The war continued around Xena as she stood a few feet away from Ares. The god smirked as he waited for Xena's next move.
ARES
Well Xena? Do you surrender yet?
XENA
To you Ares, never.
ARES
Always so stubborn. You know you can't actually beat me.
XENA
Who said anything about beating you?
ARES
You can't escape from me either.
XENA
That's what you think.
Xena had gotten an idea and began running towards Ares as she yelled. Ares put up his sword to block Xena's incoming strike. As Xena got closer she jumped into the air and soared over Ares head, landing behind him and got running.
ARES
(Sighing) Didn't you already try this?
Ares quickly disappeared and rematerialized in front of Xena. As soon as Xena saw the flash of light, she threw a hard punch and nailed Ares on the cheek just as he became solid. He stepped back rubbing his face as Xena ran past him.
XENA
I'm done wasting my time on you.
ARES
Okay that was a good one.
With a flash Ares was gone and popped up in Xena's path again. This time he was ready for Xena to hit him. But instead Xena jumped to the side, planted her foot on the trunk of a tree that was next to her and vaulted off of it, getting past a slightly annoyed Ares and kept running. Ares scowled as he dematerialized again. When he showed back up he was ready to grab Xena, but was shocked for a moment when he didn't see her.
ARES
Come on Xena hiding from me now?
XENA
Nope.
Hearing Xena's voice, Ares looked up just in time to see her boot connect with his face as she swung down from a tree branch above. Ares was knocked to the ground as Xena dropped from the tree and ran.
ARES
I can't believe I fell for that.
Ares vanished again and came back a little ways off standing and looking for Xena. There were no trees in the immediate area for her to hide in, but still Ares didn't see her.
ARES
Oh Xena?
(Thinking to herself) Where did she go? There's no way she could've gotten far. I can still sense her.
Meanwhile Xena remained silent in a small tunnel in the ground she had found a number of days ago during the fighting. It was most likely some animals burrow that had been abandoned after the fighting started. Luckily Xena had happened to come across in again while trying to lose Ares and quickly squeezed into the hole. She figured Ares wouldn't notice the hole. And if he did, wouldn't think that Xena would be inside. Xena usually wouldn't be hiding from him, but right now she needed to find Gabrielle before it was too late. She would have to deal with Ares for what he did later. Gabrielle was more important at the moment. As made apparent by the pain filled scream that Xena heard. She instantly recognized it was Gabrielle's voice. Xena lowered her head, knowing that she couldn't just rush out of her hiding spot until Ares was gone. If she did, the god would see her and she would definitely never make it to Gabrielle.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) Please Gabrielle just hold out a little longer. I know you can do it. We can't let Ares win.
Ares walked around looking for Xena.
ARES
Wow actually hiding from me now Xena. Come on I thought you were better than that.
Xena remained silent as she kept track of Ares movements from her hiding place.
ARES
Okay. You stay where you are while I go see how much longer we're gonna have to listen to that screaming.
Xena mentally cursed Ares as she waited for him to leave. Fortunately Xena could always seem to sense when Ares was around so it made it easy to tell when he teleported away. Once Xena didn't feel the gods presence anymore, she hastily crawled out of the small tunnel and rushed off towards where she knew Gabrielle was. As she ran Xena began to get a very bad feeling. While she was hiding she stopped hearing Gabrielle. She just hoped that it didn't mean what she thought it might. But then again just how long could any normal person last against someone who was giving super natural abilities by a god? Xena ran until she saw Alanis standing a little ways off. As she got even closer she saw Gabrielle on the ground Xena yelled as she grabbed her chakrum and launched it towards Alanis. The Amazon heard Xena and looked over to see the weapon coming right for her. She quickly lept back and got out of the way as Xena raced in and stood between Alanis and Gabrielle. She held out her hand and effortlessly caught her chakrum when it came back. Alanis stood there as Xena glared at her for a moment before turning her attention to Gabrielle who layed motionless on the ground. Xena crouched down next to her and saw the horrible state she was in. Gabrielle's body was beaten and bloodied. Xena knew that Gabrielle was in very bad condition.
XENA
Gabrielle? Gabrielle can you hear me?
Gabrielle didn't respond. Even when Xena reached out to touch her, Gabrielle didn't move or make a sound. Xena felt for a pulse and was relieved that Gabrielle was still alive. But Xena knew that Gabrielle wouldn't last much longer unless she got some serious medical attention soon. Just off observation and her medical knowledge, Xena could tell that Gabrielle likely suffered multiple internal injuries not including broken bones and the other various lacerations on her skin. Xena's focus on Gabrielle is broken when she hears Alanis's voice.
ALANIS
(Sinister tone) Would you mind stepping aside so I can end this? I'm more than happy to get to you next.
Xena felt a storm of rage building within her, ready to explode at any second. She looked down at Gabrielle and gently brushed her cheek.
XENA
You did great Gabrielle. I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner. I'll take it from here. Just hang in there a bit longer for me okay.
Xena stood up and turned to face Alanis. Her eyes burning with an intense rage that lingered just beneath the surface.
ALANIS
(Mocking tone) Oh it looks like someone's mad.
Xena clenched her sword as she stood ready to fight the super powered amazon.
ALANIS
(Mocking tone) Nothing to say warrior princess?
Xena looked right in the Amazon's eyes, determined to put an end to all of this madness that had already cost everyone so much. And after dealing with Ares and the near death state Gabrielle was in, Xena had finally had enough. She sneered at Alanis as she finally unleashed that rage that had been building.
XENA
Alanis, just like Ares you talk too much.
(Sinister tone) Now shut up and die.
TO BE CONTINUED...