The Fall of Cupid - love never dies

[Discord]

Her neck cracked as dark orbs searched the baron lands of the countryside. However, it was not truly baron, you see… a battle had just been waged here… an epic. One battle out of many through a Great War. The scent of blood was still thick amongst the corpses that she passed. Her foot kicked one that seemed to still breathe, eyes staring down as she saw the chest rise and fall. "What kind of goddess would I be if I let you live?" She huffed slightly and her fingers separated and a bolt of energy flashed from her hand to his chest. The shaking lasted only a few moments, before his body came to a quick halt and his head rolled slightly to the side. His royal helmet rolled down the hill to her feet. Smirking, in her seductive way, she bent and picked the golden head gear. "Now this will cause a bit more mayhem…" she quipped. Smirking she grabbed the first sword she saw-of the opposing army of course… this sword, silver in hilt and blade, was of the head of the garrison. Her smile stayed as a Cheshire grin, her body disappearing in a flash of light. Oh, how this would displease the young boy's father…

[Ares]

Lightning flashed in the turbulent sky as the sun bled into the dark. It bled alongside the men in the field as if their spilled vitae and chaos of battle had soaked into the very fabric of the heavens. Hundreds were strewn over what was once a rich tapestry of landscape. The green grasses were now mowed down by the muddied, trampled by the sea of men who’d fought without care or true devotion to the reasons for the slaughter. Fire had accompanied the war, burning anything and everything with its unceasing hunger. Bodies lay in criss-cross patterns, their faces horrified masks of their final moments on the earth. And despite the monstrosity of this sight, the fighting still continued. He watched the battle that he and his siblings had inspired and it all felt hollow. Without the presence of his warrior queen, or at least the woman he’d always desired to be his queen, his job as the God of War was lackluster. If only the fates had not taken her life, if only he’d convinced her to become his queen while she was alive… With a growl Ares pushed up from his flesh covered throne, his figure flaming out of existence, only to re-form adjacent his sister Discord. Enough was enough, it was time to come clean, reveal his plan to the fuel that fought his wars.

[Discord]

Just as she began to disappear, her thoughts of ruining an old man's wish stopped with yet another smirk. Reappearing next to her brother, she turned slowly. Her smirk quickly faded into a sneer as she saw his face, the love-struck pining face he had since Xena passed. "Get that look off your face Ares, there's no reason to dwell in the past, what's done is done…" She turned fully towards him and stood with legs apart and sword pointed to her brother. "If you call this…" the sword passed over the land "a battle, then I would love to see what you call a fight, because this was pathetic today Ares… yes your name is ARES GOD OF WAR. Are you forgetting that these days?" Her black lips pursed and her arms crossed. "Explain yourself, I had to kill the kings son with my own hands… which is sad in its own right. There is something wrong, dear brother…" her voice quickly became soft… "that you are hiding from me… tell me what it is." Her bottom lip protruded in a pout. "I want my war god back."

[Ares]

“Look? If I’m wearing any kind of look on my face it’s the disappointment that you felt the need to overstep my grand scheme.”
The dark haired god rolled his neck, popping the joints as he tilted his face to the sky. Slowly his voice rolled purred his retort.
“Pathetic? Maybe you’re right Sis… but I don’t think so. You get too caught up in the here, and the now…”
His sister could be so… irritating at times. It was the whining that really got his tempter flaring, but despite all of her little nuisances even today he couldn’t rely on the irritating Discord to inflame his bad humor. Well…. Maybe a little.

Slowly he tilted his head to the side, reacting to the metallic sing of her blade; his eyebrow quirked and lips pursed into a devilish grin. At first it seemed he was going to be reaction-less to the blade tipped at the hollow of his muscular throat.
“Something wrong…. Hmm”
Smoldering eyes glanced from the sword to the wielder.
“Interesting question.”

Then the humor dropped from his face, teeth bore as his hand shot out quickly. With a powerful grip he took hold of steel, snapping it into two pieces. The flash of broken steel flickering outward between the gods was enough to spark the flickering fire in Ares’ eyes, thanks to Discord. Ares’ tossed down the broken piece, sinking it deeply into the earth as he stepped closer to his sister.
“What exactly do you think I’m hiding from you hmm?”

[Callisto]

Callisto had gotten out of more scraps than she could think of, in fact she cared not to. From what she heard, the woman who put her in ninety percent of those scraps, was none other than Xena, and the word was she was dead. What a fair pity, Callisto had devoted her life to making that woman suffer and now someone put her out of her misery. When she finds the person responsible, its going to be hell on earth. And that was probably why Callisto was so angry lately, yet so happy at the same time. Such an odd pair of feelings to be feeling. How could she make the woman suffer if she was no longer around? But how could she not deny that she waited so long to see her death. Callisto had managed to gather up a fair amount of men into an army. Of course they were all not really her liking type but they liked one thing. Blood, and so did She. Just because Xena wasn't around, didn't mean she had to stop her fun, there was so many friends of Xena who still lived, so many who deserved a little game here and there. Her life's mission would never be stilled until she saw Xena's corpse herself. But today wasn't much of a day for playing, nah, she watched from a fair distance as a battle insulted. So, Ares and Discord were having fun again? She had to say one thing...A sudden spark of light and smoke signaled in the appearance of Callisto, down in Ares' lair. Him and Discord were having some sort of sibling tiff, how amusing. " I hope I'm not interrupting this little family bonding moment, its really touching.. but I thought I'd let you both know, that was horrible. Utterly horrible you call that a War. I've seen better wars at a family gathering." she then turned her dark eyes to Ares, fingers charismatically twisting this way and that as she slowly stepped towards them. " So the word is out that Warrior Bitch is gone.. Am I right?" she was looking more towards Ares for some sort of answer to her question, she knew one of them would have it.

[Discord]

She knew that grin, SHE invented this grin. "Just because your moments older, brother, doesn't mean you will get the better of me…" however, before she could finish her sentence, he hand the sword broken in half. "That was a trophy to start something greater than this little wart of a battle!" Her voice hissed, her eyes glared and flashed red, a statue in the back erupted in a burst of stone. "You are hiding something, you cannot hold it for long!" she growled before her body whipped to the right to see the blonde entering. "Callisto…" came as a hiss as her eyes flared again and rags that were drapes flamed. "What do we owe for this pleasure?" Eyes narrowed at her comment. "That was actually what we were in the midst of talking about…" she slowly turned towards her brother again. Then the comment about Xena and she could hold back her laughter no more, her body disappearing in a flash of light and reappearing on the large chair Ares normally sat at. "Yes it is true, she's gone…" her eyes scanned her brother for a sign.

[Ares]

Lips parted as he was about to continue with his ranting, until he was abruptly interrupted by none other than the blonde bombshell gone goddess. Inhuman nature compelled him to size her up, ponder the curvature of her womanliness as she slinked toward him.
“Oh no… feel free to just STOP on by whenever you feel the tickle Callisto… really I don’t mind. Help yourself to the ambrosia.”
Ares voice was thick with sarcasm as his eyes narrowed in her direction. Even for the God of War he was testy. He kept himself planted where he was, stone-faced to Cali’s teasing words. Only his jaw bit down hard as he bottled his already turbulent rage.

How dare these two mock him? It was absurd! If only that spoiled little side-kick hadn’t corrupted his warrior queen this never would have come to pass, never. She would be at his side in her rightful place and all would be as he had originally intended the day he laid his eyes upon her. Why had Xena not stayed put, he could have protected her… anything but the self sacrificing bullshit that had happened outside of his circle of power.
“Yes, she’s dead. An offering to all the souls who blame her for their unrest. But I’m afraid redemption will have to wait, I feel a shift in the proverbial tides…”
His figure pivoted to the delicate frame lounging in his throne.
“Comfortable?”

[Callisto]

She seemed to only smirk darkly as her answer was given. So it was true, how delightfully irritating. Suddenly she shot a glance towards Discord as she stopped a few feet away from Ares, then a sudden shrug. “Thank you for the invitation. Next time I'll do the same." She had already eaten Ambrosia, thanks to Xena; she was given the powers of a God. Well of course, she had to thank that woman for something. “Aww... What a pity...” her face began to pout slowly. "So sad it was such a disgustingly honorable death. The world will miss her." and then her voice grew dark. “But I sure won't. I hope your not pouting to much Ares; after all do you really think she would have agreed to be with you? A God, who represents everything she wants to change, war, anger, pride, bloodshed. "At just the thought of such she smiled and raised her head a bit.” everything that needs to continue in this world. What is life without a little war and discord." her eyes glanced towards Discord slowly. " I can't say I don't regret her being gone, but there’s got to be something more, maybe a little fun with that blonde tart of a side kick of hers will make everyone feel much better.. I know I will." she never liked Gabrielle, well she never liked anyone who was allied with Xena, it meant one more person to get rid of. But Gabrielle somehow twisted her in a way of anger that even Xena couldn't compare to. She wanted her dead as much as Xena. "And what tides are changing? Hmm...” her eyes then darted towards Ares once more. A crazed smirk still on her lips “Planning on trying to change Fate? Or just hoping it will be that way. Miracles are worthless…"

[Discord]

Cracking her neck slowly, the sounds erupted through the halls before silence over turned and she heard the annoying voice that belonged to Callisto once more. "Oh Callisto, enough with the brooding that her death didn't come at your hands, wake up, the world doesn't revolve around you…" Growling with displeasure she rose from the chair and eyed her brother. "Nor for you… or I for that matter… and well, I plan on changing that fact as soon as possible… and whether you two are here or not to aid me, I care not, you both have the DEAD Xena on your minds… and it makes me sick…" Suddenly her eyes wandered. "Where in the Gods is my good for nothing son?" She eyed Ares. "Sent him on another wild goose chase have you? You know he only tries to make you proud." She crossed her arms before eyeing Callisto. This was not a woman she enjoyed the company of. "Call me when she's gone." Eyes never left Callisto's form, and for that matter, Callisto's cold eyes. As quickly as she said this, her body disappeared in a flash of light.

[Ares]

It had been a couple of days, three since the failed attempt of rekindling an epic war and the confrontation from Callisto and Discord. He was surprised that her youngest Strife hadn’t the audacity to come down to his lair and give him an earful too. Perhaps the little whelp had finally learned respect for his elders... He’d sent out spies, informants, bounty hunters, everything and anyone he could get his hands on to find out what could be done about the Warrior Princess. The only one to respond he didn’t trust, but it wasn’t as if he was giving up on the offer either. The offer had come from the Norse God Loki, a keeper of souls and a chaotic one that that. It was quite clear, his offer… he would delve into the pit of the underworld and capture her, but in exchange for Xena’s soul he wanted something that Ares wasn’t sure he would be able to give. What he wanted was Ares’ sword and the wings of his first born child, only then would he transfer her sprit into a new living vessel. A vessel he claimed would then be molded into the woman Ares’ had known and loved as Xena, Warrior Princess. It was a hard decision, something he’d been beside himself about for days. Brooding, self involved the black-clad God was on the very of making someone a VERY bad day.

But how was Ares’ going to have the ability to cut the wings from his son, give up his sword and not be struck down dead the very moment he gave it over to Loki? His eyes lit up as an epiphany came to him. It was so simple it just had to work. Perhaps he could have his cake and eat it too… If only he could convince Discord and Strife to kidnap Persephone for him. Strong hands gripped the pommel of is sword tighter, and he swung it through the air with some satisfaction. True it was a naughty thing to do, but it afforded him the ability to burn the candle at both ends. While Discord and her bastard son were off doing the job he could make the dual sacrifice and still have a bargaining chip as a mortal being. He would have the Hades’ wife tucked away ensuring that he (Ares) would not cross over the boundaries of death. Oh yes… this was perfect.

Ares closed his eyes, sending out a mental wave as he scanned the heavens and the earth for his first born son. His eyes opened as he felt him, eyes that were red with passion or remorse for what he was about to do. His nostrils flared as he felt the drawn of his core hardening for what he had to do. His hands felt willing, his heart was hardening into a proverbial stone, and he decided… if he was going to do this he would turn the tides to do it quickly and without hesitation. His figure was consumed by flame and he dissipated his being from Tartarus to the temple of worship of which Cupid was residing.
“Good to see you’ve inherited at least a few things from me …son.”
HIs voice was deep as he eyed up the scene being played out.

[Cupid]

Cupid had been sitting on his throne using his divine powers to shift the statue of himself into flesh, he had been enjoying some of the more milder attentions of some of the temple’s priests and priestesses. Turning his head with a smile on his face into the direction he could sense another deity appearing in the smile quickly left his face as angle flashed in his usual warm brown eyes.

“Hello Father, may I ask ~why~ you have decided to desecrate one of my temples?” he asked in a cool voice as he motioned for the mortals to leave the room. Standing the God of Love moved over to his magic crossbow and quiver of magic arrows. Moving to sit back upon his throne Cupid readied to leave the temple replacing his form with that of the statue he had ‘possessed’ and looked to his father.
"Say what ever it is you came to say and leave, I have work to do."

[Ares]

For the barest of moments he thought perhaps he wouldn’t do it, but then he thought of the way the timelines had shifted, how they too had betrayed him. They’d brought back his sister, her dreadful son Discord… even that resentful bitch Callisto, all but his Warrior Princess. And it wasn’t like this was going to exactly kill Cupid. At the very worst it would make him a weakened mortal in need of a healer or something right?

Ares’ jaw clenched tight as he realized he was letting the boy’s natural gift to soften the heart get to him, for the love of Hades he was almost weakening! It was this blasted temple; it reeked of ‘good intentions’ and ‘warmth’. Ares stepped forward, dragging his sword tip lightly against the ground as he raised it toward the blonde haired deity.

“I didn’t come to say anything, I came to take something.”
With that Ares’ figure spun as he simultaneously swung the massive blade. As he felt the edge sink though the main tendon of Cupid’s wing, the boy moved in time to have the deadly weapon merely nick at the shoulder joint, then slide down and away snickering though white feathers and though the lower edge of his wing. The sword dug deeply into the marbled tiles, crumbling it to powder. Ares raised it for a second blow.
“I’m sorry son, but this is REALLY gonna hurt…” He snarled.

[Aphrodite]

Beauty. Grace. All things lovely and sought after. These were just few of the terms of her being. Part of her being. For she was the embodiment of Love. Aphrodite. Now she wasn’t a troublesome Goddess as some. Instead of War, she created Love. Lusting. Enticement. All which came naturally to the beautiful Goddess. Though she’d been married off by Zeus, for fear the Gods would fight over her. Though her husband was a steady god, and the Smith of the Gods. He lead a simple lifestyle. One which didn’t suit her tastes. Yet he gave her a great many gifts, using all his skills and workmanship. Her favorite piece was the magical corset she often wore. Which only seemed to make her even more desirable to the point of no resistance.

Over the years she’d taken many a lover to satisfy her needs. For passion and other such things. In one fleeting moment she had even lie in the bed of the great God of War, Ares. Their copulation brought forth a child. One quite like herself. Cupid. How she loved him. Working closely with him, even for her own bit of mischief and mortal meddling. Oft she would go to see her son. Or ask deeds of him on loves behalf, this had been one such time. With brilliance and the scent of an aphrodisiac she had made her appearance. But there was another here, Ares. She could feel his temper.

With tender barefooted steps the Goddess made her way over the grounds of the hallway into the large open room of the Temple, to see the God of War striking down at their Child. Pink lips pursed as soft curls of pale gold cascaded down her bare shoulders. The magical corset worn, with the addition of the sheer silken cloth.
“Ares. What are you doing to our child. I’ll not let you strike him down in a Temple devoted to Love.”<br>With soft movements she was closing the distance between herself and the temperamental God. Slender hand curled up over his shoulder after the blade of his massive sword struck the marble ground. From behind him, lips brushed against his ear.
“So quick to forget passion, dear lover? Ah, but what’s this I sense. The hearts lament. Loss of Love. Who knew you were capable of such.”<br>Fingers trailed down his arm as she moved from around him. Trying to sense out his desires. Lips curling softly into a smile as eyes of blue looked upon him.
“Yet of course it’s a simple enough task for myself. Love and all that it implores. But with you it’s never that simple. Is it?”<br>Softly she had set herself slightly between the God of War, and their child. Though she might have been a Goddess of Love, she’d not allow her beloved son to be harmed…<br>

[Ares]

The bitch had brass, he had to admit that. Here he was the eldest son of Zeus, overload of the greatest wars mankind had ever known and still his ‘pretty in pink’ sister thought she could step in the way; Well not this time. He was not about to be led around by the nose because she batted her eyelashes and wrinkled her nose. At the moment her crude attempt at dissuading his intentions only sought to enrage him further. Even here amid the Temple of Love with its highly ornate architecture, featuring surfaces covered with erotic carving, sinuous curves, and painted scenes he was going to have his way.

“This does not concern you!” he roared slapping his arm out toward his beloved sister. A closed fist punched though the air whipping her in the jaw soundly and knocking her aside.
“Ares! For the love of Zeus what have you done?!” Cupid wailed immediately falling to his knees to check the vitals of Aphrodite.
“How could you? This is my mother!”
Cupid winced as his wounded wing flexed against the hurt.
“By the heavens what do you plan to do by seeking out your vengeance on the Gods of Love?"

Ares popped his neck reading his blade again.
“It is because of you and your mother that I cannot abate my heart’s desire. But I’ve found a different way to cure this ailment.”
“Please don’t do this…”
“You’ve left me no choice!”

With that his two-handed sword struck down upon the weeping God’s wings, severing them from his shoulders. A wash of blood and white feathers splattered the walls and ornate decorations transforming the once beautiful temple into a symbol of lawlessness and atrocity. The bare-chested Cupid cried out in pain as he felt his godly powers failing, his figure reverting to that of a common wingless man. Ares’ sword skewered the pair of wings like sausages, and he hefted them high above his head as hideous laughter bubbled from his lungs.

His figure became a wash with flame as he teleported from the temple all the way to Asgard and a very special place where-in the Norse God Loki was residing. As he entered he could hear the voice of a woman, she was whispering to someone… she was of course Sygin, the holder of the bowl of poison held above the trickster’s head.
“Well, well, well… how the mighty have fallen.” Ares took note of Loki’s predicament and he couldn’t help but gloat.

[Cupid]

Cupid’s primal cries of pain and shock were soon drowned out as the skies darkened quickly. Thunder and lightning flashed similar to that of a god’s death as the universe wept along with the now fallen demi-god as he lost most of his godly rights and powers. Blood still fresh from his now gone wounds tricked down his back as he knelt, sobbing for what he had lost almost like a child would, dripping onto the floor to mix with the puddles.

Soon the storm stopped though Cupid still wept flinching away from his concerned mother he stood his eyes once sparkling with life now dead as he moved towards his crossbow and arrows, whimpering softly as he saw them change from their normal gold and lead selves to those of mortal arrows, causing what hope may have been in his loving heart to wither and die. Not even trying to teleport wanting to save his heart any more ache the fallen god continued to ignore his mother and made his way towards the exit “What will I do now...I have nothing to live for.” He stated too no one even though the Goddess of love was with him, his wife and child in his palace on Olympus seemingly forgotten as he pushed open the door in a daze quickly leaving the temple ignoring the whispers and frightened calls of his worshippers and mother alike as he wandered towards the forest like a lost child.