Disclaimer: I don't own Xena ok?

Author's Notes:  This story is before Eve, before, India, Before Eli. English isn't my first language so please forgive my spelling, grammar or other mistakes you may find.

The Dark City

A Fan fic by Hongower

The sun was setting on the horizon as two friends walked through the beautiful landscape of Greece.

"I'm telling you Xena that we really need to do something about your hair"

"My hair is fine just the way it is" Answered the taller woman as she suppressed the urge to cut her friend in half.

"All I'm saying is that some herbs could help restore it…"

But before the blonde could finish a sentence that would get her closer to her grave, Xena saw a dark figure laying in the path.

Both of them got closer and discover a blonde girl with blue eyes looking at them. She was covered with blood and her clothes were torn.

"Xena…" The question was left unspoken as she saw the look in her friend's eyes and understood that the strange woman would dye.

"Please… the dark city…I-"

"Don't talk, just rest."

"Help the others… please… the dark city…"

The woman gave them one last pleading look and then she died.

Gabrielle and Xena decided to burry the nameless woman.

"What do you think she tried to tell us?" Asked Gabrielle as she inspected her belongings and Xena dig a hole in the ground.

"I'm not sure, I've heard legends about this dark city but I really don't know a lot about it. People say it´s a lost city filled with all sort of creatures that capture young women for some mysterious proposes."

Gabrielle only heard half of what Xena said because she was studying a scroll she found in the dead woman's bag.

"I think this is a map" She said without taking her eyes of the scroll.

Xena stopped digging and walked to Gabrielle so she could also see the map.

"I think this is a map to get to the Dark City"

"What? Do you mean that what she said was true?" 

"It must be, why else would she have this map?"

"Then we have to go there and help whoever she wanted us to help"

Xena didn't answer; she walked to the woman and started to inspect her body. The woman has cuts in many places, her hands were burned and she had a deep slash in her stomach. The lost of blood caused her death. Xena then noticed a small mark on her shoulder. It was a snake with a sword coming out of its mouth. The same mark was in the map, which proved that what the woman said was true.

"Gabrielle, we are going to the Dark City but I'm afraid we are going to need some help."

Gabrielle didn't have time to ask since Xena immediately started yelling.

"Ares! Ares! Show yourself! I need to talk to you!"

Suddenly the god of war appeared in front of them.

"You rang?"

"I need your help" Said Xena as she unsheathed her sword.

"You know, usually when people want the help of the god of war they come to my temple and bring offerings"

"Why do they think you live there?"

"Well some of them do but that's not the point. If you want help of the god of war you need to do something for him"

"Come on Ares, you know you can't resist going in an adventure with me… to the Dark City."

"No one can reach the Dark City, the location is unknown"

"Not if you have a map"

Ares tried to take the map from Xena but a sword came through his chest.

"Is this the way to ask for help?" He asked as he looked at the woman holding the sword.

 "We leave in the morning." Said Xena as she sheathed her sword. "You can go and collect offerings in the mean time."

"Argh, women!" Said the god of war as he disappeared.

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A.N: I know is really short. Sorry. Should I continue? What do you think?