It was a dark, silent night. High in the sky, a full pearl-like moon glowed, casting a soft shimmering light to the ground. In the forest below, a large, black shadow dropped from its perch in the branches to the forest floor.
         Slowly and stealthily the panther padded softly, using her whiskers and keen golden eyes to make her way clear of the woods. In the distance, far, far away she heard the howls of many wolves on their nightly hunt for prey. The panther paused, her ears twitching, trying to discern what hapless creature would lose its life tonight.
         The familiar, fearful pounding steps of a human running for his life reached her a moment later. Their prey was someone she knew of through many travelers' tales. A low, threatening growl started to form in her throat, growing into a raging snarl that was heard for miles when finally released.
          The wolves halted upon hearing the thunderous roar. They started to howl and snarl in response, when they realized their prey was escaping. The man kept running, not knowing what demon had saved his life, but it did not really matter. Whatever the demon was, it had given him another chance and he was able to get away.
 

          At Cheiron's Academy in the cadet dormitory, Hercules, son of Zeus, stirred in his sleep, the howls and snarling outside intermixing with his dreams. In his mind he could see the pack of wolves as they waited, their teeth bared, growling as the animal slowly moved into his field of vision.
          It was large and none like he had ever seen before. Its fur was jet black, its eyes  round and golden. The ears were curved, like a bear's and Hercules finally recognized it as being one of the great cats found farther south in countries across the seas; a panther.
          Hercules frowned in his sleep. What was a panther doing in Greece? And what was it doing in Bacchus' realm where his minions roamed free, hunting the hapless mortal foolish enough to go through the forest at night?
          Suddenly, the scene in the woods faded and Bacchus appeared; the evil glare, curled ram horns at either side of his head, his red skin and sharp pointed teeth bared in a malicious grin. "Hercules!"

          Hercules gasped as he sat up in bed. Looking around, he saw that the other cadets were thankfully still asleep and had not heard him. Iolaus snored in his bunk.
          Taking a deep breath, the demigod ran one of his large hands over his face, wiping away the sweat that beaded his forehead. Glancing down, he was surprised to see that his nightshirt was drenched in perspiration. It was only a dream! he told himself firmly, and started to lay back down.
          A sudden howl from outside had Hercules upright again. He listened for a moment and heard the snarling cat from his dream. In a flash he was out of bed, carefully and silently dropping to the floor. He raced out of the dorm and out of the building into the courtyard, ignoring the stones that pushed into the soles of his feet as he stood there, listening. More howls joined the lone wolf and the cat snarled in reply. It was as if they were communicating with each other, each specie voicing their displeasure with the other.
             "Hercules, what are you doing up?" The demigod glanced behind him and saw Cheiron, centaur and headmaster of the Academy, coming out into the courtyard.
             "Don't you hear it?" he asked, gesturing with his arm to the area outside the academy walls.
             "The howling and snarling? Yes. It is very strange," Cheiron said after a moment. "The snarling is coming from—"
              "A panther," Hercules interrupted with a nod.
         Cheiron stared at his star pupil. "How did you know?"
          Hercules shrugged. "I dreamt about the animals and saw them meeting in Bacchus' realm."
         Cheiron frowned. "The panther came to the wolves? That is not the natural behavior for a cat." The last comment was not directed to the demigod, but a statement that would lead to a serious time of contemplation for the headmaster. "Go to bed, Hercules. We will figure this out," he ordered after a moment.
             "Yes, sir." With a reluctant sigh, Hercules trudged past Cheiron and went back inside, returning to his bed. He knew that the centaur would do his best to solve the mystery of the panther, but Hercules already knew that it had something to do with Bacchus; why else would his half-brother, god of wine, and murderer of Eurydice, appear in his dream?
           The demigod huffed and attempted to go back to sleep, but try as he might, he could not get the wolves, the panther, or Bacchus out of his mind.
          When the morning bell rang a few hours later, a groggy Hercules sat in his bed, his hands folded beneath his chin, thinking. I don't know what you are up to, Bacchus, but I will find out!
                                              *                    *                  *                *
           In a cavern deep in the forest, Bacchus stood on the stone dais, glowering contemptuously at the seven cowering Bacchae before him.
             "How could you let him escape?" the god roared, causing the walls to shake with fury. "You almost had him!"
             "And we would have succeeded had she not interfered!" one of the most trusted Bacchae since Eurydice hissed.
             "She?" Bacchus' lip curled into a sneer. "The only she I want is the one that will be my queen! And she would be a lot closer to being so had you captured her husband!"
           The six Bacchae continued to cower as the one who dared to speak before separated herself from them and stepped forward, her golden, violet eyes focusing directly on the god. "It was not our fault, Lord Bacchus. The panther which you speak of every now and again and is in the legends has returned, and it was she who foiled our attempt to capture Orpheus!"
              "The panther?" Bacchus' train of thought was severed. "So, the whelp has returned. No doubt she wants to ask my forgiveness and return home." He sounded pleased.
              "With all due respect, my Lord. She did not behave like one wishing to return, rather she seemed to be wanting to make her presence known to us."
              "And the wood-dweller succeeded." Bacchus nodded slightly. "This does not bode well," he said after a moment. "If the panther does not want to return, then no doubt she will try to thwart my plans. Find her and bring her here!"
              "You want us to capture the panther now? What about Orpheus?" a new Bacchae ventured.
              "Orpheus will be out there, but we cannot get him until the panther is under my control. Once she is, the musician will be easy to grab."
              "What of your half-brother, Hercules? No doubt with his keener senses he was able to hear us last night and now he knows something is amiss."
              "Petra." Bacchus addressed the bolder Bacchae. "Do not worry. If my half-brother tries to interfere, he will get a nasty surprise!" The god began to laugh, positive that this time he could not be stopped—by Hercules or the panther!
                                           *               *               *                  *                 *
              "Hercules? Hercules, wake up!" Feducious slammed the tip of his pointer on the edge of Hercules' desk, causing the dozing demigod to snap his head up with such a force, his chair tipped back and he went crashing backwards onto the floor.
              "Huh? What?" Hercules looked around with tired eyes and groaned, realizing where he was as the cadet's snickering and laughter reached his ears. Glancing up, he saw Feducious standing before him, frowning down his nose at the demigod. Quickly Hercules scrambled to his feet and put the chair upright. "Sorry, Feducious," he apologized, feeling an embarrassing heat rise into his face.
              "Yes, I'm sure. Especially since you now have extra kitchen duty for the next two weeks!" the teacher told him. Hercules started to open his mouth to explain. "I don't want any excuses, Hercules. The punishment stands." Feducious turned his back on the demigod and returned to the front of the room, continuing with the day's lesson.
           Feeling dejected, and more tired than before, Hercules slid into his seat and gazed out the window. In the distance he could see Mt. Olympus and his mind drifted, wondering what the gods were doing now, and why it seemed they could not keep each other under control…
              "I have to see Hercules!"  The demigod was pulled back into the classroom as he heard a familiar voice in the hallway.
              "Please, calm down and come to my office where we'll be able to talk more freely," he heard Cheiron request.
           Hercules glanced forward and discovered everyone in the room looking at him again. Looking at Iolaus and Lillith, he saw their shocked expressions for they, too, recognized the voice in the hall. Before anyone could say anything, the three cadets jumped out of their seats and raced out.
              "I don't believe it!" Iolaus muttered as the three friends headed for Cheiron's office. "I can't believe he had the nerve to return!"
              "What do you think he's doing here?" Lillith asked.
              "That's what we're going to find out," Hercules declared as they reached the headmaster's. The door was open and Cheiron and their visitor looked up and saw them.
              "Come in, Hercules, Iolaus, and Lillith," the centaur directed. The three cadets slowly entered, still taken aback to see the person sitting across from Cheiron.
           The visitor was Orpheus, a young man whose musical gift seemed magical; it was able to tame the most savage beast and manipulate anyone. For a time he worked for Bacchus, playing the god's golden lyre and luring mortals to Bacchus to be turned into Bacchae, the name given to the god's followers.
           Hercules and his friends had met him only because they were supposed to be turned into Bacchae. It was during that time Hercules met Eurydice who was Orpheus' girlfriend. Feelings grew between Eurydice and Hercules, yet they were never able to act upon them because Eurydice felt she owed Orpheus for getting her away from Bacchus. Then, the last time they met, in order to save Orpheus, Hercules, and Iolaus, Eurydice had agreed to become Bacchus' queen. Unfortunately the entire situation ended in Eurydice's death.
           Afterwards, Hercules lost track of Orpheus and hoped to never see him again. But now the musician was here, at the Academy, in Cheiron's office wishing to speak to him.
              "Orpheus," Hercules greeted the other young man with a slight nod. He was still the same as he had been the last time: wild brown hair feathered around a gentle face, dark, sensitive brown eyes. He wore a light tunic with a blue over garment that had lost all its luster, pants and boots. He lowered his eyes as he rose to his feet and nodded to the cadets in turn.
              "Hercules, Orpheus has just been telling me that he was the one the wolves were chasing last night," Cheiron explained after a moment.
              "You?" Hercules was only somewhat surprised.
              "What wolves?" Ioalus and Lillith asked, overlapping each other.
              "Bacchae," Orpheus said, finally raising his eyes to the cadets. "They can also take wolf shape."
          Iolaus held up his hands. "Whoa! Back up a sec! Will you two please explain what is going on?"
          Hercules and Orpheus glanced at one another with the same distrust for each other, and then looked at Cheiron. The centaur shook his head. "You'll have to tell them. I need to speak with Feducious." The headmaster left then, heading for the classroom.
          Orpheus sat back down and Hercules paced for a moment. Iolaus and Lillith looked at one another becoming impatient with the hostile young men.
            "Uhm…Guys? Hello?" Lillith finally cleared her throat, reminding them that she and Iolaus were still there, waiting.
         Hercules turned to Orpheus. "You first."
            "Why not you? You obviously heard something last night," the musician challenged.
            "Hey, you guys! Will one of you just start explaining?" Iolaus exclaimed when silence threatened to settle in.
          Hercules sighed. "All right. Last night I dreamt of a group of wolves in Bacchus' realm. Then I saw a panther approach the pack and Bacchus' image appeared and he said my name. That's when I woke up and heard wolves howling and the panther snarling in return," he quickly summarized his dream and saw his friends and Orpheus looking at him with shock.
            "You saw a panther in your dream?" Orpheus asked, his voice a little hoarse.
            "Yeah, a big black one."
            "A black…?" Orpheus' eyes widened and he looked away.
          Hercules and the two cadets glanced at each other. "Do you know something about the animal?" the demigod asked. Orpheus did not reply. The young man just sat there for a long time, his eyes focused on something far away. "Orpheus!"
            "Huh?" Orpheus slowly returned to his present situation and saw the three cadets looking at him. "Oh, the panther. Well, sort of. Bacchus spoke of her every now and then, saying that she would return one day before or during the fall equinox, that his first would come home."
             "His first what?" Iolaus asked.
             "His first Bacchae. I don't know how Bacchus made her, probably the same way they've been made since. She was long gone by the time Eurydice and I came into his service."
           The three cadets listened, not knowing what to think about this first Bacchae. "Bacchus created a Bacchae who can change into a panther?" Iolaus asked.
           Orpheus shrugged. "I don't think so, but your guess at how she came to be is as good as mine."
             "So, what happened to you last night?" Lillith asked after a moment. "And why did you want to see Hercules?"
             "Yeah. Why did you come, Orpheus?" Iolaus challenged. "I mean, you disappear after Eurydice dies, and then you come back a year later."
          Orpheus took a deep breath and looked at the three cadets, not surprised to see they were suspicious of his motives. Mustering all the courage he had, he finally replied. "It is because of Eurydice I'm here," he admitted quietly.
          Hercules' eyes widened. "Is something wrong? Did Hades force her into Tartarus after he decided she was worthy of the Elysian Fields?"
             "No! It's nothing like that!" Orpheus exclaimed, trying to allay the demigod's fears, especially since he suddenly realized Hercules still had feelings for Eurydice. "You see—I need your help to protect her."
             "Protect Eurydice?" the cadets said at the same time, immediately confused.
             "But she's dead!" Iolaus pointed out.
             "She was dead," the musician corrected, uneasily. The cadets stared at him, completely lost. "After she was gone…I finally realized how much she meant to me, so I went to Hades and asked if he would not allow her to return with me to the mortal realms," he explained, hoping to clear things up.
             "At first he said no, it was impossible. I was devastated. I mean, I really wanted to bring her back, but I didn't know what else I could do. So, I asked Hades if I might not see her one last time and ask her forgiveness with a song I wrote. Hades seemed to be amused and bade I play it for him. I did, and my music enchanted everyone present, including Hades himself. It was then he told me that if I could get Eurydice to our side through the Underworld caverns without looking at her before reaching the outside, she could return.
              "So I did that, and we made it. Eurydice and I have been living on a farm together since, much like before—well, you know. And, Hercules…" Orpheus paused for a moment, wondering if he should tell the demigod. Hercules looked straight at him and the musician could see the pain in his eyes. Surely the demigod was wondering why Eurydice never contacted him. "Eurydice is my wife," Orpheus finished finally. The three cadets were floored by the announcement.
            The room started to spin suddenly in Hercules' mind. The demigod started, wondering if he had heard Orpheus correctly. "She's what?"
              "My wife. I'm sorry, Hercules. I know you two were close, but it was another of Hades' conditions. Now you see why I was a little reluctant to tell you anything or even come here, but we need you—Eurydice needs you. Bacchus knows she's alive and he still wants to make her his queen. He'll stop at nothing to get her."
              "You were being chased so Bacchus could use you to force Eurydice to do what he wanted!" Hercules said slowly, as a few puzzle pieces fell into place.
           Orpheus nodded. "And they would have had me last night if it had not been for the other creature—I guess it was the panther—who saved me by calling to the wolves."
              "But why would the wolves—or Bacchae stop because of the panther? Because she's the first of their kind?" Lillith asked. "That doesn't make sense!"
              "Look, we can figure out where the first Bacchae fits into all of this later. Right now we should get back to Eurydice," said Hercules, looking only at Orpheus.
           Iolaus frowned. "What about us? You don't think we'd allow you to face Bacchus and his followers all alone, do you?"
              "Iolaus, I know you and Lillith want to help but—," the demigod started but never finished.
              "We're going, Herc!" Lillith swore, her chin stubbornly jutting forward. Hercules glanced at Iolaus and saw his expression was filled with the same determination as Lillith's.
              "All right, but it's going to get messy," Hercules told them.
           Iolaus and Lillith grinned. "Really?" they chorused.
                                            *             *               *               *              *
           She watched the three cadets and Orpheus leave the safety of the Academy with panther eyes, yet she was in her human form—at least as human as her blood allowed her to be. As the four travelers entered the forest, she shifted into her wolf form, knowing that they would fear her less this way and she would be able to serve them if they ran into any Bacchae.
          The change began in her torso. Dark gray fur replaced her skin and clothing. The power moved down into her legs as her bones moved into the shape of a canine. Paws took the place of hands and feet. Her head narrowed, becoming a dark, cold snout, a mouth full of sharp teeth. Two golden eyes were spaced evenly in her skull and two pointed ears formed on top of her head.
          She inhaled slowly, picking up each scent in the forest including Orpheus and the cadets who were getting closer to her! Quickly she ran ahead and hid behind large green leaves, hanging from a low branch on a nearby tree. She would start to follow the travelers once they passed her hiding place.
          Their conversation reached her ears as they got farther and farther away from the academy and closer to her. She was astounded to discover that they were talking about her!
              "….has the power to shift into any animal she wants," Orpheus was saying. "At least that's what the Bacchae legends say."
              "And this power was just reserved for her?" Iolaus asked. "It never went to anyone else?"
          Orpheus nodded. "No one really knows why except for Bacchus, and that is one thing he's never told anyone."
          The curly-haired cadet shook his head. "That's weird." They traveled on in silence, each member in the party deep in their own thoughts.
           The wolf waited and was soon able to distinguish the different scents of the four people. Orpheus carried the scent of one who knew what it was like to be famous, yet lost it and had gone through a drastic lifestyle change. The strongest smell was that of a farm; goats, horses, manure, hay….
           The curly-haired cadet smelled like a hunter; one who spent many days tracking animals. He was good, perhaps the best she had ever come across. There was also another scent mixed in, one of sweat and fear of getting caught—like a thief? Had he been one earlier? The girl cadet carried a unique scent, a strong one the wolf recognized as belonging to someone who did not wish to appear weak and vulnerable.
          Lastly, she analyzed the taller cadet with blonde hair and sensitive blue eyes. She was taken aback for a brief moment, for she could smell the blood of a god running through his veins—Zeus's blood to be exact, if she remembered the god's smell correctly. She had run into a few of the god's half-mortal children, and this one carried the scent of one who was honorable and tried to do what was right. So this is Hercules, she thought to herself, recalling the tales she had heard of his heroic exploits.
          When they finally passed her, the wolf started to follow at a safe distance, yet close enough to jump in to protect them. She trailed them as they reached the point where the woods were unsafe for travelers because the Bacchae were always around in either of their forms.
          Lillith halted, seeing a trail sign warning travelers that death awaited if they continued on. "Are you sure we should be going this way?" she asked, indicating the sign.
          The young men saw it finally. Hercules and Iolaus looked at Orpheus. "Well?"
             "We have to go this way. It is the quickest way to get to Eurydice," the musician said.
             "Maybe, but it's getting dark," Iolaus said, glancing at the sky. It was so; the sun had dipped well below the trees, and the sky was a fiery orange with a pastel blue border. "I don't know about you, but I don't want to be meeting any Bacchae in the dark!"
          At that moment the wolf sprang from her hiding place. Immediately the four travelers moved into defensive stances. Hoping to show them she meant no harm, the wolf lowered her head and whined complacently.
             "What is it doing?" she heard the girl cadet ask.
             "I think it's trying to let us know it's friendly." Orpheus took a slow step forward, his hand out, palm facing the sky.
             "Orpheus!" Hercules hissed. "That could be one of Bacchus' followers."
           I am no such thing! The wolf was indignant.
          The young feminine voice rang in Hercules' mind and his eyes widened in shock. The wolf noticed and raised her head.
             You heard me? she queried, looking at the half-god.
          Hercules ran his hand through his hair. "Um..yeah, I guess so. And I suppose I'm the only one who did?" he added after seeing the questioning gazes from his companions.
             "Hercules, who are you talking to?" Iolaus asked, looking at the demigod as if he had suddenly gone crazy.
             "The wolf. Iolaus, she spoke to me! Honest!"
             "Mind to mind?" Orpheus asked, glancing at the animal who wagged her tail in a friendly greeting.
             "Yeah."
             "Then the legends are true!" the musician whispered fearfully, moving away from the wolf. "She's the first Bacchae!" Iolaus' hand immediately drew the sword he brought.
           Yes, it's true, but I don't mean you any harm! the wolf communicated to Hercules as Iolaus raised his sword, ready to strike the cowering animal.
              "Iolaus, no!" Hercules moved quickly, placing himself between the wolf and his friend
              "Herc, what are you doing? You heard Orpheus! She's the one of them!"
              "I know that! But so far she's done nothing to us but whine and wag her tail. Hardly threatening, if you ask me."
              "It could be a trap, Herc," Lillith pointed out. "She could be trying to lure us to Bacchus and his followers right now."
          Hercules cast a questioning look at the animal behind him. She shook her head. "That doesn't seem to be why she's here."
              "Why is she here, then? Ask her," Iolaus challenged, not quite convinced the wolf was friendly.
          Hercules turned to the wolf. "Well? You heard him." He translated for his friends as the wolf answered. "She says she's here to help us get through to Eurydice. Yes, she's been away for a long time, but she has kept up with things and she knows that Bacchus is up to his old tricks. She only knows this because of the other Bacchae chasing you last night, Orpheus, and she thinks she might be able to protect us if the Bacchae attack—,"
              "Because of the Rule," Orpheus interrupted. The wolf nodded.
              "What rule?" Lillith asked.
              "All Bacchae have to submit to the First. They are to do nothing that displeases her, and treat her as they would Bacchus. When they're out, she's in charge. The only way any power she has over the Bacchae won't work is when Bacchus himself is out," the musician explained.
              "So that's why the wolves didn't harm you last night when you approached them as a panther," Hercules said thoughtfully as he tentatively pet the wolf on her head.
            That is correct, she told him. Now, if you are finished figuring out things, we better get going. The longer we stand around here, the more of a chance Bacchus has to get his hands on Eurydice!
              "Good point." Hercules told his friends what the wolf just said and they continued through the woods, the wolf leading the way.
            Night fell, but the four friends and the wolf continued on. Only Orpheus and the wolf seemed to know where they were going and Hercules, Iolaus, and Lillith followed blindly.
           For a long time they walked, avoiding unseen dangers, thanks to the wolf's keener senses. Suddenly the wolf stopped, a low growl rumbling in her throat.
              "What is it?" Orpheus whispered.
            Bacchae! the one word echoed in Hercules' mind.
              "She says Bacchae. Where are they?" the demigod asked.
            Everywhere. I noticed the first few following us a while back, but they kept their distance. Now they are bolder because Bacchus is near!
            Hercules' friends felt their mouths dry and stomachs drop as the demigod translated. If she was right, that meant she couldn't control the Bacchae.
              "We should run," Orpheus said.
              "Where?" Hercules asked, exasperated. "We wouldn't get a hundred yards or more before we were brought down by Bacchae."
              "What do we do then?"
              "Wait," was the simple reply. "If Bacchus is near, he'll make himself known soon."
              "Sooner then you think, Hercules!" The earth shook and exploded as Bacchus came through the ground and stood before Hercules and his companions. In the dark, with only a shade of light from the moon, Hercules and his friends saw the god, his lip curled into a sneering grin. His followers quickly gathered around him and them. Many were in their wolf shape, but few were still human.
            The wolf growled warningly. "Yes, I don't doubt you'd fight to the death, Xylia, to protect your friends," Bacchus directed to the travelers' guide. "But why bother? You know you won't die, and why you'd even want to give your life for these pathetic mortals—and half mortal—is beyond me."
            Hercules was only partly surprised when the god addressed the wolf as if she had said something along with the growl. Since he had not heard her in his mind, he surmised that having Bacchus there in front of them somehow blocked him from being able to hear her.
            Xylia barked and received a chorus of hisses and howls in reply. Bacchus raised his hand to silence his followers. "Really, Xylia. You should have gotten over your past centuries ago. Now, why don't you change out of that shape and let me see you." Before the wolf—Xylia could react, Bacchus trapped her in a field of red/orange fire.
            Hercules, Lillith, Iolaus, and Orpheus watched, mesmerized as the wolf slowly lost her gray fur; replaced by pale human skin, silver halter top, short black leather skirt, and black knee-high boots. Her hair was long and raven black. She wore it to the side, held in a ponytail by a silver tie. Around her neck was a silver leather choker. An odd clover pendant hung from it.
           Bacchus lowered his hand and the girl dropped to the ground with a soft thud. Hercules went to her side. He was not surprised to see that, as the First Bacchae, she looked like most of the others, except her long fingernails were silver and not the common black.
              "Xylia, are you okay?" he asked when she finally stirred.
           Xylia slowly looked at him, revealing violet eyes with silver flecks. "I…" she tried to speak, but found she could only croak. Finally she nodded. "I'm fine," she whispered.
           A low, cruel chuckle caused them to look at Bacchus. "That is what happens when you spend all your time as an animal. You forget how to speak." He suddenly pointed at the four humans and green, whip-like roots shot up from the earth and wrapped themselves around Hercules and his friends, pulling them to the ground. None of them touched Xylia.
          The girl jumped to her feet as the Bacchae closed in. "Stay back!" she ordered, finding her voice.
              "You know you don't have any power over us when he's here!" Petra snarled, moving quickly and lashing out suddenly with her long fingernails.
           Xylia never felt them. Bacchus threw orange fire at the Bacchae, causing her to fall. "Never think you can strike my daughter just because I'm here!" he roared.
          Hercules, Iolaus, Orpheus, and Lillith looked at Bacchus and then at Xylia, their eyes wide with shock and sudden hatred. "You're Bacchus' daughter?!"
          Xylia ignored them. "Thanks, Dad," she sneered. "Didn't know you cared!" she eyed him and Petra with contempt.
              "Oh, I've always cared. I care for all my children." Bacchus held his arms wide open in an embracing gesture. "Now, why don't you come and give your father a hug."
           Xylia did not move. "Let my friends go," she said after a moment.
           Bacchus exhaled slowly as he lowered his arms. With a nod, his Bacchae gathered up the captives and bore them away to Bacchus' cave. Xylia now faced her father, alone.
              "You know," Bacchus began after a moment, "I have the power to force you to obey me, but perhaps holding your friends hostage will be enough of an incentive."
           Xylia clenched her fists, her long silver fingernails digging into her palm, angry with herself. She had done nothing but what Iolaus said she would, even though it was not intentional.
           How could she have been so stupid? She had let her father's followers know she was around, and of course they would have informed him, and then he would wait for her to come and appear with his Bacchae, rendering her partially powerless. She had not been able to protect her friends as she promised.
               "I will not obey you!" she hissed. "Never again!"
               "Even if I say I'll kill your friends?" the god challenged.
               "You won't kill them, yet," Xylia said, choosing her words carefully. "You want Eurydice too badly to do anything that would jeopardize your chances of getting her, including killing people she cares for."
            Bacchus looked at his daughter, surprised. "I suppose you are right, although it is only Hercules and Orpheus she cares for. The other two are expendable." He watched Xylia's face, seeing whether she flinched at the possibility of him killing the two cadets. He could not detect anything. "You will go to Eurydice and tell her that I have her husband and Hercules," he ordered after a moment. "That's the least you could do for running out on us five centuries ago."
                "Miss me?" Xylia sneered.
                "Don't be impertinent!" Bacchus warned, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Now, will you obey me, or do I kill one of the cadets?"
             Xylia inhaled slowly, pretending to think it over. "As you wish, father," she spat, the word bitter on her tongue.
                "Thank you, dear," the god's thanks was just as snide, and with that he went back under the ground, returning to his cave.
                "Yes, I'll go to Eurydice, but not before I get Lillith and Iolaus out!" she swore, knowing that Bacchus had not made an idle threat. If he still thought they were expendable after getting her to do what he wanted, nothing would stop him from torturing or killing them. She would get them out—tonight!
                                           *           *           *             *              *                 *
             Hercules and his friends were taken to the dungeons, deep within Bacchus' cavern. After they were secured to root chains, they were left alone. The four did not speak to one another, each lost in their own thoughts. Hercules guessed that the others were seething with anger, thinking that Xylia had lied to them, that she had deliberately led them to Bacchus and his minions.
             If he had not known what it was like being the child of a god himself, he probably would have been upset with her, too. But he did know. Children of the gods—if they knew they were—did not like letting others know because sometimes it seemed so farfetched. And, depending on who their godly parent was, they might not want to talk about it. Being the child of a god was not easy and being the daughter of Bacchus had to be hard for Xylia, just as it was hard for him to be the son of Zeus at times. Yet there wasn't anything either of them could do about it.
               Hercules!
             The demigod looked around after hearing Xylia's mental voice.
               Look beyond the door and up. Hercules obeyed and saw a flash of movement from one of the cavern's stalactites.
               Is that you, Xylia? He attempted to speak with her, since it seemed to be something she could do with him.
               Know any other shape-shifters? she teased. Look, I'm sorry I got you into this. I should of known my father would know I was coming.
               It's okay, Xylia, really.
             Xylia was surprised. You mean, you're not angry with me?
                 Well…maybe just a little. Why didn't you tell us Bacchus was your father?
             The demigod felt her mental shrug. I guess since Orpheus said I was the First Bacchae, you would just think of Bacchus as the father of all Bacchae, no matter how they were created. Besides, you never told me you were the son of Zeus!
             Hercules was shocked she knew and felt himself blush. How did you know?
               I smelled Zeus's blood in your veins. Anyway, I need you to convince Lillith and Iolaus to come with me.
             Hercules frowned. What? Why?
                 Bacchus said they were "expendable." No, I don't know if he'd carry out his threat, but I wouldn't put it past him.
                 I don't know, it's risky and they may not want to.
               What part of this isn't risky? Xylia quipped. Look, I'll shift and help you convince them.
                 How?
               You'll see, was the cryptic reply. Hercules watched and waited as Xylia flew to the ground and slowly changed into a ten-foot python. Silently she slinked into their cell unnoticed by everyone except for Hercules. Xylia slithered up the roots behind Orpheus, Lillith, and Iolaus.
             Iolaus heard a rustling sound behind him. Turning his head, he did not see anything. After a moment he looked up and spotted a weird shape weaved between the roots. His eyes widened and he opened his mouth.
                 "Iolaus, no!" Hercules hissed, but needn't have bothered. Xylia dropped around Orpheus', Lillith's, and Iolaus' heads, covering their mouths, gagging them efficiently.
               Tell them! Xylia ordered.
                 "Guys, don't panic. It's Xylia," the demigod was rewarded with angry glares. "Look, I know she's probably not your favorite pers—Bacchae—or whatever right now, but trust me when I tell you she's here to help.
                 "Iolaus, Lillith, she's here to help you escape because Bacchus apparently told her you two were expendable, and she's afraid he'll do something to you."
             Iolaus mumbled something that could have been, "What will Xylia do to us?"
                 "Believe me, you don't have anything to worry about with Xylia." Will you disentangle yourself now? Hercules asked mentally. He could feel her reluctance, but Xylia slithered down and changed back into her human self. Before they could speak, she freed Lillith and Iolaus.
                 "What about Hercules and Orpheus?" Lillith asked as Xylia went to pick the cell lock.
                 "They have to stay," the girl replied without emotion. "As long as they're here, Bacchus will have no reason to come after us right away."
                 "Lillith, Iolaus, we'll be all right. Besides, if I'm right, we'll be out of here before we know it," Hercules said with a forced smile. Only Xylia could tell he was worried.
             Xylia got the door open and Iolaus and Lillith went out and waited for her. Don't worry Hercules. Everything will work out, she promised.
               I know. Just promise me you'll keep them and Eurydice safe. Whatever you do, do not let them come back with you.
                 Hercules, you know I can't promise that! I'll try to dissuade them but…
                  I know.
                  "Xylia?" Iolaus called her. "Come on!"
                  Xylia gave Hercules and Orpheus one last look before joining the two cadets, locking the door behind her. "Come on," she said, changing her eyes into that of a panther's so she could see a little better in the dark, and beckoned for the cadets to follow her.
             The First Bacchae had been all over the caverns when she was younger. She knew every nook and cranny, and every exit possible, so it wasn't long before she had them all outside. Xylia kept going and the cadets had no other choice than to follow her.
                  "Where are you taking us?" Lillith asked.
                  "To Eurydice's," the girl replied. "Look, I'll explain everything once we're there," she promised.
                                            *               *              *                *              *
              It was mid-morning. On a small farm just on the edge of Bacchus' known realm, Eurydice nervously paced outside the small farmhouse. Every now and then she would cast her eyes, looking over the horizon for Orpheus. He had been gone too long and she was worried that he had run into the Bacchae.
             She knew she should never have left the Underworld! Bacchus would never leave them alone! He would hunt them until they were back in his service and she was his queen.
                  "Eurydice!" someone called her name. Looking up, she saw two people she knew and was frightened when she saw them accompanied by the Bacchae.
                 "Iolaus! Lillith! Run! You're with a Bacchae!" Eurydice cried.
             Xylia stopped walking. "You two had better go first to do the explaining," she whispered. Iolaus glanced at her and took her hand, giving her a reassuring squeeze. As they had gotten away from Bacchus' lair, the two cadets had started to trust the Bacchae. She may have been Bacchus' daughter, but there was no hint of evil in her.
                  "Eurydice, it's okay!" Iolaus called. "She's a friend."
             Eurydice narrowed her eyes, but kept from reaching for a rake or other tool to use as a weapon. As her friends and the one Bacchae got closer, her eyes widened and her mouth formed a silent-o. "You… You're the First Bacchae from the legends!" she breathed, seeing her silver coloring; the unmistakable mark of the First Bacchae.
             Xylia nodded. "I am. My name's Xylia."
                  "It's nice to meet you," Eurydice shook her hand, thinking that the First Bacchae wasn't like anyone described in the Bacchae legends.
            Xylia could read what she was thinking. "You're right. I'm not like the legends that have grown in my absence over the centuries."
                  "You're immortal, aren't you?"
                  "And part god," Iolaus put in. "She's Bacchus' daughter."
           Eurydice's eyes widened. "Really? But how?"
           Xylia sighed. She had wanted to avoid talking about herself, but figured she at least owed it to Lillith and Iolaus. "I know you want me to explain, but do you think that would be best? I mean, we're here because my father has Orpheus and Hercules," she looked at Eurydice.
                  "Bacchus has them?" Eurydice's face paled.
           Iolaus nodded sadly. "Orpheus made it to the Academy to explain everything and ask for Herc's help. Then we met her and were captured by Bacchus."
                 "You didn't lure them to Bacchus, did you?" Eurydice asked Xylia, preparing to lash out if she said yes.
                  "No." That was Lillith. "If anything, she's been helping us the entire time. She saved Orpheus from being captured by Bacchus before reaching the Academy."
                  "Oh."
                  "Maybe we should come up with a plan to free Orpheus and Hercules," Xylia suggested after a moment.
                  "First explain how you're immortal and the Bacchae legends," Eurydice said. "I mean, the legends always said you'd return at the fall equinox, and here we are, one day before the equinox and the wine festival held in your father's honor."
                  "I really don't know how that came about. I know that's when my father is supposed to take his queen, and when new Bacchae are fully initiated as such—um they have to drink Bacchus' blood to be full Bacchae," Xylia explained, seeing the confused looks from the cadets. "Other than that, maybe the legend was born because the fall equinox was one of my favorite times of the year. Perhaps the Bacchae who knew me before I left passed those stories down."
                  "So, basically you're not supposed to do anything big?" Eurydice asked.
                  "If you mean something like take my father's place, no way! I wouldn't want to anyway. I swore I would never do anything for him again as I did a long time ago.
                  "You see, my mother was a shapeshifter. Shapeshifters are people who can—obviously—take the shape of any creature. They are immortal, yet can be killed by other shapeshifters. I was never told how she met my father, but she was murdered by another shapeshifter shortly after I was born.
                  "Bacchus could see that most of the powers I inherited came from my mother, even though I did inherit some of his zapping power, but very little and I only seem to use it when I'm angry, so I try not to anger easily. Anyway, Bacchus was intrigued by my shape-shifting powers, and he always wanted a race of followers who were like him, and me—partially, anyway."
                  "I think I can see where this is going," Iolaus broke in when Xylia paused for a moment. "You were the creator of all the Bacchae."
           Xylia nodded. "Bacchus had me create one Bacchae in the way they are still made today; the only difference is, I only passed on my power of shape-shifting into a wolf. Wolves were always Bacchus' favorite predators. Anyway, I've regretted obeying him since. That's why I left five centuries ago. My father's always hoped I'd return and join him again, but I can't. Anyway, enough about me. We have to think of a way to free Hercules and Orpheus, and unfortunately, you're going to become Bacchus' queen again, Eurydice," Xylia said after a moment.
           Eurydice's eyes widened fearfully and she shook her head. "Oh, no. Not again!"
                  "Eurydice, history won't repeat itself," Xylia told her, even though she knew how the other woman felt. "It can't."
                  "How can you be so sure?"
                  "The last time Bacchus tried to make you his queen, he was performing the ceremony out of context. In other words, you were still Eurydice. Bacchus can only take a queen during the fall equinox and only during the wine festival held in his honor beneath the final cycle of the full moon."
                  "Tomorrow night!" Iolaus and Lillith put in.
          Xylia nodded. "And his bride, whomever she is will be under a trance, completely devoted to him—,"
                  "I can't do that!" Eurydice cried, shaking her head.
                  "Eurydice, you have to go through with it if you want any kind of chance of saving Hercules and your husband!" Xylia said, trying to make her understand. "It's possible that  you won't be lost in the trance!"
          Eurydice and the cadets frowned at her. "What do you mean?" Eurydice asked.
                  "It's possible that I could give you my shape-shifting powers, including what's Bacchae, unfortunately, but Bacchus would only be able to control the Bacchae part which would be overshadowed by the shape-shifting."
           Iolaus, Lillith, and Eurydice glanced at one another. "So, you want to make Eurydice a Bacchae again, but this time with your power?" Iolaus asked, making sure he had understood her correctly. Xylia nodded. "Do you think that will work?"
          Xylia did not respond for the longest time, and Eurydice and the cadets wondered if she had been building a false hope. The girl sighed. "I admit it's a long shot, but it's one of the few advantages we might have. It is up to Eurydice whether or not she wants to go through with it. I won't force my powers on anyone, never again." She looked at the young woman as she spoke, her silver flecked eyes pleading.
           Eurydice lowered her eyes, thinking quickly. She was scared, scared that if she were to take on Xylia's power, she would be trapped as a Bacchae and never return to her human self. But what about Orpheus and Hercules? She owed much to Orpheus, still, and she owed Hercules for coming to her aid when she died and was about to be condemned to Tartarus because she had been one of Bacchus' followers.
                 "Eurydice?" Eurydice slowly looked up and saw the three watching her.
                 "Will…will I be able to get rid of these powers if I accept them?" she asked after a moment. Iolaus and Lillith turned their questioning glances on Xylia.
                 "I honestly don't know. I believe you'll be able to get rid of your Bacchae part by using the fountain that turns a Bacchae back to a human—at least, as long as you do it before the sunset after you change. As for the shape-shifting…" she rubbed her face tiredly. "I've never given anyone that power before, even though I know it can be done. I think the only way one could be rid of it by killing the shape-shifter him- or herself, but don't quote me on that. I was told that by a shape-shifter I met a long time ago, and I never want to see him again!"
                 "What happened?" Lillith wanted to know.
           Xylia grinned. "That is another story, one that we don't have time for. So, will you go through with the change?" she asked, looking at Eurydice.
                 "Yes," Eurydice nodded. "Just, do we have to do it right away? Give me the powers, I mean?"
                 Xylia shook her head. "No. We can do it tomorrow before we try to rescue our friends, once we're near Bacchus' cavern."
                 "Fine," Eurydice seemed relieved that she did not have to go through the process right away.
                 "All right, then. Let's figure out what we're going to do tomorrow!"
                                             *           *             *                *               *
          The preparations for the wine festival began at dawn. Men, women, and children residing in the closest village in Bacchus' realm worked feverishly, setting up decorations. Multi-colored leaves were strewn about on the ground, gourds were set on wooden tables, statuettes of demonic creatures adorned the dancing area. Music would soon fill the air and play all night, people would dress in costume, trying to ward off the Bacchae. Even though they were worshipping Bacchus, praising him for allowing them to have a successful grape harvest, the fall equinox was also the time when most people were changed into Bacchus' followers.
          He grinned spitefully as he watched the people working around him. He was a tall man with shocking white hair, pale skin, and golden eyes. From head to toe he was clothed in black. Foolish mortals! he thought. You think you have only the Bacchae to worry about tonight, but no! You have so much more to fear!
          The gossip had been wild for the past month as every shapeshifter sensed the excitement in the Bacchae. All shapeshifters knew the followers of Bacchus on sight, just as the Bacchae knew them. They were separate entities, and rarely crossed paths, but there was a code between them. Bacchae and shapeshifters were on equal footing if they met on neutral ground, yet if a Bacchae crossed into  a shapeshifter's territory, he or she would have to submit to the shapeshifter. The same was true the other way.
           Dennis Corydon knew he was in the thick of Bacchae territory and waited patiently for one of them to sense him out and take him to Bacchus. He had a deal for the god, one which he was sure the god could not refuse.
            Dennis did not have long to wait. He saw her before she spotted him. Her fiery, orange violet eyes flashed warningly as she slowed down and moved as an animal ready to pounce. The shapeshifter held up his hand, palm facing the Bacchae in the understood symbol of truce. "Hello, Bacchae."
                "Don't address me as such here!" she hissed. "I am Petra."
                "Petra? Lovely name," Dennis commented flirtatiously. "I'm Dennis Corydon. I know you are probably wondering why I am here. I wish to see your Lord."
            Petra eyed him, suspicious of his motives. "Why?"
                "It has come to our attention—mine and other shapeshifters—that your Lord is preparing to take a queen, and that to be sure the girl obeys, he holds her husband captive along with his half-brother, Hercules. But he is also expecting trouble because the one that technically binds our two kinds together is assisting the friends of Hercules and the girl Bacchus wants to marry."
                "Get to the point!" Petra nearly snarled, drawing the attention of a few nearby humans.
                "I have a deal for Bacchus," Dennis continued once the humans were no longer paying attention to them. "I won't discuss it with anyone but him."
            Petra's eyes flashed. She did not trust the shapeshifter before her, but she was curious as to what he had planned. "Very well. Follow me, but I'll warn you now. Try anything and I'll be at your throat faster then you can blink! I know I can't kill you, but I'll be able to do some damage."
                "Fear not, Petra. I won't do anything to raise your ire."

                "I don't like this," Iolaus muttered under his breath. He, Lillith, Xylia, and Eurydice were just outside Bacchus' cave. The plan they had come up with seemed simple, which, in all their minds, meant that it wasn't. Iolaus and Lillith would go in through the exit Xylia brought them before and wait for nightfall before attacking, while Xylia and a changed Eurydice would go in the front door and be ready when the two cadets came.
                "What's wrong?" Lillith asked.
                "Listen," Iolaus told her.
            Lillith obeyed. "I don't hear anything," she said after a moment.
                "Exactly! It's way too quiet."
                "What? Were you expecting a howling welcome?" Lillith quipped, trying to lighten the heavy mood.
                "No, Lillith. He's right," Eurydice said softly. "Bacchus is up to something besides his wedding plans and Bacchae initiation. Xylia?"
            Everyone looked at the first Bacchae. She was frowning, her dark eyebrows drawn together in worry.
            Xylia knew something was wrong. Her skin was prickling and the hairs stood on the back of her neck as they always did when she was unsettled. However, try as she might, she could not figure out what was bothering her. After a moment of listening and thinking, she huffed. "You're right. My father is up to something else, but I can't figure out what. I think I would feel better if we got your transformation over with, Eurydice."
            Eurydice inhaled slowly. "All right. What do you have to do?"
            Xylia did not answer. Instead she moved closer to Eurydice and sank her teeth into Eurydice's neck. Eurydice let out a shocked, strangled cry. Xylia ignored her and drank, opening her mind, releasing all her shape-shifting power. It flowed from her into Eurydice. Once Xylia felt drained, she broke away from Eurydice. Both girls fainted.
                "Iolaus!" Lillith cried.
                "What do you expect me to do? I don't know what just happened," Iolaus snapped, even though he was worried as well. "We'll just have to wait for them to wake." The two cadets waited anxiously for what seemed like an eternity.
            Xylia was the first to recover. She groaned, forcing herself onto her hands and knees. Lillith was at her side in a moment. "Did it work?" Xylia asked, her voice hoarse.
                "I don't know. Eurydice's not awake yet." Lillith helped Xylia into a sitting position. Xylia was beside Eurydice before Lillith knew it, checking her for breathing and pulse.
                "Come on, Eurydice. Wake up!" Xylia brushed the golden hair away from the fallen girl's face. She groaned beneath the Bacchae's hand.
             Eurydice slowly opened her eyes. The two cadets and Xylia immediately noticed the change in her. Her skin was paler, and her eyes were golden, as were all Bacchae's. She looked at her friends. "Well? Did it work?"
                "You're a Bacchae again, anyway," Iolaus replied with a nod.
                "Try shifting into an animal other than a wolf," Xylia suggested. "Maybe something simple, like a dog?"
                "How do I do that?" Eurydice asked.
                "To change, you have to think like the animal."
             Eurydice frowned. "How does a dog think?"
             Xylia had to think a moment before replying. "Dogs mainly think about food, mating, and how to protect those they're loyal to. I wish I could tell you more, but it's been a while since I shifted into a dog."
                "Hey, maybe Iolaus could help," Lillith said suddenly, hitting him playfully on the arm. "At least with the food part anyway."
                "Very funny," Iolaus dryly remarked. Xylia and Eurydice attempted to hold back amused grins, but failed miserably.
                "I'll try," Eurydice said after a moment. Closing her eyes, she started to think about dogs and what they did, and was eventually able to feel herself shifting.

             Iolaus and Lillith watched in awe as Eurydice started to change before them. Her clothes were replaced by golden fur, and her body bent over as her skeleton became that of a dog's. Paws replaced hands and feet; a muzzle replaced her nose and mouth.
                "All right, Eurydice! You've got it!" Xylia cheered, relieved that the transfer of her power worked. "Now, to become human again, remember who you are." Eurydice nodded and started to change back.
                "That was amazing!" she exclaimed softly once she was herself again.
                "So, are we ready?" Lillith asked, looking at Xylia.
                "As ready as we'll ever be," she replied, still feeling as if there was something else. She brushed the feeling aside and took Eurydice's hand. "Let's go. And be careful!"

            Bacchus sat on his throne, waiting for his daughter to come with Eurydice. Dennis Corydon stood beside him, his golden eyes shining with malice.
                "They're here!" Petra crowed from the cavern's entrance.
                "Good. Are we ready, shapeshifter?" Bacchus glared at Dennis warningly.
                "Of course, Bacchus," the young man assured the god.
            Satisfied for the moment, Bacchus looked towards the throne room entrance as Xylia came with Eurydice. He observed that Xylia's eyes widened briefly as she saw Dennis standing next to him. No one spoke as they slowly came to stand before him and the shapeshifter.
                "So, we meet again, Xylia," Dennis greeted the other shapeshifter with a sneer.
                "Dennis Corydon. I should have known you'd be following me and stick your nose where it doesn't belong," she replied haughtily, yet her knees buckled slightly.
                "Call it payback for what you did to my creator," he retorted.
                "You know as well as I do that she deserved what she got, especially since she broke the one sacred rule among shapeshifters—,"
                "That we aren't supposed to force our powers on anyone without their consent?" Dennis sneered. "The boy Lydia changed was a wimp!"
                "He was also a child!" Xylia countered. "A child you two kidnapped. He never wanted our power, but she gave it to him without his consent!"
                "Maybe so," the other shapeshifter allowed after a moment. "But what gave you the right to take her life?"
                "I didn't want to!" Xylia protested. "But there was no other way to keep her alive and return the boy to his human self!" To her surprise and utter confusion, Dennis started to laugh. It echoed off the walls and burned in her ears.
                "Oh, Xylia! There was another way!" Dennis pounced and, before Xylia could react, went to Eurydice, covering her eyes with his hand. There was a quick flash of silver and Eurydice cried out. When he pulled his hand away, all Xylia could sense in the other woman was the Bacchae.
           Xylia was speechless. "But…you were the one who said that the only way to turn someone back into a human was to kill his or her creator!" she sputtered after a moment.
                "It appears, my dear, as if you never understood your heritage as well as you thought you did," Bacchus said suddenly. "Seize Eurydice!" At his bellow, two Bacchae closed in on Xylia and Eurydice.
           Dennis grabbed Xylia's wrist and yanked her to him before she could interfere. He held onto her, one arm around her waist and her hand trapped in his. Xylia fought him, but could not break free. Helpless, she watched as Eurydice was brought before Bacchus.
                "Bring out the prisoners!" Xylia and Eurydice were horrified when two other Bacchae entered, pulling two wolves along; one tan and the other brown. The animals howled and snarled their anger and humiliation.
                "Oh gods, no!" Xylia whispered.
                "Yes, Xylia. Hercules and Orpheus. I changed them and, unless you somehow escape your near future, they will remain that way!" Dennis whispered harshly with glee.
                "And that would be..?" she asked, her mind at the moment nothing but mush.
                "It is a time of great celebration, my child," Bacchus declared. "Just as I will be getting a bride, you will be getting a groom."
           Xylia blinked, not comprehending at first. Her eyes widened suddenly as it dawned on her. "Oh, no I'm not!"
           Dennis released her suddenly, turning her so she was facing him. One steel hand remained on her wrist, holding her in place. His other hand gripped her chin, snapping her head back so her eyes met his. "You do not have a choice in the matter. For my part in helping Bacchus obtain his queen and hindering his half-brother, you will be my bride. Together we will rule the shapeshifters and our children shall inherit your godliness!" He released her chin and Xylia lowered her head.
                "I don't get it," she said after a moment. "I thought you hated me, you know, for killing Lydia!"
                "I could never hate a shapeshifter as powerful as you! No, Xylia, I just confused you and used you to get rid of Lydia before my mandatory century with her ended." He ran his hand through her hair.
            Xylia recoiled, thoroughly disgusted. "So all you've done is lie to me."
                "I'm afraid so," Dennis shrugged. "Now, enough chatter. Once we're married, we can discuss things further." He looked at Bacchus. "What shall be done with them until later?"
                "Eurydice must remain with my Bacchae and be properly readied for the ceremony tonight. The wolves can be locked up again and Xylia can go with them."
                "That's all very well, Lord Bacchus, but if you just lock her up, she'll be able to escape by just shifting into a mouse or snake. She needs to be bound tightly so she can't move at all. That's the only way to keep a shapeshifter from changing," Dennis told the god.
            Bacchus looked at Xylia. The girl just stood there, her face grim. "Very well." With a wave of his hand, several strands of rope appeared around Dennis' shoulder.
                "Perfect," the shapeshifter commented as he started to bind Xylia's hands behind her. Once they were securely tied, Dennis forced her to her knees and bound her feet. Another two strands went around her chest and thighs, securing her arms and legs completely. Kneeling beside her, Dennis hauled her onto his shoulder and rose to his feet. "Ready." Bacchus nodded and the two wolves were led back to the dungeons with Dennis following, carrying Xylia.

            The cell door clicked shut, the noise deafening in the dark silence. "I shall return shortly," Dennis promised before he left the three prisoners.
            Xylia took a deep breath and suddenly released an angry roar, letting her pent-up frustration and anger escape.
              Xylia! The tan wolf swiped at her with his paw. Get a hold of yourself! We don't have time for that!
                "Hercules?" she asked.
              Yes, it's me. Seems as if I can still mindspeak with you in this shape. Where are Lillith and Iolaus?
                "I—they're somewhere in the cavern. Our plan was for them not to reveal themselves until dark. 'Course that was before I knew about Corydon being here. Unless I can get out of these ropes, I won't be able to find them—,"
                "And tell us to forget our plan and leave?" an amused voice said nearby.
                Xylia and two pairs of wolf eyes looked towards the cell door. Iolaus and Lillith were standing there. Iolaus started to pick the lock. "What do you think you're doing?" Xylia asked.
            Iolaus and Lillith glanced at one another. "That's a fine how do you do from someone who's about to be free in a moment," Iolaus huffed.
            Xylia sighed. "I'm sorry, guys. I'm really glad to see you, and so are they," she nodded at the wolves. "It's just a lot has happened since we split up and I haven't had time to sort it all out yet."
            Iolaus got the door open and the wolves raced out. Then he and Lillith went into untie Xylia. "We know," Lillith told her. "It's quite a shock, I'm sure."
               "Or a nightmare," Xylia muttered as the cadets helped her to her feet, She raised her hands to the sides of her head. "And it's given me a killer headache. I know!" she exclaimed when she saw the disapproving looks from the cadets and wolves. "We don't have a lot of time. So, does anyone have another plan ?"
               "Maybe," said Iolaus. "But we need Orpheus and Hercules human."
            Xylia nodded. "All right. Orpheus?" The brown wolf came to her and the girl repeated the move made by Dennis on Eurydice, she placed her hand over the wolf's eyes. Nothing happened. She frowned and tried again, and still Orpheus remained a wolf. "I don't get it! It worked on Eurydice!" she cried, panicking slightly.
               "Xylia calm down!" the directive came from the wolf and Iolaus.
               "Have them think of their human selves like you had Eurydice do," Iolaus suggested.
            Xylia took a deep breath and calmed down a little. She looked at the wolves. "You heard him. Can you think of your human selves?"
             We'll try, Hercules told her. Both wolves closed their eyes. Iolaus, Lillith, and Xylia waited for a change that never came. Xylia?
               "I don't know, Hercules." Xylia shook her head, hearing the worry in his voice. "If you thought of your human selves, you should have changed. Unless when Dennis gave you his power, Bacchus did something to trap you as you are."
             Maybe he did, Hercules said in her mind. Xylia translated for the others. Bacchus zapped us as Dennis transferred his power. Something…it felt as if a heavy net were being dropped onto us, wouldn't you agree, Orpheus? Orpheus nodded.
                "That's it then," Xylia concluded. "Dennis gave you his power, only to have most of it trapped beneath Bacchus' net because he wanted you in wolf shape. The only way, then, to change you back is to have Bacchus remove his hold on you."
                "How do we get him to do that?" Lillith asked.
                "I don't know."
                                            *            *               *                 *                 *
             Dennis Corydon was bored. Bacchus and several of his Bacchae had left, taking a resistant Eurydice with them. Dennis had been left to his own devices, yet the remaining Bacchae kept their eyes on him. He knew they did not trust him completely; no self-respecting Bacchae or shapeshifter ever trusted the other.
              Perhaps that will change when Xylia and I are wed, he mused as he propped himself up on of the large blood-red pillows that were piled in one corner of the throne room. Suddenly, in the back of his mind, he felt a tickling sensation. He only felt it when something was not right. His eyes widened briefly. No! It can't be! In a flash Dennis shifted into a black panther and raced to the dungeons.
             As he suspected, the cell was empty. He snarled angrily before picking up the scent of the wolves, Xylia, and two others. He followed it until he came to a medium-sized opening deep inside the caverns. Sniffing the air, he learned that dusk was near. He had to find them before night fell completely.

             Xylia and her friends ran until they were far from the cavern. Hercules stopped them after a while and insisted that they rest and come up with another plan.
                "What, though?" Xylia said after a moment. "As far as I can see, we don't have a chance."
              There's always a chance, Hercules said in her mind as he came to lay beside her. We just have to find it.
            Xylia chuckled and rubbed his ears.
                "Let me guess, he told you that there's always a chance, right?" Iolaus asked knowingly.
            Xylia nodded. "Yep, he sure did."
            Lillith hmmphed. "I sure don't see one," she said. The tan wolf growled softly. "Okay! Sorry!"
                "Hercules is right, you guys," Iolaus said. "Besides, we have to go back and rescue Eurydice. What would she say if we all just gave up?"
                "She'd probably say you made the right decision!" Startled, the small group glanced behind them and saw Dennis Corydon standing there. "Really, Xylia. If you truly wanted to get away from me, you shouldn't have stopped."
            Xylia got to her feet. "What do you want, Dennis?" she growled.
                "You. Though we could throw in two wolves and two humans," the shapeshifter remarked candidly. "I know your father would be pleased if we returned with them."
                "Forget it!" Xylia hissed, blocking him from her friends. "You are not taking them back!"
             Dennis looked at her a moment. "Fine," he shrugged. "I'll just kill them!" and with that, he changed once more into a panther and sprang, heading straight for the tan wolf!
                                           *               *                *                *                 *
             The Bacchae gathered in the throne room, lining up on either side of the dark red, almost brown, carpet aisle. It was almost time for their master to carry out his vows with his chosen bride. Afterwards, the basin that stood near the throne would be used for the initiation of the new Bacchae. The small group of young women were already gathered there, each wearing a black cape. Soon they would drink their Lord's blood, forever binding them to his service.
             A somber, minor wedding march started to play. Bacchus' materialized before his throne. As it was before, two flower Bacchae walked slowly down the aisle, scattering ashen petals to the ground. Then Eurydice entered, accompanied by two more Bacchae who held her black veil as she walked toward Bacchus.
            The god watched her, pleased that the trance was working so well. Not once during her preparation did she worry about her wolf friends. Thinking of them caused Bacchus to suddenly notice that Dennis was not there. "Stop!" he ordered. "Where is the shapeshifter?"
               "He left some time ago as a panther," Petra offered.
               "A panther?" Dennis had told him that when a shapeshifter usually changed into the great cat or any other large feline, it meant that there was trouble, and to Bacchus that meant only one thing. "The prisoners have escaped! Find them!" he roared.
             Before his Bacchae could obey, a snarl echoed through the cavern and the two wolves, Iolaus, and Lillith ran in, pursued by a black panther. The two wolves turned to fight, but yowled when the cat swiped its paw, hitting their ears. Lillith attempted to backtrack, yet was stopped as the panther leaped and landed a few feet away from her, growling, its ears flattened.
               "Good work, Dennis." Bacchus praised the shapeshifter. "But where is Xylia?"
               "As if you care!" Iolaus shouted. A Bacchae knocked him and Lillith to the ground. The wolves were herded over and a group of Bacchae guarded the four.
               "Oh, but I do care," Bacchus countered. "Dennis is to become my son-in-law."
               "You mean he was!" Lillith said. "He and Xylia fought one another and..and he killed her!" she hid her face in her hands. Iolaus put his arms around her, comfortingly.
            Bacchus looked down at the panther. "Is this true?" The panther nodded, and then lowered his head in submission. For a brief moment the god looked sad. "No matter," he recovered. "You shall take her place here as my son. Come," the god gestured and the panther went to him and sat down proudly. "It seems as if we won't be having a double wedding after all. At least I will still have my queen and our Bacchae family will continue to grow." He reached for Eurydice.
           The panther roared suddenly and leapt for Bacchus, knocking the god to the ground. At the same time, Iolaus, Lillith, and the two wolves attacked.
                "Xylia!" Bacchus growled at the panther on his chest.
                Of course, father. Now, you can make this easy, or you can make it hard. Take whatever you have keeping Hercules and Orpheus trapped as wolves off, or I will be the Bacchae who kills you!
                "You can't kill me!" Bacchus scoffed, suddenly reaching up and grabbing the panther by the neck.
           Xylia screamed and bucked, dragging her razor sharp claws down Bacchus' chest. The god snarled in a brief moment of pain, releasing her. In a split second, Xylia bit down on his neck, just barely nicking the skin above the jugular.
                 "Foolish whelp! This won't work!" Xylia bit harder, causing her father to arch his neck.
               Wanna bet? she hissed. I know the stories of how you can be killed, and right now my teeth are made of the very bone that will cause your death unless you release me, Orpheus, Hercules, Eurydice, and their friends! To emphasize, she chomped down as much as she could without actually killing him.
                  "All right!" Bacchus rasped. Lifting his arm, the god pointed. Hercules and Orpheus were human once more, fighting the Bacchae that separated them from Iolaus and Lillith who were holding their own.
                  Hercules! Get Eurydice and get everyone out!
                  Hercules heard the panther's call and quickly abolished the two Bacchae he was fighting. "Orpheus, get out of here!"
                  "What about Eurydice?"
                  "Don't worry! Just go, and take Iolaus and Lillith with you!" Hercules shoved Orpheus along before he could argue. The musician finally nodded and ran to where the other cadets were fighting.
         Xylia released her death grip on Bacchus and roared. All the Bacchae stopped where they were. Iolaus, Lillith, and Orpheus were able to escape. Hercules ran to Eurydice, catching her as she fainted.
                Go! Xylia ordered. I'll be right out!
        Hercules nodded and, before racing out, stopped at the fountain, dripping a little of its contents on Eurydice, cleansing her of the Bacchae. A few Bacchae, including Petra tried to stop him. Xylia roared again and leapt down from the dais, knocking over the basin and chasing the women who were to be initiated. Petra and the other Bacchae immediately lost their interest in Hercules and went after her, allowing the demigod to escape with Eurydice.

         Hercules kept going until he found his friends waiting where Xylia fought Dennis earlier. They crowded around as he gently lay Eurydice on the ground. "Guys, back off and give her some room!" he ordered. Only Orpheus remained next to Eurydice and Hercules, which the demigod allowed. After all, they are husband and wife.
         Eurydice stirred a few minutes later, although it seemed like an eternity to her friends. "Eurydice?" Orpheus took Hercules' place at her head.
                  "Orpheus? You're okay!" her voice was thankful. She tried to sit up and, with his assistance, she was able to. "What happened? And, where's Xylia?" she asked a moment later. The four briefly explained what had happened and that Xylia was still in Bacchus' lair.
                  "The operative word there is 'was,'" a familiar voice said suddenly. The four friends turned and saw Xylia limping up to them.
               Iolaus rushed to her side and, ignoring her protests, picked her up and carried her over, setting her down beside Eurydice. "What the heck happened to you?" Xylia bled from several scratches and other cuts. Bruises were starting to form all over her body. "It looks like you ran a gauntlet."
                  "I did," the girl replied with a sad smile. "A Bacchae one." She explained, that when she left Bacchus five centuries ago, she had done just that, and did not go through the gauntlet then. She had only gone through it now because the Bacchae finally caught her and dragged her before Bacchus. He had wanted to give her one more chance to be at his side, but she refused. The god would only accept her refusal if she ran the Bacchae gauntlet. If she got through without falling, she would be free to go, and would still demand the respect of all Bacchae if they ran into her. However, she could never return to Bacchus' lair. If she fell, the Bacchae would take her to another shapeshifter to be killed, and Bacchus would not interfere.
                  "Well, it's a good thing you made it through," Iolaus commented after a subdued moment.
                  "Maybe," Xylia shrugged.
                  "What do you mean maybe?"
             Xylia inhaled slowly, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. "Look, can we just get out of here?" she asked, sounding tired. "Bacchus will be coming after us soon."
                  "Wonderful," Hercules muttered. "Eurydice, can you stand?" She nodded. "Xylia, we may have to—"
                  "You are not carrying me anywhere!" she swore, being more stubborn than Lillith. "I can shape-shift into a bird and follow you, okay?"
             Hercules glanced at Iolaus and the cadet nodded. "That's what you think." In spite of further protests from her, Iolaus helped Xylia onto Hercules' back. "Hold on." Xylia nodded and the group continued on their way, getting as far away from Bacchus' lair.
                                            *          *            *             *            *             *
             They made it back to the Academy by morning. Cheiron immediately had Xylia taken to the infirmary where he treated the girl's wounds. Eurydice also went there, just to be sure that the trance she had been under did not have any negative effects on her.
             Orpheus, Hercules, Lillith, and Iolaus were told to wait in the headmaster's office so Cheiron and Feducious could hear about what had happened. Their story took a long time to relate; it was a little bit after noon when they finished. The three cadets and musician were weary and yawned several times as they told their tale.
                  "All right. That's enough. You four go get some rest now, and when you wake, you can see Xylia and Eurydice," Cheiron told them.

             Hercules was the first to wake and discovered that it was near dusk. Deciding that he'd been asleep long enough, he tiptoed down to the infirmary to check on the girls.
             Opening the door, he found Eurydice sleeping peacefully. She was so beautiful! It was still so hard to believe that she was alive and that she was Orpheus' wife. Glancing at the cot where Xylia should have been, he saw empty space! "Xylia?"
                Hercules, I'm here! He heard her in his mind, her voice tired.
                  "Where here?" he asked.
                The window. Hercules turned toward the window and spotted a dark shape, curled into a ball resting in the fading sunlight.
                  "Of course you'd be a cat!" Hercules said.
                What else? was the smug reply. Feline shape agrees with me.
                  "So does wolf shape," he added with a grin.
                Yeah right! she snapped, lifting her head to glare at him. Hercules suppressed a chuckle as he sat on the sill beside her.
                  "So, what are you going to do now?" he asked after a moment.
            Xylia did not answer for a few minutes; she changed slowly into her human/Bacchae form. "I don't know. I thought I might be able to remain here, but being so close to Bacchus' cavern….," she shook her head, tears filling her eyes.
            Hercules put his arms around her and held her for a while, talking only with his mind. Would it really be that hard remaining here?
                  Yes. Bacchus relinquished his claim to me last night. I am no longer his daughter, at least in his and the Bacchae's eyes. I'm alone.
            Hercules heard the pain and anguish in her voice. No, you're not. You have me, we're family.
                I know that, but that does not matter. I can't stay here, and I can't really return to the woods I came from because another shapeshifter has surely taken my place.
            Hercules did not know what he could say to that. So he said nothing, and just continued to hold her, the girl resting against his chest. Suddenly they both heard the rustling of a blanket as Eurydice awoke.
                  "Hey, Hercules. Xylia. What's going on?" she asked, still partly asleep.
                  "Xylia's trying to figure out where she's going to go when she leaves the Academy," Hercules explained.
                  "Oh." Eurydice looked at Xylia who returned her gaze with a tired, and pained one. "Well, you could come and live with Orpheus and me," she offered after a moment.
          Xylia frowned as Hercules realized why Eurydice even suggested such an alternative for the first Bacchae. "That sounds like a good idea," Hercules commented, glancing at Xylia.
                  "Let me guess. I'd be playing bodyguard, right?" Xylia wrinkled her nose, not exactly pleased with the proposition.
         Eurydice lowered her gaze and Xylia glanced at Hercules who glared at her. "No—well, not exactly. I'm offering you a home," the young woman explained, slowly raising her head. "You can leave any time you want."
         Xylia remained silent, thinking over the offer. It sounded good, yet…
                Xylia, I think you should accept the offer. Please take her up on it, Hercules told her.
                Why?
                Do you have a better offer?
         Xylia made a face at the demigod, confusing Eurydice. "What about Orpheus?" she asked after a moment looking at the woman.
                  "Don't worry about him. You leave him to me," she replied. "So, does this mean you'll come with us?" Eurydice was hopeful.
                  "For a while, anyway," Xylia finally conceded, glancing at Hercules. Suddenly she was wrapped in a tight embrace; Eurydice had gotten up and literally jumped on her.
                  "Thank you! You don't know how much this'll mean!" Eurydice exclaimed.
         Xylia looked at Hercules, seeing the pained, yet happiness in his eyes. "Actually I think I do."

         Orpheus, Eurydice, and Xylia left the next day. Hercules, Iolaus, Lillith, and Chieiron saw them off after a semi-tearful goodbye. Orpheus and Eurydice promised to keep in touch, and Hercules let them—and Xylia—know that he would be there for them if they ever needed him.
         Xylia just looked at him for a long time before shifting into a panther. Then she bounded out of the courtyard, stopping just at the edge of the forest, waiting for Eurydice and Orpheus.
                  "Good-bye, Hercules," Eurydice said, giving him one last hug.
                  "Good-bye, Eurydice. Take care of yourself," he returned. Eurydice slowly pulled away from him and Orpheus came to take her hand. Then, giving everyone one last look, the couple left the courtyard and met the panther.
        Once they were out of sight, Lillith and Iolaus went back inside to participate in the daily drills. Hercules and Cheiron remained a few minutes more.
                  "Well, Hercules," Cheiron said reflectively, "it looks as if you have found another family member."
                  "It does. You want to know something weird, Cheiron?" the demigod added after a moment. "I've this feeling that I'll never see her again."
                  "Maybe, and maybe not. Only Time can tell. At least you know she exists."
                  Hercules chuckled. "Yeah, I do."

                                                     ~The End~

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