THE ARK OF TRUTH AND LIES
Xochiquetzal narrowed her gaze eyeing the dark haired woman. "I'm surprised I guess the notion of Zeus's soul mate creations is true. You do protect each other even if the other is a thief and a liar." She leaned forward grabbing hold of the dark haired woman's chin. "Let me show what your partner did when she was here." Gabrielle turned sharply ignoring the pain. "Don't look in to her eyes!" Xochiquetzal didn't think as she raised her other hand which filled with white lightning towards the blonde haired woman. Gabrielle felt the intense pain as the lightning hit her she was thrown full force in to the air by it. She screamed in agony as she hit the stone ceiling back first only to cry out in pain again as she slammed in to the floor shoulder first.
"Gabrielle!"
Gabrielle groaned in pain as she struggled to get to her knees despite how much it hurt. She had heard her lover call her name but it had been very distant. She could feel blood dripping down from a fresh wound on her shoulder. "Please…stop." Xochiquetzal looked up sharply ignoring the look of horror on the taller woman's face as she started to struggle harder to free herself. "What does it take to knock you out Blood Jaguar?!" She raised her lightning filled hand again watching as the blonde haired woman was thrown back by the force of the bolts. She hit the nearest wall full force only to fall to the floor in a crumpled heap. She watched as the green eyes slowly closed as the Blood Jaguar passed out going still on the floor. Xochiquetzal turned back to the light blue eyed woman grabbing her face again. "Now where were we? Oh yes I was about to show you your lover's past…." Xena tried to close her eyes only to find she couldn't she watched as violet eyes stared in her own intensely as they began to glow. She wanted to turn away to even close her eyes as the goddess's eyes cut through her mind like a knife. She couldn't stop the pain as she lost herself in the glowing violet eyes.
8
Ohtli pulled off his headdress as he entered the goddess's keep which was deep in side the temple he pulled the green eyed girl slowly forward. He had noticed that she'd put up no resistance. He sighed aloud as he placed his headdress down close by, maybe part of that was due to him not being cruel to her. He watched as the light blasted up as the fire torches lit themselves. The keep was a thing of beauty with a warm fur bed in the centre and hundreds of beautiful pottery items lining the walls. He looked down sadly noticing that a few of them had been smashed. No doubt by Tezcatlipoca another cruel thing he did to punish the goddess. He'd smash her things and all because she wouldn't love him.
He looked at the beautiful engravings and the huge throne in the corner which was empty, he had a feeling his goddess was around. It was his job though to know when his goddess was about as head of her army. He brought the green eyed girl gentle around, she probably didn't understand him but that was for the best. If she'd known that she was going here to die just like the last five young women and three warriors she might run away. Not that he'd blame her. He raised his hand watching as she met her gaze. "This is the keep…do you understand?" He watched as she nodded. "He slowly eased up his hands to the rope bindings. "I'm going to untie you, okay?" He watched as she nodded he slowly eased the binding free he could see half healed cuts just above her metal gauntlets. He threw the rope to one side breathing in deeply. It was sad that prisoners in the feathered serpent's realm were treated this way.
The green eyed woman didn't know the laws anyway she was a traveller who probably hadn't seen another human being in ages. He knew all to well that loneliness could really play with a person's mind. The need to feel another person could be so great that you could wind up making bad choices. He had suffered from these painfully emotions once himself. He didn't think hurting this young woman for having these desperate emotions was right. This was why he hated the feathered serpent so much he was a god who tried to control everything, even what his people should do and feel. It was the cruel breach of a person's rights and freedom. He threw the rope to one side watching as it landed on the table which was filled with fresh fruit and drink he eyed the bed close by before turning back to the small woman. "Now I want you to behave, okay?"
"There's no need to grind in the rules to her Ohtli."
Ohtli turned watching as the goddess appeared in a flash of multicoloured light. Her violet eyes wandered as her gold and blue feathered head dress rimmed in gold and silver swayed in the light. Her skin was dark olive and her body was covered by a white dress which was decorated in weaving silver red and gold patterns. Her face was slim and dark long shoulder length black hair could be seen as she gently eased the head dress of placing it on one of the empty stands. She was medium build but very slender. Her feet were bare, on both her wrist and right foot were circular jade bracelets lined with gold. She looked incredibly beautiful and so human unlike the creator gods.
The only thing that gave away that she wasn't human was the long canines on her upper jaw which glinted when ever she smiled. All the human gods had them they were there so they could drink blood from live subjects if necessary. Xochiquetzal looked at her broken pottery for a moment as she ran her long nail over her head dress. "I assume my husband has been here…" Ohtli lowered his gaze as he bowed. "He was here this morning I have the cities potters working on making you new pottery to replace your broken items." Xochiquetzal lowered herself on to one knee picking up part of a small broken statue. She raised herself slowly to her feet as she looked at it. "I liked this one it was one of my favourites."
She smiled sadly. "Maybe if I had Chantico's power I could just fix this with out effort." She tossed the pottery to the floor her eyes moving upwards as she caught sight of the small woman standing behind her head warrior. "Who might this be?" Ohtli pushed the green eyed woman forward. "She's a gift from the feathered serpent." Xochiquetzal stepped forward easing up her hand. "I don't want any gift from him…" Ohtli put his hands together. "Please just take a look at her, she's very unique." Xochiquetzal lowered her gaze again as she sat on her throne. "I don't like to look at beautiful things when I look a beautiful things I have to watch them die…it saddens me greatly."
Ohtli sighed aloud as he pushed the smaller woman further forward. "I don't want to give this young woman back to the Eagle warrior who brought her here his men broke her ribs." Xochiquetzal looked up sharply her eyes wandering over to the woman. She stood up slightly moving closer as she caught sight of the medium length blonde hair which caught the light. She had skin which was very light in colour much lighter than any she'd seen before and she well built despite her height. She could hear the woman's heart beat as she got closer as well as smell the sweet fragrance of flowers on her. She couldn't see the small woman's face but there was something about her like an energy which she could sense.
She watched as her head warrior stepped back as she came to stand over the young woman who kept her head lowered. "Look at me." She leaned down slightly. "I know you understand me…" She paused as she raised her hand very slowly putting it under the young woman's chin. "Don't be afraid I won't hurt you." She watched as the head rose for the first time and the green eyes came in to view catching the firelight. Xochiquetzal couldn't stop staring she had seen eyes the colour of a forest before but if felt like so long ago. She pulled the young woman's head up further. The young woman put up no resistance despite that she could have, she leaned closer.
She had looked in the souls of so many people through their eyes and yet here she finding it difficult, for some reason. She moved closer feeling the young woman flitch no doubt from the effects of her power. She carried on staring trying to find the soul inside the green eyes she smiled as she felt the barrier break. Gabrielle could feel her body relaxing it was almost as if all the fight felt her at once. She couldn't pull away she just had to look in to the violet eyes which stared in to her own mesmerizing her and drawing her in as they began to glow. She was powerless to look away and it was as if there was no one else in the room she breathed in deeply as the pain in her ribs disappeared.
Xochiquetzal found herself flitching as she felt the pain, sorrow and despair of the woman's soul which lashed out at her senses with violent force not wanting to be touched. She gritted her teeth suddenly feeling something more like another soul which was attached to this one somehow. She pulled back as the eyes suddenly changed colour to light blue as the soul who was attached but somehow far away appeared. It suddenly lashed out at her as it protected the young woman's soul stopping her from entering it fully. She let go stepping back watching as the green eyes returned to normal. The small woman hit the floor on her knees groaning in pain as she held her head. Xochiquetzal blinked as she looked at her hand a smile slowly crossed her lips as she realized just what she had in her possession.
Gabrielle put a hand on her face her body was stinging now what had been bliss had all too suddenly turned to pain again. One moment she'd been fine and in the next she had felt her lover so strongly that it had hurt. She looked up seeing a smile slowly move across the goddess's lips and she didn't like it at all. Xochiquetzal eased up her hand. "Leave us Ohtli, I'll give you, your reward later." Ohtli pulled back blinking in confusion. "As you wish…" Xochiquetzal watched as he left closing the doors to her keep behind him. She smiled as she kneeled down slowly meeting the green eyed woman's gaze. "What do they call you, little one?"
Gabrielle looked up slowly feeling the pain again in her ribs. "My name…?" Xochiquetzal smiled as she eased her finger up slightly. "Yes your name? What do they call you?" Gabrielle looked down slightly. "Blood Jaguar, they call me Blood Jaguar …" Xochiquetzal raised an eyebrow. "No I'm not interested in the name the feathered serpent gave you…I want your true name." Gabrielle pulled back sharply as the goddess leaned closer to her. "Gabrielle…" Xochiquetzal put her hand under the younger woman's chest ignoring her surprise. "You're Greek aren't you?" Gabrielle swallowed it felt like the air was getting hotter around her, she didn't want to speak but she couldn't stop herself the words just seemed to slip out. "Yes…"
The woman's violet eyes just stared in to her own again. "I came…here…for." Xochiquetzal smiled as she watched the white light burst through her fingers. "What did you come here for?" Gabrielle swallowed feeling herself blink. "I came here for…C'thulon." Xochiquetzal kept her hand in place enjoying the woman's soul which she could feel through her fingers. "Where is the other half of your soul?" She moved her fingers. "I can feel your other half inside you even though their not here." Gabrielle felt her gaze widen as her words slipped out. "She's dead…she died…in Japan." Xochiquetzal smiled as she eased her hand away. "Do you miss her?" Gabrielle breathed in painfully. "Yes…I miss her…I wish that I could join her…I love her."
Xochiquetzal felt her smile widen this was just getting better by the second. She had finally found a soul mate being she'd heard about them and that, they were Zeus's creations. Her twin brother Xochipilli had been trying to create them but all his attempts had failed much to his frustration and anger, because he didn't have one of Zeus's original's to work with. She could show him this woman and perhaps he would be able to finally create a soul mate pair. She eased up her hand turning the green eyed woman's face with it. "You know you don't need to die, you could stay here, with me." She moved her hand back in place ignoring the green eyed woman's sudden gasp. "I can take away the pain…"
She ignored the sound of the three broken ribs as the bone clicked loudly as she healed them fully. "You carry so much pain…" She ran her hand gently across the shoulder and leg wound watching as they healed up. "I can take it all always and give you sweet bliss." She leaned closer. "You want that don't you?" Gabrielle felt her breathing getting heaver, she watched as the woman in front of her slowly changed. The eyes turning to light blue as the bronze armour appeared. The bronze skin caught the light and darker hair swayed slightly as the leather bodice came in to view. "Xena?" She came closer feeling her lover's presence.
Xochiquetzal smiled mortals could so easily be fooled by there needs. She grinned at the green eyed woman it was almost cruel but at the same time kind. She'd seen a flash of this warrior's dead partner when she'd tried to look in to her soul and now she could just copy the face and body even the feeling of the dead lover's soul. She smiled imitating the lobe sided grin. "Yes Gabrielle I'm here." She couldn't wait to feel this woman's body against her own and to be kissed by her. She'd heard that kissing a soul mate half was different from kissing a normal soul. She'd heard that the feeling was more powerful and moving from other gods in other lands who'd stumbled upon Zeus's soul mate creations. Gabrielle eased up her hand running it through the Warrior Princess's hair she could feel her lover even smell the leather. She couldn't stop the tears as they began to run down her face. "I missed you."
The warriors hand slowly took her own as the smile widened she could feel her heart beating faster by the second. Xochiquetzal leaned forward liking the alternative voice it sounded so strong and dominant. "I'm here for you." She didn't get a chance to say anything more as the young woman's lips met her own. She could feel the soul's energy moving through her body causing her every muscle to tingle with the sensation she closed her eyes drinking it in with pure enjoyment. She suddenly felt her body run cold as her eyes snapped open she could hear him before he entered the room. The way his clawed feet slammed in to the floor with every step. The way his razor toothed jaws ground together as he ran his clawed hand across the wall as his rage burned. She knew that his tail was lashing violently as his orange cat like gaze fell upon her.
"Enjoying yourself are you?"
She looked up watching as her husbands face appeared the huge cat ears both flat against his head his blue and purple head dress swaying. His fur was covered in the black spots like any Jaguar. Under them was yellow fur which was slightly faded with orange. His only clothing other than his head dress was his highly decorated purple hanging cloth and his gauntlets which had his gold, purple with blue weaving patterns on them. Gabrielle felt herself snap back in to being all too suddenly. She pulled away as the shock hit in and she realized whose lips she was kissing. She hit the floor hard on her back feeling herself breathe in painfully and all too suddenly as she looked at the fertility goddess in front of her. What in Tartarus was she doing?!
She felt her body go stiff as stone as she felt a coldness sweep through the room which made her shiver as she heard the cold male voice hit the air. She turned meeting the Jaguar god's gaze which burnt in to her own with hatred. She looked at the goddess feeling her anger burn the woman had almost tricked and almost gotten her to give in to her emotions and fall in to an illusion which was too real for words. So real that now all she could feel was her heartbreaking in side her chest which caused more tears to stream down her face. She wanted to scream at the goddess just to get out her rage but she couldn't all she could do was stare in to the hateful eyes her Jaguar god husband, who looked like he was about to explode.
Xochiquetzal smiled as she stood up fully. "More fun than I'll ever have with you, dear husband." Tezcatlipoca snarled aloud. "Your toys have always disgusted me…" Xochiquetzal folded her arms watching as he came closer he was much taller than her. His muscled six foot bulk towered over her menacingly. Like his rival Quetzalcoatl he liked to throw his weight around and bully anyone weaker or smaller than himself. He was cruel and relentless and she hated him. She could clearly envision a time when she'd been in love with Chantico the goddess of fire and volcanoes. Who only drank what she needed to and who had been kind to her people. She'd had her bad tempered moments but any anger had normally been let loose on empty buildings and no one was ever hurt.
Then he'd come and stolen her godly object for himself, she could see it around his neck it was her jade and gold weaving pendent which she could use to create anything. She couldn't take it because she couldn't defeat him in battle he was to strong for her. She had no protection ether the necklace had been her protection and now it was far from her reach. Tezcatlipoca had condemned the one she'd loved, Chantico had been beaten to death and he'd enjoyed every moment of it. He had let out his full wraith on her and despite her power she couldn't stand up to him. Then he had set her city alight just to cause her innocent followers suffering. The small number of people left had begun the rebuild of the city awaiting their goddess's return. She had sent her warriors to guard that region to protect them and help them.
She missed her lovers smile and her blazing green eyes she missed everything about her. She narrowed her gaze no matter how many men and women she slept with it wasn't the same. She put her hands on her lips eyeing the young woman at her feet who was now looking at her in anger. Her kiss was so close, but not the same and no matter how much she wanted it to be it wouldn't be her lover was dead and lost to her forever. Xochiquetzal looked up slightly she'd be punished for this indiscretion but she no longer cared for the pain or the hurt. She just wanted to feel again even if it was for a single moment it was priceless she felt her smile widened. "I like my toys much more than I like you." Tezcatlipoca raised a clawed hand. "You're my wife! You live to serve me!"
Xochiquetzal turned away. "I don't love you Tezcatlipoca I never will. You can't force me to love you…." Tezcatlipoca roared in anger he moved closer to the young woman at his wife's feet. "One day you will come to love me." He swung his hand down wrapping it around the mortal's throat before she could get away. He yanked her up savagely ignoring the shock in her green eyes as her feet moved through nothing but air, he eyed her. "This one reminds you of that weakling Chantico, doesn't she?" He moved his other hand up watching as a red fire ball formed in it. He didn't think as he threw it, it hit the fertility goddess in her midsection.
The goddess cried out in pain as she hit the floor hard he threw another one watching as it hit her in the face causing blood to spray through her teeth. She curling up in pain as her eyes began to water with tears. He squeezed the mortal's throat tighter watching as her whole body shook in agony as her eyes widened further. "It's those pretty green eyes they remind you of Chantico's don't they?" Xochiquetzal breathed in trying to take the pain it was hard she hated to suffer this way. She hated that she wasn't strong enough to fight back. She breathed in sharply. "Yes she does…" Her voice sounded weak just like her body which was stinging from his brutal godly blows. "I loved Chantico."
She coughed bringing up blood. "I loved her in the way I will never love you." Gabrielle met the Jaguar gods gaze as he pulled her up higher. She felt her body stiffen as her breath was slowly cut off as he squeezed her throat tighter. Tezcatlipoca met the woman's green gaze. "Chantico is dead and you can watch this toy die along with her!" He squeezed only to feel a sudden jolt of pain go through his arm, he watched as the green eyes closed as a scream of pain came from the mortal his grasp. Gabrielle could feel the pain as her tattoo once more lit up she could feel its power flowing through her body she powerless to stop it, powerless to control it.
Xochiquetzal looked up in shock watching as the tattoo on the young woman's back burst in to light, white lightning shot out from it hitting the Jaguar god all over. She could feel the power feel the energy every time it struck the creator god who was being drained of his power with every passing second as the godly protection hit him savagely. Tezcatlipoca let go watching as the mortal slammed in to the floor hard on her front. Both her fists instantly clenched in pain as the strange serpent tattoo carried on glowing. He held his hand feeling the pain and agony he pulled back slowly trying not to show that he was in incredible pain which was unbearable. He breathed in heavily eyeing the green eyed woman. "What…what are you?"
Gabrielle felt her self cough as the air moved through her lungs once again. She had come so close to dying once again and once again she'd been saved by her protection she turned eyeing the Jaguar god. "Quetzalcoatl was right…you are a bastard." Tezcatlipoca roared as he reached for her. "How dare you call me that you worthless little mortal!" Gabrielle felt her tattoo burn as his hand came closer. "I wouldn't it's a protection symbol! It hurts evil bastards like you every time you try to touch it!" She coughed bringing up saliva, her fists clenched tighter as she took the intense pain. "So I wouldn't try to hurt me again because the same thing will happen to you."
Tezcatlipoca pulled his hands back instantly he watched as the serpent tattoo stopped glowing. He felt the blood as it ran down his lower jaw causing him to cough painfully. "What's your name?" Gabrielle felt her teeth grind together as she met his gaze. "Eztli Ocelotl…and if you touch your wife in that way again I'll bleed you even more, you coward." Tezcatlipoca pulled back eyeing the goddess. "You!" Xochiquetzal blinked she eyed the young woman for a long moment as she got to her knees. "She was a gift from Quetzalcoatl, wonderful gift wouldn't you agree?" Tezcatlipoca roared the whole room shook all at once all its pottery hitting the floor and smashing on contact.
Xochiquetzal narrowed her gaze as she stood up fully. "Get out of my keep!" Tezcatlipoca roared again as he stepped back. "This isn't over!" Xochiquetzal watched as he disappeared in blast of red flames. She turned slowly meeting the young woman's green gaze she slowly stepped forward ignoring her head warrior as he burst in with three other warriors. She kneeled down ignoring the pain in her body as she stared in to the green eyes. She eyed the tattoo on the woman's back which stuck out in the lowlight. "You're very special aren't you?" Gabrielle breathed in feeling her body relax fully she slowly meet the goddess's violet gaze. "I was once…when I was whole."
8
Xochiquetzal folded her arms watching as the green eyed pulled away from her. "You must be hungry." Gabrielle moved back further. "I'm not hungry and I don't want your food!" Xochiquetzal raised an eyebrow. "You know you are a very bad liar, I can hear you stomach screaming from here." She eyed her warriors who all looked shocked and confused. "It wouldn't hurt for you to eat something nice would it?" She raised her hand watching as clay plates filled with hot and cold food appeared she smiled moving her fingers watching as large goblets filled with the alcohol Tepache appeared. "You look like the type who likes sweet drinks and cooked meat, theirs plenty here." She watched as Ohtli came forward. "I'm fine Ohtli."
Ohtli blinked eyeing the goddess whose lip was still bleeding. "But we thought…your bleeding great goddess." Xochiquetzal smiled as she eyed him. "Leave us!" Ohtli looked at his men who now looked even more confused, he breathed in as he lowered his head. "As you wish…" Xochiquetzal looked up slightly watching he left with the others. Gabrielle eyed the food trying to ignore her screaming stomach which was begging to be filled. "Why should I trust you? You just tried to be my lover, just so you could sleep with me." Xochiquetzal laughed slightly. "Most people here would give there lives to be in my bed, since I can be their ultimate fantasies." She felt her smile widen. "You're the first person to ever say that to me."
Gabrielle looked at the food again. "I don't care for fantasies…or illusions." Xochiquetzal raised an eyebrow as she pushed one of the alcoholic drinks closer to her. "Then you will never grasp your dreams." Gabrielle lowered her gaze. "The only dream I ever had died along with the other half of my soul." Xochiquetzal sighed aloud. "Are you always this depressing?" Gabrielle narrowed her gaze. "Are you always so happy about playing with people's emotions and pretending to be there dreams?" Xochiquetzal blinked as she pulled back. "I'm not playing with people's dreams! I give them things because I like them!" Gabrielle laughed slightly but it was cold and bitter laugh even to her ears. "No I think you give them these things to please yourself…I doubt you care about how they feel."
Xochiquetzal breathed in deeply feeling her smile fade. "You're really beautiful to look at but that illusion is shattered when you talk." She pushed the alcohol even closer. "Maybe if you eat and drink something you'll stop being so rude." She looked up slightly. "Personally I've never liked the taste of blood from mortals who don't have a full stomach it doesn't taste so sweet." Gabrielle breathed in sharply. "If you're going to eat me then just do it…I hate waiting to die." Xochiquetzal folded her arms. "Please I don't eat people alive like Quetzalcoatl. I only drink blood and I only take what I need I never kill anyone." She narrowed her gaze. "Why are you so desperate to die? You're a young woman in her prime you have at least fifty more years ahead of you if you're lucky…"
Gabrielle snarled aloud as she eyed her. "I hurt inside! Everyday I hurt inside!" She grabbed the large steel goblet throwing it full force at the goddess who moved narrowly avoiding it. The goblet hit one of the pillars spraying gold liquid all over the highly decorated wall before hitting the floor hard. "I hurt every moment of every day! I have nothing! My lovers dead, my families dead and everyone I knew is dead!" She sneered. "I also have people like you playing with my emotions, and pulling on my heartstrings…so yes I want to die and I would welcome it!" Xochiquetzal sighed aloud as she felt the anger from the other woman dissipate. She hadn't expected the sudden violent outburst but then today had been an odd day with unexpected things.
She smiled as she looked up slightly. "You know there's no need to emphasize your points with violence." She looked at the decorated wall which was damp with liquid. "You'll ruin my beautifully decorated walls." Gabrielle looked down slightly she could feel Ares's old words tormenting her in this moment more than ever. "Sometimes might is right…even when it's wrong…" Xochiquetzal rolled her eyes. "Please don't throw that warrior philosophy at me I don't care for it, Huitzilopochtli created that philosophy and I get tired of hearing it." Gabrielle watched as the goddess pushed another goblet forward full of golden liquid. "Who's Huitzilopochtli?" Xochiquetzal smiled slightly. "The first god of war ever created the most powerful and the most unique of war gods as he controls the sun its self."
She pushed the drink closer. "He'd probably like you a lot you have that cryptic depression that he adores and I pity." Gabrielle sneered slightly she slowly eased up the goblet taking a long drink from it tasting the sweet pineapple. Her drink ended all too quickly as she emptied the large goblet, which hit the floor as she let go off it. Xochiquetzal smiled. "Now that wasn't so bad was it? Very sweet I'm sure to your stomach and your tongue." She pushed another goblet forward noticing that the young woman was now ignoring her as she began to eat the food which her mortal stomach had been crying out for. She raised an eyebrow the young woman hadn't eaten in a while of that she was certain.
8
Gabrielle couldn't stop the smile or the fuzzy feeling in her brain which was now taking over as she downed another goblet. "What'd you call this stuff?" Xochiquetzal smiled as she shifted a little closer eyeing the empty goblets she moved her hand watching as they flipped back up in to a standing position refilling them selves. "Tepache and it seems you like it." Gabrielle laughed out loud. "Tapire?" She picked up one of the refilled goblets. "Your Tapire tastes nice…what's your Tapire made from?" Xochiquetzal grinned. "It's made from pineapples." She watched as the green eyed woman downed another goblet. "So tell me, what was this Xena like who you loved so much?"
Gabrielle grabbed another goblet half spilling it as she raised her hand. "Xena was much better looking than you are." Xochiquetzal watched as the green eyed girl burst in to a fit of laughter, she laughed along finding her smile widening. The mortal was very drunk now and her tongue and mind weren't attached so firmly anymore, her green eyes were glazed over as well. Gabrielle picked up another drink downing it in one go. "Beautiful blue eyes long black hair and really big brea…" Xochiquetzal raised her hand putting it to the green eyed woman's lips. She pushed the empty plates out of the way she was convinced now that the mortal was drunk. "I'm sure they were big, but I have another question for your cute little brain to answer."
She turned her head slightly. "That tattoo on your back what is it?" Gabrielle pulled away picking up another drink. "It's a tattoo." Xochiquetzal raised an eyebrow. "I know that but what is it off?" Gabrielle laughed slightly feeling herself almost fall to one side. "It's a dragon god from the east…he protects me from evil." Xochiquetzal put a hand on her chin. "Really?" She leaned closer watching as the drunk woman belched loudly then grinned stupidly again. "Do you think that I could have that dragon to protect me?" Gabrielle laughed slightly. "If…if you can pull it off my back and I doubt you can." She downed another drink feeling her stomach groan. "You'll get burnt just like every one else…"
She laughed again. "You attack me you'll get burnt just like your ugly husband…" Xochiquetzal sat back folding her arms watching as another drink was picked up any second now the full force of that alcohol was going to really kick in. "He forced me to marry him, I don't love him." Gabrielle looked up slightly. "That not right...people should love who ever they choose to love." She laughed only to stop as her whole body started to sway the goblet dropped from her hand as her mind began to drift. The world turned to darkness as her eyes began to close. She tried to keep them open but she couldn't her mind wouldn't let her as she fell sideways. Xochiquetzal watched as the empty goblet rolled out of the mortal woman's hand. Her small body was completely still her messy short hair hung down over her closed eyes. "No your right people should love who they want to love." She slowly pushed the young woman on to her front ignoring her drunken groan. She smiled as she ran her hand over the tattoo which glowed gently as she touched it.
8
"Wake up! You have to move!"
Gabrielle opened eyes, her head was spinning she groaned painfully pulling her head up off the floor trying to see who was talking to her only to feel her stomach churn painfully. She couldn't stop herself from throwing up as her brain screamed with pain, very muscle down on her back felt like it was vibrating with needle like pain. "Xena?"
"I'm not Xena now wake up Blood Jaguar!"
She was pulled up on to her feet full force which caused her head to spin even more. Itzli slapped the blonde woman's face ignoring her surprise yelp at the sudden pain. "You know may be you shouldn't drink!" Gabrielle groaned painfully her lower neck was stinging as well for some reason and her body felt weak and drained. "Please…don't shout…" Itzli rolled his eyes in annoyance. "I'm not shouting…I can shout if you want though. It might wake you up!" He watched as the whole temple shook violently again causing one of the huge wall engravings to fall it shattered in to pieces as it hit the floor. Gabrielle groaned she wanted to be sick again. "What's going on?" Itzli looked around him. "Xochiquetzal and Tezcatlipoca are fighting! They are going to tear this place apart along with city!"
Gabrielle looked up slightly. "What?" Itzli pulled her along. "The fertility goddess has your serpent tattoo by the way she's using it to fight him." Gabrielle half stumbled as she came to a stop. "My tattoo?" Itzli grabbed her arm bringing her forward. "Yes your tattoo! You know your hangovers really done nothing for your brain has it?" He grabbed her face violently it was probably the one and only chance he'd ever get to do so and get away with it. "Now pay very close attention to me? Did you get the pendent of Tezcatlipoca?" Gabrielle narrowed her gaze. "What pendent?" Itzli breathed in deeply. "The pendent that the feathered serpent wanted, when you slept with the goddess did you get it after her husband returned?"
Gabrielle blinked. "I didn't sleep with her!" Itzli snarled aloud. "So you didn't sleep with her so what! What I'm asking is did you get the damn pendent!" Gabrielle groaned again. "No I didn't." Itzli growled aloud. "Well that's just great! How are we supposed to get it now?" Gabrielle breathed in trying to ignore the twisting in her stomach. "May be he'll drop in." Itzli pulled up sharply. "Oh that's funny real funny, maybe he'll just drop in! He has about as much chance of doing that as you have of ascending and becoming a Hummingbird warrior!" He didn't get chance to finish as the ceiling behind them both was smashed apart causing stone to fly in all directions as the huge Jaguar god smashing in to the floor directly where the Blood Jaguar had been lying.
Tezcatlipoca groaned in agony he was covered in blood, it took great effort even to move his tail he'd tried to lift his battered body. He groaned in agony his leg was broken along with a number of other bones and one of his huge canine teeth had also been smashed length ways. He couldn't touch his wife every time he'd tried the tattoo had hurt him leaving him open to attack. She could even stop his fire balls now he snarled aloud as he tried to move again only to feel more pain. Gabrielle stepped forward looking at the huge six foot tall god who eyes were on her. His huge clawed hand slammed in to the floor as he tried to turn his body. "You did this you little bitch you gave her your tattoo!"
Gabrielle didn't think as she walked towards him catching sight of the golden pendent around his neck. She came to a stop as she stood over him meeting his cat like gaze. "No I didn't…but believe me when I say I'm grateful that she stole it from me. You're a really vile bastard who deserves everything you get." She leaned down pulling the pendent free in one swift motion narrowly avoiding the gods clawed and as he tried to strike her. Itzli turned sharply feeling the panic as the creator god tried to move again his roar hit the air shaking the room. "We should go…now!" Tezcatlipoca turned moved his huge body over as he began to move towards the short haired blonde woman. "I'm going to tear you to pieces!"
Gabrielle watched as the goddess appeared in blast of multicolour, she stood over the Jaguar god. Itzli didn't think as he grabbed the Blood Jaguar's other arm. "Come on!" He pulled her full force towards the keeps opening in the corner of his eye he could see the goddess raising her hand which was sparking with white lightning towards the fallen creator god. He found himself running faster as they got to the opening he could see that the parts of the city bellow were in flames. There was huge crack running along the length of one of the streets which was causing half the street and its houses to fall in to the huge opening. There were people screaming every where in panic and terror. He didn't get a chance to think as the wall on the temple's right side wall was suddenly shattered with immense force as the Jaguar god was put through it. His body flew through the air only to smash in to the other temple which was on the far side of the city, which sent stone flying in all direction. He grabbed the Blood Jaguars arm as they ran down the steps. "What is it with you? You cause hell where ever you go!"
8
Xochiquetzal pulled her hand away sharply from the tall warriors face. "Now do you see warrior?!" Xena groaned in pain her head was stinging, it felt like some one had just tried to drive a nail in to her brain. She looked up slowly. "You tried to be me! How dare you try to use my death, as a way to get her to sleep with you!" Xochiquetzal snarled in anger as she leaned forward. "I don't believe this! She stole from me you saw it with your own eyes and yet you still protect her!" Xena looked up painfully. "When I died I remember seeing a face in my mind and remember feeling a lot of pain enough to scream my head off…it hadn't occurred to me till now that, that face was yours!" Xochiquetzal sneered slightly. "What can I say I was fascinated by your partner, soul mates don't exist here…." Xena snarled aloud. "So you took it up on yourself to poke around her mind and her soul…you're a real piece of work!" Xochiquetzal turned sharply she leaned forward so their faces were almost touching. "You're even worse than she is!"
Xena narrowed her gaze struggling harder. "May be you haven't realized it yet so let me fill you in Gabrielle is the lighter soul, I'm the darker one." She sneered slightly. "If you think she's so bad then you should find out what I'm made off." She felt an evil smile form on her lips. "I can assure you that what ever she can do, I can do ten times worse and I'll enjoy it a lot more!" She ignored the surprised look on Itzli's face as her gaze fell on her lover who was still unconscious on the floor close by. She looked up slowly meeting the goddess's gaze again. "I'll send you to Tartarus in a reed basket and laugh at you while I'm doing it." Xochiquetzal didn't think as she raised her hand, she watched as white lightning began to fly through her fingers. "You disgusting mortal I'll show you Tartarus!"
"Now, now sister…you know better than to pick on helpless mortals."
Xochiquetzal turned watching as her brother appeared in a flash of white and red flowers which littered the ground next to the throne. Her brother was a small but a well muscled man who had a large feathered head dress which was full of white feathers gold made up the head piece. His gauntlets were gold with white patterns as was his long hanging cloth and gold belt his sandals were also pure white. Over his shoulders was a huge white jaguar skin whose arms were wrapped around his neck. His hair was long and hung down well over his shoulders. Unlike her he had long canine teeth on the bottom as well as his top jaw. He looked up his violet eyes gleaming as he put his hands together. He only looked like he was in his early twenties like her. She watched as he grinned as he stepped forward showing of his flamboyant stride. "Go away!"
Xochipilli raised his hand as he walked towards her ignoring the blue eyed woman's surprise. "Now don't be so rude it's so unlike you, introduce me to your friends." He leaned down taking hold of the blue eyed woman's cheeks pushing her lips together. "This one's such a big strapping woman…." He grinned ignoring the warrior look of burning anger. "Look at her baby blues their dreamy." He turned watching as his sister closed her hand causing the lightning to fade he moved to stand over the blonde woman. He slowly kneeled down next to her. Xena snarled aloud as she eyed the god. "Stay away from her!" Xochipilli turned slightly meeting her gaze. "Don't worry yourself I'm not going to hurt her."
He ignored the warriors snarl as he turning the blonde woman on to her back so he could see her better. "Well isn't she just a little cutie? Even if she is the Blood Jaguar you can't deny that now can you?" He leaned over easing one of the blonde haired woman's eyes open. "Green eyes well now I see it for myself I can tell that they weren't over exaggerating." He looked up raising an eyebrow as he closed the mortal's eye. "Kinda like some one we know?" Xochiquetzal looked down slightly trying to hide the hurt in her eyes. "Chantico's dead…." Xochipilli stood up slowly. "I don't believe she is I don't think you do ether…I think she just hasn't found her way home yet." Xochiquetzal turned sharply. "No one survives an attack by Tezcatlipoca…or Quetzalcoatl."
Xochipilli smiled slightly as he stood up. "You did in fact you drove Tezcatlipoca out of your region for good." Xochiquetzal sat down on her throne. "You're just trying to make me feel better." Xochipilli shook his head as he stepped forward. "No sister I'm being honest. Also I don't think taking out your anger on these two is good for you. I mean it's so unlike you…you don't normally hold a grudge against mortals." He moved his hand eyeing the Blood Jaguar's servant who looked to be a lot of pain as he tried to free himself. He turned eyeing the dark haired warrior who was trying to free herself as well. "You shouldn't take out your revenge on the Blood Jaguars partner or her for that matter." Xochiquetzal turned sharply. "Why not?!"
Xochipilli pulled up his hand watching as two bands of light formed in it wrapping around each other one was white and the other black. "Listen to me very careful sister, soul mates are a perfect balance. Their very existence is dependent on each other." He watched as one of the light bands vanished leaving the other on its own. "Take one away the other looses all it's balance…because the partner soul isn't there to keep it in check." He closed his hand watching as white light blasted outward. "Safe to say morals, balance and understanding go out of the window." He eyed the blonde woman who was still unmoving. "She caused all this chaos because of that and she could no more stop doing that, than I could stop being the god of love." He walked slowly over to where the Blood Jaguar was lying. "Its one of the greatest flaws of Zeus's creations they need each other to sustain their balance. With out that balance they become self destructive and very dangerous."
He looked down slightly. "The Blood Jaguar came to you willingly do you think the old Blood Jaguar would have handed over her weapons just like that and given herself up with out a fight?" He looked down again. "I think she would have wounded all your men for personal amusement." Xochiquetzal sighed aloud putting a hand on her face. "Fine you've made your point!" She slowly raised her hand. Xena felt the sudden pain as she was freed from the vice grip she watched as Itzli fell forward hitting the ground on his knees. She didn't think as she moved across the floor toward her lover who still hadn't come around. She kneeled down easing the younger woman up slightly so she could feel for a pulse. She found herself letting out a breath which she'd been holding for a while when as she felt one. Xochipilli smiled slightly. "That's more like the little sister I know." Xochiquetzal eyed him. "I was only born a minute after you, you know?" Xochipilli grinned again as he leaned on her thrones arm. "Yes and that makes me the older one."
End of part 25
Silvermoonlight.
In the Aztec mythology there was no relationship between Xochiquetzal and Chantico. Xochiquetzal first married Tlaloc the rain god, she later married Centeotl a maize god. She was then captured by Tezcatlipoca and was forced to marry him.
I found her mythology very saddening as it seems she was just pushed around by the other gods or used by them, hence why this relationship was added and she gets rid of Tezcatlipoca for good. I also think that the Aztec gods would be more open in their sexuality and some might swing in both directions.