AS BLOOD DROWNS THE THRONE ROOM

Xena ran towards down the hall watching as Kolina followed her she could see the throne room up ahead. She slowed her pace seeing bloody drag marks which led in to the dinning room. She stopped still pushing open the door seeing the bodies of two of the guards who had been brutality stabbed and then pulled out of sight. Kolina looked at the dead men. "This isn't good it means that Elpidios is already in side the throne room." Xena looked up eyeing the throne room. "Stay here, I am going to go in." She stepped forward only to stop she turned to the woman who had lowered her gaze. "Thank you I will see that the king hears that you freed me."

Kolina shook her head sadly. "I don't think it will make any difference Elpidios will have already told him that I betrayed him and his daughter. If I'm lucky I'll be excelled and at worst I'll be hung." She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them. "The only good thing is that ether way my conscience will be clean and I know that I've done what was right." Xena moved forward putting a hand on her arm. "I don't think that will happen this time." She pulled away heading towards the doors. Kolina watched her go feeling the sadness wash over her. It would happen though and there was no end to it because that was what the king and his daughter did to anyone who betrayed them, there was never a fair trail, only death. There was no point in running away she should just accept what was to come. She looked up watching as Xena ran through the doors slamming them both behind her. She could now only wait and see what was to come. She closed the other door as she slid down the wall taking hold of her knees listening to the sounds in side the room.

8

Kleitos swallowed raising his weapon higher along with Eber as he Elpidios moved closer. All of his elite guards were now dead and lay around the room their crippled bodies lifeless on the ground. He slowly met Elpidios dark gaze feeling his weapon hand tighten. "I will see you damned to Tartarus!" Elpidios raised an eyebrow looking at his bloody hand he was going to enjoy this. "Do not fool yourself Kleitos you are at the end of your time. Your line is about to end and as it should, just about all your royal council have betrayed you including Kolina though she is not here now. As sadly she had a change of heart which is bad for her because when I'm done with you she'll be the next person I kill."

He moved closer drinking in both men's fear they knew they were out numbered and at his mercy. "Enjoy the last few seconds as king!" He moved his hand outwards only to feel a jolt of agonizing pain followed by a high pitched sound as a shining ring of steel sliced past his hand causing him to howl in pain as blood leaked out of his palm. He watched as it hit the wall flying back to its owner who caught it, he narrowed his gaze as he met Xena's ice cold gaze. He turned slowly to her watching as she put the bloody weapon back in place as he turned fully to face. "Xena it's so nice to see you and here I was thinking that you would be rotting away in the pit!"

Xena sneered as she eyed him in disgust obviously the pendent had worked but not in the same way it had for Gabrielle. Instead she was looking at a man whose size and muscle matched that of Hercules himself. She could see the red ruby in the pendants centre glowing. She slowly moved her feet in to position she was going to kill this bastard! Elpidios raised his hand instantly stopping the others from going forward he stepped forward Xena was his to kill and no one else's. "I'm surprised at you Xena you hate Kleitos, why would you save him?" Xena eyed him up and down trying to find see a weakness in his muscled body. "You hurt my friend didn't you?"

Elpidios smirked. "Oh you mean you precious Gabrielle yes I beat her to with in an inch of her life, no doubt you heard the screaming it was glorious wasn't it? It's such a shame that I had to beat her so hard while she was chained up but then I had no idea that she didn't know what the pendent did. Since for any one who's female it follows a very different set off rules." He eyed her. "She's no doubt dead now, it's a shame I had to miss the light going out in her beautiful green eyes but to be honest though I have much bigger fish to fry." He flexed his muscles. "As you can see by the dead men all around this room I am having so much fun right now. I have Hercules might at my disposal."

Xena narrowed her gaze. "Come and get some!" Elpidios raised his arms. "With pleasure!" He roared as he ran at her with all his might bringing up his fist. "I'm going to rip out your insides while you're still breathing and show them to you!" Xena didn't think as she moved sideways avoiding his fist as it smashed in the ground opposite causing the floor's decorative tiles to shatter. She swung the weapon slicing it across his arm watching as the blood flowed free, as he winced in pain turning around. "You forget that I fought Hercules." Elpidios smiled. "Yes I heard all about that, didn't you loose?" Xena felt the agony as his fist slammed in to her stomach she was thrown backwards only to smash in to the floor opposite on her back coming to a painful stop on it.

She front flipped trying to take the pain which was stomach churning as she swung her weapon watching as it sliced across his exposed chest causing him to cry out as he backed away. The next moments turned to blinding pain as his fist smashed in to her face before she could raise her weapon. She hit the ground hard on her knees feeling the blood as it dripped down her lip. Elpidios smirked watching as she slowly got to her feet the pain showing. "You forget your place Xena, I'm more powerful than you are and I'm faster!" The next moments turned to agony as she front flipped and her boot smashed in to his face causing him to stumble back.

He felt the blood as it ran down his chin as she landed in front of him. "I admire your determination." He watched as she back flipped out of the way narrowly missing his fist as it shattered the floor once more. "Shame you don't know when to quit though!" Xena looked up only to feel the pain hit home as his foot smashed in her chest sending her flying backwards. She hit the floor hard tumbling over it painfully before coming to a stop feeling the pain instantly in her ribs. It was now obvious to her that her sword didn't work she could slice him left him right left and centre and despite the blood it hadn't stopped him or slowed him down. She stood up painfully hearing the laugher of the others behind him they obviously thought that there leader had the upper hand.

She ignored Kleitos shocked face she had no time for it, she wiped the blood from her chin again she needed a better plan. She looked up as an idea came to her mind one which wouldn't be pleasant for her but it was her best chance. This pendent had caused all this and it was time for it to end here and now! She looked up as the doors were smashed open as Heli and Damokles burst in the room. She saw the horror and there faces as they looked at the scene in front of them. She didn't think as she met Damokles's light blue gaze. "Save the king!" Elpidios roared in anger. "Kill them all now make sure they die quickly!"

Eber pulled up his sword he would protect the king no matter what he was the only one who could do so. He turned to Kleitos who looked shocked by everything unfolding in front of him. "Is there a secret passage out of this room your highness?" Kleitos looked up sharply as his mind clicked back in to gear. "There is no passage out of here." Chara smirked slowly pulling her long dagger free from her dress eyeing Eber in disgust. "He's right you know there is no passage out of here, your both trapped. Sadly for you I do know a way out but I want something in return for the information." Eber sneered. "Oh and what would that be Chara?" Chara looked at the long dagger in her hand. "My life!"

Eber eyed her for a long moment. "You forfeited that when you sexual assaulted Sophia!" Chara shrugged looking at her long dagger. "You know I coated the tip of this with snake venom and I wouldn't think off attacking me it's a really deadly poison." Eber narrowed his gaze he hated her so much right now and he could tell that she wasn't bluffing. "My loyalty is to the king." Chara raised her eyebrow. "Then you'll die with him once Elpidios is done!" She eyed the back of the room she knew where the secret door, it was behind the throne itself. Eber has chosen poorly and would die along with his king she could leave once the battle was over and pretend that she'd played no role in this and put it all on Kolina. Also if the battle went badly and Elpidios lost, she could still leave and no one would ever be able to stop her she could flee with her life and find a new kingdom and start over she already had a back up plan in place.

Heli watched as Abraxas came towards him he didn't think as he raised he sword. He felt the force as both their weapons met he didn't think as he smashed his fist in Abraxas faces before he could pull his weapon back he watched as the other man stumbled back. "You are a traitor, a traitor who never learnt discipline!" Abraxas sneered stepping back feeling the blood run down his chin. "Old fool." Heli eyed him in disgust. "I am no old fool I at least have loyalty to my king and have served as a hoplite!" He didn't think as he sliced his sword across the other man's chest hearing him cry out in pain. "You on the other hand didn't!"

He didn't think as he slashed his sword across his arm as he swung it. "That is why you're sloppy and you know nothing about fighting!" He watched as blood ran down from the other man's arm. He caught sight of something a bandage hidden under his shirt. He smiled as he touched it with his sword tip. "My, my you have a shoulder wound already how interesting, I assume Xena gave that to you?" Abraxas sneered as he smashing his sword out of the way. "What if she did?" Heli shook his head. "You disappoint me Abraxas stealing my bow like that, when you have nether the muscle or prowess to fire it and then trying to but the blame on me." He shook his head gripping his sword reading himself. "No wonder you missed Sophia your aim has always been poor and I feel even if Xena hadn't stopped you, you would still missed."

Abraxas raised his weapon as he roared in anger running towards the older man. Heli didn't think he didn't need to he'd lived a life time of seeing this move in combat, he swung his sword watching as it sliced across the other man's throat stopping him in his tracks. Abraxas dropped his sword gagging as he clutched his throat as blood spilt through his fingers. Heli sighed watching as the other man hit the floor on his knees as death took over before he hit the floor on his front. "As I said you lack discipline and training!" He eyed Damokles the young man didn't need his help he had trained him he raised his weapon though just in case his prodigal son needed his assistance he would be there.

Elpidios roared in anger as he ran at Xena only to watch as she side stepped his fist which smashed in to the wall where her head had been. Xena didn't think as she sliced her weapon across his leg. She breathed in knowing she had to time this just right. She could see him turning both his hands moving towards her body. Elpidios grabbed Xena's waist before she could shift away lifted her off the ground forcefully. He didn't think as he started to squeeze her sides enjoying her scream of pain as it hit the air, he was going to enjoy this. He was going to break her pelvis and then every rib bone in her chest and no amount of her struggling or slashing from her sword would save her.

Xena heard the agonizing crack in her upper leg as one of her bones cracked with the pressure, she screamed in agony as tried to keep hold off her sword as she pulled her Chakram free. She knew something would break it was the price she'd have to pay to win this battle as her eye caught sight of the pendent. Elpidios smiled watching her squirm as he increased the pressure. "You were always a fool Xena." Xena narrowed her gaze pulling up her Chakram. "Not as much as you are, you bastard for thinking that I'd let you capture me this way!" She saw the surprise as the realization hit home but it was too late she didn't think as screamed bringing the Chakram up then brought it down with all force she could muster.

She watched as it smashed in to the ruby red stone cracking it length ways and causing streams of white and red light to fly outwards. She turned spitting directly in to his face. "Before you die, die knowing that Gabrielle was always twice the man you ever were!" The next moments turned to pain as she hit the floor on her side feeling the agonizing pain her broken upper thigh hit the floor. She grabbed her sword hearing him cry out as more red and white light flew outwards from the pendants cracked centre. She could already hear his muscles ripping and tearing as the contracted over and over. She didn't think as she threw the sword upwards watching as it slammed in to his neck causing blood to fly through the air as his screaming stopped.

His whole body began to topple as his muscles carried on tearing all over his body his eyes rolled back and his huge body fell side ways hitting the floor as death took over. She watched painfully as he twitched as death finally took over she groaned gods that had hurt so much! She leaned over pulling her sword free of his neck watching as the pendants white light faded away as she tried to take the intense pain in her leg. Kleitos looked at Elpidios dead body then turned to slowly to Eber who was eyeing Chara. Chara didn't think as she ran past Eber hearing the grinding sound as the door opened behind the throne. This was it she was free she looked up seeing Preben appear the good slave he had done just as she'd told him.

Preben stood still watching as she eyed him he could see the king behind her and Eber. He breathed in, in disgust as he met Chara's gaze blocking the door out. Chara eyed him. "Move back your blocking the door I have to leave!" Preben breathed in deeply. "I heard you in the cells with Elpidios you never were going to give me my freedom were you?" He narrowed his gaze. "I didn't enjoying listening to what you did to Sophia I didn't enjoy locking the door! I did because I wanted my freedom, a freedom you denied me!" Chara sneered in disgust. "You have no choice you are my slave you do as I command, because I own you!" Preben snarled. "I am not your slave! I was brought illegally by you on the Roman border.

He didn't think as he smashed his fist in to her face watching as her body left the floor. "I should be free in this province as slavery is a crime!" he watched as she hit the solid throne back first before her body hit the floor hard and she passed out. He eyed the blood on his knuckles he didn't think as he grabbed the lever causing the door behind him to close. "I will not do as you command any longer!" She had ruined his life when he had been sold to her as a work slave two seasons ago he had been overjoyed as he knew that in Greece's upper regions slave trading was illegal which meant that by law he would be freed once the border was crossed. It never been though and he'd been stuck with this evil bitch doing her disgusting dirty work from then on and he had, had enough of it.

The final straw had been what he'd over heard in the cells it had angered and disgusted him he had worked so hard in the hope of winning his freedom. He had been a house slave all his life and everything had been denied him even the freedom he should have by law. He had done horrible and disgusting things and all for her and for what? To be laughed at in front of others because he was her property. He pulled his sword free throwing it to the ground as he met Eber's gaze. "I surrender to the king and hope that he will find it in his heart to forgive me for my vile sins." Kleitos eyed him as he stepped in front of Eber looking at Chara's unconscious body. "Thank you for stopping her." Preben smiled sadly. "You should not thank me I am unworthy of your praise."

Leuis eyed Damokles as he ran forward swinging his sword only to watch as the other man dodged his swings casually. The next moments turned to blinding pain as he was kicked full force in the stomach. He looked up only to be stuck across the shoulder by the other man's blade then again as he rose higher causing blood to spill over his shirt. Damokles rolled his eyes in disgust as he avoided the other man's swing once more. "From our days as children living in the palace it is obvious that you learnt nothing from sparing." Leuis spat in direction trying to ignore the pain. "What can I say, I was never as big and strong as you or Eber, you always got the lions share in the muscle department."

He sniggered slightly. "But you always lacked in the brains, know this even if I do die you'll never have what you want so for me its win, win, win." Damokles slashed the sword across his leg before he could block it with his own. "You always did have to higher and opinion of yourself Leuis." Leuis shrugged. "A trait I learnt from you." Damokles eyed him raising his sword knowing the killer blow was coming Leuis was untrained and didn't care for his own life. He moved around him in a swift motion watching as he raised his sword. He didn't think as he slammed his blade in to his stomach full force ignoring his scream of agony. "I hope Tartarus welcomes you."

He watched as the man stood there as he let go off his blade Leuis put his hand on the deeply embed weapon feeling a smile form as he felt his body start to go cold as death came up on him. "Your little bitch Sophia will never love you, you see Chara made sure that she could never love again by giving it to her good three years ago." He laughed slightly only to hit the ground on his hands and knees. "Funny it is to think that she took away your only chance of ever having Sophia's love, after all Sophia always liked you the best." He coughed painfully as he hit the floor on his side as death took over fully. Damokles eyed him disgust feeling his hand form an enraged fist, disgusting bastard he was wrong!

He moved away from Leuis's dead body seeing that Xena was trying to get up close by he leaned down taking hold of her arm. He saw the annoyance in her eyes but ignored as he pulled her on to her feet seeing her tense in agony as she tried not to put any pressure on her broken upper leg. He gave her smile. "Are you okay?" Xena breathed in painfully. "I'm fine!" She pulled away from him pushing her sword back in to its scabbard as she limped forward towards her Chakram. Heli walked over pulling the Chakram free from the now broken pendent. He turned handing it to her watching as she took it putting it on her leather clip on her waist. She was in a lot of pain but the looks of it she being proud and hiding it as best she could.

He stepped forward putting a hand on her shoulder keeping his voice to a low whisper. "Our royal healer can fix your leg he's very good with breaks." Xena nodded she needed to get this fixed this was second time she'd broken this leg. Although the first time it had been at the knees when a roman hammer had struck her on the cross, a part of her was grateful at this moment that this break was above the knee. Kleitos stepped forward watching as the Warrior Princess looked up. "You saved my life?" Xena looked down keeping her voice even. "Yes I saved your life." Kleitos moved closer to her. "Why would you do this, I commend your friend I had you tossed in the pit?" Xena narrowed her gaze. "I did it because I'm not the same person who destroyed your home and sexually assaulted your servants!"

She breathed in painfully. "I've spent the last two years of my life trying to right the wrongs I have done to others." Kleitos looked up meeting her ice cold gaze. "I am so sorry I misjudged so wrongly, please forgive me I have done you and your friend a terrible injustice." Xena stepped forward ignoring the pain in her stride she watched as he stepped back. "I don't care for your apology." She felt her teeth grind together. "You will apologise to my friend Gabrielle though! You will say that you're sorry for having her beaten while she was chained up in your cell! You will tell her that she's a good person and that you misjudged her and that you never meant to see her suffer! Because she deserved none of what you did to her, she was innocent!" Kleitos breathed in deeply seeing the hurt and pain in the dark haired woman's light blue eyes. It was the same hurt and pain he'd seen in his daughters after she'd been hurt by Chara. He looked up putting his hands together as a sad understanding hit home. "I will say those words with out question because your friend deserves no less."

End of part 25

Silvermoonlight

I wanted to make this a group effort rather than just Xena killing everyone also as she couldn't defeat Hercules in the series so I wanted this to be a very hard battle for her. I felt that she should also get hurt the type of wound that would knock her for six for a change.