WHERE THE LIGHT AND THE DARKNESS COLLIDE

Gabrielle slowly picked up another scroll, if anything the werewolf's had a really extensive library. It had so much in it from poetry to history and lots of other writings mostly on storage and supplies. Her gaze turned slowly to the room's far corner which was filled with a painting. She stepped closer admiring the colours.

It was filled with reds gold's and blues the image of a large red deer with huge antlers which rose skywards. He was standing in a huge meadow filled with flowers and the sun was setting behind him. She smiled eased up her fingers touching the frame lightly, it was a beautiful piece as beautiful as any she'd seen in Athens.

Her gaze narrowed as she felt the frame suddenly shift it suddenly creaked moving deeper in to the wall. She pulled her hand back sharply, stepping back as a deep creaking sound hit her ears. The huge wall in front of her seemed to rise slowly its old stone cringing as it moved higher revealing a dark unlit passage way.

She looked up watching as the wall above came to a stop, she narrowed her gaze looking in to nothing but blackness. It was funny she could normally see something in the darkness, yet she couldn't see anything in this passage. She took a slow step back what ever was behind that wall wasn't any of her business she hadn't even meant to open it in the first place.

She breathed in taking another step back only to feel her hair fly back as sudden gust of wind came through the passage. She stopped still staring in to the darkness again, that was strange more so because the air wasn't warm it was ice cold. She shook her head may be it was best that she just turn and walk away.

"Gabrielle."

She felt herself turn only to stop dead in mid motion she turned slowly back to the tunnel it was nothing but a whisper but it was her name. She snarled taking a step forward. "Who said that?" She looked in to the blackness hearing nothing. If this was some kind of a joke being done by another werewolf it wasn't funny. "Who's there?"

"Gabrielle."

She blinked there it was again it was whisper but it was her name, she moved forward stopping at the tunnels edge. She breathed in slowly stepping in to the darkness trying to control the urge to step back. Something about this was horribly familiar, the darkness and the need to know more despite her better judgement.

She breathed in watching as everything came in to focus but only a little. The tunnel had steps going downward in to a deeper darkness. She took a long deep breath. "If this is some kind of a joke it's not funny." She slowly moved forward putting each foot slowly after the other on the old stone carved steps.

She carried on moving feeling the walls in the darkness as she edged deeper in the strange passage using her staff to feel the steps. Some how she was almost grateful that she wasn't human because she could still see things. The lower she went the darker it became the light disappearing slowly as she went deeper she stopped sharply feeling her staff hit solid ground and not another step.

She grunted aloud looking behind her that was a long way down, she moved her hand out feeling the stone sides of an entrance. She slowly walked forward only to snap her eyes shut as the room burst to light as the torches around the room burst in to flames. She opened her eyes slowly looking at the room in front of her.

High above her was a huge statue of a white werewolf its blue eyes gleaming in the fire light. The huge deer horned helmet with its silver and blue patterns was instantly recognizable along with the shoulder armour and the chest plate with its blazing blue flame like pattern. In one clawed hand he held a heavy sword, it was Horn Hind.

She breathed in sharply looking around her silver patterns decorated the stone which gleaming in the low light. Her gaze slowly lowered as she looked at the ground she was standing on. It was made of some form of black stone in the centre was the round circle big enough for two people to stand in, around it were engraved lines and dots.

She took a step closer, feeling her gaze widened as what they were struck home, they were star constellations all engraved in silver and gold all moving around the larger circle in an endless cycle. She kneeled down seeing that at the every edge were another set of symbols all with writing under them. Each was at a point in the circle.

She put her hand on the first reading the writing which read Ares her gaze turned as she walked around reading the others Gemini, Leo, Taurus and Cancer. There were others Virgo, Sagittarius the last of the twelve was Pieces. She pulled back slightly she had no idea what the names or the symbols meant or what their connection was to the stars.

On the opposite side of the room was a huge black statue of a male Roman gladiator wearing a horned helmet which had bull horns on ether side, the big man was welding two huge swords. The black chest armour had spiked shoulder guards. He also wore a thick leather belt with a black silver buckle. A long ripped grey skirt hung down.

His feet had leather boots and he looked furious on every level. Weaving silver patterns of chariots covered his heavy chest plate. The whole armour reminded her of king Lycaon's suit of arms because it looked so dark and unnerving. The human statues red jewelled eyes gleamed in the low light under the helmet.

She slowly moved so she was standing in the central part of the circle which was in the centre of room, what was this place? She looked up again at the white statue she narrowed her gaze trying to think back it seemed very familiar. It wasn't Horn Hind no it was something she'd seen before. She looked in to the blue crystal eyes which glittered unlike the rest of the body.

She breathed in deeply as the memory slowly came back it had been in the market place when she'd passed out, she'd seen a white werewolf in her vision. She felt her gut suddenly twist in fear, she tried to move her feet only to find that she couldn't. She struggled harder feeling herself fight harder only to find that she still wasn't moving.

It seemed that all at once the room seemed to spring to life around her, part of the circle under her feet seemed to glow, which in turn brought the constellations to life. The huge ring with its symbols started to turn, she tried to fight harder, only to feel the vice grip tighten. The large statue above sudden sprang to life.

Its light blue eyes began to glow white as they looked back at her, she squirmed harder feeling her teeth grind together. Her whole body seemed to go still as every muscle suddenly relaxed. She felt herself let out the long breath which she'd been holding in as a sense of peace suddenly took over her body. She could feel herself becoming so calm and relaxed.

She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this way it felt like being human again. She couldn't feel her anger or bubbling emotions which had been so difficult to control over the past week. The white light was moving up from the floor slowly wrapping it's self around her body. She closed her eyes slightly feeling her hair as it was blown upwards the feeling was hard to describe.

It was a lingering floating feeling which was pure bliss there was nothing pulling or pushing on her muscles. The streams of light were moving around her body slowly. She closed her eyes again feeling herself becoming lost in the moment. She wanted sink in to it and drown in the feeling which was becoming stronger by the moment.

8

Xena turned sharply looking at the old room her gaze turned slowly to the painting on the wall. She recognised it instantly it was the same image she'd seen on the underground tunnels wall in Messene. The huge white werewolf was rising as it battled the large black one with many other werewolf's around both all dressed in armour.

She looked at Iris who was looking down another section only to find to turn back seeing that Gabrielle wasn't there. "What's this?" Iris turned slightly. "Oh no that's the section on herbs and medicines and antidotes." Xena grunted aloud grabbing her arm. "No not that…" She eased her hand up to the painting. "That?"

Iris raised an eyebrow. "Oh that's the white werewolf." Xena looked up slightly. "I saw that painted on a wall in Messene what does it mean?" Iris pulled her arm away as she looked at the painting. "It's a myth, they say that when a mighty warrior is born among werewolf's they see the white werewolf spirit in there moment of adult hood or if their turned in there moment of rebirth."

She eased up her hand. "The white werewolf shows great warriors things from the past and things about Lycaon and his army." She breathed in slightly. "Hence why in the painting you have the white werewolf fighting Lycaon, she's a force of light" She breathed in slightly. "Horn Hind himself said he saw her spirit come to him in a vision which he had after he passed out during a trip to the lake to fish."

She shook her head. "He later had a vision of where Lycaon's army was." She looked at the painting for a moment then turned back to the taller warrior. "You saw this painting on a wall in Messene?" She stared at the warrior whose blue eyes were showing shock. "What is it? What's wrong?" Xena turned sharply. "Are there any secret tunnels in this library?"

Iris quickly followed her as she started walking faster looking at all the empty sections. "Not that I know off." Xena turned sharply she leaned over her sneering slightly. "Is Horn Hind's armour here?" Iris blinked she eased up her hand slightly. "I don't know where Horn Hind's armour is kept or where Iseron is ether! No one but Candice no's that and she won't tell any one."

She snarled slightly. "Two many humans and werewolf's have died for their greed and arrogance when it comes to both armours." Xena eyed her as she turned sharply. "Figures that you'd hide the Horn Hind armour some where out of sight." She turned only to see another empty section. "Some where that only Gabrielle would be able to find and open."

Iris snorted aloud. "I don't get you. I thought you would be happy for Gabrielle she's going to become Horn Hind. It's a great honour, most werewolf's would rip of there own limps just for the privilege." Xena sneered eyeing her. "Let me enlighten you because you don't know Gabrielle as well as you think you do."

She turned seeing yet another empty section. "She doesn't like being a werewolf and so far she's been put thought Tarturus because of it. It pains me that no one seems to care about her feelings on becoming Horn Hind. Even when she says she doesn't want it, no one but me seems to want to listen to her."

Iris snarled aloud. "You're just jealous I mean she's going to get the Horn Hind armour which will make her an even greater warrior than you. I mean you can't have Iseron so you'll be limping behind her, while she defeats Lycaon." Xena didn't think as the anger boiled up to quickly for her to stop it she grabbed the woman by her shoulders slamming her in to the nearest shelf.

She watched as it rattled some of its scrolls hitting the ground around her. She snarled aloud looking in to the woman's shocked eyes. "I don't care about Iseron! I don't want it ether I never did. If I did I would already have it and believe me I'm very good at getting what I want. " She breathed in trying to control her anger. "I care about Gabrielle."

She sneered slightly. "I hate to see her in pain, I hate that she doesn't get a choice in the matter because Athena and you people have made it so. It's not like you any of you see the fear in her eyes or care that her emotions are in turmoil, its not like you have to calm her aching heart!" She leaned closer. "You all just want your icon of freedom you don't care about the cost."

She let go of the woman who blinked then breathed in very slowly. "You really love her don't you?" Xena slowly turned her back on her. "Yes." She turned down the last section only to freeze in mid motion as she caught sight of open tunnel which had stone wall pulled up above it. "Where does this lead?" Iris turned looking at the open entrance. "I don't know I've never seen it before!"

Xena turned sharply. "You're telling me you've never seen this before?" Iris put a hand on chest. "Yes I am and I've lived here for quite a while." She looked up seeing the painting of the stag which was now high above them. "Oh…I never thought about that, the stag and Horn Hind armour it kinda fits." Xena rolled her eyes. "Great..."

She felt her pace quicken as she walked towards the tunnel she could see light bellow. Iris turned sharply. "I'll get the others." Xena turned watching as she burst in to a run going in the opposite direction. She shook her head making her way down the stairs she slowly unsheathed her sword, as she caught sight of the opening bellow which had light coming from it.

She took another long breath. "Gabrielle?" Her breath seemed to get stuck in her throat as she walked in to the light filled room. Her gaze shifted as she caught sight of her lover who was standing in the centre of the strange floor, white light was moving over all her whole body it was causing her hair to be blown upwards her staff wasn't in her hand it was floating close by on a stream of light.

She found herself blinking in utter confusion, she felt herself finally breathe out. She walked forward watching as one of the sections of the circle started to spin faster. "Gabrielle!" The next moments were painful as a flash of white light shot out from the spinning ring slamming in to her stomach. She hit the floor hard feeling her self groan in pain.

She felt her gaze narrow as she got painfully to her knees. She shook her head trying to clear the stars, watching as the light completely engulfed the younger woman's body. She snarled aloud, getting to her feet this wasn't fair! She going to try and free Gabrielle from this or so help her she'd go to Tarturus trying!

She turned slightly watching as the black statue red eyes lit up on the high wall behind her, she turned away ignoring them as she ran at the light again. Only to feel more pain as she found herself once again on her back feeling the dull pain in her stomach. She slowly got up only to watch in shock as half the circles light turned to flaming red.

She didn't get chance to think as a huge stream of red light looped around her lower leg. Another shot out wrapping it's self around her other leg, she growled aloud slamming her sword down only to feel it get ripped from her hand by another stream of red light. It was slowly pulled in to the now swirling red light mass disappearing from sight.

The other white mass was still swirling next to it she found herself struggling as the lights grip tightened around her legs. Her whole body was suddenly pulled towards the red mass with painful force. She snarled aloud trying harder to free herself, only to feel another light stream grab her arm as she tried to get at her breast dagger.

She put her free hand on the red stream only to pull away painfully at the searing heat. She could feel more streams as they wrapped themselves around her upper and lower body tightening fast. She grabbed the Chakram pulling it free, only to feel one of the streams holding her other arm let go. It sharply wrapped itself around her hand and the weapon in one swift motion.

Xena turned feeling her hand grabbing the floor, only to leave it as she was pulled forceful towards the mass of red light. She could feel her heart pounding in her ears, why was this happening? She struggled harder only to feel the vice grip tighten painfully she couldn't stop herself screaming in anger as she tried harder to get away.

Her gaze moved upwards to the black statue above with its glowing red eyes. She felt her fingers tighten there grip on the floor she was inches from the swirling mass. All at once the realization hit in she wasn't going to get free from this, she somehow had accidentally set a terrible thing in motion which she now couldn't stop.

Her gaze moved up again to the statue as more light streams wrapped them selves around her pulling harder on her body. The truth was terrifying both armours were here. She was being forced to wear Iseron just like Gabrielle was being forced to wear Horn Hind. Like Horn Hind, Iseron picked its successor.

Her whole body was hurting now, she felt her teeth grind together painfully this had to be Ares's doing. The bastard had probably set it up so she wouldn't get a choice. He knew that Athena had already put Gabrielle's future in motion and thought he could get his slice of the action as well. Since he knew that they both followed each other no matter what.

She turned watching as a white stream of light came free of the twirling white mass, it moved towards her face she felt the pleasant warmth as it ran under her chin. She breathed in feeling her heart beat start to slow down. She could feel Gabrielle the woman was so far from her yet she could feel her through the light.

"Let go Xena."

It was so faint barely a whisper but it was her lover's voice. She closed her eyes slightly feeling her grip slowly come free. She could hear voices but they were too distant for her to care. The white light stream slowly wrapped it's self around her wrist securely as the red streams all over her body eased their grip pulling her more gently towards the red mass. She closed her eyes fully feeling her whole body go still as she was pulled in to it.

8

Calicos turned glaring at Iris. "What do you mean Gabrielle's in some secret passage? There are no secret passages in the library!" Iris watched as he turned the corner his huge razor toothed jaws grating together. "It's up there!" Calicos turned raising a large clawed hand. "Right so your telling it just opened up just like that?"

He turned seeing more werewolf warriors had gathered outside the now open door, some were human and some weren't but none seemed to want to go down in to the huge opening. He stopped watching as one of the warriors looked up slightly. "Is there anyone down there?" The warrior pulled back slightly. "Only Thaddeus and Candice have gone down in to it."

Calicos narrowed his gaze lowering his ears. "Why isn't everyone else down there?" Iris folded her arms in annoyance. "Xena went down there after Gabrielle." Calicos snorted aloud. "So what?" Iris put her hand through her hair. "What'd you mean so what? Isn't it obvious?" Calicos turned eyeing the unchanged werewolf. "No it's not obvious enlighten me!"

Iris raised an eyebrow. "Iseron might be down there as well and Xena might just be in it! No werewolf wants to risk their life by going down there and I don't blame them." Calicos rolled his eyes. "Xena in Iseron don't make me laugh, it's almost as amusing as Gabrielle being Horn Hind." Iris sneered slightly. "Gabrielle is Horn Hind."

Calicos turned slightly ignoring the cold looks he was getting from the others. "If I wanted your opinion Iris I would've asked you for it, as for Xena she's not fit to wear Iseron…only I am." Iris snarled aloud. "Funny how you say that yet you've never found it, makes me think that Iseron doesn't want you. I mean it never was intended for werewolf's to wear."

Calicos felt his teeth grind together. "I am the leader here I believe Iseron not being for werewolf's in no more than a myth!" Iris smirked. "You could be right Calicos but even so I doubt it would ever pick you." She narrowed her gaze. "As for your leadership, you are only in temporary command until Eryx returns."

She walked passed him ignoring his cold look. "I think though you'll be on your knees before Horn Hind long before he returns." Calicos looked at the others for a moment all of them were quite. He snarled aloud slowly following her on all fours down the long winding stone steps which looked like they led towards some kind of room.

Iris turned the corner she put hand up slightly shielding herself from the light Thaddeus was standing close by looking at the swirling masses of light. Next to him stood Candice who was making sure that no one stepped any closer to the swirling ring. She slowly walked up to Thaddeus taking hold of his clawed hand. "What is this?"

Thaddeus watched as a light stream from the white mass moved across to the red one sinking in side it. The red stream seemed to be doing the same it was very slow and gentle movement. "I don't know I came in and this is what I saw." He turned watching as Calicos stood close by his teeth bearing as he watched both swirling light masses.

Candice raised her staff slightly pointing at the red mass. "That is Xena." She turned pointing at the white one. "That is Gabrielle." Thaddeus blinked, he turning slightly. "Their both inside these light masses?" Candice looked up slightly. "Yes." Iris lowered her gaze. "So you hid Horn Hind and Iseron in the same room? Why?"

Candice turned eyeing her. "No! I hid Horn Hind here! I don't know how Iseron got in to this room if it is here it wasn't my doing!" Thaddeus grunted aloud. "Ares springs to mind." Candice breathed in sharply. "Even if he did move it, I don't even know how or why this is happening. Only one being can stand in the circle of stars at a time yet here we have two."

She shook her head. "It's been that way for many seasons if any one else tries to enter the circle they die, I've seen it happen. The great Athena made it this way so only the true successor could take the armour and no other could touch them in the process." Iris breathed in deeply. "What if there not two beings but they in fact make one?"

Thaddeus looked at her for a long moment. "You mean like true soul mates, separated but never apart." Candice turned sharply eyeing her. "Go on?" She put her hand on her chin. "Yes I do and it makes sense, I mean it would explain how Xena got past the Dryads and why she never saw any of the illusions above."

She brought up her hand slightly. "What if they carry a part of each other in their very souls I mean the Dryads wouldn't attack her if they thought she was a werewolf. They must have sensed it but in truth they were just sensing Gabrielle's soul with in her." Thaddeus breathed in deeply. "You know that makes a lot of sense."

Candice looked down slightly. "I agree it does in a strange sort way." Iris looked up slightly. "I also know one thing for sure Xena doesn't want Iseron she made it very clear to me. She doesn't want Gabrielle to become Horn Hind ether. I believe she only came down here to try and free Gabrielle and this happened to her."

She looked at the red mass. " I remember reading on one of the five prophesies walls that the next Horn Hind and Iseron are bound together, maybe this is what it meant." She turned listening as Calico's laugher hit the air. "Do you have something to add?" Calicos raised his clawed hand. "Yeah I do that is the stupidest thing I've ever heard."

He eased up a finger. "Soul mates please…" Candice rolled her eyes. "Strange how you saying that, does not surprise me." Thaddeus looked at the red swirling masses again seeing that the light streams were becoming more intense. Both huge masses of light were starting rise slowly in to the air both there light streams still attached to each other.

End Of Part 35

By Silvermoonlight

HAZMOT. No you didn't miss a chapter, the idea behind the word Iseron is that it's meant to be an ancient werewolf word which means, dark and corrupted one. It has a second meaning but if I say it I'll spoil the story for you.

MsTree. Iona and Jiang (Itchy and Scratchy) I never thought about that, but now you've said it I can really see it.

Thank you both for all the reviews :)