Bogey Man

Author's Note: My fourth Halloween-spirited story. No copyright infringement on characters owned by RenPics or Universal studios intended. May the Bogey Man suck out my soul if I profit by this little tale.. Comments always welcome!

"I can't believe how much we're paying for this," the hunter grumbled over the rim of his goblet.

"Iolaus, we're paying what everyone else here is paying," Hercules replied patiently, glancing around the tavern at the sight of tired, dusty travelers and the local farmers in threadbare clothing, celebrating the fall crops that would hopefully get them through another year.

"I know, but we probably wouldn't have had to pay at all if you weren't so shy about throwing your name around."

"We've been through this," the demigod reminded his partner. "And I'm not going to use my fame to take advantage of people's good nature. The man who owns this place works hard and I'm not going to begrudge him a few coins. He has a growing family to support."

"I'll say," Iolaus murmured appreciatively, his mug hitting the table with a thump as his gaze fixed on the tavern owner's buxom young daughter delivering a tray of food to a lucky table across the room. He turned to his friend with an impish grin. "Want to see if I can get us a refund?"

It certainly wouldn't have been the first time the handsome hunter had charmed his way into free room and board, but Hercules dissuaded his partner with a shake of his head.

"I don't think that's something you want to try tonight," he advised sagely, nodding to where the tavern keeper was keeping a protective eye on his lovely daughter. The man was aging, but still burly enough to make the most ardent suitor think twice about his pursuits.

"A challenge only adds to the fun," Iolaus declared, a wicked gleam in his eye. But the subject was dropped as their meal soon arrived, delivered by the tavern owner's strapping young son, and the demigod was left to hope that his incorrigible friend had only been joking.

The two warriors ate leisurely, their dinner peppered with companionable chatter and good natured teasing as they enjoyed the comfortable, if simple, atmosphere of the tavern. They kept to themselves, paying little attention to the crowd around them and scarcely noticing the cloaked figure that entered the building and moved to the bar. But the figure noticed them as his hooded eyes scanned the room, and ignoring the tavern keeper asking him what he wanted, he shuffled over to loom in front of their table.

"Hercules, thank the gods! I heard you were headed this way, and I was praying I'd find you here."

"Asclepius?" the demigod blurted in surprise as recognition set in. He craned his head, trying to see under the hood of the cloak. "Is that you?"

"Yes, it's me," came the confirmation. "And I need your help."

"Sit down," Hercules commanded, waving at the empty chair at their table. "Tell us what's wrong."

"Ummm, Herc," Iolaus said slowly, his eyes narrowing as he took in the way the cloaked figure kept one hand pressed firmly against his side, a gesture with which he was well familiar. "I think maybe this is a conversation to be had in private. Why don't I go see if there's a room available for the night?"

The demigod nodded, a bit puzzled by his friend's suggestion. But as Asclepius sunk down into the chair, unable to bite back a small groan, he immediately understood and silently applauded his partner's consideration. He glanced over to where Iolaus was speaking with the tavern keeper, smiling slightly as the hunter pulled out his money pouch and handed over some of his precious few dinars without a second thought.

"Come on," Hercules urged, rising and reaching out a hand to help his cousin back up, following Iolaus' lead. "Let's go upstairs where it's quieter and you can tell me what happened."

"There, that should do it," the hunter murmured, tying off the tight bandage.

"Thank you, Iolaus," Asclepius said softly, drawing an experimental breath and finding the ache in his bruised ribs was much less acute.

"No thanks needed," Iolaus assured him, clapping him gently on the shoulder. "I'm just trying to pay back a few of those 'I owe you's."

"I sure never thought I'd live to see the day where you were treating me," the healer grinned sadly, pulling his tunic somewhat painfully over his head.

"Well, there were times when I never thought I'd live to see another day, period," the hunter told him. "And I have you to thank for making sure that I did."

"I'll second that," Hercules added, catching his partner's words as he entered the room with a tray and set it down on the small table. "Here, try this."

He tossed a small jar to his friend, who caught it effortlessly and uncorked it, displaying the contents to Asclepius, who nodded his approval. Iolaus went to work cleaning the rest of the healer's wounds before applying the medicinal salve. Most of the cuts and scrapes were superficial, but the hunter decided that the gash above his left eye was deep enough to warrant bandaging.

"That's not bad, Iolaus," Asclepius told him when he was through. "If you ever decide to leave the hero business, you'd make a fine healer's apprentice."

"Thanks," the hunter told him as he wiped his hands clean. "But I think I'll stick to doling out the black eyes rather than treating them."

"Speaking of which," Hercules intervened. "I'm guessing that getting attacked by bandits outside of town isn't the reason you were looking for me."

"No," the healer said with a shake of his head, glancing longingly at the tray on the table that held a bowl of stew and a plate of bread. "Getting robbed by those thugs was the least of my problems."

"Why don't you eat while it's still hot?" the demigod suggested, for he hadn't missed the look of hunger on his cousin's face. "I'll go back downstairs and get us a bottle of wine, and then you can start at the beginning."

Iolaus accompanied his partner, and they took their time, sharing observations and speculations as they loitered down in the tavern. By the time they returned with the wine and three glasses, Asclepius had eaten his fill and was ready to tell them his story.

"It all happened five days ago," he began, sipping the rich, red wine Iolaus handed him. "A young man named Virbius was brought to me. Apparently a gang of mercenaries arrived at the local inn and one of them took a shine to a serving girl. When he wouldn't take 'no' for an answer, Virbius stepped in and tried to help her, taking a knife to the back for his trouble. He was alive when his friends set out, but he had died before they got him to my door."

"What did you do?" the demigod prompted as the healer paused. Asclepius looked up at him, then looked away as he drained his glass rapidly.

"I brought him back to life," he finally murmured. Hercules and Iolaus glanced at each other, exchanging a 'this can't be good' look.

"How?" the hunter asked.

"It was no easy feat," the healer assured him. "But I did it, and Virbius awoke with a gasp. His friends all proclaimed it was a miracle. But Zeus didn't see it that way."

Hercules sat back in his chair, shaking his head slightly as he sighed, telling himself that he should have known one of his more corrupt godly relations would have a part in this story somewhere.

"He was furious," Asclepius continued softly. "I've never seen him so angry. For a minute I thought he was going to banish me to Tartarus for eternity, but he stripped me of my divinity and left me to live out the rest of my newly mortal life."

"What happened to Virbius?" Iolaus inquired, getting up to refill their wine glasses.

Asclepius was silent for a long time, staring into space and running a finger along the rim of his glass absently. The hunter was just about to repeat his question when the healer lifted his goblet, taking a big gulp of wine.

"Hades reclaimed his soul," he told them. "But the body remained alive. He's still out there, this soulless creature, wandering free. I tried to run from him, but I think he's after me. I don't know what he's capable of, but no good can come from an empty man. I'm sorry to put you in the middle of all this, Hercules, but I didn't know where else to turn."

"That's all right," the demigod reassured him. He glanced over at his partner, a nonverbal communication passing through them. "Tomorrow we'll take you some place where you'll be safe, and then Iolaus and I will try to find this Virbius."

Asclepius nodded, draining the last few drops of the wine in his glass and letting the alcohol numb his mortal body in a way it never could before. He felt better having unburdened his soul to his heroic cousin and getting the promise of help, which he probably didn't deserve. But he still couldn't relax, for he couldn't shake the feeling that there was no place where he'd be safe. This monstrosity that he'd helped to create was looking for him, and he somehow knew it would stop at nothing until it found him.

"Are you sure you don't want to take some of my men along?" Iphicles asked.

"I appreciate the offer, but..."

"I know, I know," the king interrupted, holding up a hand to stave off the excuses. "You and Iolaus can handle it and soldiers would only get in your way, right?"

"Something like that," the demigod grinned.

"Well, why don't you at least take my horses?" Iphicles suggested. "You'd be able to cover more ground that way."

Hercules thought it over for a moment. He'd never been a big fan of riding, but he knew Iolaus was and he had to admit there was logic behind his brother's words, so he accepted.

"Do you think I ought to bring Mother and Jason here for a few days?" the king asked, trying to sound casual.

"That's probably not a bad idea," the demigod agreed, inwardly feeling a little wave of relief wash over him. He had wanted to propose the same thing, but didn't want to seem paranoid or like he was overreacting. But with a potentially dangerous creature lurking in the countryside, he knew he'd breathe easier if he could be sure those that he loved were protected.

"I'll personally go tomorrow morning and escort them here," Iphicles said. "Although I think I'll just tell them that you're here and let them think that's why we want them to spend a few days at the castle. You know as well as I do if they knew it had anything to do with a monster they'd refuse to leave and would insist they can take care of themselves. Both of them are so stubborn."

"Tell me about it," Hercules sighed. He glanced over at his brother with a smile. "Good thing neither of us are that way, right?"

Iphicles gave a decidedly unkingly snort and rose from his chair.

"On that note, I think I'll turn in." He paused, looking across the room to the balcony doors. "He's been out there a long time. Do you think he's all right?"

"I'm sure he'll be fine," the demigod replied. "He's just got a lot to deal with right now."

"He'll be safe with me, Hercules," the king promised.

"I know," the demigod told him sincerely. "That's why I brought him here."

Iphicles nodded and the two brothers said their goodnights, each one glad they had been able to put their differences aside and form a comfortable relationship of mutual respect. Hercules remained where he was after the king had left, enjoying the warm fire and the even warmer honeyed ale his brother had provided. Iolaus joined him before too long, helping himself to the remainder of the ale in the pot near the fire and tossing himself down into the empty chair next to his friend.

"How did you do?"

"Struck out," the hunter answered cheerfully.

"I can't believe that," Hercules scoffed. "She's new. She doesn't know any better yet."

"Well, it wasn't for lack of trying," Iolaus continued, savoring his sweet drink. "I think some of the other girls warned her about me."

"Can't imagine why," the demigod said sarcastically.

"It might not be a vengeance thing," the hunter protested. "Maybe one or two of them just want to keep me all to themselves. I very well could end up getting a nice surprise later tonight."

"Yeah, in your dreams."

"Better than not at all," Iolaus reasoned, hoisting his mug in the air, leaving Hercules to shake his head as Asclepius entered the room, closing the balcony doors behind him.

"Are you ok?" the demigod asked his cousin, taking in his troubled expression.

"I'll be fine," the healer assured him with a wan smile. "I'm just feeling sorry for myself, despite the fact that I have no right to."

"Don't beat yourself up over what happened," Iolaus advised him. "It's not your fault."

"He's right," Hercules agreed. "You were trying to help. Zeus is the one who..."

"Don't take this out on your father, Hercules," Asclepius interrupted. "He was the one who was right." The healer sighed, running a hand over his graying beard. "I was wrong. I'd like to think that I did what I did for noble reasons, but that's just not true. I didn't bring that man back to life out of any compassion for him, or for the family and friends mourning his passing. It wasn't a act of defiance against the injustice of a good man being taken before his time. The simple fact is, I was showing off. I didn't want to acknowledge limits and I lost all sight of reality. And I overlooked a basic principle: Just because you can do something doesn't always mean that you should."

"Maybe you made a mistake," the demigod tried to placate him. "But the guilt isn't yours to bear alone."

"I don't have to tell you that having divine power also carries responsibility," the healer said quietly. "Not doing anything with it is wrong, but so is doing too much. I'm afraid the guilt is mine to bear. This creature is out there now because I went against the natural order of things. And that sort of rebellion isn't without consequences. If Virbius gets to me, then it's what I deserve. But if he hurts any innocent people... I created this monster. It's nobody's fault but mine."

"Don't worry, Asclepius," Hercules told his cousin, seeing that he wasn't going to convince him that he needed to stop blaming himself. "Iolaus and I will find Virbius and we'll stop him."

"But what if you can't?" the healer whispered, turning his concerned gaze on the demigod. "He's not a mortal man anymore. He's got the strength of the gods, and without a soul, I'm not even sure he can be killed. What if he's unbeatable?"

A troubled frown creased Hercules' brow as he mulled over his cousin's fears, but Iolaus didn't seem to be bothered, giving a casual shrug of indifference.

"That's never stopped us before."

They set out at dawn, Iolaus comfortably astride a glossy, prancing stallion, and Hercules less comfortably astride a similar mount. But the demigod had to admit the animals did significantly reduce their travel time, which in this case was a definite plus. They were able to check several villages before noon, but found nothing amiss and received no reports of anyone seeing anything strange in the area. As they stopped beside a small creek to rest and water the horses and to dive into the generous lunch Iphicles had sent with them, the hunter's initial energy began to turn into restlessness.

"What makes Asclepius so sure that Virbius is following him, anyway?" he demanded. "He just as easily could have gone in another direction."

"I don't know," Hercules shrugged. "But we have to start somewhere, and backtracking is the most logical place to start."

"I guess," Iolaus sighed. "I just thought we'd have seen some sign of him by now. The way Asclepius talks, I figured he'd be leaving a wake of destruction."

"Evil doesn't necessarily have to be destructive," the demigod reminded him.

"Yeah," the hunter scoffed. "Soulless creatures are just known for their tidiness."

"Come on," Hercules said with a grin. "Let's pack up and get back on the road. We'll keep on course today, but if we don't find anything then we'll switch directions tomorrow."

The next two hours passed without incident, and even the demigod was starting to doubt his cousin's insistence that the creature was after him. But as they came to the small village that was just south of the one where Asclepius had found them, they entered a marketplace that had been reduced to shambles. The partners exchanged a glance and simultaneously dismounted, tying up their horses and entering the chaos to try and find out what had befallen the town. Reports were sketchy and varied somewhat, but the similarities in the stories pointed to a hulking, brutish man with dead eyes. Looking for Asclepius.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" the demigod asked, looking around at the smashed vendor stands and damaged buildings.

"Just find who did this, Hercules," the magistrate told him. "And make sure he doesn't do it to any other villages."

"I'll do my best," the demigod vowed. With Iolaus at his side, they left the villagers to restore order to their small town and headed for the woods, following the path Virbius had purportedly taken.

"Well, at least he hasn't hurt anyone yet," the hunter pointed out, trying to look on the bright side. "Not seriously, anyway."

"I guess he's saving that for Asclepius," Hercules murmured, coming to a halt. "What's that up there?"

"Looks like someone lying on the ground," Iolaus replied, drawing his sword.

The two warriors crept cautiously closer, but as they neared they realized the prone figure was not who they were seeking.

"Guess I spoke too soon," the hunter muttered as he stowed his blade.

"He's alive," the demigod reported, kneeling beside the man and checking his pulse. He glanced around, taking in the stranger's clothing and equipment. "Looks like a fisherman. Let's get him back to the village and see if he belongs there."

"You go ahead," Iolaus told him, his sharp eyes scanning the forest. "I'm going to see if our friend left a trail for us to follow."

"Iolaus, I don't think that's such a good idea," Hercules sighed, knowing he was wasting his breath.

"Relax, Herc," the hunter placated him. "I'm just going to do a little scouting. I won't do anything stupid, I promise."

"I wish I could believe that," the demigod grumbled, lifting the unconscious man in his arms as his friend dashed off into the bushes.

"I was afraid of this," Asclepius murmured, looking up at the small crowd gathered around the bed.

"What?" Iolaus piped up when it became apparent that nobody else was going to.

The healer stood, turning his back on them as he rubbed a hand wearily along the back of his neck.

"Virbius was left without a soul," he finally said. "It's left him with an empty void, and a rather unbearable one, I would imagine. So now he's trying to fill it."

"You mean he stole this poor man's soul?" Alcmene gasped.

"How can you be so sure of that?" Hercules demanded, putting a reassuring arm around his mother.

"I may be mortal in body now," Asclepius replied, turning back around. "But I can still recognize an unnatural sleep when I see it. And here..." He pointed to the red marks on the skin of the man's forehead and chest. "These wounds aren't from outside physical trauma. They're burns. Burns from the soul's energy as it passed through."

"Wait a minute," Jason interrupted, stepping forward for a closer look. "This Virbius became a monster because he lost his soul, right? Well if he took this guy's soul, then why isn't he like Virbius?"

"This is difficult to explain," the healer sighed. "I guess the best way I can put it is that in a living mortal, the soul is intertwined with their life's essence. When the body dies, that essence of life dissipates out as energy and Hades claims the soul. With Virbius, Hades reclaimed his soul, but he retained his life's essence, which is why he lives on, at least in some form. Then when he snatched the soul of this man, his essence of life was still intertwined and Virbius took them both. So basically, this poor fellow is just a shell. He breathes, and his heart beats for now, but without his life's essence to sustain him, he will not last long. I can do my best to keep him alive, but unless his soul is returned, I'm afraid his body will wither and die."

"How are we going to get it back?" Iphicles asked. "It doesn't sound to me like this Virbius is just going to willingly hand it over."

"Not unless he doesn't have a choice," Asclepius said quietly, with a meaningful look at the demigod.

"So you're saying the only way to get Virbius to release this man's soul is if I kill him?" Hercules clarified. "Last night you weren't even sure if he COULD die!"

"I'm still not," the healer told him. "And no, I'm not sure that's the only way to help this man. I'm not sure of anything. These are all just theories."

"Well, I guess it's up to us to put those theories to the test," Iolaus declared, glancing at his partner.

"We'll head back out at first light," the demigod vowed. "But, Asclepius, there is one more thing. One of your theories has already been proven. Virbius is after you."

The healer nodded slightly, a quick expression of fear crossing his face. Then it was gone, and he turned back to his patient.

"You'll be safe here," Iphicles promised him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'll send my best servant to assist you. He'll be able to get you anything you need."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Alcmene asked compassionately.

"We need to keep fluids in him," Asclepius whispered, his voice catching slightly. He cleared his throat, his words gaining strength. "Water is best, but we'll alternate that with broth or weak gruel to try and keep up his strength."

"I'll go to the kitchen and see what I can find."

"I'll go with you." Iphicles took his mother's arm and escorted her out of the room.

"This isn't your fault, Asclepius," the demigod said softly.

"I know you mean well, Hercules," the healer muttered. "But none of this would have happened if I hadn't been so self-righteous and proud. I used to be a champion for mankind, and somewhere, I lost sight of that. I became like the other gods. Vain, petty, self-absorbed... I turned into what I always despised about the Olympians."

"You made a mistake," Iolaus chimed in. "But don't let that take away from all the good you've done, Asclepius. Hundreds of people owe their lives to you and your skills. Myself included. You devoted yourself to helping mankind. That's what you can't lose sight of."

"He's right," Hercules agreed. "And it doesn't happen often, so you'd better take advantage of it."

"Hey!" the hunter protested. "Any more talk like that, and you'll be glad we have the world's greatest healer here."

"All right, kids," Jason commanded, folding his arms over his chest and pretending not to notice that his friends' antics had the desired effect of wringing a small smile from the healer. "I think you'd better both take this outside and leave Asclepius to his work in peace."

"Yes, Dad," the demigod said mockingly. Iolaus followed the Argonaut out of the room, but Hercules hesitated a moment, looking down on the stricken man. No one in the village had recognized the fisherman, so they had decided to bring him back to Corinth, since by that point it was obvious he was badly hurt and they'd been hoping Asclepius would be able to help him. But now it appeared his only hope lay with the son of Zeus and his mighty mortal companion. "Take care of him the best you can," Hercules told his cousin. "And we'll take care of the rest."

The demigod left the room, catching up with his bickering friends as they strode down the hall together.

"What do you mean, 'the trail just disappeared'?"

"Just what I said," the hunter insisted. "Virbius was leaving a trail a mile long, and then all of a sudden it just stopped. Like he vanished into thin air."

"Is that possible?" Jason asked. "Does he have the power to disappear like the gods do?"

"I don't know," Hercules replied. "I guess we won't know what all he's capable of until we find him."

"I don't suppose you'd need my help, would you?" the Argonaut wondered, trying to sound casual.

"We'd be glad to have you along, Jase," Iolaus teased. "But do you think Alcmene will let you come out and play?"

"Of course she will," Jason huffed. "She'll probably be delighted that someone with an ounce of sense and self-preservation will be along to pull the reigns on the two of you."

That was not quite Alcmene's reaction, but she remained rather stoic, having spent most of her life watching the men she loved set off to fight one battle or another. So she didn't beg or complain or scold, merely extracted a promise in secret from each one to look out for the other two. And as the three warriors set out as the golden sun began to dawn, she hugged and kissed all of them in turn, urging them to be careful and trying to hide the worry behind her eyes.

This process was repeated over the next three days as they failed to track down the elusive Virbius. Showing up at villages he'd rampaged through, sometimes only minutes after he'd left. Gathering up his victims and taking them back to the castle where Asclepius was working feverishly to try and keep them alive. Following him with dogged persistence only to have the trail suddenly vanish. And returning home as darkness fell each night, tired, frustrated, and with mounting concern. For Virbius was getting closer and closer to Corinth.

Iphicles went out with them on the forth day, turning a deaf ear to the very loud protests of his council advisors, declaring that he was not going to sit idly by and let a monster encroach upon his kingdom. But by noon he had left the hunting party, returning to the castle, which had become an impromptu hospital, with Virbius' latest victim.

"Number nine," Hercules muttered, a scowl marring his normally pleasant features, making him look dark and dangerous. "And this one just a boy! This Virbius is going to have a lot to answer for when we finally do catch up to him."

"Have you noticed a pattern here?" Jason said thoughtfully. "These people that we've been finding, none of them have been in any of the villages. They're always out somewhere in between, alone."

"What are you getting at?" the demigod asked his old friend.

"Well, it seems kind of funny he'd pass up an entire town full of people and then go out of his way to attack someone else. Maybe what he does to them takes time, or maybe he's vulnerable while he's capturing their souls. That's why he can only do it in seclusion."

"You could be on to something there," Hercules mused, thinking over what the Argonaut had said and realizing it made a good bit of sense.

"Another theory to go on?" Jason inquired with a grin.

"Yeah, and one I'm definitely looking forward to testing," the demigod grinned back.

"How do you suppose Hades is taking this?" Iolaus asked abruptly. "I mean, he's got to be ticked off at this thing for messing up his paperwork. But on the other hand, Virbius is saving him some inventory, so maybe he's willing to overlook it. What do you think?"

"I think someone has been spending too much time on the Other Side," the Argonaut muttered.

Hercules merely shook his head, thinking that no one but his partner would've thought of such a thing. But his attention was quickly diverted, and he came to a halt, holding up a hand for silence.

"Did you hear that?"

Iolaus and Jason paused, straining their ears, and caught the faint sounds of screaming. Simultaneously, all three of the warriors began running full speed to the village up ahead. They entered into chaos, with people shouting and running in all directions. But they were immediately able to single out the source. A large man stood in the middle of the marketplace with a heavy timber lifted over his head. With a grunt, he heaved it through the window of the village inn.

"Virbius!" Hercules yelled, hoping to distract him.

As he slowly turned to face them, all three of the heroes started as they got their first real look at the foe they'd been chasing for days. He was as tall as Hercules and almost as well muscled, and his features hinted that he had been a rather handsome young man. But his skin was grey and leathery, and his eyes were as black as the very depths of Tartarus. Empty, soulless eyes that looked right through them, causing an unconscious shiver to run through each one of the hardened warriors.

"Where is Asclepius?" The lips barely moved, the voice echoing from him a horrible unhuman grating rasp.

"Forget Asclepius," the demigod told him firmly. "You're dealing with us now."

Virbius bent over, grabbing a large plank of wood from the ground and hurling it in their direction.

"Herc, I don't think he's into negotiations," Iolaus pointed out as they all scrambled to get out of the way.

"I want Asclepius!"

"And I told you," Hercules said in a low voice as he strode forward. "Your fight is with me now."

Virbius picked up a pole from the ground and swung it, but the demigod caught it and yanked it from his hands, snapping it in half over his knee. With an angry roar, the creature attacked, and Hercules was caught off guard by the strength he possessed, finding himself knocked forcefully across the square. Iolaus and Jason rushed in with their swords, but fared no better. The hunter landed next to his partner, and the Argonaut went sailing into one of the few remaining vendor stands, bringing it crashing down around him.

"Jason," Hercules called, dashing over to him and lifting a piece of splintered wood off his friend. "Are you all right?"

"I'm ok," the Argonaut gasped, trying to catch his breath. "Don't worry about me."

The demigod tried to help him up, but Jason waved him away.

"I'll be fine," he insisted. "Hercules, go after him. We can't lose him now."

He gripped the Argonaut's shoulder briefly and then set out at a run after Virbius, and Iolaus, who had already given chase. The demigod caught up to them on the road outside of town where the nimble hunter was attacking his adversary with everything he had. With agile grace, he darted in, landing punches or kicks and then ducking away out of arm's reach. But his blows didn't seem to be having any effect, and as Hercules sprinted forward to help, Iolaus failed to leap clear after one particularly vigorous attack and was snagged by the back of his vest. Virbius hoisted the hunter into the air above his head and sent him crashing down heavily to the ground below, where he lay in a stunned heap.

"I don't think so," Hercules growled, blocking the monster as it tried to move in on his fallen partner. Virbius swung at him, and the demigod caught his fist and used his momentum to flip him over his shoulder. He rolled as he hit the ground and got back upon his feet, turning to face the demigod with a hiss of rage. Virbius rushed him, plowing headfirst into his waist and knocking him down. Hercules kicked out, sending him sailing off, and jumped up. He was ready for the next attack and met it head on, pushing back against Virbius with all his strength, a little disturbed to see it was equally matched. But as he saw Iolaus struggling to his feet out of the corner of his eye, the demigod spared him a glance, giving Virbius the chance to break the stalemate. He swept Hercules' legs out from under him, sending him sprawling across the road.

A little unsteadily, Iolaus lunged forward, and despite the stars dancing before his eyes his sword plunged cleanly into Virbius' chest. The monster's reaction was not quite what he had expected. Oblivious to the blade protruding from his torso, he fired off a savage right, dropping the hunter to the ground. Virbius felt himself immediately being spun around to face the fury of the demigod. Not bothering to check his strength, Hercules let him have it, and Virbius staggered backward a few feet, sinking to his knees in the road. The demigod crouched down to check his unconscious partner, relieved that the hunter's eyelids were already fluttering as he fought to awaken. But Virbius recovered first, pulling the sword from his chest as he lumbered forward. Hercules failed to see him until it was too late, and the hilt of his partner's sword smashing into his skull sent him spiraling into oblivion.

Iolaus opened his eyes with a groan, ignoring the pain in his head, shaking it to clear it as the memories of the battle came back to him. He drew himself up to a sitting position, and as his vision blurred into focus, horror soon snapped him fully back to reality. Hercules was lying motionless on the ground a few feet away with Virbius hovering over him. The monster fell to his knees beside him, slapping one hand down on the demigod's chest and gripping his forehead with the other.

"No!" the hunter cried out, automatically reaching at his side for his sword before he remembered it wasn't there. Virbius looked up at him, the empty black eyes boring into the stricken blue ones, before they closed and he lifted his face to the sky, tightening his hold on Hercules. "Wait!" Iolaus commanded desperately. "Not him! If you want another soul... take mine." Virbius looked back at him, the soulless eyes seemingly considering his proposition. "It's yours," the hunter promised. "Take it. Just don't hurt him."

Virbius rose and took a few steps forward, kneeling down to face the hunter. He reached out, aligning his hands. Iolaus flinched at the feel of the cold, clammy skin, his heart hammering in his chest. His every instinct was to fight, but he swallowed hard, willing away the urge to struggle, telling himself that it was worth the sacrifice as long as Hercules was spared. The hunter's last conscious thought was the hope that someday his friend would forgive him.

Both men were enveloped in an intensely bright light. It lasted only seconds, and then they each fell backward onto the ground. Virbius began writhing, a horrible, tortured scream issuing from his lips. A series of glowing spheres of light began pulling away from him, severing from his being and shooting up to dissolve into the air. One after the other, the painful process was repeated nine times until it finally stopped, leaving him lying limp and gasping. But after a few moments, he clambered to his feet, staggering off to the trees and leaving the two heroes lying side by side on the road, still and silent.

"Jason!" Alcmene beamed as she rushed to greet her husband. "You're back! I was starting to worry."

"Alcmene," the Argonaut began somberly, taking a step back and squeezing her hands. "I wish I didn't have to tell you this. Something happened..."

"Oh no," she whispered, peering around him to see her son coming down the corridor. Jason held her as Hercules trudged past, his shoulders slumped with grief and guilt, his partner in his arms. But then she pulled away, following the demigod into the room where he was gently laying his friend down.

"We found Virbius," he explained tonelessly as Asclepius bent over the hunter. "He was stronger than any of us imagined. He knocked me out, and when I came to, he was gone and I found Iolaus like this. The bastard took his soul." The demigod's voice broke on the last word and he bowed his head to hide the tears stinging his eyes.

"I don't think that's quite the whole story, Hercules," Asclepius said softly. "Look around you."

Dutifully, the demigod glanced around the room, only then noticing it was empty.

"Where are they?" he asked apprehensively.

"In the banquet room," the healer replied with a smile. "Your brother is throwing a feast for them, and he promised that in the morning he'd send armed escorts with each one of them to make sure they arrived safely home."

"I don't understand," Hercules murmured, his brow wrinkling in confusion.

"About two hours ago, they all just woke up," Asclepius told him. "Souls restored, no worse for wear. Well, some of the earliest victims are experiencing some weakness, but that's to be expected. Technically, they're all fine." The smile faded from his face as he glanced down at the pale, unmoving hunter. "We all just assumed that you had defeated Virbius."

"But I don't get it," Jason stated. "What did cause Virbius to release all those souls?"

"Again, this is just a theory," the healer speculated. "But I don't think he stole Iolaus' soul. I think Iolaus gave it to him."

"Gave it to him?" Hercules repeated in disbelief. "Why would he do that?"

"Do you really have to ask that question?" the Argonaut asked gently, knowing all too well what would have caused the hunter to make such a sacrifice.

"No," the demigod whispered, shaking his head slightly, beginning to feel sick and grateful for his mother's comforting hand rubbing his back. "I know why he did it. To spare me..."

"Virbius took these people's souls against their wills," Asclepius continued. "He was able to keep a tenuous hold on them, but he was never able to mesh his body with any of them. Iolaus, however, gave him his soul. Through his sacrifice, he gave Virbius the soul he'd been searching for and broke the grip he had on the others, which is why they were set free. Now his soul is intertwined with Virbius' essence of life. The up side is that Virbius may have lost some of his power. He's complete now, which makes him more or less mortal, although I doubt he'll ever be as he was before."

"Mortal?" There was steel in Hercules' voice. "Does that mean he can be killed now?"

"Probably."

The demigod turned and began stalking out of the room, but Asclepius chased after him, taking him by the arm to halt him.

"Hercules, wait!"

"What?"

"You have to be careful," the healer cautioned. "Iolaus freely gave up his soul. It's Virbius' now. If you kill him, I'm not so sure that it won't doom Iolaus as well."

"What do you mean?" Hercules clarified. "If Virbius dies, Iolaus will too?"

"They're connected now," Asclepius reasoned. "They're joined. It's possible that they only way to get Iolaus back is if Virbius releases him."

"Well then," the demigod muttered, his blue eyes blazing with the fire of determination. "I'm just going to have to find a way to convince him to give Iolaus up, aren't I?"

Hercules spent the hour before dawn with his partner, forcing warm broth into him, rubbing soothing salve onto the minor burns on his forehead and chest, tucking a blanket warmly around his shoulders.

"Don't worry, buddy," he whispered into his friend's ear, even though he knew that the hunter's spirit no longer inhabited his body. "I'm going to get you back. Everything will be fine, you'll see."

He gave the cold hand in his a squeeze, gently laying it to rest against Iolaus' chest as he rose. The demigod jumped slightly as he caught sight of Asclepius watching him in the doorway.

"I know I don't have to ask, but you will take care of him, won't you?" Hercules whispered.

"Your mother has devoted herself to that task," the healer replied. "So since I seem to be only in her way here, I was thinking that maybe I'd go with you."

"You?" the demigod questioned in surprise. "I don't mean to be harsh, Asclepius, but why would you need to come?"

"Because there's a chance that Virbius is still looking for revenge against me. And if he is, what better bait to lure him out of hiding?"

"Are you sure you want to do that?" Hercules asked his cousin.

"I trust you," the healer said quietly. "I know you won't let anything happen to me."

The demigod nodded, reaching down to brush a stray curl back from his friend's face. Iolaus had once thought that as well, and he hadn't been able to stop Virbius from getting to him. But that fact was painfully obvious to all of them, and didn't need pointing out. Hercules sighed as he led the way out of the room to the castle gate, where Jason was waiting for him, and he vowed to protect his cousin in a way he never seemed to be able to do for the brother of his heart.

"Asclepius."

The healer jumped, dropping the herbs in his hand as he turned to face the man emerging from the trees. Hoping he didn't look as terrified as he felt, he slid the carry sack from his shoulder, preparing to run.

"I knew you couldn't hide from me forever."

Virbius spun around as he felt a tap on his shoulder and found himself face to face with the demigod.

"Remember me?" Hercules asked, his voice cold and hard. He studied the man before him, noticing that his pallor was normal and his eyes were a soft brown, although a hint of madness still shown from their depths.

"This is between me and the man that ruined my life," Virbius told him vehemently. His voice was human, but tinged with malice. "It doesn't concern you."

"Your death wish for my cousin most definitely concerns me," the demigod informed him. "But the real reason I'm here is because you have something that doesn't belong to you. And I've come to get it back."

Virbius' eyes went wide as he grasped his meaning, and he wrapped his arms around his chest in an unconscious protective gesture.

"I don't have anything that doesn't belong to me," he insisted. He leaned forward, his voice low and sinister. "What I have is mine. And you'll never be able to take it away from me."

"We'll see about that."

Hercules lunged for him, but Virbius was expecting it and ducked out of the way. He retreated a few steps, glancing back and seeing that Asclepius was gone and Jason was moving forward to surround him. After a moment of hesitation, he went after the Argonaut. But after a brief round of sparring he recoiled back, a hand pressed against a bleeding cut on his arm.

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," the demigod announced calmly. He braced himself as Virbius turned on him, absorbing the impact and letting it carry him to the ground where he immediately rolled and pinned the man underneath him. Virbius struggled ineffectually, then gave up and arched as he pulled his head back and snapped it forward. The impact was enough to momentarily stun the demigod, giving Virbius the opportunity to squirm out from under him.

"Looks like it's going to be the hard way," Jason observed, reaching out a hand to help his friend up.

"Good," Hercules grunted.

They moved in on Virbius as a team, Jason using his gleaming blade to maneuver him into position. While he was distracted trying to fend off the sword, Hercules was able to get him from behind, pinning his arms to his side as he forced him to his knees.

"Let him go," he ordered, his tone indicating there would be no other option.

"No," Virbius gasped, lurching and bucking as he tried to break free.

"Let him go," the demigod repeated fiercely, tightening his hold.

"No!" Virbius struggled with an unholy fury, finally managing to wrench one arm loose. A sharp elbow to the gut made Hercules lose his grip and the man writhed away from him. But Jason pounced upon him as he tried to make a run for it, tackling him to the ground. They rolled several feet before coming to a stop dangerously close to the edge of a ravine. The Argonaut had lost his grip on his sword during the struggle, and Virbius had the fortune to get to it before he could. Waving it madly, he forced Jason to back up from the blade, pushing him closer and closer to the cliff’s edge. But he had to abort his endeavors in favor of dealing with the presence of a rapidly angering demigod behind him.

“It’s over, Virbius,” Hercules shouted, disarming him quickly. “Just let Iolaus go.”

“Never,” the man screamed, lashing out at the demigod. Something snapped inside him, and Hercules grabbed his adversary, hoisting him in the air above his head, much like Virbius had done with Iolaus the day before. Only this time, it did not appear that the ground would be so quick in coming.

“Hercules, what are you doing?” Jason cried out as the demigod stepped to the edge of the ravine. “You’ll kill Iolaus!”

“This is the only way, Jason,” the demigod said somberly. He tossed the man into the air, where he seemed to hover momentarily before he began falling with a scream. The Argonaut rushed to stand beside his friend, hating to watch but unable to look away. But as Virbius plummeted, a bright light, so brilliant it hurt their eyes, shot up from his body, rocketing up into the sky moments before he hit the ground far below.

“Was that what I think it was?” Jason whispered in awe.

“Yes,” Hercules replied, blinking back tears of relief. “He let Iolaus go.”

"How did you know he would do that?" the Argonaut demanded.

"I didn't," the demigod explained, not liking to think about the chance he had just taken with his friend's life. "But as long as he had Iolaus’ soul, he was mortal. If he wanted to survive the fall, he had to give him up. Not much of a choice, really."

"Another theory proven?" Jason asked with a grin.

"You could say that," Hercules grinned back. "You up for testing another? One of yours, this time."

“Hercules?” Asclepius called out, moving cautiously through the underbrush. “Jason? Where are you guys?”

A fist shot out to close around the healer’s throat, and he was spun around to face the black, soulless eyes of Virbius.

“Don’t worry about them,” the grating voice rasped. “They’ll soon be joining you. You’ll all pay for what you’ve done to me!”

Asclepius tried to speak, but his words came out as a gurgle. He clawed at the hand around his throat, and Virbius eased his grip slightly.

“I never meant for this to happen,” he croaked out. “I’m sorry, Virbius. It is my fault. And you’re right, I should pay for my sin. Take my soul.”

The empty eyes bored into him and the healer couldn’t hold back a shudder of revulsion.

“I’ll give you my soul,” he continued. “Just don’t hurt anyone else.”

Virbius through him down to the ground, dropping to his knees beside him. Wincing as he was touched by the unnatural hands, Asclepius took a deep breath and closed his eyes, feeling the skin on his forehead and his chest begin to tingle and itch.

“Jason, now!”

The demigod caught the sword the Argonaut tossed him and took aim. At his hand, the blade flew straight and true, impaling Virbius directly in the heart. The force of it sent him reeling backward, where he writhed and trembled, howling with rage. But his body began to glow and the skin and bones incinerated to dust, until there was nothing left of him but a small pile of ashes.

“Are you all right?” Hercules asked, helping his cousin to his feet.

“I think so,” Asclepius replied. “But was that ever a weird feeling! The soul definitely wasn’t meant to leave the body before it’s time, that I can promise you.”

“That took a lot of courage,” the demigod told him sincerely, clapping him on the back. “It means a lot to me that you trusted me enough to go along with this.”

“I told you I did,” the healer stated, a bit indignantly. “And besides, I played a part in creating this monster. It was only right that I played a part in helping destroy him.”

“What’s going to happen to him now?” Jason asked, retrieving his sword from the pile of ashes that were already scattering to the wind.

“Nothing. Virbius’ soul is already in the Elysian Fields,” Asclepius reminded him. “It has been all along. That thing we fought was an abomination, not a mortal man.”

“Well now that he’s gone, let’s go home and check on Iolaus,” Hercules suggested. “He’d better still be alive. Because I’m going to wring his neck.”

But when they arrived in Corinth, the demigod was so happy to see his partner healthy and whole again that thoughts of physical violence immediately fled his mind. He also decided against disrupting the festive atmosphere in the castle with a lecture, figuring it would keep until later and contenting himself with a whispered “don’t you ever do that to me again” while he hugged his friend tight. The wine was flowing freely and a good many toasts were proposed, including one to Asclepius who tried to insist he didn’t deserve it. But the happy group was adamant, reassuring him that he’d taken responsibility for his actions and had the courage to face up to his mistake, which embodied what a true god should be.

“Are you going to be all right?” Hercules asked him, sincerely concerned for his cousin’s welfare.

“I will be,” Asclepius assured him. “Being mortal is going to take some time to adjust to, but you’ve always told me that my divine blood wasn’t what made me a great healer. I can still do a lot of good for people. And who knows? It might be good for me. I could stand to learn a little humbleness.”

“Here, here,” Iphicles called out, raising his glass as everyone laughed and followed suit. “And on that note, I think our celebratory feast is just about ready. If you all would care to accompany me to the banquet room?”

"Hey, Herc," Iolaus said to his partner as the others happily filed out of the room.

"What?"

"Remember when we were kids and your mother used to tell us stories about the Bogey Man and how he'd come for us if we didn't stop talking and go to sleep?"

"Yeah," the demigod chuckled. "It never worked though. You would just tell her the Bogey Man was no match for the two of us."

"Well, I think we proved that theory here today," the hunter declared.

"I guess we did," Hercules murmured. Glancing at Iolaus, he grinned and put a companionable arm around his shoulder as they began following the others to dinner. "But how about next time we forgo the proof and just deal with a working hypothesis?"

Finis

Disclaimer: No evil soulless beings were harmed during the writing of this story.

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