The sound of rushing water carried through the air as Xena held her chakrum ready. She kept a close eye on every move Valassca made who still held Gabrielle hostage. Valassca pressed the dagger tightly against Gabrielle's throat as she watched Xena.
XENA
End this now Valassca.
VALASSCA
You make one wrong move and she dies right here Xena.
Valassca looked at Xena's hand that held her chakrum.
VALASSCA
Go ahead, throw it. But are you confident that it can reach me before I slit her throat?
Xena glared at Valassca as the stand off between the two continued.
VALASSCA
I suggest you drop your weapon now or else.
Gabrielle yelped as Valassca yanked her hair and pulled her head back further to make her point. Xena slowly began to lower her weapon to Valassca's pleasure.
VALASSCA
Good now put that and your sword on the ground.
Xena kept her gaze locked onto Valassca as she slowly crouched down and placed her chakrum on the ground. The she reached back, pulled out her sword and layed it at her feet as well.
VALASSCA
Now stand up and back away slowly.
Xena rose and began to step back. Valassca grinned as she began to walk, taking Gabrielle with her. Xena watched her as she slowly turned to track her. The tension hung thick in the air as Valassca slowly backed away with Gabrielle.
VALASSCA
(Angry tone) Come on you little bitch we're leaving.
XENA
No you're not.
Before Valassca knew what was happening Xena lept towards her chakrum. Grabbing it as she rolled up to one knee and launched it. Valassca instantly ducked as it came her way. But then realized it had flown way above her head. She looked back for a moment to see what Xena had actually thrown the projectile at. Then she heard Xena's battle cry and realized that the chakrum was only a distraction. She looked forward just as Xena had reached her and Gabrielle. In an instant Xena kicked up her boot and knocked the dagger from Valassca's hand before Valassca had time to react. The dagger hit the rocks and slid out of reach. Valassca backed away from Xena as Gabrielle then elbowed Valassca's ribs causing the Amazon's to throw her to the ground in anger.
VALASSCA
(Angry tone) Damn you Gabrielle, you sneaky little...
Valassca's focus was quickly drawn back to Xena when she felt Xena's fist connect with the side of her face. Valassca glared back at Xena as she threw her own punch. Hitting Xena in her stomach. Then she followed up with another shot across Xena's jaw. Xena stepped back as she shook off the hit. The two stood there for a moment before Valassca drew her own sword. She swung at Xena who dodged and made a mad dash for her own blade. Xena dove and rolled, grabbing her sword and holding it up just in time to block the swing from Valassca as the sword came down at her. Xena shoved Valassca back as she got up and turned to face her.
VALASSCA
I should've figured I wouldn't be able to avoid fighting you.
XENA
What's wrong Valassca not happy with fighting someone whose actually ready for you?
Valassca didn't say anything as she raced in and swung at Xena who blocked and retaliated with a swing of her own blade. Valassca moved out of the way and thrust her sword forward. Xena turned her weapon and deflected the attack as Valassca's sword slid along Xena's before being pushed away. Valassca spun and swung at Xena's back. Xena reached up over her head with her sword and blocked the attack from behind. Xena then pushed Valassca off and kicked her foot back knocking Valassca's leg from under her. As Valassca dropped to one knee Xena spun around with another kick. Valassca put up her arm and blocked the hit aimed at her head. She then sent her blade forward. Xena moved and avoided being stabbed but not enough as the sword still managed to cut into her side. Xena yelled in pain and kicked Valassca back. Xena momentarily held her side, then looked at the hand to see how badly she was bleeding. Seeing that she could keep fighting Xena came back with another angry swing. Valassca dodged and immediately kicked Xena in her injured side causing Xena to drop to a knee. Before she could recover Xena felt Valassca's boot connect with her face. Xena was knocked back and felt the hand she had put down to catch herself with slip off the slick surface of the rocks causing her to fall over the side of the cliff. Gabrielle watched in horror as Xena disappeared over the ledge.
GABRIELLE
No Xena!
Valassca stepped forward and peered over the edge of the waterfall. She smiled to herself when she saw no sign of Xena. She then turned to Gabrielle and began walking towards her.
VALASSCA
Oh no Gabrielle now what will you do without Xena to fight your battles for you?
GABRIELLE
...Xena...
Gabrielle backed away from Valassca as she managed to stand.
VALASSCA
Oh don't worry Gabrielle you'll be seeing Xena again soon enough. So why don't you just make it easy for both of us and pass on your rights as queen to me and I'll send you to join Xena in the afterlife.
GABRIELLE
(Bitter tone) Never.
Valassca reached Gabrielle who had backed into the side of the cliff. She stared down menacingly at Gabrielle as she sensed her victory finally drawing near.
VALASSCA
Fine with me since I'm killing you either way.
Gabrielle gasped as Valassca grabbed her by her throat and began to choke her. Gabrielle gripped Valassca's wrist as she tried to pry her hand off her neck. But Valassca's grip was too strong and Gabrielle was to injured and didn't have the strength to escape. While she felt Valassca continue to squeeze Gabrielle began to panic as tried to force air into her lungs. Gabrielle flailed as she try to get Valassca off her.
VALASSCA
(Sinister tone) Long live the new queen.
While in her panicked state Gabrielle happened to grab at the cliff behind her. As she did Gabrielle noticed she had grabbed something. Her eyes looked over and saw a loose piece of rock. After quickly getting a better grip and before Valassca could notice, Gabrielle took the chunk of rock and smashed it into the side of Valassca's head. Gabrielle gasped and coughed, catching her breath as Valassca let go and went down. Gabrielle stood there for a moment as she looked down at Valassca unsure if she was alive. Finally Valassca began to stir. Valassca looked up at Gabrielle who held the rock ready if Valassca went to attack her.
VALASSCA
What are you gonna do Gabrielle, kill me?
GABRIELLE
Even after everything you've done, you're not worth it Valassca, I'm not a killer.
Gabrielle lowered her hand.
GABRIELLE
You'll be put on trial for your crimes and punished according to amazon law. Now I have to go find Xena. You have better pray to the god's that she's okay.
Gabrielle dropped the rock as she turned away and started hurrying towards where Xena had fallen.
GABRIELLE
Xena, Xena can you hear me?
Gabrielle reached the ledge and was about to look over the side when she was struck from behind. Gabrielle felt a sharp pain in the back of her head as she fell. She tried to get up as Valassca walked around her holding the rock Gabrielle had dropped.
VALASSCA
I knew you were too weak to finish me off when you had the chance. So tell me Gabrielle, any last words?
XENA
Funny I was about to ask you that very same question.
VALASSCA
What?!
Valassca turned around just in time to look Xena in the eye as Xena burried her sword into Valassca's stomach.
VALASSCA
..uughg...
Xena sneered as she gave her blade a twist while it was still in Valassca before yanking it out. Valassca grabbed at her wound as she coughed up blood and staggered past Xena. Gabrielle slowly got to her hands and knees as Xena turned around. Both looked on as Valassca tried to stumble away before losing her footing near the rocks ledge and falling over the edge. Xena slowly walked over and looked down. After a moment she saw the water below beginning to turn red. She looked back at Gabrielle who had managed to stand.
GABRIELLE
Xena?
Xena sheathed her weapons and walked over to Gabrielle.
XENA
Come on let's get down from here.
Xena carefully began helping Gabrielle climb down the cliff to the village below. As Gabrielle hoped that it was over.
TO BE CONTINUED...