Disclaimer-I do not own these fine men. They own themselves.

Far, far away and Long, long ago-Chapter 28

~Part II~

During days into the march walking through alien soils, Alexander hardly left room between for breaks. Being young and feeling like the world was coming to him, he had assumed his men would share his same sufferings. He made the mistake of assuming all of his men were feeling just as much as a god as he. No they weren't. It was a completely different case regarding everyone else who weren't as gifted. However the royal daughters were well looked after, Alexander's prime goal, to treat them as good as possible hoping it would make it easier to unite both nations once he was done conquering them. Darius was still out there, either running or planning, so he wasn't quite king of Asia yet, this becoming his second goal. Find him.

From the Irish mans point of view things changed drastically just in that week. Alexander's personality became more complex the farther they marched, turning himself into more of a narcissist, but not yet the sociopath they read about in modern books. Also their must have been something parallel in the air. His friend had become even more self involved.

Arsias was back to flirting with Jared and the singer was easily feeling flattered despite the threat Hephaistion gave them both, to stay the fuck away from each other. The soldier didn't care. And it was obviously a bad case of self esteem for the singer. Jared was like that. A trait Colin found both attractive yet ugly at the same time. Any comment on his looks and Jared went vainly self absorbed. The Irish man knew it would turn out that way, he had not a chance with Jared but again he accepted it. By this time he felt strongly that they could be and should be just friends anyway. Chasing him was too much work his head told him but his heart was speaking to him differently. To keep chasing him but this time open his fucking mouth and let him know how he feels.

He watched the two looking almost scared to death that they would kiss any minute. They were touching and laughing and he was completely away from the conversation as the two newly love birds were a fair distance behind him.

Colin didn't sense Hephaistion watching him either.

Ptolemy sighed. "Stop staring Hephaistion."

"Can you believe him? How can he just watch as his best friend is flirting with that good for nothing quim. It's insulting."

Focusing too much on ways to murder Arsias, Colin without looking ahead of him tripped over some stone and landed on his palms and knees scraping up his hands in the moment. Ptolemy stopped, looked behind him and went to help him up while everyone else kept moving and chuckling at him. "Thanks." The Irish man grasped Ptolemy's arm and lifting himself from the ground.

"Distracted by the beauty again?" The curlied general chuckled.

The Irish man hated to admit it but eventually nodded lowering his head like a kid who couldn't look at his mother after breaking the house window with a baseball. "Is that a bad thing that I desire him from afar but I'm unwilling to make a move?"

Ptolemy sighed looking at Jared and then back at Colin. "Not necessarily."

Then the soldier interrupted causing dirty glances back at him.

"Watch your step. A good soldier isn't clumsy. You wouldn't want that skill when you're face to face with an enemy." Arsias remarked to Colin laughing. He patted him on his shoulder and continued to move shaking his head still with a cocky laugh.

"Are you okay Cols." Jared helped wipe down the dirt from Colin once the soldier proceeded on.

"Yea."

"Geez Cols, that stone was like a fucking boulder." Jared was checking out the scratches made up on his forearms.

"That stings don't touch it. Am I gonna die." Colin whined.

"Uh die? I don't think so. Unless you fell on your penis and it snapped in half then I would worry about dying."

"What the hell kind of example is that?!"

"Well maybe if you did, Alexander would postpone the march."

"He would only do that for Hephaistion, you know that."

"That name just makes me want to urinate on it."

"I'm sure he would piss right back on you."

"You haven't seen what kind of things I am capable of when I have to take a piss. I'm telling you his hair would be tangled for years."

Colin wrinkled his nose. "That's a little gross. Its a little shame the two most beautiful people here are the nastiest."

'Have you seen his hair already. It's like the gordion knot."

"I don't know why you two have to be so hostile towards eachother."

"He's hostile towards me." Jared answered.

Arsias called Jared and the singer smiled at Colin then headed back up with Arsias and some more soldiers enjoying the social life.

Hephaistion out of nowhere came strolling from the fronts after seeing Jared take off from Colin. "Arsias your sandals are untied. Fix it soldier."

Arsias looked and instantly glared at the general.

"You dumb cock, you're wearing boots."

"You're a cunt Hephaistion."

The general continued to smile Ptolemy's and Colin's way.

"Thank you." Colin said to Hephaistion as he began to walk again.

The general smiled to him. "You're welcome." He also seemed unusually in a joyful mood.

The world around them smelt of blossoms coming from the winds of nature. It was a lovely day and a lovely day to hear the soldiers chanting "our cock rages on" over and over again even though it was getting annoying as fuck. But men were men. And it was nice to see Alexander enthused about capturing the rest of the world, only one of the million things that could bring a smile to his face.

"What in Hades is wrong with you anyway? Why are you so afraid to tell him?" The brunette general spoke.

The Irish man shrugged. "I don't know. Can you help me?"

The general left his dream world of his king and looked towards Colin. "With what?"

"Getting me Jared, for me."

"That name just makes me want to throw helpless men off cliffs. What for?"

"I just can't ask him myself. I tense up. I get scared like a fucking house cat. I afraid that I might say something and he may not like what comes from my mouth even though at times when I do speak it comes off as misunderstood. I mean he's so pretty and talented but through eyes like his I must be this ugly human being who can't even compare."

Hephaistion smiled at Colin's adorable way of saying that. He was so expressive and honest with himself that he was really beginning to be reminded of how Alexander was as an innocent still under his father's rules. Almost all the time Alexander never held anything in and even talked about his most embarrassing moments as if it was something to reflect upon. Like on one occasion when the prince went to his room late at night and expressed how he felt when his dog escaped his room and peed in his father's bed. He was afraid Phillip would put the dog to death.

He's come along way to begin to understand the Irish guy. "Did someone tell you, that you were ugly before?"

"Never. But that's what I'm afraid of, finally hearing it. There has to be a reason why he would rather be with Arsias than me right?"

"Are you not bold enough to go get him for yourself?"

"Were you, bold enough to get Alexander?" Colin asked interestedly.

"Yes, he started out introverted but then he started to grow up into this creature I couldn't quite understand. And then he followed me around probably further than he will succeed." The general smirked with flatter.

Colin was secretly envy of Alexander, wishing he had all the king possessed, the courage, the confidence, the determination to get what he wanted and because the king had those characteristics, he got what he desired. "So what your saying is that I should go tell Jared how I feel?"

Hephaistion nodded. "Yes." He was chewing subtly on bread he saved from breakfast before the march.

"But I think he's actually starting to grow liking to Arsias. I don't want to get in the way of that especially if it makes him happy."

"Does Jared look happy?"

Colin looked ahead and surprisingly Jared did look happy. Very actually. "Yea he does. Nevermind. Where are all the girls at?"

"Cleitus and Craterus probably hording them all. I wouldn't worry about the women though. Worry about yourself and your own wants. You've given up to easily." The general chuckled.

"I'm not giving up there was no hope to begin with." Colin defended himself.

Hephaistion didn't hate Jared. He just knew Jared was an attention seeker. If he looked like he would sleep with anybody chances were he would. In others words a whore. Gossip went around in the army claiming that Hephaistion and Jared were almost alike. The general could see that, maybe in looks, confidence, and attitude but when it came to ethics and morals Jared was far lost. Hephaistion never used his looks to seduce men for sex just because he was pretty. Jared used his looks incredibly well. Unlike the singer Hephaistion knew himself. "Ptolemy hold this." Hephaistion spit his already chewed squishy bread into Ptolemy's hand straight from his mouth.

The general wrinkled his nose as the sloppy glop landed in his palm. "Ofcourse." Even Colin looked disgusted.

Hephaistion made sure Jared was around and luckily he was, then landed his lips onto the Irish mans and kissed him daringly. All tongue all action.

Cleitus whistled aloud a smile as wide as the ocean. "Hephaistion you dog!"

Parmenion saw and rolled his eyes. "Kids." He began to question all the young soldiers' sanity.

Jared turned around to see what was happening and his smile died. Hephaistion peeked over and saw the singers smile fade from where he was at and he ended the kiss slowly nipping at Colin's lips. Then he slapped Colin's ass, took Ptolemy's hand slurped back up his food and walked ahead of the group. "Let's go men!" he ordered.

Ptolemy looked completely disgusted and wiped his hand on his clothes. Cleitus looked completely amused and cheered aloud before walking away back with the crowd. Jared looked completely pissed and Colin completely shocked falling back behind.

Jared glared at Hephaistion with disbelief and the general gave him a snobbish smile and skipped on ahead.

Ptolemy shook his head and left Colin in complete redness catching up with Hephaistion.

"Where the fuck did that come from?" Colin lifted his hand to his bread honey tasting lips.

Immediately Jared jogged towards Colin's side and took his hand in his. The Irish man still blushing blushed even more and shot a look straight to Jared not seeing that coming either. "Colin you and I are most likely going to grow up here and die here and if there are any regrets you have, you should reconsider them because the longer you wait the more regrets you are going to have on top of it. You know what I mean, so if we don't manage to get home I want you to know that if you need someone always by your side to take care of you and be your best friend, let me be that one. We've gotten this far so let us not split up okay."

"Err yea okay." Colin didn't know what to say still not believing Jared was holding his hand.

It was pure sudden jealousy that Jared had after he saw Hephaistion kiss him and not even Hephaistion was going to take Colin away from him. "Are you sure their isn't anything?" Jared looked into the depths of the Irish mans eyes. Colin's eyes connected with his.

The moon was shining on their bare skin while Colin ran hands slowly down the slim waist of his friend. The Irish mans mouth glided across his neck.

"I don't have any regrets Jared." He lied. "I'm glad I'm here with you. I would have never asked for anyone else." Since Colin was one of he worst committers in Hollywood, probably top three, he totally didn't get Jared's hint.

He thrusted passionately into Jared's tightness letting the sound of the singer's voice echo through his ears and the sky. The smaller body lifted off the thin sheets pushing his back closer into his friend's chest to feel secure. Their breathing and moans combined.

"Is there something you want to let me know, or ask me?" Colin asked in return.

He fondled Jared's hair and kissed his naked neck leaving wet trails to his shoulder. Jared opened his eyes to the moon and smiled in liberation. His aching groin free from erection free and trickling all over his friend's hand.

"'I love you Jared."

"I love you Cols."

"Hey you two lovebirds keep up with the people will ya." Craterus shoved them.

Immediately the two shook off each others hands and out their thoughts of each other making love. This time Jared was blushing.

Colin laughed and looked back at Jared who was demanding something from him through his eyes. They dreamed and thought of each other all the time but they ended up both insecure to say anything. "We should uh catch up with the rest."

"Yea." Jared answered and followed Colin closely towards the front.

"Well that didn't work." Ptolemy puffed and teased Hephaistion. "You definitely don't have Alexander's tactics."

The blue eyed general shrugged. "Oh well. I'm just going to have to kiss him harder and much longer next time."

"Sounds fair, but you're going to have to explain it to Alexander."

"Why? He doesn't need to know. He would murder half his men if he found that out."

"Maybe because Philotas is the snitch among us and went to tell him."

They heard Philotas run by shouting Alexander's name like there was an enemy approaching.

"Oh by Zeus hairy cock. He's so annoying. I hope he dies of heatstroke."

"Who knows. Maybe one day Alexander will execute him for treachery against him."

"Did you notice Philotas is always around when perverted things are happening."

"I noticed that as well."

"Like when I was taking a piss in a pond. I was about 12. I saw Philotas's reflection in the water."

"That must have been traumatizing. Did you tuck your cock away?" Ptolemy asked interested.

"No I kept peeing. I really had to go."

"That's modest?"

"I really had to go. I wasn't going to stop for him. And I was young, boys were boys. Besides Alexander isn't going to believe him."

They saw Cassander run by with a wicked laugh. "You are so in deep shit Phai boy."

"Oh I don't think so." Hephaistion ran after Cassander.

They had finally stopped and rested. The men seemed even more energized when the moon came then during the painful march in the sun. Hephaistion was sitting around with his other companions enjoying their company around a fire. Like always they were talking and laughing about nonsense until he saw the fire briefly go out and light up again. He then heard a whisper far off in the winds. He turned around facing that direction and everyone stopped what they were discussing watching the disturbed general like he was going crazy. Ptolemy, the first to be worried by his behavior asked him if he was alright.

"You didn't hear that?" the browned haired general asked his friends. Obviously he wasn't alright.

They all replied by shaking there heads.

"No. Hear what?" Cassander asked looking about.

"You've done this before, hearing random voices" Craterus said. "I thought you grew passed that."

"I heard something Craterus." Hephaistion opposed back.

"It's probably your imagination." Cassander replied.

"Yes you do have a big one." Philotas responded.

"You're right, it's probably just me. I'm the crazy one." Hephaistion stood and left them noticeably mad at them. They shared eachother sorry glances. "I didn't know he was going to take it to heart." Philotas responded.

"Well he is a sensitive little girl." Said Craterus chuckling to himself.

Colin was out looking for Jared after checking his tent and finding him nowhere. He came by the circle of friends passing Hephaistion along the way, who didn't say a word to him or even give him notice. Colin watched him wondering what was wrong but decided to let it go and came to Leonnatus and Perdicas and asked them if they had seen Jared.

"Yea he was off with Arsias up the hill." One answered and Colin easily got angered.

"Doesn't Alexander have any regulations with soldiers liking other soldiers? Fuck! Thank you." Colin stormed off in the direction they gave.

He came to the top of the hill and watched from there Jared and Arsias sitting together looking at the stars and in deep discussion. Colin spied for awhile then he suddenly felt a hand wrap around his mouth and a man whispering in his ear to keep quiet. He recognized Cleitus voice and shook him off once the general let him go. "What the hell? Why are you sneaking?"

Cleitus laughed quietly. "With the way you fight I'm surprised you didn't kill me." He realized the Irish man was quick to ignore him, caught up in spying on his companion again.

Cleitus knew exactly how he felt to some extent. To desire someone who didn't desire them back. "Sorry friend but the one you seek is lost."

Colin knew exactly what he was talking about. "Jared is mine. He's always been mine."

The blacked haired general sighed. "Not if I beat you to him first." He joked even though it was much wanted. He would have accepted that challenge. Jared was to die for.

"Rather you than him. You and Arsias were close. What does Jared see in him anyway?" Colin was mostly trying to come to the conclusion himself, trying to figure it out.

Cleitus was just watching the foreigner. "You shouldn't watch them. You're only torturing yourself. I suggest you don't think to hard about it. What Jared sees in Arsias only he would know? But maybe you should be figuring out what Jared sees in you." He could only give so much advice.

The general was right. Colin felt worse seeing Arsias place his lips on Jared's than the first time he had caught them having sex. They seemed more comfortable with each other which was heartrending. It was affecting him more than he had hoped and it was bothering him to the point of annoying himself while letting it get to him.

Cleitus nodded towards the Irish man. "You ready. Come on."

"Yea." The man didn't want to seem to go. He watched them both like it was some hidden pleasure to suffer this way.

When Arsias removed a piece of Jared's clothing, Cleitus knew it was time to leave. "Come on Colin." He patted his shoulder and swooped down the hill back towards the tents.

Colin eventually took off as well.

"I'm actually tired Arsias. I'm going to get some sleep." Jared looked over towards the hill where he thought he saw his friend. He then pulled back up his cloth and said goodnight to Arsias before he headed back to his own tent.

Bessus was looking over the letter that Arsias had sent awhile ago, telling him to wait until after the young king hits Persepolis to proceed with the execution of Darius. And that Arisas had sent note to the people of the city ordering them to attack and not surrender to the evil king. He put away the parchment hearing noises from outside his tent. He then stood. Mazeus slightly tortured was brought into the tent before him. "Welcome back friend." Bessus clamped his ex generals shoulder.

The general glared at him.

"Don't you glare at me you mewling snake. You betrayed me. You have every right to what's coming to you."

"You speak of betrayal when you plan to stab your own king in the back? Do not speak to me of loyalty. I've chosen my king."

"The boy?" Bessus looked angry.

"He's atleast merciful."

"He's just a child. After he's gone and Darius after him, I will be the only ruler. Get used to me friend." He glared away from him and looked sternly towards the soldiers who brought him in. "Lock him up. I will question him later."

His men nodded and took Mazeus away.

The general was lightly resting. The blacked haired slave boy slipped unnoticeably through the night and towards Alexander's lover's tent. His feet stopped currently at the dancing flaps caused by the dry winds. His quiet presence and shadow covered the beauties sleeping face as he knelt down beside him. He glared up the general's face wondering something about the man. Was he worth killing so that he may be absent from the king. His best friend.

He reached into a sack at his side and lifted a blade from it. It was a nice dagger, made by Persian extravagance but also very detailed in its deadly style. It was shaped like in a form of a slithering snake, sharp at the outer silver curves, fires of the candles hitting its shine making it appear with a glint, the boy and the knife smiling at its kill.

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I was walking slowly back to my room after the encounter with Zeus son. I spit out on the grass getting rid of the nasty after taste of throwing up.

"How did he feel? Was he good? I can tell a great amount about you by looking into those eyes." Hades appears before me as I'm making my way back after the little visit with Alexander. "Like your love life. Your first love. And your only love." He continues. "It's very vague to you isn't it? I am a good god and I can help you Hephaistion. You seek a lot and I can grant you whatever it is that you want to know, I can give you back what the others don't want you to have."

"I think I can solve this myself. They warn me against gods like you." I answer in no mood to be messed with.

"No that's not how this works. How about you give me your gratitude." He hisses at me.

"Gratitude, for you stalking me, I don't think so. I don't care about my love life; I care about getting out of this hell."

"Wrong, to care about getting out of this hell, which doesn't even compare to my home by the way, you have to care about your love life."

"I don't think so. Let me by."

The god stands with his hand at my chest. "Challenging a god's word? You're very outspoken. The love of your life is the reason why your life is a living hell in the first place. Get it now."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I was never in love."

"You are still naïve Hephaistion. You don't remember it, that's all."

"Good for me."

"Yes good for you and good for the son of Zeus. You didn't answer me. How did he feel?"

"Alexander? What makes you think that I have any feelings for him whatsoever?"

"Because I know you and I know your life. You might not get a hard on for him now but believe me you did when you two were in love."

"What do you mean were? I would have never loved anyone like him."

"You are placed in a dream sequence. This is the afterlife, the end of Alexander's world that he destroyed. You've already grown up, you've already fell in love, and you've already died. Same goes with Alexander, now as we speak his empire splits between his men."

"What are you talking about?" I felt I was hearing nonsense.

"Alexander is your lover, the king of the known world. You two are dead and this is you reincarnated and restored into the god's world."

"You're saying I'm dead already?"

"Not exactly, you were and now you're alive in this new life. Things change Hephaistion. You're different. You're not as confident or stubborn. The other you would have pulled his sword on me already, he was definitely a babe."

"I need my rest." I push him out of my way.

He just laughs and follows. "You also need time to think, a lot of time. Trying to remember your past isn't going to work nor waiting for it to come to you. Only slight images and visions would come to you and nothing more than that. So good luck beautiful."

"Aphrodite says it will come to me that she would do everything to help me find it."

"Aphrodite and the rest of the gods are frauds." His voice turns destructive. "Alexander is the only answer to your happiness, but first can you live with his evil deeds again. You still look surprised. Yes, Alexander is a slave to his own head, and a slave to you. He would do anything in a heartbeat, even lay down his life. Join me, join my army of forgotten souls and we will set your mind free from the shackles my brother has your head around."

"If I do?"

"You and I live happily ever after."

"And if I don't."

"You stay here for eternity that's if you win against Alexander in the last contest, with me on your side, I will give you both worlds but my system doesn't run functionally without its bride."

"I'm not going to be your bride. Get it out of your head now and I am not a woman. Don't treat me like one."

"No your right, your beauty shows that you are no man or no woman but better than both."

"What does Alexander have to do with this?"

"I thought you would never ask. I showed you his mission. Nothing will change his mind, it's meant to happen, he will destroy us but I need your help to stop him."

"Why would I help you."

"Because he will destroy the gods and every realm they own, only to become the one god. And the people of earth think I'm evil for doing my job. The more innocent lives he takes my army in hell grow dense and hollow. Also your life is on the line not just mine."

"That's nice. You're using me to stop Zeus son, because he would no longer exist in a higher power if all the souls would end up with your brother in the heavens. Fancy Hades."

"With Alexander around there isn't a soul nearly as bad. I need bad people in hell. You need to understand how serious I am being."

"I'll sleep on it."

"Good boy and just to let you know how serious I am, I left a little gift for you by your bedside. Rather me doing it, than Alexander. You are mine." Hades laughed then disappeared.

The way his words slipped from his snake like tongue had me bothered already. I finally get back inside the kingdom and walk amongst the training grounds towards my room. I'm angrier than before. For letting Alexander use me like that and for letting Hades speak to my mind. I stop crossing the grounds when I see Alexander training this late at night. Like he never stops, always needing to be the best at everything. He spots me and stops what he's doing and just stares me down.

"Back to get more cock little girl. Thought I was done with you."

"Youre not that good. Far from it actually." I respond back. He chuckles.

"Baby I'm always good. You begged for more, remember." He pointed his sword at me. "Now run back to your room before I decide where my cock goes next."

"How about you fight me."

"Excuse me."

"Yes, put down your sword and fight me."

"Why. I would kill you."

"I suppose. Let's do it now then."

He throws down his sword and struts right at me. I brace myself and next thing we hit at each other hard not being careful of any damages and going full force. I hated him so letting it out was good. He hated me so it was good for him too. I went at him with a fire that never burned before. It became clear that we were supposed to be enemies. He lived for everything I didn't and I lived for everything he despised. He slams my head against the dirt ground. He's stronger than me that's for sure but it felt good trying. I kick him in his stomach and shove him aside letting him roll off me. He maintains himself and punches me over and over until I grab his wrist before he could hit me again and he's glaring with a disposition and with a temperament that can outmatch mine. We tire eachother out and I shove him away again and I breath heavily while he is watching me, trying to catch his own breath. I get up. He assumed the fight was over so he drops his guard. He just watches me patiently as I try to calm my self from this anger and sadness. I don't fight anymore and can't think to myself why I even wanted to anymore.

"If you hate me this much, fight me and pray you have the strength to focus and kill me right now. We will end it before the finals. You are lead by your emotions; this is why you will never be able to end me. So I will give you an easy shot." He kicks his sword over to me.

I know he's right and I growl when tears come hard and fast only proving his point. I sit down focusing on trying to hide them away. "I don't need your stupid sword.

Zeus son sighs. "Hey in this world we have to be enemies. Being friends, having allies is the worst thing that can happen to anybody especially when they start to care. I do not want to care about you." He makes it clear. "And you shouldnt care about me. When we fight, we will fight to the death, no mercy shown."

I realize he's as damaged as me, but he expresses it in a way where no one can tell. He hides it well.

"Do you wake up every morning here, hating your life and wishing you could end it, but you realize you shouldn't because you have a much more important life to be living?" I ask.

"No. The life I'm living is the life I've earned. I know where my greatness stands."

"I don't know how to get to mine."

"You sulk of sadness as if the one Hades has captured your soul."

"He has. He tells me everything the rest are hiding from me."

"I should kill you for exchanging words with that devil. The gods find out, you will be punished and considered there enemy."

"Like how you are considered everyone's enemy?" I glare up at him.

"What do you speak of?" He gets even more serious.

I smile between misery and anger. "Like you don't know. The gods hate you. I just thought it was me and a few others who couldn't stand the sight of you or being near you, but they really do hate you. They want you gone because of fear that you will turn against them and the rest of the world. That you will take over their legacy and capture every heart of there people, crush them until they bleed because the only thing you are in love with is yourself. You don't care what anyone thinks of you. You discredit them in everyway, and the gods ache inside knowing you are around. The reason you are in these contests is in hope of someone finally killing you because it's the only honorable way they can. You are only made of shame and embarrassment to them because they thought you could rise as a leader. But they realize it isn't so. You don't have the mental power for being a good king or leader. Don't you see it, your father despises you and he wants to get rid of you. Open your eyes and look around. You see Alexander, you are the reason why I hate this place so much. I felt stupid earlier to believe you were something different, someone that I knew and someone that I thought I could save from himself. But you can't be saved can you? Does it make you feel better that you're going to kill us all and then there will be raining fire, black grass and screaming ashes. You win either way. You cant save yourself but you can end yourself and I hope when you do, everyone no matter where they end, in the heavens or the hells will take you apart limb from limb. Good night son of Zeus."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Alexander's World...

And just when you think you're falling in love with a common enemy, he rips out my heart and hands it to me to crush it myself. He leaves the garden and me behind.

I don't know exactly what I am thinking but it's not to apologize or even believe everything that he told me. Who cares if I am hated? The only thing that matters is what I've done. I growl when I feel a slight tear slide down my face and I quickly wipe it away. Men like me are not supposed to cry. I notice redness smeared across my hand and I realize it was a tear of blood. But I don't cry. I feel more wet drops sprinkling on my arms, hair and body. I look up towards the sky and it's a blood bath coming down on this world. It's a sign that I am hated, and a sign that I am cursed. So be it. No one can hate me more than I hate myself. But I am Alexander. Alexander the great and I am destined for this. I walk off leaving trails of bloody prints behind.

x

I went to my room forgetting all about the gift Hades had warned me about until I saw the slave girl that I have saved from the guards, hung from the ceiling by her neck, blood coming from her face and down her body as if someone smashed her head in. I cover my mouth disgusted at the sight and back away. The smell getting deeper into my senses and thickening my mouth with distaste. Flies surround her, feeding and living off her dead body. I start to cough and sit back in the corner of my room, not believing this, not wanting to believe any of that blood was real or that the slave I saved, I didn't save at all. "Shit." I said in my hand trying to hold back my fright and sorrow. I couldn't call Atlas. I couldn't call Aphrodite. I couldn't even speak. I was choking at the sight. My heart was racing. My mouth was drying, my eyes can't stop tearing. I was scattered and lost. Who would care if I told them a slave was murdered. No one. In fact they would say she deserved it. There would be no mourning for her.

This reminds me how trapped I am. I sense someone come in but I am too shocked and inattentive of the horror of the image. Why do I feel so bad?

This body comes up beside me and gets down on there knee. Then holds me close. I finally turn away from the dead girl and see that Zeus' son is with me. Why did he come to comfort me after what I said I don't know? But I can use someone right now. I don't say anything and he doesn't expect me too. I clench his arm closer to me.

"No one needs to know about this. Stay with me tonight. I will clean it up." he says.

I nod slowly my eyes turning back to the slave even though it sickens me. He helps me up and takes me back to his quarters.

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Before the slave was going to dig the knife into the mans throat, the general shifted and even though stuck hard in a dream, he opened his eyes from the disaster that was his nightmares of the gods and heaving he was glaring at the boy above him, who had entered the tent. Bagoas had quickly hid his blade.

"Why are you here slave?" the general noticed the lad stuttering to speak.

Bagoas shot up to Hephaistion innocence growing in his eyes and loosely backing away. "I heard something from your tent. I came to see what it was. I was aware it was yours but the sounds I heard were frightening. But it was only just you suffering from a bad dream. I was going to wake you up from them. I apologize for any interruption. I hope better dreams come to you."

His sword and dagger close by and the general didn't give a sign he trusted him but he nodded. "Be on your way."

The slave bowed politely and left. Hephaistion removed himself from his covers and peeked out of the tent watching the slave head back to his own. He couldn't have been dreaming that loud. Something nerved him. What was the boy even doing near his tent in the first place…

…and why was his feelings for Alexander changing.

Alexander the next day was full of orders. He was getting impatient feeling he was losing Darius the more they stopped. So he pushed them harder. Cleitus called loudly shouting over thousands of men, needing them to pick up the pace. The king wanted not another second wasted. He refused to waste any more time, so the men in respect and love of their king, kept moving.

Hephaistion watched his king changing. He reacted weirdly, feeling uncomfortable near him for a reason he didn't understand. He didn't know what to do but Alexander felt it. And that wasn't good.