(3) "When you die, you will both be coming to stay with me. I cannot state it much clearer than that." "You're lying. You must be." Gabrielle whispered, her voice controlled, staring over at the lovely face surrounded by long, dark hair, 'Xena and I," she glanced at her companion, "all of us have been fighting for the greater good for so long .... How can you possibly tell us that we will not be worthy of heaven?" "We were before." Iolaus added, "Both of us. The angel Michael ..." "You will try to triumph over your true natures but, in the end, it will be your undoing. Both of you feel a great anger in your hearts. You have done - each of you - something terrible in your past. A deed you consider unforgivable. It is unforgivable, no matter what Michael may tell you. Your past coupled with the future - a complete loss of control, a smoldering hatred for someone you think you love ... Well, it will not end well. You are each doomed to live out eternity in my realm." The past. Iolaus knew what he had done and it would haunt him forever. The future. No one knew what it might bring. Iolaus was troubled by Sin's words but something that had yet to happen was not for him to dwell on right now. He didn't know if he even believed her. How could he considering he and Hercules history with her? Iolaus glanced briefly at Gabrielle. But ...what was in her past? He could not imagine Gabrielle doing anything so reprehensible as to earn any form of endless torture. For her he said, "Clue us in. What can we expect?" Sin smiled and chuckled, "Now, that wouldn't be wise at all, would it? If I tell you what you're going to do it will ruin the surprise. Besides, you might try to correct it, thus robbing me once again of two souls I so desperately want. I'm not a fool, you know." Gabrielle looked from Sin to Iolaus. What could he have done in his past, she wondered, to feel such guilt? She knew what she had done and regretted it on so many different levels. But Iolaus ... He was a good, honest man. Sin was lying. Had to be. "If we're doomed already why are you even trying to tempt us?" Iolaus spoke skeptically, "We're destined, as you say, to become demons, to suffer in your pits of fire. You love that sort of thing, Sin. So, why offer us our 'hearts desire'? What's in it for you?" "I am a great believer in the truth." Sin walked away from them, a thoughtful and calculating smile playing about her lips. She rubbed her hands together as she explained, "It is because of my honesty that I live here, ruling over the demons below, and am not the lord and master over all heaven -- and earth." She stopped walking briefly but did not turn to look at the couple, "It's all about power, you know. Those who have the most souls win." Gabrielle, her voice tight and on the verge of losing an already frayed temper, said, "What do you want?" Sin glanced at Iolaus but spoke directly to Gabrielle, "Hercules and Xena have been thorns in my side for so very long. Both have robbed me of souls that should have *would have* been mine if they hadn't intervened. There will be others. Powerful men and women for me to feed on -- who will be going to The Light simply because Hercules and Xena stuck their noses in where they don't belong. What keeps them so honorable? What keeps Xena from turning to her dark side? What keeps Hercules from breaking his heroic vow? You. The meek yet oh so mighty sidekicks! Your influence here and now." Finally, Sin turned all the way around to look at her guests. She leaned against the sacrificial altar, " I could wait for that future time when you both trespass mightily and eventually die. But so many will be lost to me in the meantime. However, if you give in now - allowing yourselves to become my permanent guests from this day on - I will regain the power I have lost so much quicker. Xena and Hercules will be lost without your friendship and example ... and those they might have saved will be mine." A red hue radiated from her eyes now as she thought of an anticipated victory. Then, her attention again turned to Gabrielle and Iolaus, "I can make you life here in my realm gloriously blissful. I will give you anything you desire. All you have to do is agree. If not, later - when you die naturally - you will be cast down into the pits and suffer untold torments. Not just because you are deserving but because I will remember your decision when I gave you the chance to help me." She glanced at Gabrielle, "Do you recall what that was like, little bard? How much fun you had with Calisto? Do you want that again - forever?" Gabrielle could feel herself involuntarily shaking but her voice was strong as she said: "I'm putting my faith in The Light and Michael the archangel." "So am I." Iolaus said, "Michael did good by us ..." "Oh yes, Michael!" Sin spat venomously, "That wondrous being who is all truthful and wise. He who brought those enchanting Four Horsemen to earth. He who took great joy in releasing their wrath, just to test Hercules honor! What would have happened if the test failed? A world destroyed -- Total devastation!" Iolaus and Gabrielle backed up as Sin advanced on them, infuriated by their stubbornness. "That same archangel ..." she continued, " ... who asked you to do battle against Xena, Gabrielle! He wanted you to kill her in cold blood even though it was his mistake that put you and Xena in peril! Is this who you truly admire? Perhaps there is a good reason why you will both be joining me when you cease to live!" Sin moved forward, a shadow of Mephistopheles appearing on her lovely face, and for a few brief seconds appeared bent on annihilation. She raised her hands in a threatening gesture. Iolaus threw himself in front of Gabrielle in an attempting to shield her from what was coming next. A quick flash radiated from her fingertips. However, when Iolaus looked down at himself he was puzzled. No damage. His clothing had merely changed. He was attired entirely in black. Tight black pants, black boots and a crisscross of thin black leather straps for his shirt. His garments were studded with silver stones and left very little to the imagination. He turned to look at Gabrielle who was similarly attired. She wore a black gown, slit seductively up the side to her hip. The silver-trimmed neckline dipped low and was tempting. "You may call me a villain but don't call me a liar, my friends. I at least see beyond the foolishness those above try to drum into your heads. Think about what I have said, enjoy your stay here, and you can give me your decisions at a later time. For now ..." Again, Sin waved a hand in a dramatic fashion. The chamber was suddenly adorned with every pleasure the mortals could take in. Food, silkened draperies, drink, music, tapestries, pillows, handsome men and beautiful women, jugglers, dancing girls, incense and entertainment ... " ...eat and be content." Sin backed up and began to fade away, "I will await your answers." ******** "I think the same rules apply. Don't eat anything, Iolaus." Gabrielle said as her companion reached for an apple in the decorative fruit bowl he was offered, "I ate while I was in this realm and I paid for it - horribly." She averted her eyes from Iolaus stare, not wishing to dwell on the topic although he was plainly curious. Gabrielle was gratified he had the good sense and manners not to question her. Gabrielle doubted she'd ever get over being dragged down to hell by Mephistopheles' demons, then giving in to Calisto's demonic trap. One of her many regrets. And now here it was again. All the same temptations. That urge to give in was becoming too real as she looked at Iolaus, taking in his manliness and the bewitching clothes Sin had placed him in. Gabrielle tried hard not dwell on the hunter, and other salacious feelings, longer than she should. It was difficult. Everywhere they looked seduction loomed. Iolaus and Gabrielle sat next to each other, in the middle of the huge chamber, on an over-stuffed red sofa made of superlative fabric. They watched it all. The creatures who appeared so much like the mortals they once were - laughing, screaming and eating. An orgy, both literally and figuratively, to the senses - and it swirled about them, trying oh so hard to invade their minds and bodies. It didn't seem real but was. The revelers, all of whom danced to strange music and played like wild animals, were dirty and vile. They didn't have enough respect for themselves to realize what they were doing - all the vice they were allowing themselves to indulge in - was wrong. Or they just didn't care anymore. Love had lost its meaning. Only pleasure mattered. Yet later, both hunter and bard, would regretfully admit that - on a bizarre level - it was exciting and liberating -- beautiful even. But it's wrong. Iolaus drummed the thought into his head. WRONG. Gabrielle echoed her companion's thought. "Master ..." a young dark-haired woman bowed respectfully before Iolaus, her face innocent and her large brown eyes wide with an odd simplicity. In her hands she held a tray with golden goblets and a clear vessel of spirits, "... would you like drink?" she asked. "No." he said softly, gazing at the girl. The outfit she wore was a shimmering blue, thin and practically see-through. She also wore gold bands around her upper arms and calves. "Tell me," he said, "why are you here? What is your name?" "Cloe." the girl bowed once again, a bit shyly, "My husband ... he murdered me." "Oh?" Gabrielle's eyebrows lifted in suspicion as she leaned back on the sofa and folded her hands over a flat, black-clad stomach. "Why would he do that?" "I ... I was his second wife," Her expression grew somber, "My father made me marry him. He beat me often and thought only of his children ... and he ... killed me." A single teardrop rolled down her cheek, "His family sacrificed me to the Dark Lord and I became a slave to this world after death." Stunned and sympathetic, Iolaus stood and took the platter from Cloe. He placed it where he'd been sitting then stepped down to put a compassionate hand on her shoulder, "That's so wrong. You're obviously not like anyone else here." Michael flashed in his mind. When they got out of here just may be ... "Maybe I can help you ..." "I was to become a demon," she said, "but Mephistopheles told me that if I could please you I might reach a level in this underworld where I can stay a human mortal. I wouldn't have to toil below with the others ... I would just have to serve whoever he wanted." "How kind of him." Gabrielle spoke dryly, her expression bland. "And I'm sure you've shown your gratitude more than once, Cloe." Iolaus turned and looked at Gabrielle. He noted the skepticism in her somber expression and an degree of cruelty in her tone. It worried him. This girl had been wronged but the bard, she who had written sonnets about the good and corrupt, was not sympathetic at all. What was happening to her pure heart, he wondered. Could this place, all they were being exposed to, be corrupting Gabrielle? "Master, I ..." Cloe said something but the reveling was becoming louder about them. Iolaus leaned down to hear her. "I need to talk with you alone." she said and motioned to one of the chamber exits, "I need to tell you something vital." She then looked back at him, her innocuous eyes pleading. Iolaus nodded once and watched the serving girl walk away. He turned back to Gabrielle, who had been keeping an eye on their exchange, and spoke lowly. "Something's up, Gabrielle. I'm going to find out what it is." "Of course you will." Gabrielle said rather snidely then, when he began to move away, suddenly leaned forward. "Wait, Iolaus." She placed a warm hand on his arm and her expression was fearful, "I ... I don't trust her." Gabrielle said firmly, "Please be careful. Cloe may not be the victim she appears." Allowing a smile, charmed once again by the lovely bard he knew and admired - and sensing just a trace of jealousy - Iolaus touched her gently under the chin and smiled: "I'll be careful, I promise." Worried eyes followed Iolaus to the outlet. ***** CONTINUE