Roswell Fanatics

A HUGE THANKS to Singerchic4 for making this flaming banner for me!


Author: Amber Eyes
Title: Angelic Fire (BOOK 2) (2006)
Series: Heaven Sent
Catagory: Max & Liz (AU)
Rating: Adult/Mature
Synopsis:This story continues after Angel Falls (Book 1) Liz has gone to the underworld and Max is once again left alone to pick up the pieces of his life. But one thing is different this time, Max has vowed to the Gods above and below that he WILL find Liz. He won't let anything separate them again. So Max sets on a journey into Hell to find Liz. But what he doesn't know is that the longer a person stays in the underworld, the more they change and lose themselves. Everyone is different. For some, their darker side comes out. For others, it could be their mind that is lost to lunacy. Will Max and Liz be completely turned by evil, or will love prevail all when it has failed them once before? And to make matters more complicated, Hades has score to settle with Zeus, a score that he has harboured for millennia's. In a battle of heaven and hell, love and evil, everyone is caught in the cosmic crossfire, and no one is truly safe. All bets are off, and there can only be one winner. Let the games begin.....
Disclaimer: I do not own Roswell, or any of the characters, those belong to Jason Katims, Melinda Metz, UPN etc. All I own is this story and my original characters, which stems from my imagination. And no infringement is intended.
Inspirational Soundtracks: Demons (Brian McFaddden) (Angelic Fire theme tune), #1 Crush (Garbage), Talkshow Host (Radiohead), Love Ghost Story (Nightwish), (more to be added soon)

Authors Note: Ok, here it is, the sequel to Angel Falls (if you haven't read that, please do so in order to better understand this story ^_^) Remember, constructive feedback is always appreciated. LOL.

Please note that the music used in this story are specifically chosen, whether for the lyrics or the actual music itself, whilst writing each chapter, music chosen has created a certain mood that corresponds to the story. Listen to the music if you can. Or decide on your own music for it.

Happy reading!


Prologue

He saw her standing there a few yards away from him. She gazed at him, her features a pale ghostly white.

All around them was a void of darkness.

Nothing else existed.

There was only them.

Her white dress fluttered gently by an invisible wind. She stared at him, her eyes filled with sadness and longing. And pain. So much pain the air around them ached in sympathy.

She held out her right hand and beckoned him to come closer to her.

He obliged.

Her small hand grasped his as she pulled him to her. Her arms entwining around his neck.

Finally he could see the sadness disappearing and joy filled her features.

"I've been waiting for you." She said in a husky voice then captured his mouth in a searing kiss.

The wind that had been gently playing, now tugged and blew harsher.

She hugged him closely to her and lay her head on his shoulder.

Her breath brushed his neck as she breathed.

"I don't want to go. I want to stay with you."

"So stay." Was all he said in reply as he sheltered her in his arms.

"I wish I could, but you know I can't."

The strong wind lifted them into the air of darkness then pulled then in opposite direction.

Pulling at them to separate the lovers.

But try as the wind might, the lovers clung onto each other never wanting to let the other go.

The wind blew its anger in a hurricane force.

The lovers were now being tugged until they were floating horizontally in the air.

Yet still they held on.

But the wind was more stubborn. It would separate these two forbidden lovers.

His grip on her arm slipped to her hand.

He could see the desperation in her eyes.

His grip slipped to her fingers.

"Don't let them take me, please!" She pleaded.

"I won't my love. I'll find you and bring you back where you belong. We'll be together again."

His grip slipped to the end of her fingers and she was dragged away from him once more like on so many other occasions when they met in secret.

"Noooo...... MAAAAAAX"

Her scream echoed in the darkness then faded as she was pulled away.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Max shot up to a sitting position in bed and gasped for breath.

He ran a hand over his face then through his sleep tousled hair.

He sighed.

Like so many night, his dreams haunted him.

He lay back down and tried to fall asleep, but instead, he stared up at the ceiling.

And like so many previous nights, sleep eluded him once more.



TBC!! I know its not much for a beginning, but hopefully this story was worth the wait. Feedback please!

Hi readers,

Yes, I'm back again! I'm glad you've enjoyed the prologue so far.

Anyway, thank you sooooo much for all your wonderful feedback and support for this new story! As a writer, you have no idea how much this means to me


I had a weird day at work today, a customer asked me out, he was this 30 something year old divorcee with 3 kids. I was like Uh...... (mind goes blank from the shock of the out of the blue question) Hmm, how to say "no" without hurting his feelings that he's a bit old for me.... lol, I just said I wasn't available. He was alright with it in the end.

I just beleive that people in your own age bracket is better cos you'd be on the same wavelength, you know?

Anyway, here's chapter 1

Enjoy!


Part 1

Have you ever been lost in a different world
Where everything you once knew
Is gone....
And you find yourself powerless
With everything that exists
You're numb

Will I ever break free

I searched my world but I can't find you
You're standing there but I can't touch you
Try to talk but the words are just not there
I can feel a sense of danger
You stare at me like I'm a stranger
Paralyzed and you don't seem to care
The demons in my dreams

If you become a nobody
Lying to your family
Would you be.... alive
Has gone into reverse
We live in every hurt
Along the way

Everything that you fear is cold and you're windrowing near

I searched my world but I can't find you
You're standing there but I can't touch you
Try to talk but the words are just not there
I can feel a sense of danger
You stare at me like I'm a stranger
Paralyzed and you don't seem to care
The demons in my dreams

Wake me up it's cold, yeah
I'm about to explode
Yeah

I searched my world but I can't find you
You're standing there but I can't touch you
Try to talk but the words are just not there
I can feel a sense of danger
You stare at me like I'm a stranger
Paralyzed and you don't seem to care
The demons in my dreams

- Demons by Brian McFadden


The busy inner city bustled about with people getting on with their daily work trying to complete as much as possible before quitting time. By 5pm, the city streets got busier as people poured out in droves rushing to get home. The roads soon piled up with traffic jams as impatient and tired workers tried to drive home, yet getting nowhere fast. Horns blared and curses were cussed.

This was one of the many hazards of living in a city.

Stress.

The cycle never ended.

The life people lived in the structure of society. All working themselves to the grave and for what?

Material gains.

That's all there was to it.

No thoughts to anything else that might exist. Might be more important than the stress of daily life. People simply won't appreciate the simpleness of life until it's too late. Always craving bigger and better things, but at what cost? People who think they are invisible but who are finally forced to see the real truth that human life is fragile when a doctor pronounced them with an illness, or worse. When a spouse leaves. Family rifts. Loss of true friends.

Whatever happened to appreciating the fact that real happiness comes from spending time with your loved ones.

One man knew that fact all too well.

He semi-stood whilst leaning on the edge of his desk, dressed in a dark suit and white shirt open at the collar. He gazed out the expanse of floor to ceiling windows on the top floor of his office building.

Taking a deep drag of his cigarette, he blew out the smoke and continued to gaze out at the darkish-blue hazy city below him.

He belatedly realized rain had begun to fall and wet droplets of water turned into rivulets and ran down the glass like miniature streams.

Lights reflected from the city created a blurry art on the wet windows.

He spotted a bright red umbrella amid all the dark ones. The person, he saw, was female from the suit skirt and heel shoes she wore. She was trying to catch a cab. Her arm waved out at the passing taxis, but none stopped since they were all occupied.

The umbrella tilted back as she have a frustrated curse.

He saw she was a brunette.

She turned around.

His heart skipped a beat.

Could it be?

She looked up to the heavens to moan at God at her pathetic luck. Unintentionally, her gaze swept up the building unseeing of the man who stood there looking out at her.

No. It wasn't her.

For months now since he'd lost her, wherever her went, he always saw images that reminded of her. Foolishly, he had hoped that one day, it might really be her standing there before him. But in his heart, he knew it wouldn't be possible. The only place he truly saw her was in his dreams, but even that was most likely an illusion created by his subconscious and played out in his dreams.

He watched as a taxi pulled up and the woman quickly got in in relief.

At least someone's prayers had been answered.

Too bad it wasn't his.

A knock sounded at his door yet he did not seem to hear.

"Max, you ok?"

Max twisted his body around and tapped his cigarette into an ashtray.

He gave his friend and co-worker a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes.

"I'm fine Maria."

She knew he had been grieving when his wife had died and had even lent him her cottage and dog - Bruno - to keep him company while he sorted out his emotions. After a few months, she had received sporadic phone calls from him. Something had changed in him. He seemed happier in his conversations, more lighter than he'd been in a long time. She'd asked him if he'd met someone and he's replied he had; but they were still working on the relationship. Then, he'd abruptly returned to LA, but something had changed again. He wasn't as happy as he first was. He was constantly brooding and lost to his own thoughts. He'd also been going to the church, library and metaphysical shops a lot, which was a strange behaviour for him. She's asked if he'd broken up with the girl, but he'd laughed humourlessly.

"It's complicated Maria. But I'm working on it." Was his cryptic reply.

He'd never wanted to talk about it, and after a while, she decided not to push him anymore. She would wait until he as ready to talk to her. But she still worried about him.

"Wanna go to dinner? there's a new place that's just opened up." Maria invited.

Max stubbed out his cigarette and stood.

"Actually, there's somewhere I need to be. Can we take a rain check on that?" He walked over to the coat stand to grab his black thigh-length coat and scarf.

"Max, you need to eat." Maria fretted like a mother hen. He'd lost a lot of weight since his return.

"I will, but I gotta go somewhere first." He smiled down at her then bent to give her an affectionate kiss on the cheek. "Don't worry so much. You'll get wrinkles." He gently poked her forehead.

"It's hard not to worry about you Max. I hate seeing you sad. You've been through so much." She stared up at his ruggedly handsome face that needed a shave.

"I'm getting through it in my own way. Come on, I'll walk you out."

Before Maria could utter another word, Max switched off the office lights and ushered her out the door.



TBC!! remember, lots of constructive feedback please! lol. I'll try and get back next week with the next chapter.

Part 2 is pages and pages long, so I'm gonna split it into parts.


Part 2a

He stood inside the old church and gazed up at the altar and picturesque stain-glass windows.
A painted world of myths and people's perception of truth.

A crescendo of organ music vibrated through the acoustics of the large church building creating goose bumps and tingles along his spine and neck.

Never taking his eyes off the altar and the statue of a crucified Jesus before him, Max slowly walked forward. He stopped next to the front pews and closed his eyes letting the music wash over him like strong tides flowing and ebbing with each note and harmony played.

Inside his head, his mind screamed at God. Screamed at the unfairness of life. Screamed for God to listen.

Why did you have to let her be taken from me? Wasn't it enough I'd lost my wife and child in the first place, but when I've finally found love again you have her taken from me too.

Max seethed in his anger.

You could have stopped this, but you didn't. Why didn't you?! You're suppose to help people on earth, yet you continue to let them suffer. Do you not hear our prayers? our pain? or do you choose to ignore us? are we a mistake in your creations that you willingly let us suffer in this purgatory we call life? Do you know most humans still look up to you for hope and faith? I was one of those who gave up on you when you took my wife away from me, but then Liz, your very own daughter made me believe in you again. In the miracle that you sent Liz to help me heal. But you know what? in the end, the truth is, it wasn't you. It was all Liz. I believe in Liz, but I was wrong to believe in you. If only you'd listened. If only you'd cared. Do you even know that Liz is in hell?

Max felt a strong hand grip his shoulder.

"Are you ok son?"

Max opened his eyes and turned to face the voice. He belatedly realized he had tears flowing down his face and his hands clenched into fists at his sides. He stared at the worried expression of the ageing priest.

Max sighed and wiped his tears away.

"No. I'm not fine. It hasn't been for a while."

"You want to talk about it? Sometimes it helps to let your troubles out and share it with someone."

Max shook his head resignedly.

"Thanks, but the one person I want to listen isn't listening to me at the moment." Max patted the priest on the shoulder and walked own the rows of pews.

The priest watched the smartly dressed young man walk away and out the church doors.

Such anguish and pain for one so young.

The priest sighed and turned to look up at the stature of Jesus, then invoked the cross symbol across his chest.

May God and the heavens above give the young man strength to face his battles.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Max drove along the long stretch of concrete highway. The twilight blue of coming night and the fog slowly rolling in created an eerie feel to the city as lights from the buildings and headlights from cars pierced it's light into the grey fog like spectres in the night.

In the silence of the car, Max switched on the radio and settled on a station that played Brian McFadden's Demons. It seemed appropriate.

An hour later, Max pulled the car to a stop and got out.

Leaning on the closed door, Max took out another cigarette and lit it. Taking a deep drag then blowing out the smoke, Max stared out at the beach and ocean beyond.

Max's beach condo had once been his haven, his retreat away from his busy business life. He had always loved the beach and being so close to the sea relaxed him and recharged his batteries. But that feeling was long gone. For months now it had become his nightmare, his emotional turmoil. The sea now represented loss instead of peace and love.

Max walked down the beach and stopped a few metres before the incoming tied reached his leather shoes.

He closed his eyes and breathed in the salty sea air. He raised his arms out on either side of him and let the wind wash over him.

In his mind's eye, he could see an image from the past.

A girl dressed in white with chestnut brown hair cascading down her back. Her back was facing him. Her arms outstretched as his was now. her large greyish white wings expanded and spread. And then, she was falling. Falling from view. falling from the cliff top. Falling out of his life.

Max walked back to his condo and entered his lonely house.

Empty.

Silent.

Taking off his coat and scarf, he headed to the bar area and poured himself a few fingers of scotch. He took a mouthful and stared into his drink. Another memory assailed through his mind. An image of an innocent wide-eyed girl who tried to get him to stop drinking himself into a stupor by insisting she join him even though she wasn't a drinker herself.

It had been kinda comical, but she had gotten her point through and made him see sense.

Max gripped the glass tumbler until his knuckles turned white. Tears burned behind his eyes and it felt as though hot pokers had been embedded into his heart. The pain still felt as fresh as the day he'd witnessed her sacrifice.

"Liz." A single anguished choked name left his lips.

Walking into the kitchen, he poured the liquid into the sink and watched as it swirled down the drain hole.

Entering the living room again, Max sagged into the sofa and stared up at the ceiling. Though the house was silent, save for the ticking of the grandfather clock Max's mind was not.

In his mind, it was loud and chaotic.


TBC!! feedback please!

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the delay in posting, I left a note on my authors thread. Anyway, thank you sooo much for the wonderful feedback! I loved reading every one.

Here's the rest of part 2. Enjoy!



Part 2b

Hours later, Max woke with a start at the rapid tapping noise and realized it was the door. Someone was knocking for his attention.

"All right, alright!" Max grumbled as he got up to answer the known person.

Opening the door, Max frowned at the short chubby man standing before him. He was dressed in fishing gear complete with hat to shield from the pouring rain.

Max scrubbed a hand over his face trying to disperse the remnants of sleep. "Uh, can I help you?"

The man tilted his hat back and grinned at Max.

"I hear you been looking all over for me. Curses hatred an' all."

Max frowned. "Who exa--"

The little man shifted the fishing rod he was holding from his right to left hand, then grabbed Max's into a handshake.

"Still don't believe I exist?"

Max remained silent with the expression on his face that said 'this guy is nuts!'

"Hi, I'm God. Please to make your acquaintance."

Max felt as though this was some weird cosmic joke. Either that, or he was dreaming again, and this dream was a very lucid one.

He looked the man up and down, unconvinced.

"You're God?"

"Yup. Though I have many alias's. The great almighty; the lord, you name it, though personally, I prefer to go by Zeus. It has more of a zing to it don't you think?"

Max pulled his hand away as though it had been zapped by electricity.

"This is some joke right?" It was a statement not a question.

Zeus shook his head and sighed in exasperation.

"Why is it that you humans are so contradicting? You go and search for the unseen and when it appears, you go running away into denial land."

Zeus pushed past Max and walked into the dry hallway.

"It is considered impolite to leave your guests standing in the rain." Zeus placed his fishing gear against the wall and took off his hat. He regarded Max thoughtfully. "How did you think God would look like Max?"

Max closed the door against the elemental outside and scratched behind his ear sheepishly.

"I'm not sure. Uh, un-fisherman like?"

"What, something more like this?"

A bright flash of light had Max shielding his eyes and squinting at the blazing light. The light gradually subsided until it was a bearable glow to look at. Max saw a man dressed in a white toga with a golden thunderbolt broach holding up the garment.

Zeus grinned. "Or how about this?"

Max squinted away once more as the dull brightness increased. When it was bearable to see again, he saw a huge hand poking through clouds.

Max blinked.

The hand waved at him then gave him the thumbs up sign and an OK sign.

"Or maybe something more modern?" The voice came from beyond the clouds.

The light flashed again and this time the light subsided completely.

Max blinked and saw spots in the sudden darkness.

Zeus flicked on a nearby lamp, and in the artificial light, Max saw a man dressed in a white suit.

"Ok, I believe you. You're God. Though what is your true form?" Max queried.

"Everything is my true form. On earth, what I supposedly look like, i.e., in statues and paintings are only merely a symbolic perception of what I'm like. I think it's mostly to do with the characteristics of my power. Ever see the movie Hercules? the Disney version of course." Zeus chuckled. "In that, I'm personified as a big bulky man who wields thunder bolts. See? all images of power."

"And the myths and legends about you, they true?"

"Half true, but there are inaccuracies." Zeus walked into the living room and switched on another lamp then made himself comfortable on the easy chair.

He regarded Max steadily.

"I know you've been trying everything you can to contact the "mystical" beings to help you. Didn't work did it? Bet you didn't realize half the books you read complete hooey. Besides, you know Lizzie isn't actually dead, so the bit with you trying to contact the spirits? did you know how dangerous that was? what where you thinking!"

"Hey! I had to try what I could. Short of killing myself and ending up in hell where I'll probably have zero chance of getting out again, I had to try what I could."

"Technically, you didn't need to do anything. Your raging hatred and anger gave me a headache for months." Zeus rubbed his forehead as though the pain still niggled there.

"So why didn't you come to me sooner? Why wait until now?"

"Honestly? I was just gonna leave Liz down there for a little while as punishment for deceiving me, though knowing Lizzie, she probably enjoys it down there. Her uncle spoils her rotten. But I'm not so keen on his ethics on what he teaches to the young. And as for you, well, I figured you'd give up after a while and get on with your life. But you.... oooh, you are one very stubborn man."

"I'm a man who's is love with your daughter, and I won't give her up."

"You're from two very different worlds. She's an angel and you're--"

"Human, mortal. Yeah, I know. It still doesn't stop what my heart feel for her though. She means everything to me."

Zeus leaned forward, his elbows leaning on his knees. He stared at Max, his expression so serious it made Max wonder what the man was thinking.

"Are you willing to do absolutely anything to get her back?"

"Yes." Max answered without hesitation.

"Are you willing to die for her?"

"Yes."

"Are you willing to go to the ends of the earth to the harshest of realms to find her?"

"Yes." Max felt himself being pulled into the silver swirling depths of Zeus eyes. It was as though he was looking straight through into his soul.

"Would you still be willing to go on a journey to find Liz if it meant losing a part of yourself? losing the very essence of who you are?"

"What are you talking ab--"

"Answer the question Max." Zeus commanded, his eyes still holding Max in a hypnotic haze.

"If it means we'll be together again, then yes. She doesn't belong in the underworld. She's only there to save me from going in her place."

"You must love her a lot." Zeus sat back in a relaxing recline, his eyes back to normal.

"Like I said earlier, as much as Liz deserves to be down in the underworld, I do miss her and would her to be returned home."

"Can't you bring her back? You are her father after all; the almighty Zeus."

"No need for flattery boy." Zeus said chuckling. "Unfortunately, Liz signed a contract. Even I can't break binding contracts. Since you and I both want her back and you're willing to do anything to get her back, I'll help you."

Max felt as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. This was what he'd been waiting months for. What he'd spent months trying to find. Help, to get Liz back."

"You remember the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice?

Max nodded.

Max remembered coming across the Greek myth whilst doing research into every known religion he could find, trying desperately to find someone to help in his quest. Since all religions were intertwined, he figured maybe some divine being would heed his prayers for help. But there was so much information he'd barely begun to scratch the surface and already he was on information overload.

The story of Orpheus and Eurydice told the fable of how Orpheus was a sort of pop icon of his day, so to speak. His singing combined with the melody of his lyre, an instrument he played created a bewitching harmony that had even the beasts captured under its spell. Legend told that Orpheus had gone into the underworld to retrieve his wife, Eurydice who had died from the bite of a serpent. Hades had been unwilling to let her soul go free, but when Orpheus played his lyre, Hades was so moved by his music he agreed to let Eurydice's soul go free. But under one condition. Eurydice had to walk behind her husband and Orpheus was not to turn around to look at his wife during his journey through the underworld until he reached the land of the living. As he neared the exit from realm to realm, his anxiety kicked in, and Orpheus turned around. That one glance proved fatal for Eurydice's soul returned once more into the underworld, never to have another second chance.

"Well Max, " Zeus continued, his featured lighting up with amusement. "You'll be going on a similar journey as our Orpheus."

"You mean....."

"That's right son, I'm going to send you into the House of Hades."



TBC!! Ok, now we're getting somewhere with the story. lol!

So, what did you think of this chapter? good? bad? Any criticsm? Lots of feedback please!

Part 3

She stood by the open window and gazed out into the hellscape of the underworld. The reddish-brown hue of the place reminded her of the planet Mars. The stormy winds swept from the orange fiery sky and blew dust storms in the distance. The black silhouette of skeletal trees swayed in the hurricane wind. Raging fires spewed up like geysers from the ground.

To mortals, this place was inhospitable.

It was a place of damnation.

A place of fear.

A place for eternal punishment.

And this fiery hellscape was only one part in the vastness of the underworld.

The girl who stood by the window continued to gaze out at the landscape.

Seeing but unseeing.

She was lost to her own thoughts.

Her fingers absently caressed and tugged at the locket that hung from her slender neck.

She had been living in her uncle's realm for about a year and a half now, though the reasons of how she came to be down here for so long was becoming more and more fuzzy in her mind. It had been so clear once, but now....

Her forehead pinched in concentration.

There had been something... no ...someone .... someone who she loved and held dear to her heart...

Her fingers stroked the smooth metal of the locket; her fingers grazing over the slightly upraised letting.

The letting of her name.

'Liz'

Someone had given it to her as a present.

What was their name again?

M.... something....

She concentrated harder reaching into the deep recess of her mind.

Max.

Yes. That was his name.

Her fingers that absently stroked the locket accidentally popped the catch and the locket split open in two.

Startled by the action, she looked down and turned the open locket to face her.

There as a picture of her and Max taken during her stay on earth.

Yes, it was coming back to her now. How could she have almost forgotten her memories about her stay on earth? The deal she'd make with Tess. The sacrifice she made because of her love for Max.

"Liz?"

Quickly snapping the locket shut, Liz turned around to face the voice.

"Oh, hi Kel. I didn't hear you come in."

"I knocked, but you seemed to be miles away." Kel grinned and walked further into her room.

Liz watched her childhood friend, now a grown man walk towards her.

He looked to be in his late 20s. His hair was jet black and fell into a sexy tousle that skimmed his shoulders. His features showed a picture of perfection. His body, not to be outdone by his face was sculpted and rock hard with muscles that rippled with his every movement.

In short, he was built like a Greek God. Ironic, since he was related to Adonis. Guess all the good genes ran in the family.

Kel's grin turned devilishly mischievous and a slight glint sparkled in his eyes.

"How about a welcoming hug for your favourite friend? You know, to make up for ignoring me at the door." He opened his arms wide.

Liz's eyes widened when she saw his half naked glistening naked torso, save for the pair of black pants he was wearing, and took a step back.

"Ew! No way! You're all sweaty!" Kel had probably been doing his exercise regime again. Which normally meant running up and down an active volcano dodging all the flying molten rocks followed up by free-style rock climbing off some mountain cliff or other. Talk about extreme sports!

"Aww, come on, a little sweat never did anyone any harm."

"Sweat is still sweat. Ew! get away from me!" Liz screeched and tried to dodge out of the way of his wayward arms.

But not quick enough!

Kel's strong muscled arms banded around her body like a vice and pulled her back against his hard frame.

He chuckled against her ear. "See, no harm done sweetcakes."

"Ew! You stink Kel!" Liz tried to struggle out of his hold but it was useless. Kel easily lifted her up and spun her around.

"You know, I take offence to that. And for that insult you will be punished." Kel deftly tossed Liz onto the bed and straddling her body, he began to tickle her mercilessly.

Liz squirmed and screeched in laughter.

"Stop! I'm ticklish!"

"Ah, ticklish are we? Don't you know you should never reveal your weaknesses to the enemy."

"I didn't reveal anything. You already knew I was ticklish since we were kids!" Liz squealed with more laughter as tears of mirth formed in her eyes. "You've been tickling me since we were little. I hated the tickle game. Though you'd better be careful since I could still get my own back on you!"

Kel eased his hands from Liz's sides and placed them near either side of her head as he braced his weight on his arms and gazed down at her. He gave her a cocky grin.

"Nah, you would never hurt me, you know you love me too much."

Liz batted at his chest. "Yeah right, you wish!"

Kel laughed and his gaze turned serious. He gently brushed her hair from her forehead.

"I'm really glad you're back Lizzie. I missed hanging out with you."

"I missed hanging out with you too Kel."

Slowly, Kel's head lowered towards hers. They were about a breath apart when Kel suddenly gasped and rolled off her and onto the bed. He clutched his groin area with both hands.

An evil smile slid across Liz's lips as she sat up and lowered her knee.

"See, I told you not to mess with me."

Kel continued to gasp and breathe through the pain, and even managed a pain filled chuckled.

"Yeah, I do so love it when you decide to play rough! But jeez woman!" Kel writhed on the bed again.

A frown creased Liz's forehead as though she was coming out of a hazy dream. She watched her best friend squirm in pain. Quickly she reached for him.

"Oh heavens above! Kel, I'm so sorry! I don't know why I did that! Are... are you ok?"

Kel grimaced and turned to face her.

"I'll live. Whooo! That's some kick you got there. Damn girl!" Kel started to laugh. "I'd better warn Aries to be careful next time he decides to have a wrestling match with you."

Their laughter echoed in the room.


TBC! Sorry to just leave it there for now. lol. I nearly singed my fingers writing this part!

Hi loyal readers,

Yes, me again. I'm still trying to update files on my computer, but I found that luckily enough for me, most of my update files were online, so all I need to do is find them and download them again. Though its another story for my old roswell fanarts I'd collected over the years. Those are gone Its ironic that it happened on the first day of spring. I know its cliche to have a nice clean out, but wiping my C drive was just plain ironic that it happened.

Anyway, I still feel really bad having to make you guys wait for ages for a new chapter, so I started typing up the current chapter again. Its not finished, but I'll post it in two parts (hopefully)

Enjoy! and thanks for sticking with this story. Love you all! *huge hugs and kisses*


Part 4a

A large hawk stretched and spread its wings as it flew in the crystal clear blue sky. It swooped lazily as it frolicked in the wind.

Below the hawk in the sandy golden canvas of rocks and dry desert sand, two lone figures stood by a copse of rocks.

"So where are we Zeus? I feel like I'm inside an oven." Max pulled on the collar of his shirt.

"We're in the Sahara Desert."

"Great. One minute I'm in the city, the next in the middle of nowhere." Max surveyed the horizon of nothing but miles and miles of sand. "So what are we doing here?"

Zeus waved his hand across the stone rock and the big heavy boulder slowly grinded open revealing a dark cave.

"Here lies the entrance to the underworld. Well, one of the many entrances between the mortal world and the underworld."

"Where are the other entrances?"

"Some are directly through active volcanoes, though you'd probably have nothing left of you if you went in that way. Then there's certain places at the very bottom of the seabed, but you'd probably be dead from the pressure before you reached that far. And finally, there's here. These magickally caves that lead you into the underworld. Though, beware Max. There are still many dangers ahead."

Max stood there and gazed into the deep black void.

"There was a girl with Liz, Tess--"

"Yes, another of my daughters."

"Does she know I'll be going to retrieve Liz from her?"

"No. No one knows about this. Well, maybe the fates might know, who knows what they plan sometimes. But anyways, even if they do have something to do with yours and Liz's destiny, they're bound by a confidentiality clause so they can't reveal anything. But Max, if anyone else finds out about this, it won't stay a secret for long."

"If she knew, Tess'll try and stop me won't she? I'll be playing on her turf."

"Yes, but remember what your mission is." Zeus tapped Max's chest above his heart. "In here. It will be your guiding light."

Max looked up from his chest.

"You know, it seemed to me all Tess wanted to begin with was company. Why isn't she up in heaven with her sister? If she was, then maybe all this wouldn't have happened. Liz wouldn't be in hell."

Zeus gave an old fatherly sigh.

"It's a long story Max."

"So gives me the cliff notes version. I want to know."

"Ok, story short, I should never have sent Tess down into the Underworld for punishment."

"What did she do that was so bad?"

"She lost the battle. And in doing so it costed many innocent mortal lives."

Max frowned in puzzlement, and Zeus knew he'd have to start the story from the beginning.

"See, a long time ago, I fell in love with a beautiful woman. Alana. She had Long wavy golden hair and a body so perfect and flawless you'd think she was one of the gods rather than mortal. Though on the surface she had the face of an angel and was every man's fantasy, deep down inside she was filled with darkness. She was a sorceress. A mistress of the dark arts looking for eternal life. Oh how she fooled us all. She tried to persuade me to give her ambrosia to prolong her life force, to make her stronger, but I don't like messing with the fates; it makes family get togethers pretty grim." Zeus grimaced at the thought. The three fates would probably kill them all on the spot just for spite for messing with their grand design then making them reincarnate as dung beetles in the next life. God or no God. "Anyway," Zeus resumed his tale. "She told me she was pregnant and that she would raise the child with the knowledge in the dark arts as she had, and that one day she would have her revenge on me for denying her the one thing in the world she truly wanted. No needed. It was her obsession."

"So what happened?"

"Not long after the child was born, I stole her away from her mother one night. I couldn't bear the thought of her corrupting my child. Regardless of what myth might say about me, I do care about all my children."

"I bet she was mad when she found her child missing." Max surmised.

Zeus gave him a look. "You have no idea. She'd try anything and everything to get Tess back. But since she was mortal, she had no way of getting up into Mount Olympus, which was where I'd hidden and protected Tess. Last I'd heard, she had traded her soul with a few unsavory beings in exchange for their help. After a while, no one knew or heard anything more about her. It was as though she'd vanished from the earth. No one knew if she was dead or alive. Of course this happened a few hundred years ago, so she's most likely long gone by now."

"So you raised Tess on Mount Olympus by yourself?"

"Yeah, mostly. I had nannies of course. The thing was, Tess was still a half of her mother. The dark corruptive magicks that Alana had practiced had inadvertently passed onto the baby. Luckily the child was only half corrupt due to yours truly here." Zeus grinned.

Max smiled then frowned as a thought passed into his mind. "How do you know Tess is really yours? Couldn't Alana have gotten pregnant by someone else and used Tess to get to you?"

"Tess is mine. I checked. On the base of all my children's backs, there's a small golden thunderbolt. A symbol that they are indeed the children of Zeus."

Max nodded in acknowledgment and waited for Zeus to continue the tale.

"I thought that by raising Tess in a positive environment would dispel the darkness, but it was a constant internal battle for her."

"Uh, are you sure it's not just the rebellious part of growing up?"

"There's rebelliousness and then there's the evil that can influence a person. Tess can be such a good angel when the light side of her surfaces, but at times when her dark half shows, it is truly terrifying of what she's capable of."

Zeus sighed. "You know, there were so many things she did..... like the time she invited the Medusa to a family dinner and she just sat there cackling with black eyes as the gods, demigods and angels closest to the door turned to stone upon the Medusa's arrival."

Walking over to a nearby rock ledge, Zeus sat down and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Did you know she also tried to kill Liz?"

"WHAT!" Max couldn't believe his ears.





TBC!! Feedback please!

Ok, me going back to the typing board again..... Laters!

Hi I'm back!

Well, sort of. I'm still trying to upload the files I lost onto my computer, but it's taking time. I thought I'd get this part out for easter as a thank you for sticking with this fic for so long! I'm sorry if its complicated and crappy, I'll invest more time in the editing of the plotline in future chapters. Just kinda need more hours in a day right now!


roswell3053 Aww, thanks for your loyal support! It's greatly appreciated *hugs* Aww, what fun would the story be without Tess? She kinda livens it up a abit.

Thanette and Erina lol thanks. It kinda reminded me of that saying. "All good thing come to those who wait." Hope this next part doesn't suck too much! and will answer some of your questions.

pandas2001 This next part will contain abit more about Tess's history.

VeronicB Yeah, stupid technology, you can't live with them and you can't live without them. What's a girl gotta do?

Shadowlynxbehr Yeah, once I get everything onto my C drive again and into their designated folders, (I might just have a few) and have sub folders inside those so when I save stuff I'll only have a few folders to save and it can automatically save all the sub-folders thats inside them. Good thing most of my stuff is on the 'net. Though some files aren't so lucky. The next chapter (below) will tell you a bit more about Tess. Let me know what you think of the situation. Oh don't worry, Max and Liz will reunite, but what happens after they reunite?


Ok, here's the rest of the eagerly? awaited continuation of part 4. Enjoy!


Part 4b


"Liz was only a baby when it happened. One night I heard the baby screaming at the top of their lungs, so I ran into the nursery to see what was going on. I found the nanny on the floor; nothing but a black charred mass on the ground. My wife frozen in fear on the bed. Tess was standing over the crib her back facing me. The perimeter of the crib was on fire.... " Zeus sucked in a deep breath as he remembered the horror of that night. A horror he wished no parents would ever have to endure.

When Tess turned to face her father, her eyes where a vacant void of blackness. Green and gold sparks emanated from her right hand.

"What in Hades do you think you're doing Tess!" Zeus hollered.

An evil smile spread across Tess's lips. "Just playing with my new baby sister is all daddy."

"Tess," Zeus slowly approached her. "Stop the fire and step away from the crib. Lizzie needs her rest, you can play in the morning."

"BUT I WANT TO PLAY NOW!" Tess screeched.

Liz's distressful wailing became even louder.

Tess turned and glared into the crib. "Quiet! I'm talking to daddy!" With a wave of her hand, Tess sent a wall of green and gold fire over the top of the crib, in effect sealing the baby in a coffin of magickal fire.

"NO!" Cried Zeus.

For a powerful god, he didn't feel very supreme or powerful at the moment.

Tess turned and glared at Zeus.

"Daddy, you love Lizzie more than me don't you?"

"No sweetie, I love you both equally."

"No you don't. You love Lizzie more cos she's more whole unlike me who's half human. Lizzie is like one of you, not a halfling mortal like me." Tears burned Tess's eyes and slid down her cheeks.

"No, that's not true! Tess, please..." Zeus pleaded. All he could hear was the crackling flames. He had previously tried to use his own powers to stop Tess's chaos magick, but somehow, she had always counteracted his magicks. It could have been because she was a part of him in essence, which meant she inhabited some of his powers, but even at a tender age, Tess was almost an equal to Zeus in power. It was a scary situation. And combined with her mother's dark magicks....

"Ok then daddy, tell me you love me more than Lizzie."

"Tess...."

"I think Lizzie's getting sleepy daddy. Lets us leave and let her rest." Tess walked forward a few steps as if to leave the room.

The crib continued to burn on.

Zeus knew it might not work, but as a last ditch attempt of a desperate father, he raised his hand and using his own powers, tried to put out the magickal fire. His efforts like so many times before were in vain. There seemed to be a force field surrounding the outside of the crib. Perspiration beaded Zeus's forehead from his exertion.

Tess was almost out the door.

"Tess wait!"

Tess slowly turned to regard her father.

"Yes daddy?"

"I love you more than Lizzie."

"And more than all your other children?"

"Yes."

"Because I'm special?"

"Yes."

Tess beamed a bright smile. "Great! See, was that so hard? Telling me you love me more."

"Tess," Zeus gritted his teeth. "The crib?"

"Huh? Oh!" As if remembering, Tess waved a hand and the green-gold fire vanished leaving smoky trails to float in the air.

Zeus breathed a sigh of relief.

Tess flounced over and kissed his cheek. "Night daddy." The flounced out the door.

Zeus ran to the crib and saw a soft sparkling bluish white sphere surrounding baby Liz.

The baby had somehow miraculously known how to tap into and use her powers to protect herself.

Seeing her father, the protection shield collapsed; Liz whimpered and stretched out her arms and kicked her legs wanting to be picked up.

Zeus obliged and hugged his daughter.

"Lets see here, are you hurt sweetheart?" Zeus surveyed his daughter for injuries and breathed out a relieved breath when all the harm that appeared was a minor burn on the skin. It was slightly red but healable. Zeus ran his hand over his child and healed her flawed skin.

Baby Liz yawned and snuggled close to her father and closed her eyes, having had enough excitement for one night.

"So Tess was never punished?" Max queried.

"No, it wasn't entirely her fault. It was the darkness influencing her. If it wasn't for that, I doubt her idea of child's play would be to play with her sisters life. Things seemed fine over the years, they got along which was great, but Tess's darkness still grew within her, and her pranks turned more and more serious. The other Gods, Goddesses and Angels voted her out of Olympus. They said keeping her in a positive environment hasn't helped her and now was even a liability to the life of the Olympians. They wanted her sent to the Underworld for punishment of the pranks she committed."

Zeus looked up at Max and Max saw he seemed to have aged 20 years.

"They went as far as to threaten Tess's life by asking the fates to deal with the problem if I couldn't. I couldn't let that happen, so I had a word with Hades and he said he'd take her in. But what I didn't realize was, Hades was letting Tess roam between realms." Zeus have a humorless chuckle. "Guess I should've been more specific in noting that Tess had to stay in one realm to minimize trouble. I didn't want to think about what would happen if the other Gods and Angels ran into her."

Max nodded in understanding.

It would have been total catastrophe.

Tess wouldn't go down without giving them a good fight.

Zeus stood up and dusted off his pants.

"Ok, enough with the trip down memory lane. You've got a long journey ahead of you and times-a-wasting." Zeus lead Max to the mouth of the cave once more.

They both stared into the black cold void.

"Uh, do you have a torch I could borrow?" Max asked.

Zeus chuckled and clicked his fingers.

Immediately the wall sconces on either side of the rocky wall burst into flames illuminating the place.

"And God said, 'Let there be light!'" Zeus sniggered at his own joke.

Max gave Zeus a funny look before taking one of the flaming torches. "Hey, just one more thing before I go."

"Shoot."

"Why are Liz and Tess angels? Since you're a God, I would've thought they'd be goddesses."

"An excellent question. To be born a god or goddess, both parents of the child need to be of god origin themselves. If one parent was full god and the other a half god, then the child will be born a demigod. In Liz and Tess's case, they are born angels because one of the parents are not a full god themselves. Tess's mother was mortal while Liz's was an angel."

"O-kay, that's definitely different to how it's been written on earth."

"Well, now you know." Zeus beamed a smile. "Oh! before I forget, you'll need this." Snapping his fingers, a dark-red velvet pouch appeared in his hand. He handed it over to Max. "Don't spend it all at once." Zeus winked.

Peeking into the pouch, Max found the contents to be a bag of ancient coins.

"Uh, thanks." Max said, not sure as to why he would need money in the underworld. But if Zeus thinks he would need it, then he would gratefully accept it. He tucked the pouch safely into the inside breast pocket of his coat. "Hey, how do I get out of the underworld once I find Liz?"

Zeus shrugged and made a face. "Beats me, it ain't my realm. Of the times I've visited, which is rarely, I just zap myself out of there. Maybe you can get Liz to zap you both out. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll think of something."

Max watched as a white mist swirled around Zeus.

"Good luck Max! And remember to trust you heart." There was a flash of lightning and Zeus was gone.

Max stood alone.

Taking a deep breath, he descended down the first step.

"Well, here's goes nothing."

Halfway down the stairs, Max heard a slow grinding noise from behind. Turning he saw the stone boulder move across the entrance of the cave sealing it once more.

He was trapped.

And only one way to go.


TBC!! So, here we go! Are you guys ready for the journey? lol, lots of constructive feedback please! What are you view on things? What do you think will happen? And speculations going on?

Hi everyone,

OK, I know I just posted an AN yesterday, but I got home early from work today (went to vote for the local elections ) and had some free time on my hands so thought 'd finish of the typing of the next chapter.

Please bear in mind that this fic is BASED on the greek myths etc. Its not exactly like how its told. I'm just using the supposed tales and characters to suit MY story.


Shadowlynxbehr: The last time I did Greek myths was Junior school which was years and years ago. But I've always been fascinated with the tales. So its nice to encorporate them into my story.

Ooh! Let me know when the fic is ready to be read, it'd be interesting to see what you come up with.


Part 5

After an endless descent through the cave-like underground, Max finally exited the tunnel. Looking around he could see boulder rocks and black skeletal trees which seem to stare at him with hollow eyes. On earth it would appear to be night, but here in the underworld.... would there even be the concept of day and night?

Pulling his gaze from the eerie trees Max continued into the underworld using his fiery torch as his guiding light. The rocky ground soon became softer, so he had to pick his footing carefully or risk sinking his leg deep into a mud pile.

After another endless trek into what now appears to be swampland, Max stopped and listened.

Water.

He could hear water lapping.

Following the sound Max came to a stop at an embankment.

A wooden boat rocked gently on the waves as it tethered on a.... Max squinted in the dim lighting. What at first appeared to be a rope was glinting slightly off the boats tiny lamplight. It kinda looked like someone's....

Oh my god!

Max spun around and hurled into the dead swampland.

Taking a deep breath, Max coughed and wiped his mouth then sent a silent prayer to the poor soul who ended up having his intestines used as a securing device.

Looking back at the boat he jumped in surprise when the hunched shadow moved and turned to face him.

Had that shadow always been there?

"Uh, hello?"

The shadow figure wearing the long dark cloak that concealed him from head to foot remained silent.

Max squinted and tried to make out his features but could only see darkness as the cloak hood concealed the wearers face.

A chill went down Max's spine.

A chill that told him he was better off not knowing.

Max walked slowly forward and stopped before the ferryman.

A sense of dread slithered over his soul.

Slowly, the ferryman extended his arm out towards Max palm upraised.

Looking down, where the cloak sleeve had now ridden back an inch or two, Max could see the brown rusty colour of decaying bone; Max tried to look away before he lost more of his stomach contents, but the bits of decaying flesh still semi attached made it a morbid fascination to continue looking.

No one in this state would be alive.

Yet the ferryman was.

Sort of.

The ferryman waggled his bony fingers as though saying 'come on, I haven't got all day.'

Racking his brain as to what he should do, Max thought back to what he'd learned about the underworld.

The ferryman appeared in Greek myth.

Charon his name was.

Charon was the boatman who transported the dead souls across the various rivers of the underworld to their final destination.

But it came at a price.

Like everything in life, the same goes for death.

Remembering the bag of coins Zeus had given him, Max reached into his coat pocket for the pouch and pulled out a single coin, known as an obol to the Greeks. He placed it in Charon's outstretched palm.

Max watched as Charon's fingers slowly creaked closed over the coin. Charon gave a silent bow in thanks then turned to his task of releasing the intestines mooring the boat to the shore.

Max carefully stepped onto the rocking wooden boat and sat down.

Using his long boat hook, Charon slowly dug it into the bottom of the riverbed and pushed the boat to move away from the embankment.

As they drifted further and further from the embankment, Max could see more of the surrounding area.

The place was muddy and overgrown with reeds.

He was on the River Acheron.

The place was nearly silent, though occasionally he thought he heard people crying out and weeping tears of sorrow. Of pain, loss and despair.

It made his heart ache for them; made him wrench out anguished sobs for the life they now had to endure in the land of the dead.

The River of Acheron.

The River of Woe.

In silence they sailed along, the water lapping gently against the boat.

Looking out into the distance, Max noticed a misty fog slowly rolling in, blanketing and concealing everything it touched.

It mingled with the eerie sorrowful weeping.

Max shivered and pulled his coat tighter against his body.

Glancing up at Charon, Max was startled to see him quickly turn away.

The ferryman had been watching him.

Another chill raced along his spine.

Did the ferryman know he was alive and not the soul of the dead? Zeus hadn't given him the golden bough which would have signified he was still a living soul. But no one was suppose to know he was here. He had to blend in and if that meant deceiving Charon and entering the underworld like one of the dead, then so be it. Charon was his bridge into the Kingdom of Hades.

But still... the way Charon kept sneaking glances at him.... did the ferryman sense something?

Max tried to stay calm and ignoring Charon, looked out at the passing scenery.

The landscape was now emerging to be an icy white. White snow covered the large mountain peaks in the distance. In fact, the farther they traveled the more the place became covered in snow and ice. Max shivered at the drastic drop in temperature and held the flame of the torch closer for warmth.

The river became harder to navigate as the water turned to ice and floating icebergs became a hazardous obstacle, yet the ferryman seemed to take it all in stride as though it wasn't anything unusual. As though he'd navigated this river countless of times.

Looking out at the edge of the grayish white land, Max saw a pale gray man amble towards the wooden pier. he seemed to be trying to catch their attention, but Charon ignored his flailing arms and continued to sail on.

An eerie pleading whisper drifted across the air between them and reached Max's ears.

Help me.... please..... not my fault..... murdered. Don't belong here. Help me, Please! Don't belong in Cocytus.... please.... take me away..... give me peace.

Max turned and continued to look behind him at the man as the little boat drifted further and further away from the man standing sadly at the edge of the pier.

Poor soul.

What happened to him? Did no one give him a proper burial after his death? But then, if he was murdered, maybe none of his loved ones knew or couldn't find his body. Could that explain why Charon had dropped him off in Cocytus? If Charon knew he had been unburied and had no obol to pay him.....

Max glanced at Charon and caught the ferryman watching him once more, as if sensing, but not quite getting the peoper reading on him.

It was Max who looked away first and prayed Zeus had protected him somehow.

He would hate to be dropped off at one of the many river ports of Hades before reaching the house of Hades itself. He'd be trapped and doomed to wander the underworld like the poor souls he'd seen and heard. It'd be taking the concept of being buried alive to a whole new level.

As they traveled on, Max felt the temperature heat up. Before, he was freezing cold and now he was sweltering like a Christmas turkey in an oven. He tugged on his collar and tried to breathe though the sauna-like air.

The small boat traveled through some thick vegetation and Max wondered if they had somehow doubled back to Acheron. In front of them a curtain of leafy willow branches magically parted as they approached. What lay on the other side had Max's jaw drop in disbelief and awe and also fear when he realized where he was.

They were now traveling through the river Phlegethon.

The river of fire.

The water was made from molten lava that bubbled and popped, the landscape a baron charcoal black and fiery orange. Active volcanoes spewed their fiery rage as geysers hissed their anger. The trunks of the skeletal trees dotted about the landscape burned with an intensely hot fiery fire. The whole place looked to be the Christian symbolism of a fiery hell.

They were traveling though a place of fire in.... a wooden boat!

"Oh my god!"

Charon turned to look at Max.

Though Max still couldn't see his face beneath the hooded cloak, he had a distinct feeling the ferryman was laughing at him in amusement.

As their journey continued through the bubbling lava sea, to Max's astonishment, the wooden boat glided through the sea of hot fire without being consumed.

Only when they left the river Plegethon did Max breathe a sigh of relief.

At least he didn't get burned alive. His soul would've probably been stuck there for eternity burning in agony.

The landscape changed from fiery to misty, and through the fog he saw wisps of shades at the banks of the land. Some flitted about, some stayed still as though in a catatonic state, and other were drinking greedily at the waters edge. Drinking as though they couldn't get enough of it, as though they had been in the desert of days and now they've found the oasis.

A strange feeling settled over Max as he watched the shades drink.

Leaning over the side of the boat, Max gazed transfixed at his reflection in the clear water. Dipping his hand into the water he swirled it around disturbing his reflection. Images began to appear in the center of the ripples.

Images of Cara, of their marriage, of her accident, images of Liz and the short time they'd spent together, Liz falling over the cliff top, images of his friends, the pity and sympathy on their faces. Images upon images blurring together, scene after scene. Images that were a reflection of his memories. His past.

Gazing out at the shades, he felt an urge to drink.

To drink away his sorrows.

To drink away his despair.

To drink away his pain and loss.

Cupping a handful of water he raised it to his lips.

A hard whack on his head had the water slipping through his fingers and back into the river.

Max watched Charon lean in eye to eye with him. Max thought he saw a hollow eye socket but wasn't sure. Max pulled back slightly.

"This," Charon rasped out "is not your stop. The spirits drink to forget. To give up. But in doing so, the River Lethe may take away their pain and loss of their life on earth, but it also takes away their past and future. Without their past memories, how would that define who they once were? how would they move on into their future? They asked to be left here. Cowards they are." He pointed a bony finger at Max. "Your destination has yet to arrive." Turning his back on Max, Charon started their journey once more.

They passed though the River Styx without further incidents and finally moored at their destination. Getting out the boat and onto the wooden pier, Max turned to regard Charon.

"Uh, listen, thanks for the ride and also for what happened back there."

Charon bowed in acknowledgment and farewell.

Max watched the ferryman slowly drift away in his small boat, his lamp his only guiding light back through the rivers of Hades. Back to the swampy banks of Acheron where the next souls awaited passage across the rivers.

Entering the network of caves, Max soon came to a standstill when he saw a giant 3 headed snoozing dog.

Cerebus.

Best not to wake it up.

Slowly and quietly, Max tiptoed past the guard dog and entered the Kingdom of Hades.

***********

TBC!!

Well, what do you think? Like I said earlier, its just based on the greek myths. I'm not sure that the souls actually traveled through all 5 rivers of Hades (I think it was mainly Acheron and Styx) But I thought it would be fun to send Max through all 5 rivers and see what they're like. lol Yeah, I'm mean. Hahaha.

All speculations and questions welcomed as always

Oh! btw, I realized it's fanfic nominations time again, so if you Like/LOVE this story/series, then feel free to go and vote for me. I'll really appreciate it . There's 5 chapters now posted so this fic should be elegible for voting.

Remember to REGISTER YOURSELF in the eligibilty thread before you start nominating or it doesn't count.

Take care all,

Suzanne

P.S Sorry, forgot to add, I wrote a "behind the writing scene" in my authors thread for this chapter viewtopic.php?p=522638#522638 So be sure to check it out!

Hi guys,

Sorry about the wait!

CandyDreamQueen: I'm glad you've decided to keep reading this series, hope it'll still be enjoyable!


Well, here it is, the next chapter.


Part 6

Max wandered through the maze of underground tunnels. From time to time, he would hear scuttling and other strange noises. Max really wished he hadn't let Maria bamboozle him into having a "girls/guys" night in. Watching The Descent gave him the creeps, and not just from the monsters, but more from the claustrophobic feel of the movie setting.

Max quickly spun around and scanned the area with his torch when he thought a figure or something rush by behind him.

His heart pounding in his ears, his search yielded nothing but cave rocks.

Turning, he continued on his way.

"Damn you Maria." Max muttered to himself. Why couldn't she have chosen a chick flick like other girls?

As he walked and wondered where the hell the exit was, a strange whistling sound filled the tunnel he walked in. The flame on his torch began to flicker and dance wildly, a cold wind brushed his face.

Max followed the direction of the mysterious whistling wind and came to a halt when he entered a large cavern. Pale light shone into the cave like a heavenly guide. And right above him several feet up was the exit. Wind and snow blew into the pit.

Looking for an access to the top, Max found the only way to do that was to climb the rocks.

Bad news was, he'd have to use both hands which meant he couldn't take the torch with him. He hoped he wouldn't be needing it anymore.

Throwing his torch to the ground, Max hoisted himself up onto the rocky ledge and began his treacherous ascent. One little slip and he'd be on the ground with a broken neck or a cracked skull.

By the time he reached the top, Max was panting and sweating with his exertion.

High above in the gray cloudy sky, a golden eyed hawk watched a hand emerge from the exit of the underground cave. The hand gripped the snow covered ground trying to find a better hold. The hawk squawked once when it saw the mans head emerge, then his shoulders and finally the rest of him as he pulled himself out of the hole and rolled onto his back on the wet cold snow in tired relief. His warm breath creating puff's of mist as it mingled with the cold air.

The man began to laugh.

And laugh and laugh.

The hawk squawked once more then flew away into the distance.

Max lay there in the wet snow and stared at the gray sky. His insane relieved laughter finally fading on a big sigh.

All this seemed so surreal, like a dream. A dream he'd soon wake up from and he'd be in his own bed in his own room.

Max closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, the gray cloudy sky still stared back down at him.

Ok. So he was still here.

Pushing himself up to a sitting position, Max scanned the surrounding area.

Either he'd taken a wrong turn back in the tunnels or he's got a long long journey ahead of him before he reached Liz.

Come on Max, you've reached this far. He motivated himself.

Standing up, he patted his long coat free of snow and looked for a good direction to head towards.

Standing literally in the vast middle of nowhere and with only snow and impressive gray and white mountains as landmarks, it was hard to tell which would be the correct direction to head towards.

Maybe he wasn't in the underworld. Maybe all that tunneling had lead him to the north pole. Max laughed at his own crazy thought

Looking around, a gut feeling told him to turn to his left then head up north. And with nothing to go on but his instincts Max turned to his left and headed north.

Hell, he probably was really heading for the north pole.

High above him, the returning hawk blinked its golden eyes and watched Max head north, his footprints the only indication of any 'life' currently inhabiting the place.


Hours later, Max came across the first person he'd seen since the boatman. The person was busily trying to roll an odd shaped boulder up a snow-hill .When the boulder was near the top, it somehow slipped and rolled all the way back down. And again, the person, whoever he was, would start the task all over again.

Max approached him. Maybe he could give him directions.

"Hello?"

The person turned at the sound of his voice.

"Hello." The man replied, wiping an arm across his sweaty forehead.

"Who are you? and why are you pushing a rock up the hill?" Max inquired.

The little half balding man grinned at him and stuck out his hand for a handshake.

"King Sisyphus. And to answer your second question, if I get the rock up that hill, I can go free from this hellhole."

"You're a King? how did you end up here?"

"Long story, which I won't bore you with. Hey, listen, you mind helping me with this big thing?" Sisyphus indicated the boulder. "After all, strength from two people is always better than one right?"

An uneasy feeling passed through Max.

"I dunno, you must've been put here for a reason. If so, I don't wanna upset--"

"Look, I was put here for the wrong reason ok! Jeez" Sisyphus ran a hand over his baldish head. "Zeus probably has his underwear stuck up his ass or something, but he blamed me for ratting him out to Asopus."

"What did he do?"

"He kidnapped the man's daughter for cryin out loud! I know his lordship up there," he indicated the sky "has a thing for females and the temptation of the flesh, but jeez, the least he could do was be a man and owned up to his indiscrepancies. Me?" he patted his chest. "I was being an upstanding citizen in revealing the perpetrator and what thanks to I get in return? This." Sisyphus spat in contempt.

"How long have you been down here?"

"Hey, who knows, feels like forever."

Sisyphus walked back over to the rock and braced his hands against the cold stone. He looked back at Max.

"Well? you gonna stand there all day hotshot or are you gonna help an old guy out?"

Taking pity on him, Max went over to help. But strength in numbers was not to be in their favor.

By the tenth time they tried, the same thing happened as the previous nine. The rock would slip on the icy snow and they'd have to dive out the way or be crushed by the snowballing boulder.

"Listen man, this isn't working, I think you're gonna have to think of another way to free yourself from this."

"No, no! Why don't you rest for a bit and we'll try again heh?"

"I'm sorry, but I need to get somewhere."

"Oh? where?"

"The Kingdom of Hades."

Sisyphus was silent for a moment.

"Look around you, you're already there."

"No, what I mean is, I'm looking for the place where Hades himself lives."

"You don't wanna be going there. That'd be suicide, so to speak." Sisyphus said with a shrug.

"I don't have a choice."

"You do have a choice. Pick the choice of staying here with me and once we get that stupid rock up the hill, we can both be free."

"I'm sorry, but I can't."

Sisyphus sat down on a nearby rock and shrugged nonchalantly.

"Well, don't come back cryin to me when unspeakable horrors befall upon you."

"I won't. Um, could you point me in the right direction?"

Sisyphus looked into the distance behind Max.

"See those three giant mountains in the far distance?"

Max nodded.

"The Palace of Hades is just beyond them."

"Thanks. And er, good luck with the whole rock thing."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Sisyphus muttered as he returned to work.


Max trudged on bravely through the snow, but now a blizzard was starting to form and it got harder and harder to navigate. Not to mention his stomach ached with hunger pain. He was starving! He couldn't even remember the last time he ate. Maria's invitation to dinner didn't seem so bad now.

Forward Max marched on like a trooper, but his steps began to slow as the blizzard worsened in intensity.

Max shielded his eyes from the lashing snow and sleet and tried to look for shelter, but he could barely see past his nose.

Damn.

The only option was to continue on his journey, lest he get hopelessly lost if he wandered in another direction.

His face, ears and hands stung with the sharp bladed pain from the intense cold exposure. Frostbite really wouldn't be fun right now. Max tried rubbing his hands together, blowing his breath on them and tucking them under his arms, but nothing worked.

Great. He'd probably die from hypothermia and doomed to wander this icy wasteland for eternity. That fear spurred him onwards until he was exhausted with cold and hunger. Max squinted and tried to focus, but the world seemed to be swaying and growing dimmer and dimmer.

He dragged his numb feet forward until they buckled beneath his weight and the icy ground came into vision. Max lay there face down on the snow. He couldn't seem to summon up the strength or energy to push himself up. He was so cold and so very tired. Maybe if he got a little sleep he'll have more energy ti continue his journey.

Yes.

Sleep was so very tempting.

So very inviting.

A little blessed relief.

Yes.... he'll just take a small nap....

Max's eyes fluttered shut.

Around him, the blizzard raged on.



TBC!!! Don't hate me!

Sorry readers, I never realised how time had flew and I hadn't updated in a while (too focused on writing The Auction )

I'll post some of part 7 now, I thought I had more written, but guess I never got round to it and its still on paper.

Anyway, here's some of the chapter to keep you guys going


Part 7a

The cold bitter wind carried in by the sea stung his cheeks and mussed his hair, but he paid no attention to the sensations. His eyes was locked onto the lone figure sitting on the rocks below the sea-cliff.

The mighty surf crashed against the outer rocks.

His hands in his trouser pockets, he walked across the sandy beach and made his way over to her.

Before he reached the rocks to where she sat, she stood up and turned to face him.

My god, she was still as beautiful as the day he'd met her. Her long chocolate wavy hair fell in a cascade down to her waist, while her white embroidered summer dress fluttered in the breeze. A long matching scarf wrapped around her delicate throat the ends trailing down the front of her body to accessorize the dress.

"Liz?" Tentatively, Max held out a hand to beckon her to him. It made him uneasy that she stood on such treacherous ground.

She frowned at him, her forehead creasing in thought.

"Liz, why don't you come down onto the beach and we'll go for a walk."

Liz tilted her had to one side and studied him.

"I know you, yet I can't seem to remember..."

"It's me. Max."

"Max." Liz said his name and smiled in nostalgic reminiscence. Her fingers touched and caressed the locket nestled between her breasts. "Yes, I know you... you gave me this.... though I think I altered the original and blended it with the locket."

"Yes, it was on Christmas Day. We exchanged gifts. It was a day I'll never forget."

Her fingers caught the catch and the locket flipped open.

Liz looked down at the picture. When she met his gaze, it was filled with sadness. "It's getting harder you know."

"What's getting harder?" Max asked puzzled.

"My memories. Remembering out time together. Remembering you." She dropped her hand away from the locket. "Out bond is strong which is why our souls meet on the astral plane, but I fear our connection isn't strong enough, and there's nothing I can do about it."

Max knew what she was saying.

He was losing her.

"Liz, you have to hold out for a little longer. Believe in my love for you. believe in us. I know you can do it."

Tears trailed down her cheeks and glittered in the sun.

"I'll try."

Max extended his hand towards her once more. "It's dangerous up there Liz. Come down."

She nodded and smiled at him.

As she reached for his outstretched hand, a huge wave crashed over her and took her screams into the vast ocean.

"LIZ! NO! DAMN IT! LIZ!"

Max wadded into the water ignoring the water pounding over him and tried to find her. But she as gone. Torn away from him once more. The only remaining evidence of her being there was her white scarf floating across the surface of the water.

Max caught the material and held it in a death grip that turned his knuckles white. He raised it to his face, his anguish all his own.

"Liz..."


TBC!