The Offer
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Disclaimer: The characters Xena, Gabrielle and Ares belong to MCA/Universal/Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement intended.
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What you offer is relief. From my own torment, from the grief, from the contempt that I feel – for myself.
I have lost the path that I have chosen. I walk astray and adrift. Ideals, values that I once treasured – they all lie shattered, forlorn. Betrayed.
But you already know that. All of it. You know me. That is why you're here. To offer this gift that is yours, to end the war in my soul, to free me from guilt and false hope, make life serene, make me strong.
What you offer is power. Unchallenged by human force, the might of the gods. To lead me back to the path, to rebuild what I've lost. No greater guilt than to neglect this chance to make right what is wrong! — But could I ever?
Because what you offer is the end of the world. Ultimately. And the day, it may come. Black as death, it may come. And the sun will no longer rise, and I will believe in all these lies, and you will break what is left inside – my soul.
Like you broke her.
But it won't be today.
Goodbye, Ares.
— Gabrielle.