Subj: Vampires, Gods and Time 8 of ?
Date: 11/2/99 4:43:44 PM Central Standard Time
From: Mysterious Millicent

The road near Athens:

Barnabas walked down the well-worn path towards the city of Athens. As he walked he took in the sites and smells around him. Here, he was, Barnabas Collins, former vampire, former 20th Century occupant, well-aware of witchcraft and sorcery, now thrust in the very ancient past, where superstition was commonplace, where people worshipped gods that were petty and cruel. A place where mythological creatures abounded in great numbers.

And yet, through all of this, there was a true simplicity and peace in this time. Barnabas looked around and relished being able to walk out in the fresh, warm and clear crisp daytime. The sun shining down on him showing shades of pink, purple and yellow in the sky through white, whippy clouds that floated past, changing shapes with each moment. The grass; tall, thick and very green; the trees extremely large and strong; the flowers big, beautiful, exotic and intoxicating with aroma’s of various scents. It was enough to make one very glad to be alive and to forget one’s past.

Barnabas glanced up at the sound of sobbing. A woman was sitting near a tree, apparently the victim of some kind of robbery. He ran towards her and remembering what Zeus had told him cautiously approached the woman. When he neared her he could see that she had been beaten. There were bruise marks all over her arms and a large cut on her forehead. She flinched when Barnabas approached her.

“Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.” Barnabas said in a soft voice. Offering the woman his hand he helped her to her feet. Upon standing up she fell into his chest and Barnabas put his strong arms around her for support.

“Are you hurt? Can you stand?” Barnabas asked the woman.

The woman looked up into Barnabas’ eyes for a brief moment and he saw for a second before she lowered her head the tell-tale signs of the peacock in those eyes. {So she springs her trap this soon? She must be desperate indeed. I must be cautious.}

“Yes, I think so.” And then getting a grip on Barnabas’ shoulder, she straightened herself up and moved away from him. She was wearing a red tunic of shimmering fabric that draped her shoulders and form-fitted her well-endowed figure like a tight scarf. The fabric was split near the hips and hung apart to reveal her long and beautiful legs. She had long, beautiful black hair and her face was that of an angel. Barnabas was taken in for a brief moment by her beauty and then, remembering Zeus’ warning, steeled himself against her feminine appeal.

“What happened? Were you robbed? Is there anything I can do to help you?” Barnabas said as sincerely as he could. He was really having a hard time resisting her charms. But, this was for Hercules and he had to be careful.

“Yes.” Hera spoke softly. “They came upon me before I knew it.” And then looking up again into Barnabas’ eyes, Hera was overcome with the beauty of this man. His soft brown eyes were as enticing as any gods. His muscular arms, that were so very strong were irresistible and she could contain herself no longer.

Without any warning, she revealed herself in her true form with a blinding light. Barnabas was thrown back forcefully by the sudden light and power that appeared out of nowhere.

After a few moments, he regained his composure and found himself standing in a large room of walls that were as white as snow. There was a large tapestry on one wall that showed Zeus and Hera in bridal gear with many gods and goddesses surrounding them in nuptial bliss. He looked around and saw dressers made of pure gold, decorated with all kinds of elaborate and beautiful pictures, vases, mirrors and every type of luxury one would find in a royal bedroom. And then there was the large bed over to one wall. “Where am I”

“You are in my bedchamber on Mt. Olympus, Barnabas Collins.” said a female voice behind him.

Barnabas turned around and looked towards the door. There standing in the doorway was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Long, flowing black hair, deep-penetrating brown eyes, and a figure that would put any mortal woman to shame. She walked over closer to him.

“I am Hera, Queen of the Gods and I brought you here, because I desire you. You would not dare refuse me, would you mortal man?”

Barnabas smiled at Hera and said in a very low seductive voice, “No, my Queen. I would not disobey you. And I find you intoxicating. I am honored that you chose me, I hope I please you.”

“Then come and kiss me mortal man. I am seething with desire.” Hera said in a breathy tone.

Barnabas walked over to Hera and putting his arms around her, bent down and kissed her on the lips. The tasted of apricot, and the scent of her skin was that of almonds. She was indeed intoxicating as he had said. And more than that, he had never been kissed like this before. There was very little subtlety with Hera. In fact, she was all raw passion. And before he knew it they were on the bed-------

------------------------

Ares was working, trying to get a woman’s cart out of the mud. It would be so easy to just look at the cart and move it, but in order to keep up this stupid charade he had to pretend that he had no powers. He kept on grumbling hoping that Hera would let him know how much longer he would have to keep up this act. For three days he had been following Hercules around, helping out these stupid mortals with menial tasks. And he was beginning to get totally sick, not to mention all the blisters on his perfect skin that he had to allow to remain for the time being. That was the worst. He finally got the cart out and helped the woman on her way. Then he walked up the hill and found Hercules watching him.

“Well, how did I do bro?” Ares said somewhat cocky.

“Not bad, Ares, but---” and taking a cup out from under Ares tunic continued, “you might try to help with out taking a tip for yourself.”

“Aw come on, Hercules. It is hard enough for me trying to be,” and Ares had to swallow to keep from gagging, then said, “helpful. I can’t help being a little naughty.”

“Yes, well you will undo all you try to attempt if you can’t keep your sticky fingers to yourself, brother.”

Ares smiled and looked innocently at Hercules, “Now you see it, now you don’t!”

Before Hercules had a chance to reply Strife suddenly appeared and said, “Lord Ares, Graegus has broken loose. He found out where you hid Deianeira and-----” It was here that Srife suddenly saw Hercules and said, “Oops!”

Ares grabbed Strife’s tunic and flung him upwards from which he suddenly disappeared out of sight.

Hercules stood there staring at Ares. “You bastard. Lost your powers have you? This is the cruelest thing you have ever done.” And he moved towards Ares with lightning speed, but Ares was quicker and a fireball was flung at Hercules who fell back against a tree. Ares called out, “Archers, now!”

From out of nowhere, Hera’s archers suddenly appeared, bows drawn and as Hercules rose from the ground the arrows flew. Two of them hit Hercules, one in the chest and one in the arm. He screamed in pain then suddenly collapsed.

Ares smiled. “Good shot, girls.”

They smiled bowing low before Ares and then said, “You are welcome my Lord Ares.” And just
as quickly as they appeared, they disappeared.

Ares walked over to Hercules, who lay motionless on the ground, one arrow oozing blood in his arm and one seeping of pools of blood coming from his chest.

“Poor little brother. You are pathetic. Strongest man? Perhaps, but no longer! Now Mother will reward me for his. And Father will no longer have a favorite son! Goodbye, my one-time half-brother!” And Ares disappeared as maniacal laughter was heard in the distance!

BARNABAS COLLINS WAS NOT HARMED DURING THE TRANSPORTATION TO HERA’S BEDCHAMBER