A/N: I am attempting to stick to canon as much as I can, at least in the beginning. As this story progresses, it will move beyond that...especially as I introduce characters, etc.
As we trekked across the grassy field, my mind was racing in a thousand different directions. "What did you mean by 'journey'?"
He shrugged in a non-committal fashion. "As I said -"
"No! Tell me!" I yanked on the hand that still held mine and forced him to stop moving forward. "And where am I?"
He sighed, "All I know is that you are a descendant from my sister."
"We're related?!"
Nodding, "In a way, I guess so."
Waving my arms around me, "Where are we?"
"This….this is a place of rest."
Now I was getting mad, "Stop talking in riddles, Solan!"
"Come." He said, and having no other choice, I followed.
Soon we came upon a stream and standing next to it was a woman with curly blond hair that hung down by her shoulders.
"Sofi," she smiled at me.
"How is it that everyone here knows my name?" I grumbled.
"We've been waiting for you princess."
I eyed the woman skeptically. "Okay, that's just weird."
"Let's sit here in the shade and I will explain." We moved to sit under a group of trees. "My name is Ephiny. I am a friend of Solan's mother. You have been sent to correct a wrong that occurred a long time ago."
Now I was thoroughly confused. "What?"
"A long time ago, there was a nation of women that all lived together, without men. As time went on, different groups formed and they split off in different directions. Thus forming the tribes. I am from the Telaquire tribe lead by my friend Queen Gabrielle. We were known as the Amazons."
Meanwhile:
When Gabrielle next opened her eyes, she realized they were in a Greek temple. Noting the decor, she knew it was one of Aphrodite's. It was then that her memory kicked in and found her companion beside her. At first she was hesitant and reached out to touch her gently, "Xena?"
When Xena took a deep breath and opened her eyes, Gabrielle began crying tears of relief and joy. "Xena!"
The warrior sat up and immediately found herself engulfed in the bard's arms. Both held on tightly to the other, afraid to let go. "I should be angry with you...but I'm not."
Gabrielle pulled away slightly, "I should be mad at you too, you know?!"
"I know, my Bard, I know." Xena kissed Gabrielle's forehead gently. "Let's just be grateful that we are both still here."
Just then a shower of sparkles and rose petals announced the arrival of Aphrodite. "Warrior Babe! It's good to see you looking…."
"Alive?" Xena deadpanned.
"Yeah!" She grinned, then became somber. "About that. I'm sorry I didn't have the time to explain. The 40,000 souls were released into a state of grace the moment you expired from your wounds. Your debt was paid, Xena."
"Then why did Akemi tell me that I had to remain dead?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe because that's what she was lead to believe or perhaps her own personal desires….I don't know."
"But the main thing is that we are back where we belong, and for the most part, are okay." Gabrielle spoke up for the first time. "We just need to figure out where and what we are doing next."
"Oh that part is easy!" Aphrodite's bubbly personality returned as she snapped her fingers and all their belongings appeared before them. "Varia is needing your help."
"Varia?" Gabrielle questioned as she strapped her sai's to her boots. "What's wrong?"
"With Artemis gone, the Nation is struggling. Your tribe has been forced to remain on the move, unable to settle and rebuild not just their home but their numbers as well."
"Then we shall find Varia and help as best we can." Xena nodded.
"There is one more thing…"
