Gabrielle used the wall of the cave as support as she now found herself left to defend herself against Celine after just having had her staff broken in half by the crazed amazon. Xena was still trying to get out of her restraints, becoming increasingly frustrated with herself for having not been able to already. Seeing the state Gabrielle was currently in Xena knew that she had to get free quickly before it was too late. She yelled at Celine who simply ignored Xena's demands and pleas for her to stop as she continued to stalk Gabrielle as if she were a wounded wild animal that was about to take down its prey. Gabrielle tried to get away as Celine grabbed her and shoved her back against the cave wall. Celine then let out an angery yell as she swung Xena's sword. Gabrielle moved just in time causing the steel to scrape against the rocks as Celine's attack missed. She attempted to put some distance between them when Celine quickly followed up with another attack. She swung the blade at Gabrielle again. This time catching Gabrielle in the arm. Gabrielle yelled as she felt her skin get sliced open. She stumbled away as she gripped her arm, feeling the blood beginning to flow down the limb. Celine was right behind as Gabrielle continued trying to escape her wrath.
CELINE
Just accept your fate Gabrielle. Don't make me chase you.
Gabrielle moved along the wall as fast as she could while Celine stood watching her attempt to get away. She scowled as quickly caught up to her grabbing Gabrielle's hair from behind. Gabrielle yelled as she threw back her elbow into Celine's face causing her to let go. Celine sneered as she swung the sword. Gabrielle yelled as the blade cut her back and she fell. As she layed on the ground Gabrielle winced while she tried to crawl away. However her path of escape was blocked as Celine casually walked in front of her and aimed the point of the sword barely inches from Gabrielle's face.
CELINE
Where do you think you're going?
Ever defyent in the face of her enemies, which Gabrielle was finding she had apparently accumulated far more than she could have ever anticipated, Gabrielle looked up at Celine with a scowl on her blood covered face.
GABRIELLE
If you're gonna kill me just do it already. But it won't do anything to bring your mother back.
Celine looked down at her with a hateful expression on her face.
CELINE
If you're exspecting mery from me you won't find any. I told you I want you and Xena to suffer.
Celine then pulled back and swiftly kicked Gabrielle in the face. Gabrielle grabbed at her face as Celine walked around her and drove her boot into Gabrielle's ribs. Gabrielle cried out as she rolled over and curled up holding her side. She then felt Celine's foot forcefully connect with her back. Gabrielle arched in pain as Celine brought her boot down on her opposite side from the ribs she had kicked just moments ago that were now exposed. Gabrielle's cries echoed throughout the cave as Celine repeatedly stomped and kicked various parts of her body. Her back, stomach, chest, arms, legs all felt the wrath of Celine's assault.
XENA
Gabrielle!
Xena continued her efforts to break free from the ties that held her captive, preventing her from coming to Gabrielle's defense. In her attempts, out of the corner of her eye Xena noticed a stone on the ground not to far from her. She glanced at Kai who was standing a few feet from her happily watching the brutal beating Gabrielle was enduring. Attempting to not draw attention to herself Xena carefully moved her foot towards the small stone to retrieve it. Though focusing on the task was proving difficult as Xena's attention was repeatedly drawn to Gabrielle as she heard her cries of agony. Making Xena more and more desperate to get to her. After continuing to ruthlessly beat Gabrielle for a bit longer, Celine stood over Gabrielle's broken and battered body.
CELINE
You know I'm getting kinda bored here. Maybe I should just kill you and be done with it.
Gabrielle winced as Celine kicked her once more before standing there contemplating what she should do next. She looked at the sword in her hand as she considered just plunging it into Gabrielle's chest. Or possibly using it to slit her throat and simply watch as she chocked on her own blood while simultaneously bleeding out. A verity of sick and twisted methods of killing Gabrielle made their way through Celine's warped mind. Each one some how even more depraved than the last. All the while Gabrielle layed at her feet barely moving. The act of simply breathing had become labored and painful. She was also finding it extremely difficult to maintain consciousness. As a part of her wanted to do nothing more than close her eyes and slip into deaths painless embrace. Meanwhile Xena had managed to covertly reach the stone she had spotted and dragged it to her under her boot. She stood still with the stone hidden when Kai looked her way. Xena gave her fierce and hateful glare that got a smug smirk in return.
KAI
(Mocking tone) What's wrong Xena not enjoying the show?
Xena didn't say anything, though the look she gave Kai said more than enough. Kai chuckled to herself as she resumed watching. Gabrielle's struggle against Celine. Giving Xena the opportunity she needed to secretly maneuver the stone so she could get herself free. She stealthily slid her foot back and up the cave wall. Dragging the stone with it. Careful not to make too much noise or move too quickly. But still fast enough since she knew that she needed to hurry and get to Gabrielle. As she worked the stone up to where she could reach Xena heard Gabrielle cry out again. Xena instinctively looked towards Gabrielle who was on the ground. The distraction caused the stone to slip and fall back to the cave floor. Xena growled to herself as she looked at Kai to see if she noticed anything and was relieved that she apparently hadn't. Xena then looked back down at the stone as she thought of a better way to get a hold of it. She quickly examined her surroundings and did a few brief mental calculations before giving the stone a swift, hard kick. Sending it flying into a nearby rock where it ricocheted off and hit a stalagmite. From there it bounced upwards to a stalagtite that hung from the ceiling of the cave. It then flew, hit a wall and bounced off that too. It continued its flight through the air until it hit the palm of Xena's open, waiting hand. She quickly clasped her hand closed concealing the stone when Kai thought she saw something fly by her. Xena scowled at her before looking away. Kai's attention was quickly drawn back to Gabrielle's cries that were becoming weaker as she faded in and out of consciousness.
KAI
Too bad it doesn't seem like Gabrielle's gonna last much longer.
Xena knew that Kai was actually right about that and she needed to get to her fast. So with Kai distracted with watching the horrific scene, Xena hastily monuvered the relatively sharp stone in her hand and begin trying to quickly yet quietly cut through the rope. As Xena silently worked on freeing herself Celine was still getting far too much enjoyment out of contemplating how she wanted to kill Gabrielle as she continued to beat her. Gabrielle layed on the ground as Celine kicked her again. She barely even whimpered as she felt the darkness threatening to claim her consciousness. Celine finally settled on simply impaling Gabrielle on Xena's sword would be a suitable way of killing her. She took a firm hold of the blade and turned it so the point of the sword was facing down and raised it above her head with both hands.
CELINE
Goodbye Gabrielle. I hope you rot in Tartarus forever for what you and Xena have done.
Celine was just about to sink the blade deep into Gabrielle's flesh when she paused, hearing something that caught her attention. She looked over towards the sound that was baby Aurora crying. She looked at the child in the distance for a moment before a purely evil thought entered her mind. She lowered the sword as she looked down at Gabrielle.
CELINE
Actually I just got a better idea. Before I finish you. I'm gonna give both you and Xena a taste of what it's like to have someone you love be killed.
Celine turned away and began walking towards Aurora.
GABRIELLE
(Weakly) No.
Gabrielle desperately reached out and grabbed at Celine's ankle to stop her. Celine looked down and effortlessly pulled out of Gabrielle's grasp. As she continued towards the crying baby. Xena sped up her attempt to cut through the rope as she saw Celine moving towards her and Gabrielle's child. Kai just watched as Celine made her way towards her new target. Though barely conscious Gabrielle's material instincts seemed to force her body to move as she tried to get up and stop Kai before she could harm her child. But with Kai ahead of her, Gabrielle barely able to move, and Xena still trying to escape her bindings, there was barely any hope that either of them would make it in time to prevent Celine from killing their child.
TO BE CONTINUED…