CITIES OF GOLD, JADE AND BLOOD
Xena looked up slightly as they carried on moving through the thick jungle, the tropical heat really wasn't helping. It was making her sweat and her leather was just making it worse. She moved Argo slowly forward watching as Gabrielle did the same with her own horse. Now she understood why her lover had brought five water skins for each horse, she pulled a full water skin free taking a long drink. "It's as hot as Tartarus here." Gabrielle moved her un-dead horse further forward she looked at Itzli who was travelling in front unaffected by the heat. "You know Tartarus has more of a dry heat." Xena turned meeting her gaze for a moment. "You know your right it is more of a dry heat." She took another long drink. "It was also really musty as well."
Gabrielle smiled slightly as she leaned down picking a yellow flower with flowing petals she calmly passed it to the taller woman. "It's called Tithonia which means Yellow Torch, it smells beautiful." Xena looked at the flower in her hand. "You know I don't smell flowers." Gabrielle turned slightly. "Look I know it ruins your warrior image but please just this once." Xena raised an eyebrow slightly. "Just this once and you don't tell anyone." Gabrielle smiled slightly. "My lips are sealed." Xena brought the flower up smelling up she closed her eyes slightly as she pulled it away. "That is really nice." She looked at the flower for a long moment before putting it in Argo's saddle bag. "Those men you fought why did they run away?"
Gabrielle felt herself tense. "They ran because their cowards." Xena looked up slightly. "They seemed more scared of you." Gabrielle breathed in sharply. "I stole from the feathered serpent and I got away with it a lot of warrior here no that." Xena narrowed her gaze her lover wasn't telling the whole truth she could see it in her green eyes. Why was she hiding something what could be so terrible that she couldn't bring herself to talk about it? What was she so afraid of? They'd been through so much together and yet she just wouldn't open up fully about Mexica. Did she think that she'd think any less of her for any thing she'd done in this horrible place?
Her lover was scared that was what she was seeing in her eyes. It was fear of being looked up on in disgust or horror she remembered the same expression in Messene, she'd seen it in her eyes and she was seeing it again now. She breathed in deeply as she came closer to her lover still seeing the sad look in her eyes as the younger woman went in to deep thought. Gabrielle breathed in deeply she could feel the fear as it ran through her body like cold water hitting something hot. The fact of the matter was in Mexica she was called Blood Jaguar for more than one reason. She had killed the feathered serpent's elite warriors in cold blood and she had become a monster who thrived on seeing pain and suffering.
She'd enjoyed seeing people run away from her in panic it had given her a sense of power. Causing suffering were also emotions which she'd become addicted to. All her other emotions had been painfully and tearful as well as heart wrenching. Those gave her moment of high, moments of blood lust which she couldn't control and just went with. There was no pain in these emotions and no fear only the feeling of her weapon as it hit its target and the sight of watching warrior's fall at her feet. She'd craved it so badly after leaving Mexica that Itzli had become her target who she could take out her inner frustration on. The rest was taken out on any one who got in her way or came on to her.
After Xena's return she'd kept all these emotion locked away tightly and with great difficulty. The gentle kisses and affection had slowly calmed her soul and the monster had been caged away for good and forgotten. She couldn't escape this monster though she needed it to survive here and she knew that it was forcing its way back in to her heart and soul. Her lover would look up on her in horror if she knew of the deaths caused by her hand. She knew it was wrong to hide it but she couldn't put her lover through that. She just wanted to bite her tongue out of fear and spare her lover the truth of knowing that the person she loved had become a cold blooded murder. Xena stopped in mid motion watching as her lover did the same. "Are you ashamed of something that you've done Gabrielle?" She raised her hand slightly. "If you slept with some one, I can understand…I wasn't there and I know you needed comfort."
Gabrielle turned sharply. "No I didn't sleep with anyone after your death! You know I hurt people for even daring to slime their way in to my bedroll!" Xena didn't think as she gently took hold of her arm. "Calm down Gabrielle." Gabrielle breathed sharply. "I got tossed out of most of the taverns in Greece because of these people who wanted to score with me because of my warrior reputation. The only score they got was when my fist found their face!" Xena pulled up her hand. "It's okay Gabrielle I believe you." She breathed in slowly moving her hand to her lovers face. "I just want to know what's making you so sad I can see the sadness in your eyes and you won't talk to me." She turned looking around her. "I know you've done something terrible and your ashamed of it, but please believe me when I say I would not look up on you in shame."
"Warriors!"
Itzli's voice cut through Gabrielle's thoughts she didn't get a chance to think as five warriors suddenly appeared the five well armed men were slowly walking towards them. Xena turned eyeing the living warrior's who all had their weapon raised high in the air. She sneered as she stepped away from Argo who snorted as she moved her hand slowly towards the Chakram. Gabrielle eyed the warriors they were all the fertility goddess's men she could tell by the green head dresses. She stopped she recognised the tall well muscled warrior leading them. She turned slightly looking at her lover. "Don't…." Xena eyed the warriors and there leader. "Are these people friend or foe?" Gabrielle shook her head. "Their nether…."
Ohtli stepped forward feeling his teeth grind together as he eyed the Blood Jaguars servant Itzli the man gave him a cold look in response. "So nice of you to drop by…." Itzli sneered slightly. "Oh look it's the walking wall…your godly blood is still good by the way." Gabrielle looked up meeting Ohtli's dark gaze which was unchanged. He was a big man who was well muscled but much older than most warriors he was in his late thirties his short dark hair was sun bleached in places giving it a slightly brown tint. His headdress was gold with blue feathers and it was that of the Coyote as appose to the Eagle warrior. The coils on his arms and legs had the same feathers and his hanging cloth was also highly decorated in blue and gold patterns. "Hello Ohtli."
Ohtli didn't think as he raised his axe using it to pull up the pendent around the blonde woman's neck. "How nice to see you again Blood Jaguar…I see your still wearing the pendent you stole from our goddess." He sneered slightly. "She felt her pendent when it came back to these shores she's been calling for it for a long time…its how she knew you were here." He snarled aloud eyeing her. "If it's been glowing recently it's because she still wearing your old symbol on her back and through it she can reach out to you." Gabrielle slowly eased her hands out. "I don't want to fight you." Itzli turned sharply. "You should fight him he's a stupid soft fool who is easily led." Gabrielle turned sharply eyeing him. "Be quite!"
Ohtli snorted in disgust. "Do not mistake my softness as a weakness it's what separates me from you slave. I've found compassion where you have none!" He turned back pulling his axe away sharply from the Blood Jaguars pendent. "You're to come with us…safe to say my goddess isn't happy with you and she would like a word." He turned eyeing the tall dark haired warrior who had piercing light blue eyes and odd armour which in places had what looked like burnt gold. "Who is your friend?" Gabrielle breathed in deeply. "She's Xena." Ohtli looked up sharply. "Well I be dammed in all the seven hells C'thulon actuality for filled your wish." Gabrielle looked up sharply. "Please don't harm her…it's me you want not her."
Ohtli smirked slightly. "You forget I'm not a warrior of the creator gods, I don't believe in harming people's partners for their faults." He raised his hand. "That is for our goddess to decide…safe to say she's been depressed lately and she has very off days. I hope for your sake that she's in a better mood this day." He pulled up his hand. "I want your claws…your not to wear them in her presence." Gabrielle slowly leaned down taking both her sai blades out of her boots she slowly passed them to the big man who calmly took them. Ohtli looked at her for a long moment ignoring the taller woman's confusion. "Funny I thought I'd have to get my men to subdue you…I didn't think you'd give your claws to me so willingly."
Gabrielle lowered her gaze. "I didn't come here to cause violence…I don't want any more people to die at my hand." Ohtli looked at her for a long moment searching her eyes for false words he breathed in deeply seeing none. "You're not the same woman I remember…she was so bitter and twisted with her despair and hatred." Gabrielle lowered her gaze. "That woman had lost part of her soul it was what made her a monster…." Ohtli eyed the taller woman before meeting her gaze again. "I see." Gabrielle watched her hands were bound securely with rope. Xena turned sharply. "Gabrielle?" Gabrielle turned slowly meeting her gaze. "It's okay Xena…they won't hurt you. They are warriors of Xochiquetzal." Xena looked up sharply. "The fertility goddess?"
Gabrielle nodded calmly. "Yes, I have to go with them the goddess wants to talk to me." Itzli sneered slightly as he dropped his weapon watching as another warrior picked it up. "I can't believe your just handing your self over Blood Jaguar!" He snarled aloud. "You should kill these men you shouldn't submit to them, their weaklings!" Gabrielle narrowed her gaze as she met his. "I swear to the gods I'm going to break your jaw if you don't shut up Itzli!" Itzli pulled back as he snarled in anger. "You know I preferred you when you lived up to your name…you weren't soft then, like you are now." Gabrielle narrowed her gaze as she met his gaze. "I'm so sorry to disappoint you…."
Xena slowly walked forward watching as a warrior came up beside her as she held Argo's reins. Her gaze shifted as she watched the un-dead horse follow her lover with out being pulled by any one. She moved slowly forward so she beside the smaller woman. "How did you manage to steal from her in the first place?" Gabrielle sighed aloud. "I got very lucky." Xena raised an eyebrow. "Tell me what happened." Gabrielle turned sharply. "It was a ruse I was the bait." Xena looked up slightly. "What kind of bait?" Gabrielle shook her head slightly. "The kind you give to some one as a gift." She lowered her gaze sadly feeling her memories flood back in to mind all at once.
8
Gabrielle held her side feeling her ribs burn again with pain despite that she'd been out for three days the pain was still there. The other woman in the house hadn't spoken to her at all. All the tall woman had done is look at her hatefully as had the rest of the people in the small white stone town. The only people who had looked at her with out this hate were the children who had been curious. She had felt glad to just get away from it the place, she could see that the other warriors had been ready to kill her she'd seen it there faces and in the way they held there weapons. She pushed another branch out of the way the feathered serpent had done something to her it was the reason she could now speak these people language with out any difficulty.
She moved another branch out of the way feeling her boots move through the marsh land which smelt awful. The warrior up a head of her was moving with less difficulty maybe it was the fact he was so used to this place. She breathed in deeply watching as he adjusted his red feathered headdress with its Eagle's beak and gold engravings. "What do they call you?" Itzli turned easing up his weapon. "I don't care for telling my name to you." He carried on moving. "I know you've got a name that you're desperate to tell me, but believe me I don't care what your name is." He ran his fingers across the scars on his face. "You already have a name one that my village will remember for years to come…"
Gabrielle blinked she found herself breathing in sadly, he was just another person who didn't want to talk to her. Just like everyone else she'd come across on this long and brutal trip. She looked down despite that his people had cleaned her body they hadn't cleaned her clothes at all and the dried blood which had come from the other man was still on there. She hadn't wanted him to die but saying that now wouldn't mean a thing the warrior in front of her hated her, the truth was she didn't like or trust him ether. She just wanted the map and he was her means of getting it, once that was done they could go their separate ways. When she found C'thulon and took back time everything would change and this warriors brother wouldn't be dead and they wouldn't have met.
She carried moving through the mud. "When we find this goddess how do I get in side her temple?" Itzli laughed slightly. "Oh that'll be very easy." He pushed his feet harder in to the mud. "She likes women she's always had a taste for them." Gabrielle stopped sharply. "Taste for them? Are you talking about eating them or something else?" Itzli wanted to laugh the look on the green eyed woman's face was priceless, she looked utterly shocked. "Well like all the gods here she'll probably drink your blood…but I was referring to her taste in the bedroom. She likes both sexes but the temple priests always give her beautiful young girls as gifts. It drives her foul tempered Jaguar faced husband up the wall."
He raised his hand. "She hates her husband but she can't escape from him he has control over her godly item. So when ever she can she slips away and sleeps with her gifts or some lucky warrior. I almost feel sorry for her she was deeply in love with another god but before they could get together Tezcatlipoca captured her and forced her to marry him." His smile widened. "Getting you in to her temple won't be hard, I'll just say to her priests that I caught you and they'll give you to her as a gift." He put his hand on his chest. "She love different things and you'll fit the bill just fine. How you choose to steal her godly item is your personal business not mine you might have to sleep with her or something."
He turned seeing a look of disgust slowly play across the young woman's face. "Why so disgusted I thought your dead lover was a woman?" Gabrielle looked up sharply. "How do you know that?" Itzli laughed slightly. "Because during your stay in my sisters house you started hallucinating and you kept talking about a woman you called Xena." Gabrielle turned slightly not meeting his gaze. "Just because my lover was a woman it doesn't mean I care for sleeping with other women." Itzli moved forward he turned trying to hide his smile. "No of course not I just thought that it might come naturally to you that's all I mean if you're going to betray the fertility goddess you may as well do it in her bedroll and get something out of it."
Gabrielle eyed him for a moment. "You don't have to sleep with someone to betray them…." Itzli swung his spiked axe in a loop. "No you don't but here it helps. A lot off our gods aren't so foul tempered when you throw them some sort of sweetener." He stopped at the ridge pulling back the long branches of the trees. "The gods here are very old much older than any of the other gods and they suffer from boredom." He smiled they still had another days walk ahead of them but so far they were making very good time. He breathed in he was so looking forward to seeing if this woman could pull of the feathered serpents deal. In his view it was doubtful, but it interested him none the less. No female gift given to the fertility goddess at late had survived the night they all ended up being killed by Tezcatlipoca.
8
Itzli shoved the Blood Jaguar forward he pulled the rope tighter around her wrists ignoring the looks he was getting from the towns people as they moved through the white city. He could see the green eyed woman's weapon which had been strapped to her boot he ignored the scowl the Coyote Warrior was giving him as he passed by shoving her harder. "You're meant to look broken…" Gabrielle sneered slightly. "I am broken…" Itzli shoved her again trying to keep his voice low. "Look if you don't play along your going to break our cover! They have to think that I actually caught you and beat you in battle." Gabrielle snarled slightly. "Like you could do that…." Itzli grabbed her hair pulling her head back by it savagely. "You don't play along we'll both die."
"Is there a problem?"
Itzli turned only to look in to the masked face of one of the Coyote warrior's who looked to be high rank by his plumes. "No problem…" He didn't think as he slammed his foot in to the Blood Jaguars back full force sending her sprawling forward. She hit the ground hard on her front her whole body flinched in agony because of her still unhealed ribs. He pulled on the rope bringing her hands up hard causing her to turn around to face him, her green eyes burning with anger. "I brought this beautiful gift for your goddess." Ohtli eyed him for a moment studying the green eyed woman. "The goddess doesn't want any more gifts she doesn't want to see anymore young women or warriors die in the way they have been doing."
Itzli rolled his eyes the fertility goddess was such a weakling she didn't even believe in human sacrifice, she only liked drinking blood which had been taken from willing followers who didn't die. Her husband on the other hand embraced sacrifice and war like a true creator god and enjoyed eating human flesh just like the feathered serpent. Normally opposites were a good thing but in this case there was nothing but hate and hurt between them and a power struggle over the region. He eyed the Blood Jaguar. "This gift is special though it's a gift from Quetzalcoatl." Ohtli turned slightly. "Our goddess hates the creator gods she doesn't want gifts spawned from brutality from any of them, she's suffering enough as it is!"
Itzli eyed the tall man he turned grabbing the Blood Jaguar by her hair ignoring her snarl of anger. "Look at this one though she's beautiful." He moved his other hand though the messy medium length sun coloured hair, he felt her pull away in a forceful motion. "Hair the colour of the sun, beautiful eyes as green as any jungle…." He grabbed her face again. "Look at those eyes have you ever seen anything so unique?" He watched as Coyote warrior leaned down studying the Blood Jaguar who was still on her knees. "She would make your goddess happy for one night wouldn't she? I mean this one is even attracted to women, which is a bonus."
He leaned over to the other warrior's ear. "We caught her pleasuring one of the young women how often do you see that?" Ohtli pressing his hand against the green eyed woman's lower chest his light touch caused her to wince in pain. "Why is she wounded?" Itzli ignored the hateful look he got from the Blood Jaguar. "We had to break a few ribs to teach her a lesson." Ohtli stood up slowly he yanked the rope free from the Eagle warrior's hands in a savage motion. "Unlike you we don't treat any woman in that way." Itzli smirked as he raised his hands. "Oh yes you believe in equality, I forgot." He lowered his gaze in the serpent god's realm that was true but not in his gods realm the sun god believed in the same ideals.
He put both hands together right now for his soul's sake he needed to pretend that he was the feathered serpent's loyal servant. He raised his hand as he smiled. "Ether way this one will please your goddess." Ohtli raised his eyebrow. "What's your price?" Itzli eyed the small silver bottle on the other warrior's waist. "Your godly blood." Ohtli pulled back in disgust. "This is my godly blood I earned it!" He watched as one of his female warriors came over eyeing them both in confusion. Itzli raised his hand. "Your goddess will give you more for this gift…this woman will please her in ways you can't imagine." Ohtli grunted as he tossed him the bottle.
Itzli smiled as he caught it. "I knew you'd see things my way." He leaned over grabbing the Blood Jaguars face. "Be a good girl and please the fertility goddess won't you?" Ohtli eyed him. "She doesn't understand you, you know." Itzli smiled he back handed the green eyed woman full force across the face. "Yes but she understands pain, be sure to hit her very often she understands that well enough." Ohtli watched as the Eagle warrior turned on his heals walking away. The female warrior next to him raised her weapon. "Should I kill him…I mean Eagle warriors from the feathered serpent's realm aren't welcome here." Ohtli sighed aloud. "No don't bother…just keep an eye on him I don't trust him." He watched as the female warrior grunted in annoyance as she slowly followed the Eagle warrior.
He had seen to much war at late the Jaguar god kept on sending his troops to their deaths for personal amusement. He had seen too much of it and now all he wanted was to keep his goddess happy. This city hadn't seen happiness since the creator gods arrival people were living in fear. He pulled the green eyed woman gently to her feet. His gaze turned towards the goddess main keep with its beautiful lakes of clear water in which children used to play but had now run away from in fear because of the huge snakes that Tezcatlipoca had put in there. He sneered in disgust his dirty pets which scared everyone and who he liked to feed none believers to, he turned eyeing the green eyed woman who was looking around her in awe.
No doubt she had never seen a huge city like this one and if anything her eyes could see the beauty of it. The green trees placed in lines next to stone with its forever weaving patterns and portraits of the goddess. The beautiful colours of every persons dress as the walked through the streets and the pools of clear water which gushed in to huge lagoons all around the city. His people's city was beautiful paradise of whites gold's and greens. He closed his eyes such a shame that that wasn't so anymore, he opened them again slowly looking in to the green eyes which were studying him. The Eagle warrior wasn't wrong she was unique and beautiful maybe she would make his goddess happy.
8
Xena felt her self pull back sharply she blinked slightly. "Why couldn't you just battle your way up to the keep?" Gabrielle turned sharply. "Unlike the rest of the world where you can just march in swinging your sword, you can't do it here in Mexica you'll die before you reach any cities centre. The gods armies are huge you can't turn left or right with out bumping in to a warrior." Her gaze narrowed slightly. "So you have two choice you ether dress up as an Eagle warrior and pray no one catches on or be the bait. My choice was the bait because it was earlier way to get in her keep." Xena slowly put a hand on the younger woman's shoulder. "I'm sorry Gabrielle I don't mean to sound off with you. I just don't like that you had to do it that way."
She breathed in deeply. "Did she have the necklace?" Gabrielle sighed aloud. "No Tezcatlipoca had it, I got it off him later though and it was all just luck." She felt the sadness wash over her. "If I don't go back to her keep I'll be running forever. I have to put this right even if it's the only thing I do here in Mexica other than saving Lila." Xena slowly met her gaze. "Is the goddess still with this vile god?" Gabrielle shook her head. "No he's long gone." Xena raised an eyebrow. "Is this goddess like Aphrodite?" Gabrielle looked down slightly. "Her beauty is very much like Aphrodite's but she can be very cruel and unkind at times." Xena looked up slightly feeling her gaze dart, she didn't like the sound of any of this. Gabrielle was right though she couldn't keep running from the things she done in Mexica. She didn't like that her lovers hand were bound and she was being forced to see this goddess but the fact of the matter was that she was just going to have to go with it. Hopefully they'd both be able to resolve this together.
8
Ares felt his eyes slowly open he watched as the world slowly came in to focus. He groaned painfully blinking again trying to ignore the harsh light of the room which was filled with golden Aztec carvings. He was lying on his back on the solid floor he turned himself on to his side raising his hand as he noticed all the wounds were gone from his body. He put his hand down realizing that the sword of war was missing, where was his godly sword?
"Your sword is right here lesser war god."
Ares turned around catching sight of the tall man dressed in gold with his yellow feathered headdress who was sitting on his throne his sword was in the sun god's hand. His amber eyes where wandering over the weapon "If you call this a godly sword." Ares groaned in pain as he got to his knees. "Give me my sword." Huitzilopochtli raised an eyebrow. "I don't believe you're in a position to be making demands." He smiled slightly. "Do you know who I am?" Ares breathed in painfully as he staggered to his feet. "An idiot with a pompous head dress, who is really starting to annoy me…." Huitzilopochtli smiled slightly as he turned the godly weapon again. "Such foolish spirit, I used to admire spirit like yours. Until I found out that it hurts the souls of others."
Ares breathed in painfully. "I am Ares God of War! I kill those who oppose me!" Huitzilopochtli laughed slightly seeing the annoyance in the young man's face he obviously wasn't used to being mocked. "You're a child…as if you know what war is truly about or what it means to know honour and courage. My guess is all you know how to do is cause fear and bring terror to innocent people." He looked at the sword again. "You even have to carry a godly weapon to prove your worth to mortals. No doubt you use it to get your way is that not correct?" Ares sneered slightly he didn't care if this man was the Aztec god of war he was pathetic. "My mortals follow me out of loyalty I bring them peace through war."
Huitzilopochtli turned slightly putting his leg over his throne as he leaned on his elbow he laughed slightly. "Peace through war you are very amusing lesser war god. Is this what my godly blood has come to, pitifully tyrants and dictators like you, who call them selves gods of war?" He watched as a sneer formed on the younger man's face if anything he was a very aggressive young god with a vicious temper he could see it in his eyes. He breathed in deeply keeping perfectly calm. "Such godly blood is wasted on gods like you who use it for nothing but personal greed." He put a hand on his chin. "Tell me does any one like you because they truly like you or do they all just pretend because their afraid to offend you?" He smiled seeing that the god was going to explode. "Has any one ever loved you?"
Ares snarled as he brought up his hand forming a red fire ball which he threw full force. Huitzilopochtli smiled as he raised his hand catching it instantly, he held it in his hands as he looked at it. "How disappointing, tell me what kind of a war god are you if all you can do is throw fire balls at me?" He squeezed his hand shut watching as it was turned in to red glowing dust which fell to the floor. He looked up slightly. "Do you not have it in you to fight like a true warrior who uses the skills of your body and a weapon?" He smiled as he turned slightly. "What weapon would you like to use against me in combat?" Ares snarled aloud as he met his gaze. "I want my godly sword!" Huitzilopochtli shook his head as he tossed the weapon watching as it hit the floor in front of the younger man. "You are still but a child."
He slowly pulled himself of his throne. "I've always enjoyed teaching children their place." Ares pulled his sword free in a violent motion. "I will not be patronized by fool like you." Huitzilopochtli calmly flexed his muscles. "My name is Huitzilopochtli you do well to remember it, for I was the first true war god ever to be born unto this world." Ares didn't think as he snarled aloud swinging his sword full force. Huitzilopochtli moved quickly dodging it, he smiled as he side stepped avoiding it again. Ares looped the weapon only to watch as the other man jumped up avoiding his swipe. He roared in anger as swung it again only to see the man calmly dodge.
Huitzilopochtli moved again enjoying the game he'd always liked sword play it was such a shame that this god's was so simple. There was so little effort needed to avoid it. Ares brought up his fist only to feel intense pain as the other god grabbed his hand in mid motion. Huitzilopochtli smiled as he held his hand tightly. He brought up his other hand stopping the younger man's sword hand as it came down. "Such violence it a shame it's not truly focused." He didn't think as he slammed his knee full force in to the other man's stomach he ignored his cry of pain as he let go of both his hands. He watched as the lesser god stumbled back. "Such skill could be used for the greater good."
Ares looked up sharply. "Oh please, you sound like someone I know, she turned good and started to save the world." Huitzilopochtli smirked as he stepped forward. "Then she was obviously a lot smarter than you." Ares roared in anger as he swung the weapon again only to watch the other god dodge it with ease. Huitzilopochtli smiled. "If only you knew what can come of doing things for others as oppose to doing things for yourself." He smiled as he dodged again. "May be then you'd learn the true power of what it is to be a war god." He side stepped again, it was time to end this child's play he grabbed the other gods sword hand in mid swing, he felt his smile widen as he began to squeeze.
Ares felt the pain as his wrist was squeezed he felt jolting the pain as he let go of his weapon only to watch as it clattered to the floor. Huitzilopochtli pulled the god's arm back ignoring the painfully crack of bone and the cry of agonizing pain which followed. He grabbed the gods damaged arm raising him off the ground watching as his feet kicked the air. "So weak despite your skill…." He felt the knees as they started to kick his stomach which he barely felt. "So desperate to be powerful…." He stopped the other hand as it came towards his face. "You still see the world through a child's eyes and not that of adults." Ares cried out in pain as his other hand was twisted side way only to feel more pain as the bone cracked.
Huitzilopochtli didn't think as he let go ramming his fist in to the gods face causing blood to fly through his teeth. He lowered his arm slamming it in to his chest hearing the two rib bones break on impact. He let go watching as the lesser god hit the floor hard on his stomach blood was dripped from his mouth. "You're washed out godly blood has let you down." Ares coughed as he looked up, he felt awful every muscle was screaming in pain and he couldn't get up. His chest felt painfully and heavy and it hurt to breath. Huitzilopochtli smiled as he stepped forward kneeling down next to him. "This is the first lesson child, to understand what is to truly win in battle. You have to know what it is to truly loose against another god."
Ares coughed slightly he looked up slowly only to stare in shock as he caught sight of a set of clothes on a stand close by. He coughed bringing up more blood, the outfit was unmistakable the red leather bodice and red and black velvet skirt and black belt. Huitzilopochtli smiled as he followed his gaze. "Beautiful clothes of a proud warrior wouldn't you agree?" Ares coughed again he watched as his sight began to blur he was going to pass out he could feel it. "That irritating blonde…you've got to be kidding." Huitzilopochtli narrowed his gaze feeling his teeth grind together. "Please pick your words more carefully in my presence…she is called the Blood Jaguar in these lands." Ares felt his head hit the floor. "I'm in Tartarus…." His eyes slowly closed as he passed out again.
8
Xena looked around her in shock this was nothing like she'd expected it was a huge city much bigger than Athens. She had imagined these people living in stone huts like the Pomira because their clothes were so tribal. How incredibly wrong she'd been her judgement of them. This city had aqueducts and streets as well as a huge market which was as big as any thing she seen in Athens. The city was filled with well built stone houses and long streets. Beautiful water falls and lakes could be seen along with trees in places. As they walked further in her eyes caught sight of three huge temples rising high above the city. The largest was at its heart towering over everything bellow her gaze darted there had to be hundreds of people in this city.
There was not a road or a street that she hadn't looked down and seen people doing things. Their beautiful clothes were an array of multicolour and different types of head dresses and clothing showed their status. She couldn't help but notice the odd pack animals they had. They were much smaller than a horse but very woolly and had an odd looking face the pointed ears made them look slightly comical. What ever they were they were just strange she'd seen a camels before, these weren't camels in fact she didn't have a clue as to they were. It had to be their version of horse though since it was being used for transporting things. No doubt Gabrielle would be able to tell her what they were, when things had been cleaned up with the goddess.
Everyone moved aside instantly as they walked past no doubt out of respect for the leading warrior who had Gabrielle walking next to him. Her lover was still tied up but she wasn't being badly treated in any way. She could see people looking at her though with mixed emotions some were confused while others were horrified and angry. None of them said anything though as they walked by, most were more interested in looking at the winged horses and if their looks were anything to go by they hadn't seen any before. Her gaze moved to Itzli who looked disgusted by the whole place, she couldn't understand his disgust if anything it was beautiful and grand on every level.
Ohtli pulled on the rope slightly he could hear people whispering no doubt about the Blood Jaguar who he was bringing in to the city. He turned slowly to the smaller blonde woman. "They don't recognise you…you don't look the same as in your myth." Gabrielle carried on moving ignoring the people looks. "I should be grateful for that." Ohtli breathed in deeply. "Yes you should…I know some see you as a traitor and an ally of the feathered serpent. If they had their way I don't think you'd walk out of here alive." Gabrielle lowered her gaze as she carried on walking. "What's the price on my head?" Ohtli turned slightly. "The goddess gave no price for you…she has no interest in sending out hunters for your head, unlike the other gods."
Xena let go of Argo watching as the men tied her horse up next to group of the odd animals which were at main temples bottom steps. She watched as they did the same with Gabrielle's horse which screeched in anger disliking the fact that its reins were being tied down. She heard Argo nay loudly which caused the un-dead horse to calm slightly. They slowly began to walk up the main temples steps which led to the main keep. Gabrielle breathed deeply in eyeing the bloody stone altar which was just bellow the goddess's keep it was no doubt blood of her enemies. Xena breathed in deeply as they reached the top of the temple she turned looking out over the grand city. "That's stunning." Gabrielle looked out over the city for a long moment as she carried on walking towards the keep. "Take a look at the stone altar, bellow you…." Xena turned sharply eyeing the stone altar which was covered in blood. Gabrielle slowly met her gaze. "When you see that it destroys the beauty of the place."
Xena looked at the stone altar again only to feel one of the men push her firmly to get her moving again. Gabrielle breathed in deeply as she walked down the inner steps in to the goddess's keep. Its beautiful engraved walls were unchanged vases and pottery, were still on the stands, along with other works of art which lined the four walls. The huge floor in the central room was still engraved in with golden patterns. The bed had been moved to the side of the room and was no longer the rooms centre piece instead it was a white stone throne. It was covered with engraving which had been lined with gold and jade. Ohtli pushed her forward he turned to the dark haired woman pushing her back as she tried to come forward. He ignored her look of anger as he turned back to the empty keep. "Xochiquetzal I bring you the Blood Jaguar." He turned slightly pulling up the blonde woman's weapons. "She's been stripped out her claws, just as you requested."
"It's so nice of you to grace us, with your presence Blood Jaguar."
Xena turned slightly hearing the light female voice which she couldn't understand. Gabrielle didn't get a chance to think as the chain around her neck suddenly looped over with out warning it pulled taught against her throat. She pulled up her hand trying to grab it as it tightened even more only to feel a spike of searing pain travel up her arm stopping her. She watched as the goddess appeared in shower of multi coloured light. Her violet gaze wandered as she pulled her blue feathered head dress free slamming it down hard on the table next to her throne. Xochiquetzal slowly met the Blood Jaguar's gaze she felt her cold voice hit the air. "First you steal my pendent and then you give it to the feathered serpent. Then you steal it back from him, but instead of returning it to me you leave these shores and take it with you!"
Xena moved forward only to be stopped by the three men who pushed her back forcefully she snarled moving her hand towards her Chakram. Gabrielle grabbed the chain ignoring the agonizing pain. She watched as Xochiquetzal slowly pulled herself off the throne. "You…stole from me…you stole my dragon tattoo!" She felt the pain as the chain tightened even more around her throat. "You…got me drunk…and then you…stole it!" Xochiquetzal came to a stop in front off the now much younger blonde woman she ignored the commotion behind the Blood Jaguar which was being caused by another foreign woman and the Blood Jaguars servant who where both trying to break free from her men's hold. "Like I said once before you are so very beautiful to look at but when you speak you break that wonderful illusion."
Gabrielle sneered slightly despite the pain. "Like you can…talk you use illusion to fool people so you can get them to…sleep with you." Xochiquetzal turned sharply. "Well I see your new illusion has been to become younger, who did you have to kill in cold blood to obtain that?" Gabrielle struggled painfully she could hardly breath. "C'thulon it was C'thulon!" Xochiquetzal pulled up her hand watching as the pendent unwound it broke free of the young woman's neck flying in to her hand. She slowly put it back around her own neck. She watched as the young woman hit the floor hard on her knees coughing in pain. Xena didn't think as she eyed the slender Mexican goddess. "Get away from her!" The woman's violet eyes turned sharply to meet her own.
She suddenly found herself going still she couldn't move her arms at all and her feet where stuck to the spot she turned seeing that Itzli couldn't move ether. Xochiquetzal eyed the warriors who where still in the room. "Get out all off you!" She watched as all the warriors slowly backed away leaving the room. Ohtli turned slightly. "Great goddess?" Xochiquetzal looked up sharply. "I said leave! She watched as her head warrior slowly backed away leaving her keep. She stepped forward as she eyed the taller warrior woman everything about her was recognisable her eyes her hair the armour even her posture. She smiled as she turned back to the Blood Jaguar. "I see it all makes sense now, you got your lover back."
Gabrielle breathed in sharply as she tried to get up. "Please she has nothing to do with this…leave her alone." Xochiquetzal smirked slightly as she looked at the tall warrior again. "She loves you so much doesn't she? Enough even to take my wraith and spare you any pain." She paused seeing confusion in the light blue eyes "You don't understand me do you warrior? Allow me fix that for you." She breathed out watching as the blue stream of light hit the warrior's face the tall woman hit the floor hard on her knees coughing and chocking painfully. Xena looked up painfully she could see the long gleaming upper canine teeth as the goddess smiled. Gabrielle struggled harder only to find that she couldn't move she turned to the goddess painfully. "Please…don't."
"Do you understand my voice now warrior?"
Xena looked up sharply staring at the goddess who slowly kneeled down in front of her, her long black hair flowing as she did so. She could understand what she was saying perfectly as if she were speaking in Greek. She coughed again as she narrowed her gaze. "Yes…I understand you." Xochiquetzal pulled up her hand putting it against the warriors face. She watched all the muscles tense as the warrior tried pull her face away but to no avail. "Oh yes I can see why she likes you, your so strong just her type." She moved her fingers pressing it against one of the muscled biceps. "Big, strong and some might say overly masculine…but I'd say a perfect opposite when compared to the Blood Jaguar." Xena snarled aloud. "Gabrielle came here to talk to you."
Xochiquetzal stood up slightly. "Well my self and the Blood Jaguar as we refer to her have spoken before. I also had to endure her depressed talk when she was drunk…so you'll excuse me I don't have much patience with her. Your little blonde girlfriend is very good at angering gods." Gabrielle sneered slightly. "You got me drunk as a ploy so you could steal my dragon tattoo. I would have given it to you willingly your husband Tezcatlipoca was a vile god." Xena felt her gaze dart she could understand what everyone was saying perfectly including her lover. She watched as the goddess turned she could see the Japanese dragon tattoo perfectly on her slender back it was half hidden her robes. Xochiquetzal sneered as she turned back to the tall warrior. "Allow me to repeat myself because you didn't understand me the first time around. Your partner is very beautiful but she ruins that illusion when she speaks!" Xena looked up slowly. "Gabrielle's voice is very beautiful obviously you haven't heard it the way you're supposed to."
End of part 24
Silvermoonlight.
Felt it best to add more to this chapter I realize this has been a little slow paced and I wanted to get it moving.
