A wounded Xena stood in the middle of the arena as she awaited her next opponents in the gauntlet. While Gabrielle looked on, still held by chains beside Tobias. She pulled against her restraints as she tried to get free.
TOBIAS
Oh just stop struggling already. You're not getting out of those chains. So just sit back and watch as Xena hopelessly fights for her life.
Gabrielle didn't respond as she continued to try to get free. Xena took what time she could to rest as she tried to push the pain she felt out of her mind. She watched the arena entrance as her next opponent came into view as they entered the arena. While most of Xena's opponents thus far had been on the larger side, except for the bowman she had just fought. This opponent was a smaller woman. She walked slowly towards Xena, stopping a few feet from her as she smirked at her. Xena watched as she drew two good sized daggers from their sheaths at her sides and held them blade down as then took on a more serious look. She kept her distance as she began to walk around Xena, seemingly assessing her opponent as she prepared for her turn to try and take out Xena. Xena could tell that this opponent seemed to be more strategic than the others.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) A battle of wits huh? If think I can't do strategy, you're in for a rude awakening.
Xena stood still as she kept an eye on the woman who was walking around her in a large circle. Little by little she began to close in. Xena waited for her to make her move. Just when the woman got close Xena watched as she suddenly reached into a small pouch behind her that was attached to her belt. Before Xena had time to figure out what she was doing, the woman threw out a small item. As it hit the ground it burst into smoke. As the smoke surrounded her, Xena tried to sense where the woman was going to attack from. Then she noticed a shadow falling over her. Xena looked up to see the woman coming down from above. She quickly blocked with her sword as the woman struck with one blade. As the woman landed, she attacked with her second dagger. Xena caught her arm before she hit. The woman wasted no time as she jumped up and used both feet to kick Xena in her midsection. Xena let go she she backed off in pain. She saw the woman flip backwards in midair and land crouched on the ground. Then the woman quickly spring forward towards Xena as Xena prepared to mount some of her own offense. Xena swung her sword. The woman used her dagger to block as she continued forward, sliding up Xena's blade as she thrust her second dagger towards Xena's face. Xena moved her head as the blade grazed her cheek, leaving a small cut. Xena used her free hand to grab her arm as she pushed the dagger she blocked back. Xena went to strike when the woman kicked Xena's sword hand and knocked the weapon out of her grasp. Then the woman attempted to strike again. Xena ducked and used the arm she was still holding to flip the woman to the ground. The woman landed on her back behind Xena but sprung right back up as she swung backwards. Xena felt the blade cut into her already battered back. Xena staggered forward as the pain of the fresh cut was added to the pain she was already experiencing. Feeling the woman going for another attack, Xena moved out of the way as the woman was lunging for her. As the woman went past her, Xena swiftly grabbed her from behind and with no weapons in her immediate reach she thought fast as she jabbed her fingers into the woman's neck cutting off the blood from getting to her brain. Xena let the woman go as she walked over to pick up the sword she had been using. Tobias angerly stood up and he watched the woman drop to the ground.
TOBIAS
What the fuck was that?!
Gabrielle gave him a smug smile.
GABRIELLE
It looks to me like Xena's done with your games.
TOBIAS
Fine, if she's so good let's see how she does against this.
Gabrielle watched as Tobias picked up a large red piece of fabric and waved it in the air. Then she heard the sound of a loud horn. She watched as the crowd began to go crazy.
GABRIELLE
What's going on?
TOBIAS
Oh you'll see.
Xena looked around as she also wondered what Tobias was up to now. Then she saw multiple enemies coming through the entrance. Gabrielle eyes went wide as she saw Xena's odds of survival just go down drastically.
GABRIELLE
Xena!
Gabrielle began fighting harder to get out of her restraints. Tobias just laughed as he looked down at Xena. Xena watched as a group of five sword users came at her. She blocked one as he swung. Another came at her from another angle. Xena pushed the first person away and moved out of the way of the second. A third attacked from behind Xena held her sword above her head, blocking that swing as well. Thinking this position left her open as another of her attackers went right for Xena. She waited until he was close and kicked him away. But Xena didn't have time to react to the fifth man who was right behind the one she kicked. He lunged at Xena and plunged his blade into her stomach.
XENA
...ugh...
On reflex Xena thrust her sword into his chest. As he began to fall back both Xena's blade and the sword in Xena were dislodged from both bodies. As he hit the ground Gabrielle saw Xena clench her stomach. Then Xena was hit with the butt of a sword in the back of the head. Time seemed to slow down for Gabrielle as she watched Xena fall.
GABRIELLE
No Xena!
Gabrielle pulled hard against her shackles as she yelled.
TOBIAS
Would you shut up?
Tobias got up and smacked Gabrielle across the face. Not taking that laying down, Gabrielle kicked Tobias in his stomach. Then as he instantly bent forward, she sent another kick into his face. He backed off he yelled at his guards.
TOBIAS
You little bitch. Guards, teach her a lesson.
The few guards that were standing nearby went into action as they attacked. With her hands still in chains Gabrielle kicked away a couple of the guards. Then ducked as another came at her. She noticed the shackle keys on his waist and went to grab them, but stopped when the guard grabbed her instead. As Gabrielle fought to get free from his grip she stomped as hard as she could on his foot, kicked him in the shin and finally drove her knee right into his family jewels. He let Gabrielle go as he instantly held himself. Allowing Gabrielle to snatch the keys off his belt before kneeing him in the face. He fell back as Gabrielle began to unlock her wrists. Tobias was furious and as he drew a small dagger and lunged at Gabrielle. Getting one wrist free just in time, Gabrielle quickly threw back her elbow and hitting in the jaw. As Tobias backed off, Gabrielle quickly unlocked her other arm. Finally free she hastily looked for a fast way down into the actual arena. She saw a long banner hanging on the wall next to the seat area that she was in. Knowing she didn't have time to waste Gabrielle ran and hopped on to the balcony railing.
TOBIAS
You're not getting away from me!
Tobias jumped at Gabrielle. With no time and no other options, Gabrielle lept off the balcony and reached out for the banner. She flew the air and made it as she grabbed onto the fabric. Gabrielle glared back at Tobias for a brief moment, wishing she could finish him off right then for all the horrible things he's done to innocent people. And more so for what he put Xena through. But Gabrielle knew that right at that moment Xena needed her help and that took priority over beating the living daylights out of Tobias. As much as she wanted to. So ignoring Tobias for the time being, Gabrielle slid down to the end of the banner and then dropped the rest of the way to the ground.
GABRIELLE
Xena!
During Gabrielle's escape, Xena was still fighting. Though she appeared to be loosing ground and loosing it fast. Exhausted, injured and out numbered Xena began to take more hits. She felt a sword slice open her arm. Xena quickly turned and pushed her attacker away. Another came at her from behind. Xena moved out of the way as she spun and swung her sword. But the sword user used the metal wrist guard to block. He then shoved Xena back and in one quick movement thrust his sword forward. Xena reached up to grab his wrist, but since he was a good amount bigger than Xena she couldn't fully stop his momentum. At least not in her current condition anyway. He then used his free arm to knock Xena back. He kicked her to the ground. Xena tried to get up but felt a pain in her side as the sword user ran up and kicked her in the ribs. She felt the air get driven out of her as she clenched her slide. Feeling the blood from her stomach wound on her arm. Xena looked up as she heard Gabrielle's voice calling to her. She saw her across the arena as she ran towards her. Then Xena saw her opponent's shadow as it loomed over her. Gabrielle saw Xena on the ground with an enemy standing over her. She ran as fast as she could to reach Xena as she watched the other fighter turn his blade so the point faced Xena as she layed on the ground. Xena looked back and Gabrielle couldn't do anything but run as the swordsman pulled back slightly and then drove his blade straight down at Xena.
GABRIELLE
No!
TO BE CONTINUED...