FOUR AGAINST THE DARKNESS
by Phil D. Hernández

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ACT FOUR
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As always, Xena was right. While Hope knew what to expect, Gabrielle found it mildly amusing to see Joxer walking with a dreamy look on his face, oblivious to the world, but in fact he avoided every obstacle and followed the trail without a single misstep. Since Joxer usually stumbled along and could be counted on to bang his head on several low branches every day, the bard concluded that love agreed with him. She decided not to break the spell by speaking.
Besides, Gabrielle was even more fascinated by Xena's work. The Warrior Princess took the time to fashion a chest piece, simply decorated, from the remaining parts of the hide plus what beads they had left and some thongs.
Some of the designs are traditional, others personal, the Warrior Princess explained. It helps provide a symbolic focus for your being. Usually it's heavily embroidered, but we'll make better ones later. She showed Gabrielle how to stitch a couple of the patterns. I don't want to waste a lot of effort on untanned hides. Oh, and you'll have to tan yours, too. Messy – and it'll take weeks to get the smell off you.
You're kidding, right? Gabrielle remarked. When Xena did not reply, the smile faded from the bard's face. You're not kidding.
Nope. Even Joxer won't want to be near you. That's what you get for hanging out with Warrior Princesses and signing on with the Amazons.
Ha! Anyway, I'm not sure Joxer's nose works any more.
I heard that, Joxer complained. He had hit his head on an overhanging limb.
Gabrielle called. Then she smirked at Xena. He'd just put a clothespin on his nose.
And you'd take it off just for spite.
the bard teased, and maybe not.
Xena smiled in her turn. Joxer was a friendly soul, and both women had enjoyed many lighthearted moments with him, though it must be admitted that they were often amused by Joxer's everyday mishaps.
Now the Warrior Princess attended to the matter of making various talismans from small bones, feathers and the like. This was something Gabrielle could also do for herself with a minimum of instruction. Soon she was riding in the air beside Xena, bits of materials floating along with them. Joxer watched as well, pointing out that at the very least he could make beads for them later. Xena took Gabrielle through the process of making earrings, for which in a whimsical touch the bard shaped pinfeathers into miniature quills. Prayers and chants accompanied each step.
As Joxer could not participate in the rituals, he drifted away. He could not shed the feeling of uselessness, but he did not blame his friends.
I suppose I could go back and guard our rear, he suggested to Hope.
Or watch Gabrielle's rear, you mean, the girl giggled. You never know when Aphrodite might turn up.
Don't tease Joxer, Xena said without looking up. That's Gabrielle's job. An extra pair of eyes would be a good idea, she told the would-be warrior.
Joxer's eagerness to help was all too apparent, and he began to dash back and forth along the trail, inevitably running headlong into a tree.
he said in an ordinary, conversational tone. Then he keeled over backwards, out cold, and Hope lifted him into the air, too.
Gabrielle shrugged. Like Joxer says, Rome wasn't burnt in a day.'

*****

Having learned his lesson, Joxer resumed his status as lookout when he regained consciousness. Xena and Gabrielle were walking, too, while Hope occasionally rose above the treetops to search for anything suspicious. The bard didn't understand why Xena hadn't taken the fight back to Alti now that they were ready, but the Warrior Princess had a gut feeling that the time wasn't right.
The things Hope told us about herself got me thinking about Lao Ma again. She said that the more someone favors a particular approach, the more likely someone else can understand and counter that approach. In other words, don't be predictable, Xena explained. I have an angle on Alti's power to use the traumatic events of our lives against us.
I get it, Gabrielle said. I think I get it, anyway.
Well, I'm glad you do, Hope replied, because I'm getting a bad feeling.
At that moment Joxer, who had been ahead of the party, came running back toward them. I think I saw one of those Dahak guys! You know, with the black robes and hoods?
Six, it sounds like, Gabrielle agreed.
Four each on either side, Hope added.
And four more behind us, Xena concluded. Form an all-around defense. Gabrielle, watch Hope. She may need you again.
I feel Dahak's summons. He is directing the attack, confirmed Hope.
six and four and four and four andcarry the threeodds are fifteen, uh
Four and a half to one, Joxer, Xena said. Nothing to worry about.
Nothing for you to worry about, maybe. I'm good for two to one, maybe three to one, tops. He started to shake, but tried to hide it. He failed.
The Warrior Princess put a hand on his shoulder. Gabrielle and I are right beside you. This is just like when the Scythians attacked us. You'll be fine.
And he was. He drew his sword.
Against most groups of warriors, Dahak's men would have succeeded handily. The frontal assault went in first, intended more to distract than anything else, while the flankers and the rear attack would cut the surprised party to pieces. However, their quarry was not taken by surprise. Hope, knowing that she would have very little time before Dahak assailed her again, threw up a wave of force that knocked down the first group the moment they appeared down the trail. Though the men scrambled to their feet, Hope grabbed their weapons with her mind and flung them high over the trees.
Xena was ready for the rear attackers. She threw her chakram, which glanced off rocks and trees before striking each of the line of men in the head. Their hoods provided enough padding to save their lives, but they, too, went down. Even before they fell, Xena turned to the side, pulled her sword from the scabbard at her back, and parried two spears aimed at Joxer. He clumsily blocked the third man, while the fourth hung back with no opportunity to get at him. Xena caught her chakram as it returned and used it in her left hand to fend off the stabbing spears.
Gabrielle's staff gave her more reach. This came in handy because the four attackers on her side, emerging from a stand of linden trees, spread out slightly to keep from fouling each other. They charged together, and the bard was able to catch the four spears, forcing them down and away. Deftly extracting her staff, she caused the men to overcompensate against the sudden lack of resistance, and their attack miscarried again.
A choked cry from Hope meant that Dahak had concentrated on her, but she was able to handle him for now. Even unarmed, six men could take on one girl, but not when their belts came undone by themselves and the trousers under their robes fell around their feet. Joxer grasped his opponent's spear and tried to take it away in a tug of war; at least he wasn't overpowered. Xena leaped up and kicked her two men simultaneously, sending them flying back. One of them collided with the unengaged man, and both collapsed in a heap. Temporarily free to act, she spun to help Gabrielle.
The bard forced the four spears down again. However, Xena had taught her long before about unpredictability. This time, Gabrielle bent her knees, and when the minions of Dahak lifted their weapons up, she added their strength to her spring and flipped over them. They looked up to follow Gabrielle's flight, whereupon Xena attacked. This distracted them enough that they did not see Gabrielle land on her feet and spin around to sweep them off theirs with her staff. The bard followed that up by using her staff two-handed to smash one man into unconsciousness with three quick blows. The Warrior Princess kicked another down as he rose, then turned around again to parry a spear thrust with her sword.
Joxer and his foe were both on the ground, fighting over the latter's spear. Xena was pleased to see her friend holding his own, and bashed her immediate opponent into the other enemies on that side as they finished disentangling themselves. All three of them went down again. Gabrielle still faced two men but they could not penetrate her guard.
Hope had a man in the air. His hands moved to his throat, clawing as if to clear a passageway for air. He made faint choking sounds.
Xena ran at the girl. Hope, NO! You can't kill anybody! she cried. However, Hope sent the Warrior Princess flying with a negligent wave of her hand. Xena landed heavily on her buttocks and back. A second man began to suffocate.
With scant seconds to act, Gabrielle desperately tried to disarm her enemies. Xena got up slowly, dazed, and lifted her chakram. While she aimed the shot, Joxer somehow managed to roll toward Gabrielle with the man he was wrestling. The bard darted aside, and Joxer bowled over the two men, still gripping the spear. Xena's chakram made short work of those two. Gabrielle gained Hope's side and gently touched her arm.
Don't do it, Hope. We've already won.
The spell broken, Hope released her power and the men she had begun to kill could breathe again. The one in the air fell to the ground.
Meanwhile, the minion Joxer was fighting ended up atop the would-be warrior. He was about to smash a fist in Joxer's face when he noticed the three women standing over him with menacing looks, not to mention menacing weapons.
He surrendered.

*****

While Xena and Joxer tied up their erstwhile attackers with their own robes and belts, Gabrielle comforted her distraught look-alike.
He got to me, Mother. Dahak got to me, Hope wailed, forgetting that this Gabrielle was not her mother. If I'd given up my blood innocence
The bard was well aware of what could happen. She herself had been tricked into killing.
But you didn't, Gabrielle said. I'm very proud of you, Hope.
Mommy, hold me. Dahak is still here.
Once again Gabrielle rocked the girl who was not her daughter in her gentle arms.
Xena joined them. We won't get close to the village in time. Dahak gave Alti the breather she needed. They're learning from us even as we learn from them.
I'm sorry, Aunt Xena, Hope said.
I told you, I'm not –
Yes, you are, the girl replied amid her tears. You're the same person as my real Aunt Xena, so in this world you're part of my family. Gabrielle and Joxer can be my foster parents. They really are just like Mother and Dad. Please? Will you do it?
Gabrielle looked at Xena with pleading eyes.
I guess you finally have the daughter you always wanted, the Warrior Princess capitulated. She bent down and hugged both Gabrielle and Hope.
Uh, guys? Joxer asked. He liked group hugs, but did not feel left out.
Xena understood what he meant. she agreed. We're a tighter team, but the job has gotten harder. The place to defeat Alti is here in the living world. To get her there, we have to lure her where we can channel a great deal of power.
Oh, no, Gabrielle denied. She knew what Xena was getting at. Not the temple of Dahak! Not again. No, Xena.
Do you think I like this idea, Gabrielle? Do you think I want to be reminded of how you sacrificed yourself to keep me from dying, the long months when I thought you were dead?
Of course not, the bard said. But this time we could all die for nothing.
I don't think so, Joxer said. He had removed his helmet, a sign all three women recognized as meaning that he was serious. Gabrielle, I know this is all over my head, but Xena doesn't give up. Neither do you. Even if there's no chance at all, I'd rather go down with you guys at my side.
Joxer, I know you mean that, Gabrielle replied, but you're only saying it because you love me.
That's the only reason I need. I love Xena, too. She looks out for me the way you do. You, too, Hope. You're Gabrielle's real daughter, not that other Hope. So who cares if I'm not a hero or even much of a sidekick? You're my friends, okay?
Gabrielle agreed, tears shining in her turquoise eyes.
Xena agreed, and took Joxer's wrist in a warrior's handclasp.
Okay. The four of us against the darkness, Hope pledged.

*****

They approached the building with caution. Dahak had slackened his mental assault on Hope, perhaps to conserve effort. On the other hand, his minions would not be surprised, and neither would Alti.
Xena had donned all the paraphernalia she had made, and Gabrielle wore her earrings and talismans. They held hands as they advanced; Hope held Gabrielle's other hand and Joxer held Xena's. Hope also carried Gabrielle's staff. Drawing closer to the front doors, these latter were pushed open. The high priest of the temple stood before them, his red robes framed in the blackness of the entrance. He had a wiry build, and he sported a mustache on his lip, a pointed beard on his chin and a cruel fire in his brown eyes.
We welcome the Most High Priestess Hope, returned from the dead by the power of all-encompassing Dahak, he declared.
Xena's eyes narrowed and her mouth twisted into an ugly snarl. Gabrielle and Hope faced him without fear. Joxer let go of Xena's hand and drew his sword.
Welcome this! he shouted, and charged with an inarticulate roar.
The priest stepped to one side, permitting six warriors to emerge, their swords poised for a countercharge. Joxer stopped short, according to plan, and Xena pulled her chakram from its hook. Moments later, the six men held six broken swords. Joxer used the hilt of his own sword to strike the high priest in the face, knocking the minion off-balance into the surprised men. The three women, still holding hands, rushed inside the temple. Xena caught her chakram on the way. Joxer followed them and slammed the doors shut, leaving Dahak's minions outside. He placed a beam to bar the doors, then sought the other entrances and shut them also before rejoining his friends.
Inside, the fire from the central pit cast ruddy flickers everywhere. There were few decorations; some piles of rubble from Xena's last battle with Dahak had still not been cleared. Apparently Dahak was so eager to get into the world that he had jumped at Alti's offer without making full preparations, or perhaps he figured that with Hope on board he could quickly raise a following.
While Xena was by no means certain of the outcome, she was certain of her companions – her family. There was nothing Dahak could promise any of them, even Joxer, which was worth the price of betrayal. The greater danger would be Alti. Xena was barely a match for her; Hope might be able to withstand the shamaness, but not Dahak and Alti together. As for Gabrielle, she would last only a few seconds longer than Joxer, whose spirit would be snuffed out like a candle in a gale. That they had any hope at all was due to the fact that Dahak's unlimited reserves of evil could not be brought into play so long as he was not fully into the world.
Sweat popped out on Hope's brow. Dahak had stepped up his attack again. In this place of his power, all four companions could hear his siren call. Joxer glanced at Gabrielle, and his eyes sought forgiveness. The bard knew exactly what her friend was being offered, or rather whom. Gabrielle could see that Joxer did not want her as a gift, or worse, a reward. She extended her hand to the would-be warrior, and he took it.
I want you to link to me, Hope, Xena said. Keep fighting Dahak and don't let him go. I have an idea that just might get you home. Gabrielle, you have the toughest part: you have to stay with me and with Hope. Joxeryou're already where you belong.
Promise me you'll come back, Gabrielle insisted.
That's the plan, the Warrior Princess replied. I promise.
Xena cut Gabrielle's palm as before, but instead of doing the same to only one of her own, she drew the sharp edge of the chakram along both of them. Now she took the shallow clay cup she had used earlier and poured the remainder of the stag's blood into it. Again she dipped her fingers in the blood and anointed her friends and herself. Again she drank, and started the chant that would help bring her into the spirit realm. Clutching her chakram, she spun and twitched and sank to the ground.
At once, Dahak's flame leaped higher. It formed tentacles that stretched toward each of the companions. Gabrielle stared in horror; she knew these skeins of fire all too well. she whimpered. Please, no
Joxer now held Gabrielle close. If he could will the evil awayhe could not, but his love strengthened her.
Hope, however, did have the will. She screamed with the exertion. she shouted. You will have none of us!
The tentacles slowed, but kept creeping closer.

*****

Because there was no chance of catching Alti unawares, Xena concentrated on arriving in a certain position relative to Alti, which in physical terms approximated a spot behind Alti by several feet and a short distance to her left. This worked, as a blast of energy shot past Xena's shoulder. At the same time,' she concentrated her will and flung her chakram. It appeared to pass through Alti and vanish into infinite distance.
I'm not really there, either, Xena, the evil shamaness taunted. Did you think the daughter of Dahak would join you because your darling little friend is her mother? Did you? Did you think Dahak wouldn't strengthen me for the last battle?
That's what I was counting on, Xena muttered. she cried, and proceeded to attack. For the next few moments moves and countermoves were met by dodges and parries. Hands and arms blocked grabs and punches; each woman jumped up or aside to avoid kicks.
Alti landed the first solid hit, snapping Xena's head back with a punch. Though the Warrior Princess scored a return blow, it did not seem to be as strong. Now the shamaness began to penetrate the warrior's guard. Each was hurting the other, but Alti inflicted more pain than she received.

*****

Each time Alti hit her in the spirit realm, Xena's body convulsed in the living world. Dahak made his strongest effort to reach the Warrior Princess, for if he managed to seize Xena's body for his own use, he would not need Alti and it would be a simple matter to turn or destroy Hope. Gabrielle he would make into another puppet, and she could bear him more children. Joxer was beneath his contempt.
Hope could sense some of this and guess the rest. She did what she could to warn Xena through her link, but with each second she lost ground against the god's twin assaults. However, she had help. This Gabrielle did not have Lao Ma's training as Hope's true mother did, but the bard was strong in her unstinting love. Gabrielle made sure that Xena received Hope's warning.
Something in Xena's spirit gave Gabrielle the feeling that the Warrior Princess knew precisely what she was doing. Perhaps it was because Xena's love was undiminished despite the desperate struggle in the spirit world. Xena's confidence gave the bard confidence, and the harder Dahak pushed, the more Gabrielle loved and felt loved. If Dahak was darkness and fire, Gabrielle's soul was light and water. Unconsciously she wove a tapestry of love, reaching to her family in Poteidaia, friends like Pandora, Diana, Minya, Ulysseseven to the underworld where Perdicas and Talus had not forgotten, nor Marcus. With each thread she bound herself, Xena, Joxer and Hope into a single unit. She could feel the influence of others who touched her closest friends in special ways: Darius, Meg, Hercules, Autolycusthere was even a hint of Aphrodite and Cupid there.
Dahak's groping movements continued, but they got no closer. Now he began to pull back – only to shoot two new fiery tentacles at Xena. Hope was taken by surprise and could not stop him in time. All now seemed lost.
It isn't healthy to hold someone beneath contempt. Callisto made that mistake twice and had paid for it both times. The hubris of a god can even greater consequences. Joxer grabbed Xena's leg and tried to pull her away, not knowing that disturbances in the living world can be transferred to the spirit world.

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END OF ACT FOUR
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COPYRIGHT NOTICE:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, Hope and all other characters who have appeared in the series, together with the names, titles and backstory, plus scenes and dialogue from the series, are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No infringement of copyrights or trademarks is intended in the writing of this fan fiction. This story is © 2003 by Philip D. Hernández and is his sole property along with the story idea. 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.