The sound of a baby's cry echoed through the cave as Xena desperately tried to cut herself free from the rope restraing her with the sharpened stone that she had managed to get a hold of. Though getting through the rope was taking longer than Xena liked. And with Gabrielle barely able to even move and Celine making her way towards Aurora, Xena was running out of time. She pulled against the rope but it was still too strong and wouldn't give.
XENA
(Angry tone) Celine you stay away from her! You hear me! If you lay a finger on my child the past crimes I've committed will pale in comparison to what I'll do to you and Kai!
Celine looked over at Xena for a moment as she smirked.
CELINE
You don't scare me Xena. Even if you do kill me, with Gabrielle and the baby gone you'll be left with nothing. I will have succeeded in my goal. So I can die happy knowing that you'll be completely miserable and broken for the rest of your life.
KAI
That works for me.
Xena yelled angerly pulling against the rope continued walking. Though her advance towards the crying baby was stopped when she felt something on her leg. Celine looked down seeing that Gabrielle had managed to crawl to her while she was distracted by Xena and had latched onto her with both hands.
GABRIELLE
I won't let you touch Aurora.
Gabrielle was breathing heavy as everything in her body screamed in pain. She was barely able to move or maintain consciousness as she bleed from multiple places but she refused to give anything less than everything she had. Driven by nothing more than the sheer desire and desperation to protect her daughter.
CELINE
(Angry tone) You just don't know when to quit do you?
Celine angerly used her free foot to stomp on Gabrielle. Gabrielle yelled but didn't let go. Celine drove her boot down again. Gabrielle still refused to release her. Celine stomped on her again and again as Gabrielle cried out. Xena's escape efforts continued as she finally felt her making headway. But she was still becoming more than impatient with how long it was taking to cut herself lose.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) Come on damn it. Why's this taking so long? What in Tartarus is this rope made of?
Fnally after everything Gabrielle had endured she simply didn't have the strength left to retain her hold on Celine as the Amazon yanked her leg free from Gabrielle's grip. In desperation Gabrielle tried to reach out and regain her hold but Celine stepped out of reach.
GABRIELLE
No, no please don't.
Total fear took over as Gabrielle watched Celine make her way to Aurora. Picking up Xena's sword as she walked. Celine looked down into the basket where the baby layed.
CELINE
Oh look at you.
She unfolded the blanket that was covering the baby as all Xena and Gabrielle could feel was pure dread and fear as they saw Celine with their child.
CELINE
Let's get you out of this basket so your mother's can get a good view.
Celine placed the blade aside as she picked up Aurora and held her as she threw the basket aside. She then moved so that both Gabrielle and Xena had a clear view of their child as she layed her down on the rock where the basket had sat. Celine stood there for a moment looking down at the baby with her face completely devoid of any emotion.
CELINE
It's truly unfortunate that you happened to have been born to two people who don't deserve to have anything good in their lives. But don't worry I'll be sure to make it fast. I want them to suffer not you.
Celine stood over Aurora as she picked up the sword again. She looked at the weapon for a moment as she made certain it was good and sharp. She then looked back down at the baby as she raised the blade above her head and gripped the handle with both hands as she aimed the point of the sword down towards Aurora. Both Xena and Gabrielle's eyes widened in absolute fear as they saw Celine about to kill their child.
XENA
Aurora!
GABRIELLE
No!
With nothing more than the pure desire to protect her child driving her, Gabrielle's tortured body seemed to move on it's own. As she didn't think about how able to stand, let alone move as fast as she did. Everything felt like a blur as sheer adrenaline and instint took over. It all happened so fast that Xena couldn't believe what she was seeing. Neither could kai. As they witnessed Gabrielle some how finding herself running towards Celine. All that was going through her head was protecting Aurora. Celine's attention was drawn to Gabrielle who yelled. She looked on in utter shock that Gabrielle was moving the way she was. Before Gabrielle knew it she had thrown herself over Aurora shielding her from Celine as she stared defyently at the other Amazon.
GABRIELLE
I told you I won't let you hurt her.
CELINE
Unfortunately you won't be able to stop me. Especially if you're laying on the ground bleeding out.
Gabrielle's mouth hung open as she suddenly felt a sharp pain when Celine plunged the daggers blade into her chest. Xena felt as though her heart had stopped as she saw Gabrielle slowly slump over Celine's shoulder. She watched as Celine pushed Gabrielle off her blade and she dropped to the ground in a crumpled heap as her eyes closed. Xena stared for what felt like an eternity but was only a few seconds as Gabrielle layed there completely still. The cave then echoed with a loud yell as Xena pulled at the weakened rope with all her strength causing it to finally give way. Xena's sudden furious yell caught both Celine and Kai's attention. Though unfortunately for Kai, she was already within Xena's reach. And before she knew it Xena had grabbed her and smashed her head into the rocky cave wall. Kai's vision blured for a moment as Xena drove her into the rocks a second time. She dropped to the ground as Xena let her go.
XENA
(Cold tone) I'll finish dealing with you later. Then I'll show you the side of me that you claim to have learned so much about.
Xena gaze then turned to Celine who was still holding the blood coated dagger with the motionless Gabrielle at her feet.
XENA
(Cold tone) But you Celine, are going to die first
TO BE CONTINUED…