Armed guards escorted Xena and Gabrielle towards the arena area. Stopping to allow Xena to put on her armor. Tobias had told them that it would add to the show if Xena looked like she could defend herself. After Xena was in her arena armor the guards took her to the arena and left her at the entrance. Meanwhile Gabrielle was being held captive near Tobias. He sat in his usual seat as Gabrielle was shackled to the floor by a chain that was attached to the cuffs around both of her wrist that were bound together. The chain wasn't very long so Gabrielle couldn't really go anywhere. It had just enough length to allow her to stand and move her arms slightly. Still she tried to pull on it in an effort to escape. Tobias laughed as he looked over at Gabrielle.
TOBIAS
Don't worry you'll get your turn soon enough.
GABRIELLE
You bastard if you think Xena's gonna go down this easily you really don't know who you're dealing with.
TOBIAS
Is that so? Well let me tell you something I know plenty about Xena. How she used to be one of the most feared warlords around. How her quest to conquer took her far and wide. That is until she grew a conscious and decided to run around Greece playing hero. Apparently with you. Who are you to her anyway? Her servant or sex slave or something?
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself annoyed) If I had a denar for every person who thought that at first.
(Annoyed tone) I'm not even dignifying that with a response.
TOBIAS
Fine with me. She'll be dead soon anyway.
GABRIELLE
You're wrong. Xena's faced worse than you and your goons. She'll beat your men and then you'll finally get what you deserve.
Tobias gave her a cocky smile.
TOBIAS
Oh please with the condition she's currently in, there's no way that even the all mighty Xena can survive what's in store for her.
The announcer called Xena out and she was shoved forward to get her moving. She slowly walked out into the arena. Still in chains. Her body hurt from the torture she had just endured. But Xena held her head high not wanting to give Tobias the satisfaction of seeing her pain. She saw where Tobias was sitting and spotted Gabrielle in shackles next to him. She gave Gabrielle a little smile as she tried to convince her that it was gonna be okay. Although Xena wasn't sure how just yet. But one thing was certain and that was that Xena was determined to do what she did best. And that was fight. Fight for herself, for Gabrielle, to free all the slaves being held there. And finally to stop this group of slavers and take Tobias down once and for all. Xena stood in the arena as she waited for her first opponent. Tobias rose from his seat to address the audience.
TOBIAS
Today we have a very special event for your viewing pleasure. The woman in the arena before you is one of the finest warriors of our time. While a number of you I'm sure have heard of her, for those who don't know who she is please allow me to introduce our latest runner of our thus far unbeatable gauntlet. The one and only, Xena, the warrior princess.
The crowd roared in a mix of cheers and boos at Xena's introduction. Tobias stood there smiling as he waited for the crowd to settle down enough to hear him speak. Once they did he continued.
TOBIAS
Now I'm sure that some of you have seen some of her work, or at the very least heard of it. I'm sure I don't have to tell you just how fortunate are we all to be able to witness the fall of this renowned woman. So without further adew please sit back and watch what will possibly be one of the greatest shows you will ever see. The death of Xena.
The crowd cheered as Tobias sat back down and gave the signal for the match to begin. Xena stood weaponless and injured as her first opponents entered the arena. It was two men. One with a sword and the other wielding a bow, with a quiver full of arrows on his back. Both were lightly armored. Xena watched both of them as she assessed her best option for beating them.
XENA
Okay let's get this show on the road.
The sword user charged for Xena as the bowman readied a shot. The sword user prepared to strike. Xena grabbed the swordsman's arm as he swung towards her, stopping the hit. Then she saw the bowman fire out of the corner of her eye. The arrow flew towards her. Xena waited for just the right moment then quickly reached up and caught the arrow before it hit. However the momentary distraction gave the sword user an opening. He swiftly kneed Xena in her midsection. She instinctively doubled over, then felt an elbow being driven into her back. Xena dropped to the ground. The sword user yelled as he plunged his blade down towards Xena. She moved out of the way as his sword struck the ground. Xena did her best to ignore the pain she was in as she sprung up, lunging at him and in one quick motion drove the arrow that she still had into the swordsman's neck. She yanked it back out making a good sized wound. The swordsman dropped his weapon as he quickly clutched his hand on his neck. Blood came pulsing from his neck with each heartbeat since Xena hit the artery. Xena dropped the arrow and grabbed his sword as he fell to his knees. She heard another arrow fly and moved out of the way, causing the arrow to hit the already dying swordsman. As it pierced his chest, he fell back and bleed out from his neck. Xena's focus then turned to the bowman who stood a good ways away from her. And with nothing to use as cover Xena knew that getting in close was going to be a fairly difficult task. Especially in her condition. Even so, she had to try. Xena picked up the sword on the ground as another arrow was sent towards her. She quickly rolled out of the way. Wincing in pain from the wounds on her back from being whipped not long ago. Xena forced herself to stand as she tried to ignore the pain. Yet another arrow came at her. Xena dodged it as she began running as best she could towards the bowman. She continued towards him as he sent arrow after arrow at her. He began to run as Xena got closer in an effort to keep some distance between them. However this caused his accuracy to suffer. So Xena had an easier time avoiding the projectiles as they came at her. Finally the bowman realized that fact and stopped running. He then took aim and shot multiple arrows in rapid succession. Xena dodged, caught or avoided multiple arrows as they flew her way. But her injuries made her slower than normal and she was unable to avoid everything as an arrow hit her in the leg. Gabrielle watched from where she was held as Xena was hit and fell to the ground. She pulled against her restraints as Tobias smiled at the whole situation.
GABRIELLE
No Xena.
Xena pushed herself up and broke the arrow, leaving the head in her leg. The bow user was now confident as he walked over to her. He readied his weapon as he came in close. However that proved to be a very big mistake on his part as Xena quickly chucked her sword at him. It buried into his stomach and he fell. Xena made it to her feet and looked up at Tobias.
XENA
Is that the best you've got you bastard?!
Tobias stood as he looked down at Xena.
TOBIAS
Oh no. You've only just begun.
TO BE CONTINUED...