We entered the large underground cavern.
We walked tall and strong into the cavern, showing everyone there that we weren't afraid. Inside we were all terrified. But to show that now would mean instant death. A few underworlders tried to attack but a quick thrust of my sword and they lie dead at my feet. I had impaled them all with just one stroke... not bad. I almost grinned, but stopped myself... I can't get cocky now.
I looked around the cavern, underworlders were lined up against the walls, some waving torches which threw insane shadows across the walls and floor. Others were simply crouched and waiting. Other than the soft sounds of scuffling, they were quiet. Movement at the opposite end of the cavern caught my attention and I watched as Kurtan walked to the center, smiling confidently and holding a large, ornately carved dagger in his hand. I immediately drew my sword and grabbed my chakrum in my other hand and raised it over my head, ready to throw.
"Welcome Xena! I see you brought your weapons. Good!" Kurtan's voice rang in the underground chamber.
I wasn't prepared for how I would feel when I saw Kurtan again... fear, anger, hatred... all these emotions and more boiled inside of me. I managed to keep them in check for now... barely.
"What do you want from me?" I growled.
"Why, I want you to kill me, Xena. That is what you came here for, isn't it? What are you waiting for?" He stood there with his arms outstretched, holding the dagger out to me.
What was I waiting for? He was right. I did come here to kill him... but not like this. It's up to me to put an end to Kurtan's evil... but am I up to the job? I shook my head; it was too late for self-doubts. I knew this wasn't going to end smoothly... it never does. Facing your fears is one of those things you usually end up doing alone. I glared at Kurtan as I lowered my sword and replaced my chakrum on my hip.
"No. It's over, Kurtan. The city guards will be here soon." I spoke firmly and without emotion.
"Do it, Xena! This is what you've wanted for a long time, isn't it? You have to make me pay for my crimes! Put an end to me! Give me death!" Kurtan had an insane glint in his eyes that slowly grew brighter as he continued.
I felt the familiar stirrings inside of me and knew it would be so easy. One throw of the chakrum would end his despicable life once and for all. I could kill the man who broke me. It would end the fears... or would it? I raised my head high and it came to me as I looked on the demon. It was too easy! This is what he had wanted all along!
"No." The word barely left my mouth when he charged me, screaming.
"No! You will not cheat me of my glorious death! You will not take away my martyrdom!" I stepped aside as he lunged at me, slashing at me with his dagger.
I knocked the dagger out of his hand with a quick flick of my wrist and caught it before it could reach the ground. I spun the blade around and rammed it against his throat. I hesitated when the blade pressed against his flesh.
"Do it!" He was begging me to kill him. He actually wanted to die.
I raised the dagger high above my head... and threw it away. Kurtan stared at me in disbelief as I dragged him to his feet by his hair.
"Payback's a bitch!" I grinned and felt his face go soft under my fist.
I go to work on him and enjoy the look of pain that crosses his face every time I hit another pressure point. I'm not going for a quick knock out or the easy kill... instead I opt for inflicting as much pain as I can. I concentrate on hitting his pressure points. I want to break him! Just as he broke me! I hope I can forgive myself after this is finished... but right now, I don't give a damn about forgiveness.
I dance around him like a cat, striking out to hit his nerve centers then dancing away quickly. He falls to his knees and I kick him hard in the back and he collapses to the ground. I wrap my hand in his long hair and drag him to his feet again. I let him go and back away a little as he tries to swing at me. I dart forward and knee him between the legs and as he doubles over in pain, I smash my fist into his jaw, feeling it crumple from the force of the blow. I hit him again and again. I can feel his nose crumple under my fist. The blood covers his face as he tries to back away from me. His ribs were the next to go and I could hear the crack clearly even above the growing noise of the crowd.
Around me I can hear his followers growing restless, this wasn't going the way Kurtan had promised and they were unsure what to do. A few men tried to attack me, but Gabrielle and Autolycus took them out quickly and nobody else dared to try again.
I kicked him deep in his stomach and heard him gasp for breath. As he doubled over, I kicked him hard in the kneecap and heard a crunching sound as my foot made contact. He crumpled to the ground and put one hand up to protect himself. I allowed him to scuttle away a few feet and then leaped over him the land in front of him and kicked him hard in his face. I saw several teeth fall onto the ground as Kurtan spat some blood out of his mouth. He looked up at me and I could see in his eyes that his spirit had left him.
"Please... no more! I beg you!" he begged for mercy, the same mercy he had denied so many others.
I backed away and allowed him to get to his knees.
"Please... don't hit me... again..."
I was not going to give him the death he wanted so much. I was not going to give his followers something to rally behind. I was not going to regret what I had done to him. I've seen what he's done.
"...can't take no more..." He was still going on.
He's losing it... falling to pieces in front of his followers!
There's one problem with creating monsters...
Kurtan had finally gotten to his feet and was backing towards his followers.
"Kill her! Tear her apart!" he shouted to the people lining the walls.
...control is hard to maintain...
"Destroy her!" His followers slowly made their way towards me... I drew my sword, preparing myself for a bloody battle.
...the important thing is to never let them sense fear ... or weakness in you... that's a fatal mistake...
The underworlders barely glanced at me... as they passed me by and made their way to Kurtan.
...that's when they turn on you... monsters demand that their creators be strong... monsters hate to be duped.
Kurtan smiled at several of the nearest underworlders and raised his beaten and bloody arms to welcome them. I backed away as more and more underworlders gathered around Kurtan.
"My faithful subje... AAAHHHHH!! Stop! What are you doing? No! I command you! STOP!! NOOOOO!! Xena, Help!" The underworlders attacked without emotion, tearing his clothes off and scratched and clawed their helpless leader. Kurtan had no chance against his unmerciful followers.
I could hear someone run up to me and knew it was Gabrielle by her soft panting.
"Xena, we have to help him! We can't just leave him there like that! They'll kill him!" I knew she would say that... but I still shook my head.
"It's too late, Gabrielle. There's too many of them and they are too crazed to listen. It's all over." I answered her softly.
We watched quietly as Kurtan was torn to pieces by the blood-thirsty mob. Men, women and children were equally as savage in their attacks. The ground was soon soaked with blood and pieces of flesh flew in every direction.
I turned my back on the horror and walked away. It was over. The guards would be here soon, but I doubt there would be anything left of Kurtan by that time. I have little doubt that Kurtan was destroyed... gone forever.
We left the ruins as the guards arrived and never looked back. I'll never forget that one man broke me... but hopefully, as time goes on... I'll be able to replace the horror of the past several months with memories of good times and good friends. I put my arm around the shoulders of my two friends and smiled at the rising sun. I'll start with this moment.
The End
Please take the time to write to Anne at goddess_torment@yahoo.com and let her know how you liked the story!
COPYRIGHT NOTICE:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Xena, Gabrielle, Autolycus, Cyrene, and all other characters who have appeared in the series, together with the names, titles and back story are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. The story idea belongs to Jim Starlin of DC comics. No infringement of copyrights or trademarks is intended in the writing of this fan fiction. The characters of Kurtan and The Rat were created by the author for use in this fiction. This story is copyright © 2000 by Anne Beaudry and is her sole property. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.
We walked tall and strong into the cavern, showing everyone there that we weren't afraid. Inside we were all terrified. But to show that now would mean instant death. A few underworlders tried to attack but a quick thrust of my sword and they lie dead at my feet. I had impaled them all with just one stroke... not bad. I almost grinned, but stopped myself... I can't get cocky now.
I looked around the cavern, underworlders were lined up against the walls, some waving torches which threw insane shadows across the walls and floor. Others were simply crouched and waiting. Other than the soft sounds of scuffling, they were quiet. Movement at the opposite end of the cavern caught my attention and I watched as Kurtan walked to the center, smiling confidently and holding a large, ornately carved dagger in his hand. I immediately drew my sword and grabbed my chakrum in my other hand and raised it over my head, ready to throw.
"Welcome Xena! I see you brought your weapons. Good!" Kurtan's voice rang in the underground chamber.
I wasn't prepared for how I would feel when I saw Kurtan again... fear, anger, hatred... all these emotions and more boiled inside of me. I managed to keep them in check for now... barely.
"What do you want from me?" I growled.
"Why, I want you to kill me, Xena. That is what you came here for, isn't it? What are you waiting for?" He stood there with his arms outstretched, holding the dagger out to me.
What was I waiting for? He was right. I did come here to kill him... but not like this. It's up to me to put an end to Kurtan's evil... but am I up to the job? I shook my head; it was too late for self-doubts. I knew this wasn't going to end smoothly... it never does. Facing your fears is one of those things you usually end up doing alone. I glared at Kurtan as I lowered my sword and replaced my chakrum on my hip.
"No. It's over, Kurtan. The city guards will be here soon." I spoke firmly and without emotion.
"Do it, Xena! This is what you've wanted for a long time, isn't it? You have to make me pay for my crimes! Put an end to me! Give me death!" Kurtan had an insane glint in his eyes that slowly grew brighter as he continued.
I felt the familiar stirrings inside of me and knew it would be so easy. One throw of the chakrum would end his despicable life once and for all. I could kill the man who broke me. It would end the fears... or would it? I raised my head high and it came to me as I looked on the demon. It was too easy! This is what he had wanted all along!
"No." The word barely left my mouth when he charged me, screaming.
"No! You will not cheat me of my glorious death! You will not take away my martyrdom!" I stepped aside as he lunged at me, slashing at me with his dagger.
I knocked the dagger out of his hand with a quick flick of my wrist and caught it before it could reach the ground. I spun the blade around and rammed it against his throat. I hesitated when the blade pressed against his flesh.
"Do it!" He was begging me to kill him. He actually wanted to die.
I raised the dagger high above my head... and threw it away. Kurtan stared at me in disbelief as I dragged him to his feet by his hair.
"Payback's a bitch!" I grinned and felt his face go soft under my fist.
I go to work on him and enjoy the look of pain that crosses his face every time I hit another pressure point. I'm not going for a quick knock out or the easy kill... instead I opt for inflicting as much pain as I can. I concentrate on hitting his pressure points. I want to break him! Just as he broke me! I hope I can forgive myself after this is finished... but right now, I don't give a damn about forgiveness.
I dance around him like a cat, striking out to hit his nerve centers then dancing away quickly. He falls to his knees and I kick him hard in the back and he collapses to the ground. I wrap my hand in his long hair and drag him to his feet again. I let him go and back away a little as he tries to swing at me. I dart forward and knee him between the legs and as he doubles over in pain, I smash my fist into his jaw, feeling it crumple from the force of the blow. I hit him again and again. I can feel his nose crumple under my fist. The blood covers his face as he tries to back away from me. His ribs were the next to go and I could hear the crack clearly even above the growing noise of the crowd.
Around me I can hear his followers growing restless, this wasn't going the way Kurtan had promised and they were unsure what to do. A few men tried to attack me, but Gabrielle and Autolycus took them out quickly and nobody else dared to try again.
I kicked him deep in his stomach and heard him gasp for breath. As he doubled over, I kicked him hard in the kneecap and heard a crunching sound as my foot made contact. He crumpled to the ground and put one hand up to protect himself. I allowed him to scuttle away a few feet and then leaped over him the land in front of him and kicked him hard in his face. I saw several teeth fall onto the ground as Kurtan spat some blood out of his mouth. He looked up at me and I could see in his eyes that his spirit had left him.
"Please... no more! I beg you!" he begged for mercy, the same mercy he had denied so many others.
I backed away and allowed him to get to his knees.
"Please... don't hit me... again..."
I was not going to give him the death he wanted so much. I was not going to give his followers something to rally behind. I was not going to regret what I had done to him. I've seen what he's done.
"...can't take no more..." He was still going on.
He's losing it... falling to pieces in front of his followers!
There's one problem with creating monsters...
Kurtan had finally gotten to his feet and was backing towards his followers.
"Kill her! Tear her apart!" he shouted to the people lining the walls.
...control is hard to maintain...
"Destroy her!" His followers slowly made their way towards me... I drew my sword, preparing myself for a bloody battle.
...the important thing is to never let them sense fear ... or weakness in you... that's a fatal mistake...
The underworlders barely glanced at me... as they passed me by and made their way to Kurtan.
...that's when they turn on you... monsters demand that their creators be strong... monsters hate to be duped.
Kurtan smiled at several of the nearest underworlders and raised his beaten and bloody arms to welcome them. I backed away as more and more underworlders gathered around Kurtan.
"My faithful subje... AAAHHHHH!! Stop! What are you doing? No! I command you! STOP!! NOOOOO!! Xena, Help!" The underworlders attacked without emotion, tearing his clothes off and scratched and clawed their helpless leader. Kurtan had no chance against his unmerciful followers.
I could hear someone run up to me and knew it was Gabrielle by her soft panting.
"Xena, we have to help him! We can't just leave him there like that! They'll kill him!" I knew she would say that... but I still shook my head.
"It's too late, Gabrielle. There's too many of them and they are too crazed to listen. It's all over." I answered her softly.
We watched quietly as Kurtan was torn to pieces by the blood-thirsty mob. Men, women and children were equally as savage in their attacks. The ground was soon soaked with blood and pieces of flesh flew in every direction.
I turned my back on the horror and walked away. It was over. The guards would be here soon, but I doubt there would be anything left of Kurtan by that time. I have little doubt that Kurtan was destroyed... gone forever.
We left the ruins as the guards arrived and never looked back. I'll never forget that one man broke me... but hopefully, as time goes on... I'll be able to replace the horror of the past several months with memories of good times and good friends. I put my arm around the shoulders of my two friends and smiled at the rising sun. I'll start with this moment.
The End
Please take the time to write to Anne at goddess_torment@yahoo.com and let her know how you liked the story!
COPYRIGHT NOTICE:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Xena, Gabrielle, Autolycus, Cyrene, and all other characters who have appeared in the series, together with the names, titles and back story are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. The story idea belongs to Jim Starlin of DC comics. No infringement of copyrights or trademarks is intended in the writing of this fan fiction. The characters of Kurtan and The Rat were created by the author for use in this fiction. This story is copyright © 2000 by Anne Beaudry and is her sole property. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.
