it was that had gone on between the brothers would have to be resolved pretty soon. They didn't have an awful lot of time left.

"Look. We have to get going on this seal breaking business. You should stay here," he said at last. "You're the only one who can't defend yourself.... not in the way we need, anyway."

"I'm going," Iphicles said flatly. "I'm involved with this, and I'm seeing it through."

"Ok. Fine. I don't mind, but I'm sure Herc'll have something to say about it."

Iphicles threw the spoon down and got up, starting to dress. "I don't give a shit what Herc thinks. You know, Iolaus, he doesn't run my life. He can go take a running jump," he said bleakly.

Iolaus pulled a face. *Oops. Wrong thing to say* "All right. You'd better get some fighting gear on then. We're going soon. Meet us in the guest rooms at noon." He took a final bite of bread and left the king to get ready.

***

When he got back to the elementals' rooms, he was surprised to see Cupid there. The love god was sitting at the table, chin supported on hand, glaring at Kirok and Jason, who were still in their trance.

"What are they doing?" he asked Iolaus, as the hunter sat down next to him.

Iolaus looked round the room and noted Hercules still staring out of the window. He sighed and turned his attention back to Cupid. "Renewing the link. They've been apart from each other for a while," he said. "Though I don't know where Jason's been."

"But Kirok is with me," Cupid said, softly. "Why does he have to do that with Jason? It looks so... intimate."

Iolaus' eyes stared off into the distance as he remembered the incredibly visceral bond he and Janus had shared. "Don't you know about the link?" He asked. "Jason and Kirok have one, and Janus and Kal have the other... if one dies, then the other will. It *is* very intimate. It's always there, whatever happens."

"So what about spirit? Pneyma, Kirok calls him... Didn't there used to be five of them? Dunno about you, but last time I looked, five was an odd number."

Iolaus shrugged. "I don't know much about it, but before they all decided to use human forms, they didn't have the link. Kirok just woke up one day and Pneyma was inside him. They don't know what killed him, or what happened. It's been that way ever since. Yeah, Kirok may be with you in body, but in his mind, he's with Jason, and there's nothing you can do about it."

Cupid looked sad. "I love him, and it's times like this I wish he was human," he said.

Iolaus patted the god's arm. "I'm sure he loves you just as much. You'll just have to get used to the fact that Jase is always going to be there. Herc managed it while me and Janus were together. I'm sure you can."

Just then the bedroom door opened and Kal came out. He smiled at Iolaus and sat down. "They still in there?" he asked, nodding his head towards the other two elementals.

Iolaus grinned. "Well, perhaps they're mentally thinking out this week's shopping list," he said.

Kal laughed. "Bread, eggs, butter..." he said his voice trailed off and he froze and glared at the silent demigod, who was now looking over at them.

Iolaus saw the look on Hercules' face as his eyes met the water spirit's, and his heart sank. *Oh gods. What had happened here?*

He didn't have time to ask. Janus came out of the room at that moment and wondered aloud if they were going to eat that day. He saw his mesmerised friends and went over to shake them roughly. "Hey, snap out of it," he said. "We're kicking angel ass today."

Jason blinked and pulled his hand away from Kirok. Kirok was slower to come out of it, and sat with a serene smile on his face, eyes still closed. Janus sighed and slapped him hard. Cupid leapt to his feet, but Iolaus pulled him down. "Don't," he said in a low voice.

Kirok opened his eyes and let out a long slow breath He looked around him, and got up, melted briefly into his winged form then back again to human. He sat at the table next to Cupid and touched his cheek, smiling. Iolaus saw the love god blush slightly under the caress, then catch Kirok's hand and kiss it. Beside them, Jason glared.

Janus opened the door and Iolaus could hear him asking a passing servant for food... or at least he assumed it was a servant. Janus tended not to make a distinction between king or commoner. He'd seen the fire spirit order Iphicles about in exactly the same rude way. it was funny how Iphicles took it from him, but not from Hercules.

On second thoughts, perhaps it wasn't so funny.

The hunter watched as Hercules finally came and sat down, then the others joined them. Jason gave the leather thong that usually bound his hair to Kal and Kal stood behind him, busily knotting his hair back up into its usual style for him. It all looked pretty domestic, but Iolaus knew better.

*Now, let's see... Herc is sulking. Looks like he's pissed off Kal, Iphy, Jason and, as usual -Ares. Jason doesn't look very happy with Cupid or Herc. Iphy of course is sulking at Herc and Ares. Shit. Iphy sulks at everything... what am I thinking about? Cupid is still angry with Ares and is jealous of Jason. Janus and Ares loathe each other's guts even though they were fucking like bunnies at Hephaestus' place.... fuck it, Janus hates everyone, and Ares is just a pain in the ass. On top of all that, we've gotta go fight some angels. Yup. This is going to be one hell of a fun day.*

According to his calculations, the only one who wasn't having any problems with everyone was himself and Kirok.

Breakfast arrived, or rather lunch. Iolaus made the time near noon, and sure enough, a few minutes later, Iphicles arrived, Ares accompanying him.

Ares sat on the corner of the table next to Iphicles, his arms folded, dark eyes fixed on Janus. Janus studiously ignored him and ate voraciously.

There was silence. Iolaus had enough, stood up, withdrew the ebony sword he'd forged from it's scabbard and threw it with a loud clatter onto the table; immediately getting everyone's undivided attention.

"There it is," he announced.

"Eww. Nasty looking thing isn't it?" Kirok said.

"It wasn't forged to look pretty," Iolaus said. "It was made to give us a fighting chance against the angels."

"I thought we were supposed to be breaking the seals with it?" Cupid asked.

"That too. But I've got a feeling Michael isn't going to give up without a fight," Iolaus replied.

"I'm ready for him. Just let him try stopping us," Janus snarled.

"I second that," Ares said. "I'm out to kick ass. I've had it to here with these light guys."

"I don't think we can stop them," Iolaus said doubtfully. "Just... postpone things a little."

"A little? By how long? Weeks, months? Years?" Iphicles asked.

Iolaus shrugged. "A few thousand years or so. The time won't be right again for a while."

"Well, we'll all be dead then," Iphicles said in relief. "Not our problem any more."

"We won't," gods and elementals chorused.

Janus looked at Ares, his eyes shining with glee. "How do you know you won't? You're only a god," he said viscously.

"Humans will always need war. They'll worship me without even knowing it," Ares said.

"Same with love," Cupid chimed in. "The rest may not survive, but me and Ares always will."

"Don't be so sure about that. Your days are numbered, gods of nothing," Janus grinned.

"I've had enough of you..." Ares said getting to his feet, his eyes dangerous.

"Yeah? You didn't say that when I was fucking you at Hephaestus' forge," Janus said evilly.

Iolaus groaned. Iphicles and Hercules went pale, obviously for different reasons and Kal laughed delightedly.

The hunter grabbed the sword and dropped it once more, the noise making everyone look at him. "For fucks sake, stop it. You guys are like fucking brats squabbling over a toy. We all know you hate each other, now stop flexing your muscles and let's get on with this. Gods! No wonder people are trying to destroy all of you. They're probably fed up with all the fighting."

Iphicles and Hercules both snickered. Iolaus glared at them too. Everyone sat silently, looking embarrassed or ashamed.

"Ok. Now we have to find the first seal. The sword should take us to it, so that's not a problem."

What do we do once we get there?" Iphicles asked.

Hercules raised his head. "You aren't coming," he said.

Iphicles raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And pray, tell me why not?"

"It's too dangerous for you. You'll be the only mortal."

"Iolaus is mortal," the king pointed out.

"Herc...don't go there," Iolaus warned.

"Iolaus has the sword, and he's also still linked with Kal. He's not totally defenceless like you'll be."

"I'm no pushover," Iphicles said. "I can take care of myself."

"You aren't going!" Hercules snapped.

"Don't tell me what to do, brother. Do you really want me to tell a few people here what's been going on while they were away?" Iphicles' eyes were flat as mirrors.

Iolaus, looking round the table at that moment, saw utter fear on Kal's face, and dread on Kirok's beautiful features. He frowned and looked at his lover. Hercules had gone pale and looked ashamed as Iolaus had ever seen him. What on earth *had* gone on with these guys?

"No," the demigod said quietly. "No... come with us if that's what you want."

"It's what I want," Iphicles said just as softly. He turned his gaze to Ares. "You have any objections?"

Ares shook his head. "Why should I? I'm the god of war."

Iphicles nodded. "So let's get going then." He stood up.

With a scraping of chair legs, the others arose. Iolaus saw Janus grab Kal and pull him to the window, talking softly in the strange language of the elementals. Kal replied and stubbornly shook his head. Janus shot a look at Hercules, and his eyes narrowed, flashing with white fire. He grabbed Kal by his tunic and shook a fist in his face. Kal shook his head again and his eyes started to glow. Janus put him down and stormed out of the room. Kirok sighed and followed him.

By ones or pairs, the others left the room until all that was left was Hercules and Iolaus. Iolaus went to Hercules and touched his shoulder. "Hey."

Hercules looked up, smiled slightly and caught hold of Iolaus' hand. He kissed it briefly and hugged the smaller man close. "I'm sorry," he said. "I'm not very good company right now."

"I know. You're like a bear with a sore paw. What happened?"

Hercules paused then he hugged the hunter closer to him. "I did something very wrong," he said quietly. "I don't know why I did it, but I can never forgive myself. You'll hate me too if I told you."

"What did you do, Herc? Nothing can be that bad. You know I'll love you, whatever," Iolaus soothed.

Hercules pulled away from Iolaus. "I... raped Kal. I saw Iphicles and Kirok together... making love... and I .. don't know what happened, but Kal was there and I just held him down and fucked him. I hurt him. It was so bad that Kirok had to change into his spirit form to get me off him."

Iolaus stared at the demigod in complete and utter disbelief. He didn't think, just grabbed a chair and broke it against the wall, his shock at Hercules' revelation showing itself in violent, uncontrolled anger.

"You bastard! You raped my son! How the fuck could you do that?" he yelled.

Hercules flinched and looked away. "I don't know.... I just don't know why... or how... I just... did it. Please, Iolaus. You couldn't hate me as much as I hate myself right now. All I can say in defence is that Kirok told me that it wasn't all my fault... it was him and Iph too.. but it doesn't make me feel any better."

Iolaus knew about the uncontrollable power Kirok had and began to calm down a little. Once he'd thought about it, he honestly didn't blame Hercules for what he'd done - not really, but the demigod's admission still shocked and angered him. "You didn't have to rape him," he said softly. "Kal would have let you do it, if you'd just asked him. It's the way he is."

"I know... but I was so angry at Iphicles, Gods... I just don't know what came over me... the need was terrible..." Hercules let out a shaky breath. "Even now I can see him... crying out and struggling, but I just couldn't help myself. I wanted to hurt him."

Iolaus went back to his lover's arms. Right now he needed to get Herc over this. They all needed to be calm for the coming fight.

He shut his eyes and felt outward for his sons feelings. All he could feel was a vague longing and sadness, fear - and pleasure of being with Janus... a strange duality. He frowned, not knowing what that was for. It wasn't anything to do with Hercules, that was for sure. He decided to explain more of what he knew about Kirok.

"You've been with Kirok haven't you? You know how he makes you feel when he comes? Well, it's why he makes sure no one is around when it happens. Anyone nearby gets affected by his pleasure. You couldn't help it and Kal knows that. You got caught up in what Kirok was feeling and your anger at Iphicles made things worse... he knows that too. Please, Herc. Don't kick yourself over this. All I can feel from Kal is fear that Janus will find out. He's already forgiven you."

Hercules wiped his eyes. "I can't forgive myself," he said.

"I think you should," Iolaus said. "We're going to have a bad day, and having you preoccupied with something you think you did, isn't going to help."

Hercules visibly pulled himself together. "You're right," he said and let Iolaus kiss him. "I'll punish myself later. Right now, we need to get this over with."

They walked hand in hand out of the room to meet in the courtyard with the others.

************
22
This Fire.

Before the battle began Ares watched in endless fascination, his eyes locked on only one…

This fire like
a wordless memory
carved on skin,
this heat
scorching flesh,
oh deliver me now.
This fire the breath of
timeless passion
and pain,
now more than ever
it stings. It burns,
I need you
to relieve me,
you can't deny me,
I will die in
your imagined
exquisite embrace,
oh gods and demons
and darkness and light,
save me and enslave me,
uplift and deprave me.
By the love of all
that is divine
and unreal, give me
the power to live
without your light -
if I can't have you
how can beauty exist?
Teach to see the
wisdom in this denial,
but oh, this fire
is turning my soul to dust,
how can I live with
this constant craving?

"I cannot have him. I must not want him. I will not need him, but by Zeus, when we took each other in the forge, I could feel him, drawing me into him. How can I hate him so much, yet desire him with all my soul? How can there be such terrible hatred between us after the blood we shared? Why do I feel this way? Has he cast a spell on me, like Kirok has with Cupid... a spell of need? Gods! I have to stop this. He cannot be mine. Stop watching him with hot, lustful eyes. I know damn well he, would not want me, and does not need me. I don't need him."

He turned away and found himself looking at another. "Think of my king. Think of nothing but my passionate, mortal king. He wants and needs, but cannot have me...He gives, not takes, and asks for nothing. All this time I never understood all he gave up for me. Until now. I've been so blind…let him have me."

***************
23
Until Plague Claims The First And Last...

"Ex Aere extraxit. Renoavit completum que facitur. Donec Morbus Primum et Extremum accipiet."

A whirlwind of air rose up from the earth, sending leaves, dust and small rocks flying all around the plain. The lone figure raised his arms, and out of the air dropped the third seal. He caught it and held it in his arms, his eyes narrowed against the whirling grit. He took aim and hurled the tablet into the spinning storm. The cloud of air caught it in its gyrating embrace and sucked itself down into the earth. When the leaves had settled, there was nothing to be seen.

"Finet!"

The pale figure disappeared into the void leaving mournful wind to whisper its secret to nothing and no one.

***********
24
Show Me...

"Is this it?" Ares asked, materialising beside the reined-in horse of Iolaus'.

Iolaus shrugged. "I think so. The sword's stopped pulling me," he said.

Cupid and Kirok alighted on the ground and Kirok morphed back to human form. "So how do we find this seal thing?" Cupid asked.

Iolaus dismounted, as did the others. Jason took charge of the reins, soothing the nervous horses with a soft word. He led them away slightly, stroking their ears and noses in turn, then left them to join his companions.

Iolaus drew the sword and pointed it outwards, turning round slowly. He rotated full circle and frowned. "No reaction," he said, glaring down at the repulsive weapon.

"Perhaps you're standing right on top of it?" Hercules suggested. Iolaus spun the blade and pointed it at his feet. He shook his head, and squinted into the sun, scowling at his lover.

"There's got to be some kind of sign," Iphicles said "Some mark..."

"That's it!" Iolaus yelled. "Iph, you're a genius. Stand back." He lifted the blade aloft once more. "Show me the mark!" he said to the sword.

There was a sudden detonation of light from the sword. The light streamed through the air and exploded into the ground a short way from them, detonating dirt everywhere. Everyone ducked and Jason let out a pained cry.

"It's there," Iolaus said confidently. "Jason. Go get it."

Jason went forward and knelt down in the earth. He scrabbled about for a moment, then lifted something flat and rectangular in his arms. He came back to Iolaus and held it out.

"I think that's it," Kal said unnecessarily. Everyone glared at him. He shrugged. "Just checking."

"Destroy it," Jason said through gritted teeth. "Hurry up. It's sapping my strength."

Iolaus lifted the sword above his head and brought it down in a cleaving stroke. The tablet broke in two and fell to the floor. Everyone stepped back a bit waiting for the worse.

Nothing happened.

"Is that it?" Iphicles asked, at last, lifting his head from protective arms.

Iolaus kicked the tablet. "Seems that way." he said. Everyone leaned forward to look at the stone and abruptly there was another eruption of flame, sending all, but Janus, flying. The flame poured upwards into the sky for several minutes, then faded and there was silence once more.

Janus was the first one to approach the broken seal for a second time. The two halves were blackened and burned. When he kicked them again, they crumbled into dust. He lifted his head and grinned.

"One down... three to go," he said in a triumphant voice.

They all turned to go back to their horses, and the two winged beings took off, back into the sky. Iolaus was about to get on his own horse when there was a scream from above and Kirok came plummeting downwards, Cupid free-falling after him. The god caught the spirit in his arms, just before they hit the ground and pulled himself up sharply, landing raggedly and falling to his knees, with Kirok in his arms.

"Shit! Shit!" he gasped. "What's wrong with him?" He held the screaming, writhing elemental close, trying to soothe him.

"The third tablet..." Hercules said. "Michael's placed the third tablet." He knelt down by his nephew, touching Kirok's forehead. "Gods... he's burning up... Jason... can you heal him?"

Jason shook his head. "Yes, but I won't."

"You won't?" Hercules got up and stared at the earth spirit. "What do you mean?"

"Let his lover heal him." Jason said tightly, and turned, walking away rapidly. Kal went after him. Iolaus could hear the small man pleading with Jason to see sense. He looked uselessly at Janus. "What can we do?" he asked.

Janus shook his head. "I can't heal, only destroy," he said quietly. "Kal might be of some use, but not much. He turned and roared his lover's name, summoning him over.

As Kal got back to them, Kirok let out another scream and abruptly changed. Cupid let out an oath and let go of his lover. The being Kirok had become, flew free and hovered above them. All they could see was a black, but vaguely transparent, formless figure with tendrils of light shooting off it. It let out a mournful, sobbing wail and circled around them as if searching for something. The being radiated sadness and the group watched helplessly as he writhed in pain.

"What the hell is that?" Iolaus asked at last, pulling himself out of the terrible melancholy that flooded through him.

"It's his other form," Janus said. "Spirit has taken over. Who is he focussed on?" He looked around the group, as did the others, and saw Iphicles transfixed by the floating elemental. "Iphicles... bring him down to you...call him," he said.

"Me?" Iphicles looked round everyone. "Why me?"

"He's using you as his focus," Kal explained. "He is.. to all intents and purposes...you - your innermost soul."

Iphicles looked confused. "But I've seen him before like this... he was a monster... a terrible thing...this time he isn't so frightening... seeing him just makes me feel so... lonely and…incredibly sad."

Kal went up to the king and took his hand. "It's you," he said gently. "He's reflecting your deepest feelings. We need to bring him back; get him to focus, so we can help him turn into to his human form and heal him. Call to him; he'll come to you."

Iphicles raised his hand and called Kirok's name. After a moment the being came flying down to the king, changing size as he did so, and alighting gently on his wrist like a beautifully deformed falcon.

"This is... weird," Iolaus said, looking at the lovely, amorphous shape with the huge mournful, eyes and halo of flaring light. The creature let out another of its cries and Iolaus was startled to see tears streaming down the king's face.

Janus walked forward and stroked the creature that Kirok had become. "We're going to get you through this," he whispered.

Iolaus heard Kal behind him talking to Hercules. "You'd better stay back. We really don't want him centering on you," he said.

Iolaus wondered what that was supposed to mean, then idly speculated on what form Kirok would take if he were to focus on himself. He shuddered. He wasn't sure he wanted to find out.

Janus growled under his breath and glared at Jason who was stood some way away, not looking at them. "Jason, come here." His voice wasn't loud but everyone could feel it vibrating through their bones. Jason did as he was told. He stood there, looking defiantly up at Janus.

"Heal him," Janus said, leaning forward and gently stroking Jason's cheek. Iolaus shuddered. The last thing he would want if Janus spoke to him in that tone of voice was to be touched that way. There was so much fury and pent up power in the tender caress; the air was almost crackling with it.

"Heal him yourself," Jason said back, folding his arms in defiance.

The fire-being's eyes flared white and Iolaus could see waves of heat sullying the air around him. "I'll fucking kill you," Janus whispered. "This isn't a game, you spiteful bastard! I don't know what you think you'll accomplish, so just fucking do it!"

"Go ahead. I've got nothing left to live for, anyway," Jason spat out, his voice trembling in anger. "The godling has taken him from me, and my existence is worth nothing."

"Then I may as well let you live," Janus said. "Live in hatred and pain, Jason, knowing you can never have him." He turned away.

"Wait..." Kal said. He took hold of Jason's arm and led him away. Iolaus could see Kal talking urgently to the earth elemental, but couldn't hear his words. At last Jason reached forward and hugged the smaller man, then they both came back.

"I'll heal him," Jason said. "Give him to me."

Iphicles extended his arm to Jason and Kirok drifted lazily over to the earth spirit and landed on his arm. His giant, black eyes remained fixed on Iphicles, but for a moment he looked at Iolaus and blazed briefly into a ball of light so bright, that Iolaus' eyes teared. He shielded his face from the being, and when the light faded and he was able to look once more, he saw the familiar form of Kirok laying slumped on the ground, held protectively in Jason's arms.

Jason bowed his head over his partner for a moment, extending his arms. A soft golden light enclosed him and Kirok, healing the elemental's body. Next, he gently placed a hand on Kirok's chest; a pale blue light emanated from his hand. The light started to fade and finally died. Jason picked Kirok up in his arms and walked over to Cupid.

"Do you accept him, willingly and freely?" he asked, his voice soft, a tear falling from his eye onto the cheek of the senseless air spirit.

Cupid swallowed and reached out to stroke the soft, black curls of hair that cascaded down to the ground. "I do," he choked out. "You know I do."

"Then have him." Jason kissed Kirok's forehead and passed him over to the love god. "He's no longer mine. I've broken our link."

Iolaus saw the look on Cupid's face as he held Kirok in his arms. For a split second, he looked incredibly happy, knowing that Kirok was now his, and his alone, then he heard Jason's words. He bowed his head over his unconscious lover, grief in his eyes, the realisation that they only had a few hours left together hitting him like a fist. Iolaus could almost see the blow as it fell.

He put his hand on Cupid's shoulder, trying to comfort him. "Finally having everything you wish for can be painful," he said softly.

"I've never felt so much happiness and then have such a void of emptiness rip through me. I finally understand how alone Jason feels. Soon I'm going to lose him and I don't know if I can stand it." Cupid lowered his head and pulled Kirok closer to him. Iolaus saw a tear fall onto his cheek and he turned away, not wanting to see anymore of the love god's pain.

"Jason!" Janus moaned brokenly. He crossed to Jason and grabbed him roughly. "You can't... You'll die. We've already lost one. There's no way I can go through this again. We can't lose you."

Jason shook his head. "It doesn't matter any more," he said. "Let's get on with this. We're running out of time."

**********
25
....The Mark.

"Show me the mark."

The flash of light had them all prepared this time. The only one who didn't flinch away was Janus. The streak of light hit a point in the lake and they all looked at each other.

"Kal," Janus said. "Your turn."

Kal got off his horse and walked down to the water's edge. He changed into his other form and dove into the dark depths.

Hercules looked worriedly at Kirok who was cradled close in Cupid's arms, still out to the world. "I hope he wakes up before we need him," he said. "He's been out for a long time."

"The loss of the link isn't helping," Janus muttered to Hercules. "Why the fuck did Jason do that? Kirok and him are gonna die."

"Don't be so sure," Hercules said back. "I don't know what went on between him and Kal, but Jase looked pretty happy."

"Probably because he knows he's gonna get the ultimate revenge back on Cupid. Kirok's gonna die too and it'll leave Cupid without him." Janus growled, his horse bucking beneath him.

"Calm down... your horse won't like it if you start getting heated up," Iolaus said.

"Who's idea was it to travel on these creatures, anyhow?" Janus mumbled. "Hate them... horrible organic things! Just like this ugly, saggy body I'm forced to wear."

Hercules couldn't help smiling. He ran his eyes over the strong, muscled arms, long gold hair, and the fierce, sensual features. "You look…ok," He said. "Believe me, you look fine." He'd never thought that perhaps the elementals didn't actually like being in human bodies.

"Would you like presenting yourself in an unnatural state just to be accepted, Hercules?" Jason interrupted.

"Um…no I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted Janus to know you all look fine." Hercules almost blushed.

"Only good thing about it, is my cock." Janus rasped grumpily.

Iolaus snickered. "Oh yeah. Your cock is great." He said between snorts of laughter.

Hercules spotted the hot, lustful look in his godly brother's eyes. Every time he had looked at the almost silent Ares, he had seen confusion and need there, first looking at Janus, then his gaze travelling towards Iphicles.

Just then, Kal burst out of the water, leaping from the waves like a glassy dolphin. He swam back to the bank and climbed out nimbly, holding the tablet. Within a few seconds, he was back in his human form and running back to them, perfectly dry and waving the tablet in the air with his happy, jubilant grin.

Iolaus told Kal to hold the tablet out and chopped the sword downwards, splitting the seal in two. This time, everyone was ready and moved back, as the column of light flooded upwards into the air. Janus, once more, kicked the tablet into dust, making sure it was well and truly powerless, and they rode on.

****

Iolaus bit his lip. "It's stopped pulling," he said.

"Well... get on with it," Ares spoke up.

"I can't... Kirok hasn't woken up yet," Iolaus said. "He's the only one who can get the seal."

"Oh for Zeus' sake, slap the little bastard. You're molly-coddling him," Ares snapped.

Everyone looked at Janus, expecting him to try punching Ares' teeth out one by one, but he nodded. "He has a point," he said, as he strode to Cupid and before the god could react, gave the sleeping Kirok the full force of his fist, hard across his cheek.

Kirok woke up abruptly, gasping in shock. "What the fuck did you have to go and do that for?" He yelled, his normally whispering voice shrill in pain.

Janus shrugged. "Thought it was a good idea," he said.

Kirok struggled from Cupid's arms and staggered dizzily, rubbing his cheek. He put a hand to his chest and a look of horror came over his face. "Jason...what have you done?" He moaned.

"What needed to be done," Jason said quietly. "Get the tablet. We'll deal with it after all this is finished."

Kirok collapsed against Cupid and nodded weakly. Cupid held his lover close, kissing him firmly. "You can do it," he said reassuringly.

Kirok let out a soft moan, and then his whole body rippled and half changed, then flickered back and forth for a moment between his other body and the human one. At last he let out a gasp and slumped once more into the love god's arms. "I can't," he said, his body shaking with effort. "I'm too weak...the loss of the link... I can't change form..."

"Hold on..." Iolaus said. "How about another link, like I did with Janus and Klas?"

Kirok lifted his head. "It would work," he said. "It would give me the strength I need for retrieving the seal and for the fight ahead... I'm useless without the link."

Janus got off his horse. "Perhaps Jason should renew..." he started doubtfully.

"No!" Kirok and Jason said forcefully at the same time "I don't want him inside me anymore." Kirok added. "His jealousy was stifling me."

"Iolaus? He can do it," Kal said.

"No... he'd have three links... that would be too much for any mortal to bear." Kirok said.

"What about me?" Cupid asked suddenly. "Can a god link with you? You know I'm yours, Kirok. Why not make it permanent."

Kirok frowned. "I'm not sure... I've never shared with someone else before. It would have to be a light joining... just enough to keep me alive and strong, and we'd always be able to tell where each other was"

"It's all I ask," Cupid said quietly. "Just to be with you... knowing that you want me and love me is enough. There is no way I'm going to let you die; I don't want to lose you."

"Do it and let's get the fuck on with this," Janus said impatiently. "While you're discussing it instead of doing it, Michael could be placing the fourth seal, and I'll be fucked if I'm crumpling like an old woman at Ares' feet."

Kirok nodded and shut his eyes, placing his hand on Cupid's naked chest. A soft nimbus of light surrounded them for a moment. Cupid shut his eyes and let out a soft moan of pleasure, his body arching towards Kirok's hand. Suddenly he let out a cry and his whole body jolted from the intense energy ripping through him. He caught Kirok in his arms and kissed his lover passionately, his wings quivering and spreading outwards. Kirok moaned, lost in the empathy, then tried to regain some control. He let out a groan, pushing Cupid away, his eyes blazing white energy. "Later," he whispered, stroking Cupid's cheek, an eternity's promise in that gentle touch.

Iolaus swallowed. His cock was hard and wanting, watching the two immortals incredibly intimate moment. He had no doubt that Cupid now had some very wet patches in his pants. The hunter looked at Hercules, wanting to take him somewhere private and fuck his brains out. Hercules too, looked back at him, his eyes filled with confused lust. Iolaus could see his cock straining at his pants and stepped forward, then realised suddenly what was happening to him and buttoned down his own need. He contented himself with a touch of the demigod's hand.

Looking over towards Ares and Iphicles, the hunter watched as Iphicles stood face to face with the god, his hand raised, touching Ares' cheek, his face flushed with passion. Ares stared back into the king's eyes. Iolaus could see something flicker in those dark depths, but the god looked toward Iolaus and he removed the caressing hand from his cheek. Iolaus shook his head, feeling sorry for Iphicles, and, turning his attention back to Kirok; saw the elemental turn to him and nod, ready at last to get the seal.

He stretched forth the sword. "Show me the mark," he said.

And again the sword blazed, flashing light into a point in front of them. All at once a whirlwind rose up in front of them and they all ducked away at the flying stones and grit.

Kirok, with an effort drew himself up and moved into his winged form. He flew into the cyclone and couldn't be seen for several moments. Abruptly the whirlwind stopped, fading into nothing and all that was left was the air spirit, hovering above the ground, the seal held in his arms. He flew back over to them and landed, holding out the tablet.

Iolaus once more brandished the sword and clove the stone in two. Again they moved away and watched as the power of the seal shot outwards and upwards.

Janus knelt at the dust remains of the seal and looked up. "Now we go find Michael," he said. "I'm not waiting for him to place the fourth seal."

As one, the group moved to their horses and took to the sky, Iolaus slightly in front, holding out the sword, leading and knowing that they would follow.

******
26
The Final Seal.
(Warning, Character death)

Bathed in the eerie glow of the intense lava Michael stood looking approvingly at the smoking crater, the lava flow cooling slowly, but it was enough for Michael's purposes. This volcano would erupt over and over, holding the last seal in its element of fire, preventing anyone from drawing near until it was time to let it end.

"Ex Ignes extraxit. Renoavit completum que facitur. Donec Mors Primum et..."

"NO!"

The white clad figure dropped his arms and stopped speaking as Janus strode forward and jerked him back. He looked round, his face calm.

"You can't do this," Janus said. "Humanity isn't yours to toy with."

Hercules got off his horse, along with the others. He was aware of Jason using his powers to send the animals away to safety, then pulled his attention back to what was happening. The being - Michael - was standing in front of Janus, his almost white eyes narrowed at the elemental's words.

"Humanity is ours. The sooner you realise that, the better." He said. His eyes fell on Hercules. "Demigod... Once more, you defy me? You truly don't want to be part of the light?"

"I don't want any part of something that destroys with so little thought." Hercules said, coming forward.

"We won't let you do it. We've destroyed the other seals. You know it's in our power to do it," Kirok added.

Michael looked round the assorted mix of men, gods and elementals. "Perhaps," He admitted. "But you will die trying for this last one."

"So be it!" Janus growled and blazed into his fire form, casting a fireball right at the Archangel and blasting him off his feet.

"Damn. When I did that, it didn't touch him." Hercules heard Ares mutter.

"You really don't get exactly how powerful they are. Do you Ares!" Hercules said. He felt a build up of power as all four elementals shifted into their full forms. This was nothing like when they had fought Ares. This time he could feel all encompassing energy, the entire force of the Earth against the full might of Heaven.

Michael rose to his feet, untouched by Janus' fire, but his calm composure looked slightly more ruffled as he lifted his hands. "Come Angels Of Light. Come, destroy these creatures. We won't let them stop us. We shall prevail and Thy will *shall* be done."

"Over my fucking dead body," Ares yelled and cast stream after stream of lightning into Michael. The angel's body wavered slightly from the attack.

Just then, overhead came flight after flight of black winged beings, clad in armour and brandishing swords of light. They blanketed the sky almost dimming the sunlight.

"Oh fuck!" Iolaus muttered to the demigod. "How the hell are we supposed to get them out of the sky?"

"Leave it to us." Cupid said, his wings lengthened and he leapt into the air, Kirok followed, close behind him The two flew to meet the army of light; Kirok casting streams of light into the crowd, Cupid hurling fireballs. They didn't seem to hurt the angels much, but knocked them out of the sky easily.

Jason suddenly grabbed Iphicles, Iolaus and Hercules. *You'll need some protection.* His voice said in Hercules' head. *We're going to do things that'll kill. It won't last long, but it'll help.* He touched all of them in turn and when Hercules looked at his brother, he saw him surrounded by a faint blue nimbus of light. He looked down at his hand and saw the same light surrounding him.

Iphicles grasped him on the shoulder, a grin on his face. "Come on. Let's kick butt." He yelled and ran up to an angel that had fallen out of the sky. He was soon embroiled in the fight for humanity.

Hercules joined in, aware of Iolaus fighting at his back as he always did, chopping and cleaving cruelly with his black sword. The angels were true warriors and fighters and the struggle would be hard for the group of mixed beings, but they would not give up. The battle had begun and was not going to over until every one of them was dead.

He looked around at some point, hearing an awful screech, like fingernails down a blackboard and saw the angels clutching their hands to their ears in pain. Kal was standing, his mouth open, the most terrible noise coming from his throat. As the angels screamed and writhed in agony of the fearful sound; Janus and Ares, working together, flung fire and lightning at them. As the fire touched them, they disappeared into nothing.

Hercules wasn't sure if they were destroyed or sent back to the light, but there were still hordes of them, coming at the companions. When one was felled another seemed to take his place. He redoubled his own efforts.

He punched and kicked at a pair of angels as they attacked him and tried to make sense of what was happening. He was nearly knocked flat as a gust of freezing cold wind blasted over him and one of the angels crashed to the ground at his feet, his wings encrusted with ice. Hercules dispatched him over the edge of a nearby chasm of fire and spun round, left alone for the moment.

Cupid and Kirok seemed to be doing their job of getting the angels out of the sky, not only did the army of winged beings have the couple's fire and wind to deal with but Jason was busy too. He had called a swarm of bees from somewhere, and yells of pain could be heard as the angels, obviously not immune to earthly creatures, were flapping about in confusion, disorientated by the stinging swarm.

Kal was flitting in and out of his watery form, fighting with a staff of what looked like ice, then letting out one of his awful cries before slamming the agonised foes in the head with the staff. Every now and then he would lift his arms and call sudden downpours of water from the sky, probably lifted from a nearby lake - Hercules could see fish and weed mixed in with the water. The soaking prevented the attackers from lifting back into the air. flying with wet wings was proving to be difficult for them.

Iphicles was now fighting with Iolaus. They had developed a technique of fighting together that protected the mortal king from the angels and allowed Iolaus to get to the beings with his sword. Regarding his brother, Hercules realised that he had a look of glee on his face. He was actually happy to be a part of this. The life, so long missing from his face, had returned as he yelled and hacked at his adversaries.

He suddenly heard Michael's voice rise strongly above the noise of fighting.

"Ex Ignes extraxit. Renoavit completum que facitur. Donec Mors Primum et extraxit."

"Janus!!" Hercules screamed. "Stop him!" He ran forward, as Janus became aware of what was happening and slammed into Michael with all the force of his blazing power. Michael dropped the seal in his hands as he flew back once more, caught in Janus' fire and Hercules lunged forward to catch it, breathing a huge sigh of relief as he caught it safely and stood up with it held close to his chest.

"You will not do this!" He yelled. "Iolaus! Bring the sword."

Michael staggered to his feet. "NO!" He shrieked. "You're leading man to destroy themselves."

"If that happens, then it'll be their choice. Not yours." Hercules said softly in the sudden silence. He looked around. The fighting had stopped and everywhere he saw angels stood or hovering, their faces filled with hatred.

He held out the tablet and Iolaus walked forward, no longer encompassed by the protective light Jason had cast on him.

"Finet," Janus said softly. "So let it end."

Iolaus brought the sword down on the fourth seal and with a roar of fire it detonated into thousands of pieces. Everyone flattened themselves to the floor, angels included and waited until the shower of fire and stone had cease before they got up.

"You fool," Michael said, fury in his pale eyes. "We can't place those seals for another two thousand years"

"You have to give mankind a chance." Kirok said, landing beside Hercules in his human-winged form…"They've not been around for very long and you want to destroy them before they learn from their own mistakes?"

Michael looked around at his depleted army. "We may not be able to destroy humans, but we can destroy you." He looked round his army of angels and smiled his cruel smile. "Kill them all," he ordered and vanished.

"Oh shit!" Kirok cursed, and flew back upwards again.

Once more, the fight was on, but there were less angels to deal with now. Hercules kicked and punched, threw and whirled his way through them. Again he could see Iolaus and his brother fighting side by side smiling at one another when Iphicles took care of an angel that came up behind Iolaus. The numbers soon diminished and only a few remained.

Hercules was busy throwing another angel to the ground when he looked up, hearing a loud splintering sound from nearby. Jason had methodically destroyed a tree until only shards and stakes of wood were left. The gold and silver vine-covered being lifted his arms. Hercules, watching him, realised what he was about to do. He dove to the ground and yelled "Duck!" at Iolaus and Iphicles, as the long, lethal splinters went flying through the air, felling all in their path. The battle was all but over.

A terrible shriek of pain rent the air and Hercules' blood ran cold as he saw Iphicles, slower to dodge, pitch forward, a long sliver of wood piercing his back and straight through to his chest

"Iphicles!" He screamed and ran forward. Catching the mortally wounded king in his arms, Hercules lowered him gently to the ground. He felt sobs well up in his tightened throat and touched the bloody piece of wood piercing his brother's chest, wondering whether to pull it out or not. Embracing him tightly he could feel Iphicles shudder as he coughed, the blood trickling from his mouth.

He opened pain-dazed eyes and looked at his sibling, but Hercules knew, somehow, that Iphicles couldn't see him. The demigod smoothed back disarrayed copper hair and held him closer. "I'm gonna get you better, Iph," he sobbed brokenly to unheeding ears. "You'll be all right. Just hold on."

The king choked slightly then reached a bloody hand up to touch Hercules' cheek in a tender, knowing caress. "Ares...I love…" he whispered, then his body went limp and his eyes closed.

Hercules bowed his head over his brother, cries of grief wracking his body. He'd told Iphicles not to come - told him that he would get hurt, but the stubborn fool had insisted on joining in the fight. He couldn't lose him now. It just couldn't end this way. There was so much he wanted to tell him. Things that he never should have left unsaid and now it was too late.

He lifted tear-stained eyes, aware that there was silence. He looked around, uncaring that they had won, that the angels had either been driven off or destroyed.

All that mattered was his dead brother in his arms and the sudden roar of realisation, anger and loss from the uncomprehending god of war.

************
27
So Shall It Be Done.

  Iolaus felt tears trickling down his cheeks as he watched his lover sob out his pain at losing yet another one of his family to destructive beings. He wanted to go to him, hold him, but Kal held him back, his eyes filled with sorrow. "This has to be done," he said quietly. "They need to accept each other's love for the king."

The hunter didn't understand what Kal was talking about for a moment, then, as Ares ran forward from seeing off the last of the angels; Iolaus finally understood.

Hercules looked up at his godly brother, his whole body shaking. Ares stood in front of him, saying nothing, his face emotionless but his dark eyes pleading.

The demigod stared into Ares' face for a long time then he nodded and gave Iphicles' limp body over to the war god.

Ares pulled out the splinter of wood that had ended the king's life. He poured white hot energy into the dead man in his arms; trying, over and over again, to bring life once more to his ex lover, pounding the ground with silent grief as his healing had no effect on the lifeless king.

At last, he stopped his efforts and bowed his head silently over Iphicles. Iolaus shut his eyes, gulping down his own sobs. He finally went to Hercules and held him close. The demigod threw his arms around the smaller man and Iolaus felt him shaking against his body.

Kirok walked forward and knelt down beside Ares, touching his shoulder, his black eyes filled with his own sadness.

"Do you love this mortal?" he asked, his voice so soft, Iolaus could only just hear it. He saw Janus moved forward, his face filled with fury.

"Don't do it, Kirok. I lost Klas because of him. You'd let him have his lover back when I have to spend eternity without the man I love?" he demanded, his deep voice breaking.

Kirok ignored the fire elemental. "Ares. Do you love this mortal?" he repeated, a little louder.

Hercules lifted his head and Iolaus could see sudden, fierce hope come into his reddened eyes, but Ares remained silent, his attention only on the body he held close to his chest. Iolaus sighed. Even now, when his lover was lost, Ares refused to admit how he felt for the king, though it was now so obvious to the hunter and everyone around him.

"Say it!" Kirok commanded.

"No!" Janus wept. "Please Kirok. Don't do it. Let him suffer. Let him exist in pain as I do."

Ares finally lifted his face to the air spirit, a single tear glinting on his cheek in the dying sunlight. "Yes! Damn it all to Tartarus. I do love him. I want him to be mine. I want to be his."

Kirok rose to his feet and smiled. "So shall it be done," he whispered.

"I won't do it," Janus said harshly. "I won't bring that mortal back so the war god can be happy. He didn't care about my happiness when he tried killing Klas."

Iolaus tensed, wondering what the hell was happening. Around him, he could see the four elementals also shifting into attack positions. For the first time in their billions of years, they were willing to fight each other.

Kirok's black eyes bored into Janus' hot blue ones. "Do you truly love Kalios so little?" he asked, his voice quiet.

Janus' gaze shifted to the little water spirit. "No. I don't love him. I never have. He may look almost the same as Klas, but he isn't him and nothing he can do can change that." He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Kal. It's true."

Kal let out a deep breath and bowed his head. "I know. I've always known," he said sadly.

"And because Ares is responsible for Klas' death, you won't help us bring Iphicles back?" Kirok asked.

Janus shook his head again. "I won't."

"If Klas could be returned to you? How would you feel then?" Kirok asked.

"Don't be stupid," Janus said. "It can't happen."

"But if it could?" Kirok insisted.

Janus paused then looked at Hercules, still bowed down by his grief. "I'd do it... but I'd do it for Iphicles, himself. He can make his own choices."

"That's good enough." Kirok said. He looked at Kal and nodded firmly. "It's time, Kalios," he said. "Come to me and receive what you were born to carry."

Kal walked forward and stood in front of Kirok, arms outstretched. The elemental's bodies took on a brilliant, blinding light so intense, Iolaus had to shield his eyes. When he squinted, he was able to see a bright being removing itself from Kirok's body, drifting towards Kal and encompass him, melting into his form so the two were joined. For a long moment, neither Kal not Kirok moved and when the light faded they were both surrounded by gently flickering rainbow colours. Iolaus could see the same blazing tattoos that decorated Kirok's body appear on Kal's arms and shoulders. Kirok dropped his arms and the lights faded. "You are spirit," he whispered.

Kal suddenly cried out in pain. His body rippled and wavered from human into a pure white light. Iolaus wasn't sure, but it looked as if he was splitting in two. He began to worry, thinking the joining was unsuccessful. He started to run to his son, but before he could reach him, the light faded and two beings stood where before, there was only one. They were almost identical, except that one had wavy, amber hair, rather than the pale blond locks Iolaus knew as Kal's.

Iolaus' mouth dropped open, suddenly realising what had happened. Janus' dead lover, Klas, had been restored to him. Iolaus would have killed to know what was going on, but now didn't seem like the right time to ask questions. He saw Janus start to shake, then with a low cry, run to the darker haired of the twins and enfold him in his arms. "How? I…I…don't understand... How is this possible? What did you do?" His words poured out but he didn't wait for an answer, just pulled Klas tighter to him, burying his face in his hair, looking as if he would never let the tiny spirit go. Klas hugged him back, tears falling from his eyes, wetting Janus' hair.

"He set things right," Jason said, moving forward. Kal took his hand and shut his eyes.

Kirok placed his hand above their hearts and shut his own eyes. Iolaus could see nothing; but the feeling of pressure and energy was amazing. He could feel his hair crackling with static and lifting from his scalp, making him shiver. His whole body came up in goose-bumps and he pulled away, out of the influence of the enjoined elementals.

At last Kirok let his hands drop. "You are as it should be. United... forever until the end of time," his light voice said. "We are once more, five, the way we were supposed to be. Now we can return the mortal's life."

Hercules lifted his head. "Can they do it?" he asked Iolaus softly, his voice filled with hope.

"I'm not sure. They seem to think they can, but from what I can see, they need all five of them to do it." Iolaus whispered back.

The elementals walked over to where Ares still knelt, oblivious to their actions, his head still bent over Iphicles' body. He looked up as they surrounded him, his eyes blank.

Kirok knelt down and smiled at Ares. "Go to your brother. We have work to do."

Ares nodded, for once not arguing. He carefully lay Iphicles down on the rocky ground and walked over to stand with Hercules and Iolaus. To the hunter's surprise, Hercules held out his hand. Ares looked down at it for a moment, then took it, and they stood together to watch what the elementals would do, their fingers still entwined. Cupid came over to join them, and Iolaus felt the warm touch of the love god's hand on his shoulder. He left the brothers alone and leaned into Cupid's comforting body, watching the elementals, now restored to their proper number.

The five stood around Iphicles' body, Janus and Klas on one side, Kal and Jason on the other and Kirok at his head. They all stretched out their hands and held them above Iphicles' heart. Slowly the body rose into the air until their hands were all touching him. He drifted there, copper curls lifting in a light wind, face peaceful.

Iolaus heard the elementals begin their joining ritual, but he noted the differences, realising that the familiar words had always been missing and incomplete.

Janus raised his face to the sky, his eyes shut. "I am Pyr. We are the closed fist,"

"I am Hydor. We are what should have been," Klas replied.

"I am Gaia. I have always been," Jason said his part.

"I am Pneyma. We are what will be," Kal softly said the part that Kirok had always spoken, his eyes locked on Jason.

"I am Aeer. We are forever the First and the Last." Kirok, as the oldest, finished the ritual with the long-missing words, now complete and resealing the five as one.

There was a long silence then Iolaus became aware of a soft light coming from each of them, the rainbow hues of their elements, red, blue green and yellow, all meeting the white of Kirok's own force. The colours swirled around them and the body of the king they held in their combined power.

"More," Kirok said, lifting his face, his eyes taking on the intense glow as the other channelled their energy through him and he in turn sent it back through Iphicles' body. One by one they burst into their natural forms: Janus, the blazing, formless ball of fire with human eyes. Jason, the remarkably delicate earth spirit, covered in greenery and shot through with silver and gold. Klas, once more back in his water form glittering jade, blue and green; Kal, for the first time in his new embodiment of spirit - centered on Kirok, he became identical to Kirok's own form, their wings sweeping the air in transparent beauty.

Wind tossed Iolaus' hair and he could feel electricity, as before a storm, building up all around them. He grasped onto Cupid's arm to anchor himself from the force of the wind that suddenly gusted around them.

From the nearby volcano came explosions of fire and it began to rain heavily. Cupid thoughtfully cast an invisible shield over them, sheltering them from the rain, and keeping them safe from the elements and the hunter began, for the first time, to hope.

Iphicles' body began to glow then pulse with incandescent light. Iolaus heard Hercules let out an inarticulate cry and groped for his other hand, keeping the demigod under control. The First and Last could not be disturbed. He knew his lover might interrupt at a crucial point thinking he was protecting his brother's body.

Kirok raised his arms, lighting flashing from his fingers into the king, then he let out a terrible scream and fell backwards. The light faded from them all and slowly they melted back once more into their five human forms. Jason, Kal and Klas all went to help Kirok to his feet. Only Janus didn't move, his hands still placed on Iphicles' body, his eyes tightly shut, sweat soaking him, making his clothes cling to every muscle on his body.

"Come back to us," he whispered. "Let the flame of life fill you." He poured fire into the still chest. Iphicles let out a huge gasp, his body jolted and his eyes sprung open. Janus smiled and knelt down, bringing the still floating king to the ground with him. He cradled the gasping and obviously living Iphicles in one arm and looked over at the stunned group of gods, demigod and mortal. He smiled, then quite deliberately bend his head and kissed Iphicles' mouth for a long moment. Iolaus heard the king's soft gasp and his arms went around Janus' neck. Beside the hunter he felt Hercules shift and Ares let out a soft growl of anger, but neither of them moved, unsure of the legitimacy of the kiss..

At last Janus raised his head. "It's finished," he said in a serious, ritualised tone of voice. He stood up and helped Iphicles to his feet, then grinned his evil grin. "Just try not to fuck it up this time."

***************
28
Let It End.

Iphicles opened his eyes and gasped for air. As life flowed back into his body and he became more aware, he realised that Janus was holding him in his arms and kissing him…hard. Giving in to the warmth that enveloped him, he melted into the kiss and then wondered for a moment what had happened. Why was Janus holding him like that, and kissing him? He pulled away from the fire elemental and looked questioningly into his eyes, struggling to his feet. Janus stood and reached out an arm to help him up.

Iphicles looked around, aware of a vague pain in his chest and back. He looked down and saw blood covering his armour. "What happened?" he rasped, his throat sore, his mouth tasting of blood.

Janus grinned. "You were dead. The guys and me restored you. The pain'll fade in a little while." He turned back to the others of his kind, going to Klas and holding him close. Iphicles passed a hand across his eyes, feeling slightly dizzy, then became aware of Hercules grabbing him and hugging him close.

"Iph... Iph... Thanks the gods... no... Don't thank the gods thank the First. If it wasn't for them…"

"Uh... you can let go of me now, Herc," Iph said, nonplussed at his brother's sudden show of affection. "What did Janus mean, I was dead?"

Hercules released him but stayed by his side. "You were caught in the rain of stakes Jason hurled. You...died in my arms."

"I don't remember much, there was pain and then I saw this bright intense light. It was very peaceful. Then I was back here with Janus' tongue down my throat."

"You ain't lived till you've had that happen!" Klas said cheerfully.

Iphicles was really confused. He looked at Klas who was standing next to Janus then back to Kal who was next to Jason. "Klas…you…you're fucking alive!" he shouted, running over to the small elemental and hugging him tightly.

The light-hearted elemental hugged the king back while looking at Janus. "Yeah, it's a long story. I'll explain later, but for now - welcome back." He released the king and embraced his lover once more.

Kirok walked over to Iphicles and put his hand on the king's cheek and drew him into a kiss. "Be happy," he whispered into his ear.

Iolaus came over and grasped Iphicles' arm, pulling him into a warm embrace. "Iph, It's good to have ya back. I know it feels a bit odd, but I've done this a few times so if you need any pointers…"

The king smiled and nodded then moved away from Iolaus, his mind not really comprehending everything that happened - at least not for the moment. He looked about, at the small group of elementals and Cupid, grouped in their pairings. Janus and Klas were standing together, kissing passionately, Jason and Kal touched hands and stared into each other's eyes, oblivious of anything around them. Cupid and Kirok also held each other close, then abruptly grew their wings and flew up into the sky, obviously to make love in that wonderful abandoned way Iphicles had witnessed once before. He could feel his heart soar with them and he smiled.

He turned his attention to his brother once more. Hercules had gone back to his lover and was talking quietly with him, their eyes turning often to the restored king.

And then there was Ares.

The war god was standing alone, his brooding, darkly beautiful face full of emotions Iphicles couldn't name, his eyes fixed upon the king. He seemed to make a decision and walked forward until they were almost touching.

"I... I'm glad you're back," he said. "I thought I'd lost you."

"Lost me?" Iphicles asked in confusion.

"I... finally admitted to myself how I feel about you," Ares said, not looking the king in the eyes. Unused to talking about his feelings like this, he spoke softly. "I couldn't imagine life without you."

"Really?" Iphicles asked and didn't wait for an answer. "I had to live my life without you for three years."

"Revenge on the First overtook me. I didn't allow myself to think of you. Even though I'll never be able to stand them I... find myself... not wanting retribution on them anymore. They helped you - gave you back to me." Ares tried to explain himself.

"So typical Ares. Everything revolves around YOU! You think they brought me back just for you! The possibility that they did it for 'me' never crossed your mind. "Iphicles glared at the war god. "You really think I'm going to come back to you after the way you treated me?" he asked angrily.

There was a long silence then Ares turned away. "I... thought... perhaps we could start again. I see I was wrong... but at least you're alive, and for that, I'm grateful."

He vanished in a flash of light before Iphicles could say another word.

Jason lifted his head from his communion with Kal. "I'm calling back the horses. We should go back to Corinth."

Hercules lay his arms lightly around Iphicles shoulder and smiled into his brother's eyes. "Yeah. Let's get out of this forsaken place," he said.

Within a few minutes the horses cantered over the hillside and the group rode off toward Corinth. Iphicles stopped his horse and turned to look at the place where he'd died and was reborn. All that was left to mark the bloody fight was a split and ruined tree. He vowed he'd be happy, whatever happened. He had been wallowing in his loneliness for far too long.

"Iph?" Hercules had rode up beside him. "You okay?"

Iphicles smiled and clasped Hercules' forearm. "Yes. For the first time in my life, brother…I really am." He heeled the horse and they both joined the others.

********

By common consent, once they had got back to the castle and those who wanted to, had bathed and changed, they met back in the large guest quarters. Iolaus was pleased to see that Janus had his strange guitar with him and was sitting on the table as usual, Klas next to him, playing and singing. He looked more relaxed and happy than the hunter had ever seen him. He realised that the fire-being had either been under the influence of a debilitating source, or still in mourning, whenever he had seen him; but now, Klas was back, and Janus was full of smiles and laughter.

Across the room, Kirok too, played his guitar, his eyes fixed firmly on his fingers as they skipped over the strings. Cupid stood beside his lover, looking a little dazed at the alien sound that came from the instrument. Every now and then he would grin and say something like "Bitchin'" or "cookin'" Iolaus smiled. He sounded just like his mother.

Jason and Kal were draped over each other on a large couch. Iolaus was sure they were only present in body. Both had a glazed but ecstatic look in their firmly locked eyes.

The door opened and Iphicles entered, looking refreshed and happy. Here was another one who had fought his demons and won.

Hercules got up from his seat and went to his brother, touching him on the arm. Iphicles grinned and patted the demigod's hand, then joined him and Iolaus on the other couch.

At last the music stopped, and Kirok put his instrument down. Cupid clasped his lover's hand and dropped down beside him. Kirok smiled and his wings flowed out from his shoulders. He enfolded the love god in one of the mobile appendages and the other slowly fanned the hot room, a pleasant waft of cool air drifted by Iolaus' cheek and he ran his hand through his newly washed and still damp hair to dry it.

"Do you want employment in the summer?" Iphicles asked, laughing. "You could cool the whole castle."

Kirok gave the king an enigmatic smile. "Sorry. Cleopatra already employs me for the purpose," he said, his eyes dancing.

"I'll pay you double."

Janus cleared his throat. "Hate to interrupt the banter," he said. "But I want to know how the fuck Klas is alive."

"Regretting it already?" Klas asked, his grin impish.

"I probably will in a few months when your constant chattering starts getting on my nerves," Janus said, stroking Klas' cheek with a loving gesture. "So spill. What happened?"

Kal spoke up, his voice quiet. "I... knew you didn't love me. It was making my life total hell, being so near you and not being able to make you happy. I knew you still loved Klas. I could feel your grief anew every day when you woke up beside me and realised I wasn't him. I felt so weak after Michael placed the second seal so went to the sea to heal, but then, I wondered if it was all worth living your lie. I walked into the ocean to die."

There was a short silence. Janus bowed his head, looking ashamed and groped for Klas' hand.

"What about you, Klas?" Iolaus said. "I watched Kirok and Jason take your body to the ocean. I watched you dissolve into nothing."

Klas thought for a while then sighed. "I can see the future. You know that... and I knew I was going to die in the fight for Arges' destruction. It meant I could make some kind of preparation. I joined with you, Iolaus to create Kalios, mostly to keep Janus alive. Once my body was dead, my essence drifted. We don't really die, you know... just... we aren't corporeal anymore. All I know is that I had to stay nearby. I didn't know why... I just existed and followed you, waiting for the right moment... when Kal appeared, I realised what I had to do, and ... I guess you could say I slipped inside him... I was weak, and so was he - he'd given up the will to live. Apart, we were nothing and nobody, but together, we could exist as you know it. We... just never got around to telling you guys about it."

Kal took over the story once more. "When Jason unlinked himself and Kirok, I knew what had to be done - Klas told me. I made a bargain with Jason that if he healed Kirok, I would join with him, so we would both never be alone."

"Surprised the shit out of me," Jason added.

"Kirok, being what he was, knew what was happening. When Iphicles died... he saw the opportunity to finally get rid of the unwanted element he'd carried around with him for millions of years. When he gave me the element of spirit, Klas had the strength to go back to his former self, and I just took over spirit, allowing us to exist as two separate beings." Kal continued.

Klas got up and offered wine round the group of people. They all took a goblet, except for Jason, who didn't eat or drink in any form.

Iolaus watched the earth being. He seemed back to his normal self, and totally engrossed in Kal, who couldn't seem to keep his eyes off his new partner. He suddenly felt sorry for Jason, never feeling the sweetness of wine on his tongue, never experiencing the heavenly taste of fresh baked bread... never knowing the exquisite pleasure of climaxing inside a willing lover, but he had never known those things, and would never miss them. He just hoped that Kal could go without sex too.

He felt Kirok's eyes on him and looked round. "Spirit only feels what his link is feeling. He won't ever miss it," he said softly.

"So how come you wanted sex?" Iolaus asked curiously.

Kirok grinned. "Air is a very sensual element," he said. "It's overpowering in some respects."

Cupid leaned over and nuzzled his face into Kirok's neck. "And you love to be overpowered," he said with a lustful little snicker.

***
Ares marched up to his throne and threw himself into it, scowling into the middle distance. How dare the king reject him. Who the fuck did he think he was? How dare he talk to the god of war like that!

The god casually flung a ball of fire at a pillar and watched coldly as the pillar burst into smithereens. It didn't make him feel any better.

He blasted a few more newly built pillars, and then looked around and snarled. Even here he was reminded of those fucking elementals. This was the temple they had destroyed, the catalyst that had set off Ares path to revenge and hatred.

"I will have him. He can't escape me," he roared. "Iphicles, you WILL be mine!"

One more pillar bit the dust. When the rubble had settled, the god of war was gone.

***

The demigod sat near his brother, quietly watching Kal and Jason. Now that things had settled down a bit he began to focus again on his earlier actions. He could feel himself withdrawing into that darkness he fought so hard against. Fuck, he should have been happy. Iphy was alive, Ares was gone out of his brother's life for good, and the world was safe…for now. He looked at the elemental smiling and laughing with Jason, and when Kal glanced at him he knew he could no longer keep his feelings inside.

He rose and started to walk over to where the elementals were gathered. Iphicles blocked his path.

"Hercules, what are you going to do?" his brother asked softly.

"To set things right, Iph."

"Let it go, Herc." Iphicles looked at the elemental. "Believe me, Kal has. Whatever you're going to do will only cause problems…" He paused as Hercules moved past him. "...for you," Hercules heard him add softly, as if to himself.

Hercules stood in front of Kal until the water spirit looked up from his laughter. "I... just wanted to say.. to you... to all of you, I guess... I'm sorry for what I did. Although Kirok told me why, I just can't forgive myself for it." He shot a look at Janus, who leaned forward, his face curious.

"It's forgotten," Kal said. "I don't hold a grudge. It's not in me to do that... at least... not anymore."

Hercules looked again at Janus. "You're probably wondering what in Tartarus' name I'm talking about. Well Kal told me you'd kill me if you found out... I know I can't make things right, but I have to do this."

He saw Iolaus stand up, a look of alarm on his face. "Uh… Herc... that's really not a good idea, buddy."

"Shut up, Iolaus," Hercules snapped. He once more addressed Janus. "I raped Kal. Kirok and Iphicles were fucking and it... made me angry. Kirok said it was because of the way he feels when he's making love, but... I realise that it was mostly my fault. I wanted to pay you all back... I wanted to take something of yours, because you've taken Iolaus so many times. I wanted revenge." He mentally prepared himself for the fierce elemental's fury, but Janus just looked at him, his eyes serious.

"I know," Janus said at last. "You really think I could share my soul with Kal and not know what you did? Right now, I'm too happy that Klas is back with me to kill you, but come back in… say... four hundred years and I'll kill you then."

Hercules frowned. He hadn't expected the almost humorous reaction, but he forged on ahead, remorse getting the better of him. He felt he needed to be punished somehow for what he'd done. This calm acceptance just wasn't what he wanted or expected. "I... saw that terrible creature Kirok became, and I can't get it out of my head... if that was supposed to be me, I'm glad it was only because of what I was feeling."

Kirok looked at the demigod. "Hercules, you need to know and accept that the creature wasn't only a projection of your feelings at that time. It's a deeper part of you."

"But you said…"

"What I said was that I channelled your true feelings; magnified them…but that creature is you!"

Hercules turned to Iolaus laughing nervously, shaking his head in denial. "There's no way I could be that creature." He looked suddenly ill as the realisation of the truth began to sink in. "Kirok, when you focused on Iphicles, he wasn't a monster he…"

"Herc, it's not important. You're a good man and you do good things that's what counts." Iolaus interrupted.

"No, Iolaus. That's not all that counts." Kal got up and walked over to Hercules. " You need to see that this is your true nature; one you need to accept and embrace. Until you do, you won't be able to put this aside and move on. If you don't, the potential for danger is always there."

Kal shifted abruptly, his eyes fixed on Hercules. Once more, the terrifying monster with the huge bat wings and malevolent crimson eyes crouched in front of the demigod. Its hugely muscled scaled body rippled with strength and the large, overpowering talons flexed, as if wanting to destroy something. Hercules backed off, his face draining of blood, fear paralysing his whole being. No. This wasn't him. It couldn't be him.

"The darkness in your soul has to be battled. You have to accept what you are," Kirok said. "Until that happens, you can't hope to change it."

"Leave him alone!" Iolaus yelled. Instinctively wanting to protect his lover, he stepped in front of Hercules, shielding him from possible harm. Kal's eyes shifted to the hunter and he blazed into light.

Hercules stared overwhelmed, the fear dissipating into awe. He had seen this light before, when they had destroyed the first seal. At the time he had thought it was Jason's healing, but now he understood. At last everything was clear to him. He moved forward and put his arms around his lover. "Gods, Iolaus... You are my light," he whispered.

Kal melted back into his human form and smiled at the couple. "You are *meant* to be together," he said quietly and went back to the couch and entwined himself around Jason.

Hercules shut his eyes and felt the hard warmth of Iolaus' body pressed against his own. He was flooded with emotions he couldn't name, let alone articulate. He just buried his face in the hunter's blond waves and sank himself into his tender concern.

Kirok picked up his guitar once more and played a couple of chords. Janus joined in and Hercules let the music; slow and exotic, sexual and rhythmic, pound itself into his soul.

Iolaus swayed gently in his arms to the beat of the music, his eyes laughing up at Hercules. "Accept it, Herc, and let's dance... I really feel like dancing."

Hercules was about to retort that there was no way Iolaus was getting him to make a fool of himself, when there was a flash of light and Ares appeared once more.

"Oh gods. Thought we'd seen the last of him," Iolaus muttered.

"So did I," Hercules said. He moved Iolaus aside and advanced on the god.

Ares stalked forward, his old arrogance back. "What have we here? A party? And I wasn't invited? I'm hurt," he said.

Janus let out a soft snarl of anger and Klas grabbed his hand. Hercules faced his brother down. "What do you want, Ares?" he asked.

"I've come to take what's mine," Ares said, his eyes going to the king seated across the room.

Iphicles sprang out of his seat. "I told you Ares... I'm not coming back to you. We have nothing more to say to each other."

Ares glared for a moment. "Oh, but we do," he said.

Hercules stepped into the gods line of sight. "Leave Iph alone," he said. "How many times do you have to be told?"

"Never enough, because I'm not giving up what's mine," Ares retorted.

The king sighed. "Herc. Leave it. I'll go with him."

"But..."

Iphicles shot a look at his brother and at the same time Iolaus put a hand on the demigod's arm. Hercules let out a breath. Here too, was something he would have to let go. He moved away from Iph, nodding his head.

"If he kills you, don't come running to me," he said.

Iphicles sighed at the bad joke. "I promise I won't. I can stand up for myself, Herc. It's time you started remembering that."

Hercules just nodded and sat back down with Iolaus, watching the god and the king leave the room.

"Don't worry about him, Hercules. Iphicles is more than able to take care of himself. Besides, no matter what you think, he does love Ares; and more importantly, the god loves him too," Kal giggled.

Hercules paled and put his head in his hands. "Hades, this has been one hell of a day!"

****

Once in the king's private office, Iphicles rounded on the god. "What part of my words didn't you understand, Ares? I'm not interested in you. I've had enough of hanging around mooning after a god who doesn't give a shit about me. The First bought me back and I've been given a second chance. I'm only going to tell you this once more and that's it. I don't want to see you near the castle."

Ares glowered darkly and advanced on the king. Iphicles swallowed and perhaps thought he'd gone a little far with his words. He backed off a little, trying not to show his fear.

"I told you before, you're mine. I don't give up my possessions without a fight," Ares said, his voice low and malevolent.

"Forget it!" Iphicles lost his temper and picked up a nearby vase, throwing it angrily at Ares, knowing the gesture was childish, but wanting to let his anger out somewhere. "I'm just a possession to you. I'm not a human being. Fuck you! You know you sound so much like Herc, it's ridiculous, but even he's starting to see sense and let me go. Why can't you?"

Ares lifted a hand as the vase flew towards him and detonated it with a gesture. Flying shards of pottery made Iphicles duck and he backed off once more, feeling the back of his thighs bump against his desk. He groped behind him as the god advanced once more and hurled a goblet at him. An invisible shield deflected the goblet, and Ares let out a growl. "Stop throwing things at me!" he yelled.

"Fuck off out of my castle!" Iphicles returned hotly.

"I'll go where the fuck I like. I'm the god of war."

"You may be a god but you're a pain in the fucking ass!" Iphicles jumped over the desk, grabbed the chair from the other side and pitched it at the god.

"You misunderstand me, king. This isn't up for debate. I lost you once. and I'm not losing you again," Ares shouted back, splintering the wood and sending it flying around the room to join the broken shards of pottery.

"You already lost me the day you took revenge on Klas!" Iphicles retorted, wondering if he could reach his sword, which was placed on a bookshelf across the room.

"I did that for you. Can't you see? The idea of you being with anyone else..." Ares broke off and took a deep breath. Iphicles didn't care about the gods words. He forged on ahead.

"The idea of me being with anyone else pissed you off because you're a control freak. You can't deal with the fact anyone else might desire me. What are you going to do now? Kill Kirok too? Did you know him and I fucked, Ares? Did you know he fucked me, then I fucked him and I loved every fucking minute of it? That's more than I can say for how I felt when I was with you."

"You whore!" Ares screamed and a fireball appeared in his hand. He prepared to hurl it at the king. Iphicles ducked under the desk then made a run for it across the room. The desk disappeared in a ball of flame and Ares turned, just as Iphicles reached his sword, withdrew it from the scabbard and spun round; slashing blindly at the furious god.

The sword ripped through the leather of his jerkin and Iphicles stared as a cut appeared on Ares chest. Blood poured from the gash and Ares stopped dead, putting his hand to the wound, his hand dripping with crimson.

He looked up with pained eyes at the frozen king. "You.... You cut me..." he said, sounding shocked.

Iphicles dropped the sword. "I... I... didn't realise it would hurt you," he said.

Ares looked at his gore-covered hand and his face paled. "You fucking cut me," he repeated.

Iphicles didn't know what to do. "I thought you were going to kill me," he said.

"I couldn't kill you. You know I couldn't kill you.. I... love you." Ares let out a deep breath and then crumpled to the floor in a dead faint.

Iphicles stood there for a moment, not believing what he'd just heard, then sensibility returned to his numbed brain and he rushed to the god, ripping up a shirtsleeve to staunch the wound. He didn't know that Ares would faint like a woman, and felt a hysterical snicker rise up in his throat.

A few seconds later, Ares opened his eyes and tried sitting up. Iphicles held the white cotton to the cut and helped him upright. "You all right?" he asked.

Ares nodded and with a touch, healed himself. He looked into the king's eyes, a look of shame on his face. "No one, but no one hears that happened," he said.

Iphicles couldn't help it. He began to laugh. Ares watched him for a moment then his face broke into a grin, and then he too began to chuckle at the stupidity of the situation. Slowly Ares became annoyed with the king's continued laughter; he reached for Iphicles and silenced him with his lips, pulling the king into a deep kiss.

Ares hugged him closer and Iphicles' laughter subsided under the god's mouth. There were soft lips on his and, briefly, his tongue was sucked before the god pulled away and kissed the warm spot beneath his ear. Then with a shudder that Iphicles could feel through his body, Ares buried his face in the king's hair.

"Ares..." he moaned.

The god lifted his lips from his neck and looked at him, his eyes dilated with need. Iphicles could feel himself falling into those eyes and clutched hold of Ares' arms, his throat suddenly dry. "Make love to me, Ares. Don't hurt me anymore?" he pleaded, his voice little more than a breath.

***

Ares stood up, pulling Iphicles to his feet. He drew the king once more to his hard body and their lips met in a gentle kiss. "If that's what you really want." he said, looking back into Iphicles face. Iphicles nodded mutely. Ares took his hand and led him to the large couch that sat by the window. He sat down and Iphicles slid to his knees, leaning his head on the god's thigh. Ares looked down at the mortal he loved and stroked his auburn hair. He shifted in his seat easing his erection in his tight pants.

Iphicles raised his head and moved upward on the couch to kiss Ares again. The god responded immediately, tangling his tongue in Iphicles' receiving mouth, his hands clutching at the king's muscular arms, then slipping upwards to snarl in his long locks. They kissed for a long time, getting more passionate and aroused, until Ares was trembling with need.

He, at last, broke the kiss, but moved his mouth down to kiss and bite Iphicles' neck, pulling him onto his lap. Iphicles let his head fall back, exposing his throat to Ares, letting him do as he wished. Ares worked his way down the smooth skin of his mans neck and shoulder, then ripped open his light cotton shirt with the ruined sleeve and moved downwards to the stiff little nipples. He sucked at one hard nub of flesh. His fingers squeezed and flicked over the other, and Iphicles' moan of desire filled his soul.

"Gods, Iphicles. I want you," Ares gasped, lifting his head momentarily, and burrowed his face into the warm, furred chest of the king, still worrying at the hard nipple under his sensitised lips. Iphicles nodded, holding Ares close, kissing the top of his head and then ducking down to capture Ares' lips once more.

Ares decided now was a good time to get naked, and with a single thought removed their clothes. Iphicles hardly seemed to notice until Ares ran a hand down rough pubic hair then flicked at the head of his upward rearing cock with a finger. He felt the king's fingers lock into his hair and tighten on his scalp, then Iphicles knelt up slightly on the god's lap, bringing his cock closer to Ares' bent head.

The god lifted Iphicles up slightly, bending further to taste the cock pressing against his chest. Iphicles whimpered, and Ares felt his fingers tighten in his hair. Iphicles was so ready, so willing for him and his wanton little moans and cries were almost too much for the god to take.

They sat face to face, Iphicles kneeling over Ares, his cock rubbing against Ares' skin, leaving heated trails of wetness. He moved his hips exquisitely against Ares' lightly sweating, furred stomach, the friction making him moan louder. "Get inside me," the mortal groaned. "I need you to fuck me."

Ares smiled and a small bottle appeared in his hand. He tipped oil onto his fingers and reached round his hip; caressing Iphicles' muscular, smooth buttocks, then probed for his entrance. As he found it and pushed, Iphicles bucked his hips forward, mewling with desperation. The sound of his needy voice aroused Ares even more and he explored deeper, found his prostate and brushed ungentle fingers over it.

"Gods!" Iphicles bit deeply on Ares' shoulder, letting out an inarticulate screech, muffling the sound in Ares' skin. Ares withdrew the fingers and grabbed Iphicles by the hips, hoisting him upwards for a moment then, feeling his aching cock press against yielding, oiled flesh, let him go. Iphicles moaned as the long length of Ares' cock slid inside him, and he pressed downwards, forcing Ares into him as deep as he possibly could.

They were still. The only sound their heavy breathing and Iphicles' soft whimpers.

Ares kissed Iphicles once more, teasing at his lips, letting his tongue roam over Iphicles' teeth, then outwards and down, tasting the salt of his neck. "You ok?" he whispered.

Iphicles didn't answer, just raised himself once more and thrust downwards, making Ares yell with the amazing feeling of Iphicles' hot, close confines sliding down over his cock. He held on tight to Iphicles, letting the king move as he wished.

Iphicles grabbed one of Ares' hands and put it on his cock, groaning at the twin onslaught of pleasure that assailed him. He rode Ares hard and fast, not letting up for an instant, his breathless, wordless cries loud in Ares' ears. Ares let his head fall onto the back of the couch, his whole body taut with his impending climax.

It was too much for him at last. He just had to finish it and make Iphicles his completely. He moved his own hips in time with the king's frantic movement, and stroked Iphicles' own pulsing shaft in time with the thrusts of his body. He couldn't think of anything right then, but how much he wanted the man above him, how much he loved him and how much he needed to come inside him.

Iphicles let out another wordless cry, and his movement got more and more reckless. Ares could feel the walls of his ass tightening on his cock as Iphicles reached climax, then the overwhelming ecstasy of his own completion. He was almost silent, his voice failing him as he clutched Iphicles tightly to him, feeling dribbles of the king's seed running down his stomach and chest, and the spurting heat of his own essence inside his lover.

"God. Iphicles... you have no idea how much I love you," he whispered at last, his voice hoarse, his brain to numb to care that he had just confessed his need for the man still impaled on him.

"I think I do," came Iphicles' own quiet, breathless voice. "It's just as much as I love you."

Ares opened his eyes and looked into Iphicles' face. The love in his king's eyes was plain to see and Ares felt his heart thaw even more. It was time he tried to treat the mortal in a more equal fashion, starting now. He took a deep breath. "Do you want me to stay or go? I'll do whatever you want."

He saw the pleased surprise in his lovers' eyes. Iphicles kissed him once more. "Please... stay," he said.

Ares smiled slowly. "You wish is my command... for tonight, at least."

**********

Iolaus opened his eyes and lay in the comfortable bed for a moment, listening to the soft sound of his lover's breathing. He turned his eyes towards the demigod and rolled to face him, leaning up on an elbow and very gently tracing the line of the strong jaw with a finger.

He watched his sleeping lover for a long time, thinking about the night before, when they had gone to their room and made love. Afterwards, they had lain together, tangled in each other's arms, Hercules gently holding Iolaus safe. It had been a while since they had connected so thoroughly as this and it had been nice, just lazily talking and stroking one another.

Hercules had told Iolaus how he had felt when he had seen what Kal had shown him - the truth of the dark side of his soul. He told how he had struggled with it all his life, knowing that if he allowed himself, he could become like his godly brother, or even the Sovereign, over in the alternate universe.

Iolaus had just listened to his lover's words, sensing that he just needed to talk, get his thoughts and feelings out, and indeed, Hercules had talked almost all night, trying to articulate how he was trying to come to terms with what was buried deep in him.

At last, he smiled at Iolaus and stroked his hair away from his face. "I think I can finally let go now. All we've gone through over the last few days has really brought it home to me. I have to accept that Iph loves Ares, and, as much as I hate it, Ares feels the same way... as far as he's capable of such an emotion. I would rather they were happy.... I mean, who am I to interfere? Iphicles dying really brought it home to me. I'm so glad he has a second chance to live his life."

Iolaus had hugged the demigod close, feeling, within his lover, a new peace. Hercules had kissed him gently and laid him down to the bed, leaning over him, stroking his body. "I saw the goodness and light in you, even after all the pain and suffering you went through these past years. Once that happened... I felt... free... I want to become what you are, Iolaus, because you're mine, and I'm yours." His deep voice had vibrated into Iolaus' soul and he had drawn his lover closer.

"Herc. You've always been my light," he'd replied and they had kissed, gently at first and then deeper, drifting, once more, into making love.

Now Iolaus lay, idly stroking his fingers through Hercules chest hair, knowing that today was a new beginning, for them, for Iph, the First and even the world.

Thinking of the elementals, he got carefully out of bed, dressed and went to the window, looking down to where the stage area had been. It was no longer there.

He knew at once the First were leaving and there was a possibility he would never see them again. He remembered one of them mentioning something about a long sleep.

He scooted over to the bed and shook Hercules awake. "Herc... Herc, wake up... you have to get up. The guys are leaving today, and we have to see them off."

The demigod stirred and moaned, then opened his eyes. "What?" he said sleepily.

Iolaus repeated what he had just said, and within a few minutes, with his usual rapidity, Hercules had leapt out of bed and got dressed.

"Let's collect Iphy and go see them off," he said.

***

Iolaus could see that Iphicles was tired when they finally roused him out of his room. He told them he'd meet them in the guest quarters, and arrived, looking as if he had dressed and washed hurriedly just as the group of beings were leaving.

"Walk with us, down to the ship," Klas had asked, taking Iphicles' arm in one hand and Hercules' arm in the other. He walked in between them, his tiny size looking even smaller in between the two tall brothers. Iolaus was surprised when Kal started walking with him, his small hand slipping into Iolaus' own.

"Are you happy, at last?" Iolaus asked his unique son.

Kal smiled brightly and nodded. "I may have been born a water sprite, half man and half elemental, but I know now that I wasn't supposed to be Janus' after all. I was only there for him until Klas could regain his strength. I was truly born to be the element of spirit...after all...I have human blood."

"But what about Jason?"

Kal grinned. "There's never been a re-link before, but it's worked great. I'm sure he hardly even remembers how he felt about Kirok. I can feel his love for me, and I love him...and it's always going to be that way. Father, you don't have to worry about us."

They walked a little further in silence, lagging behind the others. They were approaching the harbour where the ship floated in serene transparent beauty, ignored by everyone around it as if it were a common occurrence. Iolaus realised those who did take any notice of it, saw it as most people saw the beings themselves - as nothing out of the ordinary. He suddenly felt glad he had met them and shared for a small time, their exotic and powerful world. He also felt reluctant and sad to let his son out of his sight.

He stopped and turned to Kal. "I wish... I had the time to know you properly. I keep thinking... thousands, perhaps, millions of years after I'm dead... you'll still be here, sailing the seas on the ship... and it's... it's not really what I expected from a son. I should be caring for you, teaching you all the things that a father teaches his children... and here you are, only a year old, and already... more powerful than the gods." Iolaus gave a half-hearted smile.

Kal's eyes were full of regret. Iolaus suddenly realised that they were no longer green, but almost reflective, like a mirror, giving back what he was feeling. "I know, I can feel your sorrow, but... perhaps you can take a little part of me, as I have a part of you." Kal put a hand to his father's chest and Iolaus felt a slow burning tingle under his skin.

"What did you do?" he asked.

Kal smiled. "Like Cupid and Kirok, we'll always feel one another's presence, know when one another is safe, happy, or in trouble."

Iolaus put his hand to his chest. "Thank you. It's important to me that I know you're well and I wish you the best for a happy life."

Kal nodded, "A long and happy life, father - for 'both' of us." He leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially in the hunter's ear. "They forgot to unlink you again... remember that, and use your power wisely. Just go have a good swim every now and then and think of me." He winked, and kissed Iolaus on the cheek, then left the hunter staring after him as he went to walk with Jason.

Iolaus caught up with the small group as they reached the ship, and as he arrived, so did Ares with his usual flash of light.

Iolaus glanced at Iphicles and saw his face light up with love for the god. Ares too, moved to stand beside the king, although they didn't touch. The god regarded the group for a moment then he turned to Kirok and held out his hand.

Kirok said nothing, just touched the war god's fingers in a strange gesture. Ares nodded once and turned to Janus.

"We may have worked together, this time, flame-boy, but as far as I'm concerned, nothing's changed. You and I are still enemies," he said.

"It's the way it should be... and I dub thee Unforgiven." Janus smiled his feral smile and it was returned in kind by the god.

Iolaus felt himself tensing, but Hercules touched him gently in the small of his back. "I think it's ok," he whispered. "They're just flexing their muscles one last time."

Janus, without another word, took hold of Klas' hand and they walked onto the ship.

Iphicles hugged Kal and Jason then turned to Kirok. "You helped me...In more ways than one," he said. "I owe you so much. I'll never forget you."

Kirok smiled his enigmatic smile and raised his eyes to the sky, making a curious summoning gesture with his hand. "I'm not going with them... at least... not yet." His eyes sparkled with pleasure as Cupid suddenly appeared before him. The air spirit looked at each of them in turn. "Thank you all," he said quietly, and melted into his other form, taking off into the sky, Cupid following behind him.

Kal hugged Iolaus, and shook hands with Hercules, as did Jason, then they too, boarded the ship. Within moments, it had set sail and moved rapidly through the waves, faster than any human built vessel.

The remaining brothers and hunter watched until it was out of sight, then Iphicles turned to Hercules. "Well they aren't much for long good-byes, are they?" he remarked, then grinned. "I haven't had breakfast yet and I worked up quite an appetite. Can I interest you in a large breakfast?"

"If he doesn't want one, I do. I'm starved," Iolaus chimed in.

"You're always starved. I'm sure you've got hollow legs." Hercules stated.

"Hey! I'm not 'that' bad!" Iolaus said indignantly.

"Ummmm… yes you are, Iolaus," Iphicles chided, trying to hold back a snicker and failing.

"Am not! Iolaus said in a mock-angry voice, as they started to walk back to the castle.

"Are too!" Herc said quietly.

"Hey! Am not…"

****

Ares continued to look out to sea the way the ship had sailed, leaving his lover to argue with his brother and friend.

"And you are Unforgiven too," he whispered, and disappeared.

*************
THE END.