Gabrielle stood in the crowd as she looked out at a beaten and bloodied Xena who stood face to face against her next opponents in the arena. Gabrielle didn't know what happened to her but she just hoped that Xena knew what she was doing and would be okay during this fight. Dispite what Xena might've wanted, Gabrielle was fully prepared to jump in if she felt like Xena was going to be in serious jeopardy. Both of the axe wielders facing Xena looked at each other and smiled at the thought of getting an easy win against an already injured opponent. Xena watched as the two split up and began moving to flank her on both sides.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) Don't you think that just because I'm injured that you're just getting that win. I'm not going down without a fight.
One of the axe users came in swinging. Xena dodged the axe strike but her usual reaction time was significantly slowed due to being injured which caused her to be caught with a back elbow to the face. Stunned, Xena backed off as she tried to regroup. But out of the corner of her eye Xena spotted her other opponent behind her. He swung his axe down towards her. With no time to move, Xena quickly reached up and caught the handle under the head of the weapon just before it hit. Thinking fast Xena threw her elbow back and struck the axe user behind her in the jaw. This allowed her to get out of his immediate range for the moment. But it didn't last long because just as Xena moved away from one, the second axe user ran in for her. He swung the bladed end at her and she just managed to get out of the way. But Xena was caught off guard when he immediately thrust the end of the axe handle into her stomach. Normally this wouldn't have been that bad but with the injuries she already had sustained from the beating before hand, the pain caused Xena to drop to a knee as she held her midsection. She looked up just as the other fighter was swinging for her. Xena moved out of the way and the blade of the axe stuck into the ground. She took the opportunity as she got up and threw a quick flurry of punches at him. Finishing the combo with a strong right hook right the jaw. He backed off slightly as he held his jaw. Then he spat a bit of blood from his mouth as he looked at Xena and smirked. Xena watched as he slammed his blade into the ground and left his weapon there as he cracked his knuckles. Apparently he decided that his weapon was too slow and was now going with the strategy of fighting unarmed. Meanwhile the other axe wielder had clearly decided to keep his weapon as he came in swinging his axe. Xena moved out of the way of the axe user's attack and kicked him away. Then now unarmed man charged her began throwing punches. Xena blocked and dodged his hits as best she could. Until he caught her with a strike to her ribs. Xena dropped to her knees and then felt another shot of pain as she was kicked in the same spot. She was sent rolling a few feet away. Xena attempted to get up but was shoved back on the ground as the man who still had his weapon stomped a foot on her back. She looked up just as the unarmed fighter kicked her right in the face. He pulled back to do it again but Xena caught his foot. Though she quickly let go when she felt the pain of the axe handle being driving into her ribs. Xena yelled in pain as she felt the handle being ground into her side. After a few moments the one with the axe stopped and laughed as he looked down at Xena before kicking her. He motioned for his partner to let her try and get up. So the man that had been stepping on Xena took his boot off of her. But not before getting a cheap kick of his own in. Xena yelped in pain as she clenched at her side. The pair standing over her laughed as they mocked her to get up. Xena growled as she forced herself to stand. Gabrielle watched from the audience still prepared to jump in at any moment. Unsure of how much longer she could just sit there and watch what was happening. Xena looked over and saw the discarded weapon still stuck in the ground. She realized that in her current condition getting her hands on one of their axes was probably going to be her best chance at making it out of this fight alive. But she also knew that was going to be easier said than done. Though Xena didn't exactly have the stamina right now for a long, drawn out battle. So she decided that her best best was to go for it. Xena ran for the axe but was cut off when the fighter who still had his weapon swung his axe at her. She was forced to back away. The weaponless opponent then charged into her. Ramming his shoulder into her back. Xena was knocked forward and sent into the wall of the arena. She looked back just to see an axe coming her way. Xena moved just in time as she ran the best she could next to the wall. Xena quickly tried to go for the axe again but was caught by a clothesline from the unarmed fighter. Xena was thrown back into the wall. She hit hard and slid down to the ground. Xena sat up against the wall as both of her opponents stalked her. Both men laughed as they came in close. Xena tried to get up as the axe wielder pulled back his weapon swung it right for Xena's head.
GABRIELLE
NO!
At the last moment just as Gabrielle was ready to leap over the barrier, Xena dove out of the way as the axe blade was buried into the wall. Gabrielle yelled so loud that it had apparently been heard over the rest of the crowd by the fighters and distracted them momentarily. This allowed Xena to scramble for the discarded battle axe on the ground. Before her opponents knew what happened, Xena had gotten to it and just as one of them turned towards her Xena hurled the weapon threw the air and watched as the blade buried itself into the chest of the fighter who still had his weapon. He made a painful moan as his weapon slipped from his grasp and he dropped to the ground. Xena huffed as she she took a moment to catch her breath while her opponent that was still standing looked down at his fallen partner in shock. He then glared at Xena as he bent down and picked up his falling teammates weapon. Kicking him slightly to make sure that he was dead, which he was. He then looked at Xena who stood across from him.
AXE WIELDER
You got lucky bitch. But now play times over.
He clenched his weapon tightly as he ran at Xena. Xena waited for him to swing right for her, but was taken of guard when he quickly turned and swung the axe around her at her back. Xena dropped down just in time. It was so close that Xena could hear the sound of the axe blade scrape up against the back of her armor as she dropped. Once on the ground Xena attempted to sweep out his leg. But was unable when he stomped on her ankle. Xena winced in pain as he held her in place with his foot. He raised his axe as he prepared to bury it into Xena's flesh. Xena quickly began using her free leg to kick at him. But his armor protected him from her strikes. He then stomped his other foot into Xena's injured midsection. She yelled as she tried to push his boot off of her. He just gave her an evil smile as he raised his axe above his head. He then roared as he swung the axe down towards Xena who was unable to go anywhere. Just before the blade made contact Xena turned her body to the side causing the axe to just barely miss her. Then before the axe user could stand back up straight Xena quickly reached out and grabbed him pulling him to the ground as she wrapped her arm around his neck as tight as she could. Him being pulled forward freed Xena's leg that he had been stepping on. So as he tried to get up Xena wrapped both her legs around him and made it so when he tried to stand he had to pull all of Xena up with him and in the position he was in that was easier said than done. Xena wrenched on his neck as the axe user struggled to breathe. Xena could hear he could still breathe a little and adjusted her grip so she completely cut off his air supply. He began franticly punching at her injured ribs in an attempt to get Xena to let go. The pain made Xena momentarily lossen her grip but then she got mad wrenched on his neck even harder. She could hear him gag as she continued to put more pressure on his neck. He franticly squirmed as he tried to get free. Xena continued to apply more pressure as the crowd was going crazy in the stands. Finally Xena gave one more yanking, twisting motion and heard a small crack as her opponent suddenly went limp in her grasp. Xena breathe heavily as she finally released her hold on the man's now broken neck. She groaned in pain as she pushed the lifeless body of her opponent off of her. She slowly sat up clenching her side as she took a much needed breather. Meanwhile Gabrielle was both relieved and ecstatic in the crowd as she watched Xena pull off the impressive victory as only Xena could.
GABRIELLE
She did it! She did it!
Xena sat there for a few moments before fighting to get to her feet. She looked up at where Tobias was watching and to say that he didn't look happy was an understatement. Xena watched as he abruptly stood from his seat and stormed off. As he left Xena couldn't help but wonder what he was going to have in store for her when she went back inside. She was not in any condition to really fight much more at the moment so if he had his guards attack her when she went back, Xena wouldn't stand a chance like this. But there wasn't much she could do but hope she could somehow talk her way out of this. Xena spotted Gabrielle in the crowd and smiled and nodded slightly at her as she slowly turned and walked back out of the arena. As Xena walked out, Gabrielle moved through the crowd to leave and find Xena outside. Xena staggered down the hallway and leaned against the wall to keep herself up. She stopped when she heard Tobias's voice and looked up to see him standing in front of her with a couple of his guards behind him.
TOBIAS
You actually won. Even in your condition, impressive.
Xena looked between the guards as she tried to figure out how she was going to get out of this.
XENA
Master Tobias I.
TOBIAS
Silence.
He looked at Xena's condition and listened to the crowd outside as they were still cheering for the incredible victory they just witnessed.
TOBIAS
I sincerely hope you've learned your lesson to know your place and to not interfere with things that don't concern you.
XENA
Yes Master Tobias.
TOBIAS
Good girl.
Tobias turned and began to walk away.
TOBIAS
Guards take her to her room.
He stopped for a moment as he looked back at Xena as his guards grabbed her.
TOBIAS
Oh and Gabriella if you ever pull another stunt like you did earlier, what happened to you today will pale in comparison to the pain you will experience should there be a next time.
Xena didn't say anything as Tobias walked away leaving his guards to drag Xena to her room. The guards opened the door and shoved the beaten and battered Xena inside as they slammed the door behind her and locked it. Having her armor removed before she was brought back to her room Xena layed there on the cold floor in the ordinary clothes she had been wearing while there. Though her whole body hurt, especially her midsection Xena managed to get up and make it to her bed. She layed there for a bit until she heard voices outside her door.
GUARD
It's late and she's already had her fight today so I don't think it's wise for her trainer to see her right now.
GABRIELLE
(Lying) I was told I could by Tobias himself. He wants me to inspect his investment after today's brutal fight. You know make sure that the goods aren't permanently damaged.
GUARD
Well if the boss says you can see her I won't stop you.
The guard unlocked the door and let Gabrielle in. She was carrying a small bucket of water and a cloth as she turned to the guard.
GABRIELLE
Leave us.
The guard nodded as he shut and locked the door behind her. Once she heard him walking away, Gabrielle ran over to Xena and put down what she was holding as she knelt down beside her bed as Xena slowly sat up.
GABRIELLE
Xena are you okay?
XENA
(Sarcasm) Never better. Why do you ask?
Gabrielle didn't find Xena's comment amusing one bit and let the expression on her face show it. Xena sighed realizing that she should've figured that now was not the time for her to be trying to joke with Gabrielle.
XENA
I'm okay.
Gabrielle sat next to Xena on her bed as she gently took Xena's face in her hands and looked at her cut and bruised face, arms and legs knowing full well that Xena hadn't gotten all of them during her fight earlier.
GABRIELLE
What happened Xena? I thought Tobias might've found out who you really are, but then he probably would've just tried to straight up have you killed. So what happened today.
Xena explained that she had stopped Tobias from forcing himself on a girl as she was being lead out to the arena. Gabrielle figured out the rest from there knowing that he wouldn't take kindly to one of his slaves doing something like that. Xena and Gabrielle talked quietly as Gabrielle cleaned the dried blood off Xena's face.
GABRIELLE
Xena you know that now he's probably gonna be watching you closely.
XENA
I know.
GABRIELLE
I think now might be a good time to consider a change of plans.
XENA
No I don't think that's a good idea.
GABRIELLE
Xena you can't seriously still want to stick with this undercover plan. How do you expect to do anything now? Tobias really isn't going to let his guard down around you now.
XENA
Sure he will. I just need to get back into his good graces.
GABRIELLE
How?
XENA
Don't worry I think I figured out his weakness. Now I just need to use it.
GABRIELLE
What would that weakness be?
XENA
Well actually there's two that I'm gonna use. But...
GABRIELLE
But what?
XENA
You're really not going to like what I have planned.
GABRIELLE
(Annoyed tone) I haven't liked this plan since before it started how much worse can it be?
Xena looked off knowing that Gabrielle was going to absolutely hate the idea Xena came up with.
XENA
I'm gonna have to get alot closer to Tobias in order for me to really exploit this weakness.
Gabrielle already didn't like the way Xena was acting.
GABRIELLE
(Annoyed tone) What weakness Xena.
Xena seemed to spot something on the wall as she looked away from Gabrielle before she answered.
XENA
(Talking quietly) His libido.
Gabrielle's voice could be heard from down the hall after she heard what Xena said.
GABRIELLE
WHAT?!
TO BE CONTINUED...