Disclaimer - these characters are the property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures and no attempt is made to infringe the copyright thereof. We are just borrowing them and will give them back at the end of the story!


SACRIFICES

by Ruric



"Apollo!" the hoarse, tortured scream rang aloud, shattering the silence and stillness of the evening.

There were no stars visible, the unremitting blackness of the night was only alleviated by the soft, silvery glow the moon cast over the fallen stones of the temple. Selene was back in the night skies, now the battle was over Zeus had removed his ban on her and Helios appearing. Dark shadows lurked around the shattered walls and tumbled masonry, almost appearing solid enough to reach out and touch.

"Apollo... where in Tartarus are you? I NEED you!" the baritone voice was strained with suppressed emotion, echoing around the relics of the temple, bouncing back from the ruins, to surround and ring loudly in the ears of its owner.

The tall, well built man almost seemed to blend into the surroundings. He appeared to be clad totally in black, until the faint light of the moon illuminated the polished, silver decoration on his clothing. Soft black leather vest, pants and boots. His tousled, heavy, black hair fell in disorderly curls to his shoulders, and a glint of silver could be seen at his left ear. The moon reflected off his pale skin, making him a
study in silver and black. His sideburns emphasised the high cheekbones and a trimmed black beard surrounded a sensual and full lipped mouth.

He stood apparently quiescent now, in the centre of the temple.....waiting. He had no doubt that his brother had heard his summons .... and would appear in his own sweet time.

His biceps flexed and shoulders tensed with the weight of the burden he bore. Glancing down his brow furrowed with worry as he registered the pallor of the man cradled in his arms. Chestnut hair fell away from the man's brow revealing a finely sculptured but unnaturally pale face. His breathing was laboured and shallow; his mustard coloured shirt and leather pants were stained heavily with blood, and one arm dangled loosely down towards the ground.

The darkly clad man had just taken in a sharp breath preparing to bellow once more for his brother's attention when he noticed a shimmering behind the altar. A golden light erupted across the temple for a moment before a figure coalesced into being.

The new arrival was as tall and well muscled as his visitor but his appearance formed a complete contrast. He had the same high cheekbones (anyone lining up the three men would have seen some familial resemblance between them), but where the other had deep brown eyes this man's were a piercing, crystal blue. The colour of a summer sky, or a fresh mountain lake. His hair, the rich gold of sun ripened corn fell in a rippling and curling tide to his waist. He carried a heavy gold shield over his right arm, and was clad in shining golden armour, consisting of a breast plate heavily decorated and embossed with the emblems of chariots and the sun, the solar symbols being repeated on the arm guards and greaves. Underneath this protection he wore a knee length, white cotton chiton which left a remarkable amount of firm, tanned flesh on display. The entire effect was completely stunning as if Helios had risen from his slumbers to suddenly appear in the temple.

The dark clad man resisted the almost overpowering urge to look away from the blazing, aureate figure and instead squinted crossly at the dazzling vision before him.

"Gods, Apollo! Tone it down before you blind me, will you?" he asked shortly.

"Oh, sorry, Ares, didn't know it was you," he apologised. The voice was melodic, almost musical, reminiscent of a lyre string gently plucked.

It was only as the magical light around the god dimmed that it was possible to see that his armour was battered, showing the effects of a serious battle. The dazzling white clothing was, perhaps, not as clean as it could be, and indeed that the god himself bore many half healed wounds on his burnished skin.

"What happened?" he questioned, taking in the tableau before him and the careful way in which his brother cradled the other.

"Hercules was badly hurt in that last battle. Hippolytus attacked me and Hercules took the blow instead, before cutting him down. He saved my life, Apollo, and I think it may cost him his own." Ares voice almost broke on the last words as he remembered the ferocious battles the gods had just fought against the Giants in their uprising.

The gods had been helpless. Without Hercules they would have been lost, as none of the Giants could be killed by the gods acting on their own. Zeus' half-human son had, as Hera forecast, been the only one able to strike the death blow. They had battled for days, engaging the Giants, wearing them down and then giving Hercules the opportunity to strike the last blow. Apollo and Hercules had already saved Ares' life once in the battle, defeating Ephialtes, the leader of the Giants, by blinding him,
before Hercules killed him.

When the remaining Giants had realised they were losing the battle they had fled to Bathus, near Arcadian Trapezus to make their final stand.Most of the gods had, by that stage been exhausted and it was left to Hercules and Ares, along with Hermes and Artemis to finish the fight.

"I brought him to you, because you're the only one who could heal him," Ares growled, voice deep and rough with fear for the one he carried.

"Bring him over here so I can see," Apollo gestured in front of him.

Ares placed Hercules on the white, marble altar and opened his shirt so that the God of Healing could view the extent of the injury. Apollo's breath hissed through his teeth as he studied the wound. "The sword must have been ensorcelled to injure him so badly."

Ares nodded his agreement, gently brushing the hair from Hercules' face before turning to leave.

"Wait!" Apollo called out after him. "Where are you going? Don't you want to stay?"

Ares shook his head, not even turning around as he walked away. "You know what you have to do, Apollo. I leave him in your care." With a shimmer of silver he disappeared.

The older god contemplated the man lying on his altar. Yes - he could save him. But.... if he continued to follow Ares he would surely die. Holding his hands above the wounded man he sent his senses spiralling outwards, calling upon his healing gift to aid the man before him, envisaging the wound healed and closed. A golden nimbus rose, surrounding the two of them and covering the altar. Apollo had no idea
how long he remained in the healing trance.

As the glow finally died away, Apollo opened his eyes to study the figure before him. Healing a half-god was much harder than healing a mortal, and for a moment Apollo slumped weakly against the altar as exhaustion threatened to overwhelm him. Performing the healing trance after battling against the Giants for so long had almost drained his remaining magical reserves. However, it had been worthwhile, the wound was healed, completely, not even a scar remained. Hercules would sleep now, giving his body time to recover and time for Apollo to regain his powers. With
the last of his waning magical strength he constructed a small shelter amongst the remains for them. It was not luxurious, being little more than a covered bower with a bed of grasses and ferns covered with heavy blankets and furs. He carried Hercules over to the bed, lowered him slowly and removed his blood stained clothing. Finally Apollo shrugged gratefully out of his own armour and chiton before curling next to the demi-god to sleep the sleep of the exhausted.

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

The demi-god felt the warmth of the sun shining down on him. It had been days since he had felt such warmth, the battle must be over, they must have defeated the Giants. Keeping his eyes closed he tried to recall what had happened. He remembered seeing Ares staggering under the strength and number of the blows that Hippolytus was raining down on him. Then the dark god had stumbled, leaving himself momentarily unprotected, and a feral grin of victory had spread across the Giant's monstrous face.

Hercules had seen Hippolytus start a slow lunge forwards, his obvious intention being to skewer Ares with his massive iron sword. The demi-god had seen no fear, only a defiant light, in Ares' eyes as he met the Giant's gaze, realising there was no chance to block the oncoming blow. Hercules didn't even have time to voice a scream of anger. He'd simply scrambled frantically across the few feet separating him from the two figures, hurled himself in front of Ares shoving the god roughly
backwards, and brought his own sword around in a swinging, double-handed arc. It was a move born of desperation, and meant that his right side was completely exposed.

The demi-god had heard Ares yell in surprise as he was pushed out of the way, and had seen a grin of delight spread across Hippolytus' face. Hercules gasped feeling the burning pain as the sword penetrated his side. The Giant's delight only last a second, however, as the demi-god's completion of the powerful double-handed blow neatly severed Hippolytus' head from his body.

Hercules dimly heard Ares' hissed "Yes" of victory as the world spun crazily around him. The Giant's body tumbled away and Hercules slumped to his knees, blazing agony radiating outwards from the wound, as he collapsed backwards into the God of War's waiting arms.

He was vaguely aware of the strong arms supporting him, as his vision hazed to grey and angry red, and he closed his eyes against the pain.

"What in Tartarus did you think you were doing?!" demanded the angry voice.

With a supreme effort Hercules opened his eyes and looked up into his half-brother's face.

"Saving your life?" he tried for a wry grin, but felt it twist and turn into a grimace of pain.

"Gods! Won't you ever learn tactics!" Ares exclaimed angrily. "I was expendable, you fool! We all were, Apollo, Artemis, Hermes, all of us, except you. You were the only one who could kill them. What would have happened if that idiotic move hadn't worked and he'd killed you? Who would have been left to carry on the fight! They'd have wiped us out, one by one, and then started on the mortals. And look at you now, you're bleeding like a stuck pig and I have to get you to Apollo...."

Ares pulled Hercules roughly into his arms, before standing. Muttering all the time to himself and wondering how come he ended up with a half- human, stunningly good looking half-brother, who flaunted his evident physicality at every opportunity and who could also put up with Ares' black moods and temper tantrums. Ares had finally succumbed to his younger brother. The good natured teasing and companionship offered had, in the end, been too difficult to resist. It was a relationship that had
been bound to end in disaster, and Ares knew that if he continued with it Hercules would probably end up resident in Hades' realms long before his time. He had to end it and end it soon, but he didn't know what to say to Hercules to make him understand.....

Hercules had listened as Ares ranted at him. He knew the angry words were partly justified, that the risk he had just taken had been foolish. But he'd been unable to bear the thought that Hippolytus would kill Ares. And at least the angry words gave some evidence that his elder brother was concerned for his welfare. Hercules was unable to stop the groan of pain as Ares pulled him into his arms and stood up. The world finally, thankfully, faded around him as he lost consciousness.

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

Hercules became aware of the warmth of another body pressed against his back, of an arm slung loosely across his waist holding him close. Ares, he thought groggily. Eyes shut, still half asleep he rolled over, lips seeking those of his lover. The god answered willingly to the demands of the kiss, deepening it and Hercules could feel the response in his lover's body as he pressed nearer. Arms encircled him, pulling him closer still, but a little voice started to interrupt the erotic fantasy his mind was spinning. There was something not quite right.....

He told the annoying voice to shut up, and allowed his hands to roam the contours of the body holding him, strong arms, muscular back....... still, his hands continued on their journey, as his own body's demands became more insistent. He reached to ruffle his hands through Ares' hair, long, thick hair that ran down his back........

....he stopped short, finally listening to the persistent voice. Not Ares, no beard and very long hair. He pushed against the body, snaking backwards a little as his eyes flew open in surprise. Shocked azure eyes looked straight into amused crystalline blue ones.

"A..Ap..Apollo," he managed to gasp in astonishment. "Wh..what are you doing here?"

Apollo propped himself up on one elbow and gazed down into Hercules' face.

"Helping you celebrate being alive instead of skewered dead on some battle field. If you'll let me?" the god suggested with a wicked grin.

Without giving the demi-god time to reply Apollo leaned closer, capturing the mobile mouth once more in a questioning kiss. His other hand slid enticingly down Hercules' body, pausing to tease his nipples into taut points of pleasure. The demi-god hadn't realised he was naked beneath the blankets and furs until the hand stroking him moved temptingly lower. Brushing across his belly, but avoiding his aching erection, Apollo caressed the tender skin of inner thighs.

Hercules' found himself moaning in pleasure against the god's mouth and thrusting his hips closer to Apollo's body. The god moved, without breaking the demanding kiss, one hand pushing against Hercules' knee, as he shifted his position to kneel between the demi-god's parted legs. His hands continued to caress the muscular body beneath him, tracing slow, lazy strokes from chest down to hips, tantalisingly moving across Hercules' groin, before retracing the path upwards to the broad chest
again.

The god finally broke the kiss and Hercules gasped in pleasure as the hot mouth followed the passage of the hands downwards. Pausing briefly to suckle each nipple into stiff points of pleasure, Apollo's tongue continued it's downwards journey. Hercules was conscious of hot, wet, teasing patterns being traced around his navel, and the sensation of the god's silken hair falling over his body, before Apollo blew warm breath gently over his straining erection.

Hercules opened his eyes as his rigid cock was finally engulfed by the warmth of Apollo's mouth. From chest to groin his body was covered by silken cloud of Apollo's golden hair. For a moment he was entranced by the different shades of gold visible as the sunlight danced across Apollo's curling locks, from deep burnished gold to almost white blond. Then he realised although he could feel what Apollo was doing he couldn't see anything.

He knotted his left hand into the rich golden mane, pulling it to one side. As he did so, Apollo's left hand moved to anchor the base of Hercules' cock as his mouth slid from base to tip. The god raised his head, crystalline blue eyes dancing with amusement and desire, aware of Hercules' gaze. His tongue flicked out, teasing the weeping slit of Hercules' cock and then tracing the sensitive underside of the head. The demi-god groaned aloud and attempted to thrust his hips upwards, only to find Apollo's hand firmly preventing such movement.

The finger's of Apollo's right hand caressed the slit of Hercules' cock, catching some of the pearly essence and then moved down between his parted legs as Apollo's mouth again claimed it's prize. Hercules was lost to sensation. As the god slowly engulfed Hercules' cock once more, one finger gently pressed against his anus and slowly penetrated him, wringing a muffled moan from the demi-god. A second digit was introduced carefully stretching the tight opening.

Apollo increased the speed of movement of his mouth and hand on Hercules' cock, feeling the demi-god tense beneath him and aware of the increased sounds of shallow panting. He felt Hercules' cock pulse beneath him as hot ejaculate spurted into his mouth. He swallowed once and removing his finger's from Hercules' anus caught the remains of the pearly fluid in his right hand.

As the final tremors of Hercules' orgasm racked his body, Apollo coated his own cock with Hercules' seed and slowly pushed himself into Hercules' tight opening. As the head of his cock entered Hercules, Apollo leaned down over the demi-god, capturing his mouth once more. Apollo's tongue entered Hercules' mouth, twisting with his own as the god fully penetrated him, and then paused for a moment, simply kissing him.

When Hercules was just about to scream with frustration Apollo started to move within him. Long, slow strokes, gradually increasing in speed. The god supported his weight on his arms as he gazed down into Hercules' flushed face, his curtain of golden hair surrounding both of them. Apollo twisted, adjusting his angle until he was hitting the secret spot within Hercules at every thrust. Hercules felt his body clamp around the god and shouted in pleasure as he came, and he felt Apollo follow him over the precipice of pleasure, spurting hotly into his depths.

Apollo's trembling arms lowered his body, as he slid from Hercules' warmth and he nestled his head next to the demi-god's. Hercules reached one hand to claw the mass of golden hair away from his own face and then pushed it away from Apollo's, to reveal the high cheekbones and blue eyes. The expression he saw there sent a shiver of denial through his frame. Apollo's gaze reflected fulfilment but also compassion and sadness, and at that moment, with an undeniable sense of dread, Hercules knew.

"Ares, he's not coming back, is he?" he questioned huskily.

Apollo looked at him unflinchingly. "No, I'm sorry, Hercules, but he won't be back."

The empathy and understanding in the steady blue gaze almost unmanned him, as the pain lanced through his heart and into his soul.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Hercules shook his head, dumbly, for a second not trusting his voice, as tears welled in his eyes.

The golden god pulled him into a warm embrace offering what comfort he could as Hercules wept for what had been, and what could have been.

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

Ares watched from behind one of the remaining pillars of the temple. His dark clothing, and the thick blackness of the night allowed him to observe the two figures. The tenderness as they embraced for the last time told him all that he needed to know. He watched as Hercules walked away from Apollo and into a new life.

"You can come out now," the melodic voice of Apollo disturbed him from his reverie.

He walked into the centre of the temple, before sitting on the altar with his back towards his sibling. He didn't particularly want to experience the golden beauty of his brother at the moment. He looked in the direction Hercules had departed straining his enhanced vision to catch once last glimpse of the demi-god.

He was suddenly conscious of strong arms surrounding him, pulling him into an embrace and he leaned backwards into Apollo's grasp. The Sun God's chin rested on his shoulder, his voice quiet in Ares' ear, breath tickling his long hair as he spoke.

"You did the right thing, you know. No matter how good a soldier he was, he couldn't have been the leader of your armies. It would have destroyed him in the end. He's half-human and too good Ares. He sees everything as black and white.... there is no grey. Simple solutions to simple problems. He has no concept at all of the long term. Killing the Giants took its toll on him as well. You were right to release him to go to meet his destiny."

"Fine!" Ares agreed bitterly shrugging off Apollo's embrace. "But what about me?" he resented the fact that his pain was so obvious in his voice. The last thing he wanted at the moment was sympathy and understanding, he wanted to tear flesh from bone, in fact he could quite happily start several small battles and at least one major conflagration in his present mood.

Apollo sighed, recognising the tension in Ares' hunched figure. When he was in this sort of mood there were only two ways to distract him, and Apollo thought that the world had seen enough of battles and wars for the time being, thank you very much.

Footsteps sounded softly as Apollo walked around the altar coming to stand in front of his darker sibling. The Sun god leaned forwards his golden glow pushing back the customary darkness that surrounded the other.

His hand trailed down Ares face, thumb caressing the God of War's full lips, before grabbing a double handful of Ares' vest and pulling him roughly to his feet. He ground his hips hard against the leather trousers, pressing his body close to Ares' as their lips met in a voracious, devouring kiss. Ares raised his hands slowly to tangle in the golden stream that was Apollo's hair, wrapping it around his wrists and
lacing it through is fingers as he dragged his sibling's head away.

Apollo smiled, a slow, sultry, teasing smile, as he saw the fire's ignite in Ares eyes.

"Well brother, do you feel up to a little healing of our own?" he inquired of the darker god, as his hands danced downwards, tugging at the fastenings of Ares' leather trousers.

Ares' mouth covered Apollo's again as he shrugged out of his leather vest. The Sun God's nimble fingers made quick work of the lacings of the trousers, pushing them down over Ares' hips.

Ares grabbed a double handful of the front of Apollo's white chiton and with one swift movement ripped it from neck to waist. As Apollo wriggled out of the garment Ares was gratified to find that he was wearing nothing beneath.

Changing positions he pushed his brother roughly down onto the white, marble altar.

Apollo lay spreadeagled across the altar of his own ruined temple, like a primitive sacrifice to the moon, his golden hair spilling over the sides of the structure to brush the ground.

Ares couldn't wait. Conflicting emotions roiled around his body. Anger that he had had to sacrifice his relationship with Hercules, jealousy because of the intimacy Apollo and Hercules had shared, and, as always, the desire for his golden sibling, for whom everything seemed to happen so easily.

He spat quickly into his hand, coating his erection with the resulting fluid, and with a abrupt lunge buried himself deeply within the golden form below him. He heard Apollo's muffled grunt, was dimly aware that his too hasty penetration had caused both himself and his sibling unnecessary pain.

But pain no longer mattered, Ares used the physical discomfort to assuage the aching of his soul.... and, if he'd hurt Apollo, well, he deserved it for his shared intimacy with Hercules. Ares mouth covered Apollo's in a punishing kiss as he increased the tempo of his strokes, hands tangling in Apollo's hair to hold his sibling still.

He used his anger and hurt to fuel the continued assault on his brother's body. Breaking the kiss and shaking his hands free of the stream of silken hair he moved to grip Apollo's hips, pinning the golden god to the altar. Apollo's muscular legs encircled Ares' hips and he gripped brother's forearms, trying to make sure his body wasn't pushed backwards with the impact of each of Ares' desperate thrusts.

Ares felt the contraction in his balls that heralded the onset of his orgasm and emptied his loss and sadness into his brother and half collapsed across the prone form beneath him. He drew in a few shuddering breaths, conscious of Apollo's hand caressing his back, and then pulled away from the offered warmth, aware that his too sudden withdrawal left his brother gasping.

Ares turned his back on his sibling, stooping to pull up and replace his trousers, as a wave of guilt washed over him at how he had used Apollo. He picked up the torn white chiton from the ground and moved again to stand beside the altar. Apollo still lay sprawled as Ares had left him, except that he had moved one arm across his face so Ares could no longer see the expression in his eyes.

Tentatively the dark god reached out one hand and pulled the arm away so that he could see his brother. Sadness, pain and unfulfilled desire looked back at him from the finely sculptured face.

"Apollo, I'm sorry..." Ares was woefully aware of the inadequacy of his apology he offered.

Apollo shook his head mutely, once. Ares held his hand out as Apollo gripped the proffered forearm, using it to lever himself into a sitting position on the altar, wincing slightly as he did so.

Ares pulled the golden god upwards, forcing him to stand and then enfolded him in a warm embrace. Hot breath caressed Apollo's ear as Ares whispered quietly, "Come back to the temple at Cernaia with me tonight.... please."

Apollo drew back slightly, gazing into his brother's dark eyes. No rage, no anger remained, only grief, vulnerability and need. Ares was darkness to his light, they complemented one another perfectly and could rarely deny each other anything. The golden god leaned forwards, to gently kiss his brother, arms wrapping around the darker form. Standing for a moment, entwined in the light of the moon, an immobile sculpture of sunlight and shadow. Apollo broke the kiss and murmured his reply. "You only had to ask."

In a shimmer of silver and gold they disappeared.

There was a slight rustling in the woods as Hercules straightened his cramped body from the low crouch. He walked forwards into the centre of the temple, hands tracing the altar, still warm from the impression of Apollo's body. Smiling sadly he gazed once more around the temple before turning and walking away to meet his own destiny.

FINIS


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