With a number of his men guarding him, Tobias gave the order to attack Xena and Gabrielle. The two fought off their attackers as they came at them. Xena quickly disarmed the first guard that came at her. Kicking him in the stomach and dropping her elbow into the back of his neck when he doubled over from the kick. Once he fell to the floor, xena grabbed the sword that he dropped and drove the blade into his back as he layed at her feet. As another guard charged her, Xena changed the direction of her blade and swung upwards, slicing up his torso. He fell dead as another came at her and felt the blade plunge into his stomach. Xena shoved him off her sword. Two more guards came at her but were stopped when Gabrielle jumped in kicking both of them to the floor. A guard raised his weapon to strike Gabrielle from behind, and she quickly ducked out of the way as he swung. Moving quickly, she got behind him and kicked out the back of his knee causing him to drop. Gabrielle looked to her side and saw a vase. She picked it up and broke it over the guards head, knocking him out. Suddenly Gabrielle was grabbed from behind by a guard, trapping her arms at her sides. She stomped on his foot, then used both of her feet to push off the wall in front of her. The guard and Gabrielle fell back, but she rolled right over to her feet, stood up and kicked him in the side of his head, taking him out. During all this Tobias watched as the two women took out guard after guard. Becoming madder with each one that fell.
TOBIAS
You worthless pieces of garbage! How hard is it to kill two people?! What the fuck am I paying you for?!
A guard yelled as he ran at Xena, she threw a punch to his face. Breaking his nose as blood ran down his face. While he backed away Xena swung her sword and sliced his throat. He grabbed his neck as the crimson flowed and he dropped. More guards came at her and Xena stabbed one in the chest, yanked out the blood covered blade out as she used her foot to push him back. She raised her sword above her head as she heard a guard behind her and blocked his attack. The guard then felt a pain in his head as he was suddenly hit. He fell to the side, crashing to the floor as Gabrielle finished her swing. Just as he fell, Xena lunged passed Gabrielle and thrust her sword into a guards stomach who was about to attack Gabrielle behind her back. Gabrielle ran towards a group of their attackers and in one swift movement picked up a spear a guard dropped and while holding it sideways she jumped at them and came down on them with the pole pressed against their throats as they fell. She then hopped up and struck all of them in the head, incapacitating them. The more of his men fell, the more enraged Tobias became. He yelled for more guards and watched as Xena and Gabrielle fought them off.
TOBIAS
I will not allow just two women to take everything that I've spent years building for myself. Now get rid of them!
As he spoke two more were dropped, one by Xena and the other by Gabrielle. Blood pooled on the floor as bodies fell one after another. Xena yelled as she drove her sword into a guards back as she kicked another away from her. Pulling the blade out he fell as Xena turned while swinging the sword in an arch over her head and brought it down, slicing into another man that was coming up behind her. Gabrielle dodged a guard that ran at her. She then kicked him in his stomach and when he bent forward, she drove her knee into his face. He staggered back into Xena who cut him down. Xena and Gabrielle's battle continued. They fought off all the guards that came at them. Taking out anyone who came their way. That is until Gabrielle heard Xena let out a painful yell. She turned to see Tobias standing there with his back facing her. She watched as Xena came into view as she fell.
GABRIELLE
No!
Gabrielle dodged a guard that came at her. She grabbed the sword from his hand as she shoved him away and launched her right for Tobias. He laughed as he turned around holding a bloody dagger in his hand.
TOBIAS
I did it. I'm the one who finally killed that bitch Xena. Oh think of all the money and fame I'll get once I start to spread word. People will remember me for this. My influence will grow as my empire spreads far and wi.. ugh...
Tobias was cut off mid rant as Gabrielle drove the sword into his stomach.
GABRIELLE
The only thing you're going to be remembered for is being an evil, slave pushing coward.
Gabrielle let go of the sword as Tobias sunk to his knees. The guards stopped attacking as Tobias fell forward onto the handle, pushing the blade deeper as he died. Gabrielle quickly knelt down beside Xena who layed on her stomach as she bled. She put pressure on the wound as she tried to stop the bleeding. She was to concerned about Xena to realize that the guards had stopped attacking. Though that fact didn't go unnoticed by Xena as she layed there. She got Gabrielle's attention, who then also saw that the guards were now just standing around.
GABRIELLE
Why aren't you still attacking us?
On of the guards told the that with Tobias dead, they weren't getting paid. So there wasn't any reason for them to keep fighting. Gabrielle looked down at Xena as she tried to stop the bleeding. Then she looked up at the guards.
GABRIELLE
Once of you hurry and go get water, bandages, a needle and thread from the infermery.
After a guard questioned why he should Gabrielle told him she'd pay him. Money seemed to be what the guards valued most so Gabrielle used that. The guard decided that was good enough for him as he left to get the things Gabrielle told him to get. Xena then spoke to the rest of the remaining guards there.
XENA
The rest of you gather up the other guards and take all the slaves to the arena.
One of the guards asked why they should listen to them. Gabrielle glared at the guard.
GABRIELLE
Because if you don't I'll kill you myself.
Knowing how many guards were already killed by them, the rest of guards decided that it wasn't worth it and left to do as they were told. Not long after the guard that went to get the medical supplies came back. Luckily due to being around Xena for so long, Gabrielle knew exactly how to stitch her up. After Xena's wound was cleaned, closed up and bandaged, Gabrielle helped her stand. Before they headed out Gabrielle told another guard where she had been keeping Xena's weapons and armor hidden in the room she had been using and sent him to get Gabrielle helped Xena walk as they made their way to the arena one last time. Once there Xena and Gabrielle stood in the center as guards finished escorting the slavers. One of the guards walked over and placed a sack at Xena's feet. Gabrielle peeked inside and saw all of Xena's stuff. Once the confused slaves were seated and quieted down Gabrielle spoke.
GABRIELLE
The days of you fearing that monster known as Tobias is over. He'll never be able to harm anyone ever again. And now all of you are free. There will be carts and horses waiting outside to take you all back home. I know that going back to a normal life will be difficult as some of you have been slaves most or all your lives. But trust me while it's not always easy, a life of freedom is far better than what you've been forced to endure here.
Xena spoke up next.
XENA
And there's no need to fear the guards. Their loyalties lay with getting paid. And with Tobias gone I've seized control over his wealth. That being said the guards have been instructed to safely escort you to the wagons waiting for you.
GABRIELLE
Also as you leave you'll be giving some coin to help you start over.
Xena and Gabrielle stood before a stunned audience. The people couldn't believe that they truly were finally free. Xena smiled at the crowd.
XENA
Well what are you just sitting there for? It's time for all of you to get out of here.
Slowly people began to stand up. Xena slightly learned on Gabrielle, still feeling the pain from the,multiple injuries she sustained from their time there as they watched the now freed slaves started to file out of the arena.
GABRIELLE
What about all the slavers who come here to buy new slaves?
XENA
Unfortunately they come from all over. So tracking all of them down would be impossible. I'm sure word about Tobias's death will spread and they'll have to go somewhere else to find their source of slaves. Which I have no doubt that they will.
Gabrielle sighed a little.
GABRIELLE
It's just sad that there's still so many awful people like Tobias out there preying on people like the way he did.
Xena pulled Gabrielle's head close and placed a little kiss on her forehead.
XENA
I know how you feel. But don't forget that what we did here made a big difference. We gave alot of people back their lives. Some of which have probably never even known freedom at all. Plus without a steady supply of people I'm sure at least some slave buyers will just give up on searching for a new source to buy from. Slave owners tend to be lazy, so some will most likely find it easier just to go back to doing things for themselves instead of going through the hassle of finding a new slave trader.
GABRIELLE
I guess you have a point.
Xena smiled.
XENA
Now I don't know about you, but I'm sick of looking at this place. Come on there's one more thing we gotta do before we leave.
GABRIELLE
What's that?
XENA
Well I'm pretty sure at some point I promised to burn this place to the ground.
GABRIELLE
You are a woman of your word.
XENA
Indeed.
After all the people were evacuated Xena and Gabrielle stood up on a hill overlooking the compound as hungry flames engulfed the area. They watched as the carts carried the people away from the nightmare that they had been living, towards their new lives. Xena smiled as she saw the last of the carts go by.
GABRIELLE
Xena you should come sit down and rest. Dinners almost done. Plus you really should be resting right now.
Giving one last look, Xena turned away as she went and sat down beside Gabrielle by the campfire that they had set up for the night.
GABRIELLE
So I bet you're glad you're done with that arena and gauntlet.
Xena shrugged casually.
XENA
Eh when you think about it, life's kind of one long gauntlet anyway so it wasn't too big of a deal.
Gabrielle smirked as she shook her head.
GABRIELLE
(Sarcasm) You always have such a fun way of looking at things you know that.
Xena sniled.
XENA
(Joking) Oh yeah.
GABRIELLE
Well in that case what's up next in this gauntlet of ours then Xena?
XENA
Who knows. But whatever we get thrown at us doesn't stand a chance.
Xena playfully winked at Gabrielle who smiled as she leaned her head on Xena's shoulder.
GABRIELLE
Oh yeah.
As a blanket of darkness fell onto the sky above and the day ended, so did Xena and Gabrielle's mission to put an end to a slave empire. Knowing that the people they helped were now as free as they were to run their own gauntlets known as life.
THE END ❤️