GENERAL COPYRIGHT/DISCLAIMER:

Xena: Warrior Princess, Gabrielle, Argo and all other characters who have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess, together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.

NOTE: All works remain the © copyright of the original author. These may not be republished without the author's consent.

Warning: If the though of Xena and Ares in love offends you this story may not be for you.

Authors note: In my Xenaverse the episode where Hercules went back in time never happened. Ares has to get Hades permission to bring people back form the dead and all inconsistencies with the show are intentional. This story was begun before the third and forth seasons aired and as such anything that differs from the path the show took with the general storyline was intentional.

Warning: This story unlike my first one will contain emotional and physical trauma with the possibility of dealing with rape or its aftereffects. I however am a romantic at heart and there will be a happy ending and the damage to the character will be repaired. (Hopefully.... Maybe If every thing goes as planed)

The wind blew the sweet fragrances of the newly born earth to her as she rode atop the golden mare that her father had given her. It had been months since she had left Olympus and her fathers words still rung in her ears. "Be careful Cyreneia. The mortal realm is a dangerous place filled with darkness that at times overshadows the light. Remember all that your mother and I have taught you and know that if you need our aid all you need do is call." Her father was right she had seen darkness in this world but she had also seen man's promise if the gods would allow them to find their true path.

Up in the distance she saw several men brandishing large clubs circling around a smaller man who was huddled on the ground. 'Here we go again' she thought, 'just once I'd like to make it through the day without getting into a fight.'

"Gentlemen I suggest that you allow this good man to pass or this will get ugly." The leader of the men, a big hairy brute, turned to face her and said "Oh, you have no idea of how ugly this can get sweet thing." By this time his men had turned and were beginning to leer at her. "Come on sweet thing lets go back to my place." "So you think I'm sweet, do you? We'll just see about that."

In that instant Cyreneia flew into a blur of motion and soon the mans assailants were running in every direction to escape this Hades sent avenger. After waiting a few seconds to see if any of the men were foolish enough to return she went over and began examining the mans wounds. "Oh, beautiful warrioress, thank you so much, thank you, thank you." After taking stock of the mans appearance, his tendency to babble, and his wagon Cyreneia made the connection.

" Your name wouldn't happen to be Salamoneus would it?" " Yes, yes it is. I see my reputation has once again preceded me. What gave me away? Was it my charm, my good looks, was it my...." " Well that and the wagon behind you that says Sal's Scrolls. " " Straight from Mt. Olympus I assure you, and for your timely assistance I'll give you a 50 dinar discount on every five scrolls you buy. "

" Really that's very kind of you Salamoneus but perhaps I should introduce myself before we do any business. I'm Cyreneia. " " Cyreneia, of course that leather, those legs, who else could you be other than Xena's daughter? My goodness you've grown so much. Why I haven't seen you since your mother and Gabrielle came down to negotiate the sale of Gabrielle's scrolls and your mothers artwork. "" Oh yes I remember, how are their charities doing? "" Very well the hospice in Athens just added two new wings and several dozen new healers... "

Several hours later as they were traveling they met a man who was running as if his very life depended on it. Cyreneia quickly dismounted and met the man half way. " My good man, what is going on? What are you running from ?" " Thank the gods that your here. Please warrior you must help us. A group of horrible men have attacked my village. Please you must help us. "

A few moments later Cyreneia was engaged in a heated sword fight with several attackers. She was quickly dispatching her opponents when she heard the cries of a small child. In her moment of distraction a man came behind her and he hit her on the back of the neck with his sword hilt. "Nighty, night princess." He proceeded to have his men carry her into the temple and bind her to the alter.

As Cyreneia began to come to she felt herself being chained to the cold stone alter and then when she could fight it no longer she fell into the darkness. As the priests began to chant the leader of the men yelled "Dahawk, god of darkness and destruction I have brought you the sacrifice that you demanded ." As the man spoke a pillar of fire rose from the alter and enveloped Cyreneia and she disappeared.

In a far off battle in Thrace both Xena and Ares paused in their work in that awful moment they knew. Something was wrong, something had happened to Cyreneia. The soldiers on the battlefield were momentarily blinded as the pair sped from the battle to find their daughter.

All of the Gods of Olympus helped with the search and soon they discovered what had happened to her. Xena collapsed of the broken body of her child, her tears falling on the cold face of her daughter. Whereas Solon's death had sent her into a violent rage and grief, Cyreneia's left her numb. With no room left for feelings beyond grief and pain she stood and screamed her rage to the heavens "Never again shall I smile on the Earth's face. It is mankind's fault that I have lost my daughter and they in return will lose the Goddess of Mercy."

Ares looked numbly at his wife and child unable to comprehend the loss of his child. Finally as he heard Xena place her curse upon mankind he felt the rage that he had not felt for so long that it was alien to him return once more. "This is the world I meant. Why couldn't you listen? Couldn't you stay content safe behind walls. How could I have prepared you for this? How could I who loved you as you are? How could I have protected you from them."

Return to the Fan Fiction area