Disclaimer: I own nothing… if only I did.
Note: Sorry for the late update. I have been dealing with a bad writers block…
Xena watches from the center of the town as her men gather the last surviving villager and prepare the poor man for the cross. She inhales deeply closing her blue eyes, taking in all the death around her. Men, women, and children lay dead all around the town. What she has done to Corinth never felt so right, now nothing in between the Warrior and her goals… Death to all Amazons.
On of Xena's generals walks up behind the Warrior and speaks, "My lord, all the villagers are in position."
"Did you break their legs?" she questions the man without turning to face the man.
"Yes as you commanded my lord."
Xena opens her eyes and smiles to herself she turns to find the man was still standing behind her. "Was there something else you needed?" the coldness in her voice sends shivers down the general's spine.
The man bows his head so not to make eye contact with the woman who causes such fear in his heart. "Well yes… we have an extra cross and the men were wondering if they should take it apart or something…"
'Perfect,' the woman thinks to herself. Xena unsheathes her sword and brings it to the man's throat. She watches a few moments as he quivers in fear, knowing that he must have dishonored the "Destroyer" in some way. She then lifts his chin so they may make eye contact. "You will bring it here and get the traitor while you are at it. We will make an example out of him."
"As you command my lord," the general barely chokes out.
The Warrior Princess removes the sword from the man's neck and places it back where she had removed it from. She watches as the man gets to his feet. As he was about to turn to fulfill his task the woman holds out her hand stopping the general. "Alexander am I correct?" the man merely nods. "Well Alexander you are promoted from a general of my army to my right… now leave," Xena waves her hand as she spoke. The man bows at the honor that was bestowed onto him and then takes his leave to do as command.
Xena has asked her army to gather in the center of the once proud town of Corinth. Her men make a circle around her and a barren cross that lay flat on the sandy ground. The sun could no longer be seen as every other soldier held torches for more visibility. Their leader had told them to set aflame some nearby homes so the center could clearly be seen.
The Warrior walks up to the cross that lies on the ground and smiles menacingly. "Men this…" she holds out her arms and turns in a circle as to talk about the city, "this is but a taste of what I have to offer. This once mighty and proud city has fallen within minutes of our arrival, Pathetic really I half expected more… now we are one step closer to our destinies. Yours…" Xena points at all the men around her and continues her speech. "To follow me "The Destroyer of nations, to victory of all who oppose me, and mine… to wipe the Amazons off the face of the known world." She takes a moment to peer out at her crowd. They have never heard her speak to them before never the less seen her outside of battle. The men had all thought her to be a battle Goddess. The sheer power and beauty in her voice had kept them all silent.
Xena chuckles to herself. She has them all wrapped around her finger and she loves it. The feared her and that is exactly what she wants, gain power from fear. The warrior has done it before but everything is different now, it's not just blood lust that drives her… it's the memory of her slain friend. In two short years she has built an army that could even challenge the might of Rome. When she is done with the Amazons she just might pay Caesar a little visit. What Xena wouldn't give to watch that man beg for death.
Whispers erupt from the army as they make room for Alexander and a shackled Maximus, walking into the open area with their fearless leader stand waiting. Xena's smile slowly drops from her face at the site of her once right hand man. She has always known who he was and hated the fact he could try and betray her after all that she has taught him. Alexander throws the man at his lord's feet. Maximus lands on his knees before her causing slight ripples of pain up his legs. Xena peers down at the man for a moment. He stares back at her defiantly. She may scare everyone here but he will stand strong against this… monster.
Xena grins at the challenge, "this man was once one of ours. You all know him. The mighty Maximus no equal in battle, my second in command, now look at him." She points at the man before her. "He is nothing without me…"
A chuckle comes out of the man, "you think they will follow you if they know who you are… Xena." Maximus smiles as the army's whispers became audible.
"Xena the warrior princess?"
"I thought she was dead."
"She killed my family."
"That can't be her"
Xena turns to face the majority of her army. She knew one day soon she would have to tell them who she was. Tonight is good as any. The warrior reaches up to her Golden mask and slowly pulls it up over her head and throws it on the ground. Gasps could be heard from all around. The have heard of her beauty be never seen it with their own eyes. The scar does little to obstruct her beauty only to make her more… human. She smiles at her army, "he is right I am Xena the Warrior Princess if you will, with a little change. I know my destiny now and anyone who stands in my way will end up like this town… Crucified." She said as she kicked the cross beside her. "If anyone has a problem then you are free to leave…"
One man in the crowds turns to leave the circle, in an instant a ringing sound is heard and as soon as it came the man fell to the cold ground holding his neck. Xena reaches her hand up to catch her Chakram and places it back at her hip. "Anyone else?"
The men grew silent. Not only did they not want to die but almost all of them knew if they stayed with the legendary Xena, their names will be remembered forever. One man lowered his head to the warrior princess and they all followed suit. She smiles at the loyalty of her men.
"Are you kidding me?" Maximus shouts. "She just killed one of you after she said they were free to leave and you bow your damn heads in respect."
"Xena is our leader no matter what name she goes by. She brought us together and treats us better than any other warlord around. We will be by her side till death takes us." Alexander lets out for all to hear.
The whole army nodes in agreement, "hale Xena!" as they hit their chest with their fists in a salute.
That was unexpected. Xena for sure thought this army would come crashing down before her very eye, yet they all came together at the words of her new second. She made a good choice in picking him.
"You all are going to die for nothing!" Maximus shouts once more, now rising to his feet.
"No it is you who would die for nothing," the Warrior Princess counters. She looks at her army once more. "Death to all who oppose us!" she shouts raising her fist in the air. Loud cheers come from the men as they repeat her words. Xena walks over to Alexander and says in a barely audible tone, "put him on the cross." He nods in agreement and walks up to the now risen man. Maximus struggles to no avail at the man forcing him onto the cross. Two more soldiers come from behind him. They unshackle him and force his arms out like a T. tying his wrists to the wood and Alexander does his feet. As the finish getting him situated they raise him up placing the bottom of the cross deep into the ground. The men back away as Xena walks up with a huge hammer the size of a man's skull. She swings it over her shoulders and prepares for the devastating blow. Looking Maximus in the eyes she smiles as he turns his head away.
With one swift strike the man's bones shatter. One long scream of pain escapes the man. Xena drops the weapon and faces her army once more. "Go eat and drink your fill… for tomorrow we march on the Amazons!"
Note: Because of my writers block I rushed this chapter. Please let me know how it is and if I should change anything, BTW Gabrielle will return in the next chapter :}I love all reviews. They keep me going