The thunder boomed across the sky as the storm gathered momentum. It was an unholy storm, the blue and green lightening lit the skies and scarred the earth below when it hit. Hercules ran for cover towards a cliff as the rain came down in torrents. A loud crack sounded over his head, glancing up he just made out a large boulder falling towards him, desperately he tried to dodge it but it clipped his shoulder sending him tumbling forward. Before he could catch his breath another larger one fell, crushing him as it landed on his back.

He woke to find himself lying on a small bed, in a clean and neat little cabin. A cool breeze came through the window cooling his fever a little. He tried to sit up, to find out where he was when he realised he couldn't feel anything. There was no pain, no feeling what so ever, it was as if he had lost the lower half of his body.
Terrified he felt for his legs, he could feel something there, but there was no feeling, he tried to touch them, he did he was sure so why couldn't he feel anything. The room started to swim in his vision and he lay his head down just as the darkness mercifully overtook him again.
A gentle hand wiped the sweat from his face, as Hercules opened his eyes and stared into beautiful almond shaped brown eyes. Gradually he could focus on her face, her brown skin and the blackest of hair. Her lips shaped in a pretty bow were the reddest he had ever seen. She wore a simple white gown of the softest material, that clung to her shapely form. She smiled and wiped his face and chest with the damp cloth, cooling him slightly. It was then he realised he wore no clothes, he was just covered by a light sheet.
"Where am I?" Hercules finally croaked out, his throat was so dry.
"You are safe, here with me, I found you so badly hurt after that storm, with the help of some of my friends I was able to bring you here!" she explained softly, as she got up and poured a drink of milk for him. "My name is Kai-lye what are you called?"
"I am Hercules......Kai-lye that is very...ahh......pretty" he managed to grunt out as pain from his bruised shoulder hit him.
Kai-lye went over to a shelf and got some powders and leaves off it and mixed them in a bowl, then she poured some water onto them and strained it into a goblet. Kneeling next to Hercules she lifted the concoction to his lips "drink....it will ease the pain" he sipped the foul tasting mix, grimacing slightly but it worked quickly and the sharpness of the pain eased to a dull ache that he was able to control.
"Kai-lye, my legs......I can't feel........"he mumbled out, feeling a little drowsy.
"Your back was hurt badly, Hercules.....I am not sure how much....it is very badly marked and bruised...I am sorry Hercules but from what I can work out you may not walk anymore, you will have to wait until the injuries heal first, you have to stay still!" she tried soften the news from him but the haunted look in his eyes said it all. Hercules let his head fall back onto the pillow and stared out of the window, trying to take in what he had just been told.

Kai-lye watched him for a moment then quietly left to finish her chores and get their evening meal, he was going to need lots of strength to get through the next few weeks. The look on his face sent shivers down her spine though. He was so big and strong, but he looked totally defeated.
The shared their evening meal in silence Hercules barely touched his food, he looked so sad and in pain but he didn't say anything, he pushed his meal around on the plate for a little while, then handed it back to kai-lye, "sorry Kai-lye but don't seem to have much of an appetite!" he tried to smile but he couldn't.
Kai-lye took to plate and smiled at him gently, "do not worry yourself you will eat when you are hungry!" she replied, as she placed the plate on the table and poured a drink of spiced mead into a cup for him. She sprinkled some fine powder that disolved into the drink. It would ease the pain and help him sleep.

Kai-lye watched Hercules as he slowly drifted off to sleep, the now empty cup dropped from his hand. The lines of pain and grief faded from his face and he slept a dreamless deep sleep.
She never left his side all the night, sitting holding his hand and wiping the sweat off his forehead. Hercules woke to the morning sun streaming in the window, a dark head rested next to his hand on the side of the bed. When he tried to move he realised that it was not a dream, everything had happened. Now he was lying in a young woman's home, and he was crippled.

The days passed slowly for him, he was so restless in bed, but his injuries forced him to stay there, the feeling still not coming back in his legs.
Kai-lye stood at the foot of the bed with her fists resting on her hips a cheeky grin on her face.
"We are going to have to exercise those legs of yours Hercules!" she said trying to make it sound as light as possible.
"Why? what is the use?" he ground out avoiding her eyes.
"The use? because you are going to walk again soon Hercules, you need to keep those muscles strong!" she retorted, grabbing the edge of the sheet she flicked it up to his face, keeping his top half covered. Then Kai-lye got a big pot of grey looking sludge and massaged it into his legs. Hercules lay there a little perplexed, not to sure what to make out of what was happening.
When Kai-lye finished massaging them she slowly lifted his legs up and stretched them one at a time.
Blushing slightly at her closeness Hercules tried to watch what she was doing, he couldn't feel her touch or the movement she was creating with his legs. It was if they were dead.

Kai-lye made it a regular occurance, forcing him to exercise his legs even though he felt it was a waste of time, then she appeared with his pants, clean and mended. "We are going to get you to sit up!" she said quickly as she moved towards him. Slipping her hands beneath his knees Kai-lye managed to lift them over the edge of the bed, then she put his arms on her shoulders and with a strength that her petite size belied helped Hercules to sit up, propping him up with pillows behind his back. He rested his head for a moment until the dizziness passed. Kai-lye knelt next to his feet and rubbed his legs a little, then she slipped his pant's legs over his feet and up to his hips. Then she dragged the table over in front of him. "Here use this to pull yourself up with Hercules, you have the strength to do it!" she urged.
Hercules looked up at her tiredly and with some scepticism, but he shrugged a little and decided to humour her. Swallowing his pride as he let Kai-lye pull the pants up over his hips. He surprised himself at how easily he was still able to pull himself up, maybe there was some hope after all. Exhausted by the exhertion Hercules sat back down on the bed and let his head fall back on the pillows, it did feel good to move a little and feel like he had done something for himself.
Kai-lye stood back and grinned satisfied she had helped him finally onto the road of recovery. The big man was becoming so dear to her, and it ate her up to watch him lying there so helpless and feeling so lost.

Hercules lay back against the pillows and rested for a moment, watching Kai-lie move around the cabin, tidying and preparing the evening meal. "Tell me about yourself Kai-lye, I have been here for days yet I know nothing about you?" Hercules asked as he watched her.
"There is not much to tell you Hercules, my tribe came from a long way from here, slowly separating as they travelled. Hunted by slave traders they settled all over the place. My father died trying to save my mother and I from the slavers, we finally came to this valley, it was nice and hidden so we stayed. My brothers found us and helped us build our home, then they went to fight in wars trying to fit in. My mother and I stayed here, I................I can heal with herbs and medicines, animals that live here are my friends I go to town a little when I need some things but the most time I spend here, with the animals and the beauty of the valley!"
"You said friends helped you bring me here....who were they?" Hercules asked his curiosity of this exotic young woman getting the better of him.
"My friends, there is Qui my horse he is wonderful and Miko my dog they helped me as well as some of the others, Woiwoi the eagle was the one who told me where you were!" "They told you?" he asked a little confused his head getting heavy again. "Kai-lye can you help me to lie down again please?" he asked annoyed with himself for feeling so helpless. He suddenly felt so tired, and found himself wanting to have it all end.
Kai-lye helped to lie down again and stared at him with a worried look on her face. He should be getting a little movement in his legs by now. The swelling and bruising have gone down, but he still had nothing....no feeling......no movement... nothing.
She tried to hide her concern from Hercules but when he glanced up at her he saw it in her eyes. The pity. Impotent fury built up inside of him and he punched his fist into the wall. Kai-lye jumped back with fright, his face was contorted with fury. "Damn Hera and the other Gods!" he yelled as he pummelled his fists into his paralysed legs. The blows would have felled the strongest of men but he felt nothing. Kai-lye grabbed his wrists and made him look at her,] "you are still alive Hercules, you have your strength......it will take time but you can walk again....you can't give up!" she cried out, trying to make it sound much more positive than it was.
Hercules looked at her his face dark with fury, "How Kai-lye, how can I look at me, how can I do that?" he spat out, throwing the sheet off showing his legs his fist marks, red on his flesh.
Kai-lye grabbed his face and forced to him to look at her, she could see the tears of frustration well up in his blue eyes, her heart cried for him but she made sure he only saw the determination to help him.

Ares stood watching the polished stone with interest. The storm peaked his curiosity. Creating a kind of viewing screen he watched his half brother as he ran for cover, the boulders falling on him. A flickering look of concern passed over his face, but then was gone replaced with a sneer, the one he enjoyed tormenting being hurt? It was not his doing damn it! This might be something to look into. Just as he was about to turn and leave another movement caught his eye, his attention caught again he watched the scene play out in front of him. A young woman appeared accompanied by a large dog and horse, an eagle flew near by, she was totally captivating. Ares watched as she was able to roll the boulder off Hercules, she quickly made a make shift stretcher from branches and leaves and tied it to the horse. Then carefully she managed to roll Hercules on to it. Small beads of blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.
This was really starting to get interesting. Ares absently fingered his beard thinking, a frown started to crease his handsome face. He lost Serena to Hercules, now he has seen a vision of total exotic beauty and she was tending his wounded half brother. He might have to pay a visit to his brother's sick bed, pay his respects and introduce himself to her.

Showing brotherly concern for Hercules of course should endear himself to her.
"Hey Unc'!" a voice came from behind breaking his concentration, the images in front of him disappeared as quickly as he made them. Spinning around he came face to face with his nephew Strife, "What's up?"
"What is up? sometimes Strife..argh!" he yelled annoyed at being disturbed by his snivelling nephew, "I am going to pay my respects to my dear half brother on his sick bed!" he snapped.
"You are what?" Strife quizzed sure he had heard wrong.
Ares glared at him for a moment longer then he straightened himself up and smiled a chillingly cold smile, "I am going to visit my dear injured half brother so go annoy someone else for a while Strife, I am busy!" dismissing Strife with a flick of the wrist. In a flash of light Ares was gone, leaving Strife standing there with a look of confusion and shock on his face, giggling to himself and rubbing his hands together he decided to follow his uncle and see if he could cause a little mischief for Hercules, for his uncle of course!

Ares materialised just out of view of the cabin, he knew it would be easier on the young woman if he came in human form, for now anyway. Trying to look and act like a concerned brother Ares made his way to the door. He tapped on it and stepped back a little, letting her see him in perfect light.
Kai-lye opened the door cautiously, not used to people coming to her home, she found a tall well built handsome man, dressed all in black leather. But when she looked at his face, he was so handsome in a dark way. "Hello" he started chokingly she was even more beautiful than he thought, "I understand that my brother is here with you and he is badly hurt, I thought I might come and see if I can lend a hand....my name is Ares by the way"
"Good morrow Ares, I am Kai-lye welcome, your brother is here, he is very badly hurt, I fear he is giving up, maybe you will be able to help him!" she smiled up at him.
Help Hercules? He thought to himself, he would rather die first but if it meant winning this wonderous woman away from him, well it might pay to keep the concerned brother act up for a while. "I would be pleased to help in any way, it is nice to meet you Kai-lye" he smiled taking her hand into his and brushing it past his lips. Being so nice for now was going to kill him but it will not be for long.
Kai-lye pulled away slightly, there was something about this broodingly handsome dark man, and showed him in. Hercules was sitting propped up in the bed, dozing lightly. He was still so pale and withdrawn, maybe it would do him good to see his brother.

Kai-lye took Ares to Hercules and then left them to give them some privacy while she went to tend to her small vegetable garden outside.

Ares stood over Hercules for a moment, oh the temptation to destroy him when he was so weakened was overwhelming, but then there is that stupid rule Zues set down, where a God can't kill another God, not even a half breed like Hercules.
Hercules stirred and slowly woke up. He could have sworn he had heard Ares' voice........"Ares what are you doing here?" he demanded, furious with himself for being defenseless in front of Ares.
"Don't worry yourself dear half brother, I am not here to fight you... I am.........uhhhhhhhhh.......here to help you!" the last words were choked out, but he got it out.

"Get out Ares, I don't want.......I don't need you here.....go back and tell Hera she has succeeded this time" he ground out, in a very low and controlled voice.
Ares smiled and sat down on a chair, "now, now dear Brother, don't be like that, I am here for you!" Ares smiled through gritted teeth. The thought of Hercules being a cripple was such a delicious thought to Ares he had a really hard time pretending to be nice.
"So little brother, we are a little damaged are we?" he asked no longer able to hide his glee.
"Get out Ares!" Hercules snarled his anger rising, he did not need to be taunted by Ares not now.
"Why Hercules you wound me, I am here to help you and to get to know your dear Kai-lye, ahhh what an unusual name!" he added gleefully, this was turning into more fun than he thought.
"You leave her alone Ares!" Hercules cried out, struggling to sit up on his own.
"And what are you going to do about it Hercules, look at you! you can't even sit up, I might just have to stay here, and look after both you and the dear Kai-lye....... she is not Serena this time!" he added with a hiss.
"Leave her alone!" Hercules yelled, trying his hardest to get up.
Kai-lye ran into the cabin when she heard Hercules yell, something was wrong, she found Ares helping him back onto the bed, Hercules' face was a mask of pain and anger.
"Poor Hercules, he is worse than I imagined, do you mind if I stay and help with him!" Ares smiled, as he shoved Hercules back against the pillows, with a warning glare. For the moment he had the upper hand.

Hercules fell back on his pillows, exhausted from the movement and his anger with Ares, he needed to stay awake for Kai-lye's sake but he found himself drifting off easily.
He caught snatches of a conversation between Kai-lye and Ares, but the words made no sense as the darkness took over, dulling the pain and his rage.
Ares sat down and watched Kai-lye move around the cabin preparing the evening meal, she was truly magical as she moved.

Strife stayed in the shadows just outside the window, not even Ares was aware of his presence. So that was what his uncle was up to! A woman, he should have known. What fun would that be, unless he caused a little mayhem between Ares and Hercules, now that would be fun.
He crept around to the window by Hercules' bed, the big man slept restlessly tossing his arms around, as he dreamt. Strife giggled to hiself, perfect, he caused some great mayhem last time he interferred with Hercules' dreams.
Hercules tossed as his dream worsened. He tried to reach Kai-lye but she was just out of his reach he was stranded on the floor unable to save her as a dark shadow, attacked her, forcing her to do things unspeakable as Hercules crippled lay on the floor helpless. The blood squirting from her neck as he drew a dagger across it, taking her life from her. All he could do was lie there and scream. Then the shadow attacked him, massive hands closed around his neck trying to take his life as well. The face blurred in front of him first it was Ares' face then it became his own.

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