Continued from parts 1-15
Part 16
 

The Present

Amoreena finished bandaging her wrists and ankles and sat there thinking. She had to get help. Knowing that Ares2 would be watching her closely left her with few options.

This was not good, being in Thrace, away from all of her new friends, away from anyone who would be able to help her. There just had to be someone she could count on. But who? She really didn't know anyone here. Just then Amoreena felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. Turning, her eyes caught her surprise guest and a big smile appeared on her face.

"Oh, by Zeus, am I glad to see you." She declared.

Noticing the cloth bandages wrapped around her wrists and ankles the visitor exclaimed, "OW, what happened to you? Let me see."

Amoreena peeled off one of the strips of white cloth and showed the red raw flesh underneath to Aphrodite. "Yuck! What a mess. What happened?" Aphrodite reached for Amoreena's other wrist. "This is *sooo* uncool! Are they all like this?" she asked, concerned.

"It's not that bad now. At least the pain doesn't seem as bad as last night. Don't worry about it. I'll be fine." Amoreena told her.

"Why didn't he heal you?"

Amoreena looked uncomfortable with the question and said nothing.

"Wait a minute. Did he do this to you?"

"Aphrodite, can we please not talk about this right now. There are other things that are more important. I need your help," she told her.

"Sure hon, but you really need to have those looked at. They are so, like, not aesthetically pleasing. You need to have them looked after and soon. So, tell Aphrodite what happened."

"Ares is here," was all Amoreena gave by way of explanation.

"Well DUH! This is *his* temple." Aphrodite responded.
 

"No. I mean the *other* Ares. The one who sent me away." Amoreena informed her.

"Oh. That Ares. Bummer!"

"You have no idea. He's got our Ares hidden someplace. We have to find him. I'm afraid of what he may have done." Amoreena looked so dejected, like she was quickly losing all hope.

"Don't look so gloomy. We'll deal with it. Where is he now?" Aphrodite asked as she walked over to the divan and plopped herself down upon it.

"He didn't say. He just left. You know, he's not much into talking these days, he's here for a reason, and it isn't to have a chat!" Amoreena said. She was becoming more agitated by the minute.

"OK. We need to have a plan. Can you - you know - put up with *him* for the time being? I know it'll be hard but we need to give ourselves some time."

"I don't have much choice, do I? Ares2 won't put up with anything other than total obedience. If I go along with his little game, we might stand a chance. As long as I humor him, just keep giving a little resistance once in a while, we should be able to gain some time. I'll have to be very careful though. I've got to be convincing. If I give in too easily or too much, he'll know something is up." Amoreena knew she had to play this very smartly. If Ares2 got suspicious, it was game over - for everyone.

"Don't worry. We'll find Ares and get rid of the other one soon. Can you fill me in on what's been happening? His comings and goings, anything he said that might be a clue? Try to remember anything, no matter how small. It may help in the long run." Aphrodite hoped Amoreena
could remember something that would help give them an edge.

"Sorry Aphrodite, like I said before, he hasn't been too big on conversation. I don't know what I can tell you. I do know that he has been involved with Ares army. He goes to the battlefield every day, that's one thing he *has* spoken about. It's the one thing he says he has missed most, the fighting. Ares2 longs to be in the thick of the battle again. He says war is so different in his time. Oh, Aphrodite, all this not knowing is killing me. I told him I want my memory back. I even offered to go with him if I found out he was right and that I had betrayed him. This whole thing is just so unfair. I don't know what he wants or expects from me. It's not like I know what he's ranting about half the time. I have to keep reminding him that I don't have any memory of the events, and I think that only serves to anger him all the more." Amoreena was really upset, and though she tried hard, she couldn't stop the flow of tears that had started falling. "Oh, what am I going to do? I'm so scared we'll never stop him. What if we never find our Ares? I don't think I could put up with this one forever. He's so bent on retribution I don't think he can see anything else. Sometimes I wonder if there isn't more to this story that they aren't telling me. He was so accusing last night. I'm really scared Aphrodite. What if he is right and I did betray him? If I did, what's to stop me from doing it again. That's part of the reason I need my memories back, so I can set my own mind at ease."

"Hey, don't go doubting yourself now. Let's concentrate on finding Ares first, he'll know what to
do. Come on. We've got lots of work to do. I'll see if I can track where he's been going. Hopefully he'll lead us right to where he is holding Ares. You have to try and keep him calm and not give him any reason to think you're up to something. If, I mean *when*, I find Ares, I'm going be counting on you to be able to keep the other one occupied long enough to free him. We'll get through this. Wait and see." Aphrodite rose and moved toward Amoreena. "It'll be OK. He's not gonna hurt you anymore. You just have to hang on a little bit longer. Try to be brave."

"I'm so scared he's done something bad to Ares. How could he get away with this? What has he done?"

"Amoreena, see if you can get him to talk about it. Like, talk about how he got to Ares, how he's holding him and where. Any little bit will help. Just get him talking. One thing about Big Bro' he loves to talk about himself - his favorite topic, next to war of course. Just play along - you know - feed his ego - tell him how cunning he is - how smart - how ingenious his ideas are. He'll love it. Maybe with a little provocation, he'll tell us what we need to know. That'll make everything so much easier."

"Okay 'Dite, I'll try. I just don't want to make him suspicious."

"Good. Lets get this show on the road. I'll check in with you later. Good luck. Just remember, you're doing this for Ares."

"I'll try. Thanks 'Dite."

"No problem. Just hang in there! We'll fix him, make him sorry he decided to mess with us. I can't wait to see the two of them together. I can't wait to see our Ares send the other one back to the future in little bitty pieces." Aphrodite smiled at the thought.

"Yeah, well, lets just hope that's what happens."

"Cheer up will ya. We're gonna do this! I'm gonna go see what I can find out. See ya later. Toodles," Aphrodite said as she left Amoreena.

'Good luck Dite, we're going to certainly need it to outsmart Ares.' Amoreena said to no one.

Part 17

Amoreena was out in back of the temple when Ares2 returned. She was sitting under a big tree which had long leafy branches. It was a very hot afternoon, and the tree provided ample shade for her. The War God just stood watching her. Every move she made, no matter how small, was of interest to him. You could never be too careful, especially with someone like her. 'She's as sly as a fox,' he thought to himself.

Amoreena leaned back against the tree trunk. 'How do I handle this?' she asked herself. 'Relax, don't let him get to you. You have to be in control of your emotions if this is going to work,' she warned herself.

"Plotting my demise?" Ares asked with a laugh.

Amoreena, startled by Ares2’s sudden appearance, rose to face him. "Ares, you're ... back early." She stammered, hoping he hadn't been eavesdropping.

"Surprised to see me so soon? I can't stay away too long now, can I. I wouldn't want you to think I've lost interest." Ares2 reached out and pushed her against the tree, quickly pinning her between it and his firm, lean, leather clad body. He dipped his head to meet hers and kissed her. "Did you miss me?" he asked as he moved his chest away from her to make room for his roaming hands. He placed each hand on a breast and smiled his evil smile. "Nice."

"Ares, please, not here." she pleaded.

He reached down and hoisted her skirt above her waist. Using his knee, he forced her legs apart.

"Ares, not here! Please! Lets go inside." She begged him.

"Inside is good," he said, continuing his actions. He removed her undergarment and thrust two fingers deep within her. "Inside as ordered," he proclaimed, then brought his mouth down on hers once again. Ares plunged his tongue into her mouth and while his two fingers continued thrusting in and out of her, his thumb found her clit and began to play with it.

Gasping, Amoreena pleaded with him again. "Ares, please, take me inside to our bedchamber. Not out here." She kissed him and looked up at him seductively, hoping to win him over. Smiling at him she continued, "Come on Ares, lets go in. It's too hot out here, I'll be much more comfortable inside." She kissed him again and brought her hands up to caress his face. "Please, humor me, I promise you won't be disappointed." she told him.

Stepping away from her he said "Lead the way."

Taking his hand she started walking back towards the temple. "Thank you Ares."

"Just don't disappoint me," he warned.

Reaching up, she kissed his lips. "You could get us there a lot faster than me," she told him suggestively. Amoreena placed her head upon his chest and closed her eyes. When she reopened them they were in their bedchamber.

"Okay. Here we are. Inside where you wanted to be," he told her.

"Thank you" she replied. "I promise you," she said as she kissed him, "you won't be disappointed." Pulling away she walked over to the bed and sat down. Patting the empty spot beside her she beckoned him to come to her.  As he approached she lay down and spread her legs.

Ares climbed on the bed beside her and waited. "This is your show," he informed her.

'Oh great!' she thought to herself. 'How are you going to pull this one off. Guess you're just going to have to grin and bear it and put on the show of your life,' she thought.

She leaned over him and placed her hand on the growing bulge in his tight leather pants. Smiling up at him, she began massaging him through the leather.

"How about a little help here," he offered as their clothes disappeared.

Suddenly she was stroking naked flesh, watching as it sprang to life under her touch. Amoreena positioned herself so she could take him in her mouth and still be able to see his face. She licked her lips and lowered her head to his godhood, keeping her eyes trained on his face the whole time. Starting at the base, she licked up his shaft to the head, stopping to dip the tip of her tongue in the small hole there, then continuing back down the other side. Ares reached for her hand and lead it to his thick, waiting member, he kept his hand on hers, guiding her until she got the right rhythm. Looking at him she suddenly thought to herself, 'they look so identical, I can look at him and make believe it's the other one. Maybe this is how I can deal with him. Pretend he is my Ares. Just imagine you are with the Ares you love, don't let yourself think bad thoughts,' she was getting lost in her thoughts and not paying attention to what she was supposed to be doing.

"Hello."  He tapped her head. "Anyone in there? You're not concentrating on what you're doing. Where have you gone?" He was growing impatient with her lack-lustre effort. "Either get with the program or I'll take over and give you a lesson you won't soon forget," he informed her.

Amoreena resumed her actions, using her mouth and hand together. She took him all the way in her hot, wet mouth, sucking on him as she did so. Ares thrust his hips, forcing her to take him in deeper still. She opened her mouth wider, trying to accommodate the huge organ being thrust down her throat. Reaching back she began to massage his balls. Ares groaned, taking hold of her head, thrusting faster, deeper, forcing her to take him all in, over and over. He was pumping so deep she thought a couple of times she would choke, then he let up a bit as he let loose his load. Amoreena
swallowed the seemingly never ending flow as he came, groaning in pleasure. "Next time keep your mind on me. You were thinking of him, weren't you?" he accused.

Reaching up to kiss him, she answered "Why would I want to think of him when I've got you? I was just thinking of ways to please you. I'm sorry if I wasn't as attentive as you thought I should be."

He reached over and cupped her breast. "Lie down," he said.

Amoreena lay down and tried to make herself comfortable, figuring he was about to fuck her again. Instead, he held her close and fondled her as he spoke to her.

"You seem much more relaxed now. Are you finally ready to give up your little game and accept the reality of the situation?" he inquired of her.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Why must you always answer a question with another question? Why not just say, 'Yes Ares, I'm ready to forget about him now." After all, you haven't been with him that long. You are *mine*, and I've decided it's time to reclaim my property."

That comment rubbed her the wrong way and as she sat up she let loose. "Hold on a minute. I doubt that I was ever happy being referred to as someone's property. You didn't want me anyway, you banished me, remember. I certainly wish I had that luxury. I don't understand you at all. You accuse me of horrible deeds, do some not so very nice things to me, and then expect me to just come crawling back to you, begging forgiveness for something I don't even remember doing?"

"Sounds good to me." he retorted.

"Dream on Mister God of War. It ain't gonna happen! Not in this lifetime. The way things are now, you make my skin crawl! *He's* the one I want to be with, not you. Get this through that thick skull of yours, I LOVE *HIM*! All I know of you is how much you've enjoyed hurting and humiliating me. He, on the other hand, took me in, befriended me, let me live my own life, helped me through some really trying times, found out I had children and tried to bring them here to me, succeeding in reuniting me with my daughter, let me cry on his shoulder and protected me. He did all this and asked for nothing in return. He's a better God than you could ever hope to be! And I Love Him. You accused me of betraying you, erased all memory of my previous life, separated me from my family, took my children, and banished me to the past where you had *hoped* I would be eternally unhappy. Well, it backfired Mister Big Shot, didn't it. Looks good on you! One of these days you'll be held accountable for your actions and by the Gods, I want to be there to see that!" she said in a fit of temper. Calming down, Amoreena realized that she'd gone too far. Looking at Ares2 she could see the anger building in his eyes and knew she had just ruined any chance she had of keeping him calm and satisfied until they could find Ares.

"Are you finished?" he inquired. He was not happy and she was deathly afraid of what he would do to her.

'Oh boy, am I finished' she thought to herself. "I'm sorry Ares, I didn't mean it. You just hit a nerve,
that's all. Please, forgive me." she begged.

"Save your breath. You love him so much? Fine! Lets go visit Prince Charming shall we. We'll see how much he loves you." Ares voice had a sarcastic tone to it. He got up and with one thought, their clothes had returned. He grabbed her and pulled her roughly off the bed.

"Wait. What are you going to do?"

"We are going to pay a little visit to the love of your life. Get ready. I'll be back for you in a minute. I won't be gone long. Gotta prepare him for your reunion," he told her and then he vanished.

'What have I done now.' Amoreena couldn't even begin to imagine what he was planning to do. 'Oh Amoreena, you've gone and done it now,' she admonished herself.

Part 18

Ares2 appeared in the cave and grabbed Ares by the throat. "You’ve been invited to a play," he advised. "But, there are some rules that need to be adhered to: Rule #1. The audience will be restrained." Ares soon found himself in chains and manacles; attached to the wall of the cave by four iron rings. "A captive audience," Ares2 acknowledged, "my favorite kind. Rule #2. The audience will refrain from making comments until the end of the performance." Ares was now gagged as well as chained and manacled. "Rule #3. Offer a sacrifice to the God of War. This one, I’m afraid, will have to wait for a little while." Ares2 noted as he began to walk around the cave, coming to stand in
front of Ares where an altar appeared between them. "Perfect. Relax. The show will begin shortly," the dark god said as he stepped into the aether.

Ares2 appeared back in the bedchamber much to quickly for Amoreena’s liking. He took hold of her hand and yanked her forward. "Time to go" he informed her.

When they appeared in the cave he picked her up and threw her on the altar. Climbing on top of her he proudly announced "A Sacrifice to the God of War - A new play by Ares," looking over at his younger self, he asked, "Are you watching this?"

Unable to answer because of the gag, he just stared daggers at Ares2.

Ares2 brought his mouth down on hers and roughly kissed her, forcing her mouth open, thrusting his tongue inside.

Amoreena began struggling as she noticed Ares restrained by the chains. She tried to hit her attacker but he grabbed both of her hands and pinned them above her with one of his powerful arms. With the other, he gripped her face.

"Behave yourself. Fighting me will only serve to excite me more," he told her as his lips took hers once again. Reaching down he forced his hand between her thighs.

Ares couldn’t move, he was being forced to watch as the other War God assaulted Amoreena.

Still struggling with the huge well muscled God lying firm on top of her, Amoreena did the only thing she thought she could. She went limp. Hoping beyond hope that he would think something was wrong, and move. She got her wish. Ares2 moved just enough for her to raise her knee and with all the strength she possessed, her knee connected hard with his groin.

The move surprised Ares2 and he toppled off the altar. Rising, he grabbed her, and, in a fit of anger, hurled her across the room. She hit the wall of the cave with a thud and dropped like a broken doll. Landing on her back she tried to get up. Ares2 was coming at her again with vengeance in his eyes. She slowly edged her body away from him as he neared her. Whimpering she pleaded, "No, please," as he reached for her she cringed. "I’m sorry. Oh Gods, I’m so sorry." Amoreena brought her hands up to her beautiful tear soaked face to deflect the next blow.

"Nice try!" said the God of War as he smacked her across the face. "I warned you." He informed her as he reached down and tore her dress from her. Ares2 grabbed the long shiny brown hair of the cringing form below him and dragged her up until she was standing before him naked and on tippy toes. "GET YOUR ASS ON THAT ALTAR ... NOW!" he snarled at her. When she still hadn’t made the attempt to move he started dragging her by the hair toward the altar.

"Ok. I’m going. You don’t need to do this," she cried. When she got to the altar she raised her eyes to look at Ares, chained and unable to help her, and mouthed ‘I’m so sorry’ to him. Ares2 bent her over the altar and rubbed himself against her naked ass. His clothing disappeared and he forced his huge engorged cock into her from behind. Thrusting with added gusto because of his audience, Ares2 was slamming her against the side of the altar as he raped her. "You watching this?" he asked as he pumped furiously.  Ares was fuming inside. He couldn’t turn his head and even if he didn’t have to watch, he would still hear her pleading cries and Ares2' animalistic grunts. There was no way he could escape what was happening just a few feet in front of him, and worst of all he was helpless to stop it. He couldn’t help her.

Ares2 pulled himself out of her and stood back. "Climb up," he demanded.

Amoreena did as she was told. As she sat on the cold stone, The War God reached over and shoved her down. Taking each of her legs in his hands, he pulled her until she was at the edge of the altar, her legs on either side of him. "Wrap your legs around me!" he ordered.

She did as he wanted and lay there waiting for his assault to continue. She didn’t have to wait long. He entered her slowly, then began his thrusting again in earnest. Pounding into her over and over, each thrust deeper than the one before it. Suddenly he had pulled out of her again. "Scoot back!" he commanded. "Move it!" he added when she did not jump at his command. He got on top of her and resumed his actions. He eyed her breasts. Leaning in, he took one nipple between his teeth and nipped at it. Ares2’ tongue licked one nipple, then followed down the side and into the deep canal between her breasts and made his way up the other one, taking as much of it into his mouth as he could and sucking hard. "Tell me you love me," he directed, kissing her lips gently.

"Don’t do this!" she implored.

"Tell me you love me!" he repeated.

"I can’t," she whispered. "I just can’t."

"YES you can! You just need a little incentive," he suggested. Ares2 sent a blue lightening bolt speeding into the other Ares shoulder.

The smell of scorched flesh was nauseating to Amoreena, yet Ares2 seemed to be getting off on it.
"Now tell me you love me," he said again.

Amoreena looked over at Ares, the black patch on his shoulder still smoking. He was trying to shake his head no. "GO TO TARTARUS!" she screamed. "I’ll never tell you that. No matter what you do, I WILL STILL LOVE HIM!" she vowed.

"We’ll see. I’m in no rush. We can stay here forever if it takes that long. Make no mistake, you WILL admit you still love me!"

"I don’t know if I ever did love you. I don’t remember that. One thing I do know is how I feel about him. I LOVE HIM!"

"Like I said, we can stay here like this for as long as it takes you to say it. Hey. I’m a God. I’ve got stamina like you couldn’t imagine. I can last as long as it takes. You’ll give in long before I will," he smugly asserted. Ares2 resumed his thrusting, taking his time, each stroke slow and steady. Reaching down, he began fingering her clit.

Amoreena was trying her damnedest not to respond to him but her body had its own agenda. The harder she fought against the feelings he was invoking in her, the worse they got. Struggling to control herself she began writhing under him. Finally unable to hold back any longer she started thrusting her hips to meet his. Feeling she was nearly ready to cum, Ares2 withdrew from her and told her "now, tell me you love me. If you want me to finish, all you need to do is to say those three little words," he announced.

"Ares, please, why do you have to do this?"

"Just say the words and I’ll make you feel so good baby, come on," he touched her clit for effect.

"Oh Gods, Ares, please, don’t do this. I can’t say what you want," she said, breathing heavily.

"Come now, my dear. Pun intended. It’s not as bad as that. If you want me to help you, just say what I want to hear,’ he reiterated.

The mortal Ares closed his eyes for a minute. ‘Just tell him what he wants to hear and it’ll be over, stop torturing us both,’ he thought to himself.

Amoreena looked over at Ares and saw him close his eyes. When he opened them she could have sworn he was sending her a message. ‘He’s trying to tell me something.’ She thought.

"Come on. What’s it gonna be." Ares2 asked impatiently
 

Looking at Ares one last time she made up her mind. "I love you. You win. Happy now?" She announced.

Ares2 smiled. It’s good for starters" he said, "but you could be a little more convincing."

"I love you," she responded, looking into his eyes.

"That’s more like it," he said as he entered her again. He plunged his divine rod into her furiously, building up speed until they both came together. "Now was that so difficult?" he asked, so very pleased with himself.

Part 19

Time passed too slowly when things weren't going as you wanted. Time, in fact, had become her enemy. It was unending, minutes stretching into hours, hours into days, would it never end?

Amoreena shifted uncomfortably on the cold obsidian altar. She was still flat on her back, dreading Ares2's next move. She knew he had finished with her
for the time being, yet she was still afraid to climb down from the cold stone altar. He could still be there for all she knew.

Then, she heard a chain rattling nearby. Turning, she realized Ares was still chained. For some reason their captor had left them alone together. Quickly gathering her wits about her, she got off the altar and made her way to Ares. No words. They just looked at each other. She went to him and lightly caressed his face. "I'm sorry," was all she could say. Reaching around, she
released the gag, and waited.

"The key," he motioned to the left with his head, "is over there, on the wall."

Amoreena grabbed the key and unchained him. He fell forward into her waiting arms and hugged her to him. "Here," he said as he removed his vest and handed it to her to help cover her nakedness. "You okay?"

"I don't know. I'm just glad it's over. How do we get out of here?"

"Without help, we don't." Ares ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her forehead. "I could kill him right now!"

"Aphrodite knows everything. I hope she's been paying attention. If so, maybe all isn't lost just yet."

"How did you get to my sister?"

"She paid me a surprise visit, *he* was out at the time. I told her what had happened." She remembered her sore wrists and showed them to Ares. "She saw what he did to me." Lowering her head she looked at him through her lashes and continued. "She knows you very well. What's underneath, I mean. We decided we'd try to find you ourselves. She was going to attempt to follow him. Hoping he would lead her to you. I hope he hasn't caught on."

"The Goddess of Love can be resourceful. I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. Do you know what he's done with my sword? He's only ever had the one whenever he's made one of his impromptu visits to me here." The mortal Ares looked deep into Amoreena's eyes. "I'm sorry I failed to protect you. I promised you I would, and I let you down. I've never failed so thoroughly before." He embraced her again and in a soothing motion, ran his hand up and down her spine.

"You'd never gone up against yourself before. He'd already lived through it, that day I mean. He knew the exact moment to make his move, when you would be the most vulnerable. He had it well planned. There was nothing you could have done." She leaned into his embrace, just wanting him to hold her.

"What about my sword? Has he ever told you where he has it?" Ares wanted his power back with a vengeance. He wanted to be able to undo all the pain and humiliation the God from the future had caused her.

"No. I've only ever seen him with one. If you were him - oh what am I saying? You are him - if the shoe was on the other foot, where would you put it?"

"That won't work, I'm afraid. He'll be expecting that."

"So, what do you think he did with it?"

Ares thought for a few minutes. "I don't know. Know what scares me?" he asked her.

"What?"

"That, given time, I'm going to become him! I've done a lot of things in my life, made many enemies, intimidated thousands, caused the death and destruction of untold millions, but it was all so ... impersonal. With him, this is a vendetta, it's very personal, and that's what I find so unsettling." He looked like a pathetic little scared kitten. For once in his life he was helpless and he hated that, and what it meant.

"What about, you know, Hercules? Wasn't that kind of personal?" she asked.

"Not like this, no. That's always been more of a game. See who could outdo/outsmart the other. You know, brother stuff."

"I don't think most brothers react that way towards each other. I think I can understand what it is you're trying to say. Once you outgrew the initial urge to
just kill him, it became more of a competition, a battle of wills." She moved against him, trying to get more comfortable, and groaned at the pain.

"You're not OK, are you? He really did a number on you." Ares looked her over, noticing bruising, scratches and even a few teeth marks he had failed to
notice before. He gently touched a bruise on her arm, a darkening patch of skin the size of his palm. He brought his lips down and gently kissed the forming bruise. "If I had my powers, you know I would heal you. I don't want you to suffer because of me."

"Hey, I'm OK now. I'm just glad he left me here with you. If we're lucky, maybe he'll go back where he came from." She sighed and reached to put her hand on Ares shoulder, placing her head on his bare chest.

Ares looked down at her and realized that his vest wasn't doing much to cover her, but at least it seemed to give her a sense of decency. She was no longer
naked. The way she leaned on him, her right breast was hardly covered, tempting him, but no, she had been through enough. 'Now's not the right time to be thinking with your cock Ares,' he warned himself.

Amoreena fell asleep in his mortal, yet still strong, arms. He held her close, loving the way she felt, and her smell, even after all she had been through, she
still smelled delectable, a very feminine essence, floral maybe. He inhaled deeply, wanting to savour it for as long as possible. 'I'm going to kill that
bastard for what he's done. Nobody *FUCKS* with the God of War and goes unpunished. *NO ONE*!' he said to himself. '*NO ONE*!'

Part 20

Ares2 was perched precariously upon the throne, head in hand, thinking, when the Goddess of Love appeared in a shower of pink and red hearts. Stepping up to the throne she planted an inviting kiss on his full, luscious lips. Reaching down to the growing bulge in his pants she noted, "Happy to see me are we?"

"Ah. Aphrodite. How long has it been?" he smirked at her.

"Too long. So lets not waste any more time." Grabbing on to his arm she lead him through the aether into the bedchamber. "You still into kink?" she questioned, knowing his answer already.

"What do you think?" he replied.

"Hm. Black leather, whips, chains. I'd say you're not exactly a paragon of virtue."

"No. Lets leave that job for the do-gooder, he's the paragon of virtue if ever there was one." He quaffed.

"Um, and you're the Big Bad God of War. Here sweets, I have a little something for you," she chimed, showing him large golden manacles at the ends of four chains. Heph made 'em. Now, lie down big boy, let me try them
out." Aphrodite pushed Ares2 down on the bed and quickly climbed on with him. She straddled him and attached one of the manacles to each of his arms and legs, then in a flash he was chained, spread eagle to the bed posts. Aphrodite leaned over him, her barely covered breasts just out of the reach of his lecherous lips. She kissed his mouth and suddenly began laughing
uncontrollably.

"As if!" she declared, getting off the bed.

Ares2 looked at her stunned. "Hey Dite, what's up?"

Casting a leering glare at his expanding crotch she announced flatly, "You are, by the look of things." Aphrodite cupped Ares2's chin, "time to fix things."

"What are you talking about?" he asked suspiciously, eyeing his sister with great concern.

"We have a lot of work to do. You have caused enough problems big guy. Now you're gonna start fixing them. Where's the sword?" she asked. Aphrodite walked around the bed and placed her hand on his belt, unbuckling
it. With one swift movement she was holding his sheath complete with sword in her hand in front of him.

Ares2 strained against his bonds and growled in protestation. "GRRR ... you are going to regret this little escapade sister," he informed her.

"Ooh, is the Big Bad God of War threatening little ol' me? ... don't sweat it ... now ... tell me ... where's the other sword?"

"Where you'll never find it. Safe and sound and out of the reach of interfering Goddesses WHO SHOULD KNOW BETTER!"

"Come on Ares, don't be such a tease. If you don't tell me where it is, I'll just have to give him this one, won't I." She thrust his sword up and hoisted it
up over her head to press her point. "Now. Where is it?"

"Like I said, somewhere safe."

"Fine. Have it your way. I have to go for a while, maybe you'll change your mind by the time I get back."
 

"I don't think so. Where are you going anyway?"

"You'll see," she sang. Then she left him alone.

Aphrodite arrived in the cave to find Amoreena asleep in Ares arms. He was sitting, leaned up against the wall of the cave, one leg bent at the knee, the other stretched out before him.

Aphrodite leaned down beside Ares and gently touched his shoulder.

"Ares, hey, you guys okay?" She said very quietly.

"Aphrodite. You found us. How?"

"I followed him. I had to do a few things first before I could come get you though. I've got him ... you'll love this ... chained to your bed. I got the chains
from Heph, so he'll be there till we release him. I also took this." She pulled out the sword of Ares and handed it to him.

He reached forward and grasped the hilt of the sword. Instantly his body began changing as it once again became divine. His clothes immediately straightened themselves into the spotless tight black leather he was noted for and his hair, not a strand out of place. There seemed to be a soft blue aura around him as he embraced his Godhood once again. He moaned as the
force of his powers permeated throughout his body, filling him with that which had so recently been taken away.

"Look after her for me. I have to go take care of him. I don't want her anywhere near him." Ares said as he carefully passed Amoreena's sleeping form to the Goddess as he prepared to leave.

"Ares, please don't do anything you'll regret later."

"I don't know what I'm going to do right now. I can't let him get away with this."

"Um, Ares ... about the sword," Aphrodite started.

"What about it?"

"That's his. I don't know where he has the other one," she answered.

"So he's mortal? And chained to my bed? This could be interesting." Ares looked over at Amoreena and told Aphrodite, "Don't worry. I know the rules. But there is *no* rule that says I can't have some fun first, right?"

"What are you going to do?"

"Make him sorry he ever came to this time. He should have stayed where he was and left well enough alone. But no. He just had to come here and push me to the limit. He's going to pay starting now!" Ares faded into a display of blue/white sparks.

Aphrodite wasn't sure exactly what he had planned, but knew it couldn't be good.

Aphrodite tried to wake Amoreena up. She shook her gently and spoke in her ear. "Wake up. Come on." She shook her lightly again.

Amoreena opened one eye and looked up at the Goddess. "Thank the God's." She said as she got to her feet. Turning she noticed Ares absence.

"Where's Ares?"

"He's gone to right a wrong."

"You got his sword back?"

"Not exactly. I kinda took the other one."

"How'd you manage that?"

Aphrodite's face lit up and she grinned. "Well," she said placing her hand on Amoreena's arm. "I kinda like ... incapacitated him, then just lifted it!" she
giggled.

"And?" Amoreena urged.

"Okay, okay. I tied him to the bed." She laughed. "And left him there."

Amoreena smiled. "Well, I guess turn around is fair play. So we should go." She said.

"Ares wanted you to wait here. I think he's right. It won't do you any good to be there."

"How can you say that? After all he's done. I want to be there. I want to see him pay!" Amoreena shuddered she was so angry that she was being denied any chance at retribution.

"Look. I know how you feel...." Aphrodite started, but Amoreena cut her off.

"How can you say that? How can you possibly know how I feel?" Amoreena didn't want to listen to reason. She just wanted out of the damn cave and back to the temple.

"Calm down and let me finish. What I was going to say is that if I let you outta here Ares is gonna blow his top. You should know him well enough by now to know that. You don't cross him and you do what he says, especially if you like the idea of keeping your pretty little head attached to your shoulders." Aphrodite tried to calm her down. "Just let them deal with each other. They'll find a way to work it out ... eventually."

"There is so much anger in him. Gods, in both of them. They'll kill each other."

"No. They won't. He won't be able to do that. It'll come down to ego with him. It always does. Trust me. I know my brother. He'll play with him for a while, but I doubt it'll go much further. It is him, after all. Don't worry."

Amoreena dropped to her knees and started to cry. Aphrodite went over to her and reached out to console her. "Don't cry. I know what I'm talking about.
Everything will be OK. He'll just end up sending him home."

Part 21

Ares appeared in his throne room and dismissed everyone. He needed to be alone. When it became blatantly obvious to him that his meaning had not been
completely understood, he decided that he needed to be more precise. Sometimes these mortals could be so dense. What did he have to do to get them out of here? Draw them a picture?

He barrelled his way to the centre of the room and bellowed, "OUT! EVERYBODY OUT!" He walked around glaring at the stragglers. "If you're having difficulty understanding my meaning, let me help you. Get OUT OF HERE! NOW! If you don't move of your own accord, let me assure I will move you ... and you might not like where you end up! NOW GET OUT!" He raised his right arm, and that was all it took for everyone to start scurrying like scared little mice to the nearest exit.

Finally, with everyone gone, Ares approached his throne. He went around behind it, bent down, and, facing the back, he reached down and put his hand
through the thick black stone. Slowly, he rose, and as he did so, a sword appeared, inch-by-inch from inside the bottom of the throne. "He must have known this would be the first place I would look for it once I had the chance." He removed the sword Aphrodite had just given him from the sheath and replaced it with his own. Now to face the other War God.

Ares2 was still securely tied to the bedposts. Ares walked over to the bed and wondered why the other God was so sedate. He was sure he would be thrashing about madly by now. He touched the tip of the sword to the
captives chest and bent over him, ever so slightly, keeping his distance.

"Well, well. What have we here? Seems like our roles have been reversed doesn't it?" Ares sauntered around the bed, glaring at the other version of himself. Crossing his well muscled arms across the vast expanse of his chest he spoke. "Do you have any idea what you've done? The repercussions of your actions could change the course of history, if it hasn't done so already. What ever possessed you to do this? We have to fix things. It can't be left like this. By the Gods I wanted to kill you more than once, but I've had plenty of time to think things through."

He went toward the window and turned to look out, leaning against the window sill he continued.

"None of this makes the lest bit of sense. I don't understand why you can't see that. There have been to many discrepancies right from the start. You were so
dead set against believing in her, yet you would believe that she had betrayed you, and so easily. Why? Why was that so easy for you? You wouldn't believe anyone, no matter what you were told."

He turned sharply and made a beeline for the bed. Standing to the side of it he raised his foot and placed it on the top, then leaned his body over until he had his arm, bent at the elbow, resting on his leg. He placed his chin in the palm of his hand and started talking again. "Well, I've got news for you. You may be older, but you're definitely not wiser! Discord pulled your strings and you fell for it. She played you like a lyre. She's always been cunning and trying to find a way to get close to us. She's even tried to take over the job. Well, now it seems, that she has finally found a way to get what she's wanted for centuries. She's trying to ruin you, and by the Gods Ares, you're letting her. I guarantee you, that she has had this whole thing planned every step of the way. She's got you right where she wants you. Think about it. Has she tried anything?" He reached out to release his future self, then recoiled. "If I let you go you have to go back. You need to go and square off against Discord. You know what I'm saying makes sense. Go and confront her. See if I'm not right. I'm going
to release you now, so no funny stuff. Remember, I have both swords." He released him and moved back to watch what he was going to do.

At first Ares2 stayed on the bed. The only move he made was to rub his wrist. "You think you have it all figured out. Don't you? I've lived a lot longer than
you, been through a lot more, so what makes you so sure you're right and I'm wrong? Huh? Maybe it's not Discord who was doing the manipulation? Did you think of that? Maybe she's the innocent party here." Ares2 sat up and threw his legs over the side of the bed, resting one hand on either side of each leg.

Ares grabbed a chair, and, turning it around, sat facing the back of it, one leg over each side of the seat. "Are you listening to yourself? Do you realize
how *idiotic* you sound? You're never going to admit she's had you by the balls this whole time, are you? What in Tartarus happened to you in the years that I haven't lived through yet, to turn you into such a *dumb fuck*? What went wrong? Discord as the innocent party, huh? Let me see, Discord ... innocent ... why is it that these two words are so hard to say together? There has to be some way to convince you. Why don't you just go back? You've caused enough trouble here. She didn't deserve this you know."

Ares2 stood up and stretched his legs. "Yeah, well, that's just your opinion. I'm not so sure. You going to give me back my sword, or what?" he asked.

"That all depends. You can't stay here. There can't be two of us. It doesn't work that way. Look. You have to face up to the facts here. You started all this. It's up to you to finish it. To make things right again." Ares rose and headed for the window. Turning, he waited for a response.

"What if I refuse?"

Ares laughed his deep throaty laugh. "You'll leave me no choice. I'll fix things ... my way."

"And that would be?" Ares2 inquired.

"Sending you back in a sarcophagus."

"You can't kill me. I'm a God!" Ares2 sneered.

"Not much of a God without the sword though are you?" Ares shot back at him.

"You wouldn't do it anyway. It's too close to home. Too much like killing yourself. I know you. And as much as you might threaten, you won't do it. You're still all talk. You haven't evolved to the next stage of our evolution yet. That doesn't happen for a while." Ares2 stalked across the room to stand near
the other. "You are such a fool. I refuse to discuss anything with you further!"

"So, I guess that's that then. You refuse to discuss anything and ..." Ares raised his right arm in front of him and began to flex his fingers. "I blast you
into oblivion." He sent a stream of blue lightening to within inches of hitting Ares2.

"Fine. I'll go. But, I want to speak to her first, before I go."

"I don't think that would be a good idea." Ares said.

"Let her decide. If she won't see me I'll leave."

"We'll see. Now, about her memory loss. Will she ever totally recover?"

"I don't know. I had assumed it would be fully restored by now. You sure she's not faking it?" Ares2 grinned.

"You can be such an ASS! Why would she do that?"

"Sympathy. I don't know. You really believe her don't you?"

"Yes. I do." Ares' eyes bored into the others.

"Yeah. Well. She's good. I've known her a lot longer than you."

"Yet you still don't believe in her. You've known her for so long, been through so much together, yet you still choose to believe that she would betray you? How could you have so little trust in someone you claim to have loved so much?" Ares walked back to the chair and sat down.

"It didn't take her long to find her way into your bed, did it? Yet you can still ask why I had so little trust in her." Ares2 was getting angry again, it was
taking all his resolve not to lash out.

"Had she ever done anything like it before? Had she ever betrayed you before?"

"No."

"So why did you believe she would do it so easily then?"

"You've heard the story. I saw them. What would you have thought?"

"Probably the same as you ... at first. But what about after, when you heard a different version? Why did you still choose not to believe her? Even now, here, you still think she betrayed you. Now you've accused her, and punished her yourself. Do you feel any better?"

"I want to see her now. To speak with her alone."

"She probably won't want to see you."

"Tell her I'll leave after we talk. She can resume this game of house you two were enjoying so much when I got here."

"You going to stay calm? I know that's a stretch for you, but, under the circumstances, I'm sure you'll understand my concern."

"I only want to talk, that's all."

"OK. I'll bring her to the throne room. You can wait for her there." Ares said, and stepped into the aether.

Part 22

Ares2 sat sprawled over the throne. He wanted to see her one last time before he went home. It had all seemed so easy. Now, he'd had a chance to think, to think about what the younger Ares had said. He believed in her, really believed. Maybe he was right after all. Discord had always been after him, wanting more from him than he was willing to give. He would tell Amoreena he believed her, that he knew deep down that she couldn't have done this to him.

She stood watching Ares2 from behind, unnoticed by him. This was going so much better than she could have hoped. It had taken years of planning and manipulation to set this into action and she was more than pleased with the results thus far. The only snag in the plan had been Ares2 himself. He was thinking with his lower extremities as usual, and had now decided to save the
damsel in distress, to be her knight in shining armour. Damsel in distress indeed!

She couldn't let him ruin all their hard work. With Amoreena safely out of the way, she had been within a hairs' breadth of taking over. She had Ares2 right
where she had always wanted him, and now, because he was listening to that moronic younger apparition of himself, all their plans were about to be laid to
waste. 'Not if I can help it,' she said to herself. She carefully aimed her arm in the direction of Ares2' head and let him have it. A steady stream of red light
emanated from the tip of her fingers and landed on the side of Ares2's head. She knew this was it, the last time she could use it. Ares2 was much stronger then they had anticipated. It was taking too much effort to control him, but if their plan was to work, then control him they must.

Hopefully this would be enough. They couldn't afford for him to ruin everything by telling her he was wrong. They had to be kept apart, no chance for him to take her home with him. She had been told she couldn't go back, but they had made that up, there was really nothing stopping her, she could go back any time she felt like if she wanted. That would just blow everything for both of them. They had devoted so much time and energy to make sure this went smoothly they didn't need for it to fall apart at this late date. Beside her the air tingled as a figure appeared out of the aether.

"That's enough. Let's go. He'll be bringing her in here in a minute and you don't want to be here."

She leered at him. Raising her hand she traced one of her long darkly painted finger nails down his chest. "You, are such a party pooper. I thought you might
like to stick around and watch."

He towered over her, and, reaching down, he removed her hand from his chest. "Why would you think that? You are a demented little thing aren't you?"

"And you, are such a tease."

"I still don't believe we're working together."

"Hmm. Well, neither do I. Then again, we have joined forces before, with some success," she purred.

"Let's get out of here while we still can. If he comes out of it again and finds us, I don't even want to think about what he would do."

"Relax, he won't come out of it that quickly, I just zapped him for crying out loud. It will last a while, look how long the second dose worked." She pouted.

"Yeah. Not nearly half as long as the first, which means we have even less time to finish off now, and I really don't want to be around him when the final dose wears off. Do you?"

"You can be such a wuss. All I care about is going back home and finally being able to take my rightful place as the Goddess of War. Where I belong, where I've always belonged.  With one little addition, you there by my side."

He looked at her and laughed. "Oh that's charming. Always thinking about yourself. I'd be careful if I were you, or I might start to think you really care."

She leaned into him. "Oh, but I do. Once this is over, I'll show you just how much."

"Now who's being a tease?" He quickly kissed her. "Let's get out of here," then they both stepped back into the aether.

Part 23

Amoreena couldn't believe it when Ares told her he wanted her to speak with the future incarnation of himself. He actually got angry with her when she flat
out told him NO! He then told her that she would speak with him, it was for her own good. How could he be so cold about it, gods, he had been there, he had seen what he had done to her. He was under the misguided impression that it would be beneficial to her.

So, here she was, about to enter the throne room and come face-to-face with him again. She opened the door and walked in. Ares2 was lounging in the throne, he smiled as she approached.

"OK. I'm here. Now what do you want to talk to me about?" she asked in an edgy voice.

"I'm gong back," he informed her.

"So I've been told."

"Are you really happy here?"

"I know it's not what you had originally planned for me, but yes, I'm very happy," she said.

"Tell me the truth, your memory still hasn't come back yet?"

"No, it hasn't."

"You seem to think you're going to be happy here, staying with him."

"I know I will."

Ares2 sat up straight and grinned. In a thick syrupy voice he said, "You do realize don't you, that it won't be just the two of you? That the women at the
temples serve him in many ways?"

"What are you trying to say? I know all about his Priestesses. What are you trying to do?" Amoreena was getting upset with herself for listening to him.

"Hey, I know what I was like back in those days. I would never settle for just one. I had women throwing themselves at me all the time and I never said no. No matter which temple I went to, I could have a different partner every night, and believe me when I tell you that I did. So, you had better be prepared to
share him. You'll be lucky if you get fucked once a month once he resumes his 'normal' rounds, and I assure you, he will. Mark my words. He'll be back to
bed hoping again in next to no time." He laughed his deep, dark, sinister laugh. "I hope you'll be really happy together. You two deserve each other."

"Why are you doing this? Does it make you feel good? To be nasty, spiteful and just plain mean? You really outdid yourself this time out. So, tell me, why are you saying these things?"

"Yes, please, by all means, tell us why?" Ares had appeared in the throne room and was approaching the throne. "Go on. You were saying?"

"I just thought she should know what was in store for her. What her life will be like with you."

"You think you know everything don't you?" Ares accused. "Maybe things will be different now because of you. Did you ever think of that?"

"Look. She has a right to know how things will be. We *both* know I'm right. You've painted a picture of a life that will never be. You've filled her with false hopes. And you say *I* can be an *ass*. Have you looked in your mirror lately?" Ares2 said, a glimmer in his eye.

Amoreena cleared her throat. "Excuse me. Hello. Remember me? I wish you two would stop speaking about me as though I weren't here. Let's get a few things straight, okay. First, I'm not stupid! I know what my life is going to be like. I don't need you to tell me, and I certainly don't need you to make it sound so tawdry. At least I can remember the part of my life I have spent here." She walked over to Ares and placed her hand on his arm. "Ares has never once led me to believe that my life here would be anything other than
what it has been. He's never promised me anything other then that I will always be welcome here with him and that he will always protect me. I love you Ares, of that I'm sure, and I do want to stay here and be with you."

Ares drew her into his strong protective embrace and reassured her. "You can stay here with me forever if that is what you desire."

"IT is," she answered.  "And as for you." She turned to face Ares2 and pointed an accusing finger in his direction. "You took my life away from me. It seems I'm never going to remember my previous life. For that, I'll never be able to forgive you."

Ares2 just grinned. She was so mixed up. She had no idea if she was guilty or innocent and yet she still continued to profess her innocence. She couldn't
remember anything about it. Sometimes he couldn't help himself. He still loved her and found himself wanting to just tell her he was sorry for all this and just
whisk her home again, but, he knew he couldn't do that. He couldn't allow her to get away with what she had done. This had all started so long ago. If he had known then, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Ares2 stood and walked over to the two of them. "I want to see my daughter before I go."

"Ares, please, no. It'll just confuse her. Can't you just leave us alone?" Amoreena begged.

"She is my daughter. If I'm going to go back and not return here again, I want to see my daughter one last time."

Ares embraced her tightly and said, "All right. But make it a short visit. Short and sweet. Then you leave and we have your word you will never try and contact her again?"

"Ares *NO*!" Amoreena cried.

"It has to be this way. Then he'll be gone and it'll all be over and done with."

"Okay." Ares2 said.

"I'll bring her here. Wait. I won't be long."

Ares brought Arianna into the throne room and handed her to 'her father'. "Just make it fast. Say your goodbyes. We'll be over here." He pointed to the far side of the room.

Ares2 hugged his daughter and said some things to her. They couldn't make out his words, he was talking so quietly. After a few minutes he walked over towards Ares and Amoreena and handed Arianna to her mother. "I'm going now. I hope you'll be happy together."

"Yeah, so you've already said. Promise me, I'm never going to have to deal with this again. You're not going to come back in a month and start this all over again, right?" Amoreena asked him, still not believing he was actually leaving.

"I gave you my word." He stepped forward and vanished into the aether.

"He's really gone." Amoreena noted.

"Finally. I was beginning to doubt he was really going to leave. It was close there for a minute."

"I'm just relieved."

"Me too." he told her. He hugged her close and said, "Now we have a life to attend to. Let's go home."

************************

The Future.

Discord sat beside him and said, "See, I told you everything would work out fine. She's still there, now we can do what we've always wanted. It took a lot of hard work, but it is finally starting to pay off. When Zeus finds out what Ares has done, all Tartarus will break loose. For some reason unbeknownst to the rest of us, Zeus has always had a fond spot for that little tramp. He'll make Ares pay for what he's done to her. I'll take over, and we can finally be together for everyone to see. I hate sneaking around. I want everyone to know you're mine." She hugged him and sighed.

"You are a bad girl my love," he scolded.

"Oh, Hercules, you are such a tease." Discord purred in her lovers ear.

End