FEAR OF THE EVER EXPANDING ABYSS

Ares opened his eyes watching as the twirling colours flew around him, where in Tartarus was he? He slowly stood up looking around him. He walked forward this was dream? If it was then it seemed more like one of those mortal induced hallucinations. When the mortal had taken too much of the wrong kind of herb and was drugged up. He stopped still watching as a figure appeared he narrowed his gaze realizing that it was himself. The only difference was that this self had short hair unlike him this other self had his sword and was leaning his hand on it. The counterpart smiled slightly. "Pathetic, absolutely pathetic and you call yourself the god of war."

Ares eyed the counterpart in disgust. "Who are you?" The counterpart eased out his hands. "Well I'm you aren't I." The counterpart hoped forward. "Let's just say…I'm the missing piece." He laughed mockingly. "Do I ring any bells?" He raised an eyebrow. "No?" He stepped to one side as he began to circle him. "Being made mortal? Watching Xena die in Japan, any thing happening in there yet?" Ares felt the pain as his counterpart jabbed him painfully in the hand. "Get away from me!" The counterpart smiled. "What's wrong, don't you like seeing yourself for who you truly are? After all no one likes you they never have and they never will." He laughed slightly. "You're a bastard child since you don't even have a father, Hera made herself pregnant to spite Zeus and you were born…pitiful."

Ares moved a step back not liking this illusion. "What do you want?" The counterpart laughed again. "What do I want? Now let's see there's so much I want. I wanted Xena I gave up my immortality for her and Eve by healing both her and Gabrielle. Then Xena died, but you see, I was too much of a coward to go to Japan and save her." He turned slightly. "I was very cruel to Gabrielle when I tried to bring to her to my side. I mean it's just that I learnt to late as I sat on Zeus's empty throne that I would always have nothing, because I'd never given anything." He looked up slightly. "I only gave to suit myself and not others I've always tried to destroy and never created. Looking at you now I can still see that I'm still a pathetic coward and nothings changed."

Ares narrowed his gaze. "You're an illusion an illusion which isn't real!" The counter part laughed mockingly again. "Despite your front you're really just a snivelling coward underneath aren't you? When anything gets hard you run away, you can't even do your own dirty work." He pulled the sword of war free. "You've never even led a battle yet you claim to be the god of war." He threw the sword down hard. "Looking at you disgusts me because I was you and I never saw the error of my ways. It's funny you know I spent my life wanting Zeus's throne and when I finally sat on it when all of Olympus was empty I realized that it was hollow victory." He pulled up his hand. "Now here's the real interesting part which you're not going to like."

He stopped still. "Since you seem to be stubborn in your will when it comes to the suffering of others have you thought, that perhaps you and the irritating little blonde have something in common?" He smirked slightly. "That you both suffer in the same way when it comes to loving Xena. Of course you can pretend that your holding all the cards but you aren't Xena's always holds all the cards." He folded his arms. "You'd give up your immortality for her and the blonde would give up her home her daughter may be even her life. You both suffer and you both still try and you try again. Funny how you can't even respect the irritating blonde for that, it's another one of your pitiful traits to go with all the others." Ares pulled back slightly feeling the panic and uncertainty over take his senses. "Your mean you're like a snake or something!"

His counterpart sneered in disgust. "And you wish you could open me up and show everyone the mean inside of me right?" He sniggered slightly. "Or is that more the mean in side of you?" His gaze slowly narrowed. "You're looking at you, you pathetic fool! What's wrong god of war, don't you like seeing how cruel you are to other people?" Ares breathed in deeply. "You're one of the Aztec pompous idiot's illusions." The counterpart laughed aloud. "No I'm one of yours! It's called having personal demons you pathetic moron!" He raised his hand slightly. "I'm that part of you that you've never faced because you're a snivelling coward! I'm the part of you who you're always running away from!"

The counter part turned slightly. "I'm going to keep haunting you until you realize that the pompous Aztec fool is right! Because I've been you and it didn't go so well for me in the end it was lonely and very depressing." Ares felt the pain as shirt was ripped back as a fire bolt hit his chest. He felt the pain as his back collided with the floor. The counterpart laughed again. "Oh yeah and another thing the whole Gabrielle being a warrior is true. Shame you never really got to know her you just might just have learnt to like her, even respect her." He turned slightly. "Also just so you know snivelling coward, you won't ever get back in to Xena's bedroll, it's not your place and it never will be you." He shrugged slightly. "Later." Ares roared in anger as he watched his counterpart disappear in a blast of red fire he got up looking around him watching as the colours turned to black. He suddenly felt afraid it was an odd feeling one he could barely remember, but he could feel now to the extreme. He looked around in panic, he was trapped in this nightmare and he couldn't get out. He'd never dreamed before and he had no idea how to wake up!

8

Xena looked up slightly at the sun which was raising high in the sky. She hadn't had much sleep and the feeling of a full bladder was becoming uncomfortable. She grunted aloud looking at the chains which were still holding her firmly in place. Her gaze slowly turned as she heard the heavy footsteps coming towards her. She narrowed her gaze as Tezcatlipoca appeared the huge Jaguar god moved forward so he was towering over her. His huge mouth opened showing off his long canine teeth one of which had a crack in it. She watched as the guards instantly shifted out of his way there fear showing as he moved closer his ears going back slightly.

Tezcatlipoca narrowed his gaze. "Feeling better Xena?" Xena sneered slightly. "No…seeing your ugly face, really ruins my morning." Tezcatlipoca growled aloud. "Tell me are you just stupid or insane?" Xena raised an eyebrow ignoring her aching limbs she'd been pulling on the chains all night with absolutely no luck she couldn't even ease her hands free. She looked up slightly. "Depends on who you talk to…." Tezcatlipoca raised a clawed finger pushing it against her cheek. "I've heard that you're a coward who died in Japan. Apparently they hacked of your head and hung your naked dead body up on display." Xena narrowed her gaze feeling her teeth grind together she breathed in sharply saying nothing.

Tezcatlipoca laughed slightly as he eased his clawed finger away. "I see and your silence is proof of your dislike of that subject. Like so many of the gods in Mexica I fail to see why the Blood Jaguar brought you back from the dead. Your nothing special just a wasted carcass surround by weak flesh. Yet the Blood Jaguar from what I've heard will do anything for you." He snarled aloud. "I'm sure she told you that you'd be a target for her enemies, were you so arrogant to believe that she was over exaggerating about the danger you were in?" Xena looked up slightly pulling viciously on her chains. "No I believed every word she said." Tezcatlipoca narrowed his gaze. "Then why did you come here Xena?"

Xena looked up slowly meeting her gaze. "I came here because I love her…it's a concept you'll never grasp because you're a vile bastard." Tezcatlipoca pulled up his clawed finger poking it in to her chin. "Your lover knew when to shut up in my presence it's time you learnt that lesson to." He watched as Itzpapalotl walked out of the keep carrying a long black and gold whip. Itzpapalotl slowly moved forward feeling her smile widen as she watched Tezcatlipoca pull his clawed hand away as he stepped back. Itzpapalotl smiled as she turned to face the warrior whose ice blue eyes slowly looked her over. "Allow me to introduce myself I'm Itzpapalotl goddess of the dead." She raised her skeleton fingers running them down her cheek.

She ignored the feeling as the dark haired woman pulled away, she grinned slightly. "Such spirit…I do wonder what other spirit you have under those leathers." She grabbed her face harshly. "I'm sure I'll find out soon enough, wont I?" She leaned forward. "Before we start though I'd like to ask if you know what your lover did to me." Xena snarled aloud. "She destroyed the temple of fire…where you were sacrificing children." Itzpapalotl sneered as she tightening her grip. "Yes that's correct…in fact at the time it was a central temple and my most powerful outlet!" She raised the whip which burst in to searing red and black flames. "Since I don't have her to punish you'll do just fine."

Xena narrowed her gaze meeting the woman's red gaze. "People who kill helpless children disgust me." Itzpapalotl tightened her grip even more. "Children are things they are no more as useful as you Warrior Princess." She snarled aloud. "Your only use will be to suffer until the Blood Jaguar returns to save you. From what I've heard it'll be a while since the Star Coyote wounded her quite badly." She stepped back watching as the long whip unravelled. "I see no fun in breaking your body or bleeding you, I have something far more unique in mind for you." She raised the whip. "This whip does not bleed the skin nor does it tear the flesh, its purpose is to harm the soul it's self." She stepped back further. "I want to hear you scream Warrior Princess…I want to watch your soul break."

She pulled back her hand feeling her smile widen as she walked around so she was behind the tall woman. "They say there is no greater pain than that of the soul's suffering." Xena breathed in deeply feeling both her hand form fists she could cope with this, she'd had much worse in the past. She breathed in deeply grinding her teeth together. She felt the force as the whip came down only to watch in surprise as it disappeared in side her body like a ghost only to be pulled out in a swift motion. She turned in confusion watching as the goddess pulled it back in to position. Itzpapalotl smiled as she watched the fire burn brighter she slowly met the ice blue gaze as she licked her upper canine teeth. "A mere test you fool."

She brought the whip down with even more force watching as blades of fire came out like spikes as it hit the tall woman's body going through her. Xena felt her eyes snap open all too suddenly as her whole body heated up like fire as pain sparked through her every joint and limb. Itzpapalotl pulled the whip free watching as waves of blue light came flying out of the woman's back as the whip was pulled back. She watched as the waves off soul light moved back inside the woman's body. Xena breathed out feeling her self tense up as she struggled with the pain. The same pain came again as the whip came down this time even harder. She grunted trying not scream despite the agony and spikes of pain as they moved in side her body again.

It was just as bad as the pain she'd suffered when she'd fought Akemi, she breathed out feeling the blood as it started to run down her nose. She felt herself cry out as the whip ripped though her body again, she could feel her legs shaking as they almost buckled under her. She could feel the heat and the sweat as it started to drip down her face. The whip came down again even harder and with even more force, she could feel her stomach twisting she wanted to be sick. She felt her fists tense even more as it was ripped out causing her body to spasm in shock. She leaned forward as she lost the contents of stomach the dizziness was starting to take over her mind she could feel it.

Itzpapalotl raised the whip only to feel her hand as it was grabbed in mid motion. Tezcatlipoca snarled as he ripped the whip from her hand. "I want her to suffer I don't want her dead!" Itzpapalotl watched as the tall woman sagged on her chains. "I want her dead!" Tezcatlipoca snarled aloud. "This is my temple and she belongs to me! I choose her means of death!" Itzpapalotl raised her hand. "That was not in our deal!" Tezcatlipoca growled aloud as he eyed her. "It was always mine." He watched as the whip burnt to dust in his clawed hand. "I pick and choose the Warrior Princess's torture and how much she gets." Itzpapalotl growled in anger as she walked towards the keep, she shoved the Star Coyote as she walked past her.

Tezcatlipoca snarled as he walked past the Star Coyote who said nothing as she put her fingers against her scared lower lip. Akemi looked up slightly. "Is she giving you the fun you seek?" Tezcatlipoca eyed her for a long moment. "Yes and as soon as I've had my fill of human blood we will talk about your reward." Akemi narrowed her gaze watching as he walked back in side the keep. She walked slowly over to the Warrior Princess who was hanging off her chains her blood shot eyes trying to focus. She could tell by her posture that she was in great pain. She moved forward easing up both her hands so they were on Xena's face. She forced the light blue eyes to meet her own. "This can all end…all you have to do is say you'll be mine."

Xena groaned eyeing Akemi she grunted as she struggled to pull herself to her feet. "Go…to Tartarus…." Akemi pulled away in anger she didn't think as she slapped the taller woman hard across the face causing her to grunt in pain. She snarled as she raised her other hand. "It's three words! Only three words Xena and you won't suffer anymore." She pulled her face back around to meet her own. "All you have to say is free me Akemi and this all ends." Xena groaned painfully trying to stay focused. "I have three words…for you…Akemi." Akemi smiled as she leaning closer. "Yes." Xena sneered as she tried to keep herself up right despite the pounding in her head. "I…hate you…." Akemi pulled back her cry of anger hitting the air. "Don't be foolish Xena! The torture you've received today is nothing compared to what's coming!" Xena couched painfully feeling her mind start to float she was going to pass out again, she could feel it. "I'd rather die…by their hands than submit to anything you…have to offer." She felt her breath leave her as everything slowly turned to darkness.

8

Gabrielle felt her eyes slowly open again she looked up watching as a hand moved past her face. She could see white and red light falling from it like star dust the feeling was so warm, relaxing and blissful. She blinked breathing in deeply as she closed her eyes falling in to it only to feel it stop all too suddenly.

"That should do it."

She opened her eyes slowly meeting Xochipilli's violet gaze the god of love gave her a gentle smile as he pulled his hand away. Xochipilli slowly met her green eyes. "Feeling any better?" Gabrielle breathed in raising her hand moving her fingers which didn't spike with pain. She eased the fur skin up again as she pulled herself up in to a sitting position. "Yes…I do." She slowly turned to face him. "Thank you." Xochipilli nodded calmly. "I thought for a moment that you might not pull through, you took a turn for the worst and you had a fit." Gabrielle breathed in deeply rubbing her face. "I did? I feel fine now." Xochipilli shook his head. "Five minutes ago you weren't fine I'm just glad I got here when I did."

Gabrielle turned to catching sight of Xochiquetzal who was sitting on her throne close by, her face showing deep thought. Xochiquetzal looked up slightly meeting her gaze. "I heard about what happened to your lover, Itzli was most kind in filling me in." She narrowed her gaze. "It would appear that my ex husband is punishing you for freeing me." She put her fingers on her pendent. "Frankly you should have known better than to bring her here." Xochipilli turned sharply. "Don't be so rude! How was she supposed to know about the ambush, how could she have even stopped it? The Star Coyote had a godly pendent!" He stood up slowly. "She didn't have her tattoo or you're pendent to protect her."

He raised his hand. "You're wearing them both!" Xochiquetzal rolled her eyes watching as both Ohtli and Itzli appeared close by neither saying anything. "Yes I am and for my own protection! I won't let my ex husband do what he did to me again!" Gabrielle coughed painfully as she stood up slowly wrapping the fur skin around herself. "Please stop it!" She watched as both gods turned to look at her as she walked forward ignoring the unsteady feeling in her legs. "They took Xena to Tezcatlipoca's keep…I know they did I can feel it…I don't want your pendent but you have my tattoo." She raised her hand slowly. "Please let me have it back, I can't get her back with out it, it's the only protection I have against him."

Xochiquetzal sneered slightly, catching sight of the desperation in the blonde woman's green eyes. "You can't be serious? You're asking me to just hand out something back to you, which I took from your fair and square!" Gabrielle narrowed her gaze. "You stole it from me…it was always mine." Xochiquetzal shook her head as she stood up. "No, no I'm not falling in to this trap of yours." Xochipilli turned sharply. "Sister!" Xochiquetzal turned eyeing him. "Shut up Xochipilli!" Her brother pulled back in surprise as she turned back to the Blood Jaguar. "You may buy her act of being good and noble but you're not seeing the big picture here! She's not good! She's evil, she steals and she kills, they call her Blood Jaguar for good reason!"

She turned back to the younger woman. "I knew this might happen and that you'd expect me to help her, but that is not going to happen." She turned to her brother ignoring his shock. "See this is as your punishment Blood Jaguar! This is the price you pay for stealing from me and keeping what was mine when you could have given it back!" Gabrielle pulled back feeling her heart burn in her chest she felt her gaze dart as she the full extent of her desperation hit home. She slowly lowered herself on to her knees feeling her head fall forward. "Please I'll do anything…anything you want, any price you want I'll pay it. Please, don't punish my lover because of what I've done."

She felt her gaze dart. "Tezcatlipoca will torture her and hurt her in everyway possible." Xochiquetzal snarled aloud. "I don't want anything from you Blood Jaguar there no price I would take from you." Gabrielle looked up slowly. "You already took the dagger back which I was supposed to give the feather serpent to free my sister, haven't you punished me enough?" Xochipilli walked forward slowly eyeing his sister where had all this rage come from? She'd been fine when she'd gotten back to the temple but as soon as she'd heard this story she'd turned cold and now it was as if had frozen over. "She's right you have punished her enough…why are you still punishing her now?"

Xochiquetzal sneered slightly. "Because I can!" Xochipilli narrowed his gaze. "Is the truth that you're afraid to face your husband again? Do you feel that because of this you'd rather cling on to your possessions out of pure selfishness rather than help someone who needs you?" Xochiquetzal snarled aloud. "You've never been abused by another god so I doubt you'd ever understand…you're always so kind to everyone." Xochipilli turned sharply. "You forget that I was once held captive by Huitzilopochtli back when he was as evil as the creator gods. I know what it is to suffer under the hand of another who is power hungry and vile." Xochiquetzal turned slightly. "I will not help the Blood Jaguar! Even if I did give her anything she would never give it back!"

Gabrielle looked up slowly looked up meeting the goddess's gaze. "It's sad that when you feel lost and unsure that you become what you most despise." She breathed in deeply. "It's like the light fades and you can't see the sun." Xochiquetzal came to stand over her, she snarled aloud. "I can see the sun perfectly fine…." Gabrielle laughed slightly but it was a sad laugh even to her own ears. "Then why are you only seeing my shadow?!" Xochiquetzal felt her hand form a fist. "You should be grateful that I didn't kill you when you first came here." Gabrielle shook her head. "You miss your lover! I know what that feels like! By the gods I know how much it hurts!"

She breathed in painfully. "When you love someone and you loose them you just want to lash out at everyone because of the pain." Xochiquetzal didn't think as she raised her hand, watching as lightning appeared in it. "Shut up!" Gabrielle kept perfectly still as she looked up meeting the goddess's violet eyes which were a mixture of pain and anger. "You see their face every moment of everyday…." She raised her hand as Itzli stepped forward she watched as he stopped moving his anger showing. "You get to a point where you hate seeing their face because all it brings is misery but you love them so much that you just can't let go." She could see Xochipilli moving forward getting ready to stop his sister. "It twists you up inside and makes you cruel and violent."

Xochiquetzal sneered slightly. "I'm not buying this from you! You've, killed, crippled and betrayed people!" Gabrielle breathed in painfully. "Yes I've killed, crippled and betrayed people and I hate myself for everything I've done! Because when I look back I wish that I could take it all back!" Xochiquetzal screamed in anger as she threw the thunder bolt, she watched as it smashed the pottery stands to pieces on the other side of the room. Gabrielle could see the pain in the goddess eyes as she vanished in a blast of multicolour. Xochipilli moved forward helping the blonde woman as she staggered to feet with the fur skin still wrapped tightly around her body. "I'm so sorry, she's never acted like this before." Gabrielle watched as Itzli came forward. "It's fine…."

She shook her head. "I know what she's going through…I understand that she doesn't want to help me and she's right not to trust me, I stole from her." Xochipilli breathed in deeply. "I'll help you…sadly I have no godly object and I'm no match for the creator gods but I'm sure I can help you in other ways." Gabrielle looked down sadly. "Thank you." Itzli moved closer he watched as Ohtli followed him. "You are insane sometimes Blood Jaguar." Gabrielle breathed in deeply eyeing him. "Could you please get me my clothes?" Itzli nodded calmly as he stepped back. "Of course I had them cleaned for you." Gabrielle looked down slightly as her thoughts took over. There had to be some thing that she could pit against Tezcatlipoca so she could free her lover…there just had to be. She just needed time to think it wasn't like she hadn't been here before, she knew every myth and ever legend in this place. She breathed in deeply trying to calm herself down as she leaned against the closest pottery stand.

End of part 34

Silvermoonlight.