copyright 1997 by Kerri Sokol
Chapter 1
The dreams came every night . Terrible , horrible dreams of fiery death that left the young woman who drempt them drenched in sweat. She woke up shaking and with tear stains on her face . She couldn't remember the last time she'd had a decent night's sleep. She pushed a stand of blonde hair from her eyes and stood up . She stretched her arms and legs , resigning herself to the fact that there would be no sleep again tonight.
The dreams were about the burning of her village by an evil warlord. It was claimed the fire was an accident , but the result was the same - almost the whole village had been desroyed . People had stayed in their houses to burn to death rather than face the army waiting outside . There were only a handful of survivors , one of which was this woman , who had been training with a martial arts master in a nearby village at the time. She had simply arrived too late to do anything . The woman's mother and sister had perished in the fire , and she was devastated . For days she did nothing but cry . She wouldn't eat and couldn't sleep . She became very angry for her loss and decided that some had to pay for it. The need for revenge had consumed her . She placed a name behind the attack .
It was Xena , the so-called warrior princess and her army who had done this. Xena , she vowed , you will pay for my familiy's deaths . I may as well be dead also , for I will never know laughter or love again . You took that away from me . Now I will do the same to you , even if it means i have to kill to do it . I don't want to kill anyone , but if they get in my way , I can show no mercy . You didn't . The only way to beat someone like you is to become you , and that's exactly what I 've done . My skills equal yours now . Xena , you created this monster , now you're just going to have to deal with it , she thought darkly .
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps form behind her . She grabbed her sword from beside the campfire and turned around to see a handsome man with brown eyes and hair standing there . " You won't need that " he said , motioning to the sword . Seeing from the woman's expression that he'd better have an explaination for this - and fast - the man said to her " Callisto , I am the god Hades and there is an important matter we need to discuss . " " Hades ? What could you possibly wa nt with me ? Am I dead ? " asked Callisto hopefully . " No . " , the god answered, " but we need to talk. "" About what ? " she wanted to know . " About your future , Callisto . " said Hades .
Chapter 2
" What do you mean ? My future hasn't even happened yet . " Callisto told him. Hades smiled , not very pleasantly . ' We're gods ! " , he said , " We have ways of knowing these things . Don't ever underestimate our power. " The god paused for just a second , considering what to say . " You are traveling a very dangerous road here . " , he continued , " There are two paths ahead of you . choose the wrong one and your soul will be doomed forever . " " It already is ." Callisto said harshly . Hades gave her a sympathetic look . It almost seemed as if he wished to comfort her . Callisto wondered briefly if this was an attempt at seduction . If it was , she wanted no part of it . " I came here with an offer for you . " said the god , " I will show you a glimpse into your future if you follow the path you are now on . If you want that future , fine ; I will leave when we are through . I think you will wish to change you fate , however . You may do so by doing me a small favor . "
" What kind of favor ? " asked Callisto . " One that needsyour particular talents to get done correctly . You won't have to kill anyone ....." '" It wouldn't matter if I did " Callisto told him , not sure if she was trying to convince him or herself . " However , you will be working with someone . " Hades said . Callisto reminded him coldly , " I work alone until I say otherwise . No one , god or man , tells me what to do . " " Very well " , Hades replied , " But I'm quickly growing tire d of your attitude . I am a fair god , and demand only respect . If you cannot give me that , I can choose someone else for my task . You have been presented with a very special opportunity to change your life . I wouldn' t waste it.. " " Okay . " , agreed Callisto , " I'd like you to show me my future . " Visions of a dead Xena danced through her mind . " As you wish . " , said Hades , bowing , and the campsite was gone in a blaze of white light .
Chapter 3
Hades and Callisto materialized in a huge field . Callisto was surprised to see another , slightly older , version of herself standing over a man's body with her sword in hand . She watched horrified as the other Callisto plinged the sword into the man and took off on horseback , laughing . The man staggered back into the arms of a blonde woman who was slightly younger than Callisto herself . The woman cried as she held the man's now limp and lifeless body . Then Xena was there comforting the woman as best she could . " Xena was there . She could have stopped me if she wanted to . " stated Callisto . " Why didn't I just kill her then ? Who was that man ? Was he part of Xena's army and that's why I killed him ? And who's the girl ? What does she have to do with this ? " she asked .
Hades sighed and said '" You ask many questions .Some I can answer and some only you can answer yourself . That man wasn't partof Xena's army - far too young His name is Perdicas . The only connection he has to Xena is that he married her best friend , Gabrielle - the girl . I didn't know people like us have friends , Xena , thought Callisto . " So I killed the friend's husband in order to cause her best friend , and thus Xena , pain ? " she ventured . " I can see your heart and emotions , but your motivations are sometimes beyond even me . In this world , you exist solely to cause Xena pain. ... " Hades said . " As it should be . She took everything away from me . " Callisto said angrily . Again Hades gave her that odd look. " I understand your grief and rage , but you can't allow it to control you " he said .
" If you do , a number of things happen . First ," , he explained , '" You become a monster equal of the person you claim so much to hate . Second , you're responsible for sending thousands to Tartarus and the Elysian Fields before their times were really due. This creates a serious population problem for me . Third , you end up in Tartarus yourself , courtesy of Xena letting you drown in some quicksand during a battle. You'll never beat her , Callisto . Give up this hate and anger . Take my offer to change this future while you still can. " Callisto still looked unconvinced. " If I , a god , cannot convince you , maybe this will . " Hades said , and there was another blaze of light .
This time , they appeared in a utterily destroyed village . Fires still burned and there were bodies strewn acroos the ground . Men , women and children had died horribly here. Off to the right , Callisto could see the bodies of a mother and chils who had died together . It was more than she could bear . Her voice was tight and her face hot as she asked Hades " Xena did this , didn' t she ? Why hasn't she had to pay ? How many have to suffer ? " " No , it wasn't Xena who attacked this place.. " , he told her . " Then who was it ? Who did this ? " Callisto asked , not sure she really wanted to know . " It was YOU , Callisto . You and your army . I told you that you became a monster . " Hades words hit her as hard as any punch could have . It felt as though she'd actually been hit . Tears welled up in her eyes , but she refused to let them fall . " Maybe I am a monster . but not here and not now . Xena will pay for her crimes , but this isn't the way to make that happen . You said if I did this favor of yours , I'd be able to change my future . What do I have to do and who am I working with ? " she asked . Hades smiled . " I'll explain the what when we go pick up your companion , whom you don't know yet, by the way . Are you ready , then ? " he said . Callisto said " Yes . " and the blaze of lght overtook them again .
Chapter 4
Callisto was surprised at their next stop - the Elysian Fields . Hades left her alone for a minute while he went to get whoever it was that she was working with in this escapade. It was nice here , she thought . The sun beat down , but it wasn't too hot , and there was a cool breeze . There were birds singing and trees and flowers all around . It's too bad I'm never going to see this place again . Have I made the right choices in my life ? , she wondered briefly . She also wondered who Hades could possibly get to be her partner . Probably some goody - goody who would never understand me or what I've been through . I'm beginning not to like her already , Callisto thought glumly . Hades reappeared with someone . It was a woman . An attractive woman with dark eyes and very dark hair who stood an inch or two shorter than Callisto. This woman wore a wicked looking bow and arrow set on her back " Callisto , I'd like you to meet Nemesis . " said Hades .
Nemesis ... Callisto had heard that name before but couldn't recall from where . Then , she remembered it from a tale her uncle had told her when she was very small . " The godess of retribution ? " she asked . " In my human form , of course . Which , unfortunately , I must keep for the duration of this mission. " Nemesis answered crankily . " My dear , you know I'd undo Hera's spell if I could . It's simply too powerful . Besides , I gave Hera my word I wouldn't even try . She said it was the only way to keep you in line while she loaned you to me ." Hades told her . Anger flared in Nemesis' eyes . " I am not chattel and do not appreciate being treated this way ! " she said . " It's not my fault you got stripped of your powers, It's Hera's . Take it up with her when you get back to Olympus . " Hades said, dismissing her complaints. " But , I .. " Nemesis began. " SILENCE ! " roared the god . Callisto finally understood how Hades might have acqiured his fearsome reputation and was thankful she was not the target of his anger. " Thank you ' he said , looking at both women , he suggested , " Why don't you two ladies talk for a bit . I need to go check on Sisiphys to make sure he hasn't tried to escape again. . I'll be back shortly. "
Hades disappeared , and Nemesis and Callisto exchanged a " So , what did you do to get in here ? ' type of look. Nemesis spoke first . " Hello , Callisto . Hades told me a little about you . Sorry about your mother and sister , but the rage and pain will subside eventually , if you let them. " she said . " What would you know of my rage and pain ? " Callisto asked heatedly. Nemesis was apparently unfazed by this outburst or simply chose to ignore it . " I AM that rage and pain . I am the godess of retribution , after all . ' she answered . For once , Callisto had no quick comeback ready. ' I'll make this clear right now. I just want my powers back ; that's the only reason I agreed to this I'm not out to become your best friend or anything . I don't have friends . But it would help if we agreed to work together to get out of this as qiuckly as possible . " Callisto completely agreed with these sentimants . Perhaps this godess could be dealt with . She held out her hand , saying , " To a sucessful partnership , then. " Nemesis took the hand briefly , then Hades came back , muttering something that sounded like ' supposed to be an easy favor . " He turned to the two women . " You are NOT going to like this ." he said
Chapter 5
Nemesis and Callisto just stared at Hades . " What's wrong ? " asked Nemesis . " Apparently my little favor has just become a huge favor . Someone took my staff that contains the power to control the undead . Without it , soon all the souls in Tartarus will be able to break free into the land of the living . If that happens ... Well, it just can't happen ! It would mean disaster for both the living and the dead . Your job was supposed to be to simply go and get it back . I know exactly where it is - in the border that separates Tartarus from the Elysian Fields . It's not too far away from here. There's a big cave : easy to spot . The problem is the dragon ..." Hades explained .
" The dragon ? " both Nemesis and Callisto said at the same time Hades continued saying , " You see , Iwould have settled this myself , but the staff is now guarded by that dragon , and there's a spell on the dragon that will prevent him from giving .up the staff to any god , including me . Apparently , my brother thought the tempatation to use all of Tartarus as an army might be too much for the rest of us gods to handle . However , the staff could be extremely dangerous in the hands of a mortal who has bad intentions . All they have to do is figure out how to cast the spe ll that powers that staff , and poof - instant undead army . This army would be unstoppable . You can't kill someone who is already dead , so this army could go on terrorizing the world forever ! " " And whoever was killed by this army would probably end up joining them . " theorized Callisto . " Not every single person . Only those who had tortured souls in the first place. But that's bad enough . You can now understand why I needed your help , I think . " answered Hades . " Yes , and we'd better do this right away . " said Nemesis .
" Are you ready , Callisto ? " she asked . " As ready as I'll ever be to get burt to a crisp by a dragon . " Callisto said . Hades told them ' I ' ll transport you the cave's entrance . If you're lucky , the dragon will be sleeping . If not , just try to get that staff back to me . " The two women both nodded in agreement , and Hades trnasported them in the blaze of light .
Chapter 6
Nemesis and Callisto stood outside the cave now . " So , what's the plan ? " asked Nemesis . Callisto smiled . " You're the godess . I thoght you would have a plan ." she said . " What do you say we go in there one at time . That way if one of us gets the staff , it will at least go back to Hades . I'll go first . If you don't hear anything , then leave or try to get the staff yourself . Otherwise , I'll give a shout . Listen carefully , though , because obviously , we don't want to wake up that dragon if he's asleep . " Nemesis stated . " Fine with me . I think I'll stay on the left side of the entrance . Less chance of him seeing me there . Oh , and Nemesis .... " ; " Yes " she said : " Good luck . " Callisto told her .
Nemesis went into the cave , bow and arrow drawn . She couldn't believe Hades had gotten himself in to a mess this big . The consequences if she failed were more than just not getting her godhood back now . It was the entire world at stake . She pushed the thought out of her mind when she saw the dragon sleping peacefully , the staff about three feet away from him . This would have been so easy if I had my pwers , she thought . She crouched low to the ground and moved silently toward the staff . She had it in her hand when the dragon stirred . She forgot all caution and started to run as soon as she saw that huge eye open.
Callisto was standing at the entrance ready for any sign of trouble . Her hand rested on the hilt of her sword as she scanned what she could see of the cave . Then , she heard Nemesis shouts and saw her running towards the entrance . " Dragon ! Awake ! Following me ! Have staff ! " she was saying . Callisto looked around and found an indentation in the rock that might serve as some sort of door for the cave . Callisto saw Nemesis coming closer and gripped her fingers on the indentation and pushed . To her surprise , nothing happened. . She ran towards Nemesis , who slipped and fell on uneven footing . The dragon was close behind , and the staff fell from the godeess' hands when she slipped . Callisto was nearby at this time , and just as the dragon neared Nemesis , she executed a forward roll that placed her betwen Nemesis , the dragon , and the staff . She quickly grabbed the staff and helped Nemesis to her feet . The dragon was not pleased and looked ready to toast them both . He came closer , clearly getting ready to breathe fire . ... At that moment , white light enveloped the women .
They were safe . Hades had taken them back the Elysian Fields . Callisto's heart was still racing . What a rush ! , she thought , I wonder if diong this all the time would be as exciting . Probably not . Who wants to be stuck being honest and decent all of the time ? it would be so boring .... Hades was saying " That was very brave of both of you . I can't thank you enough . the whole world oews who it's thanks , even if they do not know it . Nemesis , they're expecting you on Olympus right now . Hrera might have changed her mind about your powers . " " Good ! And by the way , I hope you know Callisto probably saved my life back there . I may not be able to give her a reward myself , so please see that she does get a fair reward . " She turned to Callisto and said " I need to get back to find out if my sentence is removed . I want you to know that no matter what you think of yourself , you are special and you shouldn't waste that on blind vengance and hatred . I hope in time you'll realize that , too . I'll be around if you ever really need anything . In the meantime , goodbye my.. I almost said friend , until I remembered I don't have any " Nemesis said lightly , and Callisto could tell she didn't really mean it . " Goodbye , Callisto " she said , and then Hades waved his hand with a flash of light and she was gone .
Hades turned to Callisto " So are you ready to receive your reward ? " " Yes , I am . I have a lot to think about , but I know that I can now focus on justice for my family instead of revenge . I'd like all of my future crimes to be erased : to start with a claen slate . " Callisto said . " I will do as you ask . Your future will now be your own instead of belonging to the hatred of Xena . I came to you with my offer because I thought you were capable of so much more . You did not disappiont me . Goodbye , Callisto and may you find peace in your future now . " Hades told her , then smiled slowly and disappeared .
Epilogue
Callisto awoke with a start . She didn't even remember falling asleep . The last thing she remembered was that there was a man at the camp ...the god. Hades ! The details wrere a blur right now . She knew they would come back eventually . As she tried to fall back to sleep ,the oddest feeling overcame her , a feeling she hadn't had in many years . it was a feeling of peace and tranquility filled with the knowledge that sometimes there was justice in the world , after all .
copyright 1997 by Kerri Sokol