Intimate Stranger – free will and our memories

The Gods are not all-powerful and there are limits to their reach. However, far as mortals are concerned, you want to avoid catching their eye. Divine attention is great, but the wrath of the finicky beings serves as a clear warning. The myths are full of those that incur displeasure or fall out of favor, with catastrophic results.
Repeat after me: Gods are not our friends. Oh sure, they grant a boon here or there, long as we keep the faith flowing thru worship. Unless you are Hercules whom Hera will not forgive, Xena with pursuing Ares, or Gabrielle who is married to one, best stay away. Those three don’t have a choice; you do.
We have the freedom to choose the deity or not. Our memories are our own. Yes, Hera did strike Hercules with madness but she is Queen of the Gods – Zeus has no ground to stand on due to his frequent infidelities. 2.0 very carefully avoids manipulations of the two above, though on occasion it happens indirectly (Morpheus’ dreams become Callisto’s memories and Xena experiences a different life in a “what if?” scenario).
Speaking of, the alternative present (the timeline where Xena did not become a warlord) is gone, taking that reality with it. It lives on in Xena’s memories, which are given to Sophus. This is the true gift and the week together is bonus. They are husband and wife again – after half a lifetime alone, Sophus reunites with the woman he loves. His fondest wish comes true thanks to, of all people, Ares.
There are only few instances of rule breaking and they all involve the Fates, next up on the food chain. The cause in each case dictates the necessity of their involvement. The balance is maintained. Discuss in FORUMS.