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These pages were last updated: December 18, 1997
©December 1997
The following is a bit of alternative fiction based on certain characters from the Xenaverse. It is not meant to infringe on anyone else's rights. If you don't agree or disapprove, please go read something else.
SQUICK alert: This Tartarus for Hell's sake! Expect grodities.
Xex Alert: Yep there will be. Soon!!
There was at least an inch of dust on everything in the Temple. Melosa thought, of all the things she'd seen in Tartarus, this was perhaps the most depressing. She let her finger slide inside the surface of the empty bowl. It was well oiled wood underneath all that. At one time, this place had been cared for.
In Elysia, the Gods were forgotten because in paradise you didn't need them. In Tartarus, one probably needed the gods more than ever. Yet no one dared to call on them. It was because, their youngish tour guide said, those who were in Tartarus had all betrayed the gods in one way or another, or at least themselves. Who felt worthy enough? They needed, yet no one could reach. . or else there were other things holding them back. It was a horrible irony.
When she'd asked, "Why bother having a temple then?" that was when the hurt of it really hit.
"Because enough of us loved them at one time." the dark blue demoness replied. Her red glowing eyes took in the dust and Melosa thought she saw her flinch in shame. "We betrayed her, but we loved her."
Oriena looked around the space, her hands on her hips. "Well, I for one, think this place needs a cleaning. What good is a temple if it's not cared for, at least."
Their guide spoke defensively, "It used to be. Izzy. . ." She shifted on her feet, but didn't continue. Melosa lifted her eyes from the bowl she now held in her hand. The grain was beautiful and one could tell it was a whole piece. Whoever made it, had spent a good amount of time on the item. She dreaded to set it down on the table.
She turned to the guide, her eyes flashing. Her expression brooked no argument. "Get some people. Let's get this placed cleaned up and the fire lit. Tartarus or not, if a temple is here, it should be used." The startled demoness looked confused until Melosa ordered, without even coming near to a shout, "Move!"
The demoness scattered out of the temple, her nails clicking on the wooden floor. Oriena looked briefly at her lover then at Melosa. "You think it will do any good?"
The Queen of the Amazons, one of a long line, shrugged. "It doesn't matter if it does, really. I just. . .IF Artemis can be here, we should make the way." Melosa nodded her head grimly. "I begin to think Tartarus may need her." She snaked an arm around her lover's waist, "Besides, even if they don't need her, I do." Melosa shivered. "We need all the allies we can get on this trip. . ."
"And you want to find Meredith." Oriena intuited.
"And I want to find Merideth." Melosa smiled. "If anyone would know where she was. . ."
"It would be Artemis." They smiled at each other.
The Queen set the bowl down carefully in the dust. She sighed, "She used to be a favorite of the goddess. . ."
The blonde comforted her companion, "Maybe she still is?"
Melosa smiled grimly, "There's no way to know until we ask." She lifted her eyes to the ceiling, "and I've a feeling not much of that gets done around here."
Penho pushed Salmoneus prone into the hole in the floor. Then gave him a forceful kiss. "Make no noise! I'll come get you when it's safe." Then she shut him in the dark.
He heard something scraping over the floor and found himself almost holding his breath. It was so dark. He could feel the pressure of it tingling against his skin. He had to bite his cheek to keep from screaming.
It was organized pandemonium in the village as the Tartaran Amazons hurried to gather their weapons and secure Junon. Their guide explained it all too briefly, "Cannibals." She'd sneered the words as dropped the oiled rag in her hand, "They call themselves Amazons, but they're not any of them of the tribe. Not on this or any level. They have no honor and make no trade. Even Izzy. . ."
Once again she didn't complete the sentence. Melosa filed the information away, making her own assumptions. She could almost guess what was implied, but there was no way for her to know. Instead she belted her sword back on and helped her lover with hers. Their other weapons were in the Queen's hut. They would have to work with what they had.
The Tartaran noted their preparations. "You don't have to do this."
Oriena grinned fiercely. "We're Amazons." Melosa nodded and finished the buckle.
Their guide smiled for the first time since meeting them. She waved a great paw of a hand. "Follow me."
Marcus did *NOT* appreciate being put in the ground and wouldn't budge. He folded his arms and looked grim. Perdicus, while a touch more cooperative, would not leave Marcus. Izzy tried reasoning, but didn't have enough time to argue. It was too dangerous. They said they could deal with danger. So she took them someplace else. She put them in with the kids and past the two massive muscularTartarans who guarded them.
"Fine," she'd said, "Then make yourself useful."
They'd found themselves looking at various young females, both human and non, some of which were very young indeed. This time, when Izzy shut the door to storage room, Marcus didn't grumble. He drew his sword and took a position on the left of the door. Perdicus took a position in the front of the group and drew his own weapon. She might not let them fight out there, but if the battle made it's way in here, they would be ready.
Xenite Temple | Fan Fiction Site | Home Page
These pages were last updated: December 18, 1997
©December 1997