The sounds of the battle being waged around Gabrielle were drowned out by the pounding in her ears while she layed on the ground as Alanis approached her. Gabrielle tried to get up but she was in so much pain it was difficult just to breathe.
ALANIS
It looks like you're done for. Time to finally end this.
Meanwhile Xena was still squaring off with Ares. She knew that she needed to get to Gabrielle soon, but had to figure out a way to get away from Ares. Xena swung her sword and it once again clashed with the god's blade. She pushed him back a little and took the moment to try and make her escape. But Ares launched an orb of light from his hand and hit Xena from behind as she ran. Xena yelled as she was struck and dropped to the ground. She growled as after a moment she got back up and turned back towards Ares.
ARES
Sorry I can't let you go anywhere just yet.
Now Xena knew that Ares was up to something more than doing his God of war thing.
XENA
And why's that?
ARES
Oh I'm just waiting for someone to get their job done. All through I do wish she would stop toying with that irritating blonde and finish her already.
XENA
Gabrielle.
Xena felt her anger raising even further, realizing that Ares had apparently targeted Gabrielle in some way. She glared at Ares as she tightened her fist.
XENA
(Angry tone) Ares if you're responsible for anything happening to Gabrielle I swear I will make you're immortal life a living nightmare until I find some way to kill you.
Ares gave Xena a smug smile.
ARES
Ah honestly Xena I'm a little disappointed that you hadn't figured it out yet.
XENA
(Angry tone) Figured what out yet?
ARES
Oh just my exceptional handy work in all of this.
Xena lowered her sword as she looked at Ares in shock as she began to realize just what Ares had done.
XENA
(Angry tone) You...
Ares beamed with pride as rested his sword on his shoulder while he began to casually stroll around Xena.
ARES
That's right Xena, I'm the one who killed that Amazon Nevaea. I mean not me directly, but I just influenced some random woman to take her out.
XENA
(Angry tone) Why?
ARES
It was all part of the plan. You see even though you haven't seen me in a while, I've been around. Watching you and your little attempt at a domestic life in that Amazon village. And for what, to make that damned bard, queen or whatever you wanna call her happy? Ugh seeing you like that makes me sick.
Xena remained quiet as she kept her eyes on Ares while he continued to walk around her and speak.
ARES
But luckily for me her royal highness was summoned to that council thing. So I decided to follow you there. And oh ho man was I glad I did.
Xena growled at Ares enjoyment of the way the council had treated Gabrielle as the god stopped and stood directly behind Xena and leaned close to talk into her ear.
ARES
I mean the way some of those women just tore into your little Gabrielle. It was very, very entertaining. And that was when I knew how I could finally get rid of her for good and at long last make you mine. After all I could never understand why you would just stand beside some unqualified queen of a bunch of savage women. When you could come with me and become my warrior queen and rule the world.
Ares lightly ran his fingertips along Xena's arm. Xena shoved him as she moved away from the god and turned to face him with a look of both disgust and anger as Ares just laughed.
XENA
(Angry tone) So you had Nevaea killed and had people believe that Gabrielle was the one responsible.
ARES
That's right. Honestly I thought that they were just going to kill her but once that fight broke out, I knew that I had the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone... so to speak.
XENA
(Angry tone) You started that fire that burned down the sacred tree. Why? If you only wanted Gabrielle out of the way burning the tree was unnecessary.
ARES
Now that I actually did directly cause. Just a little ball of fire and well you know what happened next. And while it wasn't part of the plan, I figured a good war is always fun. It was just a bonus that alot of them blamed Gabrielle for that too, which made this whole war all the more sweeter. And now all I have to do is wait until that overpowered Amazon gets rid of her for good.
XENA
Overpowered Amazon?
(Angry tone) Damn it Ares now what did you do?
ARES
Oh nothing much. Just gave um, Nova was it? A bit of power to help her get her revenge.
XENA
(Angry tone) That's why you've been keeping me away.
At that point Xena's rage exploded. This time Ares had gone way too far. Killing a highly important Amazon leader, causing an all out war civil amung the whole Amazonian nation, even granting power to the enemy. And all so he could get rid of Gabrielle in his relentless pursuit and obsession with Xena. And she had finally had enough of all of it. Xena let out a furious yell as she began swinging at Ares relentlessly. Causing him to back away from her.
XENA
(Angry tone) Ares you bastard! I'm going to make you pay for all of this!
ARES
How?
XENA
(Angry tone) I'm going to stop this war and you.
ARES
Oh please Xena even you can't single handedly end a war.
Xena stopped swinging at Ares and stood there with a dead serious expression on her face as she clenched her sword.
XENA
(Angry tone) Just watch me.
TO BE CONTINUED...