"There is a second
option." Hades pulled his hood back from his face and stared
at her in earnest. "You know of my involvement in
Sisyphus' plan to steal Ares' sword, Xena. Surely you
realized that I could not have made such a deal with him without
the support of many other gods. Ares is no longer fit for his
position. He…" Hades stopped, and looked uncertain. "I
do not know how to explain this to a mortal, but – we gods have
an… an honor system, I suppose. A set of unwritten rules that
keeps any one of us from gaining limitless power. In making a deal
with Dahok, and in many other ways over the past couple centuries,
Ares has broken those rules."

"I can't disagree with
that." Xena said with a sigh. "But there's not really
a replacement for him, is there? It's like you said – you
can't explain the rules of godhood to mortals. And if you give
someone new the powers of a god they will abuse them the same way
Ares does. Haven't Callisto and Velasca proved that to
you?"

"You could do it." Hades
replied, his eyes intense. "You are in a position to do so
now."

"Absolutely not!" Xena
snapped. A wave of fury passed through her, not so much at
Hades' suggestion as at the momentary appeal it had had to her.
"I'm the last person who should have the powers
of a god. Look at the damage I caused when I had power as a
mortal!"

"But you changed, Xe."
Lyceus spoke up, looking fascinated. "That's why Hades
wants you to have the job, isn't it?" He looked at the god
for confirmation, and continued once he got a nod of agreement.
"Because you've already learned what it means to have
power, and what kind of caution is needed."

For a moment, Xena couldn't help
but picture it. She could influence war so that it was protection
for those who needed it, not the strong preying on the weak. She
could… no. She had been down that road once before, and she knew
where it led.

"No." she repeated the
word outloud, for the benefit of the others. "I'm not the
right person for that job. I don't trust myself that much.
Ares' isn't perfect, but he's the best option you
have." She looked at Hades beseechingly. "Hades, you owe
me a few favors. Make me mortal, just for a day or so." He
shook his head, almost regretfully.

"I have pledged myself to our
cause against Ares, Xena. I cannot go against my word to other gods
and help you restore his power. If you are determined to return to
the mortal plain, you must do so yourself." And he faded
away.